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Past Events

Course offered for Seniors in Duluth – sign up today!

The Israeli Palestinian Conflict in Context

A University for Seniors Course Presented at the University of Minnesota-Duluth

February 8, 15, 22 & March 1 (Tuesdays)

8:30-10:30 a.m. in Kirby Plaza 311 on the UMD campus

The course will focus on the Israeli Palestinian conflict by placing that conflict in its historical and present day context. This context is based on in depth study and firsthand knowledge of the issues and is aimed at providing participants with knowledge and insights that enable them to see through the often inaccurate rhetoric that permeates the issue of Israel and Palestine in the United States.

Course Content

Week 1. Joel Sipress – The Zionist Narrative and the Historical Realities of Israel

Week 2. Pricilla Starratt – Forces for Peace and Violence in the Palestinian/Israeli Conflict.

Week 3. Mayra Gomez and Bret Thiele – The conquest of Palestine: Human right violations and living conditions in present day Israel and Palestine.

Week 4. Film: Anna Balzer – A Witness in Palestine followed by a discussion of the film and the entire course.

Joel Sipress and Pricilla Starratt are professors of history in the Department of Social Inquiry at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Bret Thiele is a human rights lawyer who has spent significant time travelling in and working on human rights issues in Palestine and Israel. Mayra Gomez is a Ph.D. sociologist and human rights advocate who has also spent significant time travelling in and working on human rights issues in Palestine and Israel and recently visited Gaza as well.

For further information call 726-7637 or visit the U. for Seniors website:

http://www.d.umn.edu/ce/learningopportunities/universityforseniors/groups.html

Participants must be members of University for Seniors. Call or visit the website for further information.



Past Events

You’re invited to the ‘Never Again for Anyone’ Tour

“My great lesson from Auschwitz is whoever wants to dehumanise any other, must first be dehumanized himself. The oppressors are no longer really human whatever uniform they wear” ~ Hajo Meyer

Join MN BBC to hear Hayo Meyer, a Holocaust survivor, physicist and author, share the lesson of his experience in Auschwitz with a speech called “Never Again for Anyone”. He will be joined by Osama Abu Irshaid, founder and editor of the newspaper Al Mezan, and Coya White Hat-Artichoker, a Lakota activist for indigenous rights.

Tuesday, February 8 · 7:00pm – 10:00pm

John B. Davis Lecture Hall Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center – Macalaster College

1600 Grand Ave. Saint Paul, MN

* Suggested Donation of $5, but no one turned away for lack of funds *

For more information about the tour and the speakers, go to www.neveragainforanyone.com.



Articles

MN BBC asserts that Minnesota’s investments in Israel Bonds are illegal

MINNESOTA BREAK THE BONDS CAMPAIGN DEMANDS THAT THE STATE BOARD OF INVESTMENT DIVEST FROM ISRAEL

MINNEAPOLIS – February 1, 2011 – The Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign (MN BBC), a statewide campaign aimed at ending Minnesota investment in Israel until Israel complies with international law and respects human rights, has issued a written demand, a copy of which is attached, to the Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI) that the Board divest from Israel Bonds. The demand is based on both legal and moral grounds. MN BBC has also requested that the issue be placed on the Board’s agenda for its next scheduled meeting on March 3, 2011.

The SBI’s investments in Israel Bonds are unlawful. MN BBC’s demand letter refers to provisions of the Minnesota Statutes that restrict state investment in foreign governments. These investments also entangle Minnesota in Israel’s myriad international law and human rights violations.

MN BBC has formally advised the SBI that it will pursue legal action if the Board fails to place the issue on the March 3, 2011 meeting agenda and fails to divest.

Click here for a PDF copy of the actual press release:  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEB 1

Click here for a PDF copy of the Letter to the SBI: Letter to the SBI

Media Contacts

Flo Razowsky: 612-850-4942

Susie Gad: 612-227-5286

Email: mn@breakthebonds.org


Photo: i-consult.org

Past Events

Peacemakers in Rochester invite YOU to learn with them!

You’re invited!

“Palestine Under Siege: What Every American Needs to Know.”

Thursday, January 20, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Christ United Methodist Church, Education Conference Center

400 5th Avenue SW. Rochester, MN 55902

Representatives from the Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign will present an hour-long program on the plight of the Palestinians under Israeli occupation. This will be followed by a time for questions.

The BDS (Boycott Divest Sanction) movement (of which MN Break the Bonds is a part) has been gaining momentum in the U.S. as well as the world. This citizens’ initiative marks a turning point: the time for justice is long overdue for the Palestinian people, and traditional peace talks alone are not enough.

MN BBC has been on tour in the state giving programs like this one because as Minnesotans become informed on the ways they are supporting the Israeli government’s unjust policies, they will be asking themselves and others: “Why has our state legislature taken a pro-Israel position in the investment of our tax money?” They will expect their legislators to uphold and apply the same ethical principles to investment in Israeli bonds as was done in the past when Minnesota divested from bonds with Sudan, Iran, and S. Africa. State legislators from southeast Minnesota will be invited and encouraged to attend.

Sponsored by the Southeast Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers.

For more information, contact: Jean Chovan: jeanmc@live.com or Carol Brunholzl caroltonybrun@aol.com.

Photo: http://australiansforpalestine.com/4783

Articles

Israeli Activist Details Battle to End Apartheid in the West Bank

by Ricarda Sammaneh, January 12, 2011

Israeli Activist Details Battle to End Apartheid in the West Bank

Hapless elderly parents look on in horror and dismay as their sons are clubbed and their livelihoods, in the form of olive trees, go up in smoke via Israeli chainsaws, bulldozers, and jeering soldiers threatening with machine guns. A movie set? No, unfortunately this is the village of Bil’in, Palestine, filmed in 2005 by Israeli and international peace activists in the award-winning documentary Bil’in Habibti (Bil’in My Love) to draw international attention towards illegal Israeli acts of violence and economic destruction against the Palestinian population.

Gal Lugassi, a Jewish Israeli conscientious objector and activist with the Anarchists Against the Wall (AATW) direct action group, showed parts of this film and others as she spoke passionately about Israeli injustice towards Palestinians to a packed house on Sunday January 9, 2010, at Sisters Camelot in Minneapolis.

Gal detailed the stark contrast between her rights as a Jewish Israeli, and the rights of her Arab (Palestinian) neighbors. It was her sense of powerlessness within Israeli society to help Palestinians and peace activists, especially after the Gaza Flotilla Massacre in which international aid workers were murdered by Israeli soldiers, which finally drove Gal to actively engage in direct action as a member of AATW.

It was clear from her speech that Gal Lugassi and other AATW members regularly put themselves at risk of being killed, injured, or otherwise harassed by Israeli authorities, by participating in peaceful demonstrations against Israeli confiscation of Palestinian land, the Apartheid Wall, and other Israeli violations of international law.

Human Shields and “Skunk Water”

Israelis tend to use less deadly force against groups of Israeli and international activists who demonstrate or accompany Palestinians. Gal gave an example of accompanying Palestinian shepherds as they take out their flocks to graze, to act as human shields against armed Israeli settlers who shoot the shepherds on their own land. (Under Israeli law, the “Right to Bear Arms” does not apply to Palestinian shepherds defending their flocks.)

Audience members grimaced as Gal described being sprayed with “skunk water” by Israeli soldiers. “Skunk water,” she stated, “stinks like raw sewage” and covers you with a foul stench that lasts for days. Soldiers use water cannons to spray “skunk water” into crowds and into the homes of Palestinians. It may stink, but it doesn’t kill you.

In contrast, Palestinian demonstrators, including children and the elderly, are shot with rubber bullets aimed at their heads or backs, real bullets, and tear gas. Gal described how tear gas attacks are deadly when soldiers use high-velocity canisters, because of the rapid firing (30 canisters in a few seconds) and the canisters’ force of impact into the head or chest. She went on to say that .22 caliber bullets, which the Israeli authorities declared illegal for crowd control in 2002, are still being used by Israeli soldiers to shoot Palestinians even in the presence of international peace activists. (This is confirmed by other reports, such as the Haaretz article dated 16 November 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/protesters-idf-used-22-caliber-ammo-at-west-bank-fence-1.4111).

Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS)

Gal showed other graphic examples and photos of steps AATW members take to raise awareness within Israeli society, which, she lamented, is mostly indifferent to the suffering at their back door. She also stressed how important it is for the global community to stand in solidarity with Palestinian civil society by joining the BDS campaign of Boycotting goods that profit off of the Israeli occupation and Divesting from Israel, as this has been shown to be the most effective means of ending Apartheid in other countries violating international law (according to the informational site www.IfAmericaKnew.org and others, Israel is the target of 65 United Nations Resolutions)

The Role of Direct Action Groups in Israel

Anarchists Against the Wall is a direct action group that was established in 2003 in response to the construction of the wall Israel is building on Palestinian land in the Occupied West Bank. Since its formation, the group has participated in hundreds of demonstrations and direct actions against the wall specifically, and the occupation in general, all over the West Bank. All of AATW’s work in Palestine is coordinated through villages’ local popular committees and is essentially Palestinian led.

In 2008, AATW was jointly awarded the prestigious Carl von Ossietzky Medal in Berlin, given annually by the International League of Human Rights, and named after German Nobel Peace Prize winner Carl von Ossietzky, who died in a Nazi concentration camp. AATW works in cooperation with Palestinians in a joint popular struggle against the occupation.

This event was jointly sponsored by the Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign (MN BBC) and Minneapolis Autonomous Radical Space (MARS). The event was a fundraiser to help cover legal expenses incurred by Israeli and Palestinian demonstrators persecuted in the Israeli legal system, as well as a venue for raising awareness and funds for the Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign actively pursuing changes with the current legislative session.

Gal Lugassi is an Israeli conscientious objector who is an activist with the Anarchists Against the Wall action group, and the Boycott! from Within group. She also volunteers at the Coalition of Women for Peace with the Who Profits project. Gal is a 3rd year BA student of Gender Studies at Tel-Aviv University.

Photo: http://wrir.org/index.php?/blog/entry/1857/

Past Events, Resources

Act Now! Send an E-mail to your State Legislators demanding Minnesota divest from Israel Bonds!

1 Comment

Attention Members and Allies!

As the 2011 Minnesota legislative session opens today, January 4th, at 12:00 noon, MN Break the Bonds (MN BBC, mn.breakthebonds.org) stands strong in our conviction that we, as people of Minnesota, want to cease our financial support of Israel’s atrocities.

Thank you for everything you have done to help us get to where we are as a movement today! It is now time for us to publicly demand that the state of Minnesota divest from Israel Bonds! Please click here to send an e-mail to your state legislators today.

If you are interested in getting more involved during this busy time, please e-mail us at mn@breakthebonds.org. You can also subscribe to our mailing list simply by adding your e-mail address and clicking ‘Subscribe’ in the column to your right. This will guarantee that you receive regular updates, actions items and protest dates. Your individual participation is vital! Together, we can be part of making 2011 a year that moves us ever forward in bringing down apartheid, colonial oppression, occupation, and ushering in a just peace!

So, start now by clicking here to send an e-mail to your state legislatorstelling them that you wantMinnesota to divest from Israel Bonds!

Photo: Flickr.com

Past Events

Join us for this special fundraiser on January 9th!

You are invited to wine and dine with MN Break the Bonds & Anarchists Against the Wall!

January 9th, 2011

6:00 – 8:30 pm

at Sisters’ Camelot: 2310 Snelling Ave. Minneapolis MN 55404

* * *

Dinner begins at 6:00 pm

Talk with Gal Lugassi of Anarchists Against the Wall begins at 7:00 pm

$10 suggested donation ~ no one turned away for lack of funds

(non-alcoholic beverages will also be served)

About Anarchists Against the Wall (AATW): AATW is a direct action group that was established in 2003 in response to the construction of the wall Israel is building on Palestinian land in the Occupied West Bank. The group works in cooperation with Palestinians in a joint popular struggle against the occupation. With the increase of legal persecution against Palestinian demonstrators, Anarchists Against the Wall are now fundraising to expand its existing legal fund so that it also covers defense costs for Palestinians. This is in addition to covering a standing 15,000 USD debt, resulting from the legal persecution of Israeli anti-wall demonstrators. More for information visit: http://www.awalls.org/.

Photo: http://www.tadamon.ca/resources

Past Events

Film on the wall in Bethlehem in Northfield and the TC

This season, you’re invited to learn about another side of life in Bethlehem.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Film Showings of “Sacred Space Denied: Bethlehem and the Wall” in Saint Paul and Northfield

This groundbreaking documentary shares the gripping story of three men—a Palestinian Muslim, a Palestinian Christian, and an Israeli Jew—born into violence and willing to risk everything to bring an end to violence in their lifetime.

Northfielders for Justice in Palestine/Israel present an afternoon of entertainment & education:

Time: 2-4 pm

at the Just Foods Co-op Community Room

Speakers: “Making Room in Bethlehem Today” by Peter Mann @ 2:30 and

“A Presentation on MN Break the Bonds” by Bill McGrath @ 3:00

The film will be shown twice, at 2:00 and 3:30

The American Association for Palestinian Equal Rights – MN presents a film-showing and discussion:

Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM

@ Rondo Community Outreach Library (461 N Dale St Saint Paul, MN 55103)

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To print a flier for the Northfield event click here: AAPER Event

To print a flier for the Saint Paul event click here: Northfield Event.

News from our Friends

IWW endorses BDS in Support of Palestinian Rights!

Submitted by intexile, www.iww.org, December 2, 2010

12/2/2010 The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW or Wobblies) has officially voted to support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in support of Palestinian rights. The “Resolution in Support of the Workers of Palestine/Israel” was adopted in an overwhelming vote both at the IWW’s convention in Minneapolis and by the membership via referendum. This vote makes the IWW the first union in the US and the third union in Canada to officially support the Palestinian United Call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions.

Inspired by the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, the BDS movement calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel until such time as fundamental Palestinian rights are recognized. The BDS call is supported by a broad cross-section of Palestinian society, including Palestinian unions.

The resolution to support the BDS campaign comes out of the work of the IWW’s International Solidarity Commission and the IWW Friends of Palestinian Workers Group, a grassroots network of Wobblies supportive of the Palestinian, Israeli and international struggle against Israeli apartheid. Support for the BDS campaign was also stressed by all the Palestinian workers who met with members of the IWW on the IWW delegation to Palestine, particularly the Independent Workers Federation of Palestine, with whom the IWW shares a close bond of solidarity.

“For a union concerned with international solidarity, supporting the BDS movement is the right thing to do”, said IWW member Nathaniel Miller, who serves on the International Solidarity Commission and attended the IWW delegation to Palestine. “By officially supporting this BDS call, the IWW stands shoulder to shoulder with Palestinian workers in a global picket line against Israeli apartheid.”

“Our support of the BDS movement is in line with traditional wobbly principles of anti-racism and international solidarity”

The IWW Friends of Palestinian Workers Group resolves to continue to advance the cause of Palestinian rights inside and outside of the IWW.

Founded in 1905, the IWW is a union with a long tradition of solidarity and anti-militarism, and has been central to some of the most important struggles in US working class history. More recently, the IWW has been successful organizing at Starbucks and in the fast food industry, among workers long thought to be unorganizable. The IWW is an international union, with members across North America, Europe, Australia, and South Africa.

To Contact IWW Friends of Palestinian Workers Group

  • Phone – 610-209-1447
  • E-mail – nathaniel [at] iww.org

Photo: http://vegas.anarchoblogs.org/author/kelly-w-patterson/

First published: http://www.iww.org/en/node/5282

Endorsers

List of Endorsers

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We are continually accepting organizational endorsements.

E-mail: mn@breakthebonds.org

List of Endorsers from Minnesota:

National Lawyers Guild – MN (Minnesota)

Friends of Sabeel North America (Minnesota)

Green Party – MN (Minnesota)

Northfielders for Justice in Palestine/Israel (Northfield, Minnesota)

SouthEastern MN Alliance of Peacemakers (Minnesota)

Industrial Workers of the World – Twin Cities GMB (Minnesota)

Veterans for Peace – Twin Cities Chapter 27 (Minnesota)

Veterans for Peace – Duluth Chapter 80 (Minnesota)

Nygaard Notes, (Minneapolis Minnesota)

Women Against Military Madness (WAMM) – (Minnesota)

Middle East Peace Now (Minnesota)

Alliant Action, Eden Prairie (Minnesota)

List of Endorsers from outside of Minnesota:

International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (National)

Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions – USA (National)

Tadamon! (Montreal, Quebec)

Birth Right Unplugged (Bay Area, CA)

Madison-Rafah Sister City Project (Wisconsin)

Boycott From Within (Israel)

We Are Wide Awake (New Orleans, LA)

Middle East Children’s Alliance (Berkeley, CA)

Palestine-Israel Action Group (Michigan)

People for Peace London (Ontario)

American Jews for a Just Peace (National)

Justice for Palestinians (San Jose, CA)

Adalah-NY: The New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel (New York)

Teacher Against Occupation (National)

Sacramento BDS Working Group (California)

UC Berkeley Students for Justice in Palestine (California)

Olympia BDS (Washington)

Bay Area Campaign to End Israeli Apartheid (California)

US Campaign to End the Occupation (National)

Middle East Crisis Response (New York)

Hudson Valley BDS (New York)

Arab-Jewish Partnership for Peace and Justice in the Middle East (Chicago, IL)

NLG’s Free Palestine Subcommittee (California)

US Palestinian Community Network (National)

Movement to End Israeli Apartheid (Georgia)

14 Friends of Palestine (California)

WESPAC Foundation (Westchester County, NY)

Palestine Solidarity Group (Chicago, IL)

Inter Denominational Advocates for Peace – Ann Arbor (Michigan)

Christian Peacemaker Teams–Palestine (International/West Bank, Palestine)

Nonviolence International  (Washington, DC)

Shomer Shalom (National)

Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel (Vermont)

Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice (Washington)