Palestinians agree to 24-hour lull

Hamas and other factions have agreed to halt the firing of rockets into Israel for 24 hours to allow aid to be delivered to Gaza, a Hamas official has said.

An Egyptian convoy carrying food and medical supplies worth $1m is expected to be let into the Gaza Strip, after Hamas agreed to the unilateral temporary Egypt-mediated truce on Monday.

by Aljazeera

In Memory of Riad Hamad, 1952-2008, Palestine Activist

In Memory of Riad Hamad, 1952-2008

Father, teacher, and activist and friend

Through the Colorado Palestine Solidarity Campaign, I have worked with Riad Hamad and the Palestine Children’s Welfare Fund since 2003. Despite talking via the phone and email, the first time we met face-to-face was at the Palestine Solidarity Conference (“Divestment Conference”) at Duke University in 2004 where we shared Eid dinner. After this, we often met at other national events, the last of which was the U.S. Campaign mobilization for Palestine in Washington D.C.

Funny, charming, and clearly driven to help the children of Palestine despite years of harassment (none of which ever revealed any wrongdoing) by the government; the Palestine solidarity movement and society in general has lost a valued and dedicated contributor. Riad Hamad was truly one of the most valuable of activists in that he wasn’t interested in “playing politics” within the activist movement; but instead simply found ways he could make a difference and set out to do so with or without support and assistance from others. He lived very modestly and there has never been an accusation that even a single penny of the money he raised was misappropriated, everything went to help the cause. Further, he found and accepted allies of all stripes, working with Palestinians, other Arab groups, Israeli peace activists, Jewish-Americans (like myself), and anyone else willing to contribute to his various projects and initiatives.

Although the circumstances of his death strike me as being questionable (bound, gagged, and floating in a lake); both the police ([PDF]) and the family ([PDF]) have made the case that due to unspecified “stressors” Riad had recently been suicidal and that the physical evidence supports the possibility that his death was self-inflicted.

He will be missed and should be remembered as he represented the very best in independent grass-roots activism.

From the media:

Teachers, Students Grieve over Loss of Teacher

EXCERPT: More than a thousand students and the teachers at a southwest Austin middle school where Riad Hamad, 55, taught a technology class are in silent reflection now. ... "Mr. Hamad is a loved teacher on this campus. He's been here since 1999 when we opened and in his capacity as a technology teacher, he works with about 90% of our students," Anderson says. ... "Our children gained and developed a sense of humor. Some of the things the kids talked about, it was just remarkable that they could mirror the sense of humor that this man had." "They love him. He has been remarkable in setting high standards and sharing. He has been a very generous, generous man."

Black Ribbon for Gaza

When the Virginia Tech shooting happened in the united states about a year ago, many people posted black-ribbon-vt pictures on their facebook/myspace profiles which spread the word and caused more awareness of it. Similar black ribbons were used in other tragic incidents.

Thus, i made this simple gaza black ribbon for use on facebook, so that people with Western contacts could help raise awareness of this human massacre. What do you think of that idea? Can you please put it up on your blog and encourage readers to spread the word as well please?

It is really unfortunate because here in the United States, not a single word was mentioned about the situation in Gaza in any of the major news networks. Not a single word. Nothing!! None of my colleagues know that anything is happening in Gaza at all.

Best Regards,

–
Za3tar

Go HERE to get the code.

STATEMENT BY THE PLO MISSION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

STATEMENT BY THE PLO MISSION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

On January 28, 2008, the PLO Mission in Washington, D.C. issued a public statement announcing the passing of Dr. George Habash, a prominent Arab and Palestinian leader, who died in Amman, Jordan at the age of 82. In accordance with diplomatic and cultural norms, the PLO Mission offered the diplomatic corps and the Palestinian-American community the opportunity to visit its offices to express their condolences to the family of the deceased and the Palestinian people by signing a book of condolences. Similar steps were announced in Ramallah where President Abbas declared a three-day period of national morning.

In a gross misinterpretation of this gesture, the office of Representative Tom Lantos issued a statement accusing the PLO Mission and its director of making "asinine comments" and for "having the temerity" of availing a condolence book to the community to express its feelings on this sad occasion. The PLO Mission rejects this unfortunate and insensitive characterization by Mr. Lantos, which is deemed as a direct insult to the Palestinian people as a whole.

As Mr. Lantos is fully aware, honoring the memory of a national leader of the historical magnitude of Dr. George Habash does not constitute an endorsement of every ideological position or method used by Dr. Habash over the past 60 years of political struggle on behalf of the Palestine cause. The whole world knows quite well the considerable differences between Dr. Habash and the PLO leadership throughout this period. These differences, however, do not in any way, shape or form detract from his commitment to the liberty and independence of his people. Dr. Habash was undeniably the second most important figure in the contemporary Palestinian national movement.

The PLO Mission and its staff are not interested in engaging Representative Lantos in semantic debates. However, it is important to state publicly, that Palestinians are quite capable of recognizing their national leaders and honoring their memories. They are quite entitled to write their own history.

PLO Mission, January 30, 2008

Support a refugee family in Gaza!

Support a refugee family in Gaza through TAKAFUL: The Palestinian Refugee Support Network today!

TAKAFUL: The Palestinian Refugee Support Network

Every day, the news from Gaza continues to pour in - news that highlights the urgent humanitarian crisis for the people of Gaza. Following a week in which more than 30 Palestinians were killed by invading Israeli military forces and many times that number - including many children - were wounded by the ongoing bombing raids and invasions, and just one week after George W. Bush's meetings with Mahmud Abbas and Ehud Olmert, Israel ordered all border crossings into Gaza closed as it continued its deadly attacks on more than 1.5 million Palestinians already denied food, clean water, electricity and medical supplies.

On Saturday alone, 40 military tanks entered Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza and began destroying Palestinian homes. Gaza's power plant reports that it has fuel for only two more days of operations. The people of Gaza - 80% of them refugees - stand amidst a military occupation, constant attacks and a humanitarian crisis.

At this time, your support is desperately needed to help break the siege of Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian crisis that weighs so heavily on the people of Gaza. TAKAFUL-Palestinian Refugee Support Network urges all people of conscience to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza during these difficult times by adopting a Gazan family at $100 per month, or sharing in adopting a family at $60 per month. TAKAFUL project provides a unique way to provide relief to Palestinian refugee families, through direct financial support that helps families sustain themselves and their minimum survival needs.

Your contribution is tax-deductible in the United States. CLICK HERE TO DONATE

US Campaign Action Alert on Gaza

US Campaign Update: End the Siege of the People of Gaza Actions; Come out to support Israeli Apartheid Week 2008 in your cities; While Supplies Last, Get Your Palestinian Fair Trade Olive Oil; Apply for a Spring Internship with the US Campaign; US Campaign's NEW Book Club

US Campaign Action Alert: End the Siege of the People of Gaza January 26th, 2008

For more background information, analysis, and what you can do, click here.

Find out about the January 26 Israeli convoy that will try to break the siege of Gaza with food and medicine

Join Protests in the United States and Canada on Jan. 26 or Organize Your Own

Anaheim, CA:
Saturday, January 26, 1 p.m. 512 S. Brookhurst St., Between Orange Ave. & Broadway)

Boston, MA:
Saturday, January 26, noon-1pm in Harvard Square. Organized by Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights

Charlotte, NC:
Saturday, January 26, 4:00pm Forum, Charlotte Energy Solutions, 337 Baldwin Ave
Organized by Action Center for Justice. For more information, contact David Dixon bringthemonhome-AT-yahoo.com

Chapel Hill, NC:
Saturday, January 26, 1:00pm-2:00pm Peace and Justice Plaza, corner of East Franklin and Henderson Streets. Organized by the Coalition for Peace with Justice. For more information, contact Mary Lou Leiser Smith on 919-967-5181

Chicago, IL:
Sunday, January 27, 12:00pm-1:00pm Water Tower Park, 830 N. Michigan. Co-sponsored by AFSC and JVP _ Chicago. For information on the vigil, call Lynn Pollack @ 312-427-2533, ext. 26, or e-mail lpollack-AT-afsc.org

Tuesday, January, 29, 5 pm at the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 North Broadway (at benefit for the Friends of the 'Israeli Defense Force').Initiated by ISM. Call 773-463-0311 for more information.

Cleveland, OH:
Saturday, January 26, for more info contact donmbryant-AT-yahoo.com. Sponsored by Cleveland Middle East Peace Forum

Costa Mesa, CA:
Friday, January 25, 5:00pm-7:00pm, vigil at Bristol & Anton

Durham, NC:
Saturday, January 26, 12:00pm-1:00pm, Brightleaf Square, corner of Main and Gregson
Organized by the Coalition for Peace with Justice. For more information, contact Mary Lou Leiser Smith on 919-967-5181

Eugene, OR:
Saturday, January 26th, 12:00pm-3:00pm, Ferry Street Bridge-Meeting first in the EWEB parking lot 500 E. 4TH. Sponsored by Al-Nakba Awareness Project Palestine:JustJustice!
For more information, contact Mariah Leung HappyHeartMom-AT-comcast.net 541 513-3833

Montreal, Canada:
Friday January 25, 2:00 PM De Maisonneuve Boulevard corner of MacKay Street, Montreal (Metro Guy-Concordia).

New Haven, CT:
Friday, January 25th, 4:30pm-5:30pm The Federal Building on Church Street (opposite the flagpole on the Green). Bring signs. Bring candles.

New York City:
Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 7 PM at The Center for Constitutional Rights, 666 Broadway, 6th Floor To build a coalition for Nakba events)

Friday, January 25 3:00 pm (after friday prayers) RALLY at the Israeli Consulate 42nd & 2nd ave & MARCH to the EGYPTIAN Consulate (58th & 2nd ave)

Saturday, Jan. 26, 1 p.m. at the Israeli Embassy, 43rd St. and 2nd Ave.

Philadelphia, PA:
Friday, January 25, 12:00pm, Press Conference and vigil, Israeli Consulate, 15th & Locust

Saturday, Jan 26 Assemble at 12 noon to march from 5th and Market Sts. to the Israeli Consulate (15th & Locust) Contact: rkamel-AT-verizon.net

St. Louis, MO:
Friday, January 25, 4:15 pm-5:30pm, Corner of Summit and Snelling Aves
Organized by Coalition for Palestinian Rights. For more information, call 612-379-4716 or Florence, 651-696-1642

St. Paul, MN:
Friday January 25, 4:15pm-5:30pm, Corner of Summit and Snelling Aves

St. Petersburg, FL:
Saturday, January 26, 8:30pm-10:00pm Baywalk, 2nd Ave. and 2nd St. N
Organized by St. Pete for Peace. For more information, contact info-AT-stpeteforpeace.org

San Francisco, CA:
Friday, January 25, 4:00pm-6:00pm, Israeli Consulate, 456 Montgomery St. (near California)

San Diego, CA:
Friday, January 25, 3:00pm-5:30pm downtown corner of Broadway and Front Street.

Seattle, WA:
Friday, January 25, 4:00pm, Westlake Park, 4th & Pine Sts. Saturday January 26, 12:00pm-2:00pm, Leafleting/sign-waving protest on at Westlake Center downtown.

Sioux Falls, SD:
Saturday January 26, 12:00pm at 12th & Phillips

Toronto, Canada:
Friday January 25, 5:00pm Israeli Consulate at 180 Bloor St. West

Washington DC:
Friday, January 25, 4:00pm at the Israeli Embassy, 3514 International Dr. N.W.

CPSC Official Endorsement for President in 2008: Cynthia McKinney

The Colorado Palestine Solidarity Campaign would like to officially endorse Green candidate Cynthia McKinney for President in 2008. To learn more about Ms. McKinney, please visit her campaign website at: Run Cynthia Run!