The subject of prisoners’ rights has a whole different meaning in the oPt beginning with how a Palestinian becomes a prisoner in the first place. The use of administrative detention to arrest and hold them, the illegal transfer of prisoners to Israeli jails, the slur of ‘terrorism’ to cover any form of (elsewhere) legal protest, the denial of medical care until the health of a protesting hunger striker is wrecked. Addameer (Arabic for conscience) is the main prisoners’ rights NGO and its head, Sahar Francis, is touring the UK. Sponsored by JfJfP, PSC, LPHR.

Jewish Voice for Peace has initiated a public letter to President Obama asking him to act on an obvious principle: Israel should not receive state money from the US (or any country) if it does not comply with national and international laws. This follows a letter from 15 Christian leaders saying ‘unconditional U.S. military assistance to Israel has contributed to this deterioration (of peace prospects)’. JfJfP endorses the public letter to Obama. To sign, click on link in posting. The letter will be delivered on Inauguration Day, January 21.

As we said last week, it is expected that Israel’s Supreme Court will overturn the election committee’s ban on Ms Zoabi standing in the January Knesset election. The CEC’s decision, and the support it has received inside Israel, reveals racist, misogynist and deeply parochial attitudes towards political democracy. JfJfP condemns this latest act of discrimination.

JfJfP wishes all our signatories, supporters and readers a happy Chanukah, which lasts from sunset December 8 to sunset December 16 this year.. It is a festival of light formally commemorating resistance against Greek domination. We note the reverse from being a weak, dominated people to one part of Jews – Israel – using a powerful army at Chanukah 2008 to launch Operation Cast Lead. So it’s a celebration with sadness and regret.

On behalf of JfJfP Diana Neslen and Arthur Goodman write to Foreign Secretary William Hague objecting to his assertion that Hamas bears the main responsibility for the current crisis and citing the many Israeli assaults on Palestinian life and the truce potential preceding the barrage on Gaza.

In a terse statement in the trade media, Veolia announces that it has ended its 4-year sponsorship of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition. The petition against this wildly inappropriate sponsorship by a law-breaking, waste-dumping company was started by Richard Kuper and JfJfP. 1,175 had signed by 18 Nov – the petition is still running!

Demonstration this Saturday, 24 November, demanding an end to the siege of Gaza. Assemble 12 noon at Downing Street. Organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign with support fom JfJfP and many others.

Ronnie Fraser, Barnet college lecturer and founder-director of Academic Friends of Israel, is suing his union, the UCU, for ‘victimising’ him through voting that the draft EUMC definition of antisemitism conflates antisemitism with criticism of Israel. 1,JfJfP supports the UCU against this ‘dictatorial’ action of Mr. Fraser 2, JC report from tribunal, 3, about AFI.

The ship Estelle was carrying a cargo of people and humanitarian aid to the people of the besieged Gaza strip when it was seized by the IDF and taken to Ashdod where people and cargo were impounded. Contrary to claims by IDF spokesmen violence was used. There is no legal reason why unarmed people should not be free to visit independent Gaza.

The proposed trade agreement between the EU and Israel, known as ACCA, which centres on pharmaceuticals, is coming before the European parliament on September 18. MEPs have the power to give their assent to the new protocol, which would allow Israel free access to the EU single market, or to withhold it. JfJfP endorses the campaign to press MEPs to suspend their vote on the ACAA protocol. Get writing!

The Board of Deputies, the ‘establishment’ body of British Jews, has launched an attack on the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, a World Council of Churches initiative which supports Palestinians under attack. The sudden move seems to be a response to growing public antagonism to the Occupation, as is a petition against the Co-op’s boycott decision from ‘We Believe in Israel’. JfJfP issues a statement supporting EAPPI and criticising the Board of Deputies for its misleading attack.

Israel’s Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of two hunger strikers (see post below, Denial and solidarity meet hunger strike prisoners). They are now near death. Only outside pressure will move the judicial, military and political authorities. JfJfP urges everyone to put that pressure on. A petition from JVP folows. Lastly, an account in Ha’aretz of what happens to the body during starvation.

JfJfP with the London Middle East Institute and the Centre for Palestine Studies invite you to the book launch of “In your Eyes a Sandstorm: Ways of Being a Palestinian” by Arthur Neslen, introduced by Professor Gilbert Achcar. Monday 23rd April 2012, 7.00-9.00pm at Soas.

Jews for Justice for Palestinians greet all our readers at this festive season and hope that it will usher in a time of peace and justice for all

JfJfP is supporting the annual lobby of parliament, organised by PSC. We need your help to tell Parliament to help end the siege on Gaza, to act now on Jerusalem and to stop arming Israel…

Many Bedouin have lived in the Negev for centuries, with clear ownership rights. But these are not recognised by Israel which wants the land as an agricultural resource. The Bedouin are thus being evicted and deported to towns, with predictable consequences. Dr. Awad Abu Freih of ‘Recognition Now’ and others speak at venues across Britain

It has been a long-running scandal that young Palestinians over age 15 are tried in military courts. After extensive lobbying, formal complaints and reports – such as that from Defence for Children International, from which there is an extract 2nd- Israel has agreed to bring its law into line with other developed countries This move is welcomed by Caabu, 1st post, and by JfJfP.

JfJfP wishes all signatories and supporters a happy new year. Rosh Hashanah is 29-30 September this year. The Union Juive Francaise pour la Paix and the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel also say Shana Tova (Happy New Year) to JfJfP and supporters

JfJfP sends greetings to all our Muslim readers on the occasion of Eid. ‘Eid al-Fitr is a joyous occasion but its underlying purpose is to praise God and give thanks to him, according to Islamic belief’.

The JfJfP sends its best wishes to all Muslims as they begin the month of Ramadan today. 2) Israel sends a warplane to Gaza. 3) Dr. Hesham A. Hassaballa worries in Chicago about Ramadan observance in the long hot days of summer (hotter but shorter than UK days).