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Rutgers University Officials Cancel Palestine Conference
Today, Rutgers University officials have CANCELLED the Third National Student Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement, scheduled for October 10-12, 2003 at Rutgers University.
Yet, the students at Rutgers University are determined to hold the conference as planned.
In canceling this widely supported conference throughout North America, the university administration has trampled on constitutional rights, muted free speech, and has betrayed its pledge to fairness and education.
This is an attack on peace and justice activists everywhere. It is an attack on our society as a whole and on our right to free expression and assembly.
But the university administration has gone much farther, and has taken a shameful overt political stand in favor of Israeli apartheid. As the university cancels the Palestine conference, it is simultaneously supporting an overarching pro-Israel program called "Israel Inspires", organized by the likes of AIPAC and Hillel International along with
others, which will be held at Rutgers to "neutralize the Palestinian movement".
According to the official website of "Israel Inspires" (http://www.israelinspires.org), the president of Rutgers University, Dr. Richard L. McCormick, "pledged his support for Israel Inspires, and asked to be personally involved in Hillel's positive pro-active initiative." In fact, President McCormick will appear tonight as a keynote at a pro-Israel event hosted by Zionists groups at Rutgers University. Featured participants at the "Israel Inspires" program during the weekend of October 10-12 will include the arch-Zionist and neocon Richard Perle and former CIA Director, James Woolsey. They will join the president of the right-wing Hudson Institute, Herbert London, and the publisher & CEO of the Jerusalem Post, Tom Rose.
On September 18, 2003, Israeli Minister, Natan Sharansky, will be featured as the opening speaker of the anti-Palestinian year-long program.
Palestine solidarity students and activists have the same right to assemble and hold a conference. They have the right to demand that their university is not invested in another apartheid system, and that they are not party to the suppression of the Palestinian people. They have the right to express their views and be heard without intimidation and constant harassments.
Palestine solidarity students and activists should not be silenced by anyone. The Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities should not be marginalized and positioned as conspirators.
These attacks on the organizers of the Palestine conference and the movement have mirrored the escalating assault on the Palestinian people, and have intersected with the attacks against our civil liberties and constitutional rights. The movement for peace and justice is at a crossroad today, and our society is being tested and pushed to the limits.
The Palestine solidarity movement needs your support! The Third National Student Conference on the Palestine Solidarity Movement must be held as planned.
To register your objection to the university action, and to support the students' constitutional right to hold the conference, please contact the following people. Please also send a copy of your letter to
endorse [at] njsolidarity.org
Richard L. McCormick, President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
83 Somerset Street
New Brunswick
New Jersey 08901
Telephone: 732/932-7454
Fax: 732/932-8060
Email: president [at] rutgers.edu
or,
Emmet Dennis
Vice President for Student Affairs
732-932-8756
dennis [at] oldqueens.rutgers.edu
or,
Marie T. Logue
Associate Dean
732-932-7442
logue [at] rci.rutgers.edu
SUPPORT THE CONFERENCE AND REGISTER NOW ONLINE:
http://www.divestmentconference.com
ENDORSE NOW ONLINE:
http://www.njsolidarity.org/conference/confendorse.html
DONATE:
http://www.njsolidarity.org/confdonate.html
- Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Paola Rizzuto
New Jersey Solidarity
(347)239-9156
Invisipoet [at] aol.com
Charlotte Kates
New Jersey Solidarity
973-297-0161
732-207-7215
ckates [at] pegasus.rutgers.edu
ADMINISTRATION ATTEMPTS TO SILENCE STUDENT SPEECH AT
BEHEST OF PRO-ISRAEL LOBBY; ATTEMPTS TO CANCEL STUDENT
CONFERENCE
NEW BRUNSWICK - (September 12, 2003) - Dean Marie Logue of the Department of Student Affairs at Rutgers College; Rutgers University today announced to several student representatives of student Palestine advocacy organization New Jersey Solidarity that the administration has deemed that "logistics" forbid students to proceed with a national Palestine solidarity conference scheduled for October 10-12, 2003; the student organization is determined to continue, saying they will hold the conference "wherever we must." This decision comes the day University President Robert McCormick is scheduled to appear at a dinner sponsored by Rutgers Hillel, a Zionist student group on campus.
The hastily-called meeting, to which students were called on Thursday evening, was unexplained. The organization's faculty advisor, Dr. Robert Trivers, was unavailable, and students attempted to reschedule the meeting, but were denied. Dean Logue stated at the meeting that "deadlines" prevented the conference from occurring, even though students had raised over $6,000 to be deposited in their account and met with Dean Johnston of Rutgers College on September 5 - the day of the allegedly missed deadlines.
Organizers replied that this assertion was "ludicrous. The deans of this University have made it clear on numerous occasions that they do not want this conference to happen.
This is political repression - just as the Palestinian people have been repressed through history. The University is attempting to abuse bureaucracy in order to silence student voices," said Paola Rizzuto, a Rutgers College sophomore and President of the organization.
"We refuse to be silenced. We will hold our conference. The Palestinian people have continued to resist despite incredible and overwhelming force displayed against them - and we owe them nothing less than to refuse to be silenced. We stand in solidarity with Palestine, and we call upon this university to divest all of its funds from the state of Israel and companies that do business with it. To do otherwise is to support apartheid. This is an official action on the part of Rutgers University in support of apartheid," said Charlotte Kates, a second-year student at Rutgers School of Law in Newark.
Robert McCormick, the University's new President, is scheduled to appear tonight at a Hillel-sponsored dinner at Brower Commons, the University dining hall. Rutgers Hillel is sponsoring "Israel Inspires," a counter-conference that will take place the same weekend as the student Palestine solidarity conference. "This appearance indicates the overt bias and discrimination displayed by Rutgers University administration," said Cecilia Joulain, a Douglass College senior and Treasurer of New Jersey Solidarity. "Bureaucracy is not an excuse. This is an attempt to silence student organizing at the
University."
In canceling this widely supported conference throughout North America, the university administration has trampled on constitutional rights, muted free speech, and has betrayed its pledge to fairness and education.
This is an attack on peace and justice activists everywhere. It is an attack on our society as a whole and on our right to free expression and assembly.
But the university administration has gone much farther, and has taken a shameful overt political stand in favor of Israeli apartheid. As the university cancels the Palestine conference, it is simultaneously supporting an overarching pro-Israel program called "Israel Inspires", organized by the likes of AIPAC and Hillel International along with
others, which will be held at Rutgers to "neutralize the Palestinian movement".
According to the official website of "Israel Inspires" (http://www.israelinspires.org), the president of Rutgers University, Dr. Richard L. McCormick, "pledged his support for Israel Inspires, and asked to be personally involved in Hillel's positive pro-active initiative." In fact, President McCormick will appear tonight as a keynote at a pro-Israel event hosted by Zionists groups at Rutgers University. Featured participants at the "Israel Inspires" program during the weekend of October 10-12 will include the arch-Zionist and neocon Richard Perle and former CIA Director, James Woolsey. They will join the president of the right-wing Hudson Institute, Herbert London, and the publisher & CEO of the Jerusalem Post, Tom Rose.
On September 18, 2003, Israeli Minister, Natan Sharansky, will be featured as the opening speaker of the anti-Palestinian year-long program.
Palestine solidarity students and activists have the same right to assemble and hold a conference. They have the right to demand that their university is not invested in another apartheid system, and that they are not party to the suppression of the Palestinian people. They have the right to express their views and be heard without intimidation and constant harassments.
Palestine solidarity students and activists should not be silenced by anyone. The Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities should not be marginalized and positioned as conspirators.
These attacks on the organizers of the Palestine conference and the movement have mirrored the escalating assault on the Palestinian people, and have intersected with the attacks against our civil liberties and constitutional rights. The movement for peace and justice is at a crossroad today, and our society is being tested and pushed to the limits.
The Palestine solidarity movement needs your support! The Third National Student Conference on the Palestine Solidarity Movement must be held as planned.
To register your objection to the university action, and to support the students' constitutional right to hold the conference, please contact the following people. Please also send a copy of your letter to
endorse [at] njsolidarity.org
Richard L. McCormick, President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
83 Somerset Street
New Brunswick
New Jersey 08901
Telephone: 732/932-7454
Fax: 732/932-8060
Email: president [at] rutgers.edu
or,
Emmet Dennis
Vice President for Student Affairs
732-932-8756
dennis [at] oldqueens.rutgers.edu
or,
Marie T. Logue
Associate Dean
732-932-7442
logue [at] rci.rutgers.edu
SUPPORT THE CONFERENCE AND REGISTER NOW ONLINE:
http://www.divestmentconference.com
ENDORSE NOW ONLINE:
http://www.njsolidarity.org/conference/confendorse.html
DONATE:
http://www.njsolidarity.org/confdonate.html
- Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Paola Rizzuto
New Jersey Solidarity
(347)239-9156
Invisipoet [at] aol.com
Charlotte Kates
New Jersey Solidarity
973-297-0161
732-207-7215
ckates [at] pegasus.rutgers.edu
ADMINISTRATION ATTEMPTS TO SILENCE STUDENT SPEECH AT
BEHEST OF PRO-ISRAEL LOBBY; ATTEMPTS TO CANCEL STUDENT
CONFERENCE
NEW BRUNSWICK - (September 12, 2003) - Dean Marie Logue of the Department of Student Affairs at Rutgers College; Rutgers University today announced to several student representatives of student Palestine advocacy organization New Jersey Solidarity that the administration has deemed that "logistics" forbid students to proceed with a national Palestine solidarity conference scheduled for October 10-12, 2003; the student organization is determined to continue, saying they will hold the conference "wherever we must." This decision comes the day University President Robert McCormick is scheduled to appear at a dinner sponsored by Rutgers Hillel, a Zionist student group on campus.
The hastily-called meeting, to which students were called on Thursday evening, was unexplained. The organization's faculty advisor, Dr. Robert Trivers, was unavailable, and students attempted to reschedule the meeting, but were denied. Dean Logue stated at the meeting that "deadlines" prevented the conference from occurring, even though students had raised over $6,000 to be deposited in their account and met with Dean Johnston of Rutgers College on September 5 - the day of the allegedly missed deadlines.
Organizers replied that this assertion was "ludicrous. The deans of this University have made it clear on numerous occasions that they do not want this conference to happen.
This is political repression - just as the Palestinian people have been repressed through history. The University is attempting to abuse bureaucracy in order to silence student voices," said Paola Rizzuto, a Rutgers College sophomore and President of the organization.
"We refuse to be silenced. We will hold our conference. The Palestinian people have continued to resist despite incredible and overwhelming force displayed against them - and we owe them nothing less than to refuse to be silenced. We stand in solidarity with Palestine, and we call upon this university to divest all of its funds from the state of Israel and companies that do business with it. To do otherwise is to support apartheid. This is an official action on the part of Rutgers University in support of apartheid," said Charlotte Kates, a second-year student at Rutgers School of Law in Newark.
Robert McCormick, the University's new President, is scheduled to appear tonight at a Hillel-sponsored dinner at Brower Commons, the University dining hall. Rutgers Hillel is sponsoring "Israel Inspires," a counter-conference that will take place the same weekend as the student Palestine solidarity conference. "This appearance indicates the overt bias and discrimination displayed by Rutgers University administration," said Cecilia Joulain, a Douglass College senior and Treasurer of New Jersey Solidarity. "Bureaucracy is not an excuse. This is an attempt to silence student organizing at the
University."
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This is outrageous and totally unacceptable.
An institution of higher learning like Rutgers University should not be engaging in this sort of censorship and suppression of peace and justice groups while at the same time supporting Israeli Apartheid and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.
It goes to show the amount of control Israel's supporters have when it comes to influencing the media (Google's banning of SF Indymedia, e.g.) and University administrations.
An institution of higher learning like Rutgers University should not be engaging in this sort of censorship and suppression of peace and justice groups while at the same time supporting Israeli Apartheid and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.
It goes to show the amount of control Israel's supporters have when it comes to influencing the media (Google's banning of SF Indymedia, e.g.) and University administrations.
up to the top
What will happen next? And the real reason for doing this is what?
Rutgers is not pro-Israel, they are anti-terrorist. Your slanted psycho-babble should not (and is not) to be believed.
Angie, last week I offered to make a PayPal donation to Indy if you would speak out solidly at least ONE time against any of the Palestinian terrorist actions without sticking Israel at the same time. And you failed. Evidently you embrace killers of children NO MATTER WHAT. You are an evil person. It is well noticed on these boards.
Angie, last week I offered to make a PayPal donation to Indy if you would speak out solidly at least ONE time against any of the Palestinian terrorist actions without sticking Israel at the same time. And you failed. Evidently you embrace killers of children NO MATTER WHAT. You are an evil person. It is well noticed on these boards.
Both sides kill children. But then, so does America.
Palestinians terrorized Jordan in the early 1970's until finally King Hussein killed tens of thousands of them in just one month alone.
Palestinians terrorized Kuwait so much that in 1991 after Kuwait was liberated the first thing they did was throw about 350,000 Palestinians right the hell out of Kuwait. Did you protest that? Why not?
Palestinians have terrorized Israel for decades now, which is why it is ridiculous for Israel to be expected to hand land to them especially when the likes of Arafat would gain the control.
Egypt wants no part of the Palestinains and allows very few of them to immigrate to Egypt (which, by the way, is where Arafat is originally from).
Arabs, from 1948 to 1967, controlled 100% of the west bank, gaza strip and east jerusalem, and instead of forming a palestinian state, they kept attacking israel until in 1967 israel won the war and took control of the land. And you're mad that Israel hasn't allowed a palestinian state to be formed on it, even as for decades terrorism against israel continued, and it was a miracle just to get them to even pretend to officially recognize israel as a state? Get a damn grip!
Palestinians terrorized Kuwait so much that in 1991 after Kuwait was liberated the first thing they did was throw about 350,000 Palestinians right the hell out of Kuwait. Did you protest that? Why not?
Palestinians have terrorized Israel for decades now, which is why it is ridiculous for Israel to be expected to hand land to them especially when the likes of Arafat would gain the control.
Egypt wants no part of the Palestinains and allows very few of them to immigrate to Egypt (which, by the way, is where Arafat is originally from).
Arabs, from 1948 to 1967, controlled 100% of the west bank, gaza strip and east jerusalem, and instead of forming a palestinian state, they kept attacking israel until in 1967 israel won the war and took control of the land. And you're mad that Israel hasn't allowed a palestinian state to be formed on it, even as for decades terrorism against israel continued, and it was a miracle just to get them to even pretend to officially recognize israel as a state? Get a damn grip!
Just as soon as Israel and its supporters come on this Board and say:
<<<yes, we are oppressing Palestinians,
<<< yes, we are killing innocent civilians (men, women, and children),
<<< yes, we are bulldozing their homes sometimes with people in them
<<< yes, we are stealing their lands bit by bit by bit
>>> yes, we are practicing ethnic cleansing against them
<<< yes, we are dropping bombs on apartment buildings and dropping missiles on busy streets
<<< yes, we are assassinating anyone we want under the guise of "terrorism"
<<< yes, we are manipulating the media
<<< yes, we do think we can get away with anything and we do, as if the UN and international opinion mattered
<<< yes, we do have our own terrorist and war criminal, Ariel Sharon, as our Prime Minister
and everything else besides, then, perhaps people like myself will not be so reticient in looking at your side of this ugly mess.
For instance, what has Sharon and his government done to keep Israeli citizens safe? Despite the so-called "truce" Israel continued to assassinate Hamas "militants", and despite being warned by the Palestinian militant groups that there would be reprisals, Israel's provocation continued.
If that's not putting Israel's own people in danger, I don't know what is. The citizens of Israel, be they Jews or Muslins, or whatever else, deserve a government that is going to protect them not place them in danger. This has not happened.
Blowing people up is not the answer be it on a bus in Israel or an apartment building in Gaza. Killing people is not the answer. All killing has ever done is brought about more killing. It has to stop somewhere. To think otherwise is too horrific.
Hating people certainly isn't the answer. It's not going to solve anything. The people of Israel are not safe. The Palestinian peoples haven't been safe in years. Yelling at me is not going to change that.
I have to believe that the vast majority of the people of Israel do not share your views, and the views of other hate-filled people that come on this board and other boards and newspapers around the world, those who yell and scream and write hate filled spiels against anyone who dares criticize Israel.
I somehow doubt if the majority of those people actually live in Israel at all. In fact, I'm willing to bet they do not.
I have to believe that you are not a representative sample of what Israel is because to believe otherwise would be too reprehensible.
I read articles about Jews and Arabs working together in the Middle East. I read about joint peace movements. I read about acts of kindness by both sides.
However, I will not now, or ever, condone the occupation and the oppression of the Palestinians, nor any other oppressed peoples anywhere in the world.
This is not the only damn conflict, you know. People are dying every day, civil wars are bringing their deadly presence to locations around the globe, but no one pays much attention. Must be the manipulated media again.
As for "we all" hating me, .well, why am I not surprised?
Hate is a nasty, ugly word, a nasty ugly emotion, which prevents the seeds of peace from taking root. It prevents love and understanding. Hate is evil, it promotes evil.
Hating me is not going to bring about peace between Israel and Palestine, nor will hating anyone else. It does, however, say something about you. Decent, caring, honest human beings do not HATE. Tolerant, loving, understanding people do not HATE. That leaves "we" where?
As for your contribution, well, why don't you give it to a homeless person in your neighbourhood? (That was a definitely new tactic! We're impressed. Where did you tell me you had planned on doing that, hmm? Ye'ah, I bet!)
It should be noted here that the peoples of Palestine, if they were allowed to keep their olive groves, their orchards, fields, and shops, would not need donations in my name or anyone else's. They would be able to live and work and provide a life for themselves and their families.
I am not the one who is destroying their livelihood and their lives. I, and others like me, are not the ones who are putting the citizens of Israel and the Occupied territories in danger. Go talk to the ones who are.
<<<yes, we are oppressing Palestinians,
<<< yes, we are killing innocent civilians (men, women, and children),
<<< yes, we are bulldozing their homes sometimes with people in them
<<< yes, we are stealing their lands bit by bit by bit
>>> yes, we are practicing ethnic cleansing against them
<<< yes, we are dropping bombs on apartment buildings and dropping missiles on busy streets
<<< yes, we are assassinating anyone we want under the guise of "terrorism"
<<< yes, we are manipulating the media
<<< yes, we do think we can get away with anything and we do, as if the UN and international opinion mattered
<<< yes, we do have our own terrorist and war criminal, Ariel Sharon, as our Prime Minister
and everything else besides, then, perhaps people like myself will not be so reticient in looking at your side of this ugly mess.
For instance, what has Sharon and his government done to keep Israeli citizens safe? Despite the so-called "truce" Israel continued to assassinate Hamas "militants", and despite being warned by the Palestinian militant groups that there would be reprisals, Israel's provocation continued.
If that's not putting Israel's own people in danger, I don't know what is. The citizens of Israel, be they Jews or Muslins, or whatever else, deserve a government that is going to protect them not place them in danger. This has not happened.
Blowing people up is not the answer be it on a bus in Israel or an apartment building in Gaza. Killing people is not the answer. All killing has ever done is brought about more killing. It has to stop somewhere. To think otherwise is too horrific.
Hating people certainly isn't the answer. It's not going to solve anything. The people of Israel are not safe. The Palestinian peoples haven't been safe in years. Yelling at me is not going to change that.
I have to believe that the vast majority of the people of Israel do not share your views, and the views of other hate-filled people that come on this board and other boards and newspapers around the world, those who yell and scream and write hate filled spiels against anyone who dares criticize Israel.
I somehow doubt if the majority of those people actually live in Israel at all. In fact, I'm willing to bet they do not.
I have to believe that you are not a representative sample of what Israel is because to believe otherwise would be too reprehensible.
I read articles about Jews and Arabs working together in the Middle East. I read about joint peace movements. I read about acts of kindness by both sides.
However, I will not now, or ever, condone the occupation and the oppression of the Palestinians, nor any other oppressed peoples anywhere in the world.
This is not the only damn conflict, you know. People are dying every day, civil wars are bringing their deadly presence to locations around the globe, but no one pays much attention. Must be the manipulated media again.
As for "we all" hating me, .well, why am I not surprised?
Hate is a nasty, ugly word, a nasty ugly emotion, which prevents the seeds of peace from taking root. It prevents love and understanding. Hate is evil, it promotes evil.
Hating me is not going to bring about peace between Israel and Palestine, nor will hating anyone else. It does, however, say something about you. Decent, caring, honest human beings do not HATE. Tolerant, loving, understanding people do not HATE. That leaves "we" where?
As for your contribution, well, why don't you give it to a homeless person in your neighbourhood? (That was a definitely new tactic! We're impressed. Where did you tell me you had planned on doing that, hmm? Ye'ah, I bet!)
It should be noted here that the peoples of Palestine, if they were allowed to keep their olive groves, their orchards, fields, and shops, would not need donations in my name or anyone else's. They would be able to live and work and provide a life for themselves and their families.
I am not the one who is destroying their livelihood and their lives. I, and others like me, are not the ones who are putting the citizens of Israel and the Occupied territories in danger. Go talk to the ones who are.
ANGIE SAID: <<<yes, we are oppressing Palestinians
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Yes, Palestinians are oppressed. Do you think that has anything to do with the behavior of their leaders and top organizations, terrorizing Jordan until King Hussein killed them in teh 70's, terrorizing Lebanon until Lebanon smacked them around in the 80's, terrorizing Kuwait until in 1991 Kuwait kicked 350,000 Palestinians out, and terrorizing Israel for decades?
ANGIE SAYS: <<< yes, we are killing innocent civilians (men, women, and children),
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Israel targets terrorist organization members but is sometimes sloppy and a few extra innocent people die. If Israel didn't care at all about hurting innocent people they would never use ground troops, would not just aim at terrorists in their cars, and instead would do what america does and drop giant bombs from 10,000 feet. Palestinians, however, target as many innocent jews as they can. It's fortunate that palestinians aren't more heavily armed.
ANGIE SAYS: <<< yes, we are bulldozing their homes sometimes with people in them
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Not usually. About 99% of the time Israel announces to the house to evacuate. Also, usually when a terrorist attacks, israel bulldozes his home. Israel is trying to send a message that terrorism isn't benefitting the palestinians. Would you rather israel just did what everyone else would and just smoke a few hundred palestinians without even announcing anything?
ANGIE SAYS: yes, we are stealing their lands bit by bit by bit
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Palestinians could have formed a state in 1948. They chose to attack israel instead. Then, palestinians and arabs from 1948 to 1967 had 100% control of the west bank, gaza and east jerusalem, and they did not form a state but just kept attacking the jews. It was their choice. THat's what they did. In the 1967 war, israel won control of all the land, and with each decade that palestinians continue to attack israel, israel will offer less land to them. Blame Arafat. Educated, honest palestinians do.
The rest of angie's nonsense is just the standard junk, blame everything on the jews of israel, the actions arabs have taken and the culture and violence of the palestinians shoudl just be ignored.
ANGIE SAYS: For instance, what has Sharon and his government done to keep Israeli citizens safe? Despite the so-called "truce" Israel continued to assassinate Hamas "militants", and despite being warned by the Palestinian militant groups that there would be reprisals, Israel's provocation continued.
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Interesting how angie always puts the words MILITANTS and TERRORISTS, which is what hamas is, when speaking of any arabs. As if to imply they aren't really militants or terrorists. Angie appears unable or unwilling to correctly label HAMAS members as TERRORISTS. Very telling.
ANGIE SAYS: If that's not putting Israel's own people in danger, I don't know what is. The citizens of Israel, be they Jews or Muslins, or whatever else, deserve a government that is going to protect them not place them in danger. This has not happened.
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Israel's own people have been in danger no matter what approach Israel has tried. At some point will you blame the actual people attacking Israel?
The rest of what angie says is a nice, cutsey passioned statement about how terrible this all is for everyone. Unfortunately, she is unwilling to place any blame at all on the disgusting, sick and frankly self-destructive actions of hamas, arafat and others. She blames everything on israel. She blames nothing on the very popular and powerful extremist factions of the palestinians who, for MANY years, have been given many opportunities to show they want a peaceful two-state solution, and have taken every chance to instead just try to murder jews. She's dishonest or ignorant.
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Yes, Palestinians are oppressed. Do you think that has anything to do with the behavior of their leaders and top organizations, terrorizing Jordan until King Hussein killed them in teh 70's, terrorizing Lebanon until Lebanon smacked them around in the 80's, terrorizing Kuwait until in 1991 Kuwait kicked 350,000 Palestinians out, and terrorizing Israel for decades?
ANGIE SAYS: <<< yes, we are killing innocent civilians (men, women, and children),
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Israel targets terrorist organization members but is sometimes sloppy and a few extra innocent people die. If Israel didn't care at all about hurting innocent people they would never use ground troops, would not just aim at terrorists in their cars, and instead would do what america does and drop giant bombs from 10,000 feet. Palestinians, however, target as many innocent jews as they can. It's fortunate that palestinians aren't more heavily armed.
ANGIE SAYS: <<< yes, we are bulldozing their homes sometimes with people in them
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Not usually. About 99% of the time Israel announces to the house to evacuate. Also, usually when a terrorist attacks, israel bulldozes his home. Israel is trying to send a message that terrorism isn't benefitting the palestinians. Would you rather israel just did what everyone else would and just smoke a few hundred palestinians without even announcing anything?
ANGIE SAYS: yes, we are stealing their lands bit by bit by bit
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Palestinians could have formed a state in 1948. They chose to attack israel instead. Then, palestinians and arabs from 1948 to 1967 had 100% control of the west bank, gaza and east jerusalem, and they did not form a state but just kept attacking the jews. It was their choice. THat's what they did. In the 1967 war, israel won control of all the land, and with each decade that palestinians continue to attack israel, israel will offer less land to them. Blame Arafat. Educated, honest palestinians do.
The rest of angie's nonsense is just the standard junk, blame everything on the jews of israel, the actions arabs have taken and the culture and violence of the palestinians shoudl just be ignored.
ANGIE SAYS: For instance, what has Sharon and his government done to keep Israeli citizens safe? Despite the so-called "truce" Israel continued to assassinate Hamas "militants", and despite being warned by the Palestinian militant groups that there would be reprisals, Israel's provocation continued.
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Interesting how angie always puts the words MILITANTS and TERRORISTS, which is what hamas is, when speaking of any arabs. As if to imply they aren't really militants or terrorists. Angie appears unable or unwilling to correctly label HAMAS members as TERRORISTS. Very telling.
ANGIE SAYS: If that's not putting Israel's own people in danger, I don't know what is. The citizens of Israel, be they Jews or Muslins, or whatever else, deserve a government that is going to protect them not place them in danger. This has not happened.
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Israel's own people have been in danger no matter what approach Israel has tried. At some point will you blame the actual people attacking Israel?
The rest of what angie says is a nice, cutsey passioned statement about how terrible this all is for everyone. Unfortunately, she is unwilling to place any blame at all on the disgusting, sick and frankly self-destructive actions of hamas, arafat and others. She blames everything on israel. She blames nothing on the very popular and powerful extremist factions of the palestinians who, for MANY years, have been given many opportunities to show they want a peaceful two-state solution, and have taken every chance to instead just try to murder jews. She's dishonest or ignorant.
Or shall we say "flawed logic"? Yes, why not?
And shall we say "uneducated response"? Yes, why not?
If there were no Arafat, if you're so honest and so educated, who would Israel blame, hmm?
I suggest you read read Gwynne Dyer's "The Strategy of Suicide Bombs" (6 January 2003) in any newspaper of note anywhere. You might learn something with respect to Sharon et al.
I assume you were about to ask, or state, or notice - WHATEVER - that I put "terrorists" and "militants" in quotation marks? Guess you got too carried away to finish that sentence, although perhaps I missed it.
When I quote "terrorists" or anything else. I will use quotation marks because it is the correct thing to do. Didn't you study punctuation?
And let's not forget the "cutesy passioned statement how this is terrible for everyone". I don't know about "cutsey" and "passioned", but are you saying I'm it is not "terrible for everyone"? Are you going to come on this Board and say it's only terrible for the Palestinians?
With all the drivel expouned above I note no mention was made to "Nonsense"' (who knows, probably the same person as Logic) with respect to "hate". Guess it's all right to hate "Angie", hmm, and all others besides, especially if are not Israelis.
And shall we say "uneducated response"? Yes, why not?
If there were no Arafat, if you're so honest and so educated, who would Israel blame, hmm?
I suggest you read read Gwynne Dyer's "The Strategy of Suicide Bombs" (6 January 2003) in any newspaper of note anywhere. You might learn something with respect to Sharon et al.
I assume you were about to ask, or state, or notice - WHATEVER - that I put "terrorists" and "militants" in quotation marks? Guess you got too carried away to finish that sentence, although perhaps I missed it.
When I quote "terrorists" or anything else. I will use quotation marks because it is the correct thing to do. Didn't you study punctuation?
And let's not forget the "cutesy passioned statement how this is terrible for everyone". I don't know about "cutsey" and "passioned", but are you saying I'm it is not "terrible for everyone"? Are you going to come on this Board and say it's only terrible for the Palestinians?
With all the drivel expouned above I note no mention was made to "Nonsense"' (who knows, probably the same person as Logic) with respect to "hate". Guess it's all right to hate "Angie", hmm, and all others besides, especially if are not Israelis.
"ANGIE SAID: <<<yes, we are oppressing Palestinians
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Yes, Palestinians are oppressed"
Gee, 'Reason,' you missed a key phrase in there - The Palestinians are oppressed *by the Israelis*.
This small but crucial ommission is a classic example of the way that Zionists try to twist reality. By not stating the actual reality - that the ISRAELIS are oppressing the Palestinians - they build on a false premise: that the Palestinians are oppressed because they deserve to be, by an unnamed entity.
In fact, the Israelis have DECIDED to oppress the Palestinians and are in control of how much oppression gets done. They have a large military and use it to control every aspect of the Palestinians' lives. At this point, virtually nothing the Palestinian PEOPLE could do, could stop the Israelis from oppressing them. The Palestinian people are not Hamas, and yet, they are killed at random and systematically oppressed by the IDF and the policies of the Israeli government.
To clarify, it is Israel who is oppressing the Palestinians.
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Yes, Palestinians are oppressed"
Gee, 'Reason,' you missed a key phrase in there - The Palestinians are oppressed *by the Israelis*.
This small but crucial ommission is a classic example of the way that Zionists try to twist reality. By not stating the actual reality - that the ISRAELIS are oppressing the Palestinians - they build on a false premise: that the Palestinians are oppressed because they deserve to be, by an unnamed entity.
In fact, the Israelis have DECIDED to oppress the Palestinians and are in control of how much oppression gets done. They have a large military and use it to control every aspect of the Palestinians' lives. At this point, virtually nothing the Palestinian PEOPLE could do, could stop the Israelis from oppressing them. The Palestinian people are not Hamas, and yet, they are killed at random and systematically oppressed by the IDF and the policies of the Israeli government.
To clarify, it is Israel who is oppressing the Palestinians.
A few points I overlooked there last night:
a) EDUCATED RESPONSE: "Israel targets terrorist organization members but is sometimes sloppy and a few extra innocent people die".
ANGIE: I've had that thrown at me before, so presumably I can easily ascertain who "Educated Response" (a misnomer if ever there was one) is, and I will do that.
However, look at that sentence, will you, my friends? "... is sometimes sloppy and a few extra innocent people die".
Have you ever read anything so asinine in your life? We are being asked to believe that every Palestinian wiped off the face of the earth who is not an alleged "terrorist" has gone to his/her eternal rest because the IDF were "sloppy"? That is asking us to take one giant quantum leap, isn't it?
I can just see it now, two members of the IDF having a chat:
IDF No. 1 -- man, I was supposed to wipe out "Mr. X" there, and I took ten others with me. How sloppy am I at all".
IDF No. 2 - I know exactly what you mean. The same thing happened to me just yesterday. Whatever else anyone says about us, we have to agree we're sloppy and obviously getting more so every day".
b) EDUCATED RESPONSE: The rest of Angie's response is just the standard junk, blame everything on the jews of Israel".
ANGIE: Now "educated response" tell us where I said anything about "the jews of israel" being responsible?
Tthat's a very telting comment, however. It tells us that according to "Educated Response" the only people who reside in Israel are Jews.
And then there's the usual:
EDUCATED GUESS: She's dishonest or ignorant".
ANGIE: Actually I'm neither. Because if I were dishonest and ignorant , you would not even notice me on this Board.
a) EDUCATED RESPONSE: "Israel targets terrorist organization members but is sometimes sloppy and a few extra innocent people die".
ANGIE: I've had that thrown at me before, so presumably I can easily ascertain who "Educated Response" (a misnomer if ever there was one) is, and I will do that.
However, look at that sentence, will you, my friends? "... is sometimes sloppy and a few extra innocent people die".
Have you ever read anything so asinine in your life? We are being asked to believe that every Palestinian wiped off the face of the earth who is not an alleged "terrorist" has gone to his/her eternal rest because the IDF were "sloppy"? That is asking us to take one giant quantum leap, isn't it?
I can just see it now, two members of the IDF having a chat:
IDF No. 1 -- man, I was supposed to wipe out "Mr. X" there, and I took ten others with me. How sloppy am I at all".
IDF No. 2 - I know exactly what you mean. The same thing happened to me just yesterday. Whatever else anyone says about us, we have to agree we're sloppy and obviously getting more so every day".
b) EDUCATED RESPONSE: The rest of Angie's response is just the standard junk, blame everything on the jews of Israel".
ANGIE: Now "educated response" tell us where I said anything about "the jews of israel" being responsible?
Tthat's a very telting comment, however. It tells us that according to "Educated Response" the only people who reside in Israel are Jews.
And then there's the usual:
EDUCATED GUESS: She's dishonest or ignorant".
ANGIE: Actually I'm neither. Because if I were dishonest and ignorant , you would not even notice me on this Board.
Angie said: If there were no Arafat, if you're so honest and so educated, who would Israel blame, hmm?
EDUCATED RESPONSE: You still don't seem to get it. The point is that if moderates controlled the Palestinians instead of the likes of Arafat, Israel wouldn't have to or want to blame anyone, because this would be over by now and a new state would have been formed already, long ago.
Angie said: When I quote "terrorists" or anything else. I will use quotation marks because it is the correct thing to do. Didn't you study punctuation?
EDUCATED RESPONSE: When you quote someone, yes, you put the quote in quotation marks. I have not referred to times when you were quoting someone. In NORMAL SPEAK, you appear to always put the word terrorists in quotes, as if to imply they aren't really terrorists.
Angie said: Are you going to come on this Board and say it's only terrible for the Palestinians?
EDUCATED RESPONSE: No. Why would I say that? What stream of logic (or lack thereof) would lead you to think such a thing was being implied? I sense you had very bad grades in math class or anything that required your brain to function in a proper format.
Angie said: Guess it's all right to hate "Angie", hmm, and all others besides, especially if are not Israelis.
EDUCATED RESPONSE: It has nothing to do with what nationality you are. It has specifically to do with the nonsense that you type.
EDUCATED RESPONSE: You still don't seem to get it. The point is that if moderates controlled the Palestinians instead of the likes of Arafat, Israel wouldn't have to or want to blame anyone, because this would be over by now and a new state would have been formed already, long ago.
Angie said: When I quote "terrorists" or anything else. I will use quotation marks because it is the correct thing to do. Didn't you study punctuation?
EDUCATED RESPONSE: When you quote someone, yes, you put the quote in quotation marks. I have not referred to times when you were quoting someone. In NORMAL SPEAK, you appear to always put the word terrorists in quotes, as if to imply they aren't really terrorists.
Angie said: Are you going to come on this Board and say it's only terrible for the Palestinians?
EDUCATED RESPONSE: No. Why would I say that? What stream of logic (or lack thereof) would lead you to think such a thing was being implied? I sense you had very bad grades in math class or anything that required your brain to function in a proper format.
Angie said: Guess it's all right to hate "Angie", hmm, and all others besides, especially if are not Israelis.
EDUCATED RESPONSE: It has nothing to do with what nationality you are. It has specifically to do with the nonsense that you type.
Some wackjob above made a whole grand gesture with the following as the main point:
"To clarify, it is Israel who is oppressing the Palestinians."
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Yes, we know that. There is a reason for it. Palestinians refuse to stop attacking Israel. Palestinians have been led by people who want Israel destroyed. Your statements of "zionist tricks" only make you look like a wackjob. There are no zionists under your bed or hiding in your closet. Seek therapy or something.
"To clarify, it is Israel who is oppressing the Palestinians."
EDUCATED RESPONSE: Yes, we know that. There is a reason for it. Palestinians refuse to stop attacking Israel. Palestinians have been led by people who want Israel destroyed. Your statements of "zionist tricks" only make you look like a wackjob. There are no zionists under your bed or hiding in your closet. Seek therapy or something.
Angie said: Tthat's a very telting comment, however. It tells us that according to "Educated Response" the only people who reside in Israel are Jews.
EDUCATED RESPONSE: No, that's not what's being claimed. When people speak of the wrongs the israeli governement do, they typically are speaking of the jews of israel, not the muslims of israel. Everyone knows that israel is about 80% jews and 20% muslims (well, a small percentage of christians and "other" as well).
ANGIE said: Because if I were dishonest and ignorant , you would not even notice me on this Board.
EDUCATED RESPONSE: No, noticing you on this board is easy because you type hoards and hoards of messages. Noticing that you are ignorant is easily accomplished by reading your average message.
EDUCATED RESPONSE: No, that's not what's being claimed. When people speak of the wrongs the israeli governement do, they typically are speaking of the jews of israel, not the muslims of israel. Everyone knows that israel is about 80% jews and 20% muslims (well, a small percentage of christians and "other" as well).
ANGIE said: Because if I were dishonest and ignorant , you would not even notice me on this Board.
EDUCATED RESPONSE: No, noticing you on this board is easy because you type hoards and hoards of messages. Noticing that you are ignorant is easily accomplished by reading your average message.
And you're calling yourself "reason" in what context? And what makes you think you know anything about "logic"?
Take your head out of your ass, read my responses above, try to use your BRAIN instead of your EMOTIONS, and you'll figure it out. Maybe.
1. My head, and a delightful one it is I am told, is planted firmly on my shoulders where it is supposed to be.
2. I have no further desire to dialog with jerks. Opinions of jerks do not matter. Only the opinions of the just and righteous matter.
3. You, sir or madam, are neither
With all due respect, you're running away from dealing with the responses from "Logic by Reason".
Why are you opting for an emotional retort?
Why are you opting for an emotional retort?
Curious,
If you have a problem with my "emotional" retort, and if the comments by (ahem) Logic/reason are that important to you, why don't you do us all a favour and respond yourself.
I made my comments quite clear earlier in this thread.
Just let me say that I simply asked in the my original post "what does this mean?" It's not as though I devoted a major commentary to it, or attacked the university, or anything. What is it with you?
I've moving from this thread. So stay curious - or not.
If you have a problem with my "emotional" retort, and if the comments by (ahem) Logic/reason are that important to you, why don't you do us all a favour and respond yourself.
I made my comments quite clear earlier in this thread.
Just let me say that I simply asked in the my original post "what does this mean?" It's not as though I devoted a major commentary to it, or attacked the university, or anything. What is it with you?
I've moving from this thread. So stay curious - or not.
Neat conversation.
Basically no one will make the smallest concession unless the other ones does so first. If Angie for example, won't even simply condemn terrorist bombings without any qualification - on this rather meaningless website - well, I think we can all see why the two sides over there can't get things right.
Basically no one will make the smallest concession unless the other ones does so first. If Angie for example, won't even simply condemn terrorist bombings without any qualification - on this rather meaningless website - well, I think we can all see why the two sides over there can't get things right.
If you intend to keep posting on this website, I implore you to be careful when you demean it. Someone else has already gotten banned for expressing such opinions.
Don't get me wrong - I'm with you on that particular opinion of yours.
Don't get me wrong - I'm with you on that particular opinion of yours.
Do yourself a favour, folks.
Before jumping on me with your snide comments, scroll up to the top of this article. You will see that, being startled upon reading same, I popped by to ask "What will happen next? And the real reason for doing this is what?"
I expected to have someone who knows more about it respond. Instead, see what happened?
I was knocked off my feet, figuratively speaking, by someone calling him/herself/themselves "why we all hate Angie". After reading this piece of crap, I responded, somewhat surprised and justifiably angry.
Scroll further down you will see another HUGE attack, my response, and so on down the thread.
This was nothing more than a vicious personal attack on myself. It had nothing to do with Rutgers or anything else. It was an opportunity to spew poisonous rhetoric against me
Blessedly I remembered what I had been told by someone with much more knowledge of, and insight into, the sorts of people I should be dealing with.
I will not henceforth waste my time dealing with such crap again.
If anyone has a problem with that, tough!
I too have wondered, and continue to wonder, how peace can ever be achieved in ANY conflict - this is not the only one, although God knows certain people try and make it so - when, if one side asks a simple, non-threatening question and the only response is a barrage of hate.
Before jumping on me with your snide comments, scroll up to the top of this article. You will see that, being startled upon reading same, I popped by to ask "What will happen next? And the real reason for doing this is what?"
I expected to have someone who knows more about it respond. Instead, see what happened?
I was knocked off my feet, figuratively speaking, by someone calling him/herself/themselves "why we all hate Angie". After reading this piece of crap, I responded, somewhat surprised and justifiably angry.
Scroll further down you will see another HUGE attack, my response, and so on down the thread.
This was nothing more than a vicious personal attack on myself. It had nothing to do with Rutgers or anything else. It was an opportunity to spew poisonous rhetoric against me
Blessedly I remembered what I had been told by someone with much more knowledge of, and insight into, the sorts of people I should be dealing with.
I will not henceforth waste my time dealing with such crap again.
If anyone has a problem with that, tough!
I too have wondered, and continue to wonder, how peace can ever be achieved in ANY conflict - this is not the only one, although God knows certain people try and make it so - when, if one side asks a simple, non-threatening question and the only response is a barrage of hate.
Please accept my apoligies for how I phrased my statement on IMC. I respect IMC and reading it has changed my opinion on several issues.
My statement was meant to mean it wasn't the same as say governmental talks or UN meetings, etc. This is a dialogue swapping forum, not a decision making forum (except, of course for local direct action).
english is not my first language but i won't hide behind that fact. Let me hide behind a hasty email.
Oh, I'm not writing this for fear of being banned but because i can see how it was misread.
My statement was meant to mean it wasn't the same as say governmental talks or UN meetings, etc. This is a dialogue swapping forum, not a decision making forum (except, of course for local direct action).
english is not my first language but i won't hide behind that fact. Let me hide behind a hasty email.
Oh, I'm not writing this for fear of being banned but because i can see how it was misread.
Hello,
It appears from the following notice, that the conference was cancelled because New Jersey Solidarity does not have the support of the Palestine Solidarity Movement, and not for the reasons stated in the notice posted at Indymedia.
Huwaida Arraf of the International Solidarity Movement notes that her group has also had differences of opinion with NJ SM.
I have no more information about this at present than the notice below, but interested persons should contact Palestine Solidarity Movement as well as the International Solidarity Movement.
Sincerely,
Ami Isseroff
http://www.mideastweb.org
http://www.palestineconference.com/proposal.htm
The Proposal To Move the Conference to OSU
In accordance with the agreed upon procedure, some members of the organizing committee submitted a proposal to the committee, which was ratified by the required 2/3 majority vote on Wednesday, August 20th.
The proposal to change the venue of the conference had nothing to do with political positions. Those who introduced the proposal represent a number of different political ideologies and have even been at odds over political issues in previous conferences. The proposal was strictly based upon violations of the democratic process and irresponsible behavior by New Jersey Solidarity.
Moreover, this proposal must not be understood as bowing to Zionist pressure. Just as we do not fear or concern ourselves with what the supporters of Israeli apartheid say if we hold the Conference at Rutgers, we do not fear or concern ourselves with what they say if we move the conference to OSU. Keeping the conference at Rutgers would be bowing down to the dictatorial pressure of New Jersey Solidarity, surrendering our democratic structure, and setting the movement into a destructive course that could very well have a worse impact on the PSM than any Zionist.
The Text of the Proposal is Below:
--------------------------------------
PROPOSAL
This is a formal proposal to change the venue and host of the Third Annual Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement (PSM). This proposal is being made collectively by the vast majority of delegates in attendance at the Chicago organizing meeting (July 26-27). It is also being endorsed by a broad range of student and community groups across the country who are active in the PSM. This proposal is derived from a concern for the democracy, principles, reputation, focus and comprehensive direction of the PSM. We believe, for the reasons stated below that, in its words and actions, the present host organization, New Jersey Solidarity, has violated agreed upon procedures and the democratic will of the Conference Organizing Committee.
WHEREAS, the NJS that was given the confidence to host the PSM's Third Annual Conference at the first organizing session in Washington, DC is a fundamentally different NJS than presently exists, in terms of both membership and principles. After the D.C. organizing session, the majority of members, including the majority of Arab members, left and disassociated themselves from NJS and NJS' principles were changed;
WHEREAS, two of the largest and most prominent entities doing activist work in US and in Palestine, The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation and the International Solidarity Movement, have formally disassociated themselves from NJS;
WHEREAS, the Palestine Activist Forum of NY (PAFNY), the primary New York/New Jersey Palestine activist coalition, is in the process of disassociating from NJS;
WHEREAS, the behavior of NJS has been both irresponsible and has usurped authority in a highly undemocratic fashion. During the Chicago organizing session, NJS representatives had confrontations with almost everyone at the session, were not respectful of democratically-made decisions, nor personally respectful to the individual delegates. NJS representatives chose to delay or obstruct discussions by arriving late to sessions and leaving the meeting room for hours at a time. NJS representatives threatened to withdraw from the conference if changes to their proposed schedule were made, and explicitly stated that, as hosts, they (NJS) were entitled to have more influence than other groups regarding the conference's content;
WHEREAS, without authorization or consent from the PSM, and in direct violation of media procedures democratically agreed to at the first organizing session in D.C., NJS members have repeatedly spoken on behalf of the entire PSM. Even following a media committee representative's e-mail seeking NJS adherence to the agreed upon procedures, NJS wrote and distributed new press releases. Moreover, the press release listed an NJS member as the media contact and referenced the NJS website, clearly violating democratic procedure and inappropriately conflating NJS and NJS principles with the PSM and PSM principles;
WHEREAS, NJS's logo, references and links appear many times on the National Conference website, which they have refused to take down, thereby inappropriately
conflating NJS and the PSM;
THEREFORE, In order to maintain a non-hierarchical and democratic structure that will advance rather than hinder the PSM, we believe that it is imperative that the venue, Rutgers University, and the host, New Jersey Solidarity, be changed. To that end, we offer Ohio State University as the venue and The Committee for Justice in Palestine (CJP) as host for the Third Annual Conference of the PSM. As an organization, CJP is fully equipped to handle the responsibilities of serving as a host and, as a location; OSU has the facilities necessary to handle logistics for the Annual Conference. (For further details on OSU venue/facilities, Contact Wendy Ake at ake.2 [at] osu.edu)
In accordance with agreed-upon procedures for democratic voting within the PSM, we submit this proposal for a vote on the xxxxxxxxxx list. The procedure used in the PSM for voting on proposals is 1 vote per person with a maximum of 2 votes per organization, with a 2/3 majority of those who vote needed for adoption.
To vote FOR or AGAINST the proposal, simply reply to this email with your vote (YES or NO), the group you represent on this list, and your name, by Wednesday, August 20th, 12PM PT. ...
For Further Information, Questions or Clarifications, Contact These Representatives from the Chicago Organizing Meeting:
Fayyad Sbaihat, Al-Awda, Wisconsin, (608) 628-1943,
frsbaihat [at] students.wisc.edu
Matt Horton, SUSTAIN LA, (323) 341-6716,
minpalestine [at] yahoo.com
Fatima Ayub, Muslim Students Association, (202)
329-1688, fayub [at] cox.net
-------------------------------
PRESS RELEASE OF SEPT. 3, 2003
Third National Student Conference on the Palestine Solidarity Movement November 7-9, 2003 Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE PALESTINE SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT TO BE HELD AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY ON NOVEMBER 7-9, 2003
(Washington DC –– 9/03/03) - The Palestine Solidarity Movement (PSM), a national coalition of Palestinian advocacy organizations, currently engaged in a nationwide campaign that encourages divestiture from Israel, today released an official statement about the outcome of a proposal to the national organizing committee for a change of venue from Rutgers University to Ohio State University. The conference was previously to be hosted at RU on October 10-12, 2003 by New Jersey Solidarity.
In the statement, spokespersons for the PSM stressed: ""The decision to move the conference from Rutgers to Ohio State University was made by a two-thirds majority vote by members of the national organizing committee by a margin of 29-13-1. Prior to the submission of change-of-venue proposal, serious concerns and reservations had been expressed regarding New Jersey Solidarity’’s capabilities, responsibilities, and behavior as the hosting organization. In the interests of convening the strongest and most positive conference, dozens of student and action-oriented community organizations throughout the country have affirmed their support for the Third Annual Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement, and recognize the will of the PSM to hold that conference in Ohio State University. As an independent organization New Jersey Solidarity is free to hold its own conference at Rutgers University with the understanding that such a conference is, of course, outside the auspices of the Palestine Solidarity Movement. We re-invite and strongly encourage all nationwide activist organizations to participate equally and democratically in the planning of this conference and look forward to working with the students and administration at OSU to host a successful and worthwhile event.""
--END--
------------------------------------------
HERE ARE THE PRINCIPLES OF THE PSM: http://www.palestineconference.com/psm.htm
The PSM is made up of activist groups across the country working on Palestine who agree to five points of unity (decided at the D.C. organizing session - recorded in minutes posted by Charlotte L. Kates 1/6/03):
1. End the Israeli occupation
2. Right of return for Palestinian refugees
3. Equality under law
4. Divestment is our strategy of solidarity with the Palestinian people
5. Oppose racism and all forms of oppression
The first conference was in February of 2002 at University of California at Berkeley, the second was held in October at the University of Michigan, and the third will be at Ohio State University..
It appears from the following notice, that the conference was cancelled because New Jersey Solidarity does not have the support of the Palestine Solidarity Movement, and not for the reasons stated in the notice posted at Indymedia.
Huwaida Arraf of the International Solidarity Movement notes that her group has also had differences of opinion with NJ SM.
I have no more information about this at present than the notice below, but interested persons should contact Palestine Solidarity Movement as well as the International Solidarity Movement.
Sincerely,
Ami Isseroff
http://www.mideastweb.org
http://www.palestineconference.com/proposal.htm
The Proposal To Move the Conference to OSU
In accordance with the agreed upon procedure, some members of the organizing committee submitted a proposal to the committee, which was ratified by the required 2/3 majority vote on Wednesday, August 20th.
The proposal to change the venue of the conference had nothing to do with political positions. Those who introduced the proposal represent a number of different political ideologies and have even been at odds over political issues in previous conferences. The proposal was strictly based upon violations of the democratic process and irresponsible behavior by New Jersey Solidarity.
Moreover, this proposal must not be understood as bowing to Zionist pressure. Just as we do not fear or concern ourselves with what the supporters of Israeli apartheid say if we hold the Conference at Rutgers, we do not fear or concern ourselves with what they say if we move the conference to OSU. Keeping the conference at Rutgers would be bowing down to the dictatorial pressure of New Jersey Solidarity, surrendering our democratic structure, and setting the movement into a destructive course that could very well have a worse impact on the PSM than any Zionist.
The Text of the Proposal is Below:
--------------------------------------
PROPOSAL
This is a formal proposal to change the venue and host of the Third Annual Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement (PSM). This proposal is being made collectively by the vast majority of delegates in attendance at the Chicago organizing meeting (July 26-27). It is also being endorsed by a broad range of student and community groups across the country who are active in the PSM. This proposal is derived from a concern for the democracy, principles, reputation, focus and comprehensive direction of the PSM. We believe, for the reasons stated below that, in its words and actions, the present host organization, New Jersey Solidarity, has violated agreed upon procedures and the democratic will of the Conference Organizing Committee.
WHEREAS, the NJS that was given the confidence to host the PSM's Third Annual Conference at the first organizing session in Washington, DC is a fundamentally different NJS than presently exists, in terms of both membership and principles. After the D.C. organizing session, the majority of members, including the majority of Arab members, left and disassociated themselves from NJS and NJS' principles were changed;
WHEREAS, two of the largest and most prominent entities doing activist work in US and in Palestine, The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation and the International Solidarity Movement, have formally disassociated themselves from NJS;
WHEREAS, the Palestine Activist Forum of NY (PAFNY), the primary New York/New Jersey Palestine activist coalition, is in the process of disassociating from NJS;
WHEREAS, the behavior of NJS has been both irresponsible and has usurped authority in a highly undemocratic fashion. During the Chicago organizing session, NJS representatives had confrontations with almost everyone at the session, were not respectful of democratically-made decisions, nor personally respectful to the individual delegates. NJS representatives chose to delay or obstruct discussions by arriving late to sessions and leaving the meeting room for hours at a time. NJS representatives threatened to withdraw from the conference if changes to their proposed schedule were made, and explicitly stated that, as hosts, they (NJS) were entitled to have more influence than other groups regarding the conference's content;
WHEREAS, without authorization or consent from the PSM, and in direct violation of media procedures democratically agreed to at the first organizing session in D.C., NJS members have repeatedly spoken on behalf of the entire PSM. Even following a media committee representative's e-mail seeking NJS adherence to the agreed upon procedures, NJS wrote and distributed new press releases. Moreover, the press release listed an NJS member as the media contact and referenced the NJS website, clearly violating democratic procedure and inappropriately conflating NJS and NJS principles with the PSM and PSM principles;
WHEREAS, NJS's logo, references and links appear many times on the National Conference website, which they have refused to take down, thereby inappropriately
conflating NJS and the PSM;
THEREFORE, In order to maintain a non-hierarchical and democratic structure that will advance rather than hinder the PSM, we believe that it is imperative that the venue, Rutgers University, and the host, New Jersey Solidarity, be changed. To that end, we offer Ohio State University as the venue and The Committee for Justice in Palestine (CJP) as host for the Third Annual Conference of the PSM. As an organization, CJP is fully equipped to handle the responsibilities of serving as a host and, as a location; OSU has the facilities necessary to handle logistics for the Annual Conference. (For further details on OSU venue/facilities, Contact Wendy Ake at ake.2 [at] osu.edu)
In accordance with agreed-upon procedures for democratic voting within the PSM, we submit this proposal for a vote on the xxxxxxxxxx list. The procedure used in the PSM for voting on proposals is 1 vote per person with a maximum of 2 votes per organization, with a 2/3 majority of those who vote needed for adoption.
To vote FOR or AGAINST the proposal, simply reply to this email with your vote (YES or NO), the group you represent on this list, and your name, by Wednesday, August 20th, 12PM PT. ...
For Further Information, Questions or Clarifications, Contact These Representatives from the Chicago Organizing Meeting:
Fayyad Sbaihat, Al-Awda, Wisconsin, (608) 628-1943,
frsbaihat [at] students.wisc.edu
Matt Horton, SUSTAIN LA, (323) 341-6716,
minpalestine [at] yahoo.com
Fatima Ayub, Muslim Students Association, (202)
329-1688, fayub [at] cox.net
-------------------------------
PRESS RELEASE OF SEPT. 3, 2003
Third National Student Conference on the Palestine Solidarity Movement November 7-9, 2003 Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE PALESTINE SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT TO BE HELD AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY ON NOVEMBER 7-9, 2003
(Washington DC –– 9/03/03) - The Palestine Solidarity Movement (PSM), a national coalition of Palestinian advocacy organizations, currently engaged in a nationwide campaign that encourages divestiture from Israel, today released an official statement about the outcome of a proposal to the national organizing committee for a change of venue from Rutgers University to Ohio State University. The conference was previously to be hosted at RU on October 10-12, 2003 by New Jersey Solidarity.
In the statement, spokespersons for the PSM stressed: ""The decision to move the conference from Rutgers to Ohio State University was made by a two-thirds majority vote by members of the national organizing committee by a margin of 29-13-1. Prior to the submission of change-of-venue proposal, serious concerns and reservations had been expressed regarding New Jersey Solidarity’’s capabilities, responsibilities, and behavior as the hosting organization. In the interests of convening the strongest and most positive conference, dozens of student and action-oriented community organizations throughout the country have affirmed their support for the Third Annual Conference of the Palestine Solidarity Movement, and recognize the will of the PSM to hold that conference in Ohio State University. As an independent organization New Jersey Solidarity is free to hold its own conference at Rutgers University with the understanding that such a conference is, of course, outside the auspices of the Palestine Solidarity Movement. We re-invite and strongly encourage all nationwide activist organizations to participate equally and democratically in the planning of this conference and look forward to working with the students and administration at OSU to host a successful and worthwhile event.""
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HERE ARE THE PRINCIPLES OF THE PSM: http://www.palestineconference.com/psm.htm
The PSM is made up of activist groups across the country working on Palestine who agree to five points of unity (decided at the D.C. organizing session - recorded in minutes posted by Charlotte L. Kates 1/6/03):
1. End the Israeli occupation
2. Right of return for Palestinian refugees
3. Equality under law
4. Divestment is our strategy of solidarity with the Palestinian people
5. Oppose racism and all forms of oppression
The first conference was in February of 2002 at University of California at Berkeley, the second was held in October at the University of Michigan, and the third will be at Ohio State University..
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