Boycott Israeli Apartheid
-SPEAKOUT IN SUPPORT OF GAZA-
11 am – 1pm
Saturday, July 11
Bourke St Mall,
Cnr of Swanston and Bourke St, City
On 19 September 2007, Israel’s “Security Cabinet” declared the Gaza Strip a “hostile entity”. Since that time, Israel in the name of “security” has imposed an illegal and punitive siege against the 1.5 million civilians living in Gaza, preventing almost entirely the movement of goods and people into and out of Gaza. Israel’s illegal siege, which is a form of collective punishment, is a war crime under international law.
According to Oxfam, more than 80% of Gaza’s 1.5 million residents are currently dependent on international food aid as a result of the siege. In addition, according to a report in October 2008 by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights currently 45% of working age adults in the Gaza Strip are officially unemployed.
Since Israel’s all-out bombing of the Gaza Strip in December - January, the situation in Gaza has gotten worse and the siege has tightened. During Israel’s assault on Gaza, more than 1400 Gazans were killed, two-thirds of whom were civilians.
According to the United Nations, more than 42,400 houses were destroyed, leaving more than 250,000 people homeless. Also destroyed were 14 mosques and 10 schools, while a further 240 schools were damaged. Currently, due to Israel’s siege, no widespread reconstruction can take place.
On July 9 2004, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s building of the apartheid wall is illegal. The following year on July 9, 2005, more than 100 Palestinian civil society organisations launched the international call for a boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel until it complied with its obligations under international law.
To mark the anniversary of these two very important events, we call on all supporters of human rights to join us and to speak out against Israel’s ongoing human rights abuses against the Palestinian people, to say no to Israel's occupation and apartheid policies and to demand justice for the Palestinian people struggling against siege, occupation and war.
End the siege of Gaza!
End the Israeli occupation of Palestine!
No Australian support for Israel – Sanctions Now!
Initiated by Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Email: palestinesolidaritycampaign@gmail.com www.palestinesolidaritycampaign.net
"Gaza is a prison and Israel seems to have thrown away the key” -UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, John Dugard
On the July 11 action we will be displaying the goods banned by Israel. If you can contribute any of the following for the display, please bring them on the day or contact us at the above email.
As part of its illegal and punitive siege of Gaza, Israel currently bans the following items in the name of “security”:
Canned goods, tinned meat, tomato paste, tea, coffee, milk products in large packages, apricots, most baking products, sausages, semolina, sesame seeds, nuts, cherries, kiwi, green almonds, pomegranates, plums, grapes, avocados, chocolate, animals (ie. cows, sheep), clothing, shoes, notebooks, toys, crayons, fabrics, threads, needles, candles, matches, books, light bulbs, hair conditioner, musical instruments, mattresses, sheets, blankets, cutlery, crockery, cups, glasses, wood, wooden furniture, building material, electric appliances, refrigerators, washing machines, spare machine, car parts.
Previously banned but allowed to be imported in the last three months:
toilet paper, nappies, sanitary napkins, detergents, soaps, pasta, pumpkin, carrots, hair shampoo, margarine, salt, artificial sweetener, legumes, yeast, cheeses, toothbrushes, toothpaste