INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON “BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT & SANCTIONS (BDS) FOR JUSTICE”

Posted in BDS

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12 SEPTEMBER 2015

UNIVERSITY MALAYA

MALAYSIA

Introduction

For close to 70 years, Israel has been violating the rights of the Palestinians with impunity. Denied their right to freedom and self-determination and subjected to ethnic cleansing and systematic discrimination. Today the world watches in horror at the genocide taking place in Gaza.

But in spite of its glaring brutal oppression of the Palestinians, Israel has hardly been rebuked, let alone held accountable for its crimes against humanity.

This led to a call by Palestinian civil societies to boycott, divest from and sanction Israel or BDS. That was 2005, nearly ten years ago. Today BDS Israel is a global movement, spanning the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

What are the aims of BDS. Contrary to popular belief, it is more than just economics.

A Campaign of Isolation

BDS sends a clear message to the Israeli government that it is a rogue state not welcome anywhere until it recognizes the Palestinians right to self-determination and fully complies with international laws. It involves isolating Israel culturally, academically and economically.

A Moral Statement

BDS is a moral statement that says, “I don’t consume these products because it is morally and ethically wrong.” It empowers consumers and reminds them that as individuals they have a choice. It is about standing in solidarity with a people under occupation for more than 60 years.

Creates Awareness

BDS creates awareness and is a reminder of the long and brutal occupation the Palestinians have been living under. Each time we see the brands or companies targeted, we will remember the occupation.

Applying Pressure
BDS is about pressuring businesses to cease their relationship or change their business policies with a government that violates the rights of an entire people.
BDS is now a global movement that involves Nobel Laureates, academicians, poets, musicians, artists, award winning journalists. It includes universities, churches, student bodies, businesses and even the government of South Africa. This is a call to stop this bully through peaceful, non-violent means.

Are we strong enough to be effective?

Boycott South Africa started in the 1950s and was the idea of a small group of activists. It took decades but eventually almost the entire world stood united and brought an end to South Africa’s racist government.

Can we do it again?

In unity lies our strength. Do not make the mistake of doing nothing just because we think we can only do little. Just do what we can. Let us each act within our circle of influence.

An International Conference on ‘Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions for Justice’ will be held on 12th September 2015 at University Malaya to plan the Malaysian BDS: A Framework of Action”

We invited three icons of the BDS civil movement to share their experience and expertise. They are:

1. Anna Baltzer – Activist & Author for Palestinian Rights, USA

2. Ali Hasan Abunimah – Palestinian American Co-founder of electronic.infitada.net, USA

3. Samah Sabawi – Palestinian/Australian/Canadian Author, Commentator & Playwright

The one day conference will consist of:

a. 2 plenary sessions

b. 1 symposium

c. 5 workshops

Time	Event	Who
0700 - 0830	Registration	Secretariat
0830 - 0900	Welcome notes	Nazari
0900 - 0945	Plenary I: The Battle for Justice in Palestine	Ali Abunimah
0945 - 1030	Plenary II: BDS: History, Philosophy, Strategies, Challenges and Successes	Anna Baltzer
1030 - 1100	Coffee Break
1100 - 1230	Symposium I: How to BDS? 1 Types of BDS 2 Case studies of BDS – international experiences 3 Australian BDS – a national experience	Ali Abunimah Anna Baltzer Samah Sabawi
1230 - 1400	Lunch & Prayers
1400 - 1530	Workshops: BDS Malaysia: Nurturing the Culture of Civil Resistance 1 Consumer boycott 2 Academic boycott 3 The ABC of Divestment & Sanctions 4 BDS awareness campaigns 5 Students & youths role in BDS	Facilitators: Hafidzi, Zabrina, Aqsa Samah, Zahurin, Aqsa Ali, Musa, Norma, Aqsa Anna, Azra, Aqsa Mike, Hamidah, Aqsa
1530 - 1700	Presentation of Workshop resolutions to Panel Experts Chaired by Musa Closing by Nazari	Expert Panel: Nazari Ali Anna Samah Hafidzi
1700 – 1730	Tea

After the Press Conference today, 4 Sept 2015

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BDS Conference

Posted in BDS

Viva Palestina Malaysia is working with University Malaya and Humanitarian Care to organise a conference on BDS at University Malaya in September. The purpose of the conference is to galvanise support for the worldwide BDS movement as a way to force Israel to recognise the rights of Palestinians to freedom, equality and self determination, and ultimately to end the brutal oppressive occupation of Palestine.

Ali Abunimah, Anna Baltzer and Samah Sabawi have confimed their participation, and we hope as many people as possible will join us to learn how all of us here in Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region can play our part in this cause.

Here's the event page, keep checking for updates! ttps://www.facebook.com/events/418207771637502/

BDS conference poster

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The Palestinian BDS National Committee

Posted in BDS

Dear BDS supporter,

A month has now passed since the end of Israel’s massacre of the besieged population of Gaza.

Gaza may no longer be on our TV screens, but the medieval siege remains in place and Israel appears more determined than ever to press on with the expansion of its illegal Israeli settlements.

As civil society organisations in Gaza have said, there is now a battle underway to ensure that Israel is held to account. The outcome of this battle will determine whether Israel’s latest assault will be yet another stage in Israel’s incremental genocide” of Palestinians or the turning point that will bring an end to Israel’s status as an entity above the law. The outcome of this battle depends on you.

Palestinians everywhere were inspired by the international outpouring of support for Palestine during the Gaza massacre. Hundreds of thousands of people across the world joined theAugust 9 Day of Rage protests initiated by organisations in Gaza. Israeli ships were prevented from docking at Oakland and other ports in the US. Israeli arms factories were shut down and protests were held at hundreds of retailers across the world that sells Israeli goods.

And we know that BDS is working: Israeli exporters are complaining that it's becoming impossible to export produce to Israel. Big companies like G4S and Veolia are scaling back their involvement in Israeli crimes. Latin American governments responded to public pressure by withdrawing their ambassadors to Israel.

What happens next depends on how strong we can build the movement. Get involved with the BDS movement today:

- Read our Make an Impact (at http://www.bdsmovement.net/make-an-impact) page that is full of ideas on what products to boycott and how to be effective