Appeal for donations towards our Free Palestine media

First they came for the journalists – we don’t know what happened next. [File]

Dear reader: If you are considering making a donation during this season towards developing our media networks in support of the Palestinian struggle for peace and freedom – we have a few friendly suggestions.

The NZ Palestine Solidarity Network, Kia Ora Gaza, PHRC and all our affiliates, endeavour to build awareness and knowledge of the harsh reality of the colonial-settler occupation that the Palestinians are forced to endure and resist, and to grow broad active support for Free Palestine. We rely on a wide range of courageous, reliable and independent sources to achieve these goals – among them are the Palestine Chronicle and the Electronic Intifada – which, like us, are funded by the readers.

If you can help, here is how to make a donation:

The Palestine Chronicle: To make a contribution using your paypal account or credit card, please click HERE

The Electronic Intifada:  Go to https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1426683

Kia Ora Gaza: Make a direct payment to our bank account: Kia Ora Gaza Trust, 03-0211-0447718-000, Westpac Bank, Onehunga branch. Afterwards, email office@kiaoragaza.net with your deposit details so we can send you an e-receipt. OR write a cheque for ‘Kia Ora Gaza’ and post to: Kia Ora Gaza Trust, P.O. Box 86022, Mangere East, Auckland 2158

NZ Palestine Solidarity Network: The PSN account: 38-9015-0849542-00. Send an email to admin@palestinesolidaritynz.net for a receipt.

Gaza teacher finalist for ‘World’s Best Teacher’ prize

Palestinian teacher Rana Ziadeh works in a school which was targeted by Israeli forces several times, during which dozens of her students have been killed. (Photo: via MEMO)

Palestine Chronicle, 16 December 2018

The Palestinian Ministry of Education announced on Friday that a teacher from Gaza, Rana Ziadeh, has been nominated as one of 50 finalists for the “world’s best teacher prize”.

VIDEO: Natalie Portman lambasts Israel’s ‘racist’ law

Hollywood actress Natalie Portman with dual Israeli and American citizenship calls the Israeli Nation-State Law “racist” in an interview with BBC. “It’s wrong and I disagree with it.”

Palestine Chronicle, 13 December, 2018

Hollywood actress Natalie Portman has called Israel’s nation-state law “racist” in an interview with BBC while promoting her new film Vox Lux.

In July, Israel adopted the so-called Nation-State Law, declaring that “Israel is the historic homeland of the Jewish people and they have an exclusive right to national self-determination in it.”

The controversial law also stripped Arabic of its designation as an official language alongside Hebrew, downgrading it to “special status” despite its use by almost two million Palestinian citizens of Israel who live in the country, one-fifth of the population.

Debunking myths about Israel, boycotts, and BDS

VIDEO: The Intercept, published 14 December 2018

Incoming members of the US Congress, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, have both come out in favour of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement — the first House members to ever do so. Critics, however, suggest that BDS is anti-Semitic and undermines a two-state solution in the Middle East. Others say supporters of BDS aren’t consistent in their criticism of human rights and unfairly focus on the actions of Israel.

In this, his latest video essay, The Intercept‘s Mehdi Hasan examines — and debunks — some of the myths and controversies surrounding the BDS movement.

Is Netanyahu pushing the region to explode?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [ODED BALILTY/AFP/Getty]

By Rasheed Hassan, Opinion: Middle East Monitor, 13 December, 2018 at 4:37 pm

All the signs suggest that the terrorist Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing the Middle East towards instability and the brink of an all-out war. They also suggest that the coming days and weeks may witness serious developments that no one can foresee or predict accurately.

Armed Israeli soldiers raid Palestinian news agency

VIDEO REPORT by TRT World, 11 December 2018

Heavily armed Israeli soldiers raided a Palestinian news agency’s headquarters. They temporarily detained journalists and shot demonstrators outside the building.

Israeli conscientious objector sent to prison for 7th time

Israeli conscientious objector Adam Rafaelov. (Mesarvot)

By +972 Magazine, 10 December 2018

Adam Rafaelov will have served a total of 87 days in prison for refusing to join the IDF [Israeli Defence Force] over its ‘continual, violent, and oppressive rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.’

4 yr old boy dies from wounds sustained in Gaza protests

4 year old Ahmad Abu Abed, critically injured by Israeli sniper-fire, rushed to hospital by medics last Friday [Photo: Khaled Omar, Xinhua]

Xinhua News, Gaza, 12 December, 2018

A four-year-old Palestinian boy on Tuesday died from the wounds sustained during last Friday’s anti-Israel protests in southern Gaza Strip, medics said.

Ashraf al Qedra, spokesman for the Health Ministry in Gaza, said in a press statement that Ahmad Abu Abed died in a hospital in Gaza.

Abed was critically wounded last Friday by Israeli soldiers’ gunfire during the protests and clashes in eastern Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip, close to the border with Israel.

So far, the death toll of Palestinians killed by Israel since the beginning of the Great March of Return launched on March 30 has reached 240, while 25,000 others were wounded, Qedra said.

Leaders of the march, including the Islamic Hamas movement that controls the coastal Palestinian enclave, have vowed that the protests will last until achieving the goal of ending an Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip since 2007.

Ahmad Abed, 4 years and 8 months old, died on Tuesday from injuries sustained the previous Friday during protests near Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

Palestinian child fatalities due to Israeli fire have spiked in 2018, with more than 50 killed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip – one death per week on average.

Right of Return is central to Palestinian struggle

VIDEO by War on Want: The Palestinian Right of Return

Palestinians in Gaza are gathering to demand their collective rights, including their Right of Return.  It is crucial that we learn about, talk about, and campaign for the right of return for refugees, as a key element of the struggle for justice and human rights for Palestinians and for all.

VIDEO: A special appeal from Dr Ramzy Baroud

VIDEO APPEAL: Dr Ramzy Baroud on the Palestine Chronicle: Our Mission is Unique

Dear Friends and Readers, If civil society can possibly have its own media, the Palestine Chronicle is that media.

We are entirely, and we mean ENTIRELY funded by our readers. Thus, only accountable to common sense, intellectual integrity and the principles that unite all of our readers, regardless of their religious affiliation, political leanings or geographic boundaries. (Video edit by Emanuele Nuccilli)

Please stand with Palestine by supporting independent Palestinian media. Kia Ora Gaza looks to the Palestine Chronicle and other credible sources for consistently reliable news and views on Palestine, and to relay the voices of the Palestinian struggle for freedom.

The Palestine Chronicle is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax deductible.

‘Please support the Palestine Chronicle, so that our mission may continue.’

To make a contribution using your paypal account or credit card, please click HERE

Or kindly send your contribution to:

PO Box 196
Mountlake Terrace
WA, 98043
USA

Over 100 celebrate picnic in the park for Palestine

Wellington Palestine, 11 December, 2018

On Sunday afternoon of the 9 December, Wellington Palestine organised a Family Fun Day Out in Waitangi Park. It was a bright blue summer’s day and I felt truly privileged to attend with over 100 other Wellingtonians: young and old, friends and family. Dabke music flooded the park, Palestinian flags fluttered in the breeze and several stalls offered delicious Egyptian and Palestinian food, arts and crafts, as well as henna and face painting.

BDS news: Pink Floyd tribute band pulls out of Israel shows

Waters said he was ‘aghast’ that a Pink Floyd cover band had scheduled gigs in Israel [Silvia Izquierdo/AP Photo/]

AlJazeera, 10 December 2018

A British Pink Floyd cover band has scrapped three of its concerts in Israel after Roger Waters, co-founder of the legendary rock band, called for their cancellation.

2018 Human Rights Award to Freedom Flotilla Coalition

The Al Awda was the lead boat in the 2018 international flotilla to break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza

Freedom Flotilla Coalition, 11 December 2018

This evening, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition will receive the 2018 International Human Rights Award from the municipality of Siero (Asturias, Spain), marking Human Rights Day and the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights #UDHR70.

Rumbo a Gaza (Página Oficial) has invited representatives from our international partners Ship to Gaza-Sweden and İHH İnsani Yardım Vakfı to accept the award.

The prize is awarded annually by the municipality of Siero to the association which has worked most over the year to defend Human Rights in the world. A jury composed of representatives of the political caucuses on council and two member of the Local Solidarity Council decided to award the prize this year to the Flotilla, nominated by the Comité de Solidaridad con la Causa Árabe.
There were three other nominations: el Movimiento Popular Hirak del Rif (Marrocco), the Gdeim Izik (Dignity) camp, in the outskirts of El Aaiún, the migrant support collective Caminando Fronteras, Walking borders, and Helena Maleno Garzón, human rights defender.

The words of António Gutérres, General Secretary of the United Nations underlining that Gaza “will be uninhabitable by 2020”, unless measures are taken to end the blockade and improve infrastructure, were among the reasons considered by the jury in giving the honour to the Flotilla, which has been sailing since 2010 to break the illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Poster of the municipality of #Siero @AytoSiero in Spain which awards their annual #HumanRights prize to the #FreedomFlotilla coalition, marking Human Rights Day & the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights #UDHR70 #StandUp4HumanRights https://www.facebook.com/FreedomFlotillaCoalition/photos/a.452937554737922/2275267425838250/ 

Wellington forum on the Israeli Apartheid State

Public social justice forum hosted by Wellington Workers Educational Association and Wellington Palestine

Tomorrow evening Tuesday 11 December from 6pm – 7:30pm

VENUE: St John’s In The City Wellington

Corner of Willis and Dixon Streets, Wellington.

Free entry.

TOPIC: The Israeli Apartheid State

The last of Wellington WEA social justice forums for 2018 is given to activists from Wellington Palestine. They will argue that Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian people means that they can be considered to be an apartheid state.

The forum will be led by Nadia Abu-Shanab and Neil Ballantyne from Wellington Palestine. The forum will include an activity to help plan a campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) activity in Wellington City.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1105178742991627/

Another weekend in Gaza… 33 injured in protests

Medics evacuate a wounded Palestinian during Gaza’s March of Return. (Photo: Abdallah Aljamal, PC)

Palestine Chronicle, 8 December, 2018

At least 33 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces’ live fire during the 37th Friday of “The Great March of Return” protests alongside the eastern fence separating Israel from the besieged Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces fired live, rubber-coated steel bullets and tear-gas bombs against Palestinian protesters.

“The Great March of Return” protests were launched on March 30 by thousands of Palestinian civilians in besieged Gaza, which has suffered from a decade-long Israeli blockade.

..Israeli forces open fire at Gazan fishermen, shepherds

Ma’an News Agency, 9 December 2018

Israeli naval forces opened fire towards Palestinian fishermen, west of Rafah City and Khan Younis City, in the southern besieged Gaza Strip, on Sunday.

‘My Name is Rachel Corrie’ – at Pumphouse, Takapuna

“A stunning performance – not to be missed.”

Dates and times

Fri 7th Dec, 7:30pm
Sat 8th Dec, 2:00pm (followed by discussion)
Sat 8th Dec, 7:30pm
Sun 9th Dec, 6:00pm

Venue: The Coal Bunker Studio, The Pumphouse, 2a Manurere Ave, off Killarney St, Takapuna.

Get your tickets here:
bit.ly/RachelCorriePumpHouse

VIDEO: Embers Collective, 6 November 2018.

Director Alexandra Whitham & actor Phoebe Borwick talk about My Name is Rachel Corrie.

See review: https://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/2018/12/04/my-name-is-rachel-corrie-review/

Court rules against Gaza father of 3 girls killed by IDF

VIDEO: Gaza father on phone with Israeli TV as tank shells kill his 3 daughters: Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish’s heart-wrenching reaction in the aftermath of Israeli shelling which killed his 3 daughters during Operation Cast Lead was broadcast live on Israeli TV through Channel 10 reporter Shlomi Eldar’s phone.

Palestine Chronicle, 5 December 2018

An Israeli court yesterday ruled against a Palestinian from Gaza whose three daughters were killed by the Israeli army during its 2008 war on the Strip, denying Israel’s responsibility for their deaths.

Izzeldin Abuelaish, a 63-year-old doctor from Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip, lost three daughters and a niece during Israel’s 2008-2009 war on the besieged enclave. His story was made famous after he discovered his children had been killed while speaking to an Israeli TV channel, with his suffering broadcast live across the country and later shared widely around the world. [See above video]

New Palestinian flotilla protests Israeli blockade

PressTV video report by Ashraf Shannon, Gaza, 4 December 2018

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have launched a new freedom flotilla in a symbolic move to call attention to their suffering under the Israeli siege. This is the 18th week in a row the flotilla of boats is launched.

My Name is Rachel Corrie – REVIEW

[Benny Joy Photography]

‘Timeout London described the London season of My Name is Rachel Corrie as a thing of “extraordinary power… funny, passionate, bristling with idealism and luminously intelligent.” This production does justice and more to all of these claims. Phoebe Borwick’s performance is one of the best I’ve seen, and she does a truly impeccable job of bringing Rachel to life.’

My Name is Rachel Corrie plays 1st – 5th Dec at Garnet Station Tiny Theatre, Westmere; 7th- 9th Dec at The Pumphouse Coalbunker Theatre, Takapuna, Auckland.

Review by Camilla Walker, TheatreScenes, 3 December 2018

Looking Inward for Outward Action

“My name is Rachel Corrie”, states the energetic, impassioned, idealistic, empathetic, effervescent and blisteringly awake woman on Garnet Station’s Tiny Theatre stage. Character and actor alike are bright stars who collide to ensure we will not forget Rachel. Phoebe Borwick is a tour de force as the solo performer in the title role of Shape Shift and Embers Collective’s electric presentation of My Name Is Rachel Corrie.

Rachel Corrie was a determined young woman who in 2003 travelled to Israel and Palestine to serve as a peace activist with the International Solidarity Movement. Her bright light was tragically extinguished in conflict there the very same year, but a vivid portrait of her work and indelible spirit remains in the writings she left behind. This show is a compilation of Rachel’s original writings, and it conjures her grit, empathy and acute sense of the sanctity of life – with searing beauty and unabashed honesty – as it delivers her intimate perspective on one of the world’s most violent and protracted conflicts.

Edited by Katherine Viner and the late great Alan Rickman, the show unleashes the raw and dauntless passion for compassion that Rachel embodied in her work towards peace and human rights. This passion has been tangibly carried forward in the production, with 10% of ticket sales going towards Amnesty International NZ. At the forefront of this sensitive and thoughtful production are the questions that burned in Rachel’s heart: how do we find our path in life? What impact do our actions have on others? What do we owe to our fellow humans?

Timeout London described the London season of My Name is Rachel Corrie as a thing of “extraordinary power… funny, passionate, bristling with idealism and luminously intelligent.” This production does justice and more to all of these claims. Phoebe Borwick’s performance is one of the best I’ve seen, and she does a truly impeccable job of bringing Rachel to life. The challenges presented by working in a very small space are fully embraced, and the intimacy of the venue innovatively exploited. Production designer Poppy Serano, costume designer Joan James, and sound and lighting designer Anna Bennington have collaborated to create a deeply evocative close-up on Rachel’s life – the design sees Borwick literally (and metaphorically) wrestle her way out of the clutter of an American adolescence as her political priorities emerge, learn to be inventive with limited resources and navigate her inner and outer realities with striking authenticity. Clearly inspired directly by Rachel’s spirit, this show creates a very real incarnation of its heroine. Rachel talks to her audience and to her own family as though they were the whole world, and to the world as though it was sharing her bedroom.

‘My Name Is Rachel Corrie’ – play opens tomorrow

“Extraordinary power…Funny, passionate, bristling with idealism and luminously intelligent.” Time Out London

Shape Shift and Embers Collective proudly present My Name Is Rachel Corrie, an award-winning one-woman play constructed from the diary entries and letters of American activist, Rachel Corrie.

This production is being staged at two Auckland venues!

Garnet Station Tiny Theatre, 85 Garnet Rd, Westmere, Auckland 1022. From 1st – 5th December

The Pumphouse Theatre – Coal Bunker, 2a Manurere Ave, off Killarney St, Takapuna. From 7th – 9th December

Tickets ($15 – $25) here:
Garnet Station: http://bit.ly/RachelCorrieGarnetStation
The PumpHouse: http://bit.ly/RachelCorriePumpHouse

Link to Facebook events page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1861009580678431/?active_tab=about

Rachel was born in Olympia, Washington, in 1979. She had a wicked sense of humour and an unquenchable social conscience.

In January 2003, she travelled to the Gaza Strip as a member of the International Solidarity Movement. In March that year she was killed by an Israeli military bulldozer whilst peacefully protesting the demolition of a Palestinian home.

She was just 23 years old.

What made a young woman leave her comfortable existence to fight for the rights of strangers in a war zone?

Poetic, entertaining, and timely; this intimate coming-of-age story chronicles the journey of a complex, real-life heroine. Through Rachel’s words we are invited to confront the universal questions: How do we find our path in life? What impact do our actions have on others? and How can one individual change the world for the better?

Written by Rachel Corrie
Co-edited by actor/ director Alan Rickman, and journalist Katharine Viner
Directed by Alexandra Whitham
Performed by Phoebe Borwick

10% of proceeds donated to Amnesty International NZ

[Image from Kia Ora Gaza’s facebook group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/KiaOraGaza/?ref=bookmarks ]