Gaza - Stop the Siege! Stop the War!

Urgent appeal to make the month-long campaign a worldwide one.

Today two Palestinian women, taking part in a non-violent human shield action in Beit Hanoun were shot dead and numerous others wounded. They tried - and partly succeeded - to save the fighters who had sought refuge inside a mosque. The women spontaneously formed a human wall when it became clear that the IDF intended to destroy the mosque with the men in it. Since we told you of our preparations for tomorrow Nov. 4 "putting Gaza on the agenda of the Rabin Memorial Rally" things only got worse. It is extremely important that our campaign will be taken up also abroad. Hereafter you find some background and the request to help make December 2 the campaign pique - with suggestions how you can relate to it from wherever you are.

Gaza - Stop the Siege! Stop the War!

A month of protest: November 4 – December 2, 2006

The situation in Gaza has reached emergency levels – inadequate water, electricity, and medicine; widespread hunger, poverty, and unemployment; schools and other services out of operation; and constant bombardments and attacks by the Israeli military. The problem is the siege of the Gaza Strip by Israel and the sanctions imposed by the international community, made worse by ongoing IDF attacks. If this siege continues, we will see spreading disease, malnutrition, and anarchy.

Join Our International Campaign

The community of peace organizations in Israel has joined together in a coordinated, major campaign to end the siege of Gaza and call upon Israel to embark upon negotiations with the Palestinian legitimate representative. Israel and the international community must respect the political choice of the Palestinian people.

Gaza: Stop the Siege – Stop the War!

Throughout November: Vigils, teach-ins, petitions, flyers, posters

December 2: Demonstrations around the world

Please join us in this humanitarian and political effort: Use the month until the big demonstration on December 2 to raise awareness in your community. Send letters, faxes, and petitions to your elected representatives. Hold vigils and teach-ins.

Let us know your plans so we can empower each other with our numbers and advertise on our websites.

Write your plans to Debby Lerman at debbyl@actcom.co.il

Activities planned for Israel

Perhaps some of these will give you ideas for your own activity:

Printed material – informational flyers, a poster, an ad, and stickers.

Local events – “teach-ins” that bring films, witnesses, journalists, Gazans, etc.

Small vigils/demonstrations – In front of the Prime Minister’s office, the EU, the foreign embassies, the offices of selected Knesset Members. At the Rabin Rally on November 4, activists will distribute printed materials and hold a human chain.

A special Knesset conference will be held to which strategic members of Knesset will be invited. They will hear reports from Gaza – Palestinians, human rights organizations, and journalists.

Media – We will write articles, letters to the editor, blogs, talk-backs – for newspapers, TV, radio, and internet.

Car cavalcade to the Gaza border.

Mass rally on December 2 in Tel Aviv and all over the world to include phone hookups with Gazans and, if possible, solidarity events held internationally.

International campaign:

Actions to raise awareness and bring pressure on the US and European governments – appeals to decision-makers and civil society in the EU and the US to demand that their governments overturn the embargo.

December 2 - demonstrations all over the world.

Organizers of the Campaign

This campaign was initiated by the Coalition of Women for Peace with its 9 member organizations in Israel, including MachsomWatch, Bat Shalom and New Profile. Other active organizers: Anarchists Against the Wall, Gush Shalom, Hadash, High School Seniors draft refusers, Rabbis for Human Rights, University Student Coalition, and Yesh Gvul.

For more information and your updates: Debby Lerman at debbyl@actcom.co.il mailto or +972-52) 457-0704