[fse-esf] URGENT: Protest the massacre of Palestinians - Thursday 5-7pm Downing St

[sarah colborne]

I sent this email to the list this morning but so far it has not been circulated. The massacre of the Palestinian people is an urgent matter that participants in the ESF process should be protesting and so I again ask that this be posted on the list - Sarah Colborne, Palestine Solidarity Campaign (Britain)


Please circulate as widely as possible

19 Palestinians were killed whilst sleeping this morning by Israeli shelling - end this massacre!

Call on the British government to end its collusion with the Israeli government's aggression and occupation.

EMERGENCY PROTEST Thursday 9 November 5-7pm opposite Downing Street, London SW1

Early Wednesday morning, Israel launched a barrage of shells on a residential area in Beit Hanun, killing at least 19 Palestinian civilians, including eight children and four women, and wounding over 40.

Even before this latest atrocity, Israel had killed over 63 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in just a week. Yet Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett refused to call on Israel to end its attacks on the Palestinian people.

More details: Palestine Solidarity Campaign: www.palestinecampaign.org


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Please write to your MPs and to the Foreign Office using the model letter below as a template to protest at the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Palestinians in Gaza and the failure of the British Government to condemn these attacks.

Furthermore we would like to ask you to take part in local actions and protests whenever possible.

Many thanks.

PSC

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To the Foreign Secretary :

Ms. Margaret Beckett

Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, SW1A 2AH, London

Dear Ms. Beckett,

You demonstrate clearly in your press release dated 3rd November that you  and the British government disregard the lives of the Palestinian people who are constantly under attack from the army of an occupier deemed illegal under international law.  

In response to the murders by the Israeli army  last week you stated:  "We call for an immediate end to the launching of rockets against Israeli civilian targets, and to all forms of violence. "

The death toll  in Gaza since last week has now reached over 50 Palestinians including medics, teachers and children going to school as well as the women protesting at the attacks on their mosque and their menfolk.

Would you please explain:

1.  Why the British government does not call for an immediate end to the use of fighter jets, missiles and rockets by the Israeli  army?

  2.. Why the British government does not condemn these latest killings by the Israeli army?
3.You state that  "We deeply regret the deaths of civilians on both sides" can you please inform us of how many Israelis have been killed by the rockets you mention?

Finally, you state "any action should be proportionate and in accordance with international humanitarian law", please inform us of what steps the British government has taken to bring pressure upon the Israeli government to act within this aspect of international humanitarian law.


Yours sincerely,

*****



To MPs in the following manner:


Dear MP,

I am shocked at the inadequate response of the British Foreign Secretary to last week's attacks by the Israeli army in Gaza.  Would you please ask Ms. Beckett on my behalf the following questions:

Would you please explain:

1.  Why  when you "call for an immediate end to the launching of rockets against Israeli civilian targets, and to all forms of violence ",

you do not call for an immediate end to the use of fighter jets, missiles and rockets by the Israeli  army?

2.Why the British government does not condemn the latest killings by the Israeli army in Gaza?

3.You state that  "We deeply regret the deaths of civilians on both sides" can you please tell me  how many Israelis have been killed by the rockets you mention?

4. You state "any action should be proportionate and in accordance with international humanitarian law", please inform me of what steps the British government has taken to bring pressure upon the Israeli government to act within this aspect of international humanitarian law.

In view of the emergency situation in Gaza I would appreciate your urgent attention.


Yours sincerely,


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LOBBY OF PARLIAMENT

WEDNESDAY 29TH NOVEMBER

House of Commons, London SW1


Please make an appointment with your MP NOW!


Stop Starving the Palestinians - Stop Arming Israel

Restore Aid to the Palestinian Authority

Release Palestinian Parliamentarians
Respect Palestinian Democracy


Called by:

Palestine Solidarity Campaign

CAABU


And organisations including:

Arab Media Watch

Jews For Justice For Palestinians

Pax Christi

Palestinian Return Centre

British Muslim Initiative

Friends of Al Aqsa

Stop the War Coalition

Amos Trust

Palestinian Forum in Britain

ICAHD UK

Friends of Lebanon

War on Want

Midlands Palestinian Community Association (MPCA)

Campaign Against the Arms Trade

RMT

PCS

UNISON

CWU

AMICUS

Jewish Socialists' Group



Come and meet us in the briefing room W1 from 3 to 6pm.


The lobby of Parliament will be followed by a meeting in Committee room 12, Westminster Palace at 7pm.

 




Palestinians are facing a humanitarian catastrophe following the blockade imposed by the EU, US and Israel, suffering what the World Bank describes as an 'unprecedented economic depression'. Access to food, water and electricity is severely restricted in the Gaza Strip. Israel is assaulting basic democratic rights by imprisoning elected representatives of the Palestinian people, launching military assaults on the West Bank and Gaza which have killed over 260 Palestinians since June, and continuing to build the Apartheid Wall and settlements.


The lobby of Parliament is taking place on the UN's international day for Palestine. We are calling urgently for everyone to contact their MP to tell the British government to work to end the blockade on the Palestinian people, act on the decision of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to release the Palestinian parliamentarians held by Israel, and to end its arms trade with Israel.


The purpose of the lobby is to meet your MP and explain to them why you feel that these issues must be addressed immediately, calling on them to take action. 


Please come along, whether you have spoken to your MP before, or have never contacted them before. Showing there is strong support for Palestinian human rights makes a difference!


To lobby your MP:


Firstly, contact your MP as soon as possible and arrange a meeting with them on Wednesday 29 November. If you don't know who your MP is, go to www.faxyoump.com or phone 020 7219 3000. Briefly explain to your MP what you would like to speak to them about.


Secondly, please let us know when you have an appointment with your MP so we can co-ordinate with other people in the same constituency - phone 020 7700 6192 or email info at palestinecampaign.org


Even if you do not manage to contact your MP in advance, you can still try to meet them on the day - just come along to the lobby and ask for a 'green card' which you then fill in to request that your MP meets you.


We will be able to brief you on how to lobby your MP on 29 November in the House of Commons.


Contact your MP today to make an appointment for the 29th November.


For more information please contact us:


Tel: 02077006192

Email: info at palestinecampaign.org

www.palestinecampaign.org 


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For more information on events, protests and news about Palestine in the UK please visit:

www.palestinecampaign.org
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