How would the government's Anti-Boycott Bill impact on Brent, Camden and Harrow Councils' right to make ethical decisions. Film and Discussion September 20th

The battle against the Government's Anti-Boycott Bill will be hotting up this Autumn as opposition builds across the trade union, human rights, religious, anti-arms trade, peace and  climate movements.

The bill would prohibit public bodies, including universities and councils from supporting BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) on issues not in line with government foreign policy.

This would directly impact on Brent Council's freedom to make ethical decisions on its investment decisions, including the staff pension fund, and  procurement decisions.

It does not prohibit individuals and other organisations from advocating BDS but could well have a chilling effect, particularly if extended to other issues as the film Boycott shows in the US context. There will be a local showing of Boycott followed by a discussion on Wednesday September 20th.

This is the Trade Union Congress motion that was moved by the National Education Union and seconded by UNISON that was passed yesterday:

The current right-wing Israeli Government, having launched its biggest military incursion in the West Bank in two decades, is announcing new illegal settlements, expelling Palestinians from East Jerusalem and Masafer Yatta, demolishing homes and schools, and failing to prevent armed settlers from rampaging through villages killing and attacking Palestinians, destroying homes and agricultural lands.

The Israeli military has this year killed more than 180 Palestinians.

Congress further notes:

The Government’s Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill would undermine ethical investment and procurement by public bodies by restricting the consideration of human and workers’ rights, international law and environmental concerns, linked to the behaviour of a foreign state. It damages freedom of speech, local democracy, devolution and pension scheme members’ rights.

The legislation would shield the Israeli government from accountability, alongside companies complicit in its occupation, by legislating to silence those trying to achieve change.

Congress believes:

Any attempt to delegitimise the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions and to suggest that Palestinians should be denied the right to appeal to people of conscience for support, must be rejected.

The ability of public authorities, including public sector pension funds, to divest from companies responsible for violations of human rights should be defended.

Such legislation could have blocked the boycott of goods and companies complicit in Apartheid South Africa.

Congress resolves to:

Reaffirm support for Palestinian rights, including our commitment to “boycott the goods of companies who profit from illegal settlements, the Occupation and the construction of the Wall”.

Support the Right to Boycott coalition
Campaign with affiliates against the Bill.

Mover: NEU
Seconder: UNISON

 

On Wednesday 20th September Brent and Harrow Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Camden PSC and Brent Friends of Palestine  are joining together for a free showing of the film Boycott that reveals what happened when similar rules were introduced in the US.

The film will be followed by a discussion led by Ben Jamal, Director of Palestine Solidarity, on the implications for the UK.

 

FREE REGISTRATION HERE

Natalie Bennett calls for arms ban and end to the siege of Gaza

Victory for BDS campaigners as G4S sells Israeli subsidiary

G4S has announced that it will be selling its subsidiary, G4S Israel, “in the next 12 to 24 months”.

For the last four years, G4S has been the target of a sustained campaign by Palestine Solidarity Campaign and other groups involved in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement because of its connection with the Israeli occupation.

Campaigners have attended the company’s Annual General Meeting in London every year for the last three years, dominating the AGM proceedings with questions to the board about G4S’s involvement in Israeli prisons.

Universities across the UK, and globally, as well as local councils have made decisions not to renew security contracts with G4S and not to consider new tenders from the company while it continued to do business with Israel. 

Sara Apps, interim Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said:

We welcome the decision by the G4S board to sell G4S Israel, and hope that the company will fulfil this pledge in the timescale given.

This decision is a vindication of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and its tactics of peacefully putting pressure on companies to divest from the Israeli occupation.

G4S was one of the biggest targets of the BDS movement, and its decision to disinvest from Israel is a landmark victory in the ongoing struggle for Palestinian freedom and self-determination.

G4S follows other BDS targets, including Veolia and Orange, in announcing its decision to sell its Israeli subsidiaries in the last 12 month

G4S has announced that it will be selling its subsidiary, G4S Israel, “in the next 12 to 24 months”.
For the last four years, G4S has been the target of a sustained campaign by Palestine Solidarity Campaign and other groups involved in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement because of its connection with the Israeli occupation.
Campaigners have attended the company’s Annual General Meeting in London every year for the last three years, dominating the AGM proceedings with questions to the board about G4S’s involvement in Israeli prisons.
Universities across the UK, and globally, as well as local councils have made decisions not to renew security contracts with G4S and not to consider new tenders from the company while it continued to do business with Israel.
Sara Apps, interim Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: “We welcome the decision by the G4S board to sell G4S Israel, and hope that the company will fulfil this pledge in the timescale given.
“This decision is a vindication of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and its tactics of peacefully putting pressure on companies to divest from the Israeli occupation.
“G4S was one of the biggest targets of the BDS movement, and its decision to disinvest from Israel is a landmark victory in the ongoing struggle for Palestinian freedom and self-determination.”
G4S follows other BDS targets, including Veolia and Orange, in announcing its decision to sell its Israeli subsidiaries in the last 12 month
- See more at: http://www.palestinecampaign.org/13160-2/#sthash.W7oXzE7e.dpuf

UNISON urges Conservatives to heed Cameron's South Africa sanctions lesson in pension funds row

FROM UNISON

On the eve of their conference last October, the Conservative Party made the surprising announcement they would stop what they call “divisive town hall boycotts and sanctions”. The government planned to address non-existent concerns about “militant divestment campaigns against UK defence and Israeli firms” by introducing new rules to ensure that pension investments and procurement decisions in England and Wales follow UK government foreign policy.

This was clearly pre-conference grandstanding; an opportunity to attack the Labour Party, trade unions and campaign groups like the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). It is unlikely the Conservative Party really believe “the militant actions of left-wing councils” threaten to “poison community relations and harm Britain’s economic and international interests”, but a gesture to the Israeli government, concerned about EU restrictions on settlement goods, may aid diplomatic relations.

In recent months a number of companies have announced their withdrawal from the illegally occupied West Bank, influenced by the efforts of pension scheme members and the public. The Israeli government have responded by lobbying their counterparts for new laws to restrict boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS), with some success, particularly in the US and now the UK.

In November the Department of Communities and Local Government launched a consultation outlining their plans for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Whilst some of the changes are to be welcomed, others give the government unprecedented control over how, and in whose interest, pension funds are invested.

The government want the ability to directly intervene in the investment process in two key ways. Firstly they propose that a proportion of LGPS funds will have to be invested in UK infrastructure. Secondly they want to impose a requirement that investments follow UK foreign policy, and give the secretary of state the power to intervene if they don’t.

It’s clear from the Conservative press release that they want to stop campaigns such as UNISON and PSC’s work, encouraging UNISON branches up and down the country to use their pension funds’ financial muscle to exert pressure on companies that continue to support the illegal occupation of Palestine. Although UK foreign policy recognises “settlements are illegal under international law”, this doesn’t mean that pension funds will be able to divest from companies that support, and financially benefit from, the occupation. The government only highlight the risks of doing business in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, allowing UK companies to decide whether or not to comply with international law.

UNISON believes that pension fund investments should be made in the interests of scheme members, and this is reflected in the EU ‘IORP’ Directive/41/2003 on pensions and the advice of the government’s Law Commission. A pension scheme’s primary concern should be getting a good return for scheme members, but it should also take members concerns into account. If scheme members don’t want their pensions invested in companies involved in the illegal occupation of Palestine, or the manufacture of arms, then their pension fund should take this into account.

UNISON is working hard to get the requirement for pension funds to follow UK Foreign Policy to be dropped, along with the requirement to invest in UK infrastructure. UNISON branches all over the country are responding to the government’s consultation, arguing that the proposed changes breach the EU directive on pensions, and calling for members’ pensions to be invested in members’ interests, not in the interests of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Other groups working on environmental issues, arms and human rights are also concerned that the changes will also impact on them, and are responding to the consultation. You should do the same, before it closes on 19 February.

The government won’t consult on their proposed changes to procurement regulations; they will simply try to issue a revised policy note banning boycotts. The Thatcher government passed similar legislation as part of the infamous 1988 Local Government Act, to stop local councils boycotting companies doing business with apartheid South Africa.

In 2006 David Cameron said “The mistakes my party made in the past with respect to relations with the ANC and sanctions on South Africa make it all the more important to listen now”. We hope his party does listen before they make the same mistake all over again.


UNISON has produced a guide to pension fund engagement and divestment:  LINK

On line tool to add your voice to the campaign LINK

Sheila Robin: fellow activist and friend

Sheila Robin

A wave of disbelief swept through friends and fellow activists of Sheila Robin on Wednesday when  we heard of her death after a short illness.

Sheila combined energy, commitment, thoughtfulness, courage and a love of life in a unique way that makes her loss particularly painful.  Fiercely politically independent, she not only supported many campaigns but did much of the detailed  hard work that made them successful.  

Characteristically my last email from her was about the Brent Stop the War meeting that is being held on Monday. She was concerned that the title  of the talk 'Don't bomb Syria' was rather boring and uninspiring and urged people to come up with something 'brilliant'.

That nagging at the detail to get the most out of a political action was very much a Sheila trait and the annual Stop the War-Brent PSC Fundraising Garden Party was an event that brought her organising skills to the fore. She managed to persuade Julie Felix to perform this year which made it our most successful fundraiser to date.

Sheila never shrank from difficult issues, thinking exhaustively through all the principles involved, before reaching a position. I saw this close up when we were involved in the controversy over the Tricycle Theatre's decision not to accept Israeli government funding of the Jewish Film Festival.

It wasn't all hard work though, Sheila enjoyed having fun whether at the theatre, cinema, comedy club, choir or sailing!

Below are tributes from those who both worked with Sheila politically and enjoyed socialising with her:

Sheila with Brent Stop the War Banner

From Brent Stop the War Facebook: I am sorry to have to pass on the very sad news that Sheila Robin, the immensely hard working secretary of Brent Stop The War, active in the Red/Green socialist choir and many more labour movement and international campaigns died suddenly on Tuesday. 

Sheila has been absolutely central to Brent Stop the War, making it the priority of her political activity for the last few years. We will miss her immensely.

We felt that Sheila would have wanted us to proceed with Monday’s meeting and to do all we can to keep the group going, although she will be impossible to replace.

Sheila had been unwell for several months and was awaiting an operation, but we all expected her to recover in the near future, so this has come as a huge shock to us all. Our thoughts are with her daughter, Anna, and all the family at this very difficult time.

Sarah Cox (Brent Stop the War)

 
Sheila contributed so much to so many - individuals and causes.... Here is a photo of her, taken a few years ago, with her friend (and my partner) Ian Saville.  Sheila was always a person to go to for good advice. She absolutely committed to thinking and thinking and thinking again about the best way to go about things - whether it was buying a new hoover or organising a campaign or supporting family and friends with some difficulties to sort out.

Pam Laurance
  

Sheila was a dedicated and hard-working member of Brent Stop the War from its inception, taking on the role of Secretary in recent years. She worked tirelessly on fund-raising intitatives and to make our monthly meetings a success. In recent months, she was especially inspired by Jeremy Corbyn’s bid to become Labour leader, contacting repeatedly her local MP to get her to nominate him. Her persistence succeeded and Jeremy got the requisite number of nominations, allowing him to achieve today’s stunning success. It is highly poignant that Sheila is not here to share in the celebrations today. More than that, she will be greatly missed by activists in Brent who will remember her anti-war and anti-cuts campaigning and her unshakeable belief that a better world was possible. 

Mike Phipps, Chair, Brent Stop the War.

Sheila was inspiring to work with, a human Dynamo as described by Diane. 

I was inspired by Sheila to implement strategies /ideas/suggestions that were originally thought impossible or impractical. She did not follow 'a party line' and was always questioning.

She initiated contacts with a variety of community and political groups as well as individuals such as Joan Baez.

Sheila had a wide range of friends and interest.  I always enjoyed going with Sheila to mainly non mainstream theatre, comedy, concerts and cinema, although I never sailed with her  or accompanied her to distant places!

Sheila would proclaim each year she would withdraw from organising meetings and fund raising but each year she would be involved as enthusiastically as before. She was always direct and honest. 

Despite her medical problems and the associated pain and exhaustion Sheila would persevere.

We will miss her.

Liz Lindsay (Brent and Harrow Palestine Solidarity Campaign) 

There was a sense of unbearable shock to hear the news of Sheila Robin’s death. She had not been struggling with a long term illness but had died after a short period of ill health.  It was not as if she was a close friend, but it was as an activist in Jews for Justice for Palestinians that I came to know her.  She was someone who could be relied on to be open and forthright, to address issues with a passion and with commitment.  

Sheila was someone who could be relied on to make a contribution to debate and to take on the humdrum tasks that any organisation needs.  We kept bumping into one another at meetings, at events and at protests.  This is how many of us came to know and appreciate Sheila, a sound helper and comrade active in the grassroots of the movement for Palestinian self determination.   Her courage and good humour were always in evidence and it is almost impossible to absorb the fact that her vibrant personality is no longer with us.  It was a privilege to know her

Diana Neslen (Jews for Justice for Palestinians)


 I was very shocked and saddened to hear about about Sheila. She was always one of the people I could guarantee to bump into on any protest and campaign, and we waved hello to each other at the crowded Jeremy Corbyn meeting in the Camden Centre just a few weeks ago. I also used to see her occasionally in her work capacity in Islington. Wishing long life to her family and close friends.

David Rosenberg (Jewish Socialist Group)


Sheila was both a friend and a fellow activist. She was always a pleasure to work with for her enthusiasm, great ideas and energy. She was completely dedicated and an important part of a number of local, national and international campaigns and will be missed by all. I particularly appreciated her support and advice.

Aisha Maniar

Please feel free to add futher tributes as comments or by email.

National Demonstration for Gaza Saturday 9th August

From Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Brent residents attending the demo are welcome to meet up with others at Kilburn Jubilee Line station (southbound platform) at 11.30 am on Saturday.

National Demonstration for Gaza Saturday 9 August. Assemble 12 noon outside BBC, Portland Place (tubes: Great Portland Street/Oxford Circus) marching to rally at Hyde Park via US Embassy

Please ask all your family and friends to join the demonstration on Saturday. Be a part of it! At the time of writing (Tuesday) over 1,814 Palestinians have been killed and 9,536 injured.  UN OCHA says "Children continue to bear the brunt of the crisis". The number of children killed stands at 408 with at least 2,877 children injured.

An Israeli missile attack on Sunday against an UNWRA school has been condemned by the UN  as 'criminal act.' Yesterday (Monday), Israel broke its own ceasefire, killing an eight year old Palestinian girl and flattening her family home. The Israelis then launched an attack on another home> Whole neighbourhoods have been flattened, and almost half of the Strip was already a 'no go zone', before the bombardment of Rafah. Palestinians are struggling to dig out the bodies of the dead, hospitals struggling to cope with the bloodshed and death, and shelters struggling to cope with the hundreds of thousands attempting to seek refuge. Ambulances, hospitals and UN schools sheltering refugees have all been targeted by Israeli bombs. International outrage has escalated, with thousands blocking the streets outside the Israeli Embassy in London over the weekend, and protests taking place across Britain. But even now, the BBC is determined to 'defend Israel'>  We need to increase the pressure even further - and ensure that our voices are heard. Please ensure that nobody can say that they didn't know about the demonstration this coming Saturday - forward this email on to family and friends, and bring them along. Tell Cameron - NOT IN MY NAME! STOP ARMING ISRAEL! STOP THE MASSACRE! Take action - sign our letter to the Prime Minister>  Join us on Saturday - and spread the word! Click here for the facebook event page.

Demonstrate for Gaza and its children today: Noon, Israeli Embassy, Kensington High Street

Writer and broadcaster Michael Rosen will be one of the speakers at today's rally for Gaza in Parliament Square. This is a poem published on his blog LINK earlier this week. The names of Gazans, including children,  killed by the Israeli Defence Force can be found HERE

Assemble today at Noon opposite the Israeli Embassy (Kensington High Street) and then march to rally in Parliament Square.

Don't Name the Dead Children

Israel bans radio advert listing names of children killed in Gaza (Guardian 24.07.14)

Don't mention the children.

Don't name the dead children.

The people must not know the names

of the dead children.

The names of the children must be hidden.

The children must be nameless.

The children must leave this world

having no names.

No one must know the names of

the dead children.

No one must say the names of the

dead children.

No one must even think that the children

have names.

People must understand that it would be dangerous

to know the names of the children.

The people must be protected from

knowing the names of the children.

The names of the children could spread

like wildfire.

The people would not be safe if they knew

the names of the children.

Don’t name the dead children.

Don’t remember the dead children.

Don’t think of the dead children.

Don’t say: ‘dead children’.

Great line up for Willesden Green Garden party on Sunday - book now!

Ahmed Dickinson

 

This is the  lineup for the Brent Stop the War and Palestine Solidarity Campaign garden party to be held in Willesden Green  on Sunday 15th June. 

The performers are:

Rachel Rose Reid - story teller and performance artist

Archetype - rapper and poet

Farhad Khalid - asian/easten folk jazz guitarist, singer song writer

Finistere - guitar, Irish whistle and songs

Ahmed Dickinson - Cuban virtuoso guitarist

Ian Saville, Socialist Magician and our MC

We also have the most amazing raffle prizes donated by organisations. They are:

Vouchers for comedy nights at The Good Ship in Kilburn

3 x vouchers for 2 tickets to the BFI (British Film Institute)

1 x voucher for 2 tickets to a main feature at the Lexi Cinema
2 x vouchers for a meal for 2 at Maramia Palestinian Cafe In Golborne Road
1 x fairtrade recycled bag from Ganesha fairtrade shop
1 x book "The Blood Never Dried" by John Newsinger from Bookmarks

Order tickets by emailing brentstopthewar@gmail.com or phoning Sarah on 07951 084 101. 

Tickets bought in advance cost £15 waged/solidarity, £12 pensioners /low waged and £8 students/benefit claimants.  On the door prices: £20, £15,  £10

Sunday June 15^th  5pm onwards

In Kate & Jamie’s beautiful garden close to Willesden Green station.

We will tell you the address when you buy your ticket.

BRENT STW and PSC Summer Fundraising Garden Party

Please spread the word by joining the Facebook event and inviting all your friends – see here. https://www.facebook.com/events/1427576110826752/?fref=ts

PROTEST AGAINST LIVNI IN HENDON ON SUNDAY

Tzipi Livni, ex-Israeli Foreign Minister is speaking at the Jewish National Fund meeting in Barnet on Sunday. She was a major force behind 'Operation Cast Lead' the Israeli offensive against Gaza which began on December 27th last year and killed 1400 Palestinians, many of them children, and injured 5,000.

The meeting is at the Hendon Hall Hotel, Ashley Road, NW4 1HF from 10am. The nearest tube is Hendon Central where people will be meeting at 9.30am. Take the 143 bus from Hendon Central towards Archway or 326 towards Spires Shopping Centre, alight at the Quadrant and then walk. Route Map

This is a London-wide demonstration supported by the PSC and other organisations.

JOIN LIVNI PROTEST AND MOSQUE VIGIL THIS SUNDAY

DEFEND THE HARROW MOSQUE

Brent and Harrow Unite Against Fascism are again organising a demonstration to show Harrow's rejection of the SIOE's (Stop the Islamisation of Europe's) attack on Harrow's Muslim community and their mosque.

Assemble at 12 noon on Sunday on the broad pavement outside Harrow Civic Centre, opposite the mosque. Police have announced they will be carrying out stop and searches for weapons. The leader of the Labour group on Harrow Council and Navin Shah Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow will be joining the solidarity demonstration.

PROTEST AT LIVNI'S LONDON VISIT ONE YEAR AFTER ISRAELI WAR CRIMES

Also on Sunday there is an all-London alert for a demonstration against Tzipi Livni, former Foreign Minister of London who was a major force behind 'Operation Cast Lead' the Israeli offensive against Gaza which began on December 27th last year and killed 1400 Palestinians, many of them children, and injured 5,000.

Livni is due to speak at a meeting of the Jewish National Fund from 10.30am until 4pm on Sunday somewhere in North London. The organisers are kept the venue secret until the last minute in order to minimise demonstrations against Livni whose callous pronouncements on the Gaza conflict will be remembered for a long time.  Up to date information will be published on this website and on the Palestine Solidarity Campaign's website and PSC's Facebook Page.

A reminder of what happened almost a year ago: