Backlash Defense Overview

Protest Toronto International Film Festival Spotlight on Tel Aviv

The Toronto-based Coalitiion Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA) is urging people to write letters protesting the Toronto International Film Festival City-to-City Spotlight on Tel Aviv. John Greyson, internationally renowned filmmaker, has pulled his film from the festival. Read CAIA's statement, and the letter Greyson sent to TIFF's organizers.

National Day of Action

*Tuesday, December 30 @ 10 am - 5pm @ Sen. Klobuchar's office (1200
Washington Ave. S.) & @ Rep. Ellison's office (2100 Plymouth Ave. N.) in
Minneapolis*

*1pm press conference at Sen Klobuchar's office*

Join this* National Day of Action *to show solidarity with the Palestinian
people in Gaza and to demand an immediate end to the murderous attacks
carried out by the Israeli military against the people of Gaza. There will
be a press conference at 1pm at Sen. Klobuchar's office. These
demonstrations are organized locally by WAMM - Women Against Military
Madness, Coalition For Palestinian Rights, International Jewish anti-Zionist
Network Twin Cities (IJAN TC), Green Party of Minnesota.

For more info go to:
http://www.twincities.indymedia.org/2008/dec/protest-israeli-actions-gaza-tuesday

Statement from the International anti-Zionist Network Twin Cities (IJAN-TC)
"As of this writing, Israel's massacre of Palestinians in occupied Gaza has
killed nearly 300, and injured hundreds more - mostly civilians - since
Saturday, December 26th. Over a thousand tons of bombs have been dropped on
one of the most densely populated places in the world. "Operation Cast
Lead", coming after an 18-month siege on the Gaza Strip that created
electricity and water shortages and cut means for producing basics such as
daily bread, has exacerbated the humanitarian catastrophe faced by Gaza's
1.5 million residents.

Israel carried out these recent attacks with F16 fighter jets and missiles
provided by U.S. tax dollars. The state of Minnesota is especially invested
in Israel, holding Israeli bonds, while Governor Pawlenty is meeting with
Israeli trade representatives to further the Minnesota-Israeli economic
partnership. In light of this economic alliance and the moral responsibility
that comes along, we demand Governor Pawlenty cut our trade and investment
ties with Israel instead of financing this humanitarian crisis.

As Jews in the Twin Cities, we stand with the world majority in the call to
immediately end Israel's current and devastating aggression in Gaza, for
Israel to be held accountable for it's actions, and for our fellow
Minnesotans and specifically Jews to join us. As Jews of conscience it is
our responsibility to decry these atrocities done in our name."

Palestinian, Jewish, and Other Local Activists Shut Down Israeli Consulate

unity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2009

Palestinian, Jewish, and OtherLocal Activists Shut Down Israeli Consulate

SAN FRANCISCO – A group of nine activists – Palestinian, anti-ZionistJewish, and immigrant rights activists – blocked the entrance of theIsraeli Consulate beginning at 8:30am today, in nonviolent protest ofIsraeli apartheid and its current attacks on Gaza. The activistschained themselves together using handcuffs and locks, locked the doorsto the building, and were joined by a diverse rally of over 40supporters. The action was organized jointly by local Palestinians andJews in support of: an immediate ceasefire; the opening of land, sea,and air borders to allow in emergency supplies; and an end to USfinancial and political support for Israel.

“For the past sixty years, Israel has tried to eliminate thePalestinian people by forcing them out of their homes and off theirlands, starving them, and killing them,” said Maria Poblet, animmigrants’ rights organizer. “The recent blockades and attacks inGaza are not an exception, but a brutal reminder that killing civiliansis a regular part of Israeli strategy.”

Linked arm in arm, Bay Area Jews, Palestinians and social-justiceactivists aim to increase pressure on Israel and its supporters in theface of the 21-day siege on Gaza and the growing humanitarian crisis. All nine activists were arrested after about two hours, charged withtrespassing, and allowed to leave. This action is one in a series thathas moved from Toronto, to New York, to Los Angeles.

Organizers assert that the current situation in Gaza is not a conflictbetween two peoples of equivalent capacities, nor is Israel’s motiveself-defense. “For the past year and a half, Israel has enactedstrangling sanctions under the guise of targeting Hamas, collectivelystarving the entire population of food, water, medicine, and othervital resources,” stated Monadel Herzallah of the United StatesPalestinian Community Network. “The recent air and ground strikes areanother brutal blow to Gazans who are already trapped in aconcentration camp of despair and growing poverty.”

Activists also spoke out against the US pledge of more than $3 billioneach year in unrestricted aid to Israel. “Israel’s use of US aid andmilitary equipment violates our own laws. We can choose to uphold USand international laws, or ignore them as we are now doing at the perilof our conscience and our place among all of humanity,” said NadeenElshorafa of the General Union of Palestinian Students.

Organizer Sara Kershnar of the International Jewish anti-ZionistNetwork summed up the sentiment: “Today, as Palestinians, Jews, and ourunited allies, we make our position clear: we are on one side, the sideof justice; Israel, an apartheid state, is on the other.”

Press Coverage (so far):