Efforts to separate Arab and Jewishcounterdemonstrators from each other were overcome by IJAN organizers in theJewish ‘pen’ and Arab organizers in the Arab ‘pen.’  The police barricades between them wereremoved, the Palestinian flag and IJAN’s banner were attached to one another,and the megaphone and choice of chants were shared.   Despitethe pavement between the barriers to the two counter-demos filling up, theJewish banners and most of the Jewish demonstrators stayed where they were.  Popular chants (with some) were “Judaism,yes; Zionism, no: the state of Israelmust go” and “1 2 3 4, occupation no more, 5 6 7 8, Israel is not a Jewish state”!!

 In response to a divisive representation of the counter demonstration at a rally in support of Israel, the following joint statement was submitted to the London Guardian.

DearLetters’ Editor,

Neither your report (Thousands of Jews rallyagainst Hamas, 12 January) nor the subsequent letters (We Jews cannot be silent bystanders while this terrorgoes on, Letters, 13 January) mention the crucial fact that thecounter-demonstration opposing the pro-Israel rally was called and responded toby Palestinians, Jews, Muslims and other people of conscience.

The police had divided the counter-demonstration by placingMuslim and Jewish people behind separate metal barriers.  United by ouroutrage and grief over the siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza, many of usrefused to be divided; we moved the barriers aside and chanted together:“Judaism Yes, Zionism No”; the Palestinian flag which the Islamic Human RightsCommission had brought was attached to the banner of the International JewishAnti-Zionist Network, and alongside Neturei Karta’s placards.

WhenPalestinians, Jews and Muslims organise together, taking our direction from thePalestinian resistance, we undermine apartheid, ethnic cleansing and thedivisions among us which are used to justify war.  For all of us there isonly one side – the side of justice.

Yours,

Representatives of the

Islamic Human Rights Commission

International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network

In response to the call for escalating actions against Israel's attacks on Gaza,the US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) and the International JewishAnti-Zionist Network are collaborating in the United States.

If you are in the United States and would like toparticipate, contact information is below.

Internationally, IJAN encourages the creation of similarcalls to action.

The U.S.Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) and the International Jewish Anti-ZionistNetwork (IJAN) are calling for joint action.

Israel'shorrifying attacks on Gazacome at the close of the Bush regime and at the onset of the Obamaadministration. Congress has declared the attacks an act of self-defense by Israel. Nothingcan be more untrue as the death toll of Palestinians creeps to 800 and theinjured to more than 3,000.

The need for escalating coordinated action against racistUSpolicies here and abroad coincides with the potential for change that Obama'spresidency represents.

Palestinians and anti-Zionist Jews are calling for jointaction. We are raising our united voices of outrage and grief against 60 yearsof occupation and ethnic cleansing. We are taking collective action insolidarity with and as part of more than 60 years of Palestinian struggle.

We are also co-organizing forums to assert Palestinianand anti-Zionist Jewish narratives and visions of liberation united withgrassroots movements for racial justice and immigrant and indigenous rights.

Joinus in taking another step toward a united front against racism!

1. Organize and participate in Palestinian/Jewish anti-Zionist joint actions with immigrant, indigenous and people of color communities
2. Organize and participate in forums, teach-ins and workshops to assert Palestinian and anti-Zionist Jewish narratives in joint struggle
3. Organize joint flyering at and messaging for protests
4. Organize delegations to local representatives and pass local resolutions
5. Tell us about it: email us at the contact information below

For more information or toparticipate, please contact us:

USPCN email: conference@palestineconference.org

IJAN email: ijan@ijsn.net