8 July 2022
Dear member,
ICAHD UK continues to collaborate with a small coalition steered by Protecting Palestinian Families (PPF) and the large coalition recently formed that includes Amnesty, War on Want, Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Amos Trust.
PPF has sent a letter to many of the golfing legends asking them to withdraw from participation in the tournament, explaining the reasons for the request. It has also prepared a letter to JCB (signed by ICAHD UK) again asking that it stipulate to its Israeli agent that JCB equipment should not be used in demolitions. PPF is also assisting in the coordination of activities during the tournament. The primary day for our campaigning activity will be on Friday, 29^th July, when there will be representation of various Palestine-support groups. However, with ICAHD’s focus on home demolitions, we hope you’ll agree that it’s important that we have good representation there that day.
We will position ourselves at the entrance to the JCB Golf and Country Club, Rocester, ST14 5HY, on Friday from 7am when the tournament begins. (Uttoxeter is the closest rail station). I will be there with ICAHD posters and flags to distribute to you. Throughout the day, people will stand with flags and posters and a choir will sing. We’ll also need help in handing out flyers from PPF and the large coalition. If interested, tickets to go into the tournament can be purchased for £20 here and note that there are a few free tickets for activists willing to go in on Friday to put small stickers on any surfaces found and to cause some disruption (coordinated in advance of entering the golf course). Please let us know immediately if you would like one of the free tickets.
It is hoped that there will also be presence on Saturday or Sunday if you wish to be there then to continue to hand out flyers, put stickers wherever possible, etc. We’ll also need photos to be taken that we use in awareness-raising of this event.
We have been informed that cyclists from the Big Ride will stop at JCB headquarters which is at another site where they will hand in a letter to a member of staff from JCB and this is a completely separate activity to what is happening at the golf course where we are concentrating our actions.
It will be helpful if you could let us know if you can participate in our demonstration during the tournament. Please email info@icahduk.org . It will be a day full of energy as we express our solidarity with the Palestinian people, especially those who have had their home demolished or who are threatened with demolition and displacement as is currently happening with the people from Masafer Yatta in the South Hebron Hills and in the Jordan Valley where JCB equipment is frequently used.
Many thanks and hope to see you soon.
Best wishes, Linda Ramsden Director