Biden’s two-state apartheid, webinar on Gazans mental health At present we quite rightly protest Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza however the bigger picture is for a NATO of the Middle East to be created, led by Egypt and with Israel taking the lead militarily. This plan was progressing smoothly until October 7^th happened when Hamas fighters escaped from Gaza and massacred Israelis leading to Israel’s war on Gaza. Biden is keen to settle the issue with what he sees as the “pesky” Palestinians as soon as possible. As the calls are getting louder for a two-state solution, we must be the watchdogs on what is offered to the Palestinians. This means engagement with our governments to keep the discussion honest as we point out the conditions needed for anything like a viable Palestinian state including that all the 750,000 settlers must abandon the settlements. View the 22-minute video here and then forward the link to others who support liberation for Palestine. Join ICAHD UK and be part of mobilization for political change. Help end the need for continued humanitarian aid to be poured into Palestine so its people can live in freedom and thrive in a democratic society ICAHD UK Webinar Attending to the Mental Health Needs in the Midst of a Genocide: What is possible? Photo: Child in Gaza - Palestine Trauma Centre Trauma is not new to Palestinians who have been experiencing it for the last 75 years. However, Israel’s war on Gaza that began in October 2023 has thrust the population into a living hell due to the ongoing assault as their homes and with the whole of their vital infrastructure annihilated, leaving no safe space for any Gazans. In addition, Palestinians everywhere are being affected as their people group is on the receiving end of Israel’s barbaric genocide policies. This webinar will feature the work of mental health organisations working within Gaza, the West Bank and with Palestinians in the diaspora. Learn about what help is available to them and is there hope that Palestinians will ever recover from this trauma? Speakers include: Samah Jabr - Chair of the Mental Health Unit at the Palestinian Ministry of Health Lama Khouri - Global Palestine Mental Health Network David Harrold - Chair of Trustees of Gaza Trauma Centre Gwyn Daniel - UK Palestine Mental Health Network Martin Kemp - UK Palestine Mental Health Network Register for this webinar here January Demolition & Displacement Report Photo: Waji (left). Ghadeer (centre) and Luai al-Atrash pose in front otheir bulldozed home in al-Walaja, a Palestinian village in occupied East Jerusalem. [Alberto Pizzoli/AFP] - 16 Jan 2024 Since 7^th October, Israeli authorities have accelerated the demolition of Palestinian homes and structures vital for living in the areas outside of Gaza. The demolitions are cruel forms of collective punishment on the Palestinian population. Our reports illustrate that in most cases, the reason for the demolition is because the family had not been given permission for construction by Israeli authorities. But then only 1% of applications are approved in Area C of the West Bank and between 2 - 3% are approved in East Jerusalem. Meanwhile Israel forges ahead with its construction of Jewish-only settlements which is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Therefore, this is a clear example of Israel’s apartheid policies because there are different laws that apply to the two people groups – Israeli Jews and Palestinians. Israel’s aim is to make life so difficult that Palestinians give up and leave. This is evident in the village of Al-Walaja, which is divided between East Jerusalem and the West Bank. It has been impossible for residents to build legally. Desperate for somewhere to live, Palestinians have no choice but to construct their homes without a permit. This is what Ghadeer al-Atrash had to do when this divorced woman needed a home for herself and her two children. Her home cost $54,000 achieved from borrowed funds and from savings. Now her home is gone. There is never any compensation paid to Palestinians and instead, they are required to pay fines for constructing without a permit and then they are billed for the demolition. No wonder so many Palestinians live in fear as they wonder when the bulldozer will arrive to demolish their home. ICAHD UK supporters continue to participate in the national demonstrations in London that have been happening since Israel’s war on Gaza began last October. The national march held in central London on 3^rd February called for a ceasefire and for the UK government to restore its funding of UNRWA. Despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accepting the South African lawyers’ case to investigate “plausible” genocide committed by Israel in Gaza, the ICJ did not call for an immediate ceasefire. Instead, the ICJ stipulated other temporary measures for Israel to take to ease the humanitarian crisis. So far, Israel’s military assault on Gaza has only intensified. Daily bombardments have caused vast devastation across the strip and with thousands of innocent civilians killed, the majority women and children. The UK government remains complicit in Israel’s crimes on the grounds that Israel has every right to defend itself. And it has gone a step further by announcing that it is pausing future funds paid to UNRWA, the major UN body overseeing humanitarian operations in Gaza. ICAHD UK has been present during each of the national marches and has had a solid core of supporters marching with our flags. The marches have also provided an opportunity for us to hand out thousands of our flyers to other demonstrators as our awareness-raising continues Visit our website for a selection of photos from the march in addition to a few short videos as supporters speak about what ICAHD has to offer. We need you! * Please share our material on your social media platforms. Tell people in your network about our unique work and the analysis provided by ICAHD. * Keep writing to your MP demanding that they call for an immediate ceasefire and that the UK commits to ongoing funding of UNRWA. . Last year the Bill passed two readings in the House of Commons and went before the scrutiny committee in September where no representatives from any Palestinian support organisations were invited to give evidence, including Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). This is alarming especially given the fact that PSC has been leading divestment campaigns in local councils which are a primary target of the Bill. The Bill has now progressed to the House of Lords with the second reading scheduled for 20th February, although a vote is not expected that day. The most helpful action we can do at the moment is to approach Lords with whom we have contact and encourage them to be present for the debate and to make a contribution. If ICAHD UK members have not contacted their MPs about the bill, should the Bill need to return to the Commons for consideration of amendments proposed in the House of Lords your MP needs to know your opinion. Considering the recent news that the International Court of Justice is investigating Israel for committing genocide in Gaza, it is unfathomable that the UK government as a signatory to the Genocide Convention should continue to excuse Israel and not hold it to account for its many violations of international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. Photo: Vigil at Westminster Abbey on 6th February 2024 The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is being called to account at vigils outside of Westminster Abbey, London, on Tuesday afternoons throughout the spring. He insists on taking a neutral position on Palestine/Israel yet says that Israel has the right to defend itself while not denouncing the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the apartheid system that they live under. This has resulted in Palestinian Christians feeling betrayed. ICAHD has always felt that churches and other religious bodies have a role to play in standing up for justice and the rule of international law. Therefore, we in the UK endorse these vigils. They are organised by CAMPAIN which challenges false narratives in the public discourse. It says that that the Archbishop has contributed to the misrepresentation of critics of Israel as antisemitic. By doing so, he has provided moral cover to politicians who have given unequivocal support to Israel. Saturday, 17^th February 2024 – National March for Palestine, central London. Assemble with the Jewish bloc at 11.45. Further details will be posted on the website Wednesday 21 February 2024 – ICAHD UK Webinar - 6.00-7.30pm (UK time). Attending to the Mental Health Needs in the Midst of a Genocide. Register for this webinar via this link From all at ICAHD UK. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Israeli-Committee-Against-House-Demolitions-UK/366423593418140 Facebook https://www.twitter.com/ICAHDUK/ Twitter http://icahduk.org Website mailto:info@icahduk.org Email The White House - Creative Commons Actions Bulletin - February 2024 * Watch Jeff Halper’s February Update on Biden’s 2-State Solution * Register for February’s Webinar * View the January Demolition & Displacement Report * See the Photos and Videos from 3 February Demonstration * Be Updated on the Right to Boycott Bill * Attend the Vigil Calling the Archbishop to Account * Mark the Dates for Your Diary Jeff Halper Warns: Biden's Solution Means a Palestinian Apartheid State ICAHD’s Jeff Halper challenges US President Biden’s plan to impose a two-state solution on the Palestinians which will lock them into living in an apartheid state. Wednesday, 21 February 2024 8 – 9.30pm (Jerusalem), 6-7.30pm (UK), 1 – 2.30pm (EST) This webinar will focus on the importance of speaking about Palestinian mental health when Israel seeks to debilitate the whole of Palestinian society. Read the January Demolition and Displacement Report ICAHD UK at the National Demonstration for Palestine Right to Boycott Bill House of Lords Second Reading - 20th February The Anti-BDS Bill, officially called the "Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill" is progressing through the UK parliament. The Bill seeks to block public bodies, such as local councils and universities, from conducting their own financial campaigns, and specifically focuses on banning boycotts against Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory, and the occupied Golan Heights. It would also affect a wide range of other activities, such as campaign groups taking action against oil companies. Therefore, this Bill has attracted widespread criticism from rights groups, including ICAHD UK, who have campaigned against the Bill since its introduction into parliament. Contact your MP here Pressure on the Archbishop of Canterbury Dates for Your Diary Tuesdays, throughout spring 2024 – Vigil – Westminster Abbey, London – 5 – 6pm. Calling the Archbishop of Canterbury to account for showing support for Israel while claiming neutrality. 6 – 16 May – ICAHD Recommended Study Tour to Palestine/Israel Saturday 19 October 2024 – ICAHD UK Annual Conference - from 10.00am to 4.00pm (times TBC). Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8EP. Details to be announced but note the date in your diary. 4 – 14 November – ICAHD Recommended Study Tour to Palestine/Israel Many thanks for your ongong support. If you're not already a member of ICAHD UK, please join us (https://icahd.org/join-us/) or make a donation (https://icahd.org/donate-now/) to enable our campaign to spread at this critical time in history. — ICAHD (icahd.org) /newsletter/bidens-two-state-apartheid-webinar-on-gazans-mental-health