But the authorities nevertheless attempt to silence us through financial constraints. For the third time we have been forced to find a new bank, having been summarily closed down by the ones we worked with for explicitly political reasons. And we bank with institutions who call themselves “ethically responsible”!
We began banking with the CAF bank more than two years ago following the Coop bank’s decision to stop all communication with us. Finding another bank was a challenge, and now, to our surprise and consternation, CAF suddenly informed us that because we are not a charity, it had now decided to close our account as of 26^th September. Scrambling once again in yet another search, we finally managed to be “accepted” by Lloyds Bank.
But that creates another major problem for our financial survival: the fact that our members must go through the bureaucratic process of transferring their standing orders from the old to the new bank. Every time this happens, we lose dozens of donors which, as you can imagine, severely affects our ability to pursue our crucial and unique political work. So we are asking you – appealing to you – to make that effort.
If you have a standing order in place:
1. Please instruct your bank immediately to delete your current instruction. 2. Please download and complete the relevant form (Monthly standing Orderor Annual standing order ) - please increase the amount to at least £7 per month or £80 annually if possible. 3. Return the new form to your bank. 4. Email info@icahduk.org to inform us of the action you've taken.
Standing orders are the preferred method of payment and any missed payments will significantly impact on our budget for this year. We know you not only understand the need for your immediate action but will act out of solidarity with us as we take a leading role in the struggle for justice in Palestine/Israel.
The London conference is due to finish at 4.15pm and from there we will be going around the corner where space has been reserved in the back area of the White Hart pub , 191 Drury Lane, Holborn, London, WC2B 5QD. This will provide a wonderful opportunity to gather for drinks and chat, renewing acquaintances and making new friends amongst our like-mined members. We have invited our speakers to join us to provide a further opportunity to engage with them.
Please pay at the bar when your drinks are ordered. The pub has limited capacity to provide meals for all of us so if you would like to extend your evening in London, you will need to make other arrangements. The White Hart is only able to serve our speakers and executive committee. Many thanks as we remain together in the struggle.
Best wishes, Linda Ramsden Jeff Halper Director, ICAHD UK Director, ICAHD 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
20th September 2024
Dear *|FNAME|*, You all know that ICAHD UK is a membership organisation. We cannot do our vital political work for Palestinian rights and a just peace in the Middle East without your support. For most NGOs this is not a problem; in fact, most are registered as charities so as to qualify for large foundation grants. ICAHD UK has always refused to do that, knowing that the prohibition on charities engaging in political activities would prevent us from speaking out and organising over Palestine – precisely the Charity Commission’s intention. That means we rely almost entirely upon you, our members.
Members’ gathering following our conference in London on 19^th October
We are thrilled with the arrangements that have been made for our conferences this autumn. If you have not already booked your place, see the details and secure your ticket through the website (https://icahd.org/2024/08/16/icahd-uk-october-conferences) . Note that an important focus will be ICAHD’s new reframing of the reality in Palestine based on Israel’s settler colonialism and apartheid policies. Jeff will unpack how we need to understand this context and use it when communicating and in our lobbying activities.