Lobby recording - Liz Truss, BDS Bill meeting, S Sizer update October 2022 Actions Bulletin * Watch recording of September webinar * Attend the ICJP event * Read the Demolition & Displacement report * Learn about Stephen Sizer's tribunal * Sign petition on Israel’s apartheid policies * Dates for your diary Why can't we get the UK Government to support the Palestinian cause? ICAHD UK’s September webinar happened within days of Prime Minister Liz Truss telling Yair Lapid, Israel’s Prime Minister, that she is reviewing moving the UK Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem so response to Truss’s intention became a key focus of this timely webinar of vital importance. Our speakers included Clare Short, former British MP who has a long-standing interest in Palestine, Sir Vincent Fean, former British diplomat who served as the Consul-General in Jerusalem and Karla McLaren, lobbyist for Amnesty International UK, with wide experience of lobbying parliamentarians. Background information was shared about the British government’s history of lack of support for the Palestinian cause and it was noted that other governments also refrain from this and that because of books like Exodus and the history of the Holocaust, people have not wanted to question the position of Israel. Several examples were provided on the opportunity that we have to push our government to be consistent in its policies of holding governments to account for violations of international law and practical guidance was shared on how to be most effective in engaging with your MP. Attending the webinar was historian Prof Avi Shlaim who emphasised the damage that would be done should the UK proceed to move our embassy to Jerusalem with repercussions as bad as happening after the Balfour Declaration. He stressed that Truss has provided no good reason for the move and it must be challenged. Speakers concluded by saying that our current government is weak and in a lot of trouble because of the economic plan it has presented. As a matter of priority, it is vital that everyone writes to their MP on this issue as soon as possible asking that your concerns are raised with the Foreign Minister. It is thought that Liz Truss may act before the Israeli elections on 1st November. struggling for justice. In the first, Israeli forces sealed off an artesian water well in the village of Ar Ras, southeast of (Tulkarem), by pouring a concrete mix down its pipes for allegedly lacking an Israeli-issued permit to extract groundwater, despite its presence in Area "B". The artesian well was dug, prepared, and funded by the local village council after obtaining an approval from the Palestinian Water Authority to begin digging the well. The well provided drinking water and water for agricultural usage for about 480 households, as an alternative to them buying water from nearby Israeli settlements. No prior warning was issued against the WASH structure by the Israeli military before the well was sealed. In addition, a water booster device was confiscated from the site. A truck that was at the site while conducting maintenance works to the well was also confiscated. The sealing of this well hinders access to water and affects the livelihood of about 2880 Palestinians, including 1267 children. In the second incident, Israeli forces sealed off an artesian well by pouring concrete inside of it and its pipes in the village of Kur, southeast of (Tulkarem), again for allegedly lacking an Israeli-issued permit to extract groundwater, even though it is also located in Area "B". According to the affected owners, the well was licensed by the Palestine Authority, and they were authorized to dig it and extract water from the Palestinian Water Authority in 2022. Despite this, and without a prior military order or warning, the well was sealed off and had its water booster confiscated. In addition, there was destruction and vandalism of its electric control panel and several pipes forming the supply network of the well. The artesian well was a main provider of drinking and irrigation water for about 906 households in the villages of Kur and Kafr 'Abbush (Tulkarem), with planned expansions of supply to 1000 other households in the villages of Baqat al Hatab and Hajja (Qalqiliya). The sealing of this artesian well seriously undermines access to water for about 906 households of 5443 members, including 2394 children. * See the map showing the location of the demolitions in September here . * Read stories about the demolitions as they happen that are reported on our Facebook page . Learn about the people behind the statistics. Link to this article published in the Guardian on 28^th September about Palestinian communities in Massafer Yatta that are struggling to survive. One of the survival methods used to continue to remain on the land in Massafer Yatta is to dig new caves. Write to the Guardian to thank it for this coverage. In a statement issued by Stephen Sizer on 13th October, he wrote, “Clearly this was a complex case and they must decide on what constitutes lawful political opinion, evaluate conflicting definitions of antisemitism and specifically rule on the validity or otherwise of the IHRA definition, discount the hearsay and anonymous sources relied upon by the Church of England, as well as the instances of double jeopardy and breaches of the previous conciliation agreement, weigh up the sole expert witness report of Dr Tony Lerman as well as the testimonies of the 40+ witnesses including archbishops, bishops, rabbis, clergy, academics and former parishioners who supported my defence in writing or in person.” He went to say, “My experience typifies all that is wrong with the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM) process where one is presumed guilty until proved innocent and left with a cloud hanging over you for months if not years.” “This is also the first time the controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism has been tested in law. Either way, therefore, the tribunal decision will set a legal precedent of international significance.” Jeff Halper’s strong statement of support for Stephen refers to this tribunal as an ‘Inquisition’ which has embarrassed and angered Jeff. Stephen believes that whatever the outcome of his case, those who defend Israeli apartheid will fail, a sentiment that was also expressed by speakers at ICAHD UK’s September webinar on the current position of the British government. To date only 14,620 signatures have been obtained but for there to be a debate in parliament at least 100,000 signatures are needed, and we only have until 10 January 2023 to reach this goal. The government is aware of these reports but so far it is refusing to use this terminology and remains stuck in the same rhetoric of calling for there to be a negotiated peace process. Meanwhile Israeli authorities continue acting with impunity in its violations of international law and apartheid policies implemented over the Palestinian people. Please play your part – sign the petition and then share it with those in your network. Thanks! Wednesday, 23 November – ICAHD UK Webinar - 12 noon (US Eastern) / 5pm (UK) / 7pm (Jerusalem) - Exploring the Palestine Issue with Andrew Feinstein in Conversation with Jeff Halper – Part 2 Register here Many thanks for your ongong support. If you're not already a member of ICAHD UK, please join usor make a donation to enable our campaign to spread at this critical time in history. 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 webinar recording is found here. (https://youtu.be/gj5NfPhfOkA ) Base your letter to your MP about the embassy move on the points made by Avi Shlaim in this article (https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/uk-israel-liz-truss-move-embassy-Jerusalem-disastrous) . Find your MP here (https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/) . Speakers stressed that MPs take note of personal letters far above petitions and standardized letters which don’t bring the results we seek. Attend the ICJP event Protecting the Right to Boycott: Preventing Impunity It is crucial that we keep a focus on what is happening within the British parliament because the current government has proposed legislation to ban Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns pursued by public bodies. To help understand the significance of this legislation, ICAHD UK will not have an October webinar in preference to encouraging your attendance in person or through live streaming on Facebook of the event hosted by the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP). It is entitled Protecting the Right to Boycott: Preventing Impunity which will be held on October the 17th at 7:00pm at One Great George Street. London. ICAHD UK has been part of the large diverse group of organisations that has come together to respond to the proposed Boycott Divestment and Sanctions Bill (BDS Bill) because it will stifle a wide range of campaigns concerned with the arms trade, climate justice, human rights, international law, and international solidarity with oppressed peoples For details and to register go here. September Demolition & Displacement Report Photo: OCHA OPT: Demolition of agricultural structures in Rujeib (Nablus). 14 Sep 2022 On September 20th, Israeli forces alongside personnel from the Israeli Civil Administration sealed off artesian water wells in two separate incidents: View the full Demolition and Displacement Report here Still no ruling on the Stephen Sizer Tribunal More than twenty weeks have passed since the Bishop’s Disciplinary Tribunal for the Diocese of Winchester ended and there is still no ruling. The tribunal was held in May following a complaint made by the Board of Deputies of British Jews in 2018 accusing the Revd Dr Stephen Sizer of anti-Semitism. Stephen Sizer insisted that the tribunal be held in public to expose the lack of evidence against him and to ensure justice is seen to be done. Review UK foreign policy in light of reports of Israeli apartheid Signatures are needed for this petition (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/618802?fbclid=IwAR1zlpJn4cUylyU58z6IUHKDmj3bqoA9fqRNi5yhdOIcpDHORqV47CyRh1o) that calls for the UK government to review its foreign policy towards Israel, taking into account the conclusions by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, that Israel is implementing a system of apartheid against Palestinians. Sign the petition here Dates for Your Diary 18 – 27 October – Study tour to Palestine/Israel for professionals from the fields of mental health and social work – for information see here (https://icahd.org/2022/05/05/extended-study-tour-for-mental-health-professionals-and-social-workers/) Monday 17 October - ICJP Event - 7.00-8.30pm - Protecting the Right to Boycott: Preventing Impunity. The Telford Theatre, 1 Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA. Full details here 7 –17 November – Study tour to Palestine/Israel – for information see her (https://icahd.org/extended-study-tours/) e — ICAHD (icahd.org) /newsletter/lobby-recording-liz-truss-bds-bill-meeting-s-sizer-update