S Sizer tribunal, JCB statistics for 2021 In advance of the Tribunal, ICAHD released a statement in support of Stephenwhich is found on the ICAHD website and which was submitted to Mr Stephen Hofmeyr QC, who represented Stephen Sizer. Hofmeyr is a South Afr ican who had been involved in the anti-apartheid movement. He is a committed Christian and is an international peacemaker, judge, and mediator. A member of the ICAHD UK Executive Committee attended the Tribunal throughout the week and commended Hofmeyr for his brilliantly precise, forensic and humane dismantling of all accusations levied against Stephen; and Stephen’s witnesses (Tony Lerman, Diana Neslen, Prof Ilan Pappe, Canon Garth Hewitt, Rev Jeremy Moody, amongst others) as dignified, honourable experts in their field. Throughout it, Stephen Sizer was gentle, open, articulate and gracious: a man who builds bridges. The decision from the five-members of the tribunal panel is due in July and the full proceedings should be available to the public upon request. These are the weighty issues of law the tribunal must decide on: 1. Freedom of speech under European human rights legislation 2. Double jeopardy as some of the complaints have been dealt with previously 3. The panel rejected the IHRA definition of Antisemitism and must agree on another by which to evaluate the allegations. 4. The representative nature of the BoD and the fact that five of the witnesses were Jewish and reject the allegation that he has offended the Jewish community. 5. The nature of social media. 6. They must also decide in the light of all the above whether his conduct is consistent with what is expected of clergy or is considered unbecoming. For now, negative press about Stephen Sizer continues to circulate but to hear another perspective from the Tribunal, view Mick Napier’s daily reports that can be found on the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign Facebook page. Corporate Occupation releases JCB demolition statistics for 2021 Photo: B’tselem – demolition in South Hebron Hills, August 2021 At least 2,333 Palestinians suffered the tragic experience of witnessing their beloved homes and/or other structures vital for living being demolished in 2021. Yet again JCB bulldozers wreaked havoc and still the Bamford family, owners of JCB, have done nothing to stop their equipment from being used in these demolitions which are violations of international law. Demolitions thrust families into poverty and inflict trauma that many of them – parents and children – carry for the rest of their lives. Demolitions are part of Israel’s settler colonial policy of erasure of the indigenous population as they rob the Palestinians of dignity and uproot them from their land. JCB knows what is happening and refuses to separate itself from this violent policy. The 2001 figures were released on Thursday, 26th May by Corporate Occupation, an organisation established to provide information in support of the BDS and international solidarity movement who seek to challenge companies complicit with Israel’s violations. Corporate Occupation bases its research on the monthly Demolition and Displacement reports prepared by ICAHD. * Write to Lord Bamford, owner of JCB, so that he knows that there is growing awareness amongst the British public who want him to stop putting profit before compliance with government guidance and international law. * See full information about the JCB campaign and our sample letters to help guide you. * Note JCB’s golf tournament 29 – 31 July when there will be yet more opportunities to raise awareness. * On 23^rd May, Corporate Occupation received a recording from the Jordan Valley Solidarity Campaign of a recent demolition in that locality done by a JCB pneumatic drill, which is the first time that piece of JCB machinery has been used in a home demolition. * Demolitions have continued in other locations throughout the West Bank and in East Jerusalem, including in Masafer Yatta where Israel intends to forcibly transfer the residents of eight communities because the Israeli army is claiming the land for a firing zone. It is unlikely that Israel will “clear” the villages in one fell swoop, but little by little, day by day, the demolitions will proceed. * Israel is planning the full erasure of another Palestinian village & the forcible transfer of its residents, who are Israeli citizens. Ras Jrabah is one of the unrecognized Palestinian Bedouin villages in the Naqab (Negev). This means that approximately another 500 Palestinians are threatened with being made homeless. * Guidance on campaigning to end home demolition is found on the ICAHD website . Extended study tours to Palestine/Israel resume These life-changes experienced are not to be missed Photo: Sign when entering Area A, centre of the Palestinian population With travel restrictions lifting following the coronavirus pandemic, plans are underway to resume the eleven-day study tour programme to Palestine/Israel because nothing compares to being there, witnessing the reality on the ground. These issue-based tours allow participants to meet local people – Palestinians and critical Jews – as they engage with organisations in Jerusalem, the West Bank and within Israel. Around thirty encounters are arranged, and daily debriefing sessions are held in the evening. Participants are immersed in this Middle Eastern experience as they visit the different geographical areas, sample the local food, and experience the rich cultural heritage. For more information see https://icahd.org/extended-study-tours/ and write to info@icahduk.org for an application form. Tuesday 14 June – Amnesty event - Israel's Apartheid Against Palestinians: How to Dismantle this Injustice - from 6.30 to 8.00pm (UK time). Register here Wednesday, 22 June – ICAHD UK webinar – Exploring the Palestine Issue with Andrew Feinstein. 5pm UK, 7pm Palestine, noon Eastern US. Register here (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvcuivpz4jG9EEX1S8bKlPJyA8WNSyIlYj ) Friday, 26 – Monday 29 August – Greenbelt Festival – Jeff Halper seminar speaker and ICAHD UK will run a stall - https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/ 7–17 November 2022 – Study tour to Palestine/Israel - https://icahd.org/extended-study-tours/ Many thanks for your ongoing support. If you're not already a member of ICAHD UK, please consider joining 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 May 2022 Newsletter * ICAHD support of Rev Dr Stephen Sizer * JCB 2021 demolition statistics released * Extended study tours to Palestine/Israel resume * Dates for your diary ICAHD support of Rev Dr Stephen Sizer falsely accused of anti-semitism The verdict is awaited from the Church of England’s Bishop’s Disciplinary Tribunal for the Diocese of Winchester held this week (23-27 May) concerning the Revd Dr Stephen Sizer (http://www.stephensizer.com/) , accused of anti-Semitism. It arose from a complaint made by the Board of Deputies of British Jews against Stephen Sizer in 2018. The Tribunal was held at St Andrew’s Church Centre Holborn, London which happened in public at Stephen insistence. * Read the statistics here * Send them to your MP because the government has a responsibility to ensure that British businesses comply with due diligence requirements. Dates for Your Diary Wednesday 8 June – ICAHD USA webinar - How to Think About Converting an Apartheid Regime into a Democratic State with Jonathan Kuttab - noon (US, Eastern)/5pm (UK). Register here (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYudO6vqz8jE9exANGYEIpFv0LQV9Ud8-sa) Wednesday, 22 June – ICAHD USA webinar - Strategies to Advance Palestinian Liberation and Solidarity in the United States Congress and Administrative Branch with Beth Miller – 1pm Eastern US, 6pm UK Register here Friday, 29 – Sunday, 31 July – JCB Golf Tournament – save the date for involvement — ICAHD (icahd.org) /newsletter/s-sizer-tribunal-jcb-statistics-for-2021