Ellen Davidson is an activist photojournalist who has traveled to Palestine five times. She works with Jews Say NO!, U.S. Boats to Gaza, and Veterans For Peace. She discusses the present crisis in the occupied territories with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.
Archive for the ‘Solidarity Statements’ Category
Ellen Davidson
June 3, 2021Jews across the globe applaud statement by Palestinian and Arab academics, journalists, and intellectuals
December 12, 2020Jews across the globe applaud statement by Palestinian and Arab academics, journalists, and intellectuals
We, Jewish groups and individuals from across the globe, applaud the recent powerful statement and set of principles signed by 122 Palestinian and Arab academics, journalists, and intellectuals regarding the definition of antisemitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and the way this definition has been applied, interpreted and deployed.
As the letter states so compellingly: ” The fight against antisemitism should not be turned into a stratagem to delegitimise the fight against the oppression of the Palestinians, the denial of their rights and the continued occupation of their land.”
It avers: “Antisemitism must be debunked and combated. Regardless of pretense, no expression of hatred for Jews as Jews should be tolerated anywhere in the world. We also believe that the lessons of the Holocaust as well as those of other genocides of modern times must be part of the education of new generations against all forms of racial prejudice and hatred.”
And it also makes clear: “The fight against antisemitism must be deployed within the frame of international law and human rights. It should be part and parcel of the fight against all forms of racism and xenophobia, including Islamophobia, and anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism. The aim of this struggle is to guarantee freedom and emancipation for all oppressed groups. It is deeply distorted when geared towards the defence of an oppressive and predatory state.”
See the full statement from Palestinian and Arab academics, journalists, and intellectuals here.
Signatories:
Anya Topolski Een Andere Joodse Stem, Another Jewish Voice, Belgium
Hilla Dayan Academia for Equality, The Netherlands
Wieland Hoban Jüdische Stimme für gerechten Frieden in Nahost Germany
Dror Feiler European Jews for a Just Peace (EJJP) Sweden
Dr. Itamar Shachar Belgium / Israel
Ofer Neiman, Boycott from Within Israel
Donna Nevel, Jews Say No! USA
Alan Rückert Z. Chile
Sheryl Nestel, Independent Jewish Voices Canada Canada
David Comedi, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network-Argentina Argentina
Marilyn Garson, Sh’ma Koleinu – Alternative Jewish Voices New Zealand
Vivienne Porzsolt, Jews against the Occupation Australia
Rina King, South African Jews for a Free Palestine SAJFP South Africa
Ronnie Kasrils South Africa
Liliana Cordova-Kaczerginski, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network Spain
Alejandro Ruetter, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network Spain
Guy Bollag Switzerland
Richard Wagman, UJFP (French Jewish Peace Union) France
Eyal France
Corey Balsam, Independent Jewish Voices Canada
Rowan Gaudet, Independent Jewish Voices Canada
Itay Sapir, Université du Québec à Montréal Canada
sue goldstein, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network Canada
Haim Bresheeth, Jewish Network for Palestine UK
David Cannon, Jewish Network for Palestine UK
Mike Cushman ,Free Speech on Israel UK
Leah Levane, Jewish Voice for Labour UK
Michael Kalmanovitz, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network–UK UK
Rob Ferguson, Steering Cttee Free Speech on Israel & SocialistWorkers Party UK
Rachel Lever, Labour Party UK
Dorothy M. Zellner, Jews Say No! USA
Stefanie Fox, Jewish Voice for Peace USA
Lesley Williams Jewish Voice for Peace, USA
Ivan Strasburg, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (ATSE) USA
Rachel Giora, Boycott From Within Israel
Anat Matar, Tel Aviv University Israel
Haley Firkser Israel
Shir Hever, Jüdische Stimme für gerechten Frieden in NaHost. e.V. Germany
The Board A Different Jewish Voice, Amsterdam Netherlands
Michal Sapir Israel
Rebecca Vilkomerson United States
Ofra Ben Artzi Israel
Dr Les Levidow UK
Angie Mindel UK
Yehuda Aharon Australia
Heather Mendick UK
Angie Mindel UK
Professor Jonathan Rosenhead UK
Sue Rabkin South Africa
Motti Shimoni USA
Mike Simons United Kingdom
We are with you
March 19, 2019In the wake of the heartbreaking, horrifying violence against Muslims worshiping in Christchurch, New Zealand, we must continue–with all the strength we have–to join with Muslim and all communities to challenge and resist anti-Muslim racism, white supremacy, and hate in the streets, in mosques, in domestic and foreign policies, in all spheres of our societies. To our Muslim friends and partners in the struggle for a just world, we are with you.Jews Against Anti-Muslim Racism and Jews Say No!
NYC Protestors Drink Salt Water In Solidarity With Palestinian Hunger Strikers
May 25, 2017
Jews Say No!, an NYC group I am a part of, and the Grannies Peace Brigade recently participated in the salt water challenge in solidarity with more than 1500 Palestinian hunger strikers, who have entered the 38th day of their strike. The Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails began the hunger strike on April 17th, and the salt water challenge, a social media campaign to show solidarity with the strikers, began with a call by the son of imprisoned Palestinian leader, Marwan Barghouti.
Thousands of individuals and groups have taken the salt water challenge across the globe in support of the Palestinian prisoners. Numbers of the mothers of the prisoners have also courageously joined the strike in solidarity with their sons. Palestinians have held rallies and called a general strike across the West Bank in support; South African anti-apartheid leaders went on a solidarity strike; and students in the U.S. called for a one day fast in solidarity with the prisoners. Support for the prisoners is widespread. The Israeli government has not only failed to respond adequately, but prisoners have been subjected to harsh treatment and retaliatory measures. As a result, the strike has continued and numbers of prisoners have been taken to medical facilities because of seriously deteriorating health.
The demands put forth by the prisoners are clear, fundamental rights. They include access to medical care; allowing regular family visits; and an end to solitary confinement and administrative detention (imprisonment without charge), flagrant violations of human rights. As Barghouti stated in a recent NY Times op-ed, “Palestinian prisoners and detainees have suffered from torture, inhumane and degrading treatment and medical negligence.” He also wrote that “hunger striking is the most peaceful form of resistance available. It inflicts pain solely on those who participate and on their loved ones, in the hopes that their empty stomachs and their sacrifice will help the message resonate beyond the confines of their dark cells.”
Where is American Jewish community support for the Palestinian prisoners? Where is the call from American Jewish organizations to Israel’s leaders demanding they honor the call from the prisoners for their basic needs and rights. The Israeli government’s appalling treatment of Palestinian prisoners is well-documented. There is simply no rationale for not supporting the rights of the Palestinian prisoners.
The demands of the hunger strikers will hopefully be met soon, but we know that international pressure and support can be critical at moments like this. This is a challenge to the American Jewish community to make our voices heard loud and clear in support of the Palestinian hunger strikers, whose demands are simply a call for dignity and humane treatment.
Jews Say No! And Granny Peace Brigade take the #SaltWaterChallenge in solidarity with Palestinian hunger strikers
May 23, 2017
The Salt Water Challenge
Today, there are 6300 Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli prisons; this number includes 300 children and 500 administrative detainees (those imprisoned without charge or trial).
Since April 17, Palestinian Prisoners Day, more than 1500 of these political prisoners have engaged in an open-ended hunger strike. Today is Day #37. These prisoners have refused to eat food, only consuming salt water to maintain their health, until the Israeli government meets their demands for basic human rights as stipulated by the Geneva Convention. Freedom and dignity are universal rights inherent in humanity – to be enjoyed by all human beings.
The demands of these hunger strikers include:
- An end to administrative detention
- An end to solitary confinement
- An end to the denial of family visits
- Access to proper medical care and treatment, and
- The right to access distance higher education
On Monday, May 22, Jews Say NO! and the Granny Peace Brigade stood in the rain at Broadway and 96th Street in NYC to join a growing, worldwide, social media campaign – #SaltWaterChallenge – to draw attention to the plight of Palestinian political prisoners. As supporters of these hunger-strikers, we drank salt water to stand in solidarity with those who refuse a life of humiliation.
Now, we challenge you to do the same.
Letter in Support of Representative Keith Ellison
November 16, 2016
November 16, 2016
We are writing in support of Representative Keith Ellison, one of two Muslims in Congress, whom we know as an ethical individual committed to equal rights and justice for all people.
We are saddened and angered by the campaign against Representative Ellison and the baseless charges of anti-Semitism made against him. We know that he has strong support from Jewish political and community leaders and that the campaign against him is being spearheaded by forces that wrongly equate criticism of Israeli government policies with anti-Semitism and, in many instances, foster anti-Muslim narratives.
During this period of great division in our country, we need more voices like Representative Ellison’s.
Jews Say No!
New York city
Jews Say No! endorses the Women’s Boat to Gaza
February 24, 2016
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an exciting new initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. Help us highlight the undeniable contributions and indomitable spirit of Palestinian women who have been central within the Palestinian struggle in Gaza, the West Bank, inside the Green Line, and in the Diaspora. Support the women organizers, passengers and crew from around the world to sail to break the siege.
Donate to womensboattogaza.us
Gaza has been under Israeli blockade for the past decade during which time Israel has launched countless attacks against the besieged population, turning life into a nightmare and a continuous struggle. The physical wars have not only invaded the economy, markets and the land of Gaza, but have raided and assaulted homes, families, schools and museums, destroying civilization, heritage, culture, memory and hopes.
Through Freedom Flotillas and other naval missions we have protested the passivity and complicity of the international community while calling for solidarity of civil society with the Palestinian resistance and a coherent response from western governments.
The Women’s Boat to Gaza seeks to challenge the Israeli blockade, to show solidarity, and to bring a message of hope to the Palestinian people. With the support of women, men, non-governmental organizations, civil society, and from women’s collectives and events around the world, we will make this happen.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is composed of civil society organizations and initiatives from many countries. We have been challenging the illegal and inhumane Israeli blockade of Gaza for years and are committed to continue the struggle until the blockade is unconditionally lifted and the Palestinian people everywhere regain their full rights.
We intend to officially launch this exciting project across the world on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2016 and we would like you to join us!
Follow us on the Web www.freedomflotilla.org and womensboattogaza.us
Facebook: Freedom Flotilla Coalition and US Womens Boat to Gaza
Twitter @GazaFFlotilla.
Contact us at womensailtogaza@gmail.com
Jews Say No! Stands with the Black Community
December 5, 2014
Jews Say No! stands with the Black community and with all communities of color across this country that fear for the safety of their sons and daughters at the hands of law enforcement officials and that are leading protests across the country against a U.S. “justice” system that repeatedly (and predictably) fails to hold white people accountable for the killing of Black people.
At a New York City demonstration this week following the refusal of grand juries to indict the police officers who killed Mike Brown in Ferguson and Eric Garner on Staten Island, someone held a sign with the words of the African American civil rights leader Ella Baker written on it: “Until the killing of black men, black mothers’ sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a white mother’s son, we who believe in freedom cannot rest until this happens.”
Jews Say No! joins in protest with the Black community and with all those struggling for justice and dignity from NYC to Palestine.
Jews Say No!
December 5, 2014
NYC
October 14, 2014
Jews Against Islamophobia announces a new national network we hope will provide support and resources for organizing against anti-Muslim and anti-Arab racism, and in making the connections between Islamophobia and Israel politics.
The Jvp NETWORK AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA page is: JVP.org/JNAI
We hope those watching our video will become inspired to take action together with the many individuals and groups inside and outside the Muslim community organizing against Islamophobia and standing for peace, for justice, and for dignity for all peoples.
Palestinian civil society salutes Presbyterians on divestment resolution
June 25, 2014
The Palestin
ian BDS National Committee, the largest coalition in Palestinian civil society that is leading the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, warmly welcomes the brave decision of the Presbyterian Church (USA) general assembly in Detroit to divest its holdings from three US corporations – Hewlett Packard (HP), Motorola Solutions and Caterpillar – on the basis of their well-documented record of complicity in the oppression and denial of human rights of Palestinians.
This is a historic decision that shows, with concrete measures, the deep commitment of the Presbyterian Church to truth and justice. With this move, the Presbyterian church concludes a decade-old process of engagement with these three corporations, where evidence was presented of their role in Israel’s commission of crimes against Palestinians with no sway in their egregious behavior, leaving the Presbyterians with no choice but to divest.
Bisan Mitri of the Palestinian BDS National Committee said: “The Presbyterian Church (USA) divestment decision is inspiring and morally courageous. It is a victory for all peace with justice loving people around the world. It shows that commitment to justice comes with a moral obligation to act: the time has come for other church denominations to follow suit.”
The move comes on the day when the Israeli army killed 15-year old Mohammed Dudeen as it conducts collective punishment sweeps across the West Bank and steps up its incessant and indiscriminate bombings in Gaza. The participation of HP[1], Motorola[2] and Caterpillar[3] in these violations is undeniable and well documented. HP technology is used daily to enforce israel’s navy blockade of Gaza, which has devastated Gaza’s economy and destroyed its once-thriving fishing industry. Motorola Solutions technology is used in Israel’s apartheid wall and Israeli settlements. Caterpillar bulldozers enable Israel’s routine demolition of Palestinian homes. These are just a few examples of how these corporations have knowingly provided material support to Israel’s regime of occupation, colonialism and apartheid against Palestinians. As this decision demonstrates, divestment has become a moral imperative, in addition to a legal requirement, as governments, in particular the US government, have failed to hold Israel accountable for its crimes.
“This groundbreaking decision by the Presbyterian Church (USA) is a warning to HP, Motorola, Cat and other corporations complicit with Israel’s occupation that pressure on them is building and they must withdraw from these damaging contracts in Israel and be held accountable,” said Mitri
The Presbyterian resolution passed by a count of 310 to 303, triggering the Church to instruct divestment of its $21 million holdings in these companies. Earlier this month the US Methodist Church announced a decision to divest from G4S, a corporation complicit in the abuse of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and other violations.
Rifat Kassis, general coordinator of Kairos Palestine, said ”the Presbyterian Church (USA) divestment decision gives hope to Palestinians and sends them a message that they are not alone.”
– See more at: http://www.bdsmovement.net/2014/palestinian-civil-society-salutes-presbyterians-on-divestment-resolution-12177#sthash.8waA1ZEJ.dpuf
Jews Say No: Not In Our Name! 