Irish Anti War Movement statement on the Israeli ban on international organisations
The Irish Anti War Movement strongly condemns the apartheid Israeli state’s ban on members of 20 international organisations that campaign for the rights of the Palestinian people being allowed to enter Palestine/Israel.
This outrageous ban stands in complete contradiction to basic democratic rights and the principle of freedom of speech. It shows, yet again the fraudulent nature of the Zionist state’s claim to be a democracy when in fact it is an imperialist settler state founded on the dispossession, ethnic cleansing and oppression of the Palestinian people. It is testimony to the fact the true nature of this state is increasingly being exposed for what it is on a global scale and to the Zionists’ fear of the power of eye witness reporting on its daily crimes and atrocities. It is designed to counter the increasing international effectiveness of the BDS movement which has emerged as the main expression of international solidarity with the Palestinian people.
We note in particular the inclusion on the list of proscribed organisations of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign with whom the IAWM has a long history of cooperation and solidarity. Moreover we appreciate that this appalling ban is a personal blow to a number of its leading members, including and especially its chairperson Fatin Al-Tamimi, who is thereby prevented from visiting her family in Palestine.
However, we also recognise, as IPSC has said, that their inclusion in this ban is a badge of honour and testifies to the tremendous work this Campaign has done in bringing awareness of the Palestinian issue to the Irish people and in building support here for the Palestinian struggle and for BDS.
Finally we call on the Irish Government to:
Irish Anti War Movement statement on the Israeli ban on international organisations
The Irish Anti War Movement strongly condemns the apartheid Israeli state’s ban on members of 20 international organisations that campaign for the rights of the Palestinian people being allowed to enter Palestine/Israel.
This outrageous ban stands in complete contradiction to basic democratic rights and the principle of freedom of speech. It shows, yet again the fraudulent nature of the Zionist state’s claim to be a democracy when in fact it is an imperialist settler state founded on the dispossession, ethnic cleansing and oppression of the Palestinian people. It is testimony to the fact the true nature of this state is increasingly being exposed for what it is on a global scale and to the Zionists’ fear of the power of eye witness reporting on its daily crimes and atrocities. It is designed to counter the increasing international effectiveness of the BDS movement which has emerged as the main expression of international solidarity with the Palestinian people.
We note in particular the inclusion on the list of proscribed organisations of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign with whom the IAWM has a long history of cooperation and solidarity. Moreover we appreciate that this appalling ban is a personal blow to a number of its leading members, including and especially its chairperson Fatin Al-Tamimi, who is thereby prevented from visiting her family in Palestine.
However, we also recognise, as IPSC has said, that their inclusion in this ban is a badge of honour and testifies to the tremendous work this Campaign has done in bringing awareness of the Palestinian issue to the Irish people and in building support here for the Palestinian struggle and for BDS.
Finally we call on the Irish Government to:
a) Specifically and publicly condemn the ban on IPSC and the other campaigning organisations and to make representations to Israeli ambassador and Israeli government to this effect
b) Demand publicly and in all appropriate forums the release of Ahed Tamimi and all other child prisoners.
c) To cease its tacit collaboration with and support for the illegitimate Israeli regime.
As we enter 2018 we urge all our supporters and the Irish people as whole to make this a year of redoubled solidarity with the Palestinian people and the extension and intensification of BDS.
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