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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil,    but because of the people who don't do anything about it

Occupation magazine - Activism Home page  back Print  Send To friend Tell your MEP`s to support guidelines on Israel’s participation in EU programs ICAHD October 9, 2013 http://www.icahd.org/node/514 ICAHD has long supported the worldwide Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. BDS represents one of the most effective (non-vioent) weapons in the arsenal of civil society. Although the EU Guidelines banning investment in Israeli institutions operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is not strictly a BDS action but rather one that merely enforces EU policies of conforming to international law, it has a similar effect. And the message is the same: the EU will not be party to perpetuating Israel`s 46-year occupation, with its attendant violations of international law, human rights and dozens of UN resolutions. Even before they have been implemented the Guidelines have had an impact on Israel: a shocking wake-up call, they have impelled Israel to enter into substantive negotiations with the Palestinians. And, of course, the Israeli government is doing all it can to minimize, if not eliminate, the impact of the Guidelines. As the ECCP letter below cautions, Israel has powerful friends in the EU and within the European Parliament who will endeavour to ensure that it is exempted from the Guidelines. If the EU gives in, it not only sets the BDS campaign back, but sends a chilling message: international law and human rights can be trampled with impunity by power politics. ICAHD calls on all citizens of EU countries to raise their voices in order to prevent their MEP`s from exempting Israel from the EU Guidelines. Tell your MEPs to support new rules on Israel’s participation in EU programs In July 2013, the European Commission announced new guidelines that aim to prevent Israeli projects in illegal Israeli settlements from receiving research grant funding and prevent Israeli companies and institutions that operate inside illegal Israeli settlements from participating in financial instruments such as loans. The new guidelines were broadly welcomed by Palestinian and European civil society organisations. But now Israel and its supporters are pressuring the EU to drop the new guidelines. There is a very real risk that the Commission will cave in to Israeli pressure and decide to continue the funding of, and support for, Israeli projects and organisations based in occupied Palestinian Territory. This would send a dangerous message that the EU lacks the political will to pressure Israel to end its war crimes and comply with international law. Please use simple e-tool to send a message with one click to your members of the European Parliament and ask them to take action to support the new guidelines and make sure that the EU stops funding Israeli war crimes. Take Action! Send this message to your members of the European Parliament! http://www.eccpalestine.org/tell-your-meps-to-support-new-rules-on-israels-participation-in-eu-programs/ See more at: ttp://www.icahd.org/node/514#sthash.wqIuZMCo.Njj7NylM.dpuf Links to the latest articles in this section Refusing the war! Demonstration today, Thur. Apris 24, at 7.30 pm, Habima Square, Tel Aviv Refusing the war! Demonstration today, Thur. Apris 24, at 7.30 pm, Habima Square, Tel Aviv Saturday night protests: No to Netanyahu`s war!