6/21/2010

An Israeli Dance Company, supported by Israeli govt, performed at Durham's American Dance Festival. Jews for a Just Peace-NC leaflet and demonstrate in this YouTube video. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izsl8ynGrfU]

Leafleting at the American dance festival in Durham is shown along with a mockup of a demolished Palestinian house in this video on YouTube (2 minutes, 42 seconds).

- More details by clicking on text below video
- Banner: "Art: Coverup for Israeli Occupation"
- Tableau of Bulldozed Palestinian Home
- "Not in our name and not on our watch"
- Boycott Divestment Sanctions movement explained

6/16/2010
For Immediate Release

Jews for a Just Peace and Supporters Protest Israeli Dance Performance with a Performance of their Own

On Thursday, June 17th, from 7-8 pm, Jews for A Just Peace will set up a “Palestinian house demolition” tableau in front of the Durham Performing Arts Center to protest the performance by the Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company.

This company is sponsored and partly funded by the Israeli government as part of ‘Brand Israel,’ a campaign to reshape Israel’s image through Public Relations. The goal, according to Ido Aharoni, head of Israel’s Foreign Ministry brand management team, is to move “Israel away from an image of a country in a state of war and conflict to a brand which represents positive values and ideals.”

Rann Bar-On, an Israeli member of Jews for a Just Peace, declared: “If Israel does not want to be seen as an occupier and human rights violator, then it should put down its weapons instead of hiding them behind dancers’ costumes!”

Tom Stern, another member of the group, said: “The Israeli government funds cultural events to make people forget the occupation. We are here to help people remember what Israel is really doing.”

As Americans and Jews, we protest the cover that some performing artists, acting as cultural ambassadors, provide for Israel’s indefensible occupation and disruption of the West Bank and Gaza. We want to show that Israel’s image cannot be restored by PR campaigns, but will be enhanced only by constructive actions that respect the human rights and the internationally recognized right to self-determination of Palestinians.

Jews for a Just Peace, NC is a Triangle-based group calling for a safe and secure political settlement between Israel and Palestine, reached through a cessation of violence against civilians, respect for human rights, and an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the blockade of Gaza. – http://www.jfajpnc.org/

June 3 -- Three protests scheduled: Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill. See below.
Our press release listing cosponsors is also below.
Flyer to view or download (PDF)

Stop Israeli Aggression! Lift the Blockade on Gaza! End U.S. Military Aid to Israel!

Join us as we protest

Thursday, June 3 5 - 7 p.m.
Corner of Main and Gregson, Durham (Brightleaf Square)

Show your support for the Freedom Flotilla, violently attacked by Israeli military forces as its ships headed for Gaza carrying thousands of tons of humanitarian relief supplies.

Protest this latest in Israel's long line of violations of human rights and international law, resulting too often, as it did again this week, in the deaths of innocent people.

Demand an end to the billions of U.S. tax dollars given to support Israel's military. Bring friends, bring spirit, bring signs.

This call to protest is being organized by Jews for a Just Peace- North Carolina and friends.

Please distribute information about this protest far and wide.

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Join us as we protest in Raleigh
Sponsored by the Coalition for Peace with Justice

Friday, June 4
2:20 PM to 5:00 PM

Corner of Western Blvd. and Gorman St.

Starting from the Islamic Center of Raleigh we will walk down Ligon St.and Gorman St. ending up at the corner of Western Blvd. and Gorman St. where we will remain up to 5PM holding protest signs and calling out slogans against the Israeli aggression, arrogance, and violation of international laws, human rights, and for freedom of the Gaza strip.

For more information contact: Waleed Elhentaty at 919-369-8686

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Join us as we protest in Chapel Hill
Sponsored by the WILPF

WILPF in solidarity with other allies will have a VIGIL on
FRIDAY, JUNE 4TH FROM 12 - 1 at
PEACE AND JUSTICE PLAZA
(downton Post Office on FRANKLIN STREET)

TO PROTEST THE ATTACK ON THE FREEDOM FLOTILLA
and to
URGE PERMANENT ENDING OF THE GAZA BLOCKADE
Please join us in this important event!

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Press Release
Durham Protests Israel's Assault on Humanitarian Aid Flotilla

Israel‘s recent violent attack on an unarmed flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, resulting in injury or death for dozens of international civilians, is the latest in a long series of violations of human rights and international law that Israel carries out with impunity because of the unwavering political and economic support of the United States.

As Jews and as US citizens, we protest these immoral and illegal acts perpetrated by Israel in our name and with our tax dollars -- aid projected to reach $30 billion through 2018. We ask our government to stop being an accomplice of Israeli aggression, to lift the blockade on Gaza, and to end U.S. military aid to Israel until it adopts a constructive peace policy towards the Palestinians.

Our protest will take place Thursday, June 3, from 5-7 p.m., in Durham at the intersection of Main and Gregson streets (near Brightleaf Square).

Co-sponsors (at time of mailing):
Coalition for Peace with Justice / www.peace-with-justice.org
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions-USA / info@icahdusa.org
Rev. David J McBriar, O.F.M, Franciscan Friars, Raleigh, NC
Rev. J. Mark Davidson, Pastor, Church of Reconciliation, Presbyterian Church (USA)
North Carolina Peace Action / www.ncpeaceaction.org
Peace and Social Concerns Committee, Durham Friends Meeting
Southern Anti-Racism Network / www.projectsarn.org
The Franciscan Coalition for Peace and Justice / http://www.stfrancisraleigh.org/franciscancoalition/
Triangle Area Green Party / http://www.trianglegreens.org/
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom--Triangle Branch / http://trianglewilpf.org/

Who we are

In late 2001, twenty-five North Carolina Jews from Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro came together to discuss their frustration, anger and fear regarding the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Those present at the meeting decided that a new organization was needed in the Research Triangle in order to actively oppose the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, and to work, as Jews, for a just resolution of the conflict.

Since that time, we have both sponsored a variety of forums and events and collaborated and provided support to other organizations that are concerned about these issues.

JFAJP-NC Mission Statement

As American Jews we are deeply committed to a peaceful and just resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, a resolution that will provide safety, security and freedom for Jews and Palestinians and all others living in the region. We believe that such a peace can only be achieved when Israel withdraws from its settlements, ends the occupation of the Palestinian territories and addresses the legitimate national and human rights of the Palestinian people.

We do not accept that Jewish survival depends upon unconditional support for the Israeli government and its policies; rather, we believe that the future safety and survival of our people rests on our ability to live in peace with our neighbors and to work to ensure justice and security for all people.

More information

In the past, we have attempted to maintain links to organizations and websites that provide information about Israeli-Palestinian issues. However, rather than duplicate work that others do better, we refer you to the American Jews for a Just Peace website, The organization was founded in 2008 in Boston and they maintain excellent bibliography and weblinks pages.

We also recommend MERIP's (Middle East Research and Information Project) Primer (pdf or html) for those who want a well-researched history of the conflict, although it only covers through 2000.

End Demolitions Now

Visit our sister program's website.