Hastings and Rye Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Newsletter   10 May 2019
 
Mistreatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military jails.

To highlight the abuse of Palestinian child prisoners, we built prison cells in both Hastings and Rye. Many passers-by were appalled to hear of the treatment meted out to Palestinian children.

"Palestinian children are routinely taken from their homes in the middle of the night at gunpoint, bound, gagged, interrogated without their parents or a lawyer present and then forced to sign 'confessions' in Hebrew, a language they don't understand. The youngest Palestinian child detained in this way was six years old." H&RPSC statement.

We collected signatures for a petition calling on the UK Government to take meaningful and immediate action. The online petition is here: End the mistreatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention.
Thanks to everyone who came to support these events, and thanks to our volunteer prisoners.

Letters to Amber Rudd and Huw Merriman.

PSC members have been writing to local MPs calling on them to exert "effective pressure on the Israeli government" to end this abuse. We hope that as many local people as possible will support this action. These letters can be printed: just add your address, 'Dear Amber Rudd,' and sign. Or copy and paste into any software/application, amending as you wish.
Letter to Amber Rudd.                  Letter to Huw Merriman.
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This Saturday's information stall in Hastings.

Our stall will be in Hastings Old Town on Saturday (11 May) 12.00 until 14.00 (2pm). We will be by the chess board in George Street. Please come along to say hello and support.
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Hastings Palestinian Film Festival.

  • Friday May 10. Naila and the Uprising. The Electric Palace.
  • Saturday May 11. Speed Sisters. The Electric Palace.
  • Thursday May 23. The Wanted 18. The Printworks.

    Details of all the films, venues, ticket availability and trailers at the Hastings and Rye PSC website.
    Article in the Hastings Independent.
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    National Demonstration for Palestine.

    Saturday, 11 May. 12.00.
    Portland Place, London W1B 1.


    Speakers include: Ahed Tamimi, Lowkey, Richard Burgon MP, Gail Cartmail (Unite the Union), Kevin Courtney (NEU), Vicky Knight (UCU), Marsha De Cordova MP, Diane Abbot MP, Tariq Ali, Owen Jones, Zita Holbourne (BARAK UK) and many more.
    Facebook event page.
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    Latest attacks on Gaza.

    Israel killed two Palestinians on the Friday during the Great Return March protests, adding to the more than 200 killed since these weekly protests began in March 2018, alongside nearly 30,000 injured and maimed. The round of rocket attacks from Gaza followed. Ben Jamal of the PSC gives a brief background to the recent resumption of hostilities: The people of Palestine need your solidarity.

    13 schools were damaged in Israel's offensive on Gaza.
    BBC bows to pressure from Israel and changes Gaza headline.
    UN: Health funding gap means 1,700 in Gaza may face amputations.
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    May Day in Hastings.

    The Hastings and District Trades Council organised a day of events celebrating International Workers Day. In the evening there was a rally starting at the Workers' Memorial Tree (Cornwallis Gardens). We supported with our PSC banner, along with contingents from Unite the Union, RMT, NUT, UNISON, Hastings Against War and local political parties. Later on there was an 'International Solidarity Fiesta' with the Fabulous Red Diesel providing music along with speeches. Gill Knight from the PSC gave an impassioned speech, starting with the words:

    "Solidarity has no borders. Our movement must stand up for Palestine."

    Gill highlighted the conditions the Palestinians are facing, their struggle and urged those present to join the solidarity movement locally.
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    Meeting with Jeff Halper of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.

    'One Democratic State in Palestine - It's Time.' Sunday 12 May. 15.00 hrs. All Saints Church, High Street, Lewes BN7 1RJ. Hisham Sharabati, founder of Hebron Defence Committee, will also speak on 'Hebron: A Microcosm of the Occupation.' Hosted by Brighton and Hove PSC and ICAHD. More information.
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    Al Quds Day 2019. Sunday, 2 June.

    Starting at 15.00 (3pm). This is the annual rally and demonstration held in London in support of Palestine. Speakers include: Mick Napier (Scottish PSC) and Stephen Sizer. Hastings PSC is a supporting organisation this year. More information to follow.
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    Hastings Palestine Solidarity al Nakba Commemoration.

    Sunday 16 June. Starting 14.00. Hastings mosque, Mercatoria. Talks, films - and food! More information to follow.
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    News from the occupation:

    Gaza - Why we protest.

    Benjamin Netanyahu's reelection underlines Israel's apartheid reality.

    Jonathan Cook: How Israel is working to remove Palestinians from Jerusalem.

    While the fire at the French cathedral was likely accidental, destroyed Palestinian houses of worship were intentionally targeted. The Israeli culprits are yet to be held accountable. Notre Dame of Gaza: our mosques and churches are also burning.

    Jewish-American activists beaten and detained by Israeli soldiers in West Bank.

    Israel Killed 102 Palestinian Journalists Since 1972.

    BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) news

    Federal Judge Blocks Anti-BDS Law In Texas.

    US faculty votes overwhelmingly for 'non-cooperation' with Israel University.

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    Saturday information stalls - in Hastings and Rye.

    Hastings
    We've run weekly information stalls in Hastings Town Centre (either opposite Lloyds Bank or outside Debenhams) every Saturday 12.00 'til 14.00 (2 pm) since 2014.

    Rye
    We run fortnightly stalls on the cobbles at the top of Conduit Hill, where it meets the High Street. 11 - 1 pm. For anyone in the Rye area who wants to help out, please email. The next few dates are: 18 May, 1 June.

    Please come along to either (or both!) of our stalls to say hello and support us: any amount of time is appreciated.
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    Hastings PSC Membership.
    We welcome new members! Becoming a member of Hastings PSC is an important way of supporting our work.The annual subscription is £10 waged, £5 unwaged. We haven't an online system as yet, but please fill in our membership form and hand it in at one of our information stalls or meetings. Download form here. We also encourage local people to join the national PSC.
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    Recent Hastings PSC newsletters:

    6 May 2019
    23 April 2019
    29 March 2019

    Keep up to date with our website and Facebook pages:

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