In the week when Palestine will seek official recognition as a country from the UNO Security Council which sadly America and the UK will veto or rather the UK will hide behind America and allow them to veto despite support from Russia and China (how bankrupt is the West over this issue?), I went this morning to the CAABU offices in Gough Square to a round table discussion led by two members of Ir Amin.
Ir Amim ("City of Nations" or "City of Peoples") focuses on Jerusalem within the
context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ir Amim envisions a city that
ensures the dignity and welfare of all its residents and that safeguards their
holy places, as well as their historical and cultural heritages - today, as well
as in the future.
The speakers were:
Sarah Kreimer - Associate Director
Sarah comes from a rich background in public policy, community
development and social change. In 1988 she founded the Center for Jewish-Arab
Economic Development, which she co-directed together with an Israeli Arab
colleague for 14 years. The Center continues today to advance economic
development in the Arab sector in Israel, as well as economic cooperation
between Jews and Arabs - within Israel and in the Middle East. From 2002 -
2004 Sarah was a fellow in the Mandel School for Educational Leadership. In
2002 she was awarded the Speaker of the Knesset's Award for Quality of Life in
the Field of Tolerance. She also served as Chair of the Board of the
Association of Civil Rights in Israel. She received her BA from Yale University
and her MA in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University. She
lives in Jerusalem with her two children, and is currently writing a book on her
experiences in Israeli society.
Yudith Oppenheimer - Executive Director
Yudith is a long time human rights activist, feminist and educator.
Before joining Ir Amim in 2008, Yudith was a fellow at the Mandel School for
Educational Leadership in Jerusalem. From 2000 to 2006, she served as Executive
Director of Kol Ha-Isha - The Jerusalem Feminist Center. During extended stays
in South Africa and New Zealand, Yudith engaged in various communal and
gender-related projects. Early on in her career, Yudith worked with the
Association of Civil Rights in Israel. Yudith holds an MA in Development
Administration from the University of South Africa, and currently she is a
Doctoral candidate in the Department of Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies at
Bar-Ilan University.
For a thorough account of this thorny issue read:
East Jerusalem: Key Humanitarian Concerns published by the UNO Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in occupied Palestine Territory -
www.ochaopt.org - published in March, 2011.
For Palestinian concerns read the Autumn edition of the Palestinian News -
www.palestiniancampaign.org -
NB: Labour Party supports Palestinian statehood bid
Douglas Alexander MP, Labour's shadow Foreign Minister
has written to William Hague setting out Labour's position on the Palestinian statehood bid ahead of the United Nations General Assembly:
"The case made by the Palestinians for recognition as a state is strong. This week, at the United Nations, the British Government should be willing to support the recognition of Palestinian statehood as part of continuing steps to achieve a comprehensive two state solution."
"But there also remains a heavy onus upon the British government and other members of the international community this week to work to ensure that any change in the level of Palestinian recognition is then followed by meaningful negotiations between the parties."
The Chair of Labour Friends of Palestine & the Middle East, Simon Danczuk MP welcomed the position of the Labour leadership, saying it was a step in right direction and re-confirmed the Labour Party's commitment to a viable and just two state solution in the Middle East. For further information please click here.
For those of you in London, please do join us for the demo at Downing street to urge the Govt to support the Palestinian statehood bid. We will be there from 5 to 7pm. There will be a counter demonstration by the Zionist Federation so please come and show your support for Palestine.