Fascinating piece here on The Real News on the forcible gentrification of Harlem through the use of eminent domain by Columbia University, for all you urbanists - http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=7072
And I thought our universities were bad...
Dr Jon Cloke
Lecturer/Research Associate
Geography Department
Loughborough University
Loughborough LE11 3TU
Office: 01509 228193
Mob: 07984 813681
________________________________________
From: A forum for critical and radical geographers [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Marco Allegra [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 25 July 2011 09:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: FW: Palestine: the world's next nation
Dear all,
not directly relevant - and not very geographic in focus
- but here's an article I wrote with one of my colleagues
about the perspectives of solution of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It has just been published
on Mediterranean Politics.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13629395.2011.583745
It's not really up to date because of course it took
quite a bit to publish it, but I hope it point out a few
significant issues behind the current one state/two
state/which state debate.
Best
Marco
ps: in case you don't have access to MP just ask and I
will forward the pdf version.
Marco Allegra, PhD
Research Fellow
Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia (CIES)
Instituto Superior de Ciências do Trabalho e da Empresa -
Instituto Universitàrio de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL)
Edifício ISCTE, Av. das Forças Armadas, 1649-026 Lisboa (PT)
(+39) 347 2320209 (Italy)
(+972) 054 3927683 (Israel/Palestine)
(+351) 938 294397 (Portugal)
>
>
> ------------------ Messaggio originale -------------------
> Oggetto: Re: FW: Palestine: the world's next nation
> Da: "Omar Jabary Salamanca" <[log in to unmask]>
> Data: Sab, 23 Luglio 2011, 11:32 am
> A: [log in to unmask]
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
> The Palestinian BDS National Committee had this to say
> about the
> eventual diplomatic recognition of a Palestinian "state"
> in September.
> Omar
>
> ...
>
>
> Before and After September: The Struggle for Palestinian
> Rights Must Intensify
>
> Posted on June 1, 2011 by Palestinian BDS National
> Committee
>
> Occupied Palestine, 1 June 2011 – The Palestinian
> Boycott,
> Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC) warmly
> salutes the
> Nakba commemoration mass Palestinian marches on 15 May
> which rekindled
> a unique spirit of resistance, real hope and heroic
> initiative in the
> struggle for the fundamental rights of the Palestinian
> people. These
> marches, led mostly by young Palestinian refugees, gave
> new impetus to
> the Palestinian struggle for self determination, justice,
> and return
> of the refugees ethnically cleansed by Zionist militias
> and later
> Israel during the 1948 Nakba.
>
> The Arab Spring of freedom, democracy and social justice
> that is
> blossoming across the region was itself largely inspired
> by decades of
> Palestinian popular resistance against Israel’s settler
> colonialism,
> occupation and apartheid. This Arab Spring is today, in
> turn,
> inspiring Palestinian mass peaceful protests, after
> demonstrating that
> when the threshold of fear is crossed by enough committed
> activists
> and when there is a clear vision of a future free of
> oppression and
> subjugation any seemingly invincible oppressor can be
> overcome.
>
> The large non-violent marches by Palestinian youth in the
> West Bank,
> Gaza, Damoun, Jaffa, Maroun er-Ras (Lebanon) and Majdal
> Shams (Syria)
> have put the refugees’ right of return back at the core of
> the
> question of Palestine. By crossing hitherto impenetrable
> Israeli
> lines, real and imagined, into the occupied Golan Heights
> young
> Palestinian refugees from Syria, in particular, were able
> to
> demonstrate to the world, like their brethren in Tunisia,
> Egypt and
> elsewhere had done, that the will to restore rights is
> mightier than
> all the swords, including Israel’s futile nuclear arsenal
> and other
> weapons of mass destruction.
>
> Aside from the spreading Arab peoples’ revolutions and
> their ability
> to topple some of the most brutal dictatorships anywhere,
> these Nakba
> Day return marches were buoyed by the ongoing popular
> resistance to
> Israel’s illegal wall and colonies built on occupied
> Palestinian
> territory and the fast growing global, Palestinian-led BDS
> movement
> that is scoring victories surpassing the most optimistic
> predictions.
>
> The recent establishment on the May Day anniversary of the
> Palestinian
> Trade Union Coalition for BDS (PTUC-BDS), by far the
> largest alliance
> of Palestinian workers’ and professionals’ unions is but
> the latest
> sign that beyond a near consensus in supporting BDS,
> Palestinian
> society is gradually implementing BDS tactics in all
> sectors as part
> of an effective popular and civic resistance strategy. BDS
> has also
> grown at an unparalleled rate lately. Most recently, Stop
> the JNF – a
> BDS campaign coordinated with the International Jewish
> Anti-Zionist
> Network, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Palestine
> Solidarity
> Campaign in the UK, and other partners — played a key role
> in
> pressuring British Premier David Cameron to drop his
> honorary patron
> status in the racist organization.
>
> The withdrawal of the German state-run Deutsche Bahn rail
> company from
> Israel’s illegal A1 railway project connecting Tel Aviv
> with Jerusalem
> has also set a precedent whose impact cannot be
> overestimated.
>
> The continued loss of billion-dollar contracts by Veolia,
> the French
> company implicated in the illegal tram project connecting
> Israel’s
> colonies around Jerusalem with the city, is also a fresh
> reminder to
> international corporations that partnership in and
> profiting from
> Israel’s violations of international law is not only
> unethical and
> socially irresponsible; it may also cost them dearly,
> financially
> speaking.
>
> The University of Johannesburg’s severance of ties with
> Israel’s Ben
> Gurion University over the latter’s complicity in human
> rights
> violations also broke a taboo and gave the BDS movement
> its most
> concrete academic boycott victory to date.
>
> The growing ranks of artists and music groups boycotting
> Israel has
> also been quite heartening for the movement. In short, BDS
> is reaching
> new horizons and causing serious alarm among Israel’s
> establishment,
> as manifested in Israeli minister Ehud Barak’s warning
> that pressure
> against Israel threatens to hit “like a glacier, from all
> corners.”
>
> This September will mark the 20th anniversary of the start
> of the
> Israeli-Palestinian “peace process” that is widely
> recognized as a
> total failure, by any objective standard. This sham
> process has served
> as a cover for Israel’s intensive colonization of
> Palestinian lands,
> continued denial of Palestinian basic rights, and gradual
> ethnic
> cleansing of Palestinians, while simultaneously giving a
> false
> impression of peacemaking. In this context, the BNC
> welcomes the
> recognition of a great majority of states around the world
> that the
> Palestinian right to statehood and freedom from Israeli
> occupation are
> long overdue and should no longer to be held hostage to
> fanatically
> biased US “diplomacy” in defense of Israeli expansionism.
> However,
> recognition of Palestinian statehood is clearly
> insufficient, on its
> own, in bringing about a real end to Israel’s occupation
> and colonial
> rule. Neither will it end Israel’s decades-old system of
> legalized
> racial discrimination, which fits the UN definition of
> apartheid, or
> allow the millions of Palestinian refugees to return to
> their homes of
> origin from which they were violently uprooted and exiled.
>
> Diplomatic recognition must result in protection of the
> inalienable
> right to self-determination of the entire Palestinian
> people
> represented by a democratized and inclusive PLO that
> represents not
> just Palestinians under occupation, but also the exiled
> refugees, the
> majority of the Palestinian people, as well as the
> discriminated
> citizens of Israel.. For it to go beyond symbolism, this
> recognition
> must be a prelude to effective and sustained sanctions
> against Israel
> aimed at bringing about its full compliance with its
> obligations under
> international law. As shown in the struggle to end
> apartheid in South
> Africa, as well as in the current struggles for freedom
> and justice in
> the Arab region, world governments do not turn against a
> patently
> illegal and immoral regime of oppression simply on ethical
> grounds;
> economic interests and hegemonic power dynamics are far
> weightier in
> their considerations. In fact, Israeli Prime Minister
> Benjamin
> Netanyahu’s militant and war-mongering speech before the
> US Congress,
> coupled with US President Barack Obama’s latest
> humiliating submission
> to Israel’s will, shows beyond doubt that anyone still
> holding on to
> the hope that Washington is able or willing to contribute
> to building
> a just peace in our region is delusional.
>
> The key lesson learned from South Africa is that, in order
> for world
> governments to end their complicity with Israel’s grave
> and persistent
> violations of human rights and international law, they
> must be
> compelled to do so through mass, well organized grassroots
> pressure by
> social movements and other components of civil society. In
> this
> context, BDS has proven to be the most potent and
> promising strategy
> of international solidarity with the Palestinian people in
> our
> struggle for self determination, freedom, justice and
> equality.
>
> In light of the above, and inspired by the will and the
> power of the
> people which have given rise to the Arab spring, the BNC
> calls upon
> people of conscience and international solidarity groups
> to proceed
> with building a mass BDS movement in the US and elsewhere
> in the
> world’s most powerful countries before and after
> September. Only such
> a mass movement can ensure that whatever diplomatic
> recognition that
> transpires at the UN in September on Palestinian statehood
> will
> advance the rights of the Palestinian people and raise the
> price of
> Israel’s occupation, colonialism and apartheid by further
> isolating it
> and those complicit in its crimes. A mass solidarity
> movement that can
> hold elected officials, especially in the US, accountable
> to the
> people, rather than to a Zionist lobby serving Israel’s
> colonial and
> belligerent agenda that directly conflicts with the
> interests of the
> peoples in these countries, is the only hope for a
> comprehensive and
> sustainable peace based on justice.
>
> Palestinian Boycott Divestment and Sanctions National
> Committee (BNC)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 23 July 2011 10:49, Jonathan Cloke
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> Speaking of flotillas and the Palestinians, this may
>> also be of some interest to the list...
>>
>>
>> Dr Jon Cloke
>> Lecturer/Research Associate
>> Geography Department
>> Loughborough University
>> Loughborough LE11 3TU
>>
>> Office: 01509 228193
>> Mob: 07984 813681
>> ________________________________________
>> From: Alice Jay - Avaaz.org [[log in to unmask]]
>> Sent: 22 July 2011 16:27
>> To: Jonathan Cloke
>> Subject: Palestine: the world's next nation
>>
>> Dear friends,
>>
>> [http://avaaz_images.s3.amazonaws.com/1442_Palestine_UN_3_200x100.png]<http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_palestine_uk/?cl=1175609129&v=9676>
>>
>> The Palestinian people are calling on the world to
>> recognise Palestine as a state. Over 120 countries have
>> endorsed the call, but the US and Israel are opposing
>> and key European leaders are on the fence. If we can
>> persuade Europe and the UK to support this non violent,
>> legitimate bid now, it could spur a dramatic shift
>> towards peace. Click to sign the urgent petition:
>>
>> [http://avaazdesign.s3.amazonaws.com/btn_signthepetition.png]<http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_palestine_uk/?cl=1175609129&v=9676>
>>
>> In four days the UN Security Council will meet, and the
>> world has an opportunity to embrace a new proposal that
>> could turn the tide on decades of failed
>> Israeli-Palestinian peace talks: UN recognition of the
>> state of Palestine.
>>
>> Over 120 nations from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and
>> Latin America have already endorsed this initiative, but
>> Israel's right-wing government and the US vehemently
>> oppose it. The UK and other key European countries are
>> still undecided, but a massive public push now could tip
>> them to vote for this momentous opportunity to end 40
>> years of military occupation.
>>
>> US-led peace initiatives have failed for decades, while
>> Israel has confined the Palestinians to small areas,
>> confiscated their lands and blocked their independence.
>> This bold new initiative could be the best opportunity
>> to jump start a resolution of the conflict, but Europe
>> and the UK must take the lead. Let’s build a massive
>> global call for the UK and other European leaders to
>> endorse this statehood bid now, and make clear that
>> citizens across the world support this legitimate,
>> non-violent, diplomatic proposal. Sign the petition and
>> send this to everyone:
>>
>> http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_palestine_uk/?vl<http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_palestine_uk/?cl=1175609129&v=9676>
>>
>> While the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are
>> complex, most people on all sides agree that the best
>> path to peace now is the creation of two states. But
>> repeated peace processes have been undermined by
>> violence on both sides, extensive Israeli
>> settlement-building in the West Bank, and the
>> humanitarian blockade on Gaza. The Israeli occupation
>> has shrunk and fragmented the territory for a
>> Palestinian state and made daily life a crippling ordeal
>> for the Palestinian people. The UN, World Bank and IMF
>> have all recently announced that Palestinians are ready
>> to run an independent state, but say the main constraint
>> to success is the Israeli occupation. Even the US
>> President has called for an end to settlement expansion
>> and a return to the 1967 borders with mutually agreed
>> land-swaps, but Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has
>> furiously refused to cooperate.
>>
>> It’s time for a dramatic shift away from a futile peace
>> process and on to a new path for progress. While the
>> Israeli and US governments are calling the Palestinian
>> initiative ‘unilateral’ and dangerous, in fact the
>> world’s nations overwhelmingly support this diplomatic
>> move away from violence. Global recognition of Palestine
>> could crush extremists, and foster a growing non-violent
>> Palestinian-Israeli movement in step with the democratic
>> momentum across the region. Most importantly, it will
>> rescue a path to a negotiated settlement, allow the
>> Palestinians access to a variety of international
>> institutions that can help advance Palestinian freedom,
>> and send a clear signal to Israel’s pro-settler
>> government that the world will no longer accept their
>> impunity and intransigence.
>>
>> For too long, Israel has undermined the hope for a
>> Palestinian state. For too long, the US has appeased
>> them, and for too long Europe has hidden behind the US.
>> Right now, France, Spain, Germany, the UK and the High
>> Representative of the EU are on the fence about
>> Palestinian statehood. Let’s appeal to them to stand on
>> the right side of history and support a Palestinian
>> declaration of freedom and independence, with
>> overwhelming support, and financial aid. Sign the urgent
>> petition now to urge Europe to support the bid and back
>> this move for long-term peace in Israel and Palestine:
>>
>> http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_palestine_uk/?vl<http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_palestine_uk/?cl=1175609129&v=9676>
>>
>> Palestinian statehood will not bring a resolution to
>> this intractable conflict overnight, but UN recognition
>> will change the dynamics and will begin to unlock the
>> door towards freedom and peace. Across Palestine, people
>> are preparing, with hope and expectation, to reclaim a
>> freedom their generation has never known. Let's stand
>> with them and push European leaders to do the same, as
>> they have stood with the people of Egypt, Syria and
>> Libya.
>>
>> With hope and determination,
>>
>> Alice, Ricken, Stephanie, Morgan, Pascal, Rewan and the
>> entire Avaaz team
>>
>> MORE INFORMATION
>>
>> Abbas vows to continue UN statehood bid
>> http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/07/201171302020819197.html
>>
>> Arab League will call for Palestinian State at the UN
>> http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/14/us-palestinians-israel-statehood-arabs-idUSTRE76D21020110714
>>
>> Palestinians and Israelis march for Palestinian
>> statehood:
>> http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/israelis-and-arabs-march-in-jerusalem-for-palestinian-statehood/2011/07/15/gIQAQPnSGI_story.html
>>
>> Israel campaign against UN vote:
>> http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/10/israel-plan-block-un-palestinian-state?INTCMP=SRCH
>>
>> Palestinian call for statehood:
>> http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/47a391f6-b121-11e0-a43e-00144feab49a.html#axzz1SefO7Aor
>>
>> Palestinian statehood and bypassing Israel:
>> http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/06/20116168535227628.html
>>
>> UN says Palestinians able to govern own state
>> http://unispal.un.org/pdfs/AHLC-Apr2011_UNSCOrpt.pdf
>>
>> List of countries recognizing the state of Palestine
>> http://www.avaaz.org/en/countries_recognizing_palestine/?info
>>
>> ----------------------
>>
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>>
>>
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