In 2007 the Occupation turns 40
In 2008 al-Nakba turns 60

6 June 2007 marks the 40 years since Israel's Occupation
15 May 2008 marks 60 years of the Palestinian Nakba

Palestinians fleeing their homes in 1948

6 June 2007 marks the 40 years since Israel's Occupation

15 May 2008 commemorates 60 years of the Palestinian Nakba (catastrophe).

In 1948 eighty-five percent of the Palestinians living in the areas that became the state of Israel became refugees. More than 500 Palestinian villages were depopulated and later destroyed to prevent the return of the refugees. Today there are a total of 7 million Palestinian refugees, dispersed throughout the world - the largest and longest running refugee problem yet unresolved.

Israel continues to occupy and colonize Palestinian land through the construction of Jewish only settlements and the Wall in the West Bank. The Gaza Strip has been turned into one large prison. Israel violates international law and commits ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity. 

A CALL TO ACTION

The future of the Palestinian people is at a crossroads; 2007 - 2008 marks a historic opportunity for faith-based organizations, individuals, community groups, the solidarity movement, unions and political parties to pool resources and activities and campaign for a rights-based solution and end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Critical is the focus on the enforcement of the rights of Palestinian refugees under international law.

This may well be the last decade anniversary when Palestinian eye-witnesses from the 1948 Nakba (catastrophe) are still alive. Now more than ever Palestinians are counting on local and global society to build pressure for the enforcement of international law  – the foundation for a just peace.

A Rights-Based Solution

The three elements of a rights-based solution to the conflict were set out in the July 2005 call by nearly 200 Palestinian civil society organizations for a campaign of boycott, divestment & sanctions (BDS) until Israel complies with international law and:

l     Ends the occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantles the Wall;

l     Recognizes the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality and;

l     Respects, protects and promotes the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes, lands and properties.

Method of Action

 

No one organization alone is capable of organizing or funding such an important and monumental campaign. Individual organizations should work according to their own context and resources. Success will come as we share ideas and plans and pool resources where possible.

BADIL, Palestinian refugee community organizations in Palestine and in exile, the Palestine Right of Return Coalition, and our partners abroad have proposed a series of events and activities we would like to realize in the coming two-year period (see the list below). By means of this Call, we would like to encourage you to share your ideas so we can make the 40+ 60 campaign as large and inclusive as possible.

We also propose to increase the visibility of these important dates – 40 Years of Occupation , 60 Years of Nakba – and our campaign for freedom from occupation and return, by connecting our diverse struggle and solidarity activities to this theme. In this way, our struggle against the Wall, denial of entry to Palestine, the right to health and education, etc., can become part of the 2007 – 2008 Campaign. Also events organized on dates of particular significance to our struggle can in this way be utilized in a strategic manner, such as: 17 November 2007, Balfour Declaration), 29 November 2007 (UN Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people), 15 May 2008 (Nakba Day), 6 June 2007 (67 Occupation), 9 July 2004 (ICJ Wall ruling).

We finally propose that statements issued in the context of the 2007 – 2008 Campaign should not only state the respective violations (of IHL and/or HRL) by Israel, but also to call upon states to live up to their obligations. Our statements should also include a clear call upon global civil society to take concrete action in each country through BDS, legal action, media work, and public education and publicity campaigns. 

Partners

International partners who have already announced that they will join this effort include DanChurchAid mro@dca.dk, the European Coordinating Committee of NGOs on Palestine eccp@skynet.be, ICCO manon.wolfkamp@icco.nl, Oxfam Solidarity (mirjam.vanbelle@oxfamsol.be, TROCAIRE, Ireland emurray@trocaire.ie,  HEKS/EPER, Switzerland saleh@hekseper.ch, and others.

Celebrate Palestine 07-08 , is a UK-based initiative inviting individuals and organizations to celebrate Palestinian cultural expressions of resistance and identity. 2007 marks the 90 years since the signing of the Balfour Declaration, 2008 marks the 60^th anniversary of al-nakba. Celebrate Palestine will showcase the diverse talents of artists and performers from the UK, Palestine and the international world in a program of exhibitions, concerts, screenings and performances at venues throughout the UK. It will also bring together individuals from schools & universities, charities, community groups and sporting associations, to participate in 'grassroots' activities to celebrate Palestinian culture. For more information, please visit their website: www.celebratepalestine.org or contact: info@celebratepalestine.org

Ideas towards 2007-2008

What We Can Do Together to Make the

40/60 Campaign for Freedom and Return, a success!

Ideas and Activities already in progress

Public awareness, advocacy and information: 40-years of occupation campaign will guide the work of TROCAIRE, Ireland.  DCA will undertake an effort at preparing, together with Danish parliamentarians – a statement of principles guiding Danish Middle East policy for vote in parliament in April 2007. Between May – December 2007, DCA will engage corporations, the government and the media in a debate over corporate responsibility and ways in which Danish trade relations have supported Israeli's illegal settlements in the OPT.

         U.K.-based Enough Campaign:  2007 activities include media work, and          briefings/lobbying of parliamentarians and government officials.

Exposure Visits to Palestine:  DCA is planning an exposure visit in March 2007 to show the reality of life in the OPT.  

Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) – General BDS activities can be found from all sectors of civil society world wide. For specific initiatives which target the Caterpillar corporation, or to become involved in a research project with the aim of identifying one main strategic, international divestment (economic investments/corporate) and sanctions (governmental/official level) target, contact: us_campaign@endtheoccupation.org and noura@riseup.net. Final date for submission recommendations will be February 7, 2007 following when an international campaign will be launched. For coordination with the Acting Steering Committee-Palestinian BDS Campaign contact: sc3@bds-palestine.net  www@bds-palestine.net. Regarding the academic boycott contact PACBI at: info@boycottisrael.ps; for the cultural boycott contact: pal.filmmakers@gmail.com 

Promoting Palestinian Economy and Self Reliance - A network of entrepreneurs, locally and abroad, coordinating and building on their collective knowledge, skills and resources, to export Palestinian goods and services to the international community A special emphasis on fair trade. To become part of a group aiming to think creatively about how to do this, contact: joeturner@freedom-clothing.co.uk

Refugee and IDP community-based Nakba Anniversaries in 2007 (and 2008) - These will be organized by civil society organizations in Palestine and in exile. Broad public participation and wide publicity is needed in order to put Palestinian refugees right of return on the agenda and build the campaign towards 2008. Contact: info@rorcoalition.org, camp@badil.org, adrid@palnet.com 

The 2007 Al-Awda Award: a public competition and award for best cultural productions on the Palestinian Nakba and the right of return, including poster, children's story, oral history documentation, video clip and academic research to be published by BADIL in May 2007 and beyond. For more see: www.badil.org in Arabic. Contact: camp@badil.org, resource@badil.org

Nakba Almost 60 Campaign: for raising awareness of the Palestinian Nakba and the right of return among the Jewish public in Israel, conducted by Palestinian and Jewish organizations (Zochrot, New Profile, Bat Shalom) between 2006 – 2008. These organizations have committed to help organize the 3rd Right of Return conference in Israel and will conduct a series of creative and effective awareness-raising events targeting the Jewish public in 2007-2008. Contacts: zochrot@netvision.net.il   eytanb@netvision.net.il, lotahn@yahoo.com, neta_rotem@yahoo.com, info@batshalom.org. This initiative is conducted in the framework of an “Open Forum” sponsored by HECKS/EPER Switzerland Contact: saleh@hekseper.ch, rola7a@hotmail.com

June 2007 Demonstrations to End the Occupation: National demonstrations will be conducted worldwide, including in North America-June 9-11, US Campaign to End the Occupation, and Europe (ECCP and UK Enough). Contact: legal@endtheoccupation.org     

Journalists Against the Occupation: Enlist journalists to organize a targeted campaign to expose the lies of AIPAC and the Anti-Defamation League and to expose the Jewish and Zionist community's double standards regarding Nakba & Occupation. Involve journalists, high profile artists and academia and provide them with regularly updated fact sheets for regular distribution and have available on Badil (other) websites. Contact: jacqueshoen@gmail.com

            Sponsorships/advertising - Approach businesses, donors and corporate            sponsors to get sponsorships for advertising in local/national newspapers,             refugee publications, university newspapers etc. to promote campaign, get             volunteers, gain support for lobbying efforts etc.

Conferences

The 3rd Right of Return Conference in Israel is tentatively scheduled for Tel Aviv-Jaffa in May 2007. Organization of this conference will be led by Palestinian organizations in Israel: Emil Touma Institute, ADRID, Ittijah, Arab Association for Human Rights, with the participation of Jewish Israeli and international co-organizers, and guest speakers. It aim is to achieve maximum outreach to the public and media in Israel. Contact: salmanmadar@hotmail.com, ameer@ittijah.org, adrid@palnet.com, hra@arabhra.org and info@badil.org.

ECCP Conference – 40 Years of Occupation: organized in cooperation with the UN   Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People at the European Parliament, Brussels, 6-7 June 2007.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK: International UK Conference building an Anti-  Apartheid Movement: End the Occupation, Freedom for Palestine, London-Sept 07.

Palestine American Congress – Summer 2008 Palestinians in the US to join a  weekend of intense deliberation and strategizing to build a popular Palestinian national conference in Chicago. A preparatory meeting is being planned for 2007 to further empower and build alliances. Contact: media@pa-national.org

Reports and Books (by topic)

On trade and occupation/colonization: In May/June 2007 DCA is planning to release a report on how Danish companies maintain trade with companies whose production is based on illegal confiscation of Palestinian land and water.

Testimonies from the Nakba: The Society for Austro-Arab Relations (SAAR) is working on a book of Palestinian testimonies of the Nakba to be published in several languages and launched at the 2008 Frankfurt book exhibition. Contact: f.edlinger@saar.net. Zochrot is planning to publish a book of testimonies in Hebrew Contact: eytanb@netvision.net.il

BADIL will publish a study of oral history on the village of Lubya, Galilee (English, Arabic, Hebrew) in 2007. Contact: info@badil.org.

Assessment of progress of activities in 2007 will feed into the final decisions regarding the 60-years of Nakba campaign in 2008

There are many more ideas whose realization requires specific skills and resources. In particular, there is a need for artists, sports-persons, academics and other professionals and sponsors to help realize the following 60/40 ideas:

Global Music Concerts in 2007 and 2008 This could include a concert in the Arab world among Arab artists, but also, and including a mix of international artists, a massive concert/s for Palestine and refugee rights in major international cities. It is also possible to think about organizing concerts for Palestinian musicians to raise awareness about Palestine, refugees and support for a rights-based solution for the conflict. Educational literature, goods and services could be made available at such an event.

June 2007: Concerts to be held in London and Bethlehem are being organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, U.K. and Open Bethlehem in Palestine.

May 2008: BADIL would like to facilitate but lacks funds and resources to organize such a concert in 2008.

Art Exhibits: could include exhibits by Palestinian artists, as well as  international artists relating to Palestine and Palestinian refugees, to be opened throughout 2008. Exhibits may be individual or they may be linked through a collaborative production effort of artwork specifically for 2008.

Greek Artists: Calling on Greek musicians, painters, photographers, sculptures,  architects. The members of Greek artists unions and affiliated with the 'Intifada' Solidarity Association, have agreed to cooperate in the organization of cultural events and to set up a permanent exhibition in an empty Athens housing complex in order to raise awareness for the Palestinian Nakba in 2007 and 2008. Looking for cooperation with Palestinian and international artists. Contact: Gerogia Milonaki, Intifada Association milonaki@enet.gr 

International Commission or Hearing on the Nakba 2008: Commission of eminent personalities, hosted by a publicly respected institution which would hold hearings of Palestinian refugees to allow eyewitnesses of 1948 to tell their stories in a public forum. Stories would be recorded and possibly broadcast live. Additional information, including a concept paper, is available at BADIL Contact: info@badil.org

Coordination and distribution of educational films and publications: A series of films and books, representing Nakba/Naksa, should be chosen and promoted at university's and schools, targeting children and young adults. A special emphasis should be made to counter those institutions already receiving Israeli propaganda, i.e. the 1,400 schools across NYC who will be forced to endure Zionist 'education'. contact: mediaenglish@badil.org

Sporting Events: Organizing an international marathon from village/town of origin of Palestinian refugees in Israel to their place in exile in the West Bank was raised by the Union of Activities Youth Centers-Palestine Refugee Camps, Zochrot and BADIL. Ideas include cycle tours in Europe or from Europe to Palestine in '08 to raise awareness about right of return & Palestine.

Nakba Museum: Museum, archives and documentation center both as a place of memory, but also as a place of learning and education. The Nakba museum would preferably be located in Palestine, but could also be a joint venture between a Palestinian institution and an academic institution abroad. While actual construction of such a Nakba museum will take years, the initiative could still be launched and announced in 2008.

Nakba Study Center: Academic research/documentation center hosted by an academic institution to provide research support and serve as a focal point for global research on the Palestinian Nakba (can be combined with the above).

Theater/Film: Production of plays, even a popular musical based, for example, on a Ghassan Khanafani novel, and films/documentaries about Palestine and Palestinian refugees. Individual and organizations with contacts to artists and sponsors are needed from now to launch this idea. This could include theatre and film festivals dedicated to the issue of Palestine and Palestinian refugees.

Media and Advertising: Creative, professional advertising campaigns in Palestine and elsewhere, e.g. posters, fashion articles (e.g. t-shirts, bracelets) and other ideas raised by professional media campaigners. Involve local Palestinian, Arab and international media. Contacts are needed with professionals and sponsors who can help move this forward.

Organizing U.S., E.U. Lobbying Efforts: Network with professional lobbyists to discuss the campaign with Congress/Senate and Parliamentarians etc; need volunteers to coordinate/organize efforts in as many countries as possible.

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BADIL Resource Center and the Palestine Right of Return Coalition

Please contact us for more information and coordination!

mediaenglish@badil.org, info@rorcoalition.org