BADIL

SPSC campaigners facing trumped-up political charges of ‘racism’

Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd of January, 9.30am outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court

Help us fight the move to criminalise the boycott of Israel. The same British authorities who support the siege of Gaza are working to stifle Israel's critics here.

Even if you can only be there for 10 minutes to show your support, please meet outside the court at 9.30am on Thursday and Friday, and stay for as little or as long as you can. A court room full of supporters makes a difference. For more information on the case please check SPSC website: www.scottishpsc.org.uk

Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd of January, 9.30am

Sheriff Court, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LB

Map: http://tinyurl.com/EdinburghSheriff-Court

“Anyone who stands up for Palestinians is automatically accused of being ‘anti-Semitic’. I am Jewish and proud to be Honorary President of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, an anti-racist group that opposes Israeli apartheid.” --Marion Woolfson

Five SPSC members are facing trial on Friday for boycotting Israeli state-sponsored cultural ambassadors, the Jerusalem Quartet. The Israeli musicians, in the words of their admirers, believe that 'a rifle in one hand and a violin in the other is the ultimate Zionist statement.'

While Israel was carrying out what the UN’s Goldstone report describes as “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity” in Gaza early this year, the Procurator Fiscal here in Edinburgh was preparing to drop the original Breach of the Peace charge in favour of new charges of “racially aggravated conduct”.

This Thursday and Friday prosecution and defence witnesses will be called and the BBC recording of our protest will be presented. Our lawyers will argue that what the SPSC campaigners’ actions are in no way racist, but a political statement against the actions committed by the state of Israel - actions directed to end the ‘culture of impunity’ in which Israel breaches in a daily basis international and human rights law.

Boycott helped end South African Apartheid, and can do likewise with Israel. The TUC have now joined the STUC, and many others, in pushing for boycott of Israel until it stops its crimes.

The five accused are confident this trial will see the Israeli State and its British allies in the dock of the real supreme court: the court of public opinion.