People for Palestine - Springfield, IL

02/02/2024

Event notice from Dr. Kristi Barnwell-

On February 6th, from 12:00 - 12:45pm, UIS will host a mini class on the concepts of the one and two state solutions for Palestine and Israel. The focus of the class will cover the 1967 U.N. Resolution 242. The resolution sought to ensure peace and territorial sovereignty for all nations involved in the Six-Day War of 1967.

The class will be available on Zoom, and in person at University hall building 2020. A link to the Campus map will be attached below.

If there is enough interest in these classes, there may be additional classes to follow.
The previous class hosted January 30th going over the Balfour Declaration is uploaded to YouTube.

For more details or questions, feel free to contact Dr. Kristi at [email protected].

Links:

U.N. Resolution 242
https://peacemaker.un.org/sites/peacemaker.un.org/files/SCRes242%281967%29.pdf

UIS Campus Map
https://www.uis.edu/sites/default/files/2020-11/UHB.pdf

Balfour Declaration Class
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stZsFMxxONk

The intent of this page is to raise awareness for both local and global issues and causes in support of the Palestinian People, as well as to encourage local discussion and community.

02/02/2024

2/1/2024

The U.S. President just passed an executive order today imposing sanctions directly on four Israeli settlers that have engaged in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Additionally, the Executive order more broadly allows the U.S. to sanction any individual that engages in harmful actions against Palestinians in the West Bank, including Israeli government officials.

However, these sanctions do not apply to any acts carried out against Palestinians in Gaza. The order is specifically worded to only apply to the West Bank of Palestine.

The sanctions allow the U.S. to block any funds, goods, or services to being provided to those sanctioned. As well as block any sanctioned individuals from entry into the United States.

"(A) actions — including directing, enacting, implementing, enforcing, or failing to enforce policies — that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the West Bank; or

(B) planning, ordering, otherwise directing, or participating in any of the following actions affecting the West Bank:
(1) an act of violence or threat of violence targeting civilians;
(2) efforts to place civilians in reasonable fear of violence with the purpose or effect of necessitating a change of residence to avoid such violence;
(3) property destruction; or
(4) seizure or dispossession of property by private actors;

(ii) to be or have been a leader or official of:

(A) an entity, including any government entity, that has engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, any of the activities described in subsections (a) or (b) of this section related to the leader’s or official’s tenure; or
(B) an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order as a result of activities relating to the leader’s or official’s tenure;
(iii) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, any person blocked pursuant to this order; or
(iv) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person blocked pursuant to this order; or
(b) any foreign person determined by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury:
(i) to have committed or have attempted to commit, to pose a significant risk of committing, or to have participated in training to commit acts of terrorism affecting the West Bank; or
(ii) to be a leader or official of an entity sanctioned pursuant to subsection (b)(i) of this section."

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/02/01/executive-order-on-imposing-certain-sanctions-on-persons-undermining-peace-security-and-stability-in-the-west-bank/

01/31/2024

The United States, Australia, Canada, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland have all suspended funding to the U.N. Agency for relief in Palestine.

This is in response to accusations that "several" UNRWA members assisted in carrying out the October 7th attacks against Israel.
The members accused are already under intense investigation, and will face legal action for aiding and abetting the acts of terror perpetrated against Israelis.

This comes at a time when, following the International Court of Justice's ruling against Israel, international support for Palestinians should be at it's highest.

A majority of the infrastructure for the wellbeing and welfare of Palestinians in Gaza has been destroyed during Israel's siege.
Only 9 hospitals are still standing in the entirety of Gaza with a population of 2,098,389. (2023 est.)
Houston, Texas has 180 hospitals with a population of 2,302,878.

The actions of the nations who have withdrawn their funding is at best a gross overreaction, one which puts the lives of roughly 2,098,389 Gazans at risk of death by starvation and lack access to medical treatment, based solely on the actions of a few bad actors.

UNRWA funding statement*

"HOW WE ARE FUNDED

UNRWA benefits from the generous support of UN Member States including regional governments and the European Union. Together, these sources represent close to 89.2 percent of financial contributions to the Agency. In 2022, UNRWA resource mobilization efforts yielded a total pledged amount of US$ 1.17 billion (including UN Secretariat regular budget support for international staff).

Sister UN agencies share skills and expertise with UNRWA in addition to projects benefiting Palestine refugees in other multi-sectorial areas, making the UN system in the region more coherent and effective. In 2022, funding received from the UN regular budget and contributions from other UN entities amounted to US$ 44.6 million.

UNRWA also partners with businesses and foundations, ranging from small local tech companies to large multinationals; we tailor each partnership to make the best use of our partner's expertise and ensure mutual benefit.

We work closely with small community-based organizations and with international NGOs, drawing on their unique resources and strengths to deliver effective services for Palestine refugees.

Particularly during emergencies, individuals have an invaluable role in responding to the needs of Palestine refugees. Private partnerships added US$ 15.4 million in 2022."

https://www.unrwa.org/how-you-can-help/how-we-are-funded

UNRWA human development and humanitarian services encompass primary and vocational education, primary health care, relief and social services, infrastructure and camp improvement, microfinance and emergency response, including in situations of armed conflict to Palestine refugees.

01/28/2024

The attached links are a resource for viewing all publicly available archival records from the British House of Lords regarding Palestine and Israel. It is an invaluable tool for conducting research into the history of Palestine and Israel from the perspective of the British, who held mandate over the territory from 1917-1948.

Copying either of the links itself and pasting it into google will list all mentions of Palestine or Israel made in the House of Lords.

Links:

" palestine site:api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard "

" israel site:api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard "

01/26/2024

Justice Prevails

"The State of Israel shall take all measures within its power to prevent and punish
the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the
Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip"

International Court of Justice ruling in South Africa v. Israel*

"Public hearings on South Africa’s request for provisional measures were held on Thursday 11
and Friday 12 January 2024.

In its Order, which has binding effect, the Court indicates the following provisional measures:

“(1) By fifteen votes to two,
The State of Israel shall, in accordance with its obligations under the Convention
on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, in relation to Palestinians
in Gaza, take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within
the scope of Article II of this Convention, in particular:

(a) killing members of the group;
(b) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
(c) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its
physical destruction in whole or in part; and
- 2 -
(d) imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;

(2) By fifteen votes to two,
The State of Israel shall ensure with immediate effect that its military does not
commit any acts described in point 1 above;

(3) By sixteen votes to one,
The State of Israel shall take all measures within its power to prevent and punish
the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the
Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip;

(4) By sixteen votes to one,
The State of Israel shall take immediate and effective measures to enable the
provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the
adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip;

(5) By fifteen votes to two,
The State of Israel shall take effective measures to prevent the destruction and
ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of acts within the scope of
Article II and Article III of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the
Crime of Genocide against members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip;

(6) By fifteen votes to two,
The State of Israel shall submit a report to the Court on all measures taken to give
effect to this Order within one month as from the date of this Order."

https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-pre-01-00-en.pdf

01/24/2024

Event notice from Courtney Sierra-

"Hello my friends! I am posting to let you all know that students and I have managed to FINALLY get an event approved. It is A Vigil for Gaza, where we will allow guests, students, faculty, and staff to come forward to commemorate those countless lives lost during the assault on the Gaza Strip. At the event, you are more than welcome to come forward and recite poetry, song, art, testimonies, stories, or give a speech.

It will be in the UIS Student Union Central Ballroom at 5pm, Friday Jan. 26th. of course, I will be on site to help anyone who needs directions. I hope to see you all there and I do hope it isn’t too late notice! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!"

Originally posted to Families for Ceasefire - Springfield

The intent of this page is to raise awareness for both local and global issues and causes in support of the Palestinian People, as well as to encourage local discussion and community.

01/11/2024

In opening South Africa's case against Israel for at ICJ, H.E. Mr Madonsela recognized the ongoing Nakba of Palestinians through Israel's colonization, dispossession, displacement, fragmentation & the denial of self-determination & .

01/11/2024

'Don't just Divest in Israel, Invest in Palestine as well.'

"Palestinian businesses have a reputation for professionalism and quality products."

These past five posts have been highlights of both internationally, and locally operated Palestinian businesses; to encourage you to invest in the Palestinian economy and Palestinians directly.

Statement from the U.S. Department of State regarding Palestinian exports*

"The Palestinian economy is small and relatively open. While 95 percent of firms in the West Bank and Gaza are family owned small- and medium-sized enterprises employing less than 20 people, large holding companies dominate certain sectors. Palestinian businesses have a reputation for professionalism and quality products."

Attached is a resource for additional businesses that operate or source from Palestine, to further encourage you to Invest in Palestine and its People.

https://www.palestine-studies.org/en/node/1651034

https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-investment-climate-statements/west-bank-and-gaza/

Palestine Square

01/11/2024

Falastini Brand

- A clothing company located in Palestine's West Bank, providing high quality Palestinian apparel internationally.

"We Palestinians create wonderful products that the world must see. Our aim at Falastini Brand is to deliver the finest Palestinian products to everybody everywhere. We help you explore our quality market of amazing products, uncover hidden breathtaking arts, styles and designs that carry Palestinian heritage with a modern twist, and we are proud to put it at your fingertips.

We present you with the newest high quality designs, styles and products that you've never seen before and will fall in love with the moment you see, and wish you had the opportunity to know before, but it's never too late.

Uncover an amazing world of Palestinian products."

A collection of original high quality Palestinian products for online buyers. Range from fashionable carefully designed and made embroidered clothes, handmade arts and accessories to home made customized gifts. We provide worldwide shipping to all countries

01/11/2024

Al’ard Palestinian Products

- A U.S. based company that exports Palestinian sourced foods and cooking ingredients internationally.

"Get to know us
‘We are Palestinian; we like to feed people’

We are a third generation family-run company passionate about bringing the best of Palestinian artisanal food to your dining table. We believe in environmentally-friendly practices, organic farming and putting the famers and their glorious land at the heart of what we do. The land is so critical to us that we names our company after it, with Al Ard meaning the land in Arabic. We know that healthy food makes healthy bodies, and that is what we are about. And just like our family, our company thrives on bringing together traditional knowledge and modern practices to provide you with nothing but the finest quality goods."

Premium Za'atar Blend, Za'atar Leave, Premium Palestinian Dried Za'atar Leaves, Dried Za'atar Leaves, Premium Palestinian Dried, Homemade Za’atar, Za'atar Spice Blend, Spice Blend, Palestinian Za'atar Blend, Za'atar Spice Blend Recipe, Homemade Za'atar Recipe, Lebanese Dried Thyme, Za'atar Recipes...

01/11/2024

Palestinian Soap Cooperative

- This American based company works with local Palestinian Co-ops to source soaps and adjacent products.

"We are a Palestinian American direct distributor of Nablus soaps. Our aim is to make Palestinian soap inexpensive and widely accessible in the United States and worldwide, and to do so in a way that spreads benefits among producers, retailers, and users, and that embodies commitments to democracy."

'The Land' is made by the Women's Soap Co-operative of Beita, just south of Nablus. The newest of the Nablus soap brands, al-Ard are true gems. Since they work in relatively small batches and are connected with many local small producers, their olive oil is often among the very best. The cooperative...

01/11/2024

Zaytoun

- A U.K. based company exporting Palestinian sourced Olive Oil, Dates, Almonds, Soaps, Cookbooks, and similar goods internationally.

"Zaytoun is a social enterprise inspired by a love of Palestinian culture, communities and cuisine. We exist to support Palestinian farmers through fair trade – 100% of our profits are reinvested towards delivering this mission.
This is no passing foodie trend – Palestinian farmers have been cultivating their lands for thousands of years and continue to do so, despite the challenges of farming under illegal occupation in the West Bank.

Whether it’s peppery olive oil, fudgy Medjoul dates, sweet crunchy almonds, zesty za’atar, smoky freekeh or nutty maftoul, we’re dedicated to bringing you the very best from Palestine’s fertile groves and fields."

https://zaytoun.uk/

https://zaytoun.uk/our-suppliers/

Ethically sourced olive oil and fine foods from Palestine. Medjoul dates, za'atar & other award winning products from Palestinian producers.