ICDW event: "The Economic Crisis in Palestine"

Join SPHR @ uOttawa for a very informative, interactive workshop as a part of ICDW at uOttawa: "The Economic Crisis in Palestine" will present information about the history and current situation in Israel/Palestine in addition to an intimate discussion about the effects, on the ground, of the economic crisis in Palestine.

This workshop will include a role-playing activity with simultaneous narration and a slide show so that participants can physically learn about the historical process of displacement of the Palestinian population from the 1920s until 2004. The workshop will discuss displacement and refugee populations, US-Israeli financial aid, the Apartheid wall, social, historical and political contexts to the current situation, and parallels in the colonization of Palestine and North America.

Following this workshop, there will be a presentation about the global economic crisis and its effects in Palestine. Issues such as foreign aid, border closures, and contrasts to Israel's economy will be discussed.

When: Friday, January 29, 4 pm.
Where: UCU 205

This is a special event not to be missed: please come and support ICDW and SPHR, and stand with Palestine at uOttawa. Knowledge is a tool - use it.

"Eyes in Gaza" with Dr. Mads FTW.

SPHR @ UofO would like to thank everyone who attended our event "Eyes in Gaza" with Dr. Mads Gilbert this past Monday night at the University of Ottawa. I believe it a safe assumption that everyone in the room was touched by Dr. Gilbert's presentation on both the situation in Gaza now and during the invasion, as well as what we can do to help the Palestinian people on a practical level.

Which brings up a good point - there are many ways in which we have the power to effect positive change in the everyday lives of the Palestinians. What is often advertised by the mainstream media as a "hopeless situation" is, in reality, anything but. It is our responsibility as global citizens to get informed and involved. Running the risk of sounding clichéd,"you can't stay neutral on a moving train."

Mads was highly appreciative of the warm reception on the first night of his tour. Look out for the English translation of his and his colleague Erik Fosse's new book "Eyes in Gaza," due out later this year. If his lecture was any indication, it should be a remarkable read.

Dr. Gilbert is touring across Canada and the United States in the coming weeks; help spread the word by telling friends and family in other cities to show up. I can guarantee that it will be the best decision you've made all day. For more information, click here.

From everyone at SPHR, thank-you again for helping make this event a success. Please stay tuned to this site for more information on SPHR-related activities in the coming months. And please, follow us on Facebook ("SPHR UofO") and Twitter ("sphruofo") for more news and information.

Best wishes,
SPHR @ uOttawa

Nov. 16 - Speaking Event with Professor Marc Ellis: "Does Judaism equal Israel?"

Join us for a special lecture by Professor Marc H. Ellis, an American intellectual, liberation theologian, and University Professor of Jewish Studies and Director of the Center for Jewish Studies at Baylor University. Professor Ellis will take on the difficult moral questions about Jewish support for the state of Israel, as well as examining "how Israel has replaced God and gutted the prophetic moral core of Judaism."

Ellis' current writings deal with contemporary Judaism , Jewish liberation theology, Jewish-Arab relations, and justice and peace studies. His impressive body of work has been praised by figures as diverse as Noam Chomsky and the Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The late Edward Said described him as "a man to be listened to with respect and admiration." Professor Ellis' most recent book is titled "Judaism Does Not Equal Israel: The Rebirth of the Jewish Prophetic."

This discussion will take place Monday, November 16th at the University of Ottawa, Fauteux Hall, room 147 at 7:30 p.m. Entry is by donation (suggested: $5 to $10).

This is truly a unique event not to be missed and we hope you will join us.
Co-sponsored by Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights at uOttawa and Independent Jewish Voices.

For more information, please email sphr.uofo@gmail.com. Don't forget to join our Facebook event page and help to spread the word.

Moving Screening

CEPAL and SPHR are proud to present the 2009 Palestinian Film Festival.
The festival will feature two films, "The Children of Ibdaa" and "Tale of
the Three Jewels."

When: 25th April, 2009 - 7-10pm
Where: Montpetit Hall, 203.  125 University prt

Snacks will be provided between the showing of the two films and donations
are welcome to help finance CEPAL's volunteers in Palestinian refugee camps
in Lebanon this summer.

Thank you and hope to see you there!

Event about Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

Were you ever curious about what really took place in Gaza? Ever wondered if the news reportings were accurate? Or even what the humanitarian situation on the ground was like?

If so, join us for a unique lecture, presented by Dr.Abdel-Rahman Lawendy, giving
you a true first hand humanitarian account of the implications brought about
by the offensive on Gaza.

When  March 19th, 7:30pm
Where  351 Fauteux, University of Ottawa (57 Louis Pasteur)

Background:
Born & raised in Waterloo, Ontario, Dr. Abdel-Rahman Lawendy has not only
become a role model for many Canadian doctors and humanitarians, but also an
advocate for peace and human rights. At age 19, he travelled to war-torn
Sarajevo as a United Nations volunteer. At age 21, he cycled across Canada
to raise awareness and more than $20,000 for the Bosnian relief effort.

More recently, Dr. Lawendy has travelled to war-torn Gaza during the latest
crisis and was part of the international medical volunteer team who worked
at a local Gaza hospital. He was able to document and chronicle many of the
events. Currently, he is travelling to various campuses to share his
experiences and provide a first hand humanitarian account from a medical
perspective, continuing to promote his message about the importance of peace
and power of people to effect change.

Protests Against Poster Bans

On Thursday February 26th, join OPIRG-Carleton and show your support for
SAIA and SPHR. Come to a public discussion and TWO RALLIES (one after the
other) to call the Administrations at Carleton and the U of O to account by
asking them to clarify why and how these posters were banned.  Show these
administrations that civil discourse is dependent upon rights to free
expression and organizing, especially around contentious issues.

Date: Thursday February 26th 2009

Time for Carleton: 11:30 - 1:00pm.  The regular shuttle service leaves
Carleton at 1:30pm after the Carleton rally will and arrive at the U of O at
1:50pm.  People will gather at the shuttle drop-off location (across from
Montpetit) to begin the rally at the U of O.  The rally at the U of O will
begin in front of the shuttle bus-stop at 2:00pm.


Meeting location at Carleton: C264 Loeb Building
Meeting location at U of O: shuttle bus-stop (across from Monpetit)

*Event Description: The rally at Carleton will be mostly silent.  People
are invited to symbolically cover their mouths.  The rally at the University
of Ottawa will not be silent.  If you have letters (from groups, unions,
organizations or individuals) you would like to deliver to the university
administrations about the banning of the Israeli Apartheid poster please
bring them with you.  Both rallies will end at the presidents' offices.


*Campus Maps:* http://www2.carleton.ca/campus/  and
http://www.uottawa.ca/maps/maincampus.html

Carleton is accessible by public transit. The O-train as well as the number
4,7 and 117 all have stops at Carleton.  The U of O is also highly
accessible by public transit.  Many main downtown routes stop at the U of
O.  To plan your trip or view transit maps please visit:
http://octranspo.com

All are welcome (you don't need to be a university student). People are
welcome to join both rallies or only one.

Spread the word, bring your friends and show your support for the right to
organize on campus by calling the Carleton and U of O Administrations to
account.

Awareness Event for Gaza

SPHR is hosting an event at the Agora in the University Centre of the University of Ottawa. This event is an awareness event for the current situation in Gaza and the inhumane attacks suffered by the people. The event will take place all day on Monday, January 19th, so make sure to drop by the University Centre.

Jeff Halper Event

Israel has committed a new massacre against the besieged people of the Gaza
strip. 360 Palestinians were killed and many more injured during the first
three days of bombing. In the wake of this unprecedented violence, the
Israeli government has mounted an "emergency PR campaign" to legitimize
these war crimes. The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs has described
this wanton killing as "Israel's right to defend itself." Concerned
Canadians need the information to cut through the spin and learn what is
really happening on the ground in Israel/Palestine...
Independent Jewish Voices (Canada) is pleased to present a pan-Canadian
speaking tour this January 2009 featuring Jeff Halper, Coordinator of the
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD)*. Don't miss these two
free events!

Event #1: *Jeff Halper: "Israel/Palestine: Towards Peace or Apartheid?"
When: Sunday January 18, 7PM
Where: Marion Hall Auditorium, University of Ottawa
Halper will present the political situation and look at various options for
resolving the conflict; two states, one state--bi-national or democratic, or
a regional confederation.

Event #2: *Jeff Halper: "Palestine: From Apartheid to Warehousing"
When: Monday January 19, 8PM
Where: Kailash Mital Theatre (Formerly Alumni theatre) Southam Hall,
Carleton University
Israel is attempting to formally impose an apartheid regime over Palestine
in the guise of a two-state solution, which is the thrust of the so-called
"Annapolis Peace Process." But if it can't succeed with that, then it will
simply continue to strengthen the de facto apartheid regime that exists
today, by turning it into a permanent state of warehousing. Taking a cue
from Naomi Klein and others, Halper will show how the Palestinians are the
first entire people to be classified as "surplus humanity," and that Israel
is exporting this model internationally.

Background:
Israeli author and anthropologist Jeff Halper has been one of the leaders of
Israeli peace activism based on non-violent direct action and civil
disobedience to the Israeli occupation. He is the co-founder and coordinator
of the Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions http://www.icahd.org/eng/.
He took part in the Free Gaza flotilla which broke the Israeli siege of
Gaza. He was nominated for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize by the American
Friends Service Committee, together with Palestinian intellectual Ghassan
Andoni, for his work "to liberate both the Palestinian and Israeli people
from the yoke of structural violence."

PLEASE NOTE BOTH EVENTS ARE FREE, BUT DONATIONS ARE WELCOME!

Sponsored by:
Independent Jewish Voices (IJV Canada)
Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA-Carleton)
Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR-Ottawa)
Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies: Human Rights Program (Carleton
University)
Not In Our Name: Jewish Voices Opposing Zionism (NION)
United Jewish People's Order
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Canadian Arab Federation
Near East Cultural and Educational Foundation
Canadian Auto Workers
Canadian Friends of Sabeel
Canadian Friends Service Committee
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumencial Justice Initatives

Events for the Upcoming Week

This coming week is full of events and we want all of our members to be a part of it! SPHR is having three events this week, starting with:

Monday, November 24: SPHR will participate in STAND's event "From Me 2U" Refugee Solidarity Night. This event will educate about human rights violations in Darfur and Palestine nowadays, and educate about the Holocaust. The event will take place at 1848 at 7:00 pm.

Film Fest
Wednesday 26: We will be screening the movie "The Colour of Olives" in Morisset room 256. Doors will open at 7 and screening will start at 7:30. There will be a discussion after the movie.

Thursday 27: "Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land" will be screened on Thursday. The location of for this film is Fauteux room 137. Doors will open at 7 and the movie will start at 7:30. There will be a discussion after the movie.

***** All events are FREE! *****

*There is another tentative event for Saturday so stay tuned for more details.

Hope to see you all next week!

Layalee Falasteeniyeh: The 4th night at University of Waterloo

SFPR Waterloo Presents:
Layalee Falasteeniyeh: 4th Annual Palestinian Cultural Night !

Performances by musicians, singers, oud, a dance group, poetry, skits, displays and more. Appetizers will be provided.

When: Friday, March 14 at 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Where: Federation Hall, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W, Waterloo, Ontario
Tickets: $20 for adults ($25 at door), $15 for student/child.

All proceeds will be donated to Gaza

For tickets, contact any of the following:

Rami Alhamad (519) 572-2558 | Majd Al-Shihabi majd.al@gmail.com
AM Variety: 100 Queen Street N, Kitchener, N2H 2H6, Phone: 519-579-7642

Please forward and invite your friends.

VIGIL & PROTEST

PALESTINE SOLIDARITY GROUPS TO HOLD VIGIL IN RESPONSE TO ISRAELI RAIDS IN GAZA

Dear SPHR Members and Supporters,

In light of the ongoing violence and killing in the Gaza Strip that has left 112 people dead since Wednesday, many of whom are innocent civilians including women and children, Palestine Solidarity groups in the Ottawa area are holding a vigil as a show of support to the Palestinian people.

This vigil will be taking place every night starting on Tuesday, March 4^th, 2008 until Friday, March 7th, 2008 in front of the Unknown Soldier memorial on the corner of Wellington and Elgin Street @ 5PM. This vigil is open to the public and to the media.

In addition, a protest will be held on Saturday, March 8th 2008 @1pm. We will be meeting in front of the A Channel station and marching to Parliament Hill afterwards.

Please distribute to your lists.

In solidarity,

SOLIDARITY FOR PALESTINIAN HUMAN RIGHTS

MARCH 1 at 1pm - STOP ISRAEL'S WARS BOYCOTT CHAPTERS / INDIGO

NION and CanPalNet-Ottawa would like to call on all those passionate about peace and justice in Israel/Palestine to join us on Saturday March 1st to picket Chapters/Indigo for the support its majority shareholders give to the Israeli occupation (please see below for more details).

Let us join together in solidarity to oppose occupation and apartheid and take a stand for justice, peace and human rights!

To help us organize, please email to confirm your attendance.

STOP ISRAEL'S WARS BOYCOTT CHAPTERS / INDIGO

1PM, SATURDAY, March 1, 2008
At the Chapters at Rideau and Sussex

As the Israeli Occupation passes its 40th year with continuing brutality and the unflinching support of the Canadian government, it's integral for all Canadians who believe in justice and peace in the Middle East to take a stand. The boycott campaign against Chapters has picked up steam across Canada and has become a regular event in many cities. NION (Not in Our Name - Jews Opposed to Israel's Wars) hopes to make this a regular event in Ottawa as well – holding a two-hour boycott every other Saturday outside the Chapters/Indigo on Rideau.

On October 20, 2007 NION Ottawa and Canpalnet began pickets of Chapters every other week. The next action is planned for March 1, 2008. We call on all individuals and groups who oppose Israeli occupation to join us to picket outside Chapters/Indigo at Rideau.

We will meet at Chapters on Rideau from 1 to 3PM.

NOT IN OUR NAME

On July 9, 2005, a call endorsed by 170 Palestinian civil society organizations was announced. It appealed to the people of the world to impose boycotts, divestments and sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it recognizes the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination and fully complies with the precepts of international law. We came together to form NION during the summer of 2006, in solidarity with the people of Lebanon and Palestine, and against Israel's wars. We stand in opposition to the complicity of the Canadian government with Israel's criminal actions.

WHY BOYCOTT CHAPTERS / INDIGO?

Starting in the summer of 2006, NION and the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid in Toronto began a boycott campaign against Chapters-Indigo. The key reason for this boycott is that Heather Reisman and Gerry Schwartz, the majority shareholders of Chapters/Indigo, started and contribute over $3 million/year to the Heseg Foundation, a charity which supports 'lone soldiers' who come from others countries to fight Israel's wars. On the Heseg board are army and air force chiefs of staff, the former head of Israeli intelligence (Mossad), and Maj. General Doren Almog who has been accused of war crimes by Britain for his role in bombing civilians.

This concern for young mercenaries from around the world is in marked contrast to the lack of support that Heseg gives to the hundreds of Palestinian child prisoners languishing in Israeli military prisons.

For more information about the boycott campaign see:
1)"Why Do We Ask the Indigo CEO to Support Peace, Not War?" at http://www.nion.ca/downloads.htm
2) http://caiaweb.org/indigoboycott

OPPOSE ISRAEL'S WARS

As a group of Jews who are vehemently opposed to the atrocities being carried out in our name, we urge you to join us in standing in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We urge you to join NION Ottawa in opposing Chapters' support of the occupation through the Heseg Foundation.

To help us organize, please reply stating if you will be able to participate in this picket. Hope to see you all there!

Organized by Not In Our Name – Jewish Voices Against Israel's Wars
email: nion.ottawa@gmail.com
web: www.nion.ca

Supported by Canada Palestine Support Network - Ottawa (www.canpalnet-ottawa.org)

Protest Censorship! Who Speaks for McMaster? A Public Forum

Carpool leaving St. Catharines 10:30 am Feb. 28. 905-984-6515 Susan

Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008

UNITED FOR STUDENT RIGHTS (U4SR) PRESENTS

A Public Forum

Rights & Responsibilities in Political Discussion on Campus:
Who Speaks for McMaster?

Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 12:00pm
Details to be determined

United for Student Rights (U4SR) is holding a Public Forum to discuss the recent shocking decision by McMaster Student Union (MSU) and administration to unequivocally ban on campus the usage of the phrase "Israeli Apartheid". This decision was first passed by the McMaster Provost office, which is second in authority only to that of the President's office.

It has been accepted by McMaster Human Rights & Equity Services (HRES) and, in turn, the MSU. This information was communicated to Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) and McMaster Muslims for Peace & Justice (MMPJ) early in February 2008 by the MSU and HRES. Due to this decision, these MSU approved clubs have not been able to get approval for various initiatives related to Israeli Apartheid. It is the MSU that is directly enforcing this decision, as it is the only campus body with jurisdiction over student clubs.

MSU President, Ryan Moran, explained that though the MSU is not bound by this decision, it has chosen to implement it none the less. U4SR is calling on the MSU to rescind this decision immediately as part of opening up the discussion for all to decide.

Statement of Human Rights & Equity Services: "The university has taken the position that literature which refers to "Israeli apartheid" and activities promoted under the banner, "Israeli Apartheid Week" are unacceptable. The university takes the position that this phrase is in violation of the university's efforts to ensure that all people will be treated with dignity and tolerance."

According to the statement of HRES, banning Israeli Apartheid organizing is a matter of dignity and tolerance. In the view of those who use the term, opposing Israeli Apartheid is a matter of dignity and tolerance for the peoples of the Middle East and world over who are fighting for justice and for human rights. Clearly, there is a contradiction of a political nature between these two views.

U4SR considers this decision unacceptable especially given that the recent decision of the Provost is in keeping with consistent efforts by the McMaster administration, MSU and even Hamilton Police to repress Palestinian solidarity work over the last six years. At every point, Palestinian solidarity views have been presented as anti-Semitic and a matter of hate crimes. The most recent decision by the Provost is a ramping up of longstanding attempts to criminalize the views of students who oppose Zionist violations of the human and national rights of Palestinians. Such efforts overlook the importance of political engagement and discussion on university campuses, while making political issues a matter of policy and decisions taken behind closed doors by various offices of the university. This history provides an important context for understanding that the banning of terms diverts from the violation of the political and human rights of students attempting to defend a just
peace for Palestine.
These are not simple matters to be decided arbitrarily and in private. They are related to profound questions of rights and responsibilities on campus and in society at large. It is unjust to require that the students most affected should submit to this decision or simply engage in an unequal private dialogue with the administration.

A Matter for All to Decide

It is important to note that the administration has an obligation to society to respect the basic legal and moral rights of the university community. Despite all its efforts to claim that the university can act like a private corporation, McMaster is a public institution that plays a central role in the development of youth and intellectual thought. In turn, Human Rights & Equity Services is mandated to defend and elaborate issues of human rights on campus, and this function has ramifications for all of society. Similarly, the MSU plays an important role in supporting and intervening in society, as the organized front of students. In sum, the functioning of all these parts of the McMaster University and their recent decision are a matter that concerns all students, faculty, and the general Hamilton and Canadian society.

For this reason, U4SR is holding a public forum so that everyone's views can be heard. We are inviting the administration and MSU to be part of this discussion and no longer use their positions of power to impose their views on the conscience of students. We are also calling on all students, faculty, staff and members of the Hamilton community to join the discussion. Organisers will ensure that everyone's participation and comments are respected.

We, as Canadian students, are taking up our responsibility to society. We are working to end the marginalization of the McMaster community and Canadian polity at large from the decision-making processes that affect their lives and the political orientation of our society. This struggle at one university campus is a converging point for all those who believe that Canadian society should decide political matters in a public and transparent way. Join us!
United for Student Rights is an ad-hoc committee of McMaster University and Hamilton community members that was formed to facilitate public involvement in this issue.
For information please contact:
unitedforstudentrights@gmail.com

Le Trio Jourbran

Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights would like to invite you, your family and loved ones to a special night featuring

A Voice From Nazareth
Le Trio Joubran

This concert will be held at Centrepointe Theatre on Friday, February 29 2008. Doors open at 6:30PM.

Tickets can be purchased from Centrepointe Theatre's Box Office.
Students: $25
Adults: $35

Le Trio Joubran are the worthy inheritors of a rich family tradition. For the Joubrans, music is a family affair. The trio's parents, Hatem Mbadda Joubran, stringed-instrument maker emeritus known throughout the Arab world, and Ibtisam Hanna Joubran, a singer, both come from families where music is transmitted from generation to generation. Be it the next logical step, or the magic of destiny, Samir pulls Wissam and then Adnan along in his footsteps. The Joubran Trio stands on the mutual understanding of three brothers who share a common and limitless love for the ud'. The trio's repertory, made up of original creations and magnificent improvisations, takes root in their knowledge of the imposing culture of traditional maqâms and their subtle interpretations.

For more information about the artists and to listen to extracts of their compilations, please visit www.letriojoubran.com

This event will be followed by a dabkeh performance.


In Solidarity,

Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights at Carleton University
c/o Carleton University Students' Association
401 Unicentre
Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6
sphrcarleton@gmail.com
www.carleton.sphr.org

February 2008 Newsletter

SPHR University of Ottawa has released its first edition of Campus RESISTANCE Campus, SPHR UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA'S official newsletter. Inside, you will find articles, news and our events for the month of February and what to expect in March!

The compatibility is for Adobe 5.0, if you would like a better version please email us!

Download the PDF version (compatible with Adobe 5.0 and up) at the link below:

http://www.zshare.net/download/71737372720456/

Palestine Day: International Week - Thursday, February 14

Palestine Day
Thursday, February 14
9AM to 4PM
Jock Turcot University Centre - University of Ottawa

Come enjoy some Palestinian food, music and more!

Show: 12pm to 12:30pm and 2:00pm to 2:30pm (Agora in the Uni Centre)
To volunteer, please Email Us

CJPME 2008 Speaker Series: "The Israel Lobby"

CJPME 2008 Speaker series: "The Israel Lobby"

Prof. John J. Mearsheimer, co-author of The Israel Lobby will be CJPME's honoured guest in:
www.cjpme.ca
cjpme@sympatico.ca

Ottawa, Friday, February 22, 7:00 p.m.
Marion Hall
140 Louis Pasteur, Room 130
University of Ottawa
Tickets on Internet, or at 1-888-222-6608
More info about Ottawa

Montreal, Saturday, February 23, 7:00 p.m.
Auditorium Jean Lesage
Salle B-2285
3200 Jean Brillant
Université de Montréal
Tickets on Internet, or at 1-888-222-6608
More info about Montreal

Toronto, Sunday, February 24, 7:00 p.m.
OISE Auditorium (Room G162), Ground Floor
252 Bloor St. W (at Bedford Ave.)
University of Toronto
Tickets on Internet, or at 1-888-222-6608. (Tickets for Toronto event also available at the Toronto Women's Bookstore, 73 Harbord St., Toronto, 416-922-8744)
More info about Toronto

Please join us as Mr. Mearsheimer discusses how the West's unwavering support of Israel has been disastrous for its own foreign policy interests. Prof. Mearsheimer's address will be followed by a time of Q&A.

Prof. Mearsheimer is the co-director of the Program on International Security Policy at the University of Chicago, where he has taught since 1982. He has written several books about security issues and international politics as well as many articles that have appeared in academic journals like International Security, and popular magazines like The London Review of Books. His op-ed pieces have appeared in the New York Times dealing with topics like Bosnia, nuclear proliferation, the failure of Arab-Israeli peace efforts, and the folly of invading Iraq.

Israel Apartheid Week

www.apartheidweek.org

Candle Light Vigil Saturday, January 26 5pm to 7pm

As most of us know, 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza are going through a devastating time with the Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip. Israel has blocked the shipment of fuel to Gaza, cutting off the only source of electricity in Gaza. This inhumane siege is causing shortages of food, medication and other fundamental necessities, in turn causing much suffering and deaths. This siege must be put to an end. We need everyone's input and participation in order to make a difference and have an impact on our government's role in pressuring Israel to lift the siege.

Capca, SPHR and other organizations have organized a candle light vigil to support the people in Gaza and to condemn Israel's actions. This vigil will take place on Saturday, January 26th from 5pm to 7pm at the Human Rights Monument on Elgin street. We will have candles to distribute but we also encourage people to bring their own candles.

Please forward this email to everyone you know, and pass on the message to your friends and family.

Also, if anyone would like to help out by making posters for the vigil, please don't hesitate to email us or contact us at 613-291-1970

4th Annual Israeli Apartheid Week schedule

4th ANNUAL ISRAELI APARTHEID WEEK

FEBRUARY 3RD TO 9TH, 2008

Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) Ottawa and Carleton and Not In Our Name (NION) Ottawa are proud to announce the schedule for the 4th annual Israeli Apartheid Week being held under the banner 60 Years of Nakba: End Israeli Apartheid. This international week, which began in Toronto in 2005, has now spread to Palestine, South Africa, Norway, UK and many cities across the US and Canada.

OTTAWA ISRAELI APARTHEID WEEK SCHEDULE
______________________________

Friday Feb 1, 7:30 PM (Ottawa is starting the week earlier than other cities)

Film Screening: THE IRON WALL
Hosted by: Not In Our Name – Jewish Voices Against Israel's Wars
MacDonald Hall Auditorium (MCD 146),
150 Louis Pasteur Street
University of Ottawa
http://www.theironwall.ps/
__________________________

Saturday Feb 2, 1:00 PM

Demonstration: PICKET IN FRONT OF CHAPTERS/INDIGO - NO MORE SUPPORT OF ISRAELI MILITARISM!
Organized by: Not In Our Name - Jewish Voices Against Israel's Wars, CanPalNet Ottawa
Chapters/Indigo at Rideau and Sussex
For more information on the Chapters Boycott please scroll to bottom of email
www.nion.ca
http://www.canpalnet-ottawa.org/

____________________

Tuesday Feb 5, 7:00 PM

Lecture: A FAREWELL TO ISRAEL: THE COMING BREAK-UP OF NORTH AMERICAN ZIONISM
Norman Finkelstein
Organized by GSAÉD as part of their Interdisciplinary Conference: http://www.gsaed.ca/conference2008/
This is a free event, but space is limited so people should reserve tickets in advance (613-562-5935 or gsaed@uottawa.ca)

Tabaret Hall, room 112
550 Cumberland Street
University of Ottawa
Limited space, reserve your (free) tickets: 613-562-5935 or gsaed@uottawa.ca
http://www.normanfinkelstein.com/
___________________________

Wednesday, February 6, 7:30 PM

Lecture: STILL TOO MANY ENEMIES: THE NAHR EL BARED REFUGEE CAMP AND PALESTINIANS IN LEBANON
Marcy Newman
Fauteux 147 A
57 Louis Pasteur
University of Ottawa
Entry $3
www.bodyontheline.wordpress.com
____________________________

Friday, February 8,

Lecture and Discussion: RESISTING ISRAELI APARTHEID: BUILDING A GLOBAL MOVEMENT

Salma Wakim – Ittijah: the network for Palestinian non-governmental organizations in Israel
Issam Alyaman - Palestine House, Mississauga
Adam Hanieh - Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid, Toronto

MacDonald Hall Auditorium (MCD 146), 7:30pm
150 Louis Pasteur Street
University of Ottawa
http://www.palestinehouse.com/
http://caiaweb.org/
http://www.ittijah.org/

Join SPHR and NION in standing up against Israeli Apartheid!

For further information and schedules for different cities please visit the official
Apartheid Week 2008 website at: www.apartheidweek.org

Or contact the organizers at
sphr.uofo@gmail.com

sphrcarleton@gmail.com

nion.ottawa@gmail.com

______________________

STOP ISRAEL'S WARS
BOYCOTT CHAPTERS / INDIGO

1PM, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2008
At the Chapters at Rideau and Sussex

As the Israeli Occupation passes its 40th year with continuing brutality and the unflinching support of the Canadian government, it's integral for all Canadians who believe in justice and peace in the Middle East to take a stand. The boycott campaign against Chapters has picked up steam across Canada and has become a regular event in many cities. NION (Not in Our Name - Jews Opposed to Israel's Wars) hopes to make this a regular event in Ottawa as well – holding a two-hour boycott every other Saturday outside the Chapters/Indigo on Rideau.

On October 20, NION Ottawa and Canpalnet began pickets of Chapters every other week. The next action is planned for February 2, 2008. We call on all individuals and groups who oppose Israeli occupation to join us to picket outside Chapters/Indigo at Rideau. We will meet at Chapters on Rideau from 1 to 3PM.

NOT IN OUR NAME

On July 9, 2005, a call endorsed by 170 Palestinian civil society organizations was announced. It appealed to the people of the world to impose boycotts, divestments and sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it recognizes the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination and fully complies with the precepts of international law. We came together to form NION during the summer of 2006, in solidarity with the people of Lebanon and Palestine, and against Israel's wars. We stand in opposition to the complicity of the Canadian government with Israel's criminal actions.

WHY BOYCOTT CHAPTERS / INDIGO?

Starting in the summer of 2006, NION and the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid in Toronto began a boycott campaign against Chapters-Indigo. The key reason for this boycott is that Heather Reisman and Gerry Schwartz, the majority shareholders of Chapters/Indigo, started and contribute over $3 million/year to the Heseg Foundation, a charity which supports 'lone soldiers' who come from others countries to fight Israel's wars. On the Heseg board are army and air force chiefs of staff, the former head of Israeli intelligence (Mossad), and Maj. General Doren Almog who has been accused of war crimes by Britain for his role in bombing civilians.

This concern for young mercenaries from around the world is in marked contrast to the lack of support that Heseg gives to the hundreds of Palestinian child prisoners languishing in Israeli military prisons.

For more information about the boycott campaign see:
1)"Why Do We Ask the Indigo CEO to Support Peace, Not War?" at http://www.nion.ca/downloads.htm

2) http://caiaweb.org/indigoboycott

OPPOSE ISRAEL'S WARS

As a group of Jews who are vehemently opposed to the atrocities being carried out in our name, we urge you to join us in standing in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We urge you to join NION Ottawa in opposing Chapters' support of the occupation through the Heseg Foundation.

To help us organize, please reply stating if you will be able to participate in this picket. Hope to see you all there!

Organized by Not In Our Name – Jewish Voices Against Israel's Wars
email: nion.ottawa@gmail.com web: www.nion.ca

Supported by Canada Palestine Support Network - Ottawa ( www.canpalnet-ottawa.org)