International Network of Jews Speaks Out Against Israeli Apartheid

The event was followed by a Tashlich service across the street beside Lake Merritt. Tashlich, a traditional ceremony where one throws bread or stones into a body of water, takes place following Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) as a symbolic ritual of casting off the year's sins. This Tashlich service will reiterate a commitment to the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions against the State of Israel.

Both of these events, as well as the launch of the IJAN Charter, are a part of an international month of action to "Confront Zionism and Divest from Israel." Similar actions are taking place in the United Kingdom, India, France, Canada, and other cities throughout the United States. The release of the IJAN Charter coincides not only with the Jewish High Holidays, but also with the eighth anniversary of the second intifada in Palestine, which inspired a stronger solidarity movement and promoted growing criticism of Israel. "It's important for us, as Jews, to renew our commitment to the struggle for the liberation of Palestine as we atone for the injustices committed in our names and with our government's aid," said Harris Kornstein from IJAN.

The Charter, released on September 29th, 2008, articulates the commitment of the Network to solidarity with the people of Palestine and highlights, among other things, Israel's presence as a colonial state, the role of racism in its formation and continued policies, and US financial and political support for Israel. The complete IJAN Charter may be found online at http://www.ijsn.net/about_us/charter/.