Feature Archives

5/16: American Resistance In a week that has seen Ariel Sharon's Likud Party vote to once again smash dreams of a free Palestine, and Sharon's strategic delay of a military invasion into the Gaza Strip, American activist resistance to the Occupation continues. Haggai Matar, 18, one of 462 Israelis who have refused to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces, speaks on the importance of Jewish-Arab collaboration for justice in Palestine. Audio and Video

Haggai Matar, 18, one of 462 Israelis who have refused to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces, speaks on the importance of Jewish-Arab collaboration for justice in Palestine. Audio & Video

In San Francisco, Jews For a Free Palestine organized a protest against the Jewish Community Federation's fundraiser for Israel. Thirteen protesters attended the fundraiser at the Four Seasons Hotel and were arrested after unfurling a banner and linking arms inside the event. Photos:  1   2


A short history of the current crisis

As George Bush met with Ariel Sharon in Washington DC yesterday, local protestors demonstrated their opposition to US support of Israel. In downtown Oakland, twelve activists walked into the Federal Building and effectively occupied the atrium as they ?locked down? around the pillars. Over the course of the day, around a hundred people came to show their support, and listen to speeches, songs, chants, and poetry protesting Israel?s occupation of Palestine, and US support of Israeli actions. Other demands of the protesters included sending an investigative committee into Jenin, sending an international protection force into Palestine, and insisting Israel abide by international rulings such as the Geneva Convention and UN resolution 242. In total, eighteen of the protestors were arrested.
Coverage: 1 | 2 | 3 Images: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

5/9: UC-Berkeley has reinstated Students for Justice in Palestine as a campus organization, but criminal charges against them are still being pursued after intensified actions in solidarity with Palestinian resistance took place on campus, including a non-violent takeover of Wheeler Hall. SJP is asking for all concerned individuals to show solidarity and take action. Rallies were held on 5/2 and 5/6 and more protests are planned in coming weeks. Read More 1 | 2 | 3 | Photos of 5/6 Demo | Photo from 5/9 rally at Foothill College.

4/30 press conference audio | Labor Committee for Peace & Justice's Resolution defending SJP

4/17 update from Palestine IMC: Colin Powell's visit with Yasser Arafat in his besieged compound proved fruitless, and "peace" remains elusive. Following Powell’s departure, President Arafat came out to make a statement to the media present. He thanked Powell for his visit but made clear that Bush is not exerting any tangible pressure upon Sharon to leave Palestinian areas, without which there can be no solution. Full details: Palestine IMC

Read this urgent appeal from the 40 internationals inside the Presidential Palace in Ramallah and 4/2 interview with Noam Chomsky. Also, read more on the relationship between Israel and Hamas. It is now possible to donate to IMC Palestine

Full details and reports: IMC Palestine | IMC Israel | Global IMC | IMC Italy | IMC Argentina (es) | Alternative Information Center | Palestine Chronicle | ZNet's Mideast Watch

4/20: Demanding justice for Palestine and displaying opposition to the Bush Regime's war machine, tens of thousands of protesters marched through SF and finally poured into the downtown Civic Center, in the city's largest and most diverse demonstration in recent memory. The march, starting in Dolores Park and stretching several miles, was organized by the International Action Center and a host of other activist groups.

A Palestinian woman took the stage to proclaim, "Our struggle is not a religious struggle... our struggle is to create a land where people can live without racism." One of the many speakers pointed directly to George Bush as complicit in the Israeli occupation of Palestine, saying, "I feel like every time Bush accuses someone of something, he's talking about himself." Her statement echoed the sentiment of many of the signs and banners held by members of the crowd.

Police remained nearly invisible, except when guarding a small pro-Israel counter-protest that had been ushered into City Hall by police in order to avoid confrontation with the crowds.

The demonstration was in solidarity with this weekend's protests in Washington DC, where over 60,000 people gathered to protest the war in Afghanistan, the occupation of Palestine, the IMF/World Bank meeting, and Sharon's scheduled visit. SF A20 Reports: 1 | 2 Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 Videos: 1 | 2 | 3

Over the weekend a Pro-Isreali contingent gathered at the Palestinean solidarity march at Stanford. In an surprising turn of events, the conflicting sides agreed on peace and waved flags together. See photos 1 | 2

4/20: Demanding justice for Palestine and displaying opposition to the Bush Regime's war machine, tens of thousands of protesters marched through SF and finally poured into the downtown Civic Center, in the city's largest and most diverse demonstration in recent memory. The march, starting in Dolores Park and stretching several miles, was organized by the International Action Center and a host of other activist groups.

A Palestinian woman took the stage to proclaim, "Our struggle is not a religious struggle... our struggle is to create a land where people can live without racism." One of the many speakers pointed directly to George Bush as complicit in the Israeli occupation of Palestine, saying, "I feel like every time Bush accuses someone of something, he's talking about himself." Her statement echoed the sentiment of many of the signs and banners held by members of the crowd.

Police remained nearly invisible, except when guarding a small pro-Israel counter-protest that had been ushered into City Hall by police in order to avoid confrontation with the crowds.

The demonstration was in solidarity with this weekend's protests in Washington DC, where over 60,000 people gathered to protest the war in Afghanistan, the occupation of Palestine, the IMF/World Bank meeting, and Sharon's scheduled visit. SF A20 Reports: 1 | 2 Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 Videos: 1 | 2 | 3

Over the weekend a Pro-Isreali contingent gathered at the Palestinean solidarity march at Stanford. In an surprising turn of events, the conflicting sides agreed on peace and waved flags together. See photos 1 | 2