BDS Workshop on May 23

Thursday, May 23, 6:30pm in the Gold Room of the downtown Duluth Public Library

Since 1948 Israel has pursued an aggressive displacement of Palestinians from their homeland with political and financial support of the U.S. and the taxpayers of Minnesota.  The MN State Board of Investment owns over $23 million of Israel bonds. 

Stephen Hawkings Boycotts Academic Conference in Israel

Abolish the Israeli "Firing Zone" in the South Hebron Hills

In the southern West Bank, in the South Hebron Hills, there exists an area called Masafer Yatta. The area encompasses twelve Palestinian villages and some 1000 inhabitants: Tuba, al-Mufaqarah, Isfey, Maghayir al Abeed, al-Majaz, at-Tabban, al-Fakheit, Halaweh, Mirkez, Jinba, Kharoubeh and Sarura. According to the Oslo peace process, this is Area C, which means that it is under civil and military Israeli Administration. In the early 1970s, Israel declared the area a ‘closed military area’, called ‘Firing Zone 918’.

PETITION TO ABOLISH THE ISRAELI FIRING ZONE IN THE SOUTH HEBRON HILLS

How Palestinians are Portrayed in Israeli Textbooks

7 Top Things You Should Know About Gaza

1. Gaza is Always Under Siege

Israel controls the airspace, waters, and borders of Gaza (with the exception of Rafah, the border with Egypt). Israel controls the electrical and sewage infrastructure of Gaza, and how much food, fuel and other supplies can arrive and leave, giving it almost total control over the economy. Palestinians in

Gaza do not have the freedom to leave at will, to visit relatives in the West Bank, or get adequate health care. 1.7 million Palestinians are crammed into 140 square miles, making it one of the most crowded places on earth.

Palestine Solidarity Activists Ejected & Assaulted at Timberwolves Game With Israeli Team

Following in the footsteps of the sports boycott of South Africa that contributed to the demise of apartheid, approximately 20 protesters advocating for human rights for Palestinians made their presence known at the Tuesday night Minnesota Timberwolves game against Maccabi-Haifa. Palestinian flags and banners calling for a boycott of Israeli apartheid were displayed and anti-apartheid chants were heard throughout the Target Center minutes into the game clearly catching the attention of the players.

Stop the Harassment of Iyad Burnat!

On Thursday November 1, 2012 Iyad Burnat, a leader of the Popular Resistance Movement in Bi'lin, Palestine, was detained by the Jordanian border officials and then refused entry into Jordan in order to travel to the United States.  He is currently back in Bil’in awaiting the resolution of this matter so that he can continue on his journey.

As you may recall, the Village of Bil’in is a co-plaintiff in our lawsuit here against the state of Minnesota for illegally and immorally investing in Israel Bonds. Iyad is scheduled to speak throughout our state December 5-9. We are also planning a meeting between Iyad and other co-plaintiffs and attorneys working on the lawsuit as Bil’in’s representative, in addition to a possible meeting with state legislators. MN Break the Bonds is just one of many community organizations in the U.S. sponsoring Iyad's speaking tour throughout the country. In fact, he was scheduled to speak today at the National Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) conference being held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. 

MN Court of Appeals to Hear Israel Bonds Divestment Appeal

On September 27, 2012, the Minnesota Court of Appeals will hear arguments in an appeal brought by the Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign (MN BBC) against the Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI). The hearing is currently scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m. in Courtroom 300 of the Minnesota Judicial Center at 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in St. Paul.

Israeli Court Exonerates Murderer of Rachel Corrie

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news with you that an Israeli court ruled today that the military was not at fault for killing Rachel Corrie, a U.S. activist crushed by an army bulldozer during a 2003 demonstration in Gaza. The court rejected the lawsuit filed in 2005 on behalf of the Corrie family by attorney Hussein abu Hussein which charged the State of Israel with responsibility for Rachel’s killing and failure to conduct a full and credible investigation in the case. 

Sign the Petition: Save Palestinian Olive Trees!

This weekend I had the chance to spend 48 hours in the village of Deir Istya, in the West Bank. I went there thanks to the mediation of the Sanghaseva Being Peace group, a wonderful organization which has been carrying out some very good work in the area. As I am posting this, I still haven’t unpacked my bags, because I feel the urge to write about my experience, and to invite those who are interested to get to know the particular situation that people in the village are going through.

FORUM: Trees as a Weapon of War?

How Israel Green-Washes Apartheid in Palestine

Tuesday , April 10

4-5:15pm UWS Swenson 1057

Hearing on Israel Bonds Lawsuit - March 5

On March 5, 2012, at 2:30 p.m., at the Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 W. Kellogg Ave., Room 1440, St. Paul, Judge Margaret Marrinan will hear arguments in a lawsuit filed by four public interest organizations and twenty-three individuals led by the Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign (MN BBC) against the State Board of Investment (SBI). The lawsuit aims to stop Minnesota’s investment in Israel’s human rights and international law violations.

Report from 2012 Precinct Caucuses

Thank you again to everyone who participated in this action. Based on reports we've received thus far, Israel Bonds Divestment Resolutions were brought forward in 30 precinct caucuses around the state! The resolution passed in 70 percent of the caucuses (21 out of 30), 28 of which were Democratic, one of which was Republican, and one of which was Green Party. Many people shared stories about the resolution providing a platform for discussion and education. For example, a member from Brainerd wrote that he was able to speak in favor of the resolution by describing aspects of Israeli apartheid such as the license plates marked for Israeli Road-use only. If you are a delegate who will be bringing the Resolution to the next level, please stay in touch throughout this process and let us know how we can support you! E-mail or call Bill McGrath: billmcgrath52@gmail.com or 507.645.7660. If you have not reported from your precinct caucus, it is never too late! Just e-mail mn@breakthebonds.org.

Tell Judge Marrinan “No Material Support for Oppression” on March 5th

In an attempt to dodge our arguments that Minnesota’s investments in Israel Bonds violate state and international law, the SBI filed a motion to dismiss our complaint based on an alleged lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a claim. This motion will be heard on March 5, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. at the Ramsey County Courthouse (Click here http://bit.ly/Aa8f3A for directions). We need to pack the courtroom so that Judge Marrinan can see the level of support we have in stopping Minnesota from continuing to fund apartheid! 

Israel Bonds Lawsuit to Continue Despite Governor’s Refusal to Divest

Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign (MN BBC), a statewide campaign aimed at stopping Minnesota investment in Israel’s human rights and international law violations, has officially filed its lawsuit against the Minnesota State Board of Investment. This filing comes after Governor Dayton rejected the Campaign’s demand that the SBI divest from in Israel Bonds.