raising our voices for PALESTINE

 The Palestinian struggle for freedom has been ongoing for decades.

Here is a photo of mine I took in 2017, in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, UK:

This is one I took last night:

 

IT'S FREE PALESTINE UNTIL PALESTINE IS FREE!

The most recent outburst following the unlawful eviction of innocent civilians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah, sparked international outcry.

On May 15th I attended my first rally/protest, in Doha, as millions of people around the world gathered in major cities to do the very same - stand up in solidarity with the Palestinians and fight against their unlawful oppression.

There are so many resources at our very fingertips now, thanks to the internet - and as much of that information may be biased, many of it also is not.

Books are a better resource but they may not be as accessible to everybody; videos are perhaps quicker to get through and easier for people to understand. 

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Hence, I have compiled a youtube playlist that is linked below:

• link to youtube playlist 

It contains a variety of videos which may be helpful in understanding the situation from a range of perspectives, such as the history & background, the current state of events as well as opinions of those whom this 'conflict'* directly affects. 

* I put the word 'conflict' in quotes as many would argue that the situation going on in Palestine is not a conflict, but rather systematic oppression and genocide.

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Jewish Voice for Peace {JVP} says that 95% of the population in Gaza lack direct access to clean water, while the hospitals/clinics lack 42% of essential drugs and medicines.

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There is also the BDS movement [Boycott, Divest, Sanction] linked here who are working to "end international support for Israel's occupation of Palestine and pressure Israel to comply with international law".

"BDS upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity."

They have a list of brands/companies which have large ties to Israel, or their headquarters/offices are located in Israel, and in which targeted consumer boycotts can help convince retailers to stop selling products from companies that profit from Israels crimes.

These include, but are not limited to:

• PUMA [sponsors the Israel Football association, which includes teams in illegal settlements of Palestinian land]
• Pillsbury (baked goods) - owned by General Mills [exploitation of Palestinian land, water + resources, displacing local Palestinian lives & land].

-> link to an article written by Charlie Pillsbury, condemning his own family company.

• NESTLE products - huge shares in Osem Investments 
• JCB tractors [use of its tractors to destroy Palestinian homes]
• HP [helps run the ID system that Israel uses to restrict Palestinian movement] 
• Ahava (cosmetics)
• Soda Stream (home drinks machines)
• Sabra humous {STRAUSS group - provides financial support to the IDF}
• Caterpillar [sell bulldozers to Israeli military]
• Wix (website builder)
• il Makiage (makeup brand)
• Israeli dates - approx. 40% are grown in illegal settlements & Israeli settlers bring in low-paid Palestinian labourers to work (also known to employ Palestinian children).
• Delilah
• Jordan River
• King Solomon
• Galilee Export
• Agrifood Marketing - Star Dates
• Mehadrin
• Hadiklaim
• Carmel Agrexco
• Viber - calling app
• Waze - israeli GPS app
• eToro - social trading app
• TalkSpace - therapist app
• SanDisk
• Intel - supplies Lenovo, HP, Dell
• Airbnb
• Expedia
• TripAdvisor
• Bookings.com
• Motorola [surveillance of Palestinians]
• 
  
• Everysight (cycling glasses) - owned by Elbit Systems, Israels largest military company.

Elbit Systems has produced the chemical white phosphorus, which is banned under international law for use in civilian areas. 

Israel has been criticised on its use of white phosphorus during attacks on Palestinians.

BANKS:

It was found in a report by War on Want in 2017, that UK banks and financial institutions hold billions of pounds worth of shares in companies that sell weapons, military equipment and technology to Israel. 

• Barclays 
• £41.1 billion in value of loans provided to relevant companies
• £1167 million shareholdings in relevant companies
• HSBC
• £19.3 billion in value of loans provided to relevant companies
• £832 million shareholdings in relevant companies
• Lloyds Bank
• £43.2 billion in value of loans provided to relevant companies
• Aviva
• £801 million shareholdings in relevant companies
• RBS
• Standard Life
• Legan & General

The Co-op Bank is named as one major UK bank not connected to arms sales to Israel either through shareholdings or financing.