June 5-7 events
We invite you to take part in the following Voices for Mid-East Justice events at the Convergence NW Conference:
June 5th, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm:
Sidewalk signs at the Vancouver Hilton during the 11:30 am to 1:00 pm lunch and registration. Some signs provided.
All signs should emphasize human rights and/or international law and/or ending the occupation and/or respect for all faiths.
June 6th, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, while Netanyahu is speaking:
A memorial vigil for Israeli and Palestinian children killed since 2002, at the Esther Short Park bell tower. Dark clothing suggested.
June 7th, 7:30 -11:00 am:
Signs in Esther Short Park, south end with visibility before and after the 8:00 am press conference.
Location:
The Vancouver Hilton and Conference Center is located at Columbia and Sixth streets in southwest Vancouver. Esther Short Park is across the
street north of the Hilton.
Why these actions? This conference is an extreme right wing pro-Israel conference seeking unquestioned support by the US on the presumption that all Israeli and US interests converge. This conference is presenting only the most extremist and militarist voices from Israel, and not the voices for peace of that country. The goals stated in the conference website are to shape the opinions of religious leaders and to influence our federal government with these extreme views.
Our actions and events are planned to be non-violent and respectful. We urge all participants to avoid arguments, shouting and other unpleasant behaviors. All signs should be positive without comments about individuals. We hope to provide attendees and the public in general with vital but missing parts to the picture that will likely be painted at the conference.
Voices for Mid-East Justice is an ad hoc group brought together to speak the truth about this conference.Friends, please consider endorsing our actions:
Voices for Middle East Justice is a coalition of individuals who advocate for a just peace between Palestinians and Israelis based on equality, human rights, and international law, and who oppose and reprove any efforts to influence United States public policy that deny or ignore the disproportionate violence that Israelis inflict upon Palestinians.
We will peacefully counter the Convergence Northwest 2007 conference in Vancouver, WA. Conference organizers plan a two day meeting in June merging US, Israel and terrorism political agendas, and featuring Israeli Knesset speakers from the Likud party, including Netanyahu. The Likud platform states that there shall be no Palestinian state within historic Palestine and that the land and settlements are the Jewish peoples’ “unquestionable right.”
This conference is presenting only the most extremist and militarist voices in Israel, and not the voices of peace in that country. In seeking to shape the opinions of religious leaders and influence our federal government (the stated goals of the conference) with these extreme views, the conference is contrary to our foreign policy needs in the world today and the desperate need for peace in the Middle East. We hope to provide attendees and the public in general with vital but missing parts to the picture that will likely be painted at the conference: the biographies of these speakers and the extremist roles they play in Israeli society and politics.
Endorsed by:
Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights, Friends of Sabeel – North America, 40/60 Committee of AUPHR, Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project, Olympia Friends Meeting (Quakers), Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace & Justice, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, West Hills Friends Peace Committee, Vancouver for Peace, Jews for Global Justice, Portland Peaceful Response Coalition, Veterans for Peace Chapter 72, Lutherans for Justice in the Holy Land – A Witness of Central Lutheran Church, Portland.
Voices for Mid East Justice
We believe:
…that Israel is one nation among the family of nations of the world.
…that Israel has the same rights to safety and security within its borders as any other nation of the world.
…that Israel has the same responsibilities to live at peace within its borders as every other nation of the world.
…that Israel has the same responsibilities to live within the requirements of the international treaties and agreements that it has signed onto as all the other nations that have signed onto these documents.
…that failure on the part of any nation to uphold these agreements contributes to strife and violence, and diminishes the possibilities for peace.
…that oppression and domination are not the ways to peace; justice is.
…that no party or interest group represents all of Israel national interests any more than any one party or interest group represents the interests of the United States.
…that within Israel there is a great range of opinions and positions on every subject of national importance.
…that different groups in the United States that support Israel reflect the same diversity of opinion and concern that is found in Israel.
…that, apart from the government ministries, any group that purports to be the true representative of Israel’s concerns to the United States, is promoting its own interests more than working for the good of Israel.
Expectations for Participants
Voices for Middle East Justice invites all who are concerned for justice and peace in Israel-Palestine to join with us in protest at the Convergence NW conference June 5-7 in Vancouver, Washington. However, we wish to model peace and non-violence in our protest and so we present the following expectations for all who are taking part with our group.
We will seek to represent our beliefs and cause in the best possible light.
Each one will maintain his or her own dignity at all times and respond to everyone we meet with respect and compassion.
We will bring positive regard for the humanity of all, including those whose views or actions we disagree with.
We will not obstruct the ability of attendees to enter the conference site.
Any signs displayed should be positive, focusing on international law and responsibilities, justice, and the things that make for peace in content and in language.
Should there be counter protestors, we will not engage them in argument or other contentious activity.
At vigils or protests that are announced as silent, we expect all who are standing with us to honor the silence.
For events that are not silent, our expectations are that:
We will not engage in verbal violence such as screaming, swearing, or attacks on anyone’s character or identity.
We will make every attempt to communicate nonviolently with calm, reason and openness, or to be silent.
Contact us: VoicesforMEJ@aol.com
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Security for Israel; Justice for the Palestinians; and Peace for the Middle East.
Related posts:
You guys should try to get Thom Hartmann to endorse your action. He’s a friend of Israel, but he’s also understanding about the damage occupation has done to Israel and to Palestine. It might help to have him do a plug on the air, or even to speak at the event.
Try calling in before the event to talk about it with him.
I spoke with The Columbian reporter Don Hamilton on June 4, 2007, concerning his front page article on this Conference. He noted that it was essentially an anti-Islamofascist convention to promote “the Greater Israel” perspective on Palestinian territories. He wondered who was funding it.
Regards,
Bob Hougland