Administrative Manager Needed
Holding Israel Accountable: Remembering Rachel Corrie. A Zoom Webinar.
How do we hold Israel accountable for decades of oppression, displacement, land theft, occupation and loss? At this moment, what are the avenues for seeking peace with justice for Palestinians and Israelis? Five guests, representing many years of experience with this issue, share their work and current perspectives.
Guest Speakers:
Amnesty International recently published a report calling “Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians a cruel system of domination and a crime against humanity.” Rachel Corrie Foundation March 16th observances are about education, community building, and action. There is work for us all to do – locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. With perspectives as Palestinians in the diaspora, representatives of solidarity organizations, and scholars, our guest speakers helped those of us at the grassroots level think how to effectively challenge Israel’s apartheid system and crimes against humanity that Amnesty International, other human and legal rights organizations, the Palestinian people, and Israeli activists have called out.
Donations to the Rachel Corrie Foundation on March 16th will benefit the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme.
Rachel Corrie
Born and raised in Olympia, Washington, human rights activist and observer Rachel Corrie went to Gaza in 2003 with the International Solidarity Movement, a Palestinian-led movement committed to resisting the long-entrenched and systematic oppression and dispossession of the Palestinian population, using non-violent, direct-action methods and principles. While standing in front of a home threatened with demolition by the Israeli military, Rachel was killed when run over by an armored Caterpillar D9R bulldozer operated by two Israeli soldiers. With annual March 16th remembrances, we at the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice seek to bring attention to the loss of lives, lands, freedoms, and opportunities that have continued since Rachel’s stand in Gaza in 2003 and to build and strengthen the community of constructive, nonviolent resisters of which she was a part.
Madison-Rafah Sister City Project
We were delighted to again co-host our March 16th observance with friends at the Madison-Rafah Sister City Project. MRSCP was founded in 2003 by concerned citizens in Madison, Wisconsin, to forge person-to-person relationships with Rafah, Palestine, to increase public awareness of the Israeli-Palestinian issue, and to influence public policy for the benefit of both peoples. Until COVID-19, MRSCP annually hosted an in-person Rachel Corrie commemorative event in Madison. Visit the Madison-Rafah Sister City website to learn more about their work.
Co-sponsors
We are grateful for the support of the following partners who helped with technical support and getting the word out!
Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights http://www.auphr.org/
Bright Stars of Bethlehem-Madison brightstarsbethlehem.com
Bishop’s Committee for Justice and Peace in the Holy Land https://holylandjustice.org/bishops-committee/
Center for Constitutional Rights https://ccrjustice.org/
Task Force for Palestinian Human Rights, Episcopal Diocese of Oregon https://diocese-oregon.org/
Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) https://www.fosna.org/
The Gaza Mental Health Foundation https://www.gazamentalhealth.org/
Jewish Voice for Peace – Madison https://www.facebook.com/jvpmadison/
Jewish Voice for Peace-Tacoma https://www.facebook.com/Tacoma.JVP/
Jewish Voice for Peace – Seattle https://www.facebook.com/JVPSeattle/
Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace (PCAP) www.pcap-us.org
Students for Justice in Palestine at UW-Madison https://www.facebook.com/SJPatUW/
Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights – University of Washington (SUPER-UW) https://www.facebook.com/SuperUw/
Tree of Life – West Coast
US Palestinian Community Network https://uspcn.org
Whatcom Peace and Justice Center https://www.whatcompjc.org/
March 16, 2022 Holding Israel Accountable Zoom Event CHAT
00:50:35 Sallie Shawl: Welcome. We will begin at 2 minutes past the hour.
00:51:19 Sallie Shawl: This music comes from the Palestinian Cultural Palace in Gaza, one of the programs in Gaza solely supported by the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace & Justice. The song is Dam Dam Tak by Issa Hossam.
00:51:38 Sallie Shawl: Photo on the Mediterranean beach is from the opening ceremony last December in Gaza of the Rachel Corrie Tournament for Athletes With Disabilities, a program solely supported by the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace & Justice
00:53:25 Sallie Shawl: Welcome. We will begin at 2 minutes past the hour.
00:56:03 Sallie Shawl: The chat is disabled for attendees, but we’ll be posting messages throughout the webinar. We will send chat and recording links to all registrants in a few days.
00:57:47 Sallie Shawl: To learn more about Rachel Corrie: https://rachelcorriefoundation.org/rachel
00:59:07 Sallie Shawl: TO DONATE to Gaza Community Mental Health Programme: https://rachelcorriefoundation.networkforgood.com/
01:00:33 Sallie Shawl: To learn more about Omar As’ad:
AND
AND
01:03:41 Sallie Shawl: To learn more about Suleiman al-Hathaleen: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/1/23/suleiman-hathaleen
AND: https://mondoweiss.net/tag/suleiman-al-hathalin/
01:07:09 Sallie Shawl: Resources from sponsors and panelists, including panelist bios and the articles and books referenced by panelists can be found here (a living, ever-growing site):
https://linktr.ee/rachelcorriefoundation2022
01:08:09 Sallie Shawl: Institute for Policy Studies:
01:13:23 Sallie Shawl: Amnesty International Report titled “Israel’s Apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime against Humanity:”
01:14:35 Sallie Shawl: AND Phyllis Bennis article analyzing the significance of that report:
01:15:16 Sallie Shawl: https://bdsmovement.net/
01:15:46 Sallie Shawl: Settler Colonialism and the Elimination of the Native:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14623520601056240
01:17:49 Sallie Shawl: People of conscience: Palestinians ask you to boycott Israel: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/19/boycott-divest-sanction-the-israeli-state
01:22:53 Sallie Shawl: The façade of the ‘international rules-based order’ has been exposed: https://mondoweiss.net/2022/03/the-facade-of-the-international-rules-based-order-has-been-exposed/
01:23:46 Sallie Shawl: Chat is disabled for attendees. Please put any questions you have into the Q&A.
01:25:30 Sallie Shawl: Center For Constitutional Rights (CCR) page with links to all their work related to Palestine:
https://ccrjustice.org/search/site/palestine
01:38:38 Sallie Shawl: Resources from sponsors and panelists, including panelist bios and the articles and books referenced by them, can be found here (a living, ever-growing site):
https://linktr.ee/rachelcorriefoundation2022
01:39:27 Sallie Shawl: Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU):
01:42:42 Sallie Shawl: Article by Josh Ruebner: https://imeu.org/article/imeu-policy-analysis-4-why-israel-must-be-held-accountable-for-policies-tow
01:50:04 Sallie Shawl: Arab American Action Network:
01:50:37 Sallie Shawl: U.S. Palestinian Community Network:
01:58:19 Sallie Shawl: HR 2590 and other resources from sponsors and panelists, including panelist bios and the articles and books referenced by panelists can be found here (a living, ever-growing site):
https://linktr.ee/rachelcorriefoundation2022
02:03:21 Sallie Shawl: TO DONATE to Gaza Community Mental Health: https://rachelcorriefoundation.networkforgood.com/
02:23:10 Sallie Shawl: Click HERE TO DONATE to Gaza Community Mental Health: https://rachelcorriefoundation.networkforgood.com/
02:24:50 Sallie Shawl: Thanks for coming!
02:25:27 Sallie Shawl: Resources from sponsors and panelists, including panelist bios and the articles and books referenced by panelists can be found here (a living, ever-growing site):
https://linktr.ee/rachelcorriefoundation2022
Phyllis Bennis Speaking on “Understanding ISIS and the New Global War on Terror” in Bellingham, Seattle, and Olympia
In a series of talks in the Pacific Northwest, Phyllis Bennis will discuss the intersecting crises of terrorism, war, and refugees, along with the failure of US military strategy, the reasons for Obama’s edition of the ‘global war on terror,’ the origins of ISIS and links to the Iraq war, and what US policy should be in regards to Syria & ISIS.
Phyllis Bennis is a Fellow of the Institute for Policy Studies and of the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam. She writes and speaks widely on US wars and foreign policy and is the author of numerous books including: Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict and Before & After: US Foreign Policy and the War on Terror. She plays a leading role in US and global movements against wars and occupation.
SPEAKING SCHEDULE:
February 2, 2016 — Seattle Town Hall; Seattle, WA
7:30 PM at Downstairs at Town Hall (1119 Eighth Avenue; Enter on Seneca Street)
February 3, 2016 — Bellingham, WA
12:00 PM – Fairhaven College Auditorium at Western Washington University (516 High Street)
3:00 PM – Sure Auditorium at Whatcom Community College (237 W. Kellogg Road)
7:00 PM – Village Books for the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center (1200 11th Street)
February 4, 2016 — The Evergreen State College; Olympia, WA
12:00 PM in the Library Building Lobby (2700 Evergreen Parkway NW)
May 3 — Peace Works 2016: The Inaugural Rachel Corrie Memorial Lecture featuring Ilan Pappé
The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace & Justice Presents Peace Works 2016
The Inaugural
Rachel Corrie Memorial Lecture
Featuring world-renowned historian & activist
Ilan Pappé
“Why is Palestine Still the Issue?”
May 3, 2016 — 6:30 PM
The Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at
The Evergreen State College
This event is free and open to the public, but you must RSVP to reserve a seat. Click here to reserve your spot today!
Co-Sponsored By:
ReInterpreting Liberation: Third World Movements and Migrations*; U.S. Foreign Policy & The Roots of Terrorism*; Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights; Creative Solutions: Activism, Advocacy and Self-Determination in Indian Country*; A New Middle East?: Diagrams, Diagnosis, and Power*; Americans Committed to Justice and Truth; Jewish Voice for Peace – Portland; Rebuilding Alliance; Diversity, Multiculturalism and Public Education*; Political Economy and Social Movements: Race, Class, and Gender*; Tree of Life Educational Fund; Northfielders for Justice in Palestine; Al-Shabaka, The Palestinian Policy Network; Jewish Voice for Peace – Tacoma; G.I. Voice
* – Evergreen State College Program
We need your help! We welcome cosponsors who want to be a part of spearheading this inaugural Rachel Corrie Memorial Lecture and to ensure that it is a success for years to come. Your support will provide for the staffing and organization, the promotion, and the realization of this first and future event. You will help make possible the much needed conversations that this new project will provide. Can you help us? We would love to include you, your organization, or your business as a cosponsor for 2016 Peace Works and for its launch of the Rachel Corrie Memorial Lecture!
Donation levels begin at $50.
Simply fill out the Peace Works 2016 – Cosponsorship Support Form OR go to our online Co-sponsorship page and let us know how you can contribute, so we can proceed confidently, knowing you are with us!
Questions? Feel free to contact us by email or call (360) 754-3998.
2015 Accomplishments
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your support in 2015! With every newsletter read, every message and idea sent our way, every event attended, and every dollar contributed, you’ve provided the encouragement we and our small but determined Rachel Corrie Foundation staff and numerous volunteers have needed to do this work. For a long while, we have been inspired by our Palestinian friends who have taught us about “sumud” – steadfastness. During a year when news from the Middle East and beyond has so often been devastating, you’ve lifted us up, sustained our efforts, and encouraged our “sumud.”
Together, we are making a difference. The discourse on Israel/Palestine is changing here in the U.S. and you have helped make that happen. With partner organizations, we are bringing the issues before members of Congress, and are bringing to the U.S. and our region the voices of Palestinians and Jewish Israelis who seek a just peace. You are making a difference for American and Palestinian students at The Evergreen State College and at Birzeit University in the West Bank, and for those with learning disabilities in Gaza. Despite the terrible repercussions of the 2014 Israeli assault on Gaza and the stranglehold that the siege imposes, you are standing with the people there through support for our emergency relief projects, sport initiatives, and the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme.
Challenges in the year ahead loom large. As we write this letter, Paris has just been attacked and political leaders are calling for revenge and more violence. There is little discussion of how our actions in the Middle East contribute to the outrage, and what to do about that. Here in our own community ofOlympia, Washington, we continue to grapple with the police shootings of two young black men earlier this year, resulting in one being paralyzed.
- There is ever more reason for our work within an anti-racist framework.
- There is ever more reason for the Rachel Corrie Foundation’s local, national, and international efforts that make the connections, foster appreciation for differences, and support grassroots action for universal human rights.
We will continue to do this work with our daughter Rachel in mind. In an email from Gaza, she wrote,
“The international media and our government are not going to tell us that we are effective, important, justified in our work, courageous, intelligent, valuable. We have to do that for each other, and one way we can do that is by continuing our work, visibly.”
As we bring the curtain down on 2015 and embark on a new year, please do what you can to lend a hand. Help us at the Rachel Corrie Foundation to continue our work “visibly.” Your interest, your participation, and your financial support in any amount will again provide the encouragement we need to address the daunting challenges before us. What will you do to help?
With respect and appreciation,
Cindy and Craig Corrie
