The Madison-Rafah Sister City Project (MRSCP)
Posts
Check Home, Calendar, and Posts
❝Random Quotes❞
Settlements are strategically built colonies of Israel . . . connected by a network of roads, which separate each Palestinian community from the next. ― Occupation 101, 2006
May 16-20, 2021
Virtual Delegation to Lifta: Commemorate the NakbaWith your guide Umar al-Ghubari Eyewitness Palestine To commemorate Nakba Day this year, we will be traveling virtually to Lifta to discuss the wider historical context of the Nakba. The story of Lifta is one example of about 600 Palestinian localities that were captured, and their indigenous residents expelled, during the Nakba (the Catastrophe) in…
May 11, 2021
Virtual Delegation to Mesarvot: Israeli Military RefusersWith your guide Yuval Gal Cohen and our co-sponsors: Refuser Solidarity Network and OBJECTOR Impact Project Eyewitness Palestine Mesarvot is a network of Israeli activists that supports conscientious objectors in their refusal to become soldiers and take part in the occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people. Our goal is to promote a platform for…
Rep. Pocan on Israeli police violence at Sheikh Jarrah
The Israeli police violence against Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah is completely unacceptable. The Israeli military is forcing hundreds of Palestinians out of their homes. US taxpayer dollars should not fund annexation of Palestinian land or destruction of Palestinian homes. https://t.co/PTxcLEoZY4 — Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) May 6, 2021 Israeli forces detain a man after storming…
National Lawyers Guild Urges Biden to Align US Israel-Palestine Policy With International Law
“The United States cannot turn its back on the atrocities, including war crimes, enabled by U.S. policies, particularly its decades long policy of shielding Israel from accountability.” “It has long been obvious to anyone paying attention that U.S. policy on Palestine and Israel does not match its rhetoric nor the ideals that it claims to…
Cornel West on Palestine
Useful Idiots, Apr 30, 2021 Friend-of-show Dr. Cornel West has been in the news a lot of late, and not always in a happy way. At the end of February, the brilliant professor of Philosophy, Divinity, and African-American studies announced he was leaving his longtime employers at Harvard University, and moving back to Union Theological…
May 9, 2021
Virtual Tour of the West BankThese past weeks have brought along a sea of change. Rep. Betty McCollum introduced the most progressive piece of legislation to date on the protection of Palestinian lives, ensuring that US taxpayer funds are not used to further the systems of violence and separation that Israel uses to displace and dispossess Palestinians of their rights,…
Ancestors of Palestinian Liberation
Palestine Advocacy Project has partnered with Anemoia Projects to bring you Ancestors of Palestinian Liberation: an educational resource spotlighting the lives and legacies of Palestinian social, cultural, and political icons who helped propel the struggle for Palestinian liberation forward. Though Palestinian history features countless such individuals, Ancestors of Palestinian Liberation highlights seven, one person for…
Israeli Authorities Close Gaza Sea and Ban Palestinian Fishing
Deterioration of Living Condition For 4860 Fishermen and Workers in Associated Professions Ref: 45/2021 Date: 26 April 2021 Time: 10:30 GMT On Monday, 26 April 2021, Israeli authorities closed Gaza Sea completely and prevented fishermen from sailing and fishing. These Israeli measures are part of the Israeli collective punishment policy practiced against Palestinian civilians in…
Human Rights Watch Documents Israeli Apartheid
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), April 27, 2021 For the past week, the world watched as Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians living in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Over 1500 Palestinians, mostly children, are facing threats of forced displacement and home demolitions by Israeli authorities. For nearly 75 years, this has been the devastating reality for…
Update: Fresh Food for Families in Rafah
Josie Shields-Stromsness, Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) Update for Madison Rafah Sister City Project BACKGROUND The economic situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating dramatically as a result of the continuation of the Israeli occupation and the Israeli blockade. The precautions taken to limit the spread of coronavirus including imposing of lockdowns and curfews have…
BDS VIctory: Pomona College Students Divest from Occupation in Palestine
RE: BDS Victory: ASPC To Divest Funds From Occupation of Palestine Contact: Claremont Students for Justice in Palestine claremontcollegesjp@gmail.com We are pleased to announce that the Associated Students of Pomona College (ASPC) unanimously passed a resolution on Thursday, April 22, 2021 divesting all ASPC funds from companies complicit in the occupation of Palestine, and banning future use…
Hundreds of far-right Israeli activists chant “death to Arabs” in East Jerusalem
Middle East Eye, YouTube, Apr 23, 2021 Hundreds of far-right Israeli activists took to the streets of Jerusalem’s Old City on Thursday night chanting “death to Arabs” and “Arabs get out.” A counter-protest by Palestinians resulted in violent clashes between protesters and Israeli security forces leaving more than 100 Palestinians injured.
I write to remember the brutality of Jewish violence I saw in Jerusalem
There was the Palestinian father who tried to save his daughter from the police, the young Kahanists chanting ‘death to Arabs’ in the streets, the fear I felt when asked if I am a leftist. I write to remember it all. Orly Noy, +972 Magazine, April 24, 2021 Medics treat a Palestinian wounded by Israeli…
Shooting revives criticism of Israel’s use of deadly force
Somaya, the wife of Palestinian Osama Mansour, who was shot to death by Israeli soldiers at a temporary checkpoint in the occupied West Bank earlier this month, holds their 10 year-old twins Nissan, left and Bissan, right, at their family house, in the West Bank village of Biddu, west of Ramallah, Tuesday, April 20, 2021.…
Progressive U.S. Lawmaker: ‘We Need to Be Able to See What’s Happening in Gaza’
Wisconsin Democrat Rep. Mark Pocan tells Americans for Peace Now that Israeli policies funded by U.S. tax dollars form an obstacle to realizing the two-state solution Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) at a conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2017. Credit: CHRISTOPHER ALUKA BERRY/REUTERS Ben Samuels, Haaretz, Apr. 22, 2021 WASHINGTON – Rep. Mark Pocan, one of…
George Floyd on Israel’s Apartheid Wall
The Popular Chorus, June 2, 2020
Help Boost the New Palestine Bill!
This week, Rep. Betty McCollum introduced H.R. 2590, the Palestinian Children and Families Act, a landmark bill that seeks to prohibit our tax dollars being used by Israel to cage Palestinian children, destroy Palestinian homes, and steal Palestinian land. A broad range of more than seventy organizations (see below) have endorsed this bill aiming to…
April 26, 2021: Mar Elias Zoom from West Bank
Pilgrims of Ibillin hosts a Mar Elias Educational Institution Zoom from the West Bank Monday, April 26 12 noon – 1 pm CT Featuring students and teachers from Mar Elias and pictures of past year activities & improvements. More information and registration here. $15 suggested donation.
April 18, 2021
Gather for Gaza: UNRWA Virtual Cooking Event2 pm CT Join UNRWA USA, Mama’s Palestinian Kitchen, and three celebrated culinary artists — Laila El-Haddad (Gaza Mom), Marcelle Afram (Shababi Chicken), and Noor Saif (Because Baking) — for a free cooking demo of Ramadan-inspired drinks, dips and desserts. More info and registration here. All donations go toward providing food relief in Gaza.
April 17 & 24, 2021
“End US Support for Israeli Apartheid?” Parts 1 & 2IsraelApartheidCon • April 17 and 24 at 11AM EDT • Register today! A major Israeli human rights organization has declared apartheid is rampant both inside Israel and in the territories Israel occupies. While Congress wrangled over modest emergency pandemic relief for Americans, the nation of Israel receives $3.8 billion annually—and even more covert aid—with barely…
The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism
Introduction The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism Why the oldest hatred needs a new definition Jewish Voice for Peace Statement Introduction We agree with the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism (JDA) of March 25, 2021, “a tool to identify, confront and raise awareness about antisemitism as it manifests in countries around the world today.” The Declaration…
April 14, 2021
Webinar: The Movement Will Not Be CensoredOn Wednesday, April 14, join us for a powerhouse event on Palestine advocacy and how to push back against attacks on the movement. The panel will feature Sumaya Awad of Adalah Justice Project, Beth Miller of Jewish Voice for Peace Action, and Palestine Legal client and Florida State University student Ahmad Daraldik. Senior staff attorney…
Update: March 16, 2021 Rachel Corrie: Commemorating 18 Years
Madison-Rafah spokesperson starting at 46:23 Updates from the Rachel Corrie Foundation Registration link: http://bit.ly/2MHVjgC Livestream link: https://youtu.be/hybPB0EZARQ Please mark your calendars for this year’s Rachel Corrie Commemoration on Tuesday, March 16, being done in cooperation with the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice in Olympia, WA and featuring speakers from both the US and…
Engaging Palestine and Israel on International Law and Human Rights
The US should oppose unilateral annexations & demolitions. Israel should vaccinate all Palestinians.@RepRashida & I are urging @SecBlinken to center international human rights & law when engaging with Palestine and Israel. We can reverse the harm caused by the Trump admin. https://t.co/IpGcwZ31y5 — Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) March 12, 2021 Thank your member of Congress…
US congresswoman denounces ‘disturbing’ arrests of Palestinian children
Betty McCollum vows to push that US military aid to Israel is not ‘used in any way that violates the rights of any Palestinian’ B’Tselem says Israeli forces arrested five Palestinian children in the West Bank on Wednesday (B’Tselem) Ali Harb, Middle East Eye, 11 March 2021 US Congresswoman Betty McCollum, a Democrat who has…
ICC launches Palestine war crimes probe
Maureen Clare Murphy, Electronic Intifada, 3 March 2021
Dr. Fauci, Please use your Israeli prize money to buy vaccines for Palestine
JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Mondoweiss, MARCH 1, 2021 February 28, 2021 Dear Dr. Fauci, We are writing to you as “fans” of your work. As health professionals, we so often found ourselves appreciative and relieved by your calm steady voice during the Trumpian chaos, bravely, stubbornly standing up for science and public…
The Marketplace is OPEN!
Madison-Rafah Marketplace is OPEN for the International Festival (2/27-3/5) and International Women’s Day (3/6)
Israel should be giving Palestinians vaccines
Palestinian people are living under Israeli occupation. Israel should be giving Palestinian people the vaccines they need, just like they've given them to Israeli people. Giving vaccines to other countries before Palestinians is inhumane.https://t.co/cEbWvOY98L — Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) February 25, 2021
Welcome to the 12th Annual Open Shuhada Street Campaign
On this page, you will find information about the Open Shuhada Street campaign in 2021. Please go to our calendar page for events. Join the international campaign led by local Palestinian volunteers to call for an end to the restrictions in the city of Hebron — call for the reopening of Hebron’s main street, an…
March 10, 2021
Introduction to Palestinian Tatreez Embroidery OnlineFolklore Village, Dodgeville, WI $20.00 An online embroidery workshop with textile artist Wafa Ghnaim Wednesday, March 10 5-7 PM Central Time Hosted over Zoom videoconferencing Register for Online Class Supplies are listed here: https://www.tatreezandtea.com/supplies under “Aida Cloth”. After you pay, you will receive an automated email with all the information you need to get connected…
February 27 – March 5, 2021
International Festival OnlineOpens 10 am Saturday, February 27 The International Festival usually takes place throughout Overture Center. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 International Festival is a virtual event. Shake the February doldrums with a free celebration of our international community in Dane County—all from the comfort of your home. Enjoy cultural arts performances, cooking demonstrations,…
February 21, 2021
Palestine on a Plate!Middle East Children’s Alliance Webinar, 10 am CT Only $10 donation, REGISTER NOW! Join the Middle East Children’s Alliance in this unique opportunity to hear nationally-acclaimed chef/activist REEM ASSIL interview bestselling cookbook author/chef JOUDIE KALLA – a benefit for sending food parcels to Palestine & Lebanon, in response to the COVID-19 crisis. You’ll also get…
The Eighth Circuit’s Narrow Decision About Arkansas BDS
One provision has been invalidated, but the general ban on boycotts of Israel by most state government contractors still stands. Eugene Volokh, Reason, 2.14.2021 An Arkansas statute generally bans the government from contracting with companies that are boycotting Israel. It defines such boycotts as “engaging in refusals to deal, terminating business activities, or other actions…
Egypt ‘indefinitely’ opens Rafah border crossing with Gaza Strip
Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas agree to ‘respect and accept’ upcoming polls at Cairo talks A girl looks on through the window of a vehicle while waiting at the Rafah border crossing’s departure area to travel from the Gaza Strip into Egypt [Said Khatib/AFP] Al Jazeera, 10 Feb 2021 For the first time in years,…
February 10, 2021
Jim Zogby Talks with Human Rights Advocate Issa AmroWednesday, February 10, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m CT In the months we have been gathering weekly for Coffee & a Column, I have welcomed our substantive conversations each week. I’ve also been thinking about how to expand our community and it is with that in mind that I am excited to share…
US Congressman: Respecting Palestinian Rights is Key to Defeating Antisemitism
US Congressman Andy Levin US Congressman Andy Levin has warned that anti-Semitism cannot be properly defeated without addressing Israel’s human rights abuses against Palestinians. Speaking earlier this week during an online discussion hosted by the progressive Jewish movement IfNotNow on how the Biden administration can combat anti-Jewish racism, the Michigan Democrat lawmaker mentioned his long…
February 13, 2021
Love in the Time of Apartheid10:00 am CST How will many Palestinians be spending their Valentine’s Day? For a lot of us in the UK, Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love and romance; to show our affection through gifts, cards, and flowers. Or we may choose to avoid the hyper-consumerism in the Hallmark holiday, shun the ritualistic…
More on Masafer Yatta in the Occupied West Bank
Masafer Yatta: A Palestinian community fighting for survival Masafer Yatta: A Palestinian community under pressure The Israeli army shooting that left Harun Abu Aram paralysed has once again brought to light the difficult living conditions in the West Bank hamlets
Increasingly Bold Israel Begins Building Settlements In Downtown Albuquerque
The Onion, January 27, 2021 ALBUQUERQUE, NM—In a move that shocked and angered city residents, including families that have called the area home for centuries, an increasingly bold Israel announced Tuesday that it had begun building settlements for its citizens in downtown Albuquerque, NM. “Our High Planning Committee has approved 1,200 new Israeli homes in…
Biden should end support for bombing and starvation of Yemen
People run following an explosion at the airport in Aden, Yemen, shortly after a plane carrying the newly formed Cabinet landed on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. No one on board the government plane was hurt but initial reports said several people at the airport were killed. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) Madison-Rafah Sister City Project, The Cap…
UPDATE: Violence and Ethnic Cleansing in South Hebron Hills
One of our members is personally acquainted with these people and provides the following update. Please sign the petition below and consider donating to help both shooting victim Arun Abu Aram and arrested rights activist Sami Huraini. Palestinian human rights activist Sami Huraini was arrested by Israeli forces during a pre-dawn raid on his home…
About Suffering: A Massacre of the Innocents in Yemen
The United States is contributing to the violent attacks on Yemen, while cutting back its humanitarian relief efforts. Bruegel the Elder’s “Massacre of the Innocents” Kathy Kelly, The Progressive, January 19, 2021 In 1565, Pieter Bruegel the Elder created The Massacre of the Innocents, a provocative masterpiece of religious art. The painting reworks a biblical…
January 21, 2021
Calling the Thing by its Proper NameThe Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP) invites you to attend “Apartheid” Between the Jordan River & the Mediterranean Sea Thursday, January 21st 1:30-3:00pm EST featuring Hagai El-Ad (B’Tselem) Nathan Thrall (Author, journalist) Sawsan Zaher (Adalah Legal Center for Minority Rights in Israel) with Lara Friedman (Foundation for Middle East Peace) RSVP here It has…
This Is Apartheid
B’Tselem, 12 January 2021 More than 14 million people, roughly half of them Jews and the other half Palestinians, live between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea under a single rule. The common perception in public, political, legal and media discourse is that two separate regimes operate side by side in this area, separated…
Introduction to Palestinian Tatreez Embroidery
Folklore Village, January 13, 2021 An online embroidery workshop with textile artist Wafa Ghnaim Wednesday, March 10 5-7 PM CST Hosted over Zoom videoconferencing More information
Free Sami Huraini
Palestine Partners started this petition to United Nations Secretary General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’. Palestinian human rights activist Sami Huraini was arrested by Israeli forces during a pre-dawn raid on his home in the West Bank village of At-Tuwani on January 9. The arrest occurred just hours after…
The village where Palestinians are rendered completely powerless
Help Harun Abu Aram Heal Rebuilding Alliance is organizing this fundraiser and will be working with the family to meet their needs. They are a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to realize a just and enduring peace in Palestine and Israel founded upon equal rights, equal security, and equal opportunity for all. Harun Abu…
