The Madison-Rafah Sister City Project (MRSCP)
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May 15, 2025
❝Random Quotes❞
Of the 500 Palestinian villages in what became Israel in 1948, 400 were destroyed. ― Rashid Khalidi, Columbia University historian, Occupation 101, 2006
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.…
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…
The Popular Chorus, June 2, 2020
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…
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.
2 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.
IsraelApartheidCon • 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…
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…
On 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Madison-Rafah Marketplace is OPEN for the International Festival (2/27-3/5) and International Women’s Day (3/6)
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
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…
Folklore 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…
Opens 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,…
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…
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…
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,…
Wednesday, 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 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…
10:00 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…
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
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…
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…
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…
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…
The 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…
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…
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
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…
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…
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. Hamed Qawasmeh,…
Criticism of Israel is not antisemitism Grave implications for free speech, distracts from actual racism UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN. (INSTAGRAM) OPEN LETTER, Mondoweiss, DECEMBER 23, 2020 As faculty and staff within the University of Illinois system, we are writing to renew our outrage at the rampant anti-Semitism and racism at the University of Illinois…
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, December 27, 2020 Three Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded and many civilian buildings were damaged due to IOF air strikes in a densely populated area in Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City. According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately 00:40 on…
As 2020 comes to a close, we are writing to ask for your end-of-year contribution to two great efforts: one for Rafah and the other right here in Dane County. RAFAH The economic situation in the Gaza Strip was already terrible due to the Israeli occupation and blockade. Lockdowns, curfews and other measures taken to…
BLACK LIVES MATTER RESOURCES MRSCP supports the Black Lives Matter movement, both because of its inherent demand for justice and also because of the similarities between how the U.S. treats its citizens of color and how Israel treats Palestinians whether they are citizens of Israel, residents of Gaza and the West Bank, or refugees in…
More Info & Registration
Establish Sisterhood Cities Between Dayton, OH and Salfit, Palestine While they have been focusing on local support in Dayton, they are now also looking for wider support in the U.S. Please sign and circulate the petition broadly.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu make a joint statement after meeting in Jerusalem, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, Pool) Tsela Barr and Jeff Spitzer-Resnick, The Cap Times, Dec 4, 2020 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in another lame-duck effort to tie the hands of the…
Please thank Rep. Pocan for participating in the town hall and for being a champion for Palestinian rights. His DC office line is (202) 225-2906. The town hall was an amazing event that you don’t want to miss. The situation for Palestinians is so dire in so many ways, and hearing their stories directly should…
Dear Friends, Last year at this time my friend Laila was visiting the US, bringing the fabulously beautiful hand embroidered work of Women in Hebron to Fair Trade holiday craft shows and church basements and the homes of friends. Laila can’t travel here from Palestine now, and the cooperative can no longer sell their work…
This week Pompeo broke with longstanding U.S. policy and visited illegal Israeli settlements. On his trip, he made several announcements, including that the State Department is designating BDS as antisemitic and calling for the U.S. Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism to create what is essentially a blacklist of organizations that support BDS. We will…
Over 50 progressive organizations endorse Rep. Joaquin Castro for Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC). At the end of November, Democratic House members will vote on who takes leadership of this important committee. HFAC makes decisions on arms control and disarmament issues, international funding and aid, deployment and use of armed forces, drug…
Well, this is interesting. From State's readout on @SecPompeo visit to a settlement in occupied West Bank: "The Secretary’s visit highlights US government support of Israeli businesses in the West Bank to operate free from international sanctions as part of the Pompeo Doctrine" — Nick Schifrin (@nickschifrin) November 19, 2020