Petition Tag - palestine

Why This Is Important

Aaron (Haroun) Ara was denied refuge for the second time in June 2011. He is one of nearly 750 Palestinian refugees whose asylum applications have been rejected by Norwegian authorities during the last two years. Previously, nearly all Palestinian refugees were granted residence in Norway, but in 2009 this changed dramatically.

For the first time in history, Norwegian authorities changed the terms of immigration targeting a specific group of refugees whose homeland situation had not changed. In addition, the current policy clearly opposes the recommendations of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Why Aaron?
Aaron is a Palestinian refugee who has been refused asylum. During the intifada, he understood that the violent struggle does not lead to anything. So he focused on cultural resistance and knowledge. He worked as a radio host and took an acting education. He criticized, among other things, the Palestinian regime, and do not want people to be divided into two states that sorts people according to culture and religion. He wants a peaceful one state solution, which creates an open society for all.

This fight was not well received, and Aaron's teacher at drama school was among other things, killed by masked men. Aaron fears that he is being persecuted and killed, if he goes back to Palestine.

The Norwegian government believes that despite everything that Palestine is a safe place for Aaron, while Norwegian discourage tourists from traveling there (http://www.norway.org.ps/Norsk/Reiserad/). This is a paradox. In essence, is Aaron a human like us. He is fighting for the same things as us, he is concerned with culture, knowledge and peace. What separates him from us, is that he was born the "wrong" countries - and thus not entitled to the same safety every Norwegian has.

I believe this is a good example we can use. Aaron is a person that people can relate to.

Follow us in Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/groups/231888023525626/

View petition

The Palestinian people need our unconditional support. If you visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_State, you can find many countries and people are ready to declare their support for a Palestinian State.

View petition

Dear Mauritians

In view of the proposal for Palestine to obtain membership in the United Nations and hence be fully recognized as an independent state, we are circulating this petition to every Mauritians, be it the young as well as the elder people. We do, hereby, humbly request you to fill in your required details and by the beginning of next week; we will send it to the US Embassy of Mauritius, with a letter attached.

We wish to inform you that we are not affiliated to any political parties. We are doing this solely because these people are living as strangers in their own land. Our aim is to create awareness and despite being far from them, we are doing what we can for them. The way they are being treated is really inhuman when in fact, they are human beings like anyone of us and they have their rights as free people.

We take this opportunity to thank you all very much in anticipation for your participation.

Regards
Century Welfare Association Youth Wing

View petition

NUS must support ending the occupation of Palestine.

View petition

Israeli Occupational Force are not only torturing Palestine's Children, but sexually abusing and molesting those children, who are in their custody.

Over 7,000 children had been arrested since September 2000, the beginning of the second Intifada. Some children as young as 10 are treated as harshly as adults, in violation of international law requiring special treatment for children.

Each year approximately 700 Palestinian children, some as young as 12 years, are detained and prosecuted in the Israeli military court system. The most common charge is for throwing stones. The overwhelming majority of these children are detained inside Israel in contravention of Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Please watch:
Stolen Children, Stolen Lives part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zaeERjVReE&feature=BFa&list=ULuma1ELkEOL0&index=1
Stolen Children, Stolen Lives part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9mDscNEws4&feature=related

UNICEF: Convention on the Rights of the Child
The articles of the Convention may be grouped into four categories of rights and a set of guiding principles:

1. Guiding principles (http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Guiding_Principles.pdf): The guiding principles of the Convention include non-discrimination; adherence to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and the right to participate. They represent the underlying requirements for any and all rights to be realized.

2. Survival and development rights (http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Survival_Development.pdf): These are rights to the resources, skills and contributions necessary for the survival and full development of the child. They include rights to adequate food, shelter, clean water, formal education, primary health care, leisure and recreation, cultural activities and information about their rights. These rights require not only the existence of the means to fulfil the rights but also access to them. Specific articles address the needs of child refugees, children with disabilities and children of minority or indigenous groups.

3. Protection rights (http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Protection_list.pdf): These rights include protection from all forms of child abuse, neglect, exploitation and cruelty, including the right to special protection in times of war and protection from abuse in the criminal justice system.

4. Participation rights (http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Participation.pdf): Children are entitled to the freedom to express opinions and to have a say in matters affecting their social, economic, religious, cultural and political life. Participation rights include the right to express opinions and be heard, the right to information and freedom of association. Engaging these rights as they mature helps children bring about the realization of all their rights and prepares them for an active role in society.

The Israeli Occupational Force have broken and abused every principle of human rights in respect to the children of Palestine.

View petition

Από την νύχτα της Κυριακής προς Δευτέρα 31 Μαΐου 2010, όταν οι ισραηλινές ειδικές ναυτικές δυνάμεις επιτέθηκαν σε διεθνή ύδατα (80 μίλια από τις ακτές του Ισραήλ) στον πολυεθνικό στολίσκο «Freedom Flotilla», σκοτώνοντας 9 συνανθρώπους μας, τραυματίζοντας βαριά δεκάδες άλλους, οδηγώντας στην συνέχεια το σύνολο των συλληφθέντων σε ισραηλινές φυλακές, πέρασε σχεδόν ένας χρόνος.

Οι 38 Έλληνες της Πρωτοβουλίας «Ένα Καράβι για τη Γάζα» που συμμετείχαν στην διεθνή αυτή αποστολή -την δεύτερη σε αριθμό επιβαινόντων αντιπροσωπεία- συνελήφθησαν, κάποιοι υπέστησαν σοβαρούς τραυματισμούς, τα υπάρχοντά τους κλάπηκαν, ενώ τα 2 ελληνικά πλοία της αποστολής, σε αντίθεση με τα τουρκικά πλοία που αποδεσμεύθηκαν σε τρεις μόλις μήνες μετά το πειρατικό συμβάν, βρίσκονται ακόμα, υπό ισραηλινή κατοχή στο λιμάνι της Χάιφας.

Σε όλο τον κόσμο ξέσπασαν τότε ισχυρές αντιδράσεις και κινητοποιήσεις καταγγελίας που οδήγησαν το Ισραήλ σε σχετική απομόνωση και –πρόσκαιρη έστω- διπλωματική αναδίπλωση. Η απόφαση του Δικαστηρίου Ανθρώπινων δικαιωμάτων του ΟΗΕ, που ορίσθηκε από το Συμβούλιο Ασφαλείας, υπήρξε αποκαλυπτική σε ότι αφορά την χρήση άμετρης και αναίτιας βίας.

Οι περισσότερες αποφάσεις των διεθνών οργανισμών ζητούσαν τότε και την άρση του αποκλεισμού της Γάζας ενώ παράλληλα, ορισμένοι από αυτούς, εκπονούσαν σχέδια για την υλοποίησή του. Όμως, και σε αυτή την περίπτωση, δεν έγινε δυνατό να διασφαλιστεί η εφαρμογή των ευνοϊκών για τα στοιχειώδη δικαιώματα και τις βιοτικές ανάγκες του παλαιστινιακού λαού αποφάσεων.

Όμως η Μέση Ανατολή σήμερα αλλάζει. Όποια κι’ αν είναι η εξέλιξη, όποια κι’ αν είναι η νέα γεωπολιτική μορφολογία η πορεία των ανθρώπων της περιοχής προς την χειραφέτησή τους είναι βέβαιο ότι συντελείται. Τα ολιγαρχικά αυταρχικά καθεστώτα που μακροημέρευσαν, στηριζόμενα στην πολύτροπη συνεργασία και συνενοχή των καθ’ ημάς επαιρόμενων για την πολιτική και κοινωνική τους δημοκρατία κρατών, καταρρέουν.

Η Ελληνική Πρωτοβουλία «Ένα Καράβι για τη Γάζα», γενεσιουργός συνιστώσα του κινήματος για το σπάσιμο της 43χρονης πολιορκίας, συμμετέχει και πάλι με τρόπο καθοριστικό στην νέα διεθνή πρωτοβουλία «Freedom Flotilla - Stay Human» στο πλαίσιο μιας νέας, ευρύτερης, ριζικά αναβαθμισμένης, διεθνούς αποστολής.

Πρωτοβουλία «Ένα Καράβι για τη Γάζα» Αθήνα 18 Μάη 2011

Γραφεία: Νοταρά 6, Εξάρχεια – Αθήνα
Τηλ: 210-3800933
Ε: office@shiptogaza.gr
W: www.shiptogaza.gr
W: www.freedomflotilla.eu

View petition

Since 1948, Israel has denied Palestinians their fundamental rights of freedom, equality, and self-determination through ethnic cleansing, colonization, racial discrimination, and military occupation. Despite abundant condemnation of Israeli policies by the UN, other international bodies, and preeminent human rights organisations, the world community has failed to hold Israel accountable and enforce compliance with basic principles of law. Israel’s crimes have continued with impunity.

In view of this continued failure, Palestinian civil society called for a global citizens’ response. On July 9 2005, a year after the International Court of Justice’s historic advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel’s Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), a clear majority of Palestinian civil society called upon their counterparts and people of conscience all over the world to launch broad boycotts, implement divestment initiatives, and to demand sanctions against Israel, until Palestinian rights are recognised in full compliance with international law.

As a result of Israel’s war in Gaza, with its death toll of over 1,300 Palestinians and allegations of multiple war crimes, there has been a large upsurge in support for the already growing global campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it fully complies with its obligations under international law and recognises the fundamental human rights of Palestinians.

The BDS campaign has been endorsed by over 170 Palestinian political parties, organizations, trade unions and movements. The signatories represent the refugees, Palestinians in the OPT, and Palestinian citizens of Israel. It is worth noting that a boycott is also supported by many Israeli citizens and Jewish organizations including European Jews for a Just Peace, Breaking the Law of Return (consisting of over 100 American Jews) Ilan Pappe (Israeli Professor of History based in UK) and Michel Warschawski (Israeli journalist).

Artists who have voiced support for the campaign or cancelled appearances in Israel citing political reasons include musicians Elvis Costello, Brian Eno, Gil Scott Heron, Pete Seeger, The Pixies, Roger Waters, writers Eduardo Galeano and Arundhati Roy, filmmakers Ken Loach and Jean-Luc Godard. In 2010, UNITE, the UK’s largest trade union, unanimously called for BDS.

History ultimately proved the effectiveness and necessity of the boycott campaign in helping bring an end to Apartheid in South Africa. Amid the desperate pleas of Palestinians and concerned Israelis, we can no longer resort to the same discredited arguments that were used against boycotting Apartheid South Africa. The illegal Israeli occupation on Palestine must end.

More information can be found at:
http://www.bigcampaign.org/
http://www.bdsmovement.net/
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/

View petition

Greens Senator-elect Lee Rhiannon and the NSW Greens are facing a sustained attack from The Australian newspaper over their support for the campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel.

BDS is not an “extreme” or “radical” policy, but is a response to the 2005 call by Palestinian unions and other organisations to address Israel’s 44 year-long military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza when United Nations resolutions and appeals to International Law have comprehensively failed to end the occupation. In NSW Labor Party Marrickville councillors supported the BDS motion moved by The Greens.

BDS has received worldwide backing from city councils, film festivals, major unions and figures such as anti-apartheid campaigner, Desmond Tutu. We believe The Australian’s attack on Lee Rhiannon is an attempt to undermine the position of The Greens in the federal parliament and more generally.

View petition

Everything begun on 29th of November in 1947 and still this time. Unfortunately, children still breathe the air there that smells of blood. Palestine or Israel, Israel or Palestine?

Nobody still really knows who is right and who is to blame, one thing is clear - to stop this madness. It seems that this war - eternal! We believe that every country deserves to be independent, and Palestine, is not out of question. It seems that everything is difficult. Yes, but we should at least try to change something. Let’s take 20,000 votes and UN will here us.

Let us not be indifferent. We are part of this world and we came to do something. I do not think that somebody likes most things are still resolved in this way- act of violence. Let us try to save Palestine. We need your help!

Periods of the conflict

On the historical timeline, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict has had seven distinct phases:

Late 19th century-1917: The period of the Ottoman Empire rule in Palestine in which the Arabs in The Ottoman Palestine saw themselves as part of the overall Arab territories which were under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. During that period, the disputes were on the basis of religious background and not on national background.

1917-1948: The period of the British Mandate of Palestine, in which both parties were under British rule and under a single political entity, called Palestine in English. During this period significant Jewish immigration from Europe altered the demographic balance. The term "The Israeli–Palestinian conflict" was not used, and instead the conflict was referred to as "the Jewish-Arab conflict over the Land of Palestine" (by the Arab population and the British population), "the Jewish-Arab conflict over Erez-Israel" (by the Jewish population).

1948-1967: The period between the declaration of the State of Israel and the Six-Day War in which the parties resided in three separate political entities: The State of Israel, the Gaza Strip which was controlled by Egypt and the West Bank which was annexed to Jordan.

1967: The Six-Day War: Border clashes between Syria and Israel
First Day: Combined air attacks on all fronts by Israel in early morning destroy two-thirds of Arab aircraft.
Second Day: Paratroops move from Ammunition Hill to Mt. Scopus (Jerusalem).
Third Day: Old City liberated, the West Bank is controlled, and Israeli military government is established.
Fourth Day: Israel reaches Suez Canal.
Fifth Day: Battles continue, mostly up north.
Sixth Day: Cease fire proclaimed, Israel controls Golan Heights and demilitarizes Jerusalem area.

1967-1993: The period between the Six-Day War and the Oslo Accords, in which the conflicted parties reside in the areas addressed by the UN Partition Plan that were under the control of the State of Israel.

1993-2000: The period between the Oslo Accords and the Second Intifada, in which Israel existed alongside the semi-sovereign political autonomy - the Palestinian Authority.

2000–2005: The period between the beginning of the Second Intifada up until 2005, in which Israel returned to perform arresting operations in Area A zones in the West Bank.

2005–Present: The period after Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The withdrawal led to the strengthening of Hamas, which in 2006 won an election, then took control over the Gaza Strip.

View petition

"Why Palestine? Because it is a just cause, a noble ideal, a moral quest for equality and human rights".
Edward said

What kind of future do we see? The future should be better than the past and the present. Because life is about evolution and growth.

It is about equality and human rights. We invite the international community including Israelis to join us.

View petition

According to Israeli police, 1200 Palestinian children have been arrested, interrogated and imprisoned in the occupied city of Jerusalem alone this year. The youngest of these children was seven-years old.

Children and teen-agers were often dragged out of their beds in the middle of the night, taken in handcuffs for questioning, threatened, humiliated and many were subjected to physical violence while under arrest as part of an ongoing campaign against the children of Palestine. Since the year 2000, more than 8000 have been arrested by Israel, and reports of mistreatment are commonplace.

Further, based on sworn affidavits collected in 2009 from 100 of these children, lawyers working in the occupied West Bank with Defense Children International, a Geneva-based non governmental organization, found that 69% were beaten and kicked, 49% were threatened, 14% were held in solitary confinement, 12% were threatened with sexual assault, including rape, and 32% were forced to sign confessions written in Hebrew, a language they do not understand.

Minors were often asked to give names and incriminate friends and relatives as a condition of their release. Such institutionalized and systematic mistreatment of Palestinian children by the state of Israel is a violation international law and specifically contravenes the Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Israel is supposedly a signatory.

View petition

Israelis and Palestinians are again beginning "direct talks" about "Middle East Peace". The "direct talks" are yet another episode in nearly 20 years of talks, plans and negotiations, which include the Madrid Conference, the Oslo Accords, the Camp David Summit, the Taba Summit, the Mitchell Report, the Zinni Plan, the Red Sea Summit, the Roadmap and the Anapolis Conference, among other failed initiatives, frameworks and meetings.

But worse than having failed to achieve peace, as conducted, "negotiations" have often undermined the cause of peace between Israelis and Palestinians by providing a curtain behind which violations of Palestinian rights, including home demolitions, land confiscation and settlement construction, have occurred.

To avoid repeating this outcome, the United States should insist that Israel respect Palestinian rights and begin to free the Palestinian people by ending Israel's occupation, regardless of the existence of "direct talks". Such actions require no talks at all, will advance genuine Israeli-Palestinian peace, and will enhance the image and security of the United States in the Middle East and beyond.

For more information on the American Association for Palestinian Equal Rights, please visit http://www.americansforpalestine.org

View petition

For generations, long before the 1967 war that led to the occupation of the West Bank, the Bedouins let their sheep graze on their land, in the north of the Jordan Valley. These shepherds are very poor. But they do not complain.

The difficulties for the inhabitants began in the 1970s, when the village was declared a closed Israeli military zone. Some years later the Jewish settlements of Ro’i and Beka’ot were founded in the east of their land. Since then, Israel has imposed harsh restrictions on building and movement there that apply to Palestinians, effectively pushing them to leave area.

View petition

نحن الموقعين ادناه، ندعو المؤسسات الرسمية اللبنانية، التشريعية والتنفيذية الى اعادة النظر بالقوانين الراهنة، التي تحرم اخوتنا اللاجئين الفلسطينيين من أبسط الحقوق الانسانية. عبر تشريعات قانونية تأخذ بالاعتبار الوضع الخاص للاجئين الفلسطينيين في لبنان، باعتبارهم جزء من شعب شقيق يختلف واقعهم عن بقية الرعايا العرب الموجودين في لبنان، بما يشمل منحهم الحقوق الاقتصادية والاجتماعية، كما أقرتها مواثيق حقوق الانسان، خاصة حق العمل، من خلال الغاء اجازة العمل، واستثناء الفلسطينيين من مبدأ المعاملة بالمثل، اضافة الى الضمانات الاجتماعية، وحق التملك لمأوى لحين العوده، والاعتراف القانوني بمن لا يملكون أوراق ثبوتية.
ان اقرار هذه الحقوق يشكل اسهاماً فعلياً في صيانه حق العودة، والهوية الوطنية للاجئين، بما يعزز الموقف المشترك برفض التوطين والتهجير والتمسك بحق العودة وفقاً للقرار
194.

View petition

Israeli forces killed humanitarian activist Rachel Corrie who was trying to stop destruction of a doctors home in Palestine.

They killed humanitarian activist Furkan Dogan who was a member of the freedom flotilla and onboard the Mavi Marmara. He was killed in international waters near Gaza while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

View petition

On 30th May 2010, under the cover of darkness, the Israeli military hijacked the Free Gaza Movement flotilla in international waters. During this illegal act of what can only be described as piracy, at least 15 international peace activists were killed and scores were wounded.

The ship was carrying tons of desperately needed humanitarian aid for the besieged people of Gaza. The items on board the ships included water purification equipment, cement, generators, prefabricated homes, chocolate, crayons, wheelchairs, crutches, basketballs, and tons of paper to be used by schoolkids.

There was absolutely no need for Israel to attack this ship and murder unarmed peace activists.

View petition

The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) expresses its deep apprehension and anger over the BBC coverage regarding freedom Flotilla.

The Freedom Flotilla which is a mere humanitarian mission has been covered by a wide range of western media outlets in the last few days. The BBC started to speak about the Boats of the flotilla only in the last 2 days.

In most of its coverage BBC depended on Israeli sources whilst the Palestinian side has been ignored. PRC suggests that such coverage harm the image of BBC and could classify it as an alternative for some Israeli media outlets.

PRC and part of its day-to-day monitoring for BBC observed the following:

On one of its today’s article BBC gave a space for the Israeli side while it has ignored the Palestinian side. The official account of Israel though, Danny Ayalon, Israeli deputy foreign minister was presented, which stated that organizers’ intent was violent. The article mentioned that 'Guns and knives' were used by the civilian passengers.

The great exposure of Israeli account continued on the BBC breakfast and its running news casts.

Spokespersons and Israeli officials were given a chance to justify the Israeli attack. BBC reporters in Israel also contribute to this dilemma as they only speak out what they get from the official Israeli sources.

PRC call on BBC to stand neutral and give up its routine policies of quickly admitting and giving a space for the Israeli narrative.

BBC spokesperson, told PRC that, 'We are unable to respond as we have not been given the courtesy of detailed evidence of any accusation.'

However, PRC told the spokesperson of the above mentioned coverage and the time of the news casts.

View petition

Around 20 activists massacred, dozens injured, as Tel-Aviv Apartheid regime opens fire on Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla on international waters.

Hundreds of unarmed Turkish and Arab civilians, dozens of foreign journalists, European parliament members, British and American nationals, Jewish activists against Israel, 50 women and a one year old baby were in the boats.

A priest and Muslim cleric among the critically wounded by the Israeli gunfire.

View petition

Egypt free.

View petition

-Israel continues to occupy Palestinian land illegally;

-Israel systematically violates Palestinian Human Rights
-U.S. aid to Israel violates U.S. laws;

-U.S. support for Israel's military threatens U.S. security and global stability;

-U.S. aid to Israel does not make Israelis safer;

-Israel is receiving $8,000,000 USD in foreign aid DAILY.

View petition

The arrest of over 100 people who demonstrated last year against the Israeli invasion of Gaza, the charging of 78 of them with violent disorder and the imprisonment of many of them for up to two and a half years is completely disproportionate. This police operation amounts to the persecution of protesters. It is made more alarming by the fact that almost all of those charged are from Muslim backgrounds.

View petition

The 1967 occupation of Palestine by Israel continues to deprive the Palestinians of their fundamental human rights, and the construction of Jewish settlements throughout the West Bank seriously curtails Palestinian viability.

The more than 100 recently constructed illegal outposts on Palestinian property, the widespread demolition of Palestinian homes, and the pervasive abuse of Palestinian citizens - all these must be stopped in order to make way for a durable and honest Peace.

View petition

The Australian Jewish Democratic Society together with other Jewish Australians who care greatly for both the future of Israel and the legitimate national aspirations of Palestinians, strongly endorse the views recently expressed by the US President in Cairo.

His words represent a sea change in approach to a conflict that has festered for so long that many of us have despaired of the possibility of finding a path to a resolution. His words articulate both the main elements of the conflict as understood by the Australian Jewish Democratic Society and a way forward to hope:

View petition

Salah Hamouri is a french-palestinian born in france, 24 years old
Salah Hamouri is in jail in israel since 13th march 2005 because he defended the palestinian rights.
According to the israeli gouvernment, he was wrong because he is against the injustice and the sionism genocide in Palestine.

Please sign this petition if you are against this injustice but for civil rights.

Chakroun,
Thanks,

View petition

Students for Palestine claims to be a collective of the Union, run by the Education Public Affairs Office in response to the recent events in Gaza. No motion declaring that this collective is part of the Union has passed through any committee or meeting of Students Council, the peak representative body for students at the University of Melbourne.

In a time where students are faced with structural changes due to the Melbourne Model, increasing class sizes, staff cuts and reduced subject choice, increasing costs and challenges like rising unemployment and costs of living, we reject the notion that these issues should be considered less important by the Education Department than taking sides in a conflict on the other side of the world.

The Education (Public Affairs) Officers moved a motion at Students’ Council to allocate $1000 to Palestine Solidarity Week out of UMSU’s general-use “Whole of Union Fund”. This motion did not pass, due to concern over the appropriateness of the money coming from Whole of Union, and concern over the inclusiveness of the events.

In response to a direct question, Education Public Affairs Office Bearer, Tim Arnot said that the Jewish Students Society would not be allowed to participate. When asked who could take part, Arnot replied that the collective would decide - and that any student that they defined as racist and/or Zionist would be banned from participating. We have a problem with people being banned from an event, due to the decision of a small amount of people on whether they are “racist” or not.

Previously, a motion at Education Committee had passed asking for $650 for Palestine Solidarity Week in the case that the $1000 did not pass at Students Council. That decision is now being appealed by three members of the Education Committee.

Then, at the next quorate Welfare Committee Meeting, $650 was asked for from the Welfare Budget for Palestine Solidarity Week. This was also passed, and is now being appealed by 30 members of the Student Body who believe that the Welfare budget should be used strictly for issues surrounding Students Welfare on Campus.

This comes at a time when so many students are in need of emergency housing that the University Housing Service is renting out backpackers hostels to house them. It comes at a time when no Postgraduate or International student can get a concession card. It comes just as it’s about to become even harder to receive Youth Allowance. It comes at a time when the Welfare Department needs to focus on serving students, not fighting the war in the Middle East.

Socialist Alternative, like others in the past, use student unions as resources, strip-mining them for funds to support their political agendas, which do not necessarily agree with the majority of Students. For the Union to be truly representative of the students that it aims to serve, the union needs to listen and take note of the majority of students. It must reflect their needs, their ideas and what they want the Union to be.

It’s time to draw the line. Student Funds are for Student Use, for the benefit of our students. If Students Council won’t reign in political corruption, then we will have to do it ourselves.

When signing this petition, please put in the ‘comments’ section your student number and a Y if you are a union member. We can't use your signature without your number and proper name.

View petition

Breaking News: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council decided not to further consider Veolia’s bid for the 'Waste Improvement Plan' contract. This contract was worth £1bn over 20 years for Veolia.

Sandwell Council's decision can be seen as a victory for organisations and individuals who wish to implement a campaign of Boycott, Sanctions and Disinvestment until Israel ends its illegal activities directed at the Palestinian people.

Simon Cardy/Jolyon Jones/Samrina Mir of WMPSC said: “We congratulate Sandwell Council, which has set a positive example which other councils need to follow and we would like to thank all those who helped to make this decision possible.”

West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign thanks all those who signed this petition and others who helped campaign against Veolia's inclusion in the shortlist. The campaign notes that Veolia continues to provide a service to Birmingham City Council and surrounding councils. We specifically urge Birmingham City Council to revisit its contract with Veolia along the lines that Oslo City Council revisited their contract, that is that Veolia is guilty of gross misconduct in supporting activity that contravenes international law.

The West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign looks forward to working with all sympathetic Birmingham councillors, regardless of political persuasion, in this humane endeavour."

Veolia owns Connex, who along with another company called Aistom, are building a tram network to connect Israeli West Jerusalem with the illegal Jewish settlements, built by Israel on stolen Palestinian land in the east of the city and the West Bank.

The tram network breaches the Geneva Conventions which forbids the destruction of property and significant changes in the infrastructure of an occupied territory.

The campaigners argued that the Sandwell Council should not assign the contract to a company that is complicit in Israel's flagrant violation of international laws and whose work in occupied territories are contrary to human and civil rights of the Palestinian people. The campaigners are glad that Veolia will no longer be on the shortlist of contractors to provide a Waste Management service to Sandwell. We hope other councils and public services will follow Sandwell's lead ot that Veolia will change its ways and break any links with illegal activities in occupied Palestine.

View petition

Veolia are a large multinational French company who primarily deal with water resources (they own Thames Valley Water and manage the water resources in France). They also have several subsidiary companies, one of which is a transport company called Connex Israel.

This company is involved in constructing a light railway system that links Jerusalem with illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land in the west bank. Through its subsidiary Veolia Environmental Services Israel (which has bought T.M.M. Integrated Recycling Services), it also owns and operates the Tovlan Landfill in the occupied Jordan Valley, using captured Palestinian natural and land resources for the needs of Israeli settlements.

The occupation of Palestinian land is illegal under international law and Israel continues to occupy the territory in spite of UN Security Council resolution 242, which notes the ‘inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory through war’ and calls for ‘a complete withdrawal from the occupied territories’. There is no excuse for setting up large, long term settlements on land acquired through conflict and for Israel using this land to service themselves and not the Palestinians.

Several organisations have terminated their contracts with Veolia since they won the contract to build the light railway, including Dutch bank ASN.

Veolia are contracted to handle the waste management of the residences, the restaurant and the sports village on the De Havilland campus at the University of Hertfordshire by Carillion, the company that manages these sites under a contract with the University.

View petition

There is a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and, without a ceasefire, the situation will only get worse.

Already, hospitals in Gaza are without fuel and necessary supplies, and families are without food, water, and heat. Four out of five Gazan families relied on international aid before this crisis-- the longer the ceasefire is delayed, the more Palestinian men women and mostley children will be killed.. the numbers of innocent women and helpless children is soaring up day after day and the situation is getting worse.

Please call for ceasfire today.

View petition

We need peace no more blood, let the children killed not die in vain, elders of all nations take heed and let the world make peace so we can live in a world without war.

View petition

We want to stop the war in Palestine and Israel, now.

View petition