Palestine

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The criminalization of political speech and activism against Israel has become one of the gravest threats to free speech. 43 senators — 29 Republicans and 14 Democrats — want to pass a law that would make it a felony for Americans to support the international boycott against Israel, which was launched in protest of the decades-old occupation of Palestine. The punishment: a minimum civil penalty of $250,000; a maximum criminal penalty of $1 million and 20 years in prison.

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Truly free countries tolerate peaceful dissent. The 50-year occupation of the Palestinian territories seized during the Six-Day War has gone on for too long and must eventually be brought to an end. For Israeli authorities to demonize — or exclude — those who publicly oppose it is a terrible mistake. - Los Angeles Times Editorial.

The Oliver Tambo Resolution — named after the prominent anti-apartheid figure who served as president of the ANC between 1967 and 1991 — states that the aim of downgrading South Africa’s embassy to Israel was to “send a strong message about Israel’s continued illegal occupation of Palestine and the continued human rights abuses against the peoples of Palestine.”

The Chicago Dyke March, the annual gay rights march without corporate sponsorship has anti-racist core values. In the march's Jewish contingent were Jews who were Zionists, and anti-Zionists, but who supported gay and Palestinian rights. There was an incident involving a few who did not support Palestinian rights, and a massive debate and controversy has evolved. Here are statements from Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow, supporting the position of CDMC.