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Tidbits - May 31, 2018 - Reader Comments: Roseanne; NFL #TakingaKnee; Jewish anti-Zionism; Iran sanctions; Federal workers; privatization of food policy; Resources: Black women leaders; GI resistance to Vietnam war; and more.....

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Reader Comments: Roseanne; NFL Support Taking a Knee; Jewish anti-Zionism; Iran sanctions; When the Mailmen Rebelled (struck) and Trump clamp-down on Federal workers; privatization of food policy in Africa; Resources: New video series on Black women leaders; GI resistance to the Vietnam war; and mo

Palestinian American Women’s Association Pulls Out of Women’s March LA

rashadstan Happy Arab Blog
In a statement issued on its Facebook page, the Palestinian American Women’s Association announced that it is boycotting the Women’s March in Los Angeles. The announcement came after actress Scarlett Johansson was confirmed to speak at the march. Johansson was a spokesmodel for SodaStream, an Israeli company that manufactures home fizzy drink machines in an illegal Israeli settlement, built on land from which Palestinian Jahalin Bedouins were forcibly expelled. Here’s PAWA’s full statement:

Lorde is Only the Latest: How Touring in Israel Thrusts Musicians Into Controversy

Allison Stewart The Washington Post
On Dec. 18, New Zealand pop music sensation Lorde announced plans to play concerts in Israel and Russia. On Dec. 24, she announced the cancellation of her Israeli concert, which was scheduled for June 5 at the Tel Aviv Convention Centre. “I’m not too proud to admit I didn’t make the right call on this one,” she said in a statement.

Israel Publishes BDS Blacklist: These Are the 20 Groups Whose Members Will Be Denied Entry - and their responses (long)

Noa Landau; Philip Weiss; Joyce Ajlouny; Rebecca Vilkomerson; Ariel Gold Portside
Leaders and members from twenty organizations will be barred entry into Israel. This also further isolates Palestine, since entry to Palestine is via Israel. One group, AFSC said: Our response to the Palestinian BDS call is in line with our similar support for divestment from apartheid South Africa and boycotts during the civil rights era." Here are statements from the banned groups: Joyce Ajlouny, Rebecca Vilkomerson and Ariel Gold.

An Illegitimate Capital for a State Without Legitimacy

Ibrahim Hewitt Memo Middle East Monitor
It should come as no surprise that Donald Trump has declared that the US is recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. For seasoned US-Israel watchers, it merely confirms what we have been saying for decades: Washington is no honest broker in negotiations to end the Palestine-Israel conflict.

labor

Solidarity with Palestine is not Hate Speech, says Cosatu

Cosatu Morning Star
A South African court ruled that the trade union federation Costau is guilty of hate speech and anti-Semitism because of its support of Palestinian rights. The union denounced the ruling as an attack against workers’ rights to offer solidarity, freedom of expression and the struggle for justice and dignity for all.

Victory for Palestinian Prisoners as 80% of Strike Demands Met

teleSUR
After more than 1,500 Palestinian prisoners staged a a mass, historic hunger strike for 40 days, the Palestinian Committee of Prisoners' officials confirmed Sunday that nearly 80 percent of the prisoners’ demands were met as the strike ended Saturday.

What Were the Top 10 BDS Victories of 2016?

Nora Barrows-Friedman Electronic Intifada
2016 began with a bang: French telecommunications giant Orange announced in early January it was dumping its Israel affiliate. Meanwhile, churches, student unions and local activists continued to organize strong boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaigns that caused panic among Israeli leaders.

Why I am on the Women's Boat to Gaza

LisaGay Hamilton CounterPunch
What possessed me to travel 6,000 miles from L.A. and my family in order to brave the Mediterranean Sea in what is now beginning to look like the smallest vessel on the docks? Why join another effort to break the Israeli-Egyptian blockade of Gaza? I am here for the women-the extraordinary women of Gaza as well as the amazing women I'm proud to call my shipmates. I'm concerned about the war and blockade on the women, as schools, hospitals, and homes have been destroyed
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