GFM

Gaza Freedom March has moved and we have moved you with us. What you will read below is a record of GFM work during 2009-2011. Some of the information may not be current anymore but it reflects the extensive support received.

Please follow and support Gaza's Ark, a current campaign challenging the blockade of Gaza. Thank you.

Gaza Freedom March

Following Israel's 22-day assault on Gaza in winter 2008-09, a diverse coalition focused on human rights and international law came together to mobilize an international contingent for a nonviolent march alongside the people of Gaza on Dec. 31, 2009, calling for an end to the illegal blockade. Our goal was and is to end the siege on Gaza. We demand that Israel end the blockade. We also call upon Egypt to open the border at Rafah allowing Palestinians the freedom to travel for study, work, commerce and much-needed medical treatment, and to receive visitors freely from abroad. Although we did not succeed in reaching Gaza in December 2009, we continue to see the Gaza Freedom March as part of a broader strategy to end the Israeli occupation by targeting non-violently its flagrant violations of international law from the house demolitions and illegal settlements to curfews and torture as well as armed attacks on civilian ships in international waters.

Three years later, the siege continues and the movement against it lives on. Various volunteers from the Gaza Freedom March, including steering committee members, have joined Gaza's Ark to provide support, resources, and a strong word of truth against oppression.
GFM_HMLOOK
 
Order Out of Chaos: The GFM

Breaking the Siege: The GFM

 
Resources
Here are some resources to assist with your organizing efforts around the Gaza Freedom March:
  • Wonderful new "Gaza in Crisis" factsheet put together by the staff of AFSC Chicago. Download it here.
  • A flyer with a box at the bottom in which information on local events, etc. can be inserted. Download it here.
  • A quarter-page flyer for the march can be downloaded here.
  • A list of individuals who have traveled to Gaza who are willing to speak at events to help recruit support for the Freedom March. View or download it here. If you cannot pay one of these speakers' travel expenses and and want to explore alternatives, e-mail info@gazafreedommarch.org.
  • A "header image" for posters, invitations to a fundraiser, etc. Download it here.
  • Artwork for Gaza Freedom March buttons. Simply print, cut and assemble. Download it here.

Download and distribute these beautiful posters 
made for us by Artist Michael Thompson

ACTION IDEAS

Looking for some ideas for your actions? We've collected some of our favorites here. If possible, choose an iconic or meaningful location for your action — a place which represents what matters to you and your community.

Don't forget to register your action, where you can fill out an online form to post your event announcement to our website, as well as our Facebook and Twitter pages!

Action Ideas

  • Walk, March, or Rally: You can organize a march and carry a banner with one of our suggested slogans like "LIFT THE SIEGE ON GAZA", "FREE GAZA" or "Remember Gaza".  You may even want to have all marchers lie down and make the shapes of the letters that spell out "FREE GAZA" at the end of the march for a great aerial image.  Consider marching across a bridge in your city, to symbolize building bridges rather than walls, or march to the Israeli Embassy/Consulate, the Federal Building, or another symbolic place. Don't forget a banner and a camera!
  • Candlelight vigil: Candles make a subtle and beautiful display. Find an public location (Embassy, Consulate, Federal Building — you know your community) and read the names of Gazans, a statement from Alice Walker or a statement about the one-year since the assault
  • Protest at a government office: Don't forget your Congressperson. They need to hear from you.  Only 33 brave representatives refused to vote for the Congressional resolution urging Obama to throw the Goldstone Report on Gaza into the circular file.  Chances are your Congressman wasn't one of them.  (You can research this here by inputting your Congressperson's name, scrolling to the votes of 11/3/09, and looking for House Resolution 867).  You can picket their office with signs saying "Congressman X Votes No Human Rights for Gaza.  Support the Gaza Freedom March!"  or "Congressman X — End the Siege of Gaza.  Support the Gaza Freedom March!" or "Honk for Human Rights for Gaza."   Morning rush hour is a particularly good time for a picket — lots of passing cars. When your picket is over, take one of your signs up to your Congressperson's office and ask the staff to give it to him/her as a message from constituents.
  • Organize a film showing: For $9.95, you can get a copy of Anna Balzer's incredible DVD Life in Occupied Palestine, which provides an excellent introduction-in a down-to-earth, non-alienating way-to the occupation in Palestine. See here for more details. Another excellent film is Occupation 101, an award-winning documentary about the causes of the conflict, life under occupation, and the role of the US. You can get it for as little as $16 here. Or you can lighten it up with Slingshot Hip Hop, $25here, a documentary about hip hop artists performing under occupation.
  • Take Action at AHAVA Stores! Because Ahava is hiding the ugly truth—its products actually come from stolen Palestinian natural resources in the Occupied Territory of the Palestinian West Bank, and are produced in the illegal settlement of Mitzpe Shalem. Don’t let the “Made in Israel” sticker fool you—when you buy Ahava products you help finance the destruction of hope for a peaceful and just future for both Israelis and Palestinians. Visit www.stolenbeauty.org for action ideas!
  • Host a house party: Eating is one of the easiest ways to bring people together (especially during a busy holiday season!). Host a dinner with food from the Middle East. Ask your friends to bring something along, so you don't need to cook all week. Set aside a few minutes before or after the meal to explain the latest on Gaza, and then link it all together with a great group photo at the dinner table.
  • Teach-In: Anytime is always an excellent teaching opportunity! Do some online research about Gaza and invite your participants to learn more about the issue and discuss why ending the siege on Gaza is critical for international action on this issue and plans to continue working on this issue. Make a resolution to recommit yourself to the cause. 
  • Faith Celebrations: Connections between the world's diverse religions and the situation in Gaza are numerous and strike a strong moral chord. This is a great way to gather people together who already have a community in which they discuss the big questions — now is the chance to add lifting the siege of Gaza to the list.
  • Invite Government Officials: Who in your country has influence on Middle East policy? Consider inviting your mayor, representatives, or perhaps even prime minister or president. Whoever you try to invite, just be sure to give them plenty of advanced notice, be polite, call back if you are not hearing from them, and maybe even visit their office to demonstrate how much you care about their participation.
  • Art Installation: Provide art supplies and invite your participants to create art—maybe something that speaks of the importance of your iconic place. If you have time and support, perhaps on a piece of land post 1450 graves with names of the dead on each one, or a name and photo (if found) of the dead mounted in an exhibition in a line that people walk through. Recently in Paris protesters against the siege built a pyramid of items banned from entering Gaza. It may appeal to passersby. And each demonstrator could easily bring something from home that's on the forbidden list — matches, light bulbs, tea, notebooks, etc. Doesn't have to be a pyramid, could just be on a table or on the ground. 
  • Read a Play: SEVEN DAYS FROM A GAZA DIARY, a dramatic reading for three voices passages from the diary of Khulood Ghanem, adapted and edited by Edward Mast. Reading time: 45 minutes. A riveting personal account of the first seven days of Israel’s assault on Gaza, written by a young woman living under the bombing.  The reading is comprised of excerpts from the diary of 27-year old Khulood Ghanem, who wrote about her experiences throughout Israel's 22-day assault on Gaza this past December and January. A rare insight into a young woman's attempt to grapple with extraordinary events. “ . . . . at this moment I could see nothing, all I remember was the biggest explosion I have ever seen, I started to run away but to where?  The sound of bombs and explosions was horrible, the ground was moving up and down, I said, it is not a joke, it is a real, the war has started . . . . “ For script, go here or email Linda Frank workforjustice@comcast.net 
  • Do a public mural: Convene a group of artists to do a chalk sidewalk mural in a public place.
  • Make Aerial Art: Take activism beyond the brain and into the heart by hosting an aerial art event. All you need is a group of people and a camera to spell out Free Gaza or Gaza.
  • Music and Poetry: Perhaps you know some local musicians or poet who might want to join the effort. Or, you could invite participants to bring instruments themselves and create music.
  • Letter writing: Encourage your participants to sign and/or write letters to government officials to end the siege of Gaza.

BUILDING A BUZZ

Building a Buzz: Creative Ideas
As you build up to your action, remember to take to the streets to build the buzz for your action. Here are simple ideas for creative ways to get people interested. Doing things creatively and differently gets people's attention, and makes them want to know more about the event. Hopefully they'll get you thinking about what new and different tactics might capture the attention of your community!

Just to be clear, we do not advocate any illegal graffiti or other defacement of private property. 

  • Flier a local event: head to concerts, festivals, and other celebrations with fliers about your action in hand. It's a good way to find new volunteers and have fun while you're at it!
  • Sidewalk chalk: ask a question? in sidewalk chalk all down a Main Street and get people thinking.
  • Poster the town: print out posters or make your own, and then head to local coffee shops, bulletin boards, and anywhere else you can put up posters in town.
  • Fun with stencils: print out this on sturdy paper, find scissors or an exacto knife and make your own stencil. You can then get some paint and anything you want to stencil, and create your own materials! Good things to stencil include bags, t-shirts, hats, and signs.
  • Public art: if there's a way to incorporate your banner message into a public piece of art such as a mural, this can be a great way to inspire and spread the word.
  • Build the Buzz on-line: post it to your Twitter feed, Digg it, update your Facebook status, or your personal blog.
  • Make posters: Hand made posters stand out and help grab attention – especially if they are colorful. They can be made by simplying using housepaint on newspaper. Posters can be put up around town using wheatpaste – a natural, washable glue made from flour. You can also print out these posters and paste them up.
  • Make signs: You can easily create big words out of cardboard and they can be easily painted with house paint. These are great for public places – parks, malls, shopping centers, universities – because it makes people curious about whats going on. So they walk right up and ask. Painting these is great, because you don't have to worry about staying in the lines! (Tip: Mounting the cardboard on a piece of wood makes it more sturdy and easier to hold).
  • Garbage Instruments: You can make musical instruments out of anything! Find two sticks and a bucket and you have a drum. Find 5 of these and you have a marching band (Tip: attach a string to the bucket to go around your neck). Shakers can be made by filling empty soda cans with rice or gravel and taping the top. You can even use pots and pans to make sure you get noticed, and can be used again at your action! Make few of the instruments, and create a small procession to get some extra attention as you spread the word.
  • Headbands: This is a quick and easy way to make your group look united as you pass out flyers or approach people to tell them about your action.
  • Newspaper Event Calendars, Craigslist, & Bulletin Boards, Local Community Organizations: Every community has an array of different ways and opportunities to promote local events – and that's a good thing. Chances are your local newspaper has a community calendar. Usually, you can submit your event for free on their websites – with about two weeks lead time. You should find instructions on their sites for submitting your action in the 'calendar/events' section. Local organization newsletters can also be a great way to get the word out. Nonprofits, civil society, church groups, school boards, have community newsletters (online & off) and may be more than happy to promote your action. All you gotta do is ask!

Endorsers (partial list): 

  • Abd Al-Jawwad Ziada, president of the Union of Food Manufacturers – Palestine
  • Abdeen Jabara, past president, Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee
  • Adonis (Ali Ahmad Said Asbar), Syrian poet
  • Aki Kaurismaki, film director
  • Ali Abunimah, author and co-founder, Electronic Intifada
  • Ali Glenesk, organizer of the May 2009, 40-person student delegation to the Gaza Strip and contact person for the Gaza Freedom Marchstudent committee
  • Ali Mallah, vice president, Canadian Arab Federation and founding member, Trade Unionists Against War
  • Alice Walker, Pulitzer Prize-winning author
  • Alison Kennedy, Scottish novelist and comedian
  • Amjad Shawa, director, Palestinian Network of NGOs (PNGO)
  • Ann Wright, retired U.S. Army colonel and former U.S. diplomat
  • Arun Gandhi, founder, Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
  • Assaf Kfoury, professor
  • Avi Shlaim, warden, St. Anthony's College, Oxford University
  • Ayman Zidan, Syrian actor
  • Barbara Lubin, Executive Director, Middle East Children's Alliance
  • Baroness Helena Kennedy, British lawyer, broadcaster and Labor Partymember of the House of Lords
  • Baroness Jenny Tonge, former MP for the Liberal Democrat Party – UK
  • Bella Freud, British fashion designer
  • Betty Hunter, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, UK
  • Bill Fletcher Jr., executive editor, BlackCommentator.com
  • Bill Scheurer, editor, PeaceMajority Report
  • Bruce Kent, British peace campaigner
  • Carmina Tremblay – Montral, Canada
  • Caroline Lucas, member of the European Parliament and leader, Green Party
  • Caryl Churchill, British playwright and author of Seven Jewish Children
  • Charles Pachter, a Canadian artist whose images of the queen, mose and maple leaf flag have become pop icons
  • Chelsea Boudin, writer and lecturer
  • Christopher Hedges, best-selling American author
  • Cindy and Craig Corrie, co-founders, the Rachel Corrie Foundation
  • Clare Short, member of Parliament and former Secretary of State for International Development, UK
  • David Hartsough, Peaceworkers
  • Dennis Brutus, poet and anti-apartheid activist, South Africa
  • Derek Summerfield, physician and researcher on Gaza
  • Derek Wall, former Principal Speaker of the Green Party of England and Wales
  • Diana Buttu, Palestinian lawyer and former peace negotiator
  • Diane Wilson
  • Dina Kennedy, U.S. coordinator of the Free Gaza Movement and member of the American Palestinian Women's Assn.
  • Dr. Mona El Farra, Red Crescent Society for Gaza Strip
  • Dr. Munir El-Kassem, president and founder, Islamic Institute for Interfaith Dialogue
  • Dr. Patch Adams, physician/healer, Gesundheit Institute
  • Dr. Rupert Neudeck, Green Helmets, Germany
  • Duraid Lahham, Syrian actor, and wife Hala Betar
  • Ehab Lotayef, Montreal-based writer, engineer and activist
  • Erik Fosse, director general, NORWAC (Norwegian Aid Committee)
  • Eseed Al-Astal, vice president of the Union of Agricultural Workers – Palestine
  • Eyad Sarraj, president of the Gaza Programme for Mental Health
  • Farida Al-Amad, president, In'ash El-Usra / Al-Bireh – Palestine
  • Father Louis Vitale, Franciscan priest, Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service
  • Felice Gelman, member of the WESPAC Foundation and board member for Friends of the Jenin Freedom Theater
  • Felicia Langer, recipient of the Alternative Nobel Prize
  • Fignole St. Cyr, general secretary, Autonomous Confederation of Haitian
  • Gael Murphy, cofounder of CODEPINK; co-chair, Legislative Commitee, United for Peace & Justice; and chair of Gaza FreedomMarch Congressional Outreach Committee
  • George Galloway, UK Member of Parliament, Viva Palestina
  • Ghada Karmi, author and physician
  • Gianni Vattimo, member of Parliament, Italy
  • Graham Watt, MD, physician and scholar
  • Gore Vidal, author
  • Grégoire Haddad, Melchite Archbishop, Lebanon
  • Haidar Eid, member of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) and associate professor at Al-Aqsa University
  • Hedy Epstein, Holocaust survivor and lecturer
  • Howard Zinn, historian and author
  • Ilias Al-Jelda, National coordinator of the International Union of Public Service – Palestine
  • Irene Mathyssen, member of Canadian Parliament, London Fanshawe
  • Jane Frere, Scottish Artist
  • Jeff Halper, founder, Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions
  • Jennifer Loewenstein, associate director of Middle East studies,University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Jodie Evans, cofounder, CODEPINK
  • Jocelyn Hurndall, mother of Tom Hurndall, a photojournalist killed in Gaza in 2003 while rescuing Palestinian children
  • John Berger, English art critic, novelist and painter
  • John Dugard, professor of international law and former judge for the International Court of Justice and special rapporteur for the UN Commission on Human Rights
  • John Pilger, journalist, filmmaker and Sydney International Peace Prize recipient
  • John Rees, co-founder Stop the War Coalition (UK)
  • Jonas Hassen Khemiri, award-winning Swedish novelist and playwright
  • Jonathan Cook, journalist – UK
  • Jonathan Kuttab, human rights lawyer – West Bank & Amman, Jordan
  • Judith Weisman, Jewish Women to End the Occupation
  • Kamal Boullata, visual artist – Menton, France
  • Karma Nabulsi, scholar and PLO member
  • Kathy Kelly, Voices for Creative Nonviolence
  • Ken Loach, filmmaker
  • Khaled Abu Zaid, president and founder of National Center for Community Rehabilitation, Gaza
  • Libby Davies, member of the Canadian Parliament, Vancouver East
  • Linda Ramsden, director, Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK
  • Lord Andrew Phillips, OBE (Order of the British Empire), Liberal
  • Lorraine Guay, professional nurse – Montreal, Canada
  • Luigi De Magistris, member of Parliament – Italy
  • Luisa Morgantini, former vice president, European Parliament
  • Mads Gilbert, professor of emergency medicine, University of Tromsø – Norway
  • Mairead Maguire, Nobel peace laureate
  • Manal Awad, women's rights activist – Gaza
  • Marco Rizzo, former European MP
  • Mark Johnson, executive director, Fellowship of Reconciliation U.S.
  • Mary Hughes, co-founder of the Free Gaza Movement
  • Medea Benjamin, cofounder, Global Exchange and CODEPINK
  • Mieciu Langer, Holocaust survivor
  • Mike Leigh, Oscar-nominated British director
  • Mirene Ghossein, member of Adalah NY, the Middle East Committee of the WESPAC Foundation and Alwan for the Arts
  • Mona Amyuni, senior lecturer, American University – Beirut
  • Mubarak Awad, founder, Nonviolence International – Washington D.C.
  • Mustafa Barghouti, deputy, Palestinian Legislative Council
  • Nabeel Alkam, Palestinian writer
  • Nadia Hijab, senior fellow, Institute for Palestine Studies
  • Nancy Murray, president, Gaza Mental Health Foundation
  • Naomi Klein, author
  • Nisreen AlBorno, National Center for Community Rehabilitation – Gaza
  • Noam Chomsky, linguist and author
  • Norman Solomon, author
  • of the International Campaign to Break the Siege
  • Oliver Stone, filmmaker
  • Olivia Zemor, President of CAPJPO-EuroPalestine
  • Omar Barghouti, founding member of the Palestinian Campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)
  • Oruba Rabie, writer for the Arab Voice newspaper and a Palestinian American graduate student at New Jersey Institute of Technology
  • Pam Rasmussen, chair of the Gaza Freedom March Peace & Justice Outreach Committee; member, steering committee, Peace ActionMontgomery, and activist with CODEPINK and the International Solidarity Movement
  • Peter Juviler, professor emeritus of political science, Barnard College
  • Philip Andrews, liberal democrat, House of Lords – UK
  • Phyllis Bennis, author and fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies – Washington, D.C.
  • Prof. Anat Biletski, Dept. of Philosophy, Tel Aviv University
  • Professor Vic Allen, retired, Leeds University – UK
  • Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Shalom Center
  • Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, Shomer Shalom Institute for Jewish Nonviolence
  • Ralph Nader, attorney, author, lecturer, public health advocate and former
  • Ramsey Clark, former U.S. Attorney General
  • Rev. Canon Dr. Naim Ateek
  • Richard Nadeau, member of Canadian Parliament, Gatineau, Quebec
  • Rita Giacaman, scholar
  • Roger Waters, Pink Floyd
  • Ronnie Kasrils, former South African government minister
  • Saeed Albetar, director
  • Salamah Abu Zaiter, president of the Union of Health Service Workers – Palestine
  • Salim Vally, Palestine Solidarity Committee, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Samah Idriss, editor/publisher, Lebanon
  • Sameer Al-Ashqar, president of the Palestinian Municipalities & Local Councils Union – Palestine
  • Samuel Hazo, professor and director, International Poetry Forum
  • Sara Roy, senior research scholar, Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University
  • Savera Kalideen, Palestine Solidarity Committee, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Sayel Kayed, Viva Palestina organizer and member, American Muslims for Palestine
  • Shair Al-Sesi, president of the Public Service & Commercial Workers Union – Palestine
  • Sheikh Hani Fahs, Lebanon
  • Sir Geoffrey Bindman, British lawyer and human rights advocate
  • Sir Iain Chalmers, doctor and medical researcher, UK
  • Tariq Ali, British author
  • Tom Hayden, American social and political activist and politician
  • Tony Benn, former British Parliamentarian and president of the UK Stop the War Coalition UK
  • Usama Al-Haj Ahmed, president of the Union of Health Services Workers – Palestine
  • Victoria Brittain, author and former Guardian newspaper editor
  • Vittorio Agnoletto, former European MP and former spokesperson of Global Society Forum
  • Walden Bello, member, House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines
  • William Nassar, Palestinian composer and songwriter – Canada
  • Workers (CATH)
  • Xavier Renou, founder, Disobedience Coalition – France
  • Yussef Arsanios, former Lebanese ambassador to the Vatican

Organizations: 

  • Abnaa' El-Balad Charity and Development Association
  • Adalah-NY
  • After Downing Street
  • Agricultural Development Association (PARC) – Gaza
  • Aide Medicale Pour la Palestine/Medical Aid for Palestine
  • Ahluna Charity Association
  • Al-Amal Association for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled – Gaza
  • Al-Aqsa University
  • Alhudud Familial Charity – Gaza
  • Al-Barr Charity for Agriculture
  • Al-Izdihaar Developmental Association
  • Al-Kitaab Charity Association
  • Al-Quds Bank for Culture and Information – Gaza
  • Al-Rasheed Charity Association
  • Al-Rihana Association for Women and Child Development
  • Al-Salah Islamic Association
  • Al-Salah Islamic Society – Gaza
  • Al-Talae'ii Youth Association
  • Al-Wasan Group
  • Al-Wi'aam Charity Association
  • Al-Zahraa Developmental Association
  • American Friends Service Committee – Chicago, IL, USA
  • American Jews for a Just Peace
  • American Muslim Voice
  • Americans for Justice in the Middle East
  • American Association of Jurists
  • American Iranian Friendship Committee
  • ANSWER Coalition
  • Arab Cultural Forum – Gaza
  • Asian Americans for Peace & Justice
  • Association for the Development of Women and Children – Gaza
  • Association for Family and Society Development
  • Association of London Muslims
  • Association of Mosques – Gaza
  • Australians for Palestine
  • Autonomous Workers Federation of Haiti (CATH)
  • Baraa'a [Innocence] Charity Association
  • Batoul Charity Association
  • BDS National Committee:
  • Civic Coalition for the Defense of Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem
  • Coalition for Jerusalem
  • Committee for a Just Peace in the Middle East – Luxembourg
  • Council of National and Islamic Forces in Palestine
  • Federation of Independent Trade Unions
  • General Union of Palestinian Women
  • General Union of Palestinian Workers
  • Grassroots Palestinian Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign (STW)
  • National Committee to Commemorate the Nakba
  • Neorhino.ca Party of Canada
  • Occupied Palestine & Golan Heights Initiative
  • Palestine Right of Return Coalition
  • Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel
  • Palestinian Economic Monitor
  • Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions
  • Palestinian NGO Network
  • Union of Palestinian Charitable Organizations
  • Union of Palestinian Farmers
  • Union of Youth Activity Centers-Palestine Refugee Camps
  • Beit el-Taleb Association
  • Beit Lahya Centre for Youth
  • Benevolent Solidarity Association – Gaza
  • Beni Amer Charity Association – Gaza
  • Bin Baaz Islamic Charitable Association – Gaza
  • Birthright Unplugged
  • Blauvelt Dominican Sisters Social Justice Committee
  • Boycott From Within (http://boycottisrael.info)
  • Boston BDS (Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions)
  • Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights
  • Brampton Coalition for Peace and Justice – Ontario, Canada
  • British Committee for the Universities of Palestine (BRICUP)
  • Brooklyn For Peace
  • Canadian Alliance for Palestine
  • Canadian Arab Federation
  • Canadian Friends of Sabeel
  • Canadian Muslim Forum
  • Canadian Palestinian Foundation of Quebec, Canada
  • Canadian Peace Alliance
  • Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
  • Catalyst Project – San Francisco, California
  • Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid – Canada
  • Coalition of Friends for the Palestinian Student – Gaza
  • Coalition of Women for Peace
  • Coalition against Israeli Apartheid – Victoria
  • CODEPINK
  • Collective Center for Public Services – Gaza
  • Committee for an Open Discussion of Zionism
  • Community Change, Inc. – Boston, Mass., USA
  • Delaware Valley Veterans for America
  • Democratic National Law Foundation – Gaza
  • Development Horizons Association
  • Dorchester People for Peace – Massachusetts, USA
  • El-Basma Association for the Rehabilitation and Support of Mental Paralysis
  • Patients
  • Educational Forum – Gaza
  • El Karama Society
  • El-Salah Islamic Foundation – Jabalya, Gaza
  • El-Salah Islamic Association – Rafeh, Gaza
  • Engineering Association for Development and Progress
  • EuroPalestine
  • European Red Crescent
  • Faculty for Israel-Palestinian Peace – International and U.S.
  • Fakra (Idea) Youth Team – Palestine
  • Federation of Palestinian Labor Unions – Gaza
  • Fellowship of Reconciliation
  • Focus on the Global South
  • Forum Palestinia, Italy
  • Founders of the Future Association – Gaza
  • Friends Association of Folks with Special Needs
  • Future Development Commission – Gaza
  • Future Eve [Hawwaa’] Association
  • Free Gaza Movement – Cyprus
  • Friends of Deir Ibzi'a
  • Friends of the Palestinian Child Charity – Gaza
  • Friends of the Palestinian Environment – Gaza
  • Friends of the Visually Impaired Association
  • Furqan and Sunnah Society – Gaza
  • Future Association for Culture and Development – Gaza
  • Gaza Community Mental Health Program
  • Gaza Mental Health Foundation, Inc. – USA
  • General Union of Palestinian Women – Gaza
  • Global Exchange
  • Global Help Initiative for Palestine
  • Grassroots International
  • Greater Boston United for Justice with Peace
  • Greek Association for Solidarity with the Palestinian People – INTIFADA
  • Happy Household Society – Gaza
  • Heard and Hand Fund
  • Homeland Charity – Gaza
  • Independent Jewish Voices – Canada
  • Inmaa' Association for Relief and Development
  • Institute for Development Studies – Gaza
  • International Cultural Network for Palestine – Lebanon
  • International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network – Headquarters and Canada
  • International Solidarity Movement – Chicago and Northern California chapters
  • Islamic Association – Beit Hanoun
  • Islamic Society – Gaza
  • Islamic University of Gaza
  • Israel Women’s Network
  • Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) – Israel, UK, USA
  • Ittijah, the Union of Arab Community-based Associations – Haifa
  • Jews Against the Occupation, Sydney – Australia
  • Jewish Voice for a Just Peace – Austria
  • Jewish Voice for Peace
  • Jews Say No
  • Khadem el-Haramein Centre for the Quran and Sunna
  • Labourers' Support Association
  • Land of the Israa Charity
  • L'autre Parole: Collective de Feministes Chretiennes (Christian Feminist Collective) – Quebec, Canada
  • Madison-Rafah Sister City Project
  • Mandela Institute for Political Prisoners – Ramallah
  • Michigan Coalition for Human Rights
  • Michigan Peace Team
  • Middle East Children's Alliance
  • Nasa'im El-Fajr [Dawn Breezes] Association
  • National Center for Community Rehabilitation – Gaza
  • National Lawyers Guild
  • Near East Cultural and Educational Foundation of Canada
  • New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel
  • Nonviolence International – Washington D.C.
  • Noor Development of Communal Capacity – Gaza
  • Nour-Arab Women's foundation for Research – Lebanon
  • Not In Our Name – Canada
  • Nour Association for Societal Progress and Development – Rafeh
  • Nzra Youth Group – Gaza
  • Oakland Institute
  • One Democratic State Group – Gaza
  • Palestine Telegraph – Gaza
  • Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service
  • Palestine Task Force, Boston United for Justice with Peace
  • Palestine Youth Network
  • Palestinian Canadian Congress
  • Palestinian Child and Family Services Association
  • Palestinian International Campaign Against the Siege
  • Palestinian Graduates Forum
  • Palestinian League for Environmental Development and Protection
  • Palestinian Medical Relief Society
  • Palestinian Municipalities & Local Councils Union
  • Palestinian Network of NGOs (PNGO)
  • Palestinian Social Club – Canada
  • Palestinian Students' Campaign for the Academic Boycott of Israel (Umbrella organization for 7 student orgs + Student Affairs of Palestine University)
  • Palestinian Unity Association
  • Palestinian Youth Committee
  • Pal Med Deutschland
  • Peace Action
  • Peaceworkers
  • People for Peace – London
  • People of Rafah Charity
  • Popular Committees for Refugees (8 camps) – Gaza
  • Progressive Democrats of America
  • Project Voice – AFSC New England
  • Public Service and Commercial Workers Union – Palestine
  • Qarttaba Charity Association
  • Rachel Corrie Foundation
  • Rafah Youth Sports Charity – Gaza
  • Rural Family Welfare Charity – Gaza
  • Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center – Jerusalem
  • Sarraj Association for Labourers
  • Sharek Youth Forum
  • Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign
  • Shomer Shalom Institute for Jewish Nonviolence
  • Social and Cultural Organization of the United – Gaza
  • Social Charity Organization – Gaza
  • Society of Agricultural Awareness and Guidance, Gaza
  • Society of In'ash El-Usra / Al-Bireh – Palestine
  • Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights – Canada
  • Southern Women's Health Association – Gaza
  • Students Against Israeli Apartheid – Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
  • Students Against Israeli Apartheid – University of Toronto
  • Students for Palestine – Sydney, Australia
  • Taa'meer Association for Development and Rehabiliation in Society
  • Tayseer Association for Marriage and Development
  • Thimar el-Kheir Associations for Progress and Development
  • Toronto Coalition Against the the War
  • Turathuna Charity Association
  • United for Peace and Justice
  • Union of Agricultural Workers – Palestine
  • Union of Food Manufacturers – Palestine
  • Union of Health Services Workers – Palestine
  • Union of Petrochemicals & Gas Workers – Palestine
  • University Teachers' Association in Palestine
  • Veterans for Peace National Board
  • Veterans for Peace – NYC, Chapter 34
  • Vision of Palestine Association – Gaza
  • Voices for Creative Nonviolence
  • War Resisters International
  • War Resisters League
  • WESPAC Foundation
  • Women's International League for Peace & Freedom
  • Women’s Intercultural Network
  • Wits Palestine Solidarity Committee – Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Women in Black – Los Angeles
  • Women in Black – Vienna
  • Women in Solidarity with Palestine
  • Women for Palestine – Australia
  • Women of a Certain Age
  • Yabous Charity Organization – Gaza
  • Yadd Association for the Development of Youth Abilities
  • Yesh G'vul – Israel
  • Youth Association for Development
  • Youth Thought Development – Gaza
CAIRO DECLARATION

January 1, 2010

End Israeli Apartheid

We, international delegates meeting in Cairo during the Gaza Freedom March 2009 in collective response to an initiative from the South African delegation, state:

In view of:

  • Israel's ongoing collective punishment of Palestinians through the illegal occupation and siege of Gaza;
  • the illegal occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the continued construction of the illegal Apartheid Wall and settlements;
  • the new Wall under construction by Egypt and the US which will tighten even further the siege of Gaza;
  • the contempt for Palestinian democracy shown by Israel, the US, Canada, the EU and others after the Palestinian elections of 2006;
  • the war crimes committed by Israel during the invasion of Gaza one year ago;
  • the continuing discrimination and repression faced by Palestinians within Israel;
  • and the continuing exile of millions of Palestinian refugees;
  • all of which oppressive acts are based ultimately on the Zionist ideology which underpins Israel;
  • in the knowledge that our own governments have given Israel direct economic, financial, military and diplomatic support and allowed it to behave with impunity;
  • and mindful of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (2007) 

We reaffirm our commitment to:
Palestinian Self-Determination
Ending the Occupation
Equal Rights for All within historic Palestine
The full Right of Return for Palestinian refugees

We therefore reaffirm our commitment to the United Palestinian call of July 2005 for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) to compel Israel to comply with international law.

To that end, we call for and wish to help initiate a global mass, democratic anti-apartheid movement to work in full consultation with Palestinian civil society to implement the Palestinian call for BDS.

Mindful of the many strong similarities between apartheid Israel and the former apartheid regime in South Africa, we propose:

  1. An international speaking tour in the first 6 months of 2010 by Palestinian and South African trade unionists and civil society activists, to be joined by trade unionists and activists committed to this programme within the countries toured, to take mass education on BDS directly to the trade union membership and wider public internationally;
  2. Participation in the Israeli Apartheid Week in March 2010;
  3. A systematic unified approach to the boycott of Israeli products, involving consumers, workers and their unions in the retail, warehousing, and transportation sectors;
  4. Developing the Academic, Cultural and Sports boycott;
  5. Campaigns to encourage divestment of trade union and other pension funds from companies directly implicated in the Occupation and/or the Israeli military industries;
  6. Legal actions targeting the external recruitment of soldiers to serve in the Israeli military, and the prosecution of Israeli government war criminals; coordination of Citizen's Arrest Bureaux to identify, campaign and seek to prosecute Israeli war criminals; support for the Goldstone Report and the implementation of its recommendations;
  7. Campaigns against charitable status of the Jewish National Fund (JNF). 

We appeal to organizations and individuals committed to this declaration to sign it and work with us to make it a reality. Please go to http://cairodeclaration.org/sign to sign on.

Download the declaration

Signed by: (* Affiliation for identification purposes only)

  1. Hedy Epstein, Holocaust Survivor/ Women in Black*, USA
  2. Nomthandazo Sikiti, Nehawu, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Affiliate International Officer*, South Africa
  3. Zico Tamela, Satawu, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Affiliate International Officer*, South Africa
  4. Hlokoza Motau, Numsa, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Affiliate International Officer*, South Africa
  5. George Mahlangu, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Campaigns Coordinator*, South Africa
  6. Crystal Dicks, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Education Secretary*, South Africa
  7. Savera Kalideen, SA Palestinian Solidarity Committee*, South Africa
  8. Suzanne Hotz, SA Palestinian Solidarity Group*, South Africa
  9. Shehnaaz Wadee, SA Palestinian Solidarity Alliance*, South Africa
  10. Haroon Wadee, SA Palestinian Solidarity Alliance*, South Africa
  11. Sayeed Dhansey, South Africa
  12. Faiza Desai, SA Palestinian Solidarity Alliance*, South Africa
  13. Ali Abunimah, Electronic Intifada*, USA
  14. Hilary Minch, Ireland Palestine Solidarity Committee*, Ireland
  15. Anthony Loewenstein, Australia
  16. Sam Perlo-Freeman, United Kingdom
  17. Julie Moentk, Pax Christi*, USA
  18. Ulf Fogelström, Sweden
  19. Ann Polivka, Chico Peace and Justice Center*, USA
  20. Mark Johnson, Fellowship of Reconciliation*, USA
  21. Elfi Padovan, Munich Peace Committee*/Die Linke*, Germany
  22. Elizabeth Barger, Peace Roots Alliance*/Plenty I*, USA
  23. Sarah Roche-Mahdi, CODEPINK*, USA
  24. Svetlana Gesheva-Anar, Bulgaria
  25. Cristina Ruiz Cortina, Al Quds-Malaga*, Spain
  26. Rachel Wyon, Boston Gaza Freedom March*, USA
  27. Mary Hughes-Thompson, Women in Black*, USA
  28. David Letwin, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN)*, USA
  29. Jean Athey, Peace Action Montgomery*, USA
  30. Gael Murphy, Gaza Freedom March*/CODEPINK*, USA
  31. Thomas McAfee, Journalist/PC*, USA
  32. Jean Louis Faure, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN)*, France
  33. Timothy A King, Christians for Peace and Justice in the Middle East*, USA
  34. Gail Chalbi, Palestine/Israel Justice Project of the Minnesota United Methodist Church*, USA
  35. Ouahib Chalbi, Palestine/Israel Justice Project of the Minnesota United Methodist Church*, USA
  36. Greg Dropkin, Liverpool Friends of Palestine*, England
  37. Felice Gelman, Wespac Peace and Justice New York*/Gaza Freedom March*, USA
  38. Ron Witton, Australian Academic Union*, Australia
  39. Hayley Wallace, Palestine Solidarity Committee*, USA
  40. Norma Turner, Manchester Palestine Solidarity Campaign*, England
  41. Paula Abrams-Hourani, Women in Black (Vienna)*/ Jewish Voice for Just Peace in the Middle East*, Austria
  42. Mateo Bernal, Industrial Workers of the World*, USA
  43. Mary Mattieu, Collectif Urgence Palestine*, Switzerland
  44. Agneta Zuppinger, Collectif Urgence Palestine*, Switzerland
  45. Ashley Annis, People for Peace*, Canada
  46. Peige Desgarlois, People for Peace*, Canada
  47. Hannah Carter, Canadian Friends of Sabeel*, Canada
  48. Laura Ashfield, Canadian Friends of Sabeel*, Canada
  49. Iman Ghazal, People for Peace*, Canada
  50. Filsam Farah, People for Peace*, Canada
  51. Awa Allin, People for Peace*, Canada
  52. Cleopatra McGovern, USA
  53. Miranda Collet, Spain
  54. Alison Phillips, Scotland
  55. Nicholas Abramson, Middle East Crisis Response Network*/Jews Say No*, USA
  56. Tarak Kauff, Middle East Crisis Response Network*/Veterans for Peace*, USA
  57. Jesse Meisler-Abramson, USA
  58. Hope Mariposa, USA
  59. Ivesa Lübben. Bremer Netzwerk fur Gerechten Frieden in Nahost*, Germany
  60. Sheila Finan, Mid-Hudson Council MERC*, USA
  61. Joanne Lingle, Christians for Peace and Justice in the Middle East (CPJME)*, USA
  62. Barbara Lubin, Middle East Children’s Alliance*, USA
  63. Josie Shields-Stromsness, Middle East Children’s Alliance*, USA
  64. Judith Mahoney Pasternak, WRL* and Indypendent*, USA
  65. Ellen Davidson, New York City Indymedia*, WRL*, Indypendent*, USA
  66. Ina Kelleher, USA
  67. Lee Gargagliano, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (Chicago)*, USA
  68. Brad Taylor, OUT-FM*, USA
  69. Helga Mankovitz, SPHR (Queen’s University)*, Canada
  70. Mick Napier, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign*, Scotland
  71. Agnes Kueng, Paso Basel*, Switzerland
  72. Anne Paxton, Voices of Palestine*, USA
  73. Leila El Abtah, The Netherlands
  74. Richard, Van der Wouden, The Netherlands
  75. Rafiq A. Firis, P.K.R.*/Isra*, The Netherlands
  76. Sandra Tamari, USA
  77. Alice Azzouzi, Way to Jerusalem*, USA
  78. J’Ann Schoonmaker Allen, USA
  79. Ruth F. Hooke, Episcopalian Peace Fellowship*, USA
  80. Jean E. Lee, Holy Land Awareness Action Task Group of United Church of Canada*, Canada
  81. Delphine de Boutray, Association Thèâtre Cine*, France
  82. Sylvia Schwarz, USA
  83. Alexandra Safi, Germany
  84. Abdullah Anar, Green Party – Turkey*, Turkey
  85. Ted Auerbach, USA
  86. Martha Hennessy, Catholic Worker*, USA
  87. Louis Ultale, Interfaile Pace e Bene*, USA
  88. Leila Zand, Fellowship of Reconciliation*, US
  89. Emma Grigore, CODEPINK*, USA
  90. Sammer Abdelela, New York Community of Muslim Progressives*, USA
  91. Sharat G. Lin, San Jose Peace and Justice Center*, USA
  92. Katherine E. Sheetz, Free Gaza*, USA
  93. Steve Greaves, Free Gaza*, USA
  94. Trevor Baumgartner, Free Gaza*, USA
  95. Hanan Tabbara, USA
  96. Marina Barakatt, CODEPINK*, USA
  97. Keren Bariyov, USA
  98. Ursula Sagmeister, Women in Black – Vienna*, Austria
  99. Ann Cunningham, Australia
  100. Bill Perry, Delaware Valley Veterans for Peace*, USA
  101. Terry Perry, Delaware Valley Veterans for Peace*, USA
  102. Athena Viscusi, USA
  103. Marco Viscusi, USA
  104. Paki Wieland, Northampton Committee*, USA
  105. Manijeh Saba, New York / New Jersey, USA
  106. Ellen Graves, USA
  107. Zoë Lawlor, Ireland – Palestine Solidarity Campaign*, Ireland
  108. Miguel García Grassot, Al Quds – Málaga*, Spain
  109. Ana Mamora Romero, ASPA-Asociacion Andaluza Solidaridad y Paz*, Spain
  110. Ehab Lotayef, CJPP Canada*, Canada
  111. Adie Mormech, Free Gaza* / Action Palestine*, England
  112. Aimee Shalan, UK
  113. Liliane Cordova, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN)*, Spain
  114. Priscilla Lynch, USA
  115. Jenna Bitar, USA
  116. Deborah Mardon, USA
  117. Becky Thompson, USA
  118. Diane Hereford, USA
  119. David Heap, People for Peace London*, Canada
  120. Danah Abdulla, Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights*, Canada
  121. Wendy Goldsmith, People for Peace London*, Canada
  122. Abdu Mihirig, Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights-UBC*, Canada
  123. Saldibastami, Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights-UBC*, Canada
  124. Abdenahmane Bouaffad, CMF*, France
  125. Feroze Mithiborwala, Awami Bharat*, India
  126. John Dear, Pax Christi*, USA
  127. Ziyaad Lunat, Portugal
  128. Michael Letwin, New York City Labor Against the War (NYCLAW)
  129. Labor For Palestine