After the last blog, which some of you responded to by sending letters you had sent to your MPs and even your MPs responses, I thought I would share an information sheet that I am producing for an event at Lime House Yoga which we are organising as part of a collective effort to create a schedule of events across Cornwall – our September of Solidarity – to apply more pressure for action. It has a lot of resources on it, which may be useful to you. Some are for folks in Cornwall seeking groups, but a lot of the information regards boycott lists, further MP letter advice, information on protests and actions, information on some grassroots Palestinian charities and NGOs, as well as some non-fiction, fiction, poetry and film – often from Palestinian writers and film makers – on Palestine. If you too are considering running an event in your community, then please feel free to share this or parts of it to help people to take further action. Also, I am interested in your resources to expand our offering, so write to me and share if you have time.
Although it is not below, as it is not Palestine specific, those of you who follow the news will have seen that the owner of Spotify has just made a huge investment in AI drone weapons. I have closed my account and moved to Tidal. This is a good test of ethics as Spotify is so handy and a lot of us have a huge number of playlists on it, but really this is one of the most important boycotts you can do as your money is directly tied up with killing machines.
Resource Listing
Some organisations in Cornwall
- Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) – https://palestinecampaign.org/ and
- In Falmouth they meet on The Moor in Falmouth every Sunday at 4pm and you can join their WhatsApp to find out more about events and how to support. and locally https://www.facebook.com/CornPalSol/
- There is also a lively Penzance group https://www.facebook.com/p/Penzance-Palestine-Solidarity-Campaign-61553914059434/
- See these two – and other – local PSC Facebook accounts for updates on events in Truro and other areas as well.
- Defend our Juries (DoJ) – there is a local group of Defend our Juries who are involved in the silent sitting in Truro and London to press the government to repeal proscription https://defendourjuries.net/
- Cornwall Arts for Palestine – this is a local group, seeking creative push back against our government’s complicity in genocide in Gaza. It is a good place to find local events https://www.facebook.com/people/Cornwall-Arts-For-Palestine/61579187279161/
- Free Palestine Cornwall
https://www.facebook.com/groups/35696261350138
Boycott Lists
This is a very simple way to protest Israel’s actions in Gaza, by boycotting Israeli goods and services. There are various versions of the boycott list, but you can begin below:
Letters to MPs
If you are struggling to word a letter to your MP then I am sharing my letter here. Some students have changed relevant details and used this. I am sure other folks will share too:
https://amyhughesyoga.com/compassion-is-a-verb-thich-nhat-hanh-caring-means-taking-action-not-just-feeling-empathy/ It is at the end of this blog post
https://una.org.uk/gaza-crisis-write-your-mp Advice from the UN in the UK
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/groups/manchester/points-make-lettersemails-about-israelgaza Advice from Amnesty International
News Outlets who are reporting
Of the mainstream British papers the Observer has given more coverage than the other left wing press. If you are interested in some reading that is not from the British mainstream media, you might try:
Grassroots Charities to support in Palestine
- The Sameer Project
This is an aid charity run by Palestinian people to support people in Gaza with camps, food and mental health support: https://opencollective.com/the-sameer-project
- Gaza Soup Kitchen
This is one of the few organisations still getting food to folks on the ground in Gaza. https://gazasoupkitchen.com/
- Alshmoh Cultural Centre
Providing healthcare and cultural and educational activities for children
https://www.facebook.com/people/Alshmoh-Cultural-Center/100064531847158/?mibextid=LQQJ4d, http://alshmoh.org/,
- Trees for Palestine
Planting olive trees provide food and livelihood for people’s livelihoods and lives
https://www.treesforpalestine.ps
NGOS supporting Palestine
- MAP
MAP are proving medical aid in Palestine
- Médecins Sans Frontière
MSF are providing medical aid in Palestine
For further information
There are lots of books, I am only sharing some I have read. There are further lists below.
Non-fiction
- Edward Said ‘The Question of Palestine’
- Ilan Pappe ‘The biggest prison on earth: A history of Gaza and the occupied territories’
- Joe Sacco (graphic novel) ‘Palestine’
Fiction and Poetry
Susan Abulhawa ‘Mornings in Jenin’ and ‘Against the loveless world’ (Palestinian novels)
Ghassan Kanfani ‘Men in the Sun and other Palestinian Stories’ (Palestinian short stories)
Naomi Foyle ed. ‘A Blade of Grass: New Palestinian Poetry’ (Palestinian poets)
Other book listings on Palestine
Films about Palestine
An extensive films list:
https://palestinecampaign.org/resources/films-about-palestine/
Short videos: