The head of the International Department of the Communist Party of Israel (CPI) and well know leading feminist activist, Aida Touma-Sliman, named new editor in chief of "Al Ittihad" daily newspaper.
Aida Touma-Sliman
"Al Ittihad", founded in 1944, is the voice of the CPI in Arabic, and the solely Arabic daily newspaper in Israel. Among the former editors-in-chief of "Al Ittihad": Emil Habibi, Tawfik Toubi, Salem Jubran and Ahmad Sa'ad.
Aida Touma-Sliman is the Director General of Women against Violence in Nazareth, member of the Political Bureau of the CPI and the first women appointed to the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab citizens of Israel and member of the Executive Committee of Hadash (the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality). She has a BA degree from Haifa University in Arabic Literature and Psychology.
]]>The Communist Party of Israel (CPI) mourns the tragic slaying by masked gunmen of our friend Juliano ("Jules") Mer-Khamis. He was a major figure in the struggle for a just peace and the forging of a new progressive society in Palestine and Israel based on human rights, freedom, equality and, not least, creative and critical expression.
Mer-Khamis, filmmaker, actor and the co-founder and director of the Freedom Theatre in Jenin, supported the work of the radical peace camp in Israel and frequently attended demonstrations and showing his films to activists and sharing his thoughts and personal vision.
Mer-Khamis was born in the city of Nazareth to a Jewish mother, Arna Mer, and an Arab-Palestinian father, Salivah Khamis, a very know leading member of the CPI. He was murdered in Jenin on Tuesday is being laid to rest today (Wednesday) at the kibbutz Ramot Menashe cemetery, where he will be buried next to his mother Arna Mer.
]]>Veteran Communist Party of Israeli (CPI) leader Tawfik Toubi dead today (March 12, 2011). His funereal is to take place tomorrow, Sunday, in Haifa.
Toubi was born in Haifa, in 1922, and was educated at the Mount Zion School in Jerusalem. He joined the Palestine Communist Party in 1941 and later was one of the founders of the League for National Liberation.
He remains in Haifa during the Naqba and becomes a defender of the Arab-Palestinian population in the Northern city. He was elected to the Israeli parliament (Knesset) in 1949 as a leading member of the CPI. He was re-elected to the Knesset for more than 40 years. Beginning in the 1950’s, Toubi was a member of the presidium of the Israeli Committee for Peace and the presidium of the World Peace Council.
In 1976 he was elected as Deputy Secretary General of Hadash (the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality), serving as its Secretary General from 1989 – 1993. Following his retirement, he continued to be the editor and publisher of the daily Communist Party’s newspaper in Arabic “Al Ittihad".
Toubi is remembered as the exposer (along with Meir Vilner) of the Kafr Qassem massacre of Palestinians in 1956. Toubi raised several times the issue of the right or return for the Palestinian refuges. First of all after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, he demanded that the inhabitants of al-Birwa be allowed to return to their homes, a request refused by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. After the 1967 war and occupation of the Palestinian territories he requested of Defense Minister Moshe Dayan that the inhabitants of Yallo be allowed to return to their homes. The requested that was similarly denied. Toubi was the last surviving member of the first Knesset.
"Tawfik's death is a great loss to the Communist Party and to the Palestinian-Arab public," said CPI Secretary General, Mohammed Nafa'h. "He was a diligent militant and a brilliant and modest parliamentarian; a man of peace, merit and honor. He left behind him a rich and respected legacy."
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Hadash MK says legislation aimed at punishing Israeli companies which do not sell to settlements violates freedom of expression. Bill allowing State to revoke citizenship of individuals convicted of terror, espionage offences also approved in first reading
The Knesset plenum on Monday (March 7, 2011) passed in first reading a bill which would impose harsh punitive fines on Israelis who call for academic or economic boycotts against Israeli institutions and settlements in the Palestinian territories. Thirty-two members of Knesset voted in favor of the "Boycott Law," while 12 MKs opposed it.
Among other things, the bill is aimed at punishing Israeli companies which won a tender for the construction of the Palestinian city Rawabi on condition that they do not supply services or sell merchandise to settlements in the West bank.
MK Hanna Swaid of Hadash (the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality – Communist Party of Israel) said the law is aimed at perpetuating the occupation, adding that it "violates freedom of expression and every citizen's right to choose to boycott products from the occupied territories. There is racism here which must be condemned."
A short while after the vote, the 'Citizenship Law" also passed its first reading on the Knesset floor. If passed into law, the controversial bill would allow the State to revoke the citizenship of individuals who were convicted of "terror and espionage offences against Israel, as well as revoke the citizenship of those convicted of undermining Israel's sovereignty, instigating war or aiding the enemy".
The bill's initiators, MKs David Rotem and Robert Ilatov of fascist party "Israel Beiteinu" said the legislation is aimed at "stressing the connection between the right to Israeli citizenship and loyalty to the state".
On the bill
The preamble to the bill states that its aim is "to protect the State of Israel in general and its citizens in particular from academic, economic and other boycotts targeting the state, its citizens and its corporations because of their connection to the state".
The draft law distinguishes among boycotts by Israeli residents or citizens; by foreign residents or nationals; and by foreign states, through legislation. It explicitly includes boycotts that affect the West Bank, such as boycotts of goods and services originating in settlements there.
Under the provisions of the bill, the court could levy a fine of up to NIS 30,000 on Israeli citizens calling for or taking party in boycotts against Israel. Foreign citizens who violate the law could be prohibited from entering Israel for 10 years or more.
Foreign states that pass laws leading to a boycott of Israel or of Israeli products could be barred from carrying out transactions in Israeli bank accounts and from trading in Israeli stocks, land or real estate. In addition, the state could suspend the transfer of payments owed to the states. Israeli citizens who have suffered damage as a result of the boycott could sue for compensation, to be paid out of the frozen funds.
The boycott bill was first submitted on June 2010 by 25 Knesset members and endorsed by members of various factions. Its hazy wording would make a number of actions, now considered free speech, illegal. It is prohibited to initiate a boycott against the State of Israel and "the territories under Israeli control", to encourage participation in it, or to provide assistance or information with the purpose of advancing it", section 2 of the proposed bill states.
Sections 3 and 4 of the proposed legislation state that, “An act of a citizen or resident of Israel in violation of Section 2 constitutes a civil wrong, and it will be subject to the provisions of the Torts Ordinance,” and “The court will award compensation for the civil wrong according to this law in the following manner: a. Punitive damages of up to 30,000 NIS to an injured party subject to the proof of any damage.”
If proven they participated in a boycott, individuals who are not citizens or residents of Israel can also be punished by having their right to enter the country denied for at least 10 years, according to the proposed legislation.
Eilat Maoz, Coalition of Women for Peace Coordinator, responded to the bill saying: “This is a step up in which the government isn’t satisfied with persecution of left wing organizations, but tries to make leftist protest illegal and silence its citizens. It’s a government that’s afraid of democratic debate, because such a debate will expose the disagreement of the public with the destructive policies of the occupation and the settlements.”
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Opposition parties forced yesterday (Wednesday, February 24) Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu to address the Knesset (the Israeli parliament) by submitting a petition with the signatures of 40 MKs, providing a platform for the premier to offer his analysis of regional conditions.
Speaking before Netanyahu, Hadash Chairman Muhammad Barakeh anticipated the prime minister’s comments and accused him of sending open and hinted threats regarding the popular revolutions in the Arab world and regarding the Palestinian Authority and Iran. "This man", he continued, "is a dangerous pyromaniac who must be stopped from within Israeli politics and in the international arena".
The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee approved a bill on Tuesday (February 15, 2011) that calls for heavy fines to be imposed on Israeli citizens who initiate or incite boycotts against Israel and the occupation of the Palestinian territories. The Israeli parliament (Knesset) approved an initial reading of the bill over six months ago. The bill will now move on to a first reading in the Knesset for approval. If it becomes a law, the fines would apply to anyone boycotting Israeli individuals, companies, factories, and organizations.
The bill was submitted by coalition chairman Ze’ev Elkin and sponsored by 27 MKs from right-wing and fascist parties: Likud, Israel Beiteinu, Shas, Habayit Hayehudi, United Torah Judaism and the centrist Kadima in its preliminary reading.
Reactions to the bill from the Israeli Left were unanimously negative. Hadash (the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality – Communist Party of Israel) MK Dov Khenin said it was the latest in an emerging trend of anti-democratic legislation promoted by Israel Beiteinu.
“The bill is crass, aggressive, brutal and anti-democratic,” Khenin said. “The true significance of the bill is far-reaching and seeks to enlist the political Center to the agenda of the extreme Right. Its true intent is to determine that Israel and the occupied territories are one and the same.”
Khenin said that if the bill becomes law, it would mean that people who sit at a restaurant and ask to return a bottle of wine produced in the West Bank, because they object to Israeli settlement there, would be subject to a large fine.
Hadash MK Hanna Sweid added the bill was meant to intimidate critics of government policies and was a clear violation of the freedom of expression. After a fiery discussion, which included a procedural commotion, the bill was passed with its opponents storming out of the room, refusing to participate in the vote. Before the decision was made, MK Khenin suggested renaming the "Prohibition on Instituting a Boycott Bill" to "Prohibition on Freedom of Expression Bill," reported the Association for Civil Rights in Israel.
On the bill
The boycott bill was first submitted on June 2010 by 25 Knesset members and endorsed by members of various factions. Its hazy wording would make a number of actions, now considered free speech, illegal. It is prohibited to initiate a boycott against the State of Israel and "the territories under Israeli control", to encourage participation in it, or to provide assistance or information with the purpose of advancing it,” section 2 of the proposed bill states.
Sections 3 and 4 of the proposed legislation state that, “An act of a citizen or resident of Israel in violation of Section 2 constitutes a civil wrong, and it will be subject to the provisions of the Torts Ordinance,” and “The court will award compensation for the civil wrong according to this law in the following manner: a. Punitive damages of up to 30,000 NIS to an injured party subject to the proof of any damage.”
If proven they participated in a boycott, individuals who are not citizens or residents of Israel can also be punished by having their right to enter the country denied for at least 10 years, according to the proposed legislation.
Eilat Maoz, Coalition of Women for Peace Coordinator, responded to the proposed bill saying: “This is a step up in which the government isn’t satisfied with persecution of left wing organizations, but tries to make leftist protest illegal and silence its citizens. It’s a government that’s afraid of democratic debate, because such a debate will expose the disagreement of the public with the destructive policies of the occupation and the settlements.”
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Announcement of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Israel
Demonstration in Nazareth in solidarity with the Egyptian people (photo: Al Ittihad
daily newspaper)
After decades in which the rights of workers and of the unemployed were trampled upon, and critics and opponents were silenced, the Arab nations are learning to recognize their power to impact and change reality in the direction of progress. The spontaneous demonstrations, attended mostly by youths, are not centrally organized. We are witnessing a popular movement representing a cross-section of parties and political streams, who are formulating their messages in the midst of action.
CPI's political bureau believes that the claim advanced for many years by the world's reigning capitalist establishments, which holds that the Arab world is only suited for either tyranny and oppression or Islamic fundamentalism, has been discredited. The mass popular movement in the Arab countries, which draws its power from the rage of the masses against the rise in food prices and the deepening scarcity of job opportunities, as well as the lack of basic civil rights – is emerging as a concrete political alternative.
It is difficult to estimate at the present moment, where the popular protest movement in the Arab states will end. Will it lead in every instance to the ousting of the tyrants, as occurred in Tunis? Or will it also lead to substantive changes in the nature of the regime and its policies? What political forces will be able to draw new energies from the uprising? But even now it is possible to estimate that we are witnessing a new phase in the social and political development of the Middle East, leading to the weakening of pro-American dictatorial regimes, which lead a policy of privatization in the service of the multinational corporations and provided backing to U.S. aggression in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Communist Party of Israel, as do all seekers of democracy and human rights in the world, stands in solidarity with the struggle of the Arab nations for a decent livelihood and freedom. The uprising of these peoples is a source of encouragement in our struggle to defend workers and democracy in Israel, and to combat racism, while demanding equal political and social rights for all.
January 31, 2011
About a dozen of demonstrations held tonight (Saturday, January 2011) on Israel: Jaffa, Nazareth, Shefamr, Um el-Fahem, Sakhnin, Kufr Yassif and other localities. In Jaffa, about 1,000 Arab and Jerwish residents hit the streets to protest the "phenomenon of right-wing Jewish settlement" in the mixed city located just south of Tel Aviv. But, many protestors carried Egyptian and Palestinian flags, in solidarity with the Egyptian people struggle for democracy and social justice.
Matan Kaminer, carrying an Egyptian flag in Jaffa
One leftist protestor, Matan Kaminer, a former political prisoner and activist of Hadash (the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality – Communist Party of Israel) carried an Egyptian flag and said that demonstrators "need to learn from the Egyptian people how to rise up. Maybe that way our struggle will succeed." Another protestor, Said M., added: "Both in Egypt and in Israel they are trying to continuously, methodically repress the people in the same way. We fully support the Egyptian people's struggle against the corrupt regime there."
Hundreds of demonstrators slammed Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, while urging him to quit. Signs held up by the protestors included messages such as "Beware, the mayor supports racists," "We won't abandon Jaffa to the right-wing settlers," and "No to apartheid."
The demonstrators including Hadash Knesset Member Dov Khenin, a leading Communist Party member, who said: "We came to say no to racism and to settlement in a clear voice. Justice and equality will defeat racism and the settlers. In other and, we support the Egyptian workers and young people struggle against the regime of Mubarak and for democracy and social justice"
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Twenty thousands of activists, Jews and Arabs, from left-wing movements, parties and human rights organizations march in Tel Aviv on Saturday (January 15, 2001) in protest of the Knesset's decision to set up a committee of inquiry to probe the funding sources of human rights movements.
The protest march, under the headline "Demonstration (since it's still possible) for democracy", left from Tel Aviv's Meir Park, in front of the Likud headquarters, toward the plaza in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, where a rally take place in which Knesset members from Hadash, Kadima and Meretz as well as officials from Peace Now and human rights groups deliver speeches.
Protesters chanted in support of democracy and free speech and against racism and fascism, and carried hundreds of red flags and signs with slogans such as "Jews and Arabs together against Fascism", "Awaiting Democracy", "Danger – End of Democracy Ahead!", "Fighting the Rightist Government of Darkness" and "Democracy is Screaming for Help". Among the MKs taking part in the event were Dov Khenin (Hadash), Afo Agbarie (Hadash), Meir Sheetrit (Kadima), Hanna Swaid (Hadash), Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz) and Mohammad Barakeh (the Chairman of Hadash, the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality – Communist Party of Israel).
MK Horowitz inveighed against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, whom he said were "supporting Lieberman's incitement and encouraging racist legislation in the Knesset". "Tonight we are telling the Labor Party that it is a full partner of the most racist government in state history, and that they must leave it immediately," he said.
Peace Now Secretary-General Yariv Oppenheimer said at the rally that Israel was suffering not only from the Iranian threat but also from the "Liebermanian threat".
Hadash Chairman Barakeh said, "We are at a dangerous crossroads where democracy is concerned. Democracy is collapsing, not because of Lieberman but because of the support he is receiving from the prime minister. Jews and Arabs who care about democracy cannot fail at this time. Anyone who wishes to know the power of the people can look to Tunisia". In the same vein he added, "The victory of the people in Tunis over cruel dictatorship teaches us that oppression is not the fate of mankind and the people can win."
MK Sheetrit denounced Foreign Minster Avigdor Lieberman's proposal to probe the funding sources of human rights organizations.
"If such legislation is passed, it will be like taking a brick out of the wall of democracy. I am surprised that Likud members support this. It's simply shameful that they can sit in a government that makes such a proposal," he said.
MK Khenin said during the protest that "the thousands of people who are here understand that our democracy needs protection against its destroyers. We are voicing a clear voice in support of human rights and democracy, and against racism, fascism, McCarthyism and future destruction of the democratic values. We will continue to fight for democratic rights, freedom of speech, equal rights for Jews and Arabs and the end of the occupation."
List of participating organizations in the Emergency rally
Hadash (the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality) // Communist Party of Israel // ACRI (Association For Civil Rights in Israel // Meretz // New Israel Fund // Peace Now // The Kibbutz Movement // The Progressive Movement // The Green Movement // Physicians for Human Rights // The Geneva Initiative // Ha'Shomer Ha'tzair // Yisrael Hofshit (Free Israel) // Coalition of Women for Peace // Public Committee Against Torture // Yesh Gvul // Shutafut/Sharakah – Organizations for a Shared, Democratic and Egalitarian Society: Agenda, The Abraham Fund, Negev Institute – NISPED, Sikkuy, Kav Mashve, Keshev, Shatil // Gush Shalom // Yesh Din // Almuntada Altakadumi – The Progressive Circle in Ar'ara // Negev Coexistence Forum // Peace NGO's Forum // Amnesty International Israel // Banki-Shabiba – Young Communist League // Hagada Hasmalit Alternative Cultural Center in Tel-Aviv // Tandi – Democratic Women's Movement // Parents Circle – Families Forum // Social Workers for Peace and Social Welfare // Arab Movement for Renewal // Mossawa Centre – the Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens in Israel // Adalah – the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel // Yesh Din – Volunteers for Human Rights // Machsom Watch // Tarabut-Hithabrut // Rabbis for Human Rights // Ir Amim // Maan – Workers' Advice Center // Daam – Workers Party // Syndianna Galilee for Fair Trade // Israeli Children // Campus Le'Kulanu – Left Students Movement, the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and Haifa University // ASSAF – Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel // ICAHD – The Israeli Committee against House Demolitions // Social TV // Socialist Struggle // Labor Party Young Guard // HAMOKED – Center for the Defense of the Individual // BINA – Center for Jewish Identity, Hebrew Culture and Social Justice // AIC – Alternative Information Center // Our Heritage – The Charter for Democracy //
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The Democratic Camp, including political parties, public organizations and grassroots movements, is organizing to fight back against the governmental attack on Israeli democracy, orchestrated by Foreign Minister Lieberman.
The first public action will be a protest march and demonstration in Tel Aviv, to take place on Saturday night, January 15, 2010. The march will embark at 19:00 from the Gan Meir Park , in front of the Likud Headquarters (Metzudat Zeev) on King George Street, Tel Aviv, and culminate with a mass rally at the Tel Aviv Museum Plaza.
The organizers act out of a feeling that this country stands at a critical crossroads. In the coming months it will be decided whether Israel will be a democracy, or will become a pariah, illegitimate state, slipping further and further down the slope towards outright Fascism, where the Lieberman – Netanyahu – Barak government is heading.
List of participating organizations (further adherents expected in the coming days):
Hadash (the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality) // Communist Party of Israel // ACRI (Association For Civil Rights in Israel // Meretz // New Israel Fund // Peace Now // The Kibbutz Movement // The Progressive Movement // The Green Movement // Physicians for Human Rights // The Geneva Initiative // Ha'Shomer Ha'tzair // Sheikh Jarrah Solidarity // Yisrael Hofshit (Free Israel) // Coalition of Women for Peace // Public Committee Against Torture // Yesh Gvul // Shutafut/Sharakah – Organizations for a Shared, Democratic and Egalitarian Society: Agenda, The Abraham Fund, Negev Institute – NISPED, Sikkuy, Kav Mashve, Keshev, Shatil // Gush Shalom // Yesh Din // Almuntada Altakadumi (The Progressive Circle in Ar'ara) // Negev Coexistence Forum // Peace NGO's Forum // Amnesty International Israel // Banki-Shabiba – Young Communist League // Hagada Hasmalit Alternative Cultural Center in Tel-Aviv // Tandi – Democratic Women's Movement