GAZA COMES TO SCOTLAND!

On August 30^th. 2015 at the Normandy Hotel Inchinnan Road Renfrew an event is taking place which is a must for those who want to learn about the Palestine Israel conflict and hopefully help the beleaguered people of Gaza. Below you will find details of the all day events which culminate in a dinner and speakers from Palestine as well as Professor Norman Finklestein who is an American Political Scientist and an expert on the Middle East. I would urge anyone who might be interested to ‘Google’ or U Tube Mr. Finklestein, this is rare chance to see him and hear him speak.        

   

Below is a copy of the itinerary provided by the organisers...

For the workshop you can register here...http://www.hopeoverfear.info/workshops/

To buy tickets... http://www.hopeoverfear.info/register/

the website has information http://www.hopeoverfear.info/ on the event.

Below you will find information about the charity...

Al-Khair is a humanitarian aid charity organisation, established in 2003 with branches throughout the UK, East Africa and subcontinent Asia. Primarily our focus is delivering emergency aid and relief in regions suffering the aftermath of natural disasters, conflict zones and communities plagues by abject poverty. The Foundation is constantly engaged in humanitarian project internationally as well as charitable work here in the UK, assisting those who are in need of help and assistance.

Our programmes include food supplies and access to clean and safe water solutions, medical aid, temporary and permanent shelter constructs, educational institutes, and livelihood training facilities. Insha’Allah we are currently sponsoring widows and orphans in Gaza, Insha’Allah will soon build a hospital in Khan Younis (our maternity hospital was destroyed last summer during Ramadan), we are currently supplying hospitals with medicine and medical equipment, we have a food programme to feed families in need, Insha’Allah we will be sponsoring undergraduates in all of Gazas universities and many more programmes.  Al-Khair Foundation is a 100% donation charity.

 The workshops will be live with Gaza so that we may see first hand the problems facing Gazans and hear it directly rather than second or third hand. As a studen tthis is an ideal way to gain experience and use your knowledge to help Gazans via skype 2-3hrs a week and also at the same time helping a humanitarian cause.

Insha’Allah our aim is non political and we will be holding workshops during the day time to find solutions to problems Gazans face on a daily basis.  Our aim is to find mentors and businesses willing to help Gazans via Webcam, as they are unable to leave their open prison and we outsiders are unable to enter. Insha’Allah we are hoping to start a mentoring and apprentice programme to help them and the day will culiminate in an auction dinner.

Morning Workshops – 10am to 1pm

Education – currently a student in gaza who has done an online course with a Scottish university but unable to attend her exams in Alexandria as crossing for raffah is closed – find solutions ie exam in Gaza with agreement with universities?

Emergency services – invite fire brigade & rescue services

Afternoon Workshops – 2pm to 5pm

Business and Construction – businesses together can they offer solutions for apprenticeships via webcam etc Apprenticeships for Gaza Students and solutions for problems/ difficulties facing Gazans on an every day level alternative methods of building without using cement

Health / Medical – natural health remedies / medical personnel to work closely via webcam etc with hospitals in Gaza giving advise etc

Exhbition – Palestine and Gaza

Stalls – Palestinian goods / services stalls only £40

Palestinian theatre group during the day – if they manage to leave gaza

EVENING EVENT

Auction dinner £20 per person – for our orphans programme (many lost of limbs in last war) and education (we have just signed an MoU with UNWRA last week to build schools in Gaza and educate children) and food programmes in Gaza.

Our keynote speaker will be Norman Finkelstein, son of holocaust survivors

Imam Qasim – Chairman of Al-Khair Foundation

Aamer Anwar – Human Rights Lawyer

Manual Hassassian – Palestinian Ambassador

Further information can be found on our event website www.hopeoverfear.info and tickets for the evening can be bought at our shop or online.

Al-Khair Foundation Glasgow Office 441 Victoria Road Glasgow G42 8R

Tel. 0141 423 5747

Registered in England and Wales Charity Registration No: 1126808

Al-Khair Foundation109-119 Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, CR0 6BE, United Kingdom Registered Charity No. 1126808 - AL-KHAIR FOUNDATION. 

"THERE AREN''T ANY GOOD CAUSES LEFT" PLAY - LOOK BACK IN ANGER - (JOHN OSBORNE)

The above lines are spoken in this seminal drama by the original “angry young man” Jimmy Porter played by Richard Burton; who if he were a current character IMO would have found his cause in Palestine.

June 5th. 20 10 1.30 pm. And my first born child Clare and I step down from a bus outside the National Gallery in Princes Street Edinburgh in splendid sunshine. The square beside the N.G. is beginning to fill with the most colourful crowd of vibrant people I have seen for a long time. These people who are arriving in small groups are clearly an exotic bunch as they come from some far flung places such as Greece; Pakistan; Spain; Turkey and places from as far west as Glasgow; Paisley and Greenock. Lots are from Edinburgh of course as well as a large delegation from Leith who are as always ready to explain to you in a comradely fashion of course that that is Leith and not Edinburgh, ken eh?

As is always the case where large crowds gather the obligatory nomadic circus arrives as if by magic with them; buskers; newspaper sellers; ice cream vendors and fast food purveyors are everywhere adding to the growing genial ambience. What binds us collectively is that today we are all honorary Palestinians, people from different political parties; traditional antagonists eye each other cagily as we metaphorically rub shoulders together. One guy whom I had almost come to blows with at a recent election in Paisley Town Centre greeted me silently with a clenched fist salute and what was almost a smile playing on his lips, I of course reciprocated. Friendly Police on beautiful big playful horses with feet like big soup plates keep order as we prepare for the serious business of why we are here albeit in a friendly tone, which is to protest the Israeli slaughter of unarmed civilians who were trying to deliver aid to the besieged residents of the Gaza Strip.

I would not advocate violence against Israel; not because I’m a pacifist or because I am committed to non violence although I respect both positions; but because Israel is one the most heavily armed countries in the world and is on a constant war footing. Backed as it is by the biggest and most powerful military machine in history that of America, Israel is well nigh unbeatable in military terms. The very real fears about what Israel is capable of if facing defeat with its present blood soaked lunatic rulers with their finger on the nuclear trigger are horrifying but they can still be beaten.I have heard people say in the past that there is nothing that can be done against such odds, and I say that those who take that line were not in Edinburgh on Saturday. To be there in support of a just cause in the midst of such fantastic people was an inspiring experience; the strength one takes and the solidarity one feels is intoxicating and yes; it does give you strength to carry on the fight and that; among many other things is what such a demonstration sets out to do and this one did it and then some. I always think of these lines from Wordsworth on the French Revolution when I think of demonstrations and protests being made by ordinary people in their thousands “Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, but to be young was very heaven” unfortunately I aint young and I have health issues which mean I am now “cream crackered” but I shall return. I have been at this protesting lark for some time and I know a bit about it even if I do say so myself; to those who say we can’t win let me mention the following.

“Armies cannot stand against an idea whose time has come” (Leon Trotsky) having been a supporter of Palestinian rights and an enemy of Israel’s murderous and vicious Apartheid regime since the 19 60’s I can say that the pressure is building on Israel and it is at a level now that I have never seen before, now therefore is the time to step it up; the “idea whose time has come” is arriving at Israel’s door soon. The following are campaigns which I have been involved in, in my own humble way; they all had one thing in common, we were told in respect of each one that our cause was just but our goal unachievable.

Civil Rights in America – we won; Civil Rights in Ireland – we won; Vietnam – we won; Apartheid in South Africa – we won; Release Mandela – we won; The Poll Tax – we won and we can win freedom for Palestine as well; we can also put a stop to the rogue state of Israel and force it to behave like the rest of the civilized world and we must.

The answer is political pressure and a massive boycott of Israel and everything to do with that country. No more Israeli goods in Britain, no more sporting contact of any kind, no more trade, no more contact in education and science. It’s a long difficult journey but it can be done; you the decent people of the world; you who abhor racism; Apartheid and War crimes can do it; it’s time to play your part.

For those Zionists who claim to speak for the Jewish people and for all Israeli citizens I would like to relate the following delightful encounter. On boarding the train home I spotted 3 guys who had been at the rally one of whom had made a powerful speech and I sat with them. They were from an organisation called "Scottish Jews for a Just Peace" Jewish guys who are opposed to Israel's action and sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians it was a priviledge to meet and talk with them. You could not meet nicer people; they are hated by the Zionist organisations and are called things like 'self hating Jews' and worse but; these guys had a quite honest strength about them and believe me because I've taken on these Zionist characters they need it; my pleasure guys stick with it; you can hold your heads high.

This clourful looking wee guy wins the most original placard award for highlighting the stupidity of the blockade. The plant and the coloured word at the bottom is coriander which is banned from Gaza; honest it is.

The square at the National Gallery starts to fill up; can't you feel the excitement.

Young fit daughter Clare manages to leave the march dodge the Police officers; the Police horses and cars to take this from a vantage point across from the route; then make her way back to the crowd.