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Boycott, Divest from, and Sanction Israel

For the past 66 years since the creation of Israel in 1948, she has been violating the rights of the Palestinians with impunity. Israel has denied the Palestinian right to freedom and self-determination and subjected them to ethnic cleansing and systematic discrimination. And for the third time since December 2008, the world watches in horror at the genocide taking place in Gaza.

But in spite of her glaring brutal oppression of the Palestinians, Israel has hardly been rebuked, let alone held accountable for its crimes against humanity.

In 2005, Palestinian civil societies called upon the world to boycott, divest from and sanction Israel or BDS. BDS is very similar to the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s which led to the boycott, sanction and isolation of racist, white South Africa. It ended Apartheid South Africa and so will it end Apartheid Israel.

Today BDS Israel is a global movement, spanning the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The global BDS campaign heralds the rise of the new super power – people power!

And contrary to popular belief, it is more than just economics. It is morally and ethically the right thing to do.

BDS is a global campaign of isolating Israel culturally, academically and economically. It sends a clear message to the Israeli government that it is a rogue state not welcome anywhere until it recognizes the Palestinians right to self-determination and fully complies with international laws.

Stephen Hawkings, the world’s most famous scientist, boycott of the Israeli president’s conference hit Israel where it hurts most, science and technology which drives its economy. Hawking’s decision threatened to open a floodgate with more and more scientists coming to regard Israel as a pariah state.

Hawking’s public refusal follows that of prominent singers, artists and writers, from Brian Eno to Mike Leigh, Alice Walker and Adrienne Rich, all of whom have publicly rejected invitations to perform in Israel.

Sixty four public figures, including 7 Nobel Peace Prize winners, published a letter in the British  Guardian newspaper calling for an international arms embargo on Israel for its “war crimes and possible crimes against humanity” in Gaza.

In an open letter to the Lancet, twenty four doctors and scientists who have worked in and known the situation of Gaza have written “on the basis of our ethics and practice, we are denouncing what we witness in the aggression of Gaza by Israel.”

More recently, the University of Malaya rolled out a petition among the nation’s academicians, staff and students to express their outrage and condemnation of the Israeli atrocities, stating “Neutrality and silence in the face of such ongoing and irrefutable barbaric crimes is not an option. The time to be silent is over and the time to speak out is now.”

BDS creates awareness and is a grim and gruesome reminder of the long and brutal occupation the Palestinians have been living under. Each time we see the brands or companies targeted by the BDS against Israel campaign, we will remember the occupation. Each time a consumer reaches out for the boycotted product, he will picture the savage killings of innocent children, women and the elderly.

Thus, anyone can be part of the BDS movement. It is a personal choice to become a conscious consumer.  It is about standing in solidarity with a people under occupation for 66 years. BDS is a personal political statement that says, “I don’t consume these products because it is morally and ethically wrong.”  It empowers consumers and reminds them that as individuals they have a choice. Similarly, any organization can endorse the BDS campaign and make the advancement of BDS part of their organization’s program and agenda.

The BDS campaign against Israel is peaceful in nature. The recent press reports of destruction of cars and premises displaying or selling the targeted products are criminal acts of vandalism and do not embrace nor demonstrate the non-violent spirit of the BDS campaign.

The BDS consumer boycott against Israel is not only about refraining from purchasing products of an Israeli company or products of international companies that are complicit in Israel’s occupation and Apartheid. It also invites one‘s active participation in the campaign. BDS is not only about “refraining from products of an Israeli company” but also about “campaigning for stores not to stock those Israeli products”. This pro-active and strategic approach has been successful in forcing supermarkets and stores across the world to terminate relations with Israeli companies or change their business policies with a government that violates the rights of an entire people.

BDS Israel is now a global movement that involves Nobel Laureates, academicians, poets, musicians, artists, award winning journalists and the lay public. It includes universities, churches, student bodies, businesses and even the government of South Africa. BDS Israel is a call to stop this bully through peaceful, non-violent means.

Boycott South Africa first conceived in the 1950s was the idea of a small group of civil society activists. It took decades but eventually almost the entire world stood united and brought an end to South Africa’s racist government.

Can we do it again?

In unity lies our strength. Do not make the mistake of doing nothing just because we think we can only do little. Just do what we can. Let us each act, each within our circle of influence to impact change. We boycott because it is morally and ethically the right thing to do. We call on you to be a part of this global movement, a part of the new super power called PEOPLE POWER. We call on you to Boycott Israel.

Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin
Chairman, Viva Palestina Malaysia

Press Releases

THE SAVAGE ATTACKS ON GAZA’S HEALTH FACILITIES: GAZA’S HEALTHCARE SERVICES ON THE BRINK OF COLLAPSE!

19 Ramadhan 1435 / 17 July 2014

THE SAVAGE ATTACKS ON GAZA’S HEALTH FACILITIES: GAZA’S HEALTHCARE SERVICES ON THE BRINK OF COLLAPSE!

The incessant attacks on the Gaza Strip has caused at least 220 deaths (~40% women and children) and injured 1,450 (~65% women and children). The MOH facilities have not been spared of the savage assaults. Two hospitals, six clinics, three ambulances and a water desalinization centre have been damaged and the toll is increasing.  The MOH has less than six days of fuel reserves to power hospitals, as attacks on the electricity lines have exacerbated the pre-existing power shortages and resulted in complete reliance on generators for 20 hours a day.

Even prior to the invasion, at the end of June, the Ministry of Health (MOH) central drug stores reported that 28% of essential medicine items were at zero stock and half of surgical consumables were at zero stock.

All MOH hospitals stopped elective surgeries three weeks ago to save resources and are struggling to cope with the deluge of emergencies. Chief Surgeon and Medical Director of Shifa Hospital, Dr Sobhi Skaik described the situation as impossible!

Dr. Ayman al-Sahbani, head of emergency in al-Shifa hospital described the gruesome situation at Gaza’s main hospital. “People admitted to the hospital come with shrapnel wounds or injuries resulting from the collapse of walls on people when their houses are bombed. Most of those who arrive dead, come dismembered.  Some arrive with missing parts. Others are torn to pieces.”

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International, Doctors Without Borders, Nobel Peace Prize Winners in 1999, warned that the response to emergency needs at hospitals in Gaza could worsen quickly “due to already existing chronic shortages of drugs and disposables.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that medical services in Gaza city are on the brink of collapse as the Israeli military onslaught against the Strip continued.

The immediate priority of our humanitarian efforts is the resuscitation of the beleaguered health system made worse by the current invasion. Our estimates of the emergency list of medical & surgical supplies as requested by the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Gaza costs at least USD10 million. And this has not even begun to take into consideration the shortfalls and deficiencies inflicted by the chronic siege and blockade of Gaza.

Our joint endeavour is to provide basic and essential supplies for health care and help restore basic health services to the hospitals and clinics of the MOH of Gaza.

The 7 trucks that have entered Gaza the previous 48 hours have offloaded about USD200K worth of medical & surgical supplies. We are targeting a second convoy to deliver at least USD500K worth of essential medicines, medical equipments, surgical instruments and consumables.

Through our international networks, we have successfully purchased and stored most of these essential goods in Cairo, with the assistance of our partners in Egypt, Arab Medical Union (AMU), Islamic Medical Association of Egypt (IMAE) and PIMA (Palestinian International Medical Aid).

We further appeal to all our generous  individual and corporate donors to help rehabilitate the struggling medical facilities in Gaza.

All forms of generous contributions are acceptable including Zakat & Sadaqah. Kindly find our banking details, for your banking convenience as attached below.  Kindly email your corporate logo to relief@amueg.org for our display banners on the trucks.

May Allah reward you all abundantly for your prayers and contributions during this blessed month of Ramadhan.

Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin
musamn@gmail.com
vpmalaysia@gmail.com
Chairman, Viva Palestina Malaysia & FIMA Advisory

A/C Name: PERTUBUHAN VIVA PALESTINA MALAYSIA
Bank: Malayan Banking Berhad
Block C, Damansara Offices Complex, Jalan Dungun, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Account no: 5-64324-601324
Swift Code: MBBEMYKL

Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE: MORE ATTACKS ON GAZA

13 Ramadhan 1435 / 11 July 2014

PRESS RELEASE: MORE ATTACKS ON GAZA

On the morning of 8 July 2014, Israel unleashed yet another sequel of attacks on Gaza – Operation Protective Edge. Like its predecessor, Operation Cast Lead (2008/2009) and Operation Pillar of Defence (2012), these acts of genocide are reminiscent of the manner in which the state of Israel was born.

Violent inhuman atrocities and a militaristic policy of ethnic cleansing of the Israeli Occupying Forces (IOF) was the backdrop to the declaration of the state of Israel on 14 May 1948. The IOF acquired 78% of Palestine, expelled 750,000 Palestinians and destroyed 400 Palestinian villages. A catastrophe of monumental proportions for the indigenous Palestinians – the Nakba.

The unabated aggression of the IOF continues today with further confiscation of Palestinian land for Jewish settlements and the occupation of Jerusalem. The entire population of Gaza is now terrorised by widespread, incessant and indiscriminate bombings. Whilst, in defense, the Palestinians are firing Qassam rockets on the cities of Haifa, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, totally unanticipated by the IOF. Though of varying proportions, both the Israeli and Palestinian people are paying a heavy price, as a consequence of the “occupation mind-set” of the Zionist leadership.

The Israeli government continues to invite world scorn in its despicable treatment of the Palestinians and this latest incident is another ghastly and cowardly stain on its appalling human rights record. The racist, immoral and illegitimate actions of Israel have turned it into a rogue nation and increased its political isolation in the global community.

Where super powers have failed the Palestinians, civil society has responded with vigour and outrage to say “Enough is Enough”. There is a worldwide campaign to put pressure on Israel to abide by international law.

VIVA PALESTINA MALAYSIA REAFFIRM OUR RESOLVE THAT SECURITY, JUSTICE AND EQUALITY IS LONG OVERDUE TO EVERY ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN.

IN OUR SINCERE AND EARNEST ENDEAVOUR TO REALISE THESE CHERISHED VALUES, WE HEREBY:
1.           URGE the world community and civil society to recognize that since the creation of Israel in 1948, the Palestinians have been forcibly and continually evicted from their homes and denied their right of a dignified return to their homeland.

2.           URGE the United Nations to rein in Israel to embrace the “Hudna” (Truce Plan) which stipulates her withdrawal to the border prior to June 1967 (UN Resolution 242/1967) and honour the right of return of the Palestinians as guaranteed by the UN (Resolution 194III/1949).

3.           URGE the United Nations to force Israel to end the occupation of Palestine, and value the well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians and their peaceful co-existence.

4.           URGE world governments to offer humanitarian aid to the Palestinian government in a show of solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine.

VIVA PALESTINA MALAYSIA  HEREBY:
1.     CONDEMN in the strongest possible term the latest campaign of aggression and genocide by Israel.

2.     URGE the United Nations to do everything possible to immediately end the wanton killings of innocent Palestinians and destruction of their infrastructure.

3.     SUPPORT any move by the Government of Malaysia to champion the Palestinian cause in their quest for freedom, justice and self-determination

4.     ENJOIN peace loving Malaysians to contribute generously to the rehabilitation and recovery of the Palestinian people and state

Dato Dr Musa Mohd Nordin
Chairman, Viva Palestina Malaysia

Press Releases

MPF Press Release on Soup Kitchens

6 Ramadhan 1435 / 4 July 2014

Love, compassion, empathy and care are just a few of the noble traits nurtured during the blessed month of Ramadhan. The feeding of the less fortunate, namely the poor, orphan, homeless and destitute are among some of the most praiseworthy deeds advocated by the Prophet during this month.

In an authentic tradition narrated by At-Tirmidhi, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said;

“Save yourself from hellfire by giving even half a date-fruit in charity.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 498).

Charity is enjoined upon every decent human being, and Muslims are duty bound to extend a helping hand where it is needed. God allows that there should be among us in need of charity so that those who are able can give and increase their worth in the sight of God.

Allah says in the Quran, Surah Al Baqarah: 271;

“If you give charity in public, it is worthwhile (for it will persuade others), but if you hide and deliver it to the poor in secret that is (far) better for you. And Allah will remove from you some of your sins (due to this charity). And Allah is aware of all that you do.”

It is therefore highly inappropriate to say the least that in this holiest month of Ramadhan where Muslims are encouraged to engage in charity, the Federal Territories Minister has chosen to ban soup kitchens and fine both givers and takers of this charity.

Homelessness is symptomatic of malaise and inequity in society and the increase in their numbers reflect the widening social gaps. Urban poverty is a phenomenon that is well recognised in many of the big cities of the world including Paris, Tokyo and Washington. Urban poverty is worse than rural poverty for the urbanites have no plot of land to subsist on. In the urban areas it basically means “no money no eat”.

Thus the presence of soup kitchens in these cities to serve the homeless and destitute. These are made possible by many kind souls working individually or collectively with NGOs. They sacrifice their time, effort and money to feed and provide some modicum of relief to the downtrodden and destitute of KL.

The example of Umar Al Khattab, the second caliph of the Islamic empire, serves as a useful Ramadhan reflection for a caring and compassionate socio-political governance.

Umar was out one night with his assistant when he came upon an old woman sitting over a fire and stirring her pot. Her crying children were nearby. She did not recognise Umar and upon being asked informed him that her children were crying because they were hungry and all she had in her pot was water. She was pretending to cook, hoping her children would sleep out of exhaustion. Umar walked away immediately to the state godown and carried food provisions on his back, refusing his assistant’s help. When he returned, he helped the old woman prepare a meal and fed the children. Umar stayed watching till the children went to sleep happy. Only then could he sleep himself.

Food is one of our basic needs and no one relishes queuing and begging for it. The fact that there are some among us deprived of this basic need is a shame upon us. Banning the homeless and criminalising the soup kitchens is a sweep under the rug solution. It will not beautify our city for the stench comes from our failure in addressing a most basic need of our fellow beings – food and shelter.

Taking cognisance of this, the Muslim Professionals Forum urges the honourable minister to:

  1. Reflect on the implications of his ill advised decree

  2. Understand the problem of urban poverty holistically

  3. Engage the  various stakeholders to strategise a comprehensive and long term solution

  4. Support and facilitate these soup kitchens instead of persecuting them.

Press release of MPF issued by:
The Board of Directors
Muslim Professionals Forum