NEWS

Photo source: US Campaign for Palestinian Rights

By Odile Hugonot Haber and the Middle East Committee

Since Israel attacked the US ship “Liberty,” a ship the US had sent to monitor the Suez Canal in the beginning of the Six Days War (1967), relations between the US and Israel have become increasingly close and their military industries have become tied together.

After the 1967 War, “The heroic Israeli David triumphed over the aggressive Arab Goliath” writes Phyllis Bennis. “After that support skyrocketed for US closer ties to Israel.” ⁽¹⁾ “...The reward for Israel was a flood of sophisticated weapons, including advanced Phantom Jets.”

Since then US military aid to Israel has grown by leaps and bounds as as our own US military budget has ballooned. Israel was there to protect “our oil” under “their sands,” and we know that corporate US interests have to be protected at all costs.

Now Israel possesses the technological know-how to produce their own arms industry: anti-tank missiles, guided bombs, anti-missile defense systems—“David’s Slings and Iron Dome.” Israel also has a sophisticated aerospace industry: satellites, robotics, cyber warfare, drones, etc. Israeli arms and components are exported by SIBAT, the International Defense Cooperation Directorate of the Israel Ministry of Defense. Their website states that Israel Defense sales grew by 40% in 2017. According to SIBAT, in 2017 Israel exported missiles aerial defense systems (31%), radar systems (17%), avionic (14%), and so on.

Israel also has the only nuclear arsenal in the Middle East so far, estimated to include 120 nuclear bombs, and submarines with long-range nuclear missiles.

So between Israel and the US, there are unique high-tech defense weapon systems that manufacture weapons and propagate them around the world for warfare. They also upgrade and retrofit other countries “platforms” This is called “Israelizing platforms.” Israel has received $121 billion in aid (overwhelmingly military in nature) from the US between 1949 and 2015. ⁽²⁾

Besides this giant military industrial complex, what are the other aspects of US policies in the region?

Because the US has decided it is important to protect this defense industry development and protect Israeli hegemony in the Middle East, Lebanon had to be controlled and bombed from time to time to disarm their economy and infrastructure, and to keep Hezbollah at bay.

After Iraq, Syria had to go. The Islamic States grew at first with US weapons and US support, but eventually grew too powerful and had to be fought. Divide and conquer is a good tactic, and the neocons had first used such tactics to gain dominance over Latin America with the aid of Israeli knowledge in population control. Now this policy has been exported to the Middle East. ⁽³⁾

Then the Islamic State, al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and Hamas had to be defeated, and Syria, Yemen, and Iran had to be “contained.” This reflects the breath of the regional crisis.

A continued US military presence has to be maintained to prevent any resurgence in Iraq, Libya, Syria, or Lebanon, and has to be continued no matter what any US president may declare. Building counter terrorism is crucial.

This “Armageddon” scenario is not diminishing, and we have to remember that there is also a vague US process that is part of the Geneva Accord which has not proceeded successfully in recent years.

Gaza may be the heart of an open sore but the wound had grown wider. The Middle East and the planet are in grave danger due to out of control militarization.

Would it not be better to invest our tax dollars in climate change, focusing on the lack of water and the unbearable heat that grows every year and will eventually make any human life impossible in these various regions? It is time for swords into plowshares...

What agenda could the peace movement develop against “this hegemonic and pacification program”?

We could:

Create forums that would let people express their grievances, do a Sulha (a regional conflict resolution method) and honor local people. We could build on the multiple theologies that exist for Peace and Justice.

Recall the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and put it first in all deliberations.

Divest from bombs and the war system, create an alternative policy and press for it.
(See the AFSC’s Principles for a Just and Lasting Peace between Palestinians and Israelis)

Create a “Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone” in the Middle East, and continue to promote it as an alternative to the arms race.

Convene the citizens of the world to a peace meeting for the Middle East.

Call our representatives and move them forward, asking them not to support the 3.8 billion per year the US gives Israel. Instead we could have public school education, decent housing for all, and health care.

Call your DC Representatives and Senators (1-202-224-3121)
E-mail addresses for Reps can be found at www.house.gov
E-mail addresses for Senators can be found at www.senate.gov

Sources

1. Phyllis Bennis, Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Primer (Olive Branch Press, 2015).
2. Jeff Halper, War Against the People: Israel, the Palestinians and Global Pacification (Pluto Press, 2015).
3. Roxanne Ortiz-Dunbar, An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States (ReVisioning American History) (Beacon Press, 2015). WILPF is mentioned in this book, for helping Native people to present their grievances at the UN.

Protesters demonstrate outside a US Marine base on Okinawa. The US plans to greatly expand the base in the rural fishing village of Henoko. Photo Credit: Sonia Narang, PRI.

By Martha Spiess and Christine DeTroy
Maine Branch of WILPF

Our small branch continues to collaborate with Brunswick's local peace community PeaceWorks, as well as Maine Veterans for Peace.

In April, we sponsored a talk on the convoluted history and humanitarian crisis of Yemen, presented by Mass. Peace Action’s Dr. Valentine Moghadam, Professor of Sociology at Northeastern University. (An edited version of this talk will appear in the next issue of Peace and Freedom). Maine WILPFers also helped with contacting Senators Collins and King about S.J. Res #54 — the Sanders-Lee resolution to force a vote to terminate unauthorized U.S. participation in this war led by Saudi Arabia. (Both senators did vote for supporting further discussion.)

In May, Maine WILPF co-hosted a presentation by Veterans for Peace members Dud Hendriks and Bruce Gagnon (who is also Coordinator of the Global Network Against Wespons and Nuclear Power in Space) about their recent visit to Okinawa in support of the ongoing protest at the gates of the new US base being constructed on the pristine Oura Bay. Under discussion was the growing Japanese and worldwide movement against the 800 US military bases in 80 countries and how we can/must support this movement.

Maine WILPF members also continue to be active in planning the Brunswick-area Annual Peace Fair: “Imagine a World Without Nuclear Weapons". The Fair commemorates the August 6 and 9, 1945, dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Now in its fourteenth year, the Peace Fair will be held on Saturday, August 4 from 10 to 3 on the Brunswick Green.

The two paragraphs below show the issue with type set to 12px.

This is an example of type set to 12 px with no adjustment in line height. ato kale radicchio turnip chicory salsify pea sprouts fava bean. Dandelion zucchini burdock yarrow chickpea dandelion sorrel courgette turnip greens tigernut soybean radish artichoke wattle seed endive groundnut broccoli arugula. Soko radicchio bunya nuts gram dulse silver beet parsnip napa cabba

This is an example of type set to 12 px with line height set to 1.2 em. ato kale radicchio turnip chicory salsify pea sprouts fava bean. Dandelion zucchini burdock yarrow chickpea dandelion sorrel courgette turnip greens tigernut soybean radish artichoke wattle seed endive groundnut broccoli arugula. Soko radicchio bunya nuts gram dulse silver beet parsnip napa cabba

All text below is default style

Beetroot water spinach okra water chestnut ricebean pea catsear courgette summer purslane. Water spinach arugula pea tatsoi aubergine spring onion bush tomato kale radicchio turnip chicory salsify pea sprouts fava bean. Dandelion zucchini burdock yarrow chickpea dandelion sorrel courgette turnip greens tigernut soybean radish artichoke wattle seed endive groundnut broccoli arugula. Soko radicchio bunya nuts gram dulse silver beet parsnip napa cabbage lotus root sea lettuce brussels sprout cabbage. Catsear cauliflower garbanzo yarrow salsify chicory garlic bell pepper napa cabbage lettuce tomato kale arugula melon sierra leone bologi rutabaga tigernut. Sea lettuce gumbo grape kale kombu cauliflower salsify kohlrabi okra sea lettuce broccoli celery lotus root carrot winter purslane turnip greens garlic. Jícama garlic courgette coriander radicchio plantain scallion cauliflower fava bean desert raisin spring onion chicory bunya nuts. Sea lettuce water spinach gram fava bean leek dandelion silver beet eggplant bush tomato.

Beetroot water spinach okra water chestnut ricebean pea catsear courgette summer purslane. Water spinach arugula pea tatsoi aubergine spring onion bush tomato kale radicchio turnip chicory salsify pea sprouts fava bean. Dandelion zean pea catsear courgette summer purslane. Water spinach arugula pea tatsoi aubergine spring onion bush tomato kale radicchio turnip chicory salsify pea sprouts fava bean. Dandelion zucchini burdock yarrow chickpea dandelion sorrel courgette turnip greens tigernut soybean radish artichoke wattle seed endive groundnut broccoli arugula. Soko radicchio bunya nuts gram dulse silver beet parsnip napa cabbage lotus root sea lettuce brussels sprout cabbage. Catsear cauliflower garbanzo yarrow salsify chicory garlic bell pepper napa cabbage lettuce tomato kale arugula melon sierra leone bologi rutabaga tigernut. Sea lettuce gumbo grape kale kombu cauliflower salsify kohlrabi okra sea lettuce broccoli celery lotus root carrot winter purslane turnipucchini burdock yarrow chickpea dandelion sorrel courgette turnip greens tigernut soybean radish artichoke wattle seed endive groundnut broccoli arugula. Soko radicchio bunya nuts gram dulse silver beet parsnip napa cabbage lotus root sea lettuce brussels sprout cabbage. Catsear cauliflower garbanzo yarrow salsify chicory garlic bell pepper napa cabbage lettuce tomato kale arugula melon sierra leone bologi rutabaga tigernut. Sea lettuce gumbo grape kale kombu cauliflower salsify kohlrabi okra sea lettuce broccoli celery lotus root carrot winter purslane turnip greens garlic. Jícama garlic courgette coriander radicchio plantain scallion cauliflower fava bean desert raisin spring onion chicory bunya nuts. Sea lettuce water spinach gram fava bean leek dandelion silver beet eggplant bush tomato.

Weekly Updates

Week Six: June 17-22
Week Five: June 10-16
Week Four: June 3-9
Week Three: May 27–June 3
Week Two: May 20–26

Plan Now for Saturday, June 23 Rally on the National Mall in D.C.  
National Mall by Jefferson Drive SW and 7th St. SW, Washington, D.C.
Click here for flyer

WILPF-US, as a national partner of the PPC, will be represented at the opening Monday, May 14^th and closing June 23^rd events in Washington, DC, as well as at state capitals and branch locations around the country over the 40 Days of Action. This phase closes on Saturday, June 23, with a Rally in DC, at the end of which participants will be “sent forth” to their states for ongoing network building, education, and action.
 
In addition to WILPF’s partnership with the Poor People’s Campaign, you may individually endorse the Campaign here.

This Campaign is more than a 40 day or one-year effort. Rather, it is a multi-year undertaking to unite tens of thousands to challenge the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy and ecological devastation, and the nation’s distorted morality. It is a commitment to build a broadly diverse movement based on acknowledging the validity of the many issues and “silos” we are each committed to personally and organizationally, yet acting together to create a people-centered and mutually supportive fusion movement to transform the political, economic. and moral structures of our country.
 
A new section of WILPF’s homepage and website will help you stay informed of actions and events. Please check it regularly for new materials by the WILPF4PPC committee and the Campaign.
 
Here’s what you need to know now:
1.   The 40 Days of Action begin on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13th with a mass evening gathering from 6:00–8:00 pm EDT at National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle, NW, Washington, DC, 20005. Invitation on Facebook here. This and all events taking place in DC will be live-streamed on the Campaign’s Facebook page.

2.   Monday, May 14th is the first of the weekly Mondays of Direct Action in Washington, DC and in all 30+ states. In DC, our new banner will be carried high by our WILPF DC Branch members, along with Marybeth Gardam, Development Chair.  We invite nearby members and branches to join them. Contact Marybeth immediately at mbgardam@gmail.com if you plan to be in DC for the May 14 events.  
 
A. Training for those interested in participating in nonviolent direct action is at 10:00 am EDT at St. Marks Episcopal Church, 301 A St., SE, Washington, DC.
B. Actions at the US Capitol Lawn begin at 2:00 pm EDT.  
C. Find your Monday, May 14th local event here.

The Campaign embraces Non-Violent Fusion Direct Action

Two types of NVFDA trainings are being held. If you are considering or planning civil disobedience and possible arrest during the 40 Days of actions, especially on Mondays. “Training A” is required and is being organized in the states. Contact your PPC state coordinators for details.[INSERT PCCC State Coordinating Committees.xlsx] “Training B” is an orientation and less rigorous training immediately before every action in the participating 40 states.  WILPF members are expected to do this less-rigorous pre-action Training B. Read the Covenant on Nonviolence.

3. Weekly Themes and 40 Days of Moral Action Weekly Schedule. (Click here for schedule in PDF format)
 
WEEK ONE (May 13-19) – SOMEBODY’S HURTING OUR PEOPLE: Children, Women, and People with Disabilities in Poverty
WEEK TWO (May 20-26) – LINKING SYSTEMIC RACISM AND POVERTY: Voting Rights, Immigration, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and the Mistreatment of Indigenous Communities
WEEK THREE (May 27-June 2) – THE WAR ECONOMY: Militarism and the Proliferation of Gun Violence (NOTE: PPC state capitol actions this week will be held on Tuesday to support PPC participation in local Memorial Day events.)
WEEK FOUR (June 3-9) – THE RIGHT TO HEALTH AND A HEALTHY PLANET: Ecological Devastation and Health Care
WEEK FIVE (June 10-16) – EVERYBODY’S GOT THE RIGHT TO LIVE: Education, Living Wage Jobs, Income, Housing
WEEK SIX (June 17-22) – A NEW AND UNSETTLING FORCE: Confronting the Distorted Moral Narrative

June 23 – Global Day of Solidarity and Sending Forth Call to Action Mass Rally in Washington DC  (details TBA)

4. Contact List of PPC State Tri-Chairs.
5. Color flyer for the Poor People’s Campaign: A Call for National Revival.
6. Events calendar and more information at Repairers of the Breach —sign up for their newsletter and calendar of events, and trainings.   
7. Read "A Moral Agenda Based on Fundamental Rights".
8. Read introduction and full report of “The Souls of Poor Folk: Auditing America 50 Years Afterthe Poor People’s Campaign Challenged Racism, Poverty, the War Economy/Militarism and Our National Morality”.
9. PPC Communications and Social Media: Over the 40 Days, an expert PPC communications and social media team is coordinating national and state media staff to ensure weekly themes, actions, and the voices of those most impacted are lifted up each week to highlight the Ma 13th launch, the May 14th actions in DC and nationwide, and Weekly Themes to carry us through the 40 Days to June 23rd and into the next phase. 
10. A PPC Documentarian Team of professionals and volunteers will livestream DC and state events and actions, create educational materials, and compile an archive. Want to volunteer? Contact your PPC state coordinator.
 
Take photos
Take photos of your action and send to nancytprice39@gmail.com with subject line “PPC photos”, and include a caption and photo credit. Your action can be PPC-specific or include the PPC in your other WILPF-US program events.
 
Order a banner for your branch

It’s not too late to order a banner for your branch. Here’s how. Even if it won’t get to you by May 14, you’ll be using it for June 23rd, all other Mondays, and future events and actions.
 
Stay in touch
Here is the current list of PPC state tri-chairs. If your state is not listed in the current list of PPC State Tri-Chairs, and you have not yet made contact, email laurel@poorpeoplescampaign.org. If you are not already on your state’s distribution list, be sure to contact your PPC state coordinators to learn details of planned actions and events. Most states also have a Facebook page—search [yourstate]poorpeoplescampaign on Facebook–-and a web page–search [your state]poorpeoplescampaign.org.
 
Lost in cyberland? 
Send an email to Mary B-J at wilpf4ppc@gmail.com