Boycott Israeli Goods Campaign Relaunch - September Actions

----- Original Message -----
From: Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 12:56 PM
Subject: Boycott Israeli Goods Campaign Relaunch - September Actions


BIG Relaunch September 2008

Dear PSC members, supporters and friends

We would like to call on all our members and supporters to join in the Boycott Israeli Goods Campaign's activities for the relaunch of the boycott campaign in September. We plan to carry out a week of action that will be noticed by the public, the press, Israel and the Palestinians.

The aim of the campaign is to show Israel that its continued oppression of the Palestinian people is not condoned by the British public and also to show solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The boycott of Israeli goods will continue until Israel respects Palestinian human rights, abides by international law and ends the occupation. Boycott was an effective tool in helping to end South African apartheid, and it is hoped it will be as effective against Israeli apartheid. The boycott was called for and is supported by Palestinian civil society organisations.

We also encourage activists to contact local shops and mosques about Israeli medjoul dates which are being imported in large quantities this Ramadan (from 1st to 29th of September approximately).

Please find below an outline of the planned actions.

For resources and campaign material please visit the BIG website: www.bigcampaign.org

Or contact the PSC office: info@palestinecampaign.org / Tel: 020 7700 6192


Planned Activist Actions:
September 1st-7th

· PSC office will send letters to the Head Quarters of all major supermarkets in the UK. The letters will also be published on the PSC website. Responses from the supermarkets will also be posted on the website.
· PSC office will contact government ministers from DEFRA, BERR, FCO and The Treasury.
· This week is the beginning of Ramadan and branches are encouraged to campaign in their local Muslim communities to boycott Israeli Medjool dates. Fliers and sample letters will be available from the PSC office and the BIG Campaign website.

September 8th-14th

· Send letters to supermarket branches and other local shop managers who sell Israeli goods. Sample letters will be made available to branches and on the BIG Campaign website.
· Write to your local media as well as national media about your actions and the reasons for the boycott. Local media are always looking for interesting stories and are more likely to take notice.
· Contact local trade organisations, council offices, trade unions, community and faith groups and encourage them to support the boycott.
· Contact prominent local individuals (celebrities, public representatives, faith leaders) and ask them to endorse the BIG campaign, and speak at meetings.
· Speak to local market traders about the origins of their products.
· Contact other providers such as delivery veg box schemes.
· Join your local branch of the Co-Op and have your say. This can be done through their website.
· Organise a local public meeting to mobilise for the BIG campaign. Contact PSC office for suggested speakers and to advertise the meeting on the PSC website.

September 21st-27th — Week of Action

· Street Actions: Set up stalls outside supermarkets. Urge shoppers not to purchase Israeli produce. This includes produce labeled West Bank as it is almost definitely from a settlement. Politely inform shop staff about why you are protesting. Please contact your nearest branch of the PSC to volunteer.
· Arrange a meeting with the supermarket manager.
· Complete shop feedback forms.
· Continue contacting local media.
Materials for stalls and new flyers will be available from the PSC office.

Please keep the PSC office informed of actions taking place and send in action material, reports and photos as they happen. Copies of letters/emails and responses should be sent to head office or info@bigcampaign.org.

Contacts:

Email: info@bigcampaign.org

Send info to:
PSC PO Box BM PSA
London
WC1X 3AA

www.bigcampaign.org


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The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) aims to raise public awareness about the occupation of Palestine and the struggle of the Palestinian people. PSC seek to bring pressure on both the British and Israeli government to bring their policies in line with international law. PSC is an independent, non-governmental and non-party political organisation with members from communities across the UK. Join PSC today!

Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Box BM PSA
London
WC1N 3XX
Tel: 020 7700 6192
Fax: 020 7609 7779
Email: info@palestinecampaign.org
Web: www.palestinecampaign.org