Hello, and welcome to the December edition of our newsletter - apologies for being late with this and Happy New Year to you all! Please share with anyone you think may be interested, and let us know your feedback. If you’re interested to get involved, contact us at aberdeen@scottishpsc.org.uk, and please visit our new website: www.spscaberdeen.org.  

In solidarity,
SPSC Aberdeen

North East Scotland Pension Fund divests from arms companies complicit in the occupation of Palestine

In 2018 a Freedom of Information request disclosed North East Scotland Pension Fund investments in 26 arms companies totalling £34.2 million (link to Press & Journal article). Following an intensive and successful divestment campaign by Aberdeen SPSC as part of a coalition of organisations and individuals of conscience in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, we are delighted to announce that NESPF has ceased investments in 23 arms companies, 10 of which are complicit in the Occupation of Palestine.

A huge thanks to all of you who have written to your councillors to express your outrage towards the shameful investment in companies complicit with human right abuses and war crimes. Unfortunately, a Freedom of Information request in 2020 suggests that NESPF continues to invest in 3 arms companies (Ricardo, Rolls Royce, Ultra Electronics). Please join our campaign to mount pressure on Scottish pension funds and demand full divestment from unethical industries that perpetuate environmental destruction as well as global misery and poverty.

NESPF holdings

*Ricardo; Rolls Royce; Ultra Electronics 

Plant a Tree – Aberdeen Stands with Palestine

We are excited to launch a new campaign which aims to build solidarity with and support communities in South West Bethlehem targeted by illegal settlement expansion.  Initially this project will focus on tree planting as political resistance, raising money for trees that can then be planted by farmers and communities, contributing to sustainable economic development as well as symbolic resistance against Israeli occupation.  

We were delighted that Aberdeen Trade Union Council has got the campaign off to great start by agreeing a donation of £500 at their December meeting, and our comrades in Palestine have also welcomed the news. To make a donation, visit our branch website: www.spscaberdeen.org.   

If we raise enough money by February 2021, we hope the first planting can take place by March (before the planting season ends). £8 will allow one olive tree or grape vine plant to be purchased and the ground properly prepared. 

Beyond March we hope to develop ties between Aberdeen and the communities that make up this land which is targeted for further illegal Israeli settlements. This will include public events that provide a platform for the communities affected to tell their story.  To deliver this project we are proud to be working with grassroots Palestinian organisations, Stop the Wall and Popular Struggle Coordination Committee (PSCC) networks. Another key partner in the project is the Stop the JNF, which campaigns against the historic and current role the JNF have played in the dispossession of Palestinians. 

During 2021 we will be using our website and Facebook page to tell the story of what is happening in this area of South West Bethlehem.We are keen to engage civil society organisations in this project and ask for their support.If you are involved in a trade union branch, Parent Council, faith group, political organisation etc. and would like to find out more, please get in touch with us via email: Aberdeen@ScottishPSC.org.uk

Palestine flag flies over Aberdeen

As in previous years, Aberdeen City Council flew the Palestinian flag on the 29th November to mark the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.  This initiative is in support of the 2005 UN resolution 60/37 which encourages member states to continue to give the widest support and publicity to the observance of this Day of Solidarity(1). The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged Member States to ‘reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people’ on this International Day of Solidarity.

Palestinians living in Aberdeen shared their reactions to the flag-flying:

Being in Aberdeen for 18 years and having family and Aberdonian children it is a great joy to see the flag of Palestine raised high in the city of granite shining and bringing a great hope and symbolic recognition to the rights of Palestinian people. This also shows the true understanding and kindness of people of Aberdeen as well as the city council and their connection with Palestine.

I live and work in Aberdeen, however I originated from Acre, Palestine. It’s so heartwarming to witness all the support the oppressed nation is receiving here. It’s exceptionally inspiring to observe the Palestinian flag prevail and soar in Aberdeen even when there is a massive distance between the two places. I would really to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Bahaa, a business-owner in Aberdeen

The Palestinian people remain the victims of brutal human right abuses that have been repeatedly condemned by local international human rights organisations. In 2019 alone, according to the United Nations more than 15,000 Palestinians were wounded by Israeli forces in the occupied Palestinian territories (2). According to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, 49,806 Palestinian homes and other structures have been destroyed by Israel in the occupied territories since the Israeli military began occupying the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza (3). According to the Israeli government itself, in 2019 8,337 settlement units were approved by Israel to be built in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem(4) in violation of international law and multiple UN resolutions (5).

References

1.  United Nations Observances. International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-solidarity-with-the-palestinian-people 

2.  United Nations. Protection of Civilians occupied Palestinian territory. https://www.ochaopt.org/sites/default/files/protection_of_civilians_report_10-23_december_2019.pdf

3.  Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions https://icahd.org/ 

4.  Times of Israel. 31 Oct 2019. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-advances-2342-settler-homes-capping-off-record-year-under-trump/

5.United Nations Security Council. Resolution 2334. 23 December 2016. https://www.un.org/webcast/pdfs/SRES2334-2016.pdf

Ask your MP to stand against home demolitions in Palestine

Please write to your MP asking them to take a stand against the demolition of Palestinian homes and support ‘Early Day Motion 1140: Demolition of Palestinian Homes’.

Dear MP,

I am writing today to ask you to support ‘EDM 1140: Demolition of Palestinian Homes’ (full text below). The demolition of Palestinian homes by the Israeli state is a central part of the Israeli effort to remove Palestinians from their land. The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) estimates that more than 100,000 Palestinian homes have been destroyed by Israel since 1948. This destruction continues to the present day, with high numbers of demolitions occurring during November 2020, including the entire village of Khirbet Hamsa al-Foqa on 3rd November, leaving 73 people (including 41 children) homeless.

The UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Yvonne Helle, notes that 689 structures have been demolished in the West Bank and East Jerusalem so far in 2020, rendering 869 Palestinians homeless. Helle states that “The lack of Israeli-issued building permits is typically cited as a reason, though, due to the restrictive and discriminatory planning regime, Palestinians can almost never obtain such permits”. Furthermore, Helle finds that “the extensive destruction of property and the forcible transfer of people in an occupied territory are grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention” and strongly reiterates that Israel must “immediately halt unlawful demolitions”.

Equipment supplied by the British-based company JCB has been widely used in these illegal demolitions.  It cannot be considered acceptable to allow business as usual to continue with trade and support from companies given to illegal demolitions in occupied Palestinian territory.

Yours sincerely,

Early Day Motion 1140: Demolition of Palestinian Homes

Motion text:

That this House strongly condemns Israel’s destruction of the entire Palestinian village of Khirbet Hamsa al-Foqa; is appalled that 73 people, including 41 children, have been made homeless in the largest incident of forced displacement in the West Bank for years; notes that 2020 has seen the highest level of Palestinian home demolitions in four years, despite the covid-19 pandemic, which has left over 800 people homeless many of who are children; is alarmed that JCB equipment is being supplied to Israeli forces for the destruction of Palestinian structures, and that the UN Human Rights Office has listed the British company as sustaining illegal settlements; and calls on the Government to immediately ban all UK trade with illegal Israeli settlements, and take action to prevent equipment supplied by British companies, including JCB, from operating in them.

Kirsty Blackman kirsty.blackman.mp@parliament.uk (Aberdeen North -SNP)
Stephen Flynn stephen.flynn.mp@parliament.uk (Aberdeen South - SNP)
Andrew Bowie andrew.bowie.mp@parliament.uk (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine - Conservative)
David Duguid david.duguid.mp@parliament.uk (Banff and Buchan – Conservative)

Already signed the motion: Richard Thomson richard.thomson.mp@parliament.uk (Gordon – SNP)

Photo source: www.icahd.org

Aberdeen SPSC – About Us

Aberdeen SPSC has been campaigning for justice for Palestine since 2010, primarily focused on joining the Palestinian civil society call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel.  Past activities have included campaigns against the likes of Wood Group, Co-op, Sainsbury’s and Barclays Banks, as well as organising solidarity delegations to Gaza and the West Bank. The branch is part of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign. 

Best wishes,

The SPSC Aberdeen Team

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