http://www.isocnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=168&Itemid=5There is something catastrophic going on in Gaza at the moment. Headlines give you soundbite interpretations of a deep, complex conflicts. Whether you're keenly following the headlines or remain indifferent, or even apathetic to the seemingly never-ending conflict in Palestine, the reality is that this current invasion has a context, a history and roots. Contrary to what we are led to believe, this is not a ‘war’ between two equally level armies. This is not a ‘war’ where international laws of combat hold any weight.
This is not even a ‘war’ where the army on the offence is even slightly troubled by international condemnation- let alone receptive to it.
In fact, this war is exceptional because it is borne from exceptional circumstances with an exceptional history. In order for us as Muslims to understand how and why we are witnessing such seemingly relentless attacks on a defenceless population, we need to dig deeper than the world’s media ever trouble themselves to go.
The role of aid agencies, from the inside:
Charities and NGOs are supposed to stand for swift relief in disaster zones, whether as a consequence of natural disasters (cyclones, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes) or man-made conflict. There are long-term development goals and short-term relief efforts. No two relief efforts are alike- every country an NGO works with presents its own challenges and advantages. In Burma, we were fighting against a military junta opposing any international aid into the country. In Afghanistan, we were facing the challenge of reaching scattered populations in inaccessible regions as road and transport infrastructure had been destroyed.
And now Gaza.
With the population of Gaza living under Israeli blockades, these past two years have seen an economy broken down, random cuts in electricity, fuel and medical supplies and one of the most densely populated regions in the world dependent on food hand outs. Even with a permanent field office in Gaza, aid in the form of medical supplies, food, shelter, medicine and safe water supplies cannot get into Gaza from abroad.
So what have we done? We send money and have medical equipment and other supplies bought internally into Gaza whilst taking advantage of the limited time Egypt decide to open the Rafah crossing into Gaza. The work can still go on, with a permanent field office inside Gaza- we are best able to assess the immediate needs of the victims and respond accordingly. After making consistent and sincere du’a that Allah eases the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Gaza, spend from that which you love and donate towards charities working on the ground in the region.What exactly is the Gaza Strip?
The Gaza Strip is a roughly rectangular territory surrounding the city of Gaza, wedged between the Mediterranean Sea and Israel. To the southwest, it shares a seven-mile border with Egypt. The region has a long history of occupation—by the ancient Egyptians, the Philistines, the Arabs, the Christian Crusaders, and the Ottomans. After World War I, the Gaza area became part of the British Mandate of Palestine, and it was occupied by Egypt in 1948, in the aftermath of the first Arab-Israeli war. Israel took control of the region during the Six-Day War in 1967, along with the West Bank, eastern Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula.
The most wrenching event that Palestinians encountered was the 1948 disaster (nakba), but for the Gazans it was not the only or the last one. Gaza was a battle ground in World War I (WWI), occupied twice by Israel, started the first uprising (intifada), created Hamas movement and opted for armed resistance rather than engage in endless negotiations, declared enemy entity by Israel and the US and today the Gazans are being massacred by Israel and abandoned by Arab states. And how did it all begin?
1947
The UN General Assembly passes Resolution 181, which would partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. The Jewish state would receive 56.47 percent of the land of the Palestine Mandate, the Arab state about 43.53 percent.
1948
Violence escalates. The British mandate ends. Israel declares statehood on May 14. Egypt, Syria, Iraq,Lebanon, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia declare war on Israel. The war results in a divided Jerusalem and some 650,000 to 750,000 Palestinian refugees. The UN General Assembly passes Resolution 194 calling for the cessation of hostilities and establishing the Right of Return for refugees who wish to live in peace.
1949–1950
At the end of the war, Israel holds about 78 percent of the territory of the Palestine Mandate. The UN Relief and Works Agency is established to care for the Palestinian refugees until they can return to their homes.
1950
Israel enacts the Law of Return stating that every Jew has the right to become a citizen.
1964
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is established. At the time, its aim is to destroy Israel.
1967
The Six-Day War occurs. Israel conquers the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights, creating additional Palestinian refugees. principle.
1973
Egypt and Syria attack Israel, beginning the Yom Kippur War. Israel pushes back both armies.
1978
Israel invades Lebanon, occupying its southern border in response to the violence of the PLO.
1980
Israel declares Jerusalem its eternal, undivided capital, affirming the annexation of East Jerusalem.
1981
Israel annexes the Golan Heights.
1982
Israel invades Lebanon a second time, laying siege to Beirut.
1987
An Intifada, a Palestinian popular uprising, begins in Gaza and spreads to the West Bank.
1995
The Oslo Accords establish three areas of control in the West Bank: Area A under Palestinian control, Area B under Palestinian civilian control and Israeli security control, and Area C under exclusive Israeli control. Prime Minister Rabin is assassinated in Tel Aviv.
1997
Israel imposes closures on Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza.
2000
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Palestinian Chairman Yassir Arafat, and U.S. President Bill Clinton meet at Camp David in a failed attempt to negotiate a settlement on final status issues. The Al-Aqsa Intifada begins following a visit to the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif by Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon. The violence escalates rapidly and continues.
2003
The United States, the European Union, the UN, and Russia release the Road Map to Peace, which contains a process to guide Israelis and Palestinians toward peace. Israelis and Palestinians acting as individuals, and not as representatives of any government, release the Geneva Initiative, containing a vision for a two-state peace.Yassir Arafat dies. 2005Mahmoud Abbas is elected president of the PNA. Hamas, wins majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council elections
January 2006: Israel fires artillery rounds into Gaza and bombs buildings after Hamas wins Palestinian elections
June 2006: Operation Summer Rain follows the capture of an Israeli soldier. A total of 240 Palestinians are killed in two months of bombing and ground raids
November 2006: Operation Autumn Clouds, a six-day ground invasion of Beit Hanoun, results in at least 50 Palestinian deaths. Another 18 from one family are killed in artillery shelling
June 2007: Israel steps up air raids after Hamas seizes control of Gaza
January 2008: A total of 18 Palestinians are killed in one day in an Israeli incursion into al-Zaytoun
February 2008: Israeli troops go into Jabaliya; around 120 Palestinians are killed in five days
December 2008: Operation Cast Lead is launched. At least 360 Palestinians are killed in the first four days
http://www.isocnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=166&Itemid=5
This is not just any boycott. This is an M&S boycott
This is not just a rock. This is the rubble of an apartment complex levelled to the floor by Israeli mortar. This is not just a school. This is a school full of displaced families targetted by air. This is not just blood. This is the blood of a 3 year old smashed by F16 missiles. This is not just any boycott... this is an M&S boycott.
As we impotently watch the events unfolding in Gaza, there are text messages flying around asking us to boycott Israeli goods or companies that have close relations with Israel. But we've been here before haven't we? We need to ask ourselves why have previous boycotts failed and what lessons can we learn from them.There are a few problems with boycotts. One of the main problems with boycotting companies that support Israel is the sheer volume. On one website there were over 100 diverse companies, everything from GAP to Shreddies. Just remembering the list is impossible, let alone acting on it. It is impractical to boycott all of them, so the majority of us boycott none of them.The other problem is that it makes no sense to quietly boycott a company. Will anyone really notice if Ahmed from Swindon decides not to buy KitKat bars and instead switches over to Dairy Milk? Not really. By boycotting something in private, the effect is limited to an individual and no statement is being made. It also makes it easier for the person to go back to the product or company he was boycotting as no one will know that they've failed except themselves.
The final problem with boycotting is something much more profound, yet basic. Many people feel that they've "done their bit" by boycotting a company. It soothes our fragile conscience and makes it easier for us to switch the channel when the news comes on. If the reason behind a boycott is to help our brothers and sisters, then it is very hard to see tangible results and this leads to demotivation. Why should we inconvenience ourselves when nothing seems to happen from the boycott?
The solutions to the above problems are the following:
1. Reduce the number of companies being boycotted to a few at a time. Target companies that can be effectively and totally boycotted to produce real results. Don't stop until they collapse or reconsider their actions.
2. If you are boycotting a company, tell your family, friends and even strangers. Stick posters up everywhere and make a big deal about it. Encourage others to follow your principled stand until walking into an M&S store would become worse than walking into a pub disco on laylatul Qadr. Oh, and don't forget to send an email to the company you are boycotting informing them that their support for Israel has cost them the most important thing in the world to them - money.
3. Remember and remind others that boycotting is not the answer - merely a part of it. The real answer lies in the Muslims uniting together on Islam and breaking down barriers of mistrust, nationalism and sectarianism that has led to the situation where 1.3 billion can be terrorised by 13 million. Boycott all nationalist events, boycott all secular muslim groups and gatherings, boycott all those who call for keeping the muslims divided based on madhab or ethnicity. From now on, unity based on Islam is our desperate need and those who stand in the way - especially Muslims - are our greatest enemies.
So here is the recommeded boycott list we ask that you follow:
1. MARKS & SPENCERSFew companies are as public and proud of their support for Israel and Zionism. What makes matters even worse is the fact that their always moaning about declining profits and making a loss, yet still find money and time to support a desperately unpopular foreign "state." M&S has been the focus of boycotts for years, but during this economic crisis they are especially vulnerable. For the store founded by Zionism cheerleaders, it is about time we boycotted them into bankrputcy - and encouraged all people of justice to do the same.
2. STARBUCKSNot only does Starbucks have a chairman who is a committed supporter of Israel, but they also have supported and funded various events and possibly websites that raise money for it. Added to this they have even donated an antire store to US troops in Afghanistan and free coffee beans for those in Iraq. In two words - Starbucks sucks.
3. L'OREAL & ESTEE LAUDERThe chairman of Estee Lauder, Ronald Lauder has personally led a rally in Jerusalem and co-founded a right wing Israeli think tank. L'Oreal was given the Jubilee award by Israel for services rendered and even has a special product line (on permanent display in Lakeside shopping Centre) called L'Oreal Israel. Boycott these muppets - believe me, despite the adverts - they're not worth it.
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