Jesse Bacon's blog

A year ago this month, Israel shocked the world when it attacked a
humanitarian convoy on its way to Gaza in international waters, killing 9
civilians, injuring dozens more, and kidnapping hundreds. Today -- as
Hamas and Fatah negotiate internal unity and Egypt moves to permanently
open Gaza’s southern border, consequences of the Arab Spring -- the
international solidarity movement musters an even greater flotilla of
ships to challenge Israel’s illegal actions against the Palestinians.

On Friday, four Jewish groups announced the launching of a petition drive designed to overturn the trustees' decision and to open debate on American campuses regarding
Israel's policies. They promised to present the petition to the trustees
early next week.

Tony Kushner believes that Israel engaged in ethnic cleansing at the

founding of the state. He is an advisory board member of Jewish Voice

Divestment, and Sanctions, a movement that has been painted by its

critics as aiming to destroy the State of Israel. JVP has endorsed a

partial BDS campaign, focusing on the settlements. Kushner says that he

opposes BDS, but he supports (and has gathered support for) the Israeli

artist boycott of the settlement Ariel, together with other

distinguished artists in this country. This partial boycott is taboo in

the organized Jewish community and is not endorsed by the liberal

Zionist group, J Street.

If you see Tony Kushner's work, you won't soon forget it. The playwright
behind "Angels in America, Homebody/Kabul," and "Caroline, or Change"
is one of the great artists working today, and one of the best at
connecting global political issues to history, personal experience,
values, and culture.

Jewish groups defend Tony Kushner, denied honorary degree by CUNY, and call for an end to censure and blacklisting on campuses.

Naomi Klein, Eve Ensler call for academic freedom and open discussion of Israeli policies.

In a stunning public move that may draw much criticism, Dr. Cornel West
-- probably the most well-known and renowned U.S. public intellectual
-- has called on the University of Arizona (UA) to divest from
corporations profiting from Israel’s illegal settlement and occupation
of Palestine as well as from the racist practices -- particularly
attacks on Ethnic Studies -- against immigrant and indigenous peoples in
AZ and nationwide.

The Middle East is a long way from Tucson.  But is there a parallel between the struggles of people there and Ethnic Studies students in Arizona? A presentation at the U of A Thursday night says, "yes"; at least where Palestinians are concerned.

Jewish group challenges retirement fund TIAA-CREF's attempt to keep Israeli Occupation resolution off ballot

Jewish Voice for Peace advocates for shareholder democracy and socially responsible investment.

Media Contacts:
Aaron J. Levitt, aaronjlevitt AT gmail.com
Rebecca Vilkomerson, rebecca AT jvp.org

Pressure on law conference threatens free speech

Cecilie Surasky, Thursday, April 21, 2011

The Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee and the Bay Area's Jewish Community Relations Council interfered in an academic conference last week called "Litigating Palestine: Can Courts Secure Palestinian Rights?" at the UC Hastings College of the Law.