U.S. Imperialism and Zionist Israel Hands off Jerusalem!

10 Dec 2017

MANILA – The Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association strongly condemns US President Donald Trump’s declaration recognizing Jerusalem as capital of the apartheid settler state of Israel. In the same vein, we denounce the attempt of President Rodrigo Duterte to follow his imperialist master and move the Philippine embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

On Wednesday, ignoring international warnings, Trump announced that the US was formally recognising Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and would begin the process of moving its embassy to Jerusalem. The international community has never recognized Israel’s claim to the entire city.

Trump and Duterte’s plan to construct their respective embassies in Jerusalem is a blatant display of their total disregard for peoples’ rights and international humanitarian laws.

Following US declaration, Israeli forces have already killed 4 Palestinians, including 2 civilians, and wounded 259 others, including 32 children and 4 women in Gaza Strip and West Bank. In a blatant display of mockery of international humanitarian law, Israeli forces obstructed medical crews by targeting ambulances with rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters.

Trump’s imperial declaration comes at a time when thousands of Palestinians in Jerusalem are being imprisoned and countless more dislocated and face settler violence in an ethnic cleansing project that has gone on with impunity for 70 long years. The declaration also coincides with the 100th year of the Balfour Declaration and recalls the time when British imperialist power promised historic Palestine to the Zionist movement against the wishes of the Palestinian indigenous peoples.

US imperialism and Israel attempt to erase the Palestinian history of Jerusalem is the height of the Zionist policy of occupation, apartheid, and land grabbing in Palestine. This move exposes the lie of any so-called “peace process” under US auspices and the reality of US imperialism as the main partner of Zionism in carrying out the colonization of Palestine.

Trump’s declaration further increases the already tensed atmosphere in the region. This is not surprising since US imperialism is driven to provoke wars to carve up territories and markets to boost its military industrial complex and to plunder resources to prop up its crisis-ridden economy.

Duterte, by aping his imperialist sponsor Trump becomes complicit in Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestine. His slated visit to Israel and expression of interest to follow Trump and move the Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem are all part of the Zionist effort to normalize Israel’s colonial domination over Palestine and to whitewash the gross human rights violations and crimes that go along with it.

Israel stands guilty too in the brutal killing spree happening in the Philippines under Pres. Duterte. Israel supplies the weapons to Philippines for Duterte’s brutal anti-insurgency and anti-drugs campaign that has seen tens of thousands of innocent and poor civilians dead.

President Duterte is now in league with fascist figureheads Trump and Binyamin Netanyahu as the world’s most notorious war criminals. They are the enemy of the Filipino and Palestinian peoples. We will fiercely resist their reign of terror. ###

STAND WITH PALESTINE! HANDS OFF JERUSALEM, THE CAPITAL OF PALESTINE!
US IMPERIALISM AND ISRAELI ZIONISM ARE TERRORISM!
DUTERTE, LAPDOG OF IMPERIALISM AND ZIONISM!

Filipinos join Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement against Israel

The global Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel has finally arrived in the Philippines.

The campaign was inaugurated on Feb. 6, 2017 at a forum held at the United Church of Christ chapel in Quezon City. The event was attended by members of various social movements and faith-based organizations in the Philippines. The Philippine BDS campaign is spearheaded by the Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association (PPFA), the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), and the Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum (EBF). Bishop Deogracias Yniguez gave the welcome remarks.

The BDS is a global campaign calling for the boycott of and divestment from all Israeli and international companies profiting from the violation of the rights of Palestinians. It also urges governments to fulfill their legal obligations to hold Israel to account including by ending military and free trade agreements and expelling Israel from international forums such as the UN.

The BDS campaign is rapidly gathering steam in many places around the world and is endorsed by many renowned activists, personalities, artists, and thinkers.

Dr. Edelina dela Paz, chairperson of PPFA, explained the idea behind the campaign:

“BDS operates under the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as everyone else. But Israel is illegally occupying Palestine and violating the human rights of the Palestinian people. BDS aims to undercut the economic and political support that is sustaining the Israeli apartheid system,” she said.

Israeli businesses in the Philippines are mainly involved in information and communication technology, and agriculture. Israel has also developed cooperation with academic institutions and local governments for tourism and study programs.

Recently, the Israel Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines has conveyed Israeli businesses’ interest in expanding investments and operations in the Philippines through public-private partnerships in infrastructures and agro-technology.

Moreover, Israel is actively involved in selling military equipment and artillery to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which, according to the group, the Philippine government uses to militarize rural communities. There are also reports that Mossad intelligence security agents are deployed in the country to train big local and foreign companies and landlords’ private armies and paramilitaries.

“The weapons that Israel uses against Palestinian civilians to occupy their homes are the same weapons being used here in the Philippines to evict indigenous peoples and farmers from their lands, and break workers’ strikes,” according to dela Paz.

The organizers vowed to challenge Israel’s economic and political presence in the country as they believe that this constitutes a form of normalization of the occupation and the apartheid state of Israel. They capped their program with an “Act of Commitment” to affirm their support for BDS and the cause for freedom for the Palestinian people.

BDS Campaign to be launched in the Philippines

ILPS conference in Chicago declares support for Georges Abdallah, organizes against racism and imperialism

The International League of Peoples’ Struggles (ILPS) United States chapter convened in Chicago on 22 October for “Right to Exist, Right to Resist,” a conference focusing on peoples’ struggles confronting imperialism and racism inside and outside the borders of the US.

The event included a collective action and statement of solidarity with Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, as part of the international week of solidarity with Abdallah including events around the world. ILPS declared its support for the campaign to free Abdallah and came together, chanting “1, 2, 3, 4 – open up the prison doors! 5, 6, 7, 8 – smash the settler Zionist state!”

Samidoun is a member organization of ILPS and Mohammed Khatib of Samidoun Europe participates on the international coordinating committee of the alliance; Aiyanas Ormond, the chair of ILPS Canada, has been involved with Samidoun since its founding in Canada.

The conference brought together numerous movements involved in liberation struggles; amongst others, participants included BAYAN USA, Gabriela USA, NYC Students for Justice in Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, the League of Filipino Students and others, and highlighted the slogan, “Unite to fight police terror, state repression and racism.”

 

The event opened with greetings sent to the conference, including from longtime Filipino revolutionary Jose Maria Sison and Palestinian resistance icon Leila Khaled. The video of Khaled’s statement is below:

Jesus Rodriguez of the Consulate General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela also gave an opening speech before remarks by keynote speaker Frank Chapman of the Chicago Alliance Against Racial and Political Repression. Hatem Abudayyeh of the US Palestinian Community Network spoke on behalf of Rasmea Odeh, on her struggle as a former Palestinian political prisoner and torture survivor being targeted once more for prosecution and harassment by the US government.

Various panels highlighted struggles taking place in the US and internationally to confront US imperialism and racism, before ILPS delegates participated in a mass march in the streets of Chicago to remember and demand justice for Laquan McDonald, murdered by Chicago police two years ago, on 20 October 2014.

Forum on Palestine 101 Held in PUP, Manila

Sept 29, 2016, Manila — The multi-media room was filled with students eager to learn more about the journey to freedom, democracy, justice and peace of their Palestinian sisters and brothers.

The Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Center for Human Rights and Gender Studies successfully held a forum titled “Occupation 101: Understanding the Palestinian Struggle for National Liberation, Democracy, Justice, and Peace.” The initiative formed part of the Institute for Social Sciences and Development (ISSD) and Center for Human Rights and Gender Studies’ discussion series on the themes of human rights, justice, and development for the month of September.

Center for Human Rights and Gender Studies director Dr. Hilda San Gabriel

PPFA coordinator Susana Cruz

The forum began with opening remarks from Dra. Hilda San Gabriel, director of the Center for Human Rights and Gender Studies and Susana Cruz, coordinator of the Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association. They underscored the importance of learning about the struggles of the Palestinian and other oppressed peoples of the world and building solidarity with their movements.

“A new world is not only possible but is already being built through people’s movements, through solidarity among people of the South and the people of differing faiths and convictions, and through our common struggles to realize for all humanity and all creation peace for justice and life.”

Rev. Alan Rey Sarte served as the main resource speaker for the forum. He provided a concise overview of the root causes of the ongoing conflict and war in Palestine. Rev. Sarte contextualised the creation of the apartheid state of Israel and the resulting dispossession of the Palestinian people as part of imperialism’s offensive in the Middle East to capture resources and maintain political hegemony in the region. He discussed the history of resistance of the Palestine for national liberation and self-determination and called on the youth to unite with the Palestinian people in our common struggle against imperialism.

The panel of reactors was composed of PUP faculty and representatives from human rights organisations. They expounded on the impact of imperialism and its role in creating divisions and tensions in the region. They posed the challenge for the new Philippine government to express its categorical support for the Palestinian cause/ Ultimately, this hinged on crafting a foreign policy free from the constraints and dictates of US imperialism.

The panel of reactors

Dra. Edelina dela Paz, chairperson of PPFA, gave the closing remarks. Dra. dela Paz strongly established the parallelisms between the Philippines and Palestine in terms of challenges to human rights, justice, and peace. She expressed hope that the peace negotiations between the NDFP and the GRP would open opportunities to address the fundamental root causes of situations of violence and war in the Philippines.

Dra. Edelina dela Paz, chairperson PPFA

PPFA expresses its sincerest gratitude to the PUP Center for Human Rights and Gender Studies for allowing us to converse with its students and raise awareness on promote solidarity for Palestine.

PPFA Forum on Palestinian Peoples’ Struggle/Action to Free Bilal Kayed

29 July 2016 — The Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association successfully held a forum on Palestinian and Lebanese Peoples’ Struggles for National Liberation and against imperialism and Zionism. We had the privilege to have as our guest speakers Arab Network on Food Sovereignty’s (ANFS) Razan Zuayter and Hassan al Jaajaa. Attendees to the forum came from peoples’ and social movements in the Philippines, faith-based networks, ecumenical accompaniers, and foreign delegates. The forum concluded with a short action in support of the global campaign to demand the release of Comrade Bilal Kayed and to condemn Israel’s illegal and wanton use of administrative detention to repress the Palestinian peoples.

Below are some of the pictures taken during the event.

Bishop Emergencio Padillo (United Church of Christ), Vice Chair of Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association gives welcome remarks.

Dr. Edelina dela Paz (Peoples’ Health Movement) stresses the importance of raising awareness on the struggles of the Palestinian peoples.

Razan Zuayter discusses the history of Palestinian struggle for land and liberation against imperialism and Zionist occupation.

Hassan al Jaajaa reminds everyone of the need to sustain peoples’ unity in the face of increasing attacks of Zionism and imperialism in Palestine, Lebanon, Philippines and other places in the world.

Zuayter and al Hassan engage the audience during the open forum.

Posters for the short action in solidarity to free Comrade Bilal Kayed and all Palestinian political detainees.

Attendees gather for the short action to demand freedom for Comrade Bilal Kayed and other Palestinian political prisoners.

Members of the Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association with Razan Zuayter and Hassan al Jaajaa.

 

 

Forum on Palestinian and Lebanese Peoples’ Struggles

Dear colleagues and friends,

We are pleased to invite you to a forum on Peoples’ Struggles in Palestine and Lebanon to be held on July 29, 2016, 2:00 PM at the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) Conference Room, 879 EDSA, West Triangle, Quezon City. The speakers will be Razan Zuayter and Hassan Al Jaajaa from the Arab Network on Food Sovereignty (ANFS). This is a unique opportunity to learn more about the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples’ struggle and build strong solidarity with their movements.

Date: 29 July 2016

Time: 2:00 PM

Place: NCCP, EDSA Quezon City

Program

I. Welcome Remarks: Rev. Alan Rey Sarte

II. Keynote Message: Dr. Delen dela Paz

III. Situationer on Palestine and Updates on the Palestinian Peoples’ Struggles: Razan Zuwayter

IV. From the Liberation of Lebanon to the Liberation of Palestine – Hassan Al Jaajaa

V. Video Presentation on Palestinian Political Detainees/Campaign to Free Comrade Bilal Kayed

VI. Open Forum

VII. Closing Remarks/Announcements: Dr. Reggie Pamugas

91 Palestinian and international organizations join Call to Action: 24-25 June – Days of Action to Free Bilal Kayed and End Administrative Detention

91 Palestinian and international organizations have come together to issue a joint call to action to free Palestinian prisoner Bilal Kayed and end administrative detention. These organizations are urging actions around the world on Friday and Saturday, 24 and 25 June – or before – to demand freedom for Kayed, who was ordered to administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial, after the completion of his 14 and one-half year sentence in Israeli prison. Kayed joins over 700 other Palestinians in administrative detention, out of a total of approximately 7,000 Palestinian prisoners.

This call to action comes in response to the announced protests inside Israeli prisons, launched by Palestinian prisoners, and will coincide with a two-day hunger strike demanding Kayed’s freedom involving hundreds of jailed Palestinians. Kayed’s case is a high priority for Palestinian prisoners, who view his administrative detention immediately upon release from a lengthy sentence as creating the potential for a dangerous precedent that threatens all imprisoned Palestinians with indefinitely renewable detention.

The call to action will be updated and additional organizational signatories are welcome. Protests and actions are currently planned in Berlin, Sakhnin, New York City, and Asira al-Shamaliyeh (Kayed’s hometown), and a cross-US call in day is scheduled for 24 June. Please email samidoun@samidoun.net or post toSamidoun on Facebook about events on 24-25 June, including existing events, protests, literature distributions or tables incorporating materials about Bilal Kayed and administrative detention. Samidoun will be happy to provide downloadable materials for your events and actions.

Participating organizations have made the call to action about this case available in:
French | German | Greek | Italian | Spanish | Turkish | Czech | Dutch

Call to Action: 24-25 June – Days of Action to Free Bilal Kayed and End Administrative Detention

This call out is open for organizational endorsements. Thank you! Please use the form or emailsamidoun@samidoun.net to sign on.

On 13 June, Palestinian prisoner Bilal Kayed was slated for release after 14 and one-half years in Israeli prison. His family was waiting for him, as were his comrades and friends; however, Bilal never came – because instead of being released, he had been ordered by the Israeli occupation military to six months in administrative detention without charge or trial. He is now on an open hunger strike which he launched the morning of 15 June – demanding his freedom and an end to administrative detention.

Bilal Kayed, 35, is one of approximately 750 Palestinians imprisoned without charge or trial on the basis of secret evidence under administrative detention, and 7,000 Palestinians total in occupation prisons. Administrative detention orders are indefinitely renewable – Palestinians can spend years in administrative detention at a time, never knowing when they will be freed.

Kayed is known as a leader among Palestinian prisoners – as the representative of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine prisoners in Megiddo prison, he was targeted for solitary confinement for one and a half years. His fellow Palestinian prisoners are engaged in a series of protests and actions to demand his release and will be conducting their third two-day hunger strike on 24 and 25 June, returning their meals to demand Kayed’s freedom and and an end to administrative detention.

This is an attempt to impose a precedent for all Palestinian prisoners – that on the date of release, after five, ten, fifteen, or twenty years in prison, rather than being released, Palestinian prisoners be held indefinitely without charge or trial, ordered to administrative detention. The denial of Bilal Kayed’s freedom is a threat to the freedom of all Palestinian prisoners.

The detention of Kayed, a prisoner leader, scheduled for release; Mohammed Abu Sakha, circus performer and teacher; Jerusalemite human rights defender Hasan Safadi; youth organizer Bilal Abu Diab; members of the Palestinian Legislative Council such as Abdel-Jaber Fuquha and Hatem Kufaisha; journalist and union leader Omar Nazzal – amid hundreds more, indicate the level of Israeli state impunity to lock away Palestinian emerging leaders and prominent community figures without charge or trial. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have put their bodies and lives on the lines in extended hunger strikes to demand an end to administrative detention.

We raise our voices around the world to join the call to free Bilal Kayed and all of his fellow administrative detainees and bring an end to the practice of administrative detention. We call for the freedom of all Palestinian prisoners – and for the cause for which they struggle, the freedom of Palestine and its people.

We join the call for protests, actions and events around the world on 24 and 25 June in support of the Palestinian prisoners striking for freedom and urge organizations and people of conscience everywhere to join in actions to demand freedom for Bilal Kayed and his fellow prisoners, including building the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign to internationally isolate Israel, its institutions, and the corporations – like G4S -that profit from imprisonment, occupation, racism, colonialism and injustice.

Free Bilal Kayed and all Palestinian Prisoners!
End Administrative Detention!

Signed:

This call out is open for additional organizational endorsements. Please use the form or emailsamidoun@samidoun.net to sign on.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network
Abna’a el-Balad Movement – Palestine
Actions4Palestine – Toronto, Canada
AFPS Association France Palestine Solidarité
Al-Awda, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition NY
Al-Awda Palestine Right to Return Coalition – US
Alternative Information Center
Asociación Palestina BILADI
Association Belgo-Palestinienne
Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) – India
Association of Academics for the Respect of International Law in Palestine – AURDIP
Association of the Palestinian Community in Scotland
Associazione Amicizia Sardegna Palestina
BAYAN USA
BDS Action Calgary
BDS Austria
BDS Berlin
BDS Slovenija
BDS Turkey (Filistin Için Israil’e Boykot Girisimi)
BDS Vancouver
Belgian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (BACBI)
Boycott! Supporting the Palestinian BDS Call from Within (Israeli citizens for BDS)
Byron Friends of Palestine
Campaign to Boycott Supporters of “Israel” in Lebanon
Campaign to Free Ahmad Sa’adat
Campaign to Free Georges Ibrahim Abdallah
Canada Palestine Association
CAPJPO – EuroPalestine
Citizens International – Malaysia
Coalition for Justice and Peace in Palestine (Sydney)
Collectif Judeo Arabe et Citoyen pour la Palestine
Comité Palestina Libre / Uruguay
Comite Salta de solidaridad con Palestina
Committee of the Greater ABC/SP of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – Brazil
Committee to Stop FBI Repression
Committees for a Democratic Palestine – Brazil
Communist Party, Sweden
Corvallis-Albany Palestine Solidarity
Coup Pour Coup 31
Democratic Lawyers’ Alliance – Palestine
Democratic Palestine Committees – Germany
docP (Diensten en Onderzoek Centrum Palestina , Netherlands)
Education Equals Making Community Connections
European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine (ECCP)
Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor
Faculty for Palestine (Canada)
February 20 Movement – USA
Filipino Refugees in the Netherlands
Finnish-Arab Friendship Society
Freedom Archives
Freedom Road Socialist Organization
Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC)
Friends of Ain el-Helweh, Grenoble
Fronte Palestina Milano
Gerechtigkeit und Frieden für Palästina
Gesellschaft Schweiz Palästina
Gruppo Azione Palestina – Parma
Handala Center for Prisoners and Former Prisoners
Handala Cultural Center – Vienna
Hilton Head for Peace
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (Türkiye Insan Haklari Vakfi)
Human Rights Institute – Bratislava, Slovakia
Human Rights March – Denmark
Hunter College Students for Justice in Palestine
Initiative for a Just Peace in the Middle East – Slovakia
Inminds.com
International Action Center
International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity
International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal
International League of Peoples Struggle in Canada
International Solidarity Movement – Palestine
International Solidarity Movement – Northern California
International Solidarity Movement Czech Republic group
Internationalt Forum/Middle East Group
InvictaPalestina – Torino
Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Jewish Voice for Peace, San Diego
Jews for Palestinian Right of Return
Labor for Palestine
LADH (Liga Argentina de los Derechos del Hombre)
Landless Workers ‘ Movement (MST) – Brazil
Lefterianews – Greece
Left Perspective – Czech Republic
Leuvense Actiegroep Palestina
London Palestine Action
Los Otros Judios
Merton PSC – London
Mouvement Citoyen Palestine
National Jericho Movement
National Lawyers Guild – Palestine Subcommittee
New York City Students for Justice in Palestine
Northeast Political Prisoner Coalition
NY 4 Palestine Coalition
NYC Free Peltier
NYC Friends of MOVE
Palästinensische Kulturzentrum Schweiz
Palestijnse Gemeenschap in Nederland
Palestina Rossa
Palestina Solidariteit
Palestinian Arab Cultural Center in Brazil – Rio Grande do Sul
Palestinian Arab Cultural Center in Brazil – Sao Paulo
Palestinian Arab Society – Corumba (Brazil)
Palestinian Child and Youth Institute – Lebanon
Palestinian Democratic Coalition – Chicago
Palestinian Documentation Center
Palestinian Prisoners’ Committee – Palestine
Palestinian Youth Organization
Plate-forme Charleroi-Palestine
Plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine
Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association
Progressive Palestinian Youth Union – Palestine
Progressive Student Labor Front – Palestine
Proletaren FF, sports club, Sweden
Raja’een Folkloric Dance Troupe
Red Sparks Union
Release Aging People in Prison
Resistance for Free Palestine – Greece
Revolutionaire Eenheid
Revolutionary Communist Group/Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!
Revolutionary Communist Youth, Sweden
Sawt al-Shaab (Voice of the People Radio) – Palestine
SODePAZ Balamil
Solidarity with Novorossiya and Antifascists in Ukraine – NYC
Stichting Groningen-Jabalya
Studenten Voor Rechtvaardigheid in Palestina- Nijmegen
Studenten voor Rechtvaardigheid in Palestina (SRP) – Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Students for Justice in Palestine – Liège, Belgium
Students for Justice in Palestine – Maastricht
Students for Justice in Palestine at the College of Staten Island
UDAP – Unione Democratica Arabo-Palestinese
UJFP French Jewish Union for Peace
Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees – Palestine
United for Palestine
USC Students for Justice in Palestine
US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel
US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation
U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN)
Vlaams-Socialistische Beweging
Voice of Palestine
Women In Black International(Seattle USA chapter)
Women in Black (Vienna)

Samidoun calls for justice for people of the Philippines, accountability for Kidapawan massacre

Leila Khaled visiting Lumad communities last November 2015

April 5, 2016

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network stands with the farmers and indigenous people of the Philippines facing killings, mass repression, imprisonment and criminalization. We salute the people’s movement of the Philippines and its relentless struggle for justice in the face of violent repression.

On 1 April, over 5,000 farmers and indigenous Lumad people gathered on the Kidapawan Highway in Mindanao to protest for food distribution, emergency aid and the demilitarization of their communities. Hit hard by climate change – itself strengthened by Philippine government policies that prioritize multinational and US corporations’ exploitation of the land while driving indigenous people and peasants from their lands – and El Nino, farmers called for the release of 15,000 bags of emergency rice aid. Rather than aid, the farmers were confronted by an attack by the Philippines National Police, who fired on the crowd, killing three and injuring 161, violently dispersing thousands of farmers and forcing them to seek refuge in the local area.

Since the violent state attack on their protest, the farmers and indigenous people have been met withongoing attacks and criminalization. 78 farmers were arrested and jailed, while the United Methodist Church where farmers took refuge has been surrounded by militarized police and army. At least 73 farmers are still imprisoned without charges, including pregnant women and children; they will most likely need to post6,000-12,000 Philippine Pesos as bond, an extreme hardship or impossibility for peasants and subsistence farmers protesting for food assistance. Among the 43 men and 35 women arrested is Lumiriano Agustin, 47, currently being held in Kidapawan gym. He was an eyewitness to his companion dying after being shot in the head by uniformed men. Anakbayan reports that “Agustin was dragged, arrested, beaten up by the police, hit by rifle butt while he was cuffed.”

The food scarcity suffered by peasant farmers and indigenous people in the Philippines is not a natural disaster, but, as ILPS Canada wrote, “the social disaster that is imperialism, bureaucrat capitalism and feudalism…that continues to plunder the rich resources of the Philippines.” The United States and Canada provide extensive funding and training to the Philippine National Police that carried out this attack, often focused on “counter-terrorism” or the criminalization of popular movements for justice. The “anti-terror” framework is used to justify and legitimize attacks on protesting peasants and indigenous people and create a climate of impunity, while criminalizing people coming together to call for their basic rights, and the vibrant mass national democratic movement of the Philippines.

Palestinians have been struggling to hold on to their land against Zionist colonialism, supported by US, Canadian and European imperialism, for the past 100 years. When Leila Khaled, Palestinian resistance icon and present-day political leader, visited the indigenous Lumad encampment, working to defend their land against corporations and the state, she said: “We Palestinians are deprived of our homeland, you are deprived of your land. We have to unite and struggle against the inhuman enemies we are facing. We are all in one trench. If we unite and coordinate our struggle, we will be victorious.” Khaled was joined in this visit byMohammed Khatib of Samidoun.In Palestine, organizers of agricultural workers, farmers and fishersface organized state terror and violence at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces. Farmers and fishers in Gaza daily risk death as their land is deemed a “no-go zone” and their fishery waters deemed “outside the limits” by occupation forces. Land defenders and organizers of agricultural workers, including members of the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, have been repeatedly targeted for arrest, imprisonment and administrative detention without charge or trial by the Israeli state.

From Palestine to the Philippines, from the besieged farmers and fishers of Gaza to the farmers of Mindanao, from the indigenous people of Palestine seeking return and liberation to the indigenous Lumads of the Philippines, from the Palestinian prisoners in Zionist jails to the political prisoners of the Philippines’ peoples movement jailed for their struggle, struggles for liberation, against imperialism and colonialism, and for justice march together.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network extends its support and solidarity and encourages all friends and supporters of Palestine and the Palestinian struggle to join international events and actions calling for justice and accountability for the Kadipawan Massacre and for the people of the Philippines. ###

Brown Students for Justice in Palestine Condemn Kidapwan Massacre of Peasants

Brown Students for Justice in Palestine condemn in the strongest terms the violent actions undertaken by the Philippine National Police force in Kidapawan.   After 9 months of drought like conditions in the North Cotabao region in Mindinao 6,000 unarmed Farmer and lumad tribe members occupied the highway demanding 15,000 sacks of rice and immediate aid for the El Nino stricken region.  On April 1st, instead of trying to alleive the positions of these farmers the Kidapawan mayor Joseph Evangelista was the police shot into the crowd killing 2 people and 89 injured (including elderly and minors).

Immediately after, the PNP continued its repression of the protestors.  While a few were arrested, 4,500 were trapped in a Methodist church by the government forces as they sought to seek sanctuary for state violence.  If things could not have gotten any worse, the government and then put criminal charges on the priest and the nurses who tried to protect the protestors from government onslaught.  This act of shameless repression against the  people is a clear sign of the interests of the Philippine government. A  government serving the interests of the people would not  have waited until drought conditions had deepened to give aid to farmers.  A pro- people’s government would not continuously murder and resist the aspirations of the people.  From the Mendiola Massacre to the Philippine government’s recent approval of five more U.S. basis, it has continuously sold out the interest of the people to the big capitalists and the U.S.

As Brown Students for Justice in Solidarity, we understand that the same enemy that funds the oppression in Israel, is the same one that is principally supporting the of the Philippines. The U.S. funds around $79 million into the Philippine government, which go directly into the bullets that go into repressing farmers and lumads organizing for justice.  It is this same government which gives to Israel 3 billion dollars that also does the same thing:  building settlements in the west bank and turning gaza into an open air prison.     The Palestine’s denial of the right of return is under similar conditions to the Pinoy diaspora.  Both are principally supported by the government of Israel and the Philippines.  For the Philippine government, it facilitates the underdevelopment and subsequent reinforcement of U.S. influence in the country.   While  the right of return in Palestine is denied because such an acceptance would decisively weaken the Israeli state, and harm its ability to project its own and the U.S. interest in the region.  Both can only be solved through the abolition of bureaucrat capitalism, Semi Feudalism and  Imperialism.

 

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