By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
SvennoJ on 12 March 2024
Edit Thread

‘Reject AIPAC’: US progressives join forces against pro-Israel lobby group

Prominent progressive organisations in the United States are joining together to push back against the political and electoral influence of the country’s most powerful pro-Israel lobby group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

More than 20 advocacy groups launched on Monday a formal coalition dubbed “Reject AIPAC” to organise against what they called AIPAC’s campaign to​​ silence the “growing dissent in Congress” against Israel’s war on Gaza.

The newly formed coalition cited reports that AIPAC is readying a $100m offensive through its electoral arms – AIPAC PAC and the United Democracy Project (UDP) – to take on a handful of progressives in Congress who called for a ceasefire in Gaza early in the war.


US progressive representatives Jamaal Bowman, Rashida Tlaib, and Cori Bush have called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and may face electoral challenges funded by AIPAC


To avoid more attention no doubt. It would not have looked good in front of a tribunal.
The UK knows what's up, now having to grant political asylum to Palestinians.

UK grants Palestinian activist asylum in U-turn

The UK has granted asylum to a Palestinian citizen of Israel, assessing that he holds a “well-founded fear” of persecution if he returns to the country. The UK Home Office had originally denied the claim but reversed its decision only 24 hours before the case was set to go before a tribunal.

The man, named only as Hasan in documents filed at an immigration tribunal, has said that Israel operates under an “apartheid” system in which Palestinians are systematically oppressed. He also said he was at a heightened risk of persecution from Israeli authorities for his pro-Palestinian activism and anti-Zionist views.

Aid organisations sue Denmark to stop arms sales to Israel

Several NGOs in Denmark say they are suing the country’s national police and foreign ministry to stop arms exports to Israel. Oxfam Denmark, Amnesty International Denmark, Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke (Action Aid Denmark) and the Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq are involved in the court action, according to a press release.

“There is a clear risk that weapons and military equipment that Denmark directly and indirectly exports to Israel will be used to commit serious crimes against civilians in Gaza,” their statement said. “In doing so, Denmark violates international rules on arms trade and risks becoming complicit in violations of international humanitarian law – including war crimes – and a plausible genocide.”


Ireland rocks!

Irish artists pull out of SXSW festival in US in solidarity with Palestinians

Seven of 10 Irish artists scheduled to play at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival have pulled out to support Palestine and to protest the US festival’s links with US military and defence companies.

The Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap said it would not be playing the annual Austin, Texas, showcase in “solidarity with the people of Palestine”. Others soon followed suit.