Film Trailer for "My Neighborhood"

To view the full film click here.

Israel/Palestine Films at Zinema2--We Need Your Help!

Since spring we've been trying to find ways to fund a series of 3 or 4 documentary films on the Israel-Palestine conflict at the Zinema2. We expect the documentaries to be challenging yet hopeful (for example, Budrus, Five Broken Cameras, The Gatekeepers, etc.) about the prospects for justice and peace in the region. Zinema2 does not need us to foot the entire cost but we need about half of the maximum of $1000 to get the project off the ground. Other funds will come from ticket sales and fundraisers during the fall of 2013. We expect the film series to take place in early 2014. Can you help us with a gift of $10, $25, $50 or $100?

Since we don't have a bank account, it will be necessary to send money (cash or personal check to Robert Kosuth) to Robert Kosuth, 1224 E. 11th Street, Duluth 55805. You can also bring a donation to our next meeting at Bixby's Cafe (1808 Woodland) between 3-4 p.m. Sunday, November 2.

20 Years of Failure: MN State Board of Investment's Neglect of Human Rights

On September 11, 2013, members of MN BBC personally delivered a comprehensive report to Governor Mark Dayton at the quarterly State Board of Investment meeting documenting the SBI’s twenty year failure to follow its own international human rights investment guidelines. MN BBC prepared the report following a two year examination of internal SBI documents. Those documents revealed that the SBI’s human rights guidelines, adopted in 1992 by a task force led by then State Auditor Dayton following pressure from Minnesota’s two largest labor unions, have failed to prevent the SBI from investing in countries, like Israel, that are documented human rights violators. According to the the report, the guidelines have received little more than lip service from the SBI’s investment managers, exposing the State of Minnesota to accusations of financial complicity in international human rights violations. The report concludes with recommendations that would immediately bring the SBI into compliance, if adopted. Click MNBBC-White Paper to see the full report.

BDS Workshop on May 23

Thursday, May 23, 6:30pm in the Gold Room of the downtown Duluth Public Library

Since 1948 Israel has pursued an aggressive displacement of Palestinians from their homeland with political and financial support of the U.S. and the taxpayers of Minnesota.  The MN State Board of Investment owns over $23 million of Israel bonds. 

Stephen Hawkings Boycotts Academic Conference in Israel

Abolish the Israeli "Firing Zone" in the South Hebron Hills

In the southern West Bank, in the South Hebron Hills, there exists an area called Masafer Yatta. The area encompasses twelve Palestinian villages and some 1000 inhabitants: Tuba, al-Mufaqarah, Isfey, Maghayir al Abeed, al-Majaz, at-Tabban, al-Fakheit, Halaweh, Mirkez, Jinba, Kharoubeh and Sarura. According to the Oslo peace process, this is Area C, which means that it is under civil and military Israeli Administration. In the early 1970s, Israel declared the area a ‘closed military area’, called ‘Firing Zone 918’.

PETITION TO ABOLISH THE ISRAELI FIRING ZONE IN THE SOUTH HEBRON HILLS

How Palestinians are Portrayed in Israeli Textbooks

7 Top Things You Should Know About Gaza

1. Gaza is Always Under Siege

Israel controls the airspace, waters, and borders of Gaza (with the exception of Rafah, the border with Egypt). Israel controls the electrical and sewage infrastructure of Gaza, and how much food, fuel and other supplies can arrive and leave, giving it almost total control over the economy. Palestinians in

Gaza do not have the freedom to leave at will, to visit relatives in the West Bank, or get adequate health care. 1.7 million Palestinians are crammed into 140 square miles, making it one of the most crowded places on earth.

Palestine Solidarity Activists Ejected & Assaulted at Timberwolves Game With Israeli Team

Following in the footsteps of the sports boycott of South Africa that contributed to the demise of apartheid, approximately 20 protesters advocating for human rights for Palestinians made their presence known at the Tuesday night Minnesota Timberwolves game against Maccabi-Haifa. Palestinian flags and banners calling for a boycott of Israeli apartheid were displayed and anti-apartheid chants were heard throughout the Target Center minutes into the game clearly catching the attention of the players.

Stop the Harassment of Iyad Burnat!

On Thursday November 1, 2012 Iyad Burnat, a leader of the Popular Resistance Movement in Bi'lin, Palestine, was detained by the Jordanian border officials and then refused entry into Jordan in order to travel to the United States.  He is currently back in Bil’in awaiting the resolution of this matter so that he can continue on his journey.

As you may recall, the Village of Bil’in is a co-plaintiff in our lawsuit here against the state of Minnesota for illegally and immorally investing in Israel Bonds. Iyad is scheduled to speak throughout our state December 5-9. We are also planning a meeting between Iyad and other co-plaintiffs and attorneys working on the lawsuit as Bil’in’s representative, in addition to a possible meeting with state legislators. MN Break the Bonds is just one of many community organizations in the U.S. sponsoring Iyad's speaking tour throughout the country. In fact, he was scheduled to speak today at the National Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) conference being held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. 

MN Court of Appeals to Hear Israel Bonds Divestment Appeal

On September 27, 2012, the Minnesota Court of Appeals will hear arguments in an appeal brought by the Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign (MN BBC) against the Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI). The hearing is currently scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m. in Courtroom 300 of the Minnesota Judicial Center at 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in St. Paul.

Israeli Court Exonerates Murderer of Rachel Corrie

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news with you that an Israeli court ruled today that the military was not at fault for killing Rachel Corrie, a U.S. activist crushed by an army bulldozer during a 2003 demonstration in Gaza. The court rejected the lawsuit filed in 2005 on behalf of the Corrie family by attorney Hussein abu Hussein which charged the State of Israel with responsibility for Rachel’s killing and failure to conduct a full and credible investigation in the case. 

Sign the Petition: Save Palestinian Olive Trees!

This weekend I had the chance to spend 48 hours in the village of Deir Istya, in the West Bank. I went there thanks to the mediation of the Sanghaseva Being Peace group, a wonderful organization which has been carrying out some very good work in the area. As I am posting this, I still haven’t unpacked my bags, because I feel the urge to write about my experience, and to invite those who are interested to get to know the particular situation that people in the village are going through.

FORUM: Trees as a Weapon of War?

How Israel Green-Washes Apartheid in Palestine

Tuesday , April 10

4-5:15pm UWS Swenson 1057

Hearing on Israel Bonds Lawsuit - March 5

On March 5, 2012, at 2:30 p.m., at the Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 W. Kellogg Ave., Room 1440, St. Paul, Judge Margaret Marrinan will hear arguments in a lawsuit filed by four public interest organizations and twenty-three individuals led by the Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign (MN BBC) against the State Board of Investment (SBI). The lawsuit aims to stop Minnesota’s investment in Israel’s human rights and international law violations.