NIEUWS NEDERLANDS PALESTINA KOMITEE

Het is salonfähig onder Zionisten en hun aanhangers om te proberen tegenstanders uit te schakelen door deze in verband te brengen met anti-semitisme. Ook Sheikh Raed, een Israeliër die sterk opkomt voor Palestijnse rechten in Israel, werd hiervan beticht door journalisten van de Daily Telegraph en Jewish Chronicle.

Sheikh Raed verzet zich tegen deportatie door middel van rechtszaak. Als hij wordt gedeporteerd zal dit een inbreuk zijn op zijn recht op vrijheid van meningsuiting, en zijn recht om over de Palestijnse zaak te spreken.

Lees hieronder de actie-oproep van de Palestine Solidarity Campaign

SHEIKH RAED SALAH ARRESTED - URGENT ACTION ALERT

Sheikh Raed Salah, one of the most prominent campaigners within Israel for Palestinian rights, has been arrested in London. The Sheikh was invited by PSC to speak at the launch of 'Building Peace and Justice in Jerusalem' Campaign in Parliament tonight, alongside MPs and other prominent speakers. He is the leader of a legitimate political party in Israel, representing Palestinians, and an outspoken champion of Jerusalem. The meeting will still go ahead.

The Sheikh entered the UK openly on 25 June and his schedule was known well in advance by UK authorities. This included a meeting in Parliament on 26 June and a public meeting the same night at Conway Hall, London, organised by PSC and MEMO on the subject of the Arab Spring and its impact on Palestine.

Despite this, the Sheikh was arrested in his hotel room last night under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1971. The Home Secretary, Teresa May, subsequently announced in the House of Commons that he was excluded from entering the UK. The government has not made clear when the ban was issued, and the Sheikh's legal team had not been contacted.

The Sheikh has appealed against the deportation in court. His team had already begun legal proceedings against Daily Telegraph and Jewish Chronicle journalists for printing false allegations about him last week.

Deporting, and subsequently banning, Sheikh Raed from the UK will be a violation of his right to free speech, his right to speak out on behalf of Palestine, and a victory for those who have spread the baseless rumours defaming his reputation.

TAKE ACTION


Protest today/Write to the Home Secretary
· PSC is supporting a demonstration called by the Palestinian Forum of Britain TODAY from 5-6pm outside Paddington Green police station where the Sheikh is being held. This will be a silent protest in recognition of the silencing of free speech - bring Palestinian flags and gags to cover your mouth. Nearest tube: Edgware Road.


· Call or email the Home Secretary asking her to reconsider the decision. An Israeli court cleared Sheikh Raed of charges of making anti-Semitic comments. The Sheikh has reiterated that charges were dropped because there was no evidence against him. On what basis is he being excluded from the UK? Email: mayt@parliament.uk T: 020 7219 5206




PSC's press releases on Sheikh Raed's visit

PSC condemns false allegations made against Sheikh Raed (June 21)
PSC statement on Sheikh Raed Salah and the Evening Standard (June 28)
Detention of Sheikh Raed (June 29)



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The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) aims to raise public awareness about the occupation of Palestine and the struggle of the Palestinian people. PSC seek to bring pressure on both the British and Israeli government to bring their policies in line with international law. PSC is an independent, non-governmental and non-party political organisation with members from communities across the UK. Join PSC today!

Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Box BM PSA
London
WC1N 3XX

Tel: 020 7700 6192
Fax: 020 7609 7779

Email: info@palestinecampaign.org  
Web: www.palestinecampaign.org