American Near East Refugee Aid
American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) was founded in 1968 in the aftermath of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, to help the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians. Initially providing emergency relief, ANERA determined the effects of the war on Palestinian society would last well into the future and therefore began implementing projects that would establish a foundation for social and economical growth.
Today, ANERA’s projects improve communities throughout the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, and Jordan. We work closely with local institutions, such as schools, universities, health facilities, cooperatives, municipalities, grassroots committees, and charitable associations, and assist them in improving the community services they provide.
Americans for Middle East Understanding
AMEU was founded 39 years ago by Americans whose professions in medicine, church ministry, archaeology and diplomacy had taken them to the Middle East.
AMEU strives to create in the United States a deeper appreciation of the culture, history and current events in that area.
To achieve this goal, AMEU publishes The Link on a bi-monthly basis and sponsors educational programs.
Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights
AUPHR is an association of American taxpayers united by a mutual concern for human rights in general and Palestinian human rights in particular. Our members are of all religions, races, national origins and political persuasions. We are an open, locally based organization unaffiliated with other groups, though seeking to complement the work of others who share our concerns. Our aim is to eliminate the substantial U.S. funding and discriminatory US policies that directly or indirectly support the oppression and violation of human rights of Palestinian people in Israel and the Israeli occupied territories. Our tools are public education and political and legal action.
Brit Tzedek v’Shalom: Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace
The mission of Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace is to educate and mobilize American Jews in support of a negotiated two-state resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine
The Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine is a diverse, community-based group dedicated to organizing local activities and educational events that advance the cause of peace and justice for both Palestinians and Israelis. CJPIP supports efforts for resolution of this conflict that combine vision with pragmatism.
Read more: Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine
Foundation for Middle East Peace
The Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP) is a nonprofit organization that promotes an enduring Israeli-Palestinian peace, via two states, that brings security for Israel and freedom for Palestinians. FMEP sponsors programs, public speaking, makes small grants, and publishes the Report on Israeli Settlement in the Occupied Territories containing analysis, commentary, maps, and other data.
Established in 1979 by the late Merle Thorpe, Jr., the Foundation is dedicated to promoting, through various activities, a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that brings peace and security to both peoples.
Friends of UNRWA
The Friends of UNRWA is a non-profit organization that supports the work of UNRWA for the benefit of Palestine Refugees. The goal is to raise private sector funds within the United States to help refugees help themselves. The mission of the Friends of UNRWA Association is to support the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for the benefit of Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
Jewish Voice for Peace
Jewish Voice for Peace is a diverse and democratic community of activists inspired by Jewish tradition to work together for peace, social justice, and human rights. We support the aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians for security and self-determination.
We are among the many American Jews who say to the U.S. and Israeli governments: “Not in our names!”
JVP supports peace activists in Palestine and Israel, and works in broad coalition with other Jewish, Arab-American, faith-based, peace and social justice organizations.
http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org
Jews Against the Occupation
Jews Against the Occupation is an organization of progressive, secular and religious Jews of all ages throughout the New York City area advocating peace through justice for Palestine and Israel.
Middle East Children’s Alliance
MECA is committed to protecting and advocating for the rights of all people, especially children. Our work is rooted in a deep sense of justice and we have a commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international and humanitarian law.
Since 1988 MECA has brought over $8 million of much needed relief to besieged communities in Iraq and Palestine through emergency medical aid and direct aid to families and communities. MECA also supports children’s clinics and family mental health projects in various refugee camps thought the Occupied West Bank and Gaza, and supports community projects for children including, playgrounds, children’s libraries and youth centers. In line with our commitment to fighting for justice, MECA supports Palestinian and Israeli organizations and movements, fighting for political, social and economic equality for the Palestinian people as well as Iraqi and international movements and organizations working to secure justice for the Iraqi people.
Read more: Middle East Children’s Alliance
Mondoweiss: News & Opinion About Palestine, Israel & the United States
Mondoweiss is an independent website devoted to informing readers about developments in Israel/Palestine and related US foreign policy. We provide news and analysis unavailable through the mainstream media regarding the struggle for Palestinian human rights.
Not In My Name
Not In My Name, as a predominantly Jewish organization, is deeply committed to a peaceful and just resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, a resolution that will provide safety, security and freedom for Jews, Palestinians, and all others living in this region. We believe that such a peace can only be achieved when Israel withdraws from its settlements in the Palestinian territories and addresses the legitimate national and human rights of the Palestinian people. We do not accept that Jewish survival depends on unconditional support for the Israeli government and its policies. Rather we believe that the future safety and survival of our people rests on our ability to live in peace with our neighbors and to work to ensure justice and security for all people.
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund
The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund is a registered non-political, non-profit, 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization that was established in 1991 by concerned people in the U.S. to address the medical and humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian youths in the Middle East. It has since expanded to help suffering children from other Middle Eastern nations, based only on their medical needs. The P.C.R.F. helps to locate free medical care for children from the Middle East who are unable to get the necessary and specialized treatment in their homeland. Over the last 17 years, we have brought over 850 children outside of the West Bank and Gaza for free surgical care, while treating thousands more in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria with our international medical mission.
Photos and report of BDS action at New Seasons to boycott Israeli goods
[See original story for photos!]
I was fortunate to be at New Seasons in Concordia yesterday and photograph the amazing performance by the flash mob, about 24 members of Portland BDS (Boycott, Divest and Sanction) Coalition. What was normally another typical Sunday afternoon shopping at New Seasons turned into a living theatre for a few moments, with an urgent message to persuade New Seasons to stop carrying 19 Israeli products. As stunned shoppers watched, the performers sang and danced their hearts out to the tune of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.”
I was fortunate to be at New Seasons in Concordia yesterday and photograph the amazing performance by the flash mob, about 24 members of Portland BDS (Boycott, Divest and Sanction) Coalition. What was normally another typical Sunday afternoon shopping at New Seasons turned into a living theatre for a few moments, with an urgent message to persuade New Seasons to stop carrying 19 Israeli products. As stunned shoppers watched, the performers sang and danced their hearts out to the tune of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.” Many shoppers seemed impressed and took photos with their cell phones. I was glad that the performers were able to finish their song inside the store, and communicate their compelling message so dramatically:
All these products support Israeli Apartheid
At the expense of Palestinian Human Rights
New Seasons, you say you support community
But you sell products that destroy them overseas
No, no, no, no, no, don’t buy into it, no
Israeli brands, made on stolen land
New Seasons, New Seasons,
You say you’re local but you buy into
Israeli Occupation
B-b-b-boycott
Support the boycott!
We want this store to take responsibility
and boycott Israel ’til Palestine is free
B-Be outraged because the US gives away
seven million dollars to Israel everyday!
The activists also waved signs saying “Anti-Occupation is not Anti-Semitic,” “Israeli Policies = 1.7 million Palestinian refugees.” They gave out leaflets to shoppers, explaining why New Seasons was targeted. The BDS members had submitted a petition to New Seasons with over 500 signatures from their shoppers supporting the boycott, and tried unsuccessfully many times to meet with New Seasons management. Also at issue was New Seasons’ recent censorship of a photo exhibit by Stephen Kerpen, a Jewish photographer, at the Southeast Store. He was forced to remove his photographs of Palestinians and Bedouins when one customer complained.
When the song was over, the activists left the store in high spirits, and repeated their performance outside on the sidewalk across from the entrance. New Seasons had apparently called the police—one of them showed up and after a brief exchange, he left, having determined that the activists were not a threat to anyone. The activists even gave him a leaflet explaining the illegal Israeli occupation and oppression of Palestinians.
I thought this was an excellent action, well-planned and performed. We need more direct actions like this, using theatre, music and dance in a creative and innovative way, to get across this urgent demand to end the brutal Israeli occupation of Palestine that has gone on for over 60 years.
For more information, go to http://pdxbds.wordpress.com
Quakers With a Concern for Palestine-Israel
Working for a Just and Lasting Peace, these Friends in Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington state warmly invite your participation Developed a map card that is a great tool for education.
US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR)
The US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) is a national coalition of hundreds of groups working to advocate for Palestinian rights and a shift in US policy. Founded in 2001 as the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, USCPR has been a leading player in the movement for Palestinian rights in the United States. The coalition is bound by commonly shared principles on Palestine solidarity as well as our anti-racism principles.