NGO Action News – 15 August 2016

This newsletter informs about recent and upcoming activities of Civil Society Organizations affiliated with the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. The Committee and the Division for Palestinian Rights of the UN Secretariat provide the information “as is” without warranty of any kind, and do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in the websites linked in the newsletter.

NGO Action News
15 August 2016

• To highlight the diminishing water supply to Palestinians, a light installation was held simultaneously in eight locations: Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Boston, New York, Houston, Johannesburg, Melbourne and Perth, Australia on 14 August, creating the message “Water is a right” in various languages. The campaign is organised by the Coalition of Women for Peace, a part of the larger Water Coalition, composed of twenty NGOs.

• On 16 August, Canadian Arab Society of London and the Canadian Boat to Gaza are hosting a talk in London, Ontario by member of the Israeli Knesset, Dr. Basel Ghattas. Dr. Ghattas sailed with the 2015 Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. He will speak about the present state of democracy in Israel as it relates to Palestinian human rights, the occupation and the ongoing blockade of Gaza.

• From 26 to 28 August, the 3^rd annual Palestinian Festival will take place in Ottawa. The event will also include Dabke dances, fashion show, and music performances featuring artists such as Nizar al-Issa, an oud player.

• On 11 November, the Jerusalem Fund is holding the Palestine Center Annual Conference entitled “The Palestinians: History, Agency, and Future Prospects”, in Washington, D.C. The conference will examine the current situation in Palestine and present perspectives on Washington’s policy toward Israel and Palestine, in light of this year’s presidential elections.

Europe

• On 4 September, Palestine Solidarity Campaign is hosting a family event in Milton Keynes, UK, to celebrate Palestinian arts, crafts, food, music, dress and culture. It will include live music by oud player Yaz Fentazi, stalls, handicrafts, and films.

• On 24 September, Amos Trust is organizing a talk in London hosting Sahar Vardi, a peace activist who coordinates the Israel programme for the American Friends Service Committee, focusing on countering the militarisation of Israeli society. At the age of 18 she refused to serve at the IDF and spent several months in military prison. The initiative “Just Walk to Jerusalem 2017”, a 100-day walk from London to Jerusalem to demand full equal rights for everyone who calls Israel/Palestine home, will also be launched.

• On 29 September, Palestine Solidarity Campaign is hosting a movie screening, in Kent, of The Stones Cry Out, a documentary telling the story of Palestinian Christians through the decades of occupation.

• On 6 August, the United Nations Department of Political Affairs published an article regarding UN International Conference in support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace in Geneva, 29-30 June 2016.

• On 21 September, the second annual Solutions Summit will take place at UN Headquarters in New York during General Assembly week. The purpose of the Summit is, among others, to highlight projects that advance the objectives the upcoming UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September. During the Solutions Summit, selected global innovators will present their efforts to senior policy-makers, investors, and industry leaders. As an NGO promoting Palestinian rights, you may wish to submit proposals (Deadline: 28 August 2016) for inclusion in the Solutions Summit or apply to be part of the Selection Committee (Deadline: 21 August).