After the Elections: U.S. Policy, Israel and Gaza – A conversation with Congressman Brian Baird
Posted by rabbibrian on November 12, 2010
On Thursday, November 18, at 12 noon Eastern Time, Ta’anit Tzedek-Jewish Fast for Gaza will sponsor a a conference call, “After the Elections: US Policy, Israel and Gaza” – A Conversation with Congressman Brian Baird.
Here’s the call-in info:
Dial the Access Number: 1.800.920.7487
Participant Code: 92247763#
Congressman Baird is the outgoing Representative for Washington state’s 3rd District. Prior to being elected in 1998, Congressman Baird practiced as a licensed clinical psychologist in Washington state and Oregon. He also worked in state and Veterans Administration psychiatric hospitals, community mental health clinics, substance abuse treatment programs, and institutions for juvenile offenders.
Congressman Baird is also notable for being one of the few members of Congress who is willing to openly advocate for Palestinian human rights. He has visited Gaza on three separate occasions and had this to say after his visit in February 2009 (immediately following Israel’s Operation Cast Lead):
The amount of physical destruction and the depth of human suffering here is staggering… Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, schools completely leveled, fundamental water, sewer, and electricity facilities hit and relief agencies heavily damaged. The personal stories of children being killed in their homes or schools, entire families wiped out, and relief workers prevented from evacuating the wounded are heart wrenching – what went on here, and what is continuing to go on, is shocking and troubling beyond words.
After his third visit to Gaza in February 2010, Baird called on the US to break Israel’s blockade of the strip to deliver humanitarian aid. He was also one of the few members of the House to vote against a bill that “unequivocally opposed any endorsement or further consideration” of the Goldstone Report. (Click the clip above to watch his passionate defense of report on the House floor.)
During our conversation, we will ask Congressman Baird to discuss his experiences in Gaza, to comment on current efforts to lift the blockade and to share his views on the search for a just peace in Israel/Palestine in light of the recent midterm elections.
Congressman Baird will also address the wrongful death trial, brought by Craig and Cindy Corrie against the Israeli government, for the death of their daughter Rachel (who was crushed by an Israeli bulldozer in Gaza in 2003). As the Corrie’s congressman, Rep. Baird has long supported the Corrie family in their quest for justice and personally testified in the trial last May.
The call this coming Thursday, November 18 will be at 12:00 noon.
Call-in info:
Dial the Access Number: 1.800.920.7487
Participant Code: 92247763#
I encourage you to join the call and spread the word.
Nancy Leah Dudwick said
Leaders of both Palestinians and Israelis are contributing to the conflicts. As long as Palestinians shoot Scud missiles and send suicide bombers to Israel, and as long as Israeli soldiers bulldoze Palestinian homes and subject Palestinian civilians to humiliating inspections, the conflicts will continue. First, it might be helpful to have Israeli and Palestinians scientists and physicians work together; and encourage Palestinian women and children and Israeli women and children to engage in social interaction with one another.
Naomi Paz Greenberg said
Dear Friends,
Chanukah Sameach, Happy Chanukah: perhaps a small sign.
Via email from:
September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
“Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows” Martin Luther King, Jr.
December 2, 2010
PRESS RELEASE: The Nonviolence Sessions of the Arab region start in Beirut
Nonviolence movements from eleven countries of the Arab Region open a space for dialogue for conflict transformation
On December 3, 4 and 5, the Third Beirut Nonviolence Session organized by Nova, the Nonviolence Network of Arab Countries (NNAC) and the Permanent Peace Movement (PPM), will take place in Lebanon.
For the first time, 30 nonviolence organizations and movements from eleven countries of the Arab region (Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait) will join in Beirut to exchange experiences and strategies on transforming the conflict within their countries and to strengthen relations within the framework of the NNAC.
It will be a “closed-door” meeting, but will have the participation of international organizations from the United States, Italy, Netherlands and Spain. The main objective is to discuss how nonviolent civil society organizations can promote a peaceful process of change and ensure human security within their societies.
Some of the issues to be discussed will be: dialogue with armed non-state actors, nonviolence and its role to empower women, the development of a citizenship culture through nonviolence or the nonviolent struggle within autocratic systems.
This conference is organized with the support of the Catalan Agency of Cooperation for Development (ACCD), the Council of Barcelona (International Cooperation, Solidarity and Peace Department) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Spanish Government (MAEC).
Click here fore more information.