Sat July 20: Taking the Palestinian Call for BDS to Local Councils

Palestinians at a checkpoint
Workshop on campaigning for BDS with elected local councils
Saturday 20 July 2013
St John's Church Hall, Princes Street, Edinburgh
12noon - 5pm

 

 

Recent months have seen developments in the campaign for BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) to isolate the state of Israel until it ends its human rights violations against the Palestinian people:

  • Steven Hawking cancelled his attendance at a gala event in Israel, shocking supporters of Israel and giving a boost to the academic boycott of Israel
  • the Church of Scotland recently endorsed the rights of Palestinian refugees to return and called for a widespread debate on a document calling for BDS
  • Israeli settler company Eden Springs recently wrote to the Scottish Government asking for help to withstand a boycott campaign "threatening the future of Eden Springs UK"

Anger worldwide at Israeli crimes is also reflected in Scotland. This workshop will analyse how three Scottish Local Authority Councils were won to support for Palestinian human rights and the Palestinian call for BDS, and how similar efforts might be successful elsewhere.

The workshop is open to anyone interested in campaigning for BDS in their Local Authority Council, whether you are an elected Councillor or a concerned voter and ratepayer.

12.00 – 12.15         Registration

12.15 – 12.30        The Palestinian Call for BDS – Successes & Challenges

12.30 – 2.00pm      Winning local councils – How it was done: W Dunbartonshire, Stirling & Clackmannanshire
                                  Jim Bollan, West Dunbartonshire Council
                                 Colin Finlay, ex-Cllr. Stirlingshire
                                 Archie Drummond, Clackmannanshire Council

2.30pm – 3.30pm   Lessons for campaigners

3.45 – 4.45             Divesting local council pension funds

4.45 – 5.00             Concluding remarks

Registration fee £5. For payment details email mick@scottishpsc.org.uk