Resource Center for Nonviolence

A statement by Scott Kennedy, Coordinator of the Middle East Program of the Resource Center for Nonviolence

Since its founding in 1976, the Resource Center for Nonviolence and I have supported and advocated for a secure and thriving State of Israel –

~ within internationally recognized borders,

~ at peace and enjoying normal relations with neighboring Arab states and with other Middle Eastern countries and the international community,

~ and free of undue influence by outside powers such as the USA and the debilitating effects of an ongoing state of hostility with its neighbors and a war economy.

I therefore extend my greetings and support to members of the local Jewish Community and others who will be celebrating Israel’s birthday this week.

Created in 1948, Israel is a young state still in many regards in its formative years. I look forward to progressive forces in Israel finally winning public approval for adoption of a constitution for Israel that will guarantee equal human, civil, religious, economic and cultural rights to all of its citizens.

I likewise look forward to Israel, the Palestinians and neighboring nations ending the state of war and reaching a political accommodation to end decades of conflict. That political resolution must be founded on international law and respect for the human and national rights of all people in the region, including both Israelis and Palestinians.

The then newly founded United Nations gave birth to two states in 1947: the State of Israel and the State of Palestine. One cannot give birth to twins and have one twin legitimate and the other twin illegitimate. Creation of Israel and the Israeli War of Independence had a devastating impact on the Palestinian population of that area. It is no wonder that Palestinians call the flight or expulsion of 750,000 – 900,000 refugees and destruction of more than 400 Palestinian villages within the boundaries of the new Israeli state “al Naqba” or “the catastrophe.”

Israel’s 62nd birthday not only is a time for many to celebrate the many accomplishments of Israel. It must also remind us that establishment of a Palestinian State is long overdue. There is a broad international consensus that supports creation of a Palestinian State alongside Israel enjoying the same rights, responsibilities, security and hope as the State of Israel.

US support for Israel should adamantly and consistently further the goals of reenforcing democracy and equality for all citizens of Israel and bringing about a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian-Arab conflict and creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. These remain my personal goals and the purpose of the Middle East Program of the Resource Center for Nonviolence.

Scott Kennedy

April 19, 2010

Santurday, May 1 (International Workers Day) 10:00 a.m. at the RCNV back parking lot. This is a community meeting for in-home caregivers, along with care recipients and community allies, to strategize a defense for life-line services.

The Governor has proposed cuts to in-home care which would result in over 2,000 S.C. Co. seniors and disabled people losing care and over 1,700 county caregivers losing their jobs.

For more information, contact Erik Larsen, Organizer for SEIU-United Long Term Care Workers (831) 206-4914 or erikl@seiu-ultew.org.

Tuesday, April 27, 7:00 p.m. at the Resource Center for Nonviolence
Sandino Gomez is just back from Nicaragua where he met with community leaders. He will show photos and discuss Nicaragua under the FSLN (Sandinistas) of Pres. Daniel Ortega. Successes and contradictions abound in this complicated country with a fascinating history and a warm welcoming people. Sandino coordinates the Youth Empowerment Program for RCNV He is active in the Watsonville Brown Berets and a DJ on Free Radio Santa Cruz. Suggested donation $5-$15, no one turned away for lack of funds. For more information call 831-423-1626.

The Santa Cruz Chapter of the ACLU presents:
$100 A Day -A Film Showing and Panel Discussion
Thursday, April 22, 2010  - 7pm
Santa Cruz Police Community Room
155 Center St., Santa Cruz
On December 10, 1991, East Palo Alto resident Rick Walker was convicted of a murder he did not commit. Linked to the crime by false testimony and questionable legal tactics, Walker would spend the next 12 years of his life in some of California’s most dangerous prisons. Once exonerated, he would face yet another barrier to justice: the California State legislature.

Entitled to one hundred dollars for every day spent falsely imprisoned, Walker’s attempts to receive his just due became caught in the partisan battle over the 2003 budget.

The Resource Center for Nonviolence condemns the firing of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel, one of which killed a foreign worker on Thursday 3/18/10. A rocket fired despite a ban enforced by the Hamas government in Gaza struck a greenhouse in the agricultural kibbutz Netiv Ha’asara, killing a worker from Thailand. The improvised rocket devices are largely uncontrollable after launch and randomly strike targets, including civilians. International human rights organizations and the Resource Center for Nonviolence have consistently condemned such attacks as illegal under international law. This was the first fatality from Gaza-based rockets since Israel’s Operation Cast Lead in December 2008-January 2009 that killed 1,400 in Gaza, including more than 300 children. Thousands of rockets have been fired from Gaza into Israel in the past decade, killing fewer than two dozen, including several Palestinian citizens of Israel.