Meretz UK

Building peace from the ground up…

2012-02-15T02:19:00.007Z

Young Israelis and Palestinians face the future

Meretz UK is pleased to announce our next meeting on Thursday, 1 March, with four participants from the Encompass Trust
peace-building programme -
Khadrah AbuZant and Hussam Qasem (Palestinian)
Itamar Ben Yakir and Reut Peretz (Israeli)

Hashomer House (address above)
Thursday, 1 March, starting 8pm
Contributions: £5.50, £4 concessions, £2 members

All four of our guest speakers will have returned from a peace-building programme at the Prince’s Trust Pembrokeshire Adventure Centre, Wales, together with 20 other young people from the UK, USA, Israel, Palestinian territories and Indonesia.

Spearheading the initiative is The Daniel Braden Reconciliation Encompass Trust, a UK-registered international youth and civil society development charity. Encompass was set up in 2003 by the family of Daniel Braden, who died in the horrific Bali bombing.

Encompass works at a grassroots level to bring together young people from different cultures and backgrounds, to break down prejudice, and to forge lines of communication across communities. Through these activities – which in turn build on the originally sea-based venture, “Journey of Understanding” – future leaders gain perspective, skills and confidence so as to promote intercultural understanding.

Besides the vexing Israeli-Palestinian conundrum, Encompass also focuses on restoring peace to Somalia and active change in communities on at least three continents. To date some 200 Encompass alumni have bonded through the Trust’s programmes. And in one way or the other, all have returned to their communities and continued the hard but ultimately gratifying work of breaking down barriers!

For more details phone 0794-297 8780 and see

http://www.encompasstrust.org/

http://backstageatencompass.blogspot.com/

Next meeting - Corruption Revealed

2011-11-27T01:50:00.013Z

Sunday 12 December

Corruption Revealed

Guest speaker Nick Kochan

At Hashomer House

Starting at 8 pm

Normal contributions for entrance

Financial corruption is one of the major scourges of our time. Here celebrated author Nick Kochan draws on themes raised in the book Corruption (Palgrave Macmillan) which he recently published with co-author Robin Goodyear.

In his talk Nick will show what dangers corruption represents, both in Britain and worldwide - and how managers, lawmakers and ordinary members of the public can combat it... He will illustrate his talk with cases of bribery and other forms of financial misdoing. And he will show how the UK's Bribery Act (2010) provides some tools that are needed if we are to defeat an all-too-pervasive culture of corruption.

For some 25 years Nick Kochan has provided an independent viewpoint on the global growth in organized crime. His recent book, The Washing Machine was, like Corruption, based on exhaustive interviews with people at the highest levels of government, law enforcement, the judiciary and the financial sector, provided an overview of money laundering in a global context. The London-based Kochan has lectured on corruption to the Oxford University Department of Criminology as well as to UK government agencies. His previous books include The Guinness Affair (1987), The Bank of Credit and Commerce International (1991), and biographies of Gordon Brown and Anne Widdecombe. Amongst the publications for which Kochan has written are the Financial Times, the Observer, the Daily Telegraph and Euromoney magazine. Educated at the University of Cambridge, Kochan often appears as a commentator on BBC television, radio and other media.

Next meeting: Obama and the Jews

2011-10-20T12:19:00.006+01:00

Will they turn Republican in 2012?

Speaker: Carol Gould

Date: Sunday, 30 October

Time: 4pm (note earlier than usual time)

At: Hashomer House, 37a Broadhurst Gardens, London NW6 3BN

Entrance: £5 or £4 members plus concessions

American Jews voted overwhelmingly for Barack Obama in the historic elections of 2008. Are they now losing their enthusiasm for his presidency? If so, is that because of his stance on Israel or domestic factors? How might that affect his chances of re-election? And how can we explain why some Jews are leaning towards the Republican option while others are leaders of the Occupy Wall Street movement?

Carol Gould is eminently qualified to answer these and many more questions! Philadelphia-born and London-based, she is the author of 'Spitfire Girls' and 'Don't Tread on me - anti-Americanism Abroad.' She is a political commentator on Sky News, the BBC and Iranian television and has been a panellist on Radio 4's 'Any Questions?' She is also a filmmaker, blogger and playwright, and her website is http://www.currentviewpoint.com/

Email: info@meretz.org.uk
Phone: 07838-689 034 or 0207-482 3587

AGM and comedy show with Ivor Dembina

2011-10-03T17:31:00.005+01:00

SHANA TOVA TO ALL MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF MERETZ UK

We are pleased to announce that the Annual General Meeting of Meretz UK will take place on:-

Sunday 16th October at 4.30 p.m.

Hashomer House 37a Broadhurst Gardens London NW 6 3BN

All members are invited. The AGM will review the past year, including finances, and will also lay out ideas of what is to come in the year ahead. Members will have the opportunity to vote for office holders and to participate in discussions.

To be followed at 6.30 by a social event which will include a performance by Jewish comedian Ivor Dembina of his solo show This is Not a Subject for Comedy.
Amongst his many achievements - for which see link above - in 2010 Mr Dembina put on the first stand-up comedy gig in Parliament ... and as all can tell, things haven't quite been the same there ever since! Never scared of controversy, Dembina has delighted audiences up and down the country with the way he views those great affairs of the day (and those lesser everyday gripes we all suffer) through the prism of his uniquely wry eye. It should be a memorable evening, not to be missed! And we thank Ivor for agreeing to appear at Hashomer House.

Proceedings after 6.30 are open to all Meretz UK members, friends and the public.
There will be refreshments and more.
Tickets at the door £10 / £5 concessions.

Thanks, Ahlam, for an excellent meeting!

2011-10-03T16:44:00.005+01:00

Meretz UK would like to offer sincere thanks to Ahlam Akram for a most stimulating and thought-provoking meeting on Sunday 11 September.

The topic was Israelis and Palestinians in the light of the Palestinian bid for UN recognition. In her talk Mrs Akram blended passion with compassion, pragmatism with a sense of justice denied, and a plea to formalise peace now before the opportunity passes forever. While touching on many fascinating aspects of past history, her central thesis was that both sides have to listen to each others' histories, and then look to the future. Notwithstanding the problems, Palestinian UN representation was essential to building the vision of a two-state solution, argued Mrs Akram. And with the two peoples so inextricably bound together, neither can delude itself into thinking that denying the other's rights can lead to peace.

At question time issues ranged from the Turkish flotilla to Gaza and past wars, to signs of reconciliation in unexpected places, the ongoing needs of a population under occupation, the intricacies of UN politics and the legal sphere, fears of violence and hopes for diplomatic progress.

Yehuda Erdman opened the proceedings by welcoming an above-average size audience and outlining what Meretz UK has done in recent years. He also mentioned plans for the future, starting with our upcoming AGM.

After Lawrence Joffe introduced Ahlam, she then set the tone splendidly and appropriately by calling for a minute's silence in commemoration of the victims of the horrific terror attacks of 9/11, and all who have died from subsequent violence. Question-time was lively, to say the least, and Ahlam deserves credit for handling all queries and interventions with aplomb and patience.

Lastly, at a time when, unfortunatley, voices on all sides are trying to shut down dialogue between Jews and Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians, Meretz UK is pleased to have offered a platform here in London for a no-holds-barred discussion of events which concern us all. In short, a memorable evening.

Thanks to all for coming along, and to Yael and others who helped with the planning. And thank you especially to Ahlam Akram for her candour, her generosity of spirit, and her ability to synthesise such complex and emotive issues into such a clear and compelling presentation!

Next meeting for your diary...

2011-08-15T02:44:00.000+01:00

Meretz UK is proud to announce a meeting for 11 September 2011

Will Palestinian statehood benefit Israel or threaten it?

With special guest speaker Ahlam Akram

London-based Nablus-born human rights and peace activist

Date and time: 8pm, 11 Sept
Location: Hashomer House
Entrance: £5 or £4 members plus concessions

On 13 September 1993 Yitzhak Rabin, Yasser Arafat and Bill Clinton signed the Declaration of Principles on the White House Lawn [see picture]. The resultant Oslo peace process was meant to end the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. History has proven otherwise. Frustrated by lack of progress, PA President Mahmoud Abbas will ask the United Nations General Assembly to approve Palestinian independence on 20 September this year - fully 18 years after the White House signing.

Israel and America are firmly oppposed to this move. But could both Palestinians and Israelis gain if the UNGA votes "yes", as expected? Or might "the events of September" mark yet another setback in the quest for peace?

With her firsthand knowledge of Palestinian politics, her long experience working with Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Arabs, her close acquaintance with British political affairs, and her many articles in the Arab press, Mrs Akram is well placed to raise some challenging questions - and provide a few thought-provoking answers!

More information may follow - so watch this space

Meretz in action as Israel stirs

2011-07-28T20:11:00.000+01:00

Whether or not the widespread tent city protests in Israel reflect breezes from the Arab Spring, they certainly suggest that civilian voices are making themselves heard at last. Meretz has been particularly active in this arena. To use a boxing analogy, with only three representatives in the Knesset the party seems to be Israel's "pound for pound" champion when it comes to dynamism!

MK Ilan Ghillon, for instance, marched with his daughter and granddaughter at a Tel Aviv "strollers rally" to protest the vaulting costs of raising children. MK Zehava Gal-On (see photo above) slammed Prime Minister Netanyahu for his archaic fixation on free enterprise and his "disconnected" response to the house prices uprising.

Not all Meretz campaigns have succeeded. The Knesset has just voted down the attempt by Nitzan Horowitz to pass a bill to institute civil marriage in Israel by a margin of 40 to 17. At least it is heartening that 14 MK from other parties backed the Meretz bid. For a more mordant comment on the paradoxical state of the Israeli left, see this Ha'aretz op-ed from former Meretz leader, Yossi Sarid.

Gal-On, meanwhile, has also called for transparency in the financial market and raised questions about the over-subsidised bus routes that serve settlers in the territories - apparently at the expense of the long-suffering Israeli taxpayer! Lastly, former Meretz MK Naomi Chazan is profiled in this excellent Ha'aretz article, "Fighting for Israel's Soul". Only a panglossian optimist would predict an immediate knockout. But Meretz UK says "we are in your corner" as Meretz Israel pugilists move to rounds two, three and four...

'Don't boycott democracy'

2011-07-19T13:48:00.008+01:00

The Knesset's recent anti-boycott law marks a new and alarming stage in the erosion of civil liberties in Israel. Meretz UK commends a powerful statement for democracy and against the act, which sadly is now in force. The message comes from the New Israel Fund, under whose aegis some of the finest NGOs in Israel help all sectors of society, young and old, male and female, Jewish and Palestinian, religious and secular.

We now learn that rightist MK Aryeh Eldad has used the freshly minted law to bring criminal charges against Meretz Secretary General (and a good friend to Meretz UK) Dror Morag. Eldad's move was prompted by a campaign that Meretz MK Zahava Gal-On launched to label products made in the West Bank. Meretz Israel may now enjoy the dubious honour of being the first entity prosecuted according to this imbecilic statute! Sheko'ah to our friends in Israel and let's hope Mr Eldad has cause to eat his words - along with whatever produce he may care to consume... or boycott.

2011-07-19T02:58:00.000+01:00

2 April meeting: Uri Zaki of B'Tselem USA

2011-03-28T00:48:00.011+01:00

Israel and the Palestinians:

A human rights and political outlook

Uri Zaki, Director of B’Tselem USA

Venue: Hashomer House

Contact: info@meretz.org.uk

The meeting is booked to start at 7.30pm for 8pm

Usual entrance fees: £5, or £4 members, and concessions

Since serving in the IDF, Uri Zaki – now director of B’Tselem USA – completed his law degree at the Hebrew University and became media and political advisor to Yossi Beilin, former Justice Minister and later party leader of Meretz in Israel. Uri took part in the talks that formulated the Geneva initiative and was one of its main spokespersons. He was later elected chair of Young Meretz and stood for the party in the 2009 national elections. An alumnus of the American Council of Young Political Leaders exchange programme, Uri is also a former Vice President of the International Union of Social-Democratic Youth (IUSY). In 2008 he was named among Israel's leading young professionals by Forbes Israel magazine. Uri often publishes opinion pieces in both the Israeli and American press.

B’Tselem stands for the Israeli Information Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories. Renowned internationally for its principled work, it was founded in 1989 and has published more than a hundred reports on a range of pressing human rights issues, generating hundreds of newspaper articles in the last year alone. The name “B’Tselem” derives from a phrase in the Book of Genesis that says all human beings are created “in the image” of God. B’Tselem set up its American office in 2008 to advocate a stronger role for human rights in policies regarding the Israeli-Palestinian situation, and to disseminate information about B’Tselem to American policy makers, legislators and media and the American Jewish community.

Thanks to speakers and guests

2011-03-12T23:54:00.004Z

Many thanks to all who came to Stepping Into My Shoes, tonight's meeting at Friends House, Euston, and especially to our two excellent speakers, Menachem Klein and Ahmad Khalidi. Meretz UK also expresses our appreciation to Bishop Tony Robinson for chairing so well, and to Peace Now UK for co-hosting the event. It provided all with an exceptional analysis of current developments and future prospects, and gave us all much food for thought. We hope to relay a report of the meeting soon...

Next meeting - 12 March

2011-03-05T23:28:00.018Z

Meretz UK and British Friends of Peace Now UK present

"Stepping Into My Shoes"

What does the future hold for Israelis and Palestinians after the Egyptian revolution?

Dr Ahmad Khalidi – Former Track 2 Negotiator, Senior Associate Member of Saint Antony’s College, Oxford University

Dr Menachem Klein – Senior Lecturer Bar Ilan University, Negotiator, Author of "The Shift" (Nov 2010)

Chair: Tony Robinson, Bishop of Pontefract

Saturday 12th March 2011

7.30 pm

Friends Meeting House
173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ

Admission £5 or free for students

Photo of shoes by Peter Mascarenhas

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence.

2011-02-28T20:10:00.008Z

Meretz UK members, mazkirut and friends stand together with Liz Goldberg, one of our key members and dedicated activist for so many years at this time of loosing her mother after a long illness.
We are wishing you, Liz , not to know more sorrow.

" Views from the Border" A film by Dani Landau,

2011-01-21T16:51:00.001Z

Thursday17th February 2011, 19:30

A road trip around Israel's southern border during operation cast lead. We are guided by ex paratrooper turned peace activist Naftali Raz . Discussed are Israel’s policies re Hamas , the Palestinians and the peace process. We get Views from ordinary Israelis living in the Border areas directly overlooking Gaza and experience a Kassam attack in Sderot. An intense and in depth view of a country at war.

Followed by a discussion with the director.

Recommended donation:£5, members £4, con' £3.50

Light refreshment will be offered

A Hashomer House, 37a Broadhurst Gardens

Thursday 20th January 2011, 19:30: The emerging Civil War over Israel within the Jewish community

2010-10-31T17:59:00.032Z

SUNDAY, 31 OCTOBER 2010

Thursday 20th January 2011, 19:30: The emerging Civil War over Israel within the Jewish community

The emerging Civil War over Israel within the Jewish community and how to deal with it By Keith Kahn-Harris
A talk by Keith Kahn-Harris, Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Religion and Contemporary Society at Birkbeck College, the convenor of the intra-Jewish dialogue project New Jewish Thought and co-author of the book Turbulent Times:

The British Jewish Community Today.

Recommended donation:£5, members £4, con' £3.50,

Light refreshment will be offered
Location: Hashomer House.

Carmel fire שרפה בכרמל

2010-10-22T18:14:00.037+01:00

Meretz UK regrets the Carmel fire awful tragedy and the very sad loss of life and the immense damage of nature and nature life caused by the fire, as well the destruction of property. The chaverim of Meretz UK are all devastated by this unprecedented disaster.
Yehuda Erdman- Chair
and Meretz UK mazkirut members
We are encouraging any donation to any of the restoring work whether if it is for the nature or property
To donate to Carmel Fire - Israel Emergency Fund

(Arza)
click here : http://www.arza.org/news/israel/fund/
To donate to:
Yemin Orde Aliyah village, please click here
www.justgiving.com/Youth-Aliyah-Yemin-Orde or call 0208 371 1580, or simply go to our websitewww.youthaliyah.org.uk

אנו מבקשים להביע את צערנו העמוק על אסון השרפה שהתחולל בכרמל וסביבתו בימי חנוכה אלו
חיי האדם היקרים, הנזק הרב לרכוש, לחורש והחיים בו

חברי מרץ בריטניה המומים וכואבים עקב טרגדיה עמוקה זו

את הנעשה אין להשיב
איש איש ביקורו ישתול עץ בכרמל הפגוע
וכאירגון נמצא את דרכנו לתרום בשעה זו למאמצי השיקום

לבשורות טובות

יהודה ארדמן יושב ראש מרץ בריטניה וחברי המזכירות

This coming Sunday 5th Dec 19:30, Hashomer House

Everyone Shines

A Heart warming Chanukah Party
We are delighted to guest: Dr Naftali (Tali) FRSA lecturer in Jewish Spirituality at UCL, and Director of the Chabad Research Unit.
Dr
Loewenthal
will share with us more of the shining secrets of this light festival.
Candle lighting, sing songs
Light Chanukah refreshment

Please bring your own Menorah and Friends

Recommended donation: £5, members:£4, con': £3.50

Our first speaker of the season is John Strawsonwho we are delighted to host on
Sunday 28th November, 19:30
At Hashomer House 37a Broadhurst Gardens NW6 3BN

Recommended donation:£5, Members £4, concessions £3.50
Light Refreshments

(The following event will be our heart warming chanukah Party
for details please scroll down some more...)
John will speak about his latest book:
Partitioning Palestine – Legal Fundamentalism in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
John Strawson is Reader in Law at the University of East London. He is the editor of Law After Ground Zero (2002).
In his highly original contribution to the Israel-Palestine problematic, John Strawson focuses on the three key legal texts of 1922, 1947 and 1993-99. He writes in the spirit of Edward Said, who emphasized the power of discursive images in texts. According to Strawson's critique, the international law of these texts has been turned into a magical substance to ensure that good triumphs over evil, as if in the world of Harry Potter. Strawson therefore wishes to break the spell of the past, in which each party has constantly refreshed its confidence in the legal justice of its case. He intends to irritate many Palestinians and Israelis, and their supporters. This fascinating and erudite analysis will without doubt succeed.
(Professor Bill Bowring, Birkbeck, University of London)
For more information about John Strawson or about the book you are welcome to click on the link below:
http://www.uel.ac.uk/law/staff/johnstrawson.htm

2010-06-03T12:07:00.000+01:00

27th June - has been Postponed! 13th June - is Happening!

The 27th June talk: The emerging civil war over Israel within the Jewish community and how to deal with it/Dr Keith Kahn- Harris Has been postponed, the new date will be announced soon,

Our next Talk: 13th June, Jews, Israel and the green Party, please see details below

2010-06-03T11:30:00.004+01:00

Sunday, 13th June - 19.30 Jews, Israel and The Green Party/ Mira Vogel

Depth analysis into the mechanics of a potential political ally of Jewish people & Israelis on the Left.
Light refreshments,
£6, con' £4, members: £2 (no one stays outside because of money!)
Hashomer house, 37a Broadhurst Gardens NW6 3BN,
tube Finchley RD
More info:

This is an in depth analysis into the mechanics of a potential political ally of Jewish people and Israelis on the Left, with ever surprising revelations.
About Mira: Mira works at Goldsmiths College as an academic developer with a focus on technology-enhanced learning. In early 2000 she became very worried about the academic boycott campaign against Israel and later became involved with Engage, which ran an information campaign against the boycott attempts. When this campaign found a home in the Green Party, she and other Green Party members founded Greens Engage which hopes to influence Green Party policy regarding Israel, as well as to oppose anti-semitism. Mira Vogel's presentation will give an overview of the efforts by Green Party members to respond to the intersection of anti-semitism and anti-Zionism, a discussion of the effects and limits of activist blogging, and a call for solidarity with and from Israeli progressives. Mira Vogel requests emphasis that she is not currently affiliated with any political party.

The Radical Jewish East End in History and song

2010-05-14T08:38:00.004+01:00

Monday 24th May - 19.30

A joint talk by social historian Ben Gidley & teacher and musician Vivi Lachs. (klezmerklub),Light refreshment,£6, con' £4, members: £2 (no one stays outside because of money!)

Hashomer house, 37a Broadhurst Gardens NW6 3BN, tube Finchley rd,

Hope to see you All

And some more information:

Dr. Ben Gidley is a Senior Researcher at the Centre on Migration Policy and Society (COMPAS) at Oxford University. He has studied and written about the history of London's Jewish community, focusing on the many Jewish radicals in the 20th century London East End.

Vivi Lachs has been teaching and running education projects in Hackney schools for the past 24 years. She is also the singer with the band Klezmer Klub where she has been researching, recording, and writing about Yiddish songs of London and the social histories they contain. A very well reviewed CD of these songs,Whitechapel, mayn Vaytshepl has just come out and is available from www.klezmerklub.co.uk

From Lebanon to Gaza - Challenges to War and Peace.

2010-05-11T17:27:00.006+01:00

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We would like to thank our guest of last Monday evening, Mossi Raz , for a fascinating and stimulating talk,

We would like to thank the people that helped us spread the word.

And a special thank you for you all! that took a part and joined us

on this Monday night

The house was absolutely full of people and opinions.

We all hope we will keep thinking and being activists more and more,

From Lebanon to Gaza - Challenges to War & Peace.

2010-05-06T19:21:00.003+01:00

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence.

A special Guest :Mossi Ras
Monday 10th May 19:30
Former secretary of Peace Now Israel and a Knesset member for Meretz (2000-2003),
Mossi Raz will speak about Gaza 2009, Lebanon 2006, and the current crisis in the Middle East.

In his talk Raz aims to give a panoramic and up-to-date account informed by his role as founder and manager of the joint Palestinian/Israeli radio station 'All for Peace', his directorship of the Jerusalem-based NGO Ir Shalem, and his service as an officer in army reserves. He is glad to answer questions after the address
Light refreshment
Costs: £3 on door members Free .
37a Broadhurst Gardens NW6, Tube : finchley rd

Talks and Lecture Schedule March – June 2010

2010-03-09T16:19:00.007Z

Sunday, 25th of April - 20.00 Saul Issroff: “Who were my ancestors?” Saul Isroff expert on genealogical and family tree research introduces its general themes, with attention to past Jewish populations. Q.& A. Saul Issroff is a retired dermatologist, with an interest in Jewish genealogy and history. Amongst others he is founding member and one of the vice-presidents of the Jewish Genealogy Society (UK). He is also project director at the Centre for Study of Migration and Jewish Genealogy, University of Cape Town and on the board of governors of Jewishgen. He has published works on Jewish history, especially migratory history in a number of publications. If you want to know more about your ancestors, or where to start looking, don't miss this session!
Monday 10th of May - 20.00 Mossi Raz: "FromLebanon to Gaza - Challenges to War and Peace." Former elected Meretz Israel parliamentary representative hosts talk on Gaza 2009,Lebanon 2006, and the current crisis in the Middle East.
ThisMay, Mossi Raz, a long standing defender of peace and civil rightswill be in London to lead a discussion on public responses to IDFmilitary action in Lebanon in 2006 and Gaza in 2009. Having been Peace Now'sformer Secretary General, Raz has later been closely affiliated withthe agenda of Israel's Meretz-Yachad party. His talk will addressthe debates surrounding the recent IDF incursions which attractedattention and caused disputes both in the Knesset and among Left-wing Israeli liberal groups like Meretz. The event is set to provide a panoramic and up to dateaccount on the current political situation in Israel, informed inpart by his involvement with the ground breaking joint Palestinian /Israeli 'All for Peace' Radio station.
Monday 24th May - 19.30 The Radical Jewish East End in History and Song. The history and the songs of the Jewish radical past in East London. A joint talk by social historian Ben Gidley and teacher and musician Vivi Lachs.Dr. Ben Gidley is a Senior Researcher at the Centre on Migration Policy and Society (COMPAS) at Oxford University. He has studied and written about the history of London's Jewish community, focusing on the many Jewish radicals in the 20th century London East End. Vivi Lachs has been teaching and running education projects in Hackney schools for the past 24 years. She is also the singer with the band Klezmer Klub where she has been researching, recording, and writing about Yiddish songs of London and the social histories they contain. A very well reviewed CD of these songs, Whitechapel, mayn Vaytshepl has just come out and is available from www.klezmerklub.co.uk
Sunday, 13th June - 19.30 Mira Vogel: Jews, Israel and The Green Party. Perceptions and Stereotypes.This is an in depth analysis into the mechanics of a potential political ally of Jewish people and Israelis on the Left, with ever surprising revelations. Mira Vogel works at Goldsmiths College as an academic developer with a focus on technology-enhanced learning. In early 2000 she became very worried about the academic boycott campaign against Israel and later became involved with Engage, which ran an information campaign against the boycott attempts. When this campaign found a home in the Green Party, she and other Green Party members founded Greens Engage which hopes to influence Green Party policy regarding Israel, as well as to oppose anti-semitism. Mira Vogel's presentation will give an overview of the efforts by Green Party members to respond to the intersection of anti-semitism and anti-Zionism, a discussion of the effects and limits of activist blogging, and a call for solidarity with and from Israeli progressives.
Sunday 27th June - 19.30 The emerging Civil War over Israel within the Jewish community – and how to deal with it’.Dr. Keith Kahn-Harris is Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Religion and Contemporary Society at Birkbeck College, the convenor of the intra-Jewish dialogue project New Jewish Thought and co-author of the book ‘Turbulent Times: The British Jewish Community Today’. He is a frequent columnist in the The Guardian and has published widely on contemporary Jewish themes, as well as conducted independent and academic sociological research.

All talks £8, conc. £6.50, Members: £5, conc.£4 (*) on door. Our events are open to people of all backgrounds. Ha Shomer House is located 5 minutes from Finchley Road London Underground station (Jubilee & Metropolitan Line) and bus stops (C11, 82,13, 187) and less than 10 minutes from Swiss Cottage (Jubilee Line, and buses 13,31, 46, 82, 113, 187, 268, 603, C11) and West-Hampstead tube and B.R. Parking is free on Sundays. Ha Shomer House is a ground-floor venue without stairs. For more details about the events or Meretz UK,(*) Meretz UK annual membership is available for £20 / £10 concessions.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence.

“Untermenschen” and “Asylum Seekers”: a report on a recent symposium

2010-03-05T12:10:00.005Z

by Leslie Baruch Brent

This article appeared first in the March 2010 edition newsletter of the Association of Jewish Refugees.

This ambitious meeting, starting at 9.40 a.m. and finishing early evening on a Sunday, January 24, was organised by Meretz U.K., a leftwing Jewish education and pressure-group (“Equality, Human Rights, Peace and the Environment”). It was an interesting day but poorly attended, possibly because of the title but probably also because few people are sufficiently devoted to this cause to want to sacrifice a whole Sunday. I had been asked to talk about my life and my autobiography, representing as it were the Kindertransports.

The programme included a touching film, “The Forgotten Refugees”, describing the plight of Jewish Iraqi, Iranian and Egyptian refugees who have had a hard life in Israel. This was followed by a talk by Edwin Shuker, a refugee from Iraq who left that country in the 1970s. David Rosenberg talked about the 1905 Aliens Act in this country and the dire effect this had on Jewish immigration (down from about 500 to 3 within 4 years). Subsequent Acts placed further restrictions on those who managed to gain entry. All this was in marked contrast to British attitudes in the 1930s and especially of course towards the Kindertransports.

Another film (“Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Children of Asylum”) illustrated the appalling treatment meted out to children who arrived more recently in the U.K. without their parents, e.g. from Uganda-- a happy ending for some but not for others, who were repatriated with an uncertain future. Nitzan Horowitz, an Israeli former foreign affairs correspondent with Haaretz before becoming a Meretz member of the Knesset and who has lobbied on behalf of children of migrants born in Israel, was unable to attend. His address was therefore delivered on his behalf, by telephone, by Ms. Rotem Ilam, a young psychology student who founded the pressure group “Israeli Children” and who works with him on behalf of the children of migrant workers. She spoke about the children born in Israel and who regarded themselves as patriotic Israelis, but who have been under threat of deportation, despite widespread sympathy among the population. This was followed by Ben du Preez, formerly of Amnesty International (Refugee Rights), who described the chaotic and constantly changing asylum policy of Israel though he stressed that Egypt’s was far worse.

A very informative talk was given by Maurice Wren, Director of AsylumAid, who analysed the problem of asylum seekers in the U.K. It is a sorry tale: policies have been generated largely by expediency and the pace has been forced by the BNP and the UK Independence Party, as well as the tabloid press. The system in place now being aggressive and with the bar set impossibly high, to act as a deterrent, has unleashed waves of people smuggling, with all the horrors that entails. The policy was essentially target-driven and the claims of torture victims were often met with unwarranted scepticism. Some progress is being made in developing faster and more credible assessment for those seeking asylum.

The day closed with a personal account by Pauline Levis of her 5-year (as yet unfinished) battle to secure the future of an Iranian student, and with a gifted young professional singer from the Congo (who had grown up in a refugee family in the UK) singing African songs – a delightful conclusion to an arduous but interesting day that, despite the small audience, had provoked lively discussions..

Ed. Postscript: Pauline Levis Iranian student and his family have been given indefinite right of stay in the United Kingdom since the publishing of the article.

Meretz UK Chair Yehuda Erdman on this review :

Dear all
A very balanced and well written account ofour event. I am glad that at least one person appreciated the enormouseffort that Meretz UK and particularly Daniel Zylberstajn took toaddress this vitally important issue of our day.
You can allrest assured that refugees and asylum will be very high up the agendain this forthcoming election in the UK, but as alluded to by LeslieBaruch Brent, this topic unfortunately has the pace set by the BNP andthe UKIP, as well as the tabloid press.
It used to be 30 or so yearsago that the British Jews stood four square behind refugees not onlybecause of the memory of the experience of Jews themselves in the UKcirca. 1905, but also in more recent times, i.e. 1930's the fate of ourpeople in Europe at the hands of the Nazis. They wre like rats caughtin a trap, and I speak personally here although my immediate familymade a successful exit from Germany.
Later on in the 70'sthere was an extra-ordinarily vital and eventually successful campaignto obtain the release of Soviet Jews. To this day it is still largelyunknown what fate befell our people who were Soviet citizens before1939 and later in the 2nd World War, the hundreds of thousands ofJewish refugees who fled the advance of the Nazis to the USSR. Manybelieve that more than a million perished either through the war, orthe massive population transfers ordered by Stalin, or the murders ofsuspected enemies of Stalin, or of the harsh conditions in the gulags.It is very odd that the huge effort invested in examining the fate ofJews under the Nazis, e.g. by Yad vashem, seems to have run out ofsteam. Very few have the tenacity or will to look at Soviet crimesagainst Jewry, as well as all the other persecuted peoples. I couldmention the Ukrainians, but there is also the Chechens, Armenians etc.
Is there some collective amnesia?

Yehuda Erdman

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Meretz UK - What are you supporting?

2010-03-04T23:29:00.002Z

Some of our 2010 campaign material.

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Meretz UK Position Statement on New Israel Fund

2010-02-17T22:01:00.002Z

Meretz UK believes that the attacks by the Israeli right wing organization Im Tirzu on the New Israel Fund (NIF) for alleged disloyalty to the State of Israel are a disgrace. Meretz UK wishes to put on public record its support for the NIF and its branches around the world including in the UK. The inaccurate and intemperate allegations that the NIF has supported organisations that have provided evidence against the Israeli Armed Forces regarding their actions in Gaza 2009 for the Goldstone report, speak more of Im Tirzu's politics than it does for the actions of the NIF in supporting human rights organisations and political pluralism in Israel.

Israel is a state that is committed to equality in its Declaration of Independence to its Palestinian Israeli residents, whilst such equality is overall still lacking in daily life, and remains an issue Meretz Israel continuously lobbies on.

We at MeretzUK support an Israel that is bound by Law, including International Law,respect for civil rights and the best attempts of achieving openpeaceful discourse with its neighbours, be they Palestinian, Lebanese,Syrian or Iranian, or any other. We and our sister organisationsaround the world have always maintained that the West Bank and Gaza arethe basis of a Palestinian stateas proposed in the Road Map to Peace and the Two State solution, and that Jewish settlements within are an obstacle to peace.

We feel that Israel is obligated to consider the Goldstone report with due respect through an independent enquiry into the events of the war in Gaza 2009.

We feel that over the last decade the New Israel Fund, now led by a former Meretz member of Knesset and deputy speaker, Naomi Chazan, represents our interests and of all those who believe in a civil Israeli society . In contrast to Im Tirzu the group who wishes to defame the NIF, we wish to stress that the NIF and Naomi Chazan in particular, have acted within their right to express their beliefs openly in a democratic society like Israel.

Who are Im Tirzu to attempt to gag these respectable people and organisations? Im Tirzu are entitled to their own views but NOT to censor other legally expressed opinions.

There area many organisations and individuals within Israel and abroadwho have supported expansionist settlements and policies of dispossessing Palestinians, causes that Meretz UK object to, but they are unimpeded, especially under the current ultra right wing coalition government of Israel.

Itis on these grounds that we strongly encourage our members and friendsin Britain to continue to support the New Israel Fund and join them, MeretzUK and other progressive organisations in our combined mission tostrengthen all corresponding groups that daily defend human rights,civil rights, equality and meaningful engagement for peace.

Meretz UK

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News from Israel: Meretz Israel MKHaim Oron on Infiltration Bill

2010-02-04T18:32:00.003Z

Meretz Israel Brief – 3.2.10MK (Member of Knesset) Haim Oron (Meretz) calls on the government to rescinder infiltration bill 2.2.10Meretz Chairman Haim Oron has today advised the government that the infiltration bill should be replaced with a bill defining the status of refugees. The bill received its first reading in the Knesset yesterday, proposing the automatic detainment of illegal immigrants on entry into the country, a notion contrary to the 1991 convention for proceedure in the treatment of asylum seekers. The bill also seeks to refute Article 6 of the current law regarding the treatment of asylum seekers, effectively prohibiting the absorption of subjects from enemy states, such as Sudan. The proposal has inspired much criticism from internal elements in government, including liberal parties such as Meretz. In a statement following the bill motion, MK Oron claimed: “the terms of the bill must be anchored in the legislation of international convention, to enable citizens of specified enemy states who pose no threat to Israel to seek asylum here without risking deportation to places where they will suffer oppression.”As the Interior Committee for the Law for Protection from Infiltration adjourned for the second consecutive day, MK H.Oron addressed the committee: “Israel has both a moral and historical obligation to refugees. It is the duty of the Knesset to disambiguate the status of refugees according to the strictures of international law. Another Meretz representative, Ilan Gilon bolstered the position of the Chairman, claiming “beyond my embarrassment is shock at this glaring example of racism, where the discussion's participants rely on facts distorted to fit their agenda, such as the idea that refugees are carriers of contagious disease. In the core of the Judaism lies a conscience that renounces the righ t to exist in the midst of racism. I suggest background checks as the determinant of whether individual asylum seekers pose a security threat, while women and children are granted the right to humanitarian aid in Israel.”

Translated by MERETZ UK original in hebrew at Meretz Israel

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The charities we introduced to you:

2010-01-24T21:44:00.003Z

Charities of our choice at the conference we held on Sunday 24th Jan 10. Below are the links for further details and information. All are in need of extra funding! A full reflective report of the meeting on Sunday will be released later.

Israeli Children, is fighting against the government decision to deportchildren of migrant workers that were born and raised in Israel.

Save Behnam is a single-handed grassroot campaign for an Iranian Refugee and Asylum Seeker.

African Refugee Development Centre (ARDC), TelAviv. ARDC was one of the first and is today one of the leadingorganisations to reach out to non-Jewish African refugees in Israel.

Asylum Aid UK.London: AsylumAid is a leading national charity working to secure protection forpeople seeking refuge in the United Kingdom from persecution and humanrights abuses abroad. They provide legal aid, and act as a lobby andsupport group

SOS Children Villages, the world's largest orphan and abandoned children's charity. Child sponsors and donors worldwide provide a new family and home for more than 78,000 children in 500 unique Children's Villages in 124 countries, including on both sides of the divide in the Middle East, that is in Israel, as well as in the West Bank and Gaza, one of the few international organisations for whom the child only matters.

David Project (Boston). A United States based educational trust and lobby group that serves to promote"strong voices for Israel," that also campaigned for the story ofArabic speaking Jewish Refugees to be publicised. They and Isra TV areproducers and promoters of the documentary "The Forgotten Refugees.

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Official Meretz UK statement on decision to create university centre in a settlement town the West Bank

2010-01-21T11:41:00.004Z

Meretz UK agrees with its Israeli sister movement that the decisionto transform Ariel College into a "university centre" shows that there is nodifference between Barak and Netanyahu (Meretz Israel Member of KnessetHaim Oron, yesterday). We feel that the decision hampers severely theefforts of so many Jewish organisations, including ourselves, tocounsel constructively against the boycott of Israeli universities. Having one standing in the West Bank shows how low the moral conscienceof the Israeli leadership has sunken. We stand with all thoseprogressive forces in Israel and abroad who are dedicated to create amore progressive and fairer Israel.

The Leadership of Meretz UK

related news items: left warns of global boycott
Haaretz: Barak under Fire

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From our Israeli Sister Organisation: Knesset Presidency refuses request by MK H.Oron and N.Horowitz to discuss the conduct of security forces against leftist activists in Sheikh Jarah 19.1.10

2010-01-20T16:23:00.003Z

Following the refusal of the Presidency to address the issue of police violence against protesters at Sheikh Jarah and the states arbitrary detention of human rights demonstrators in Jerusalem, Meretz Chairman H.Oron and MK N.Horowitz forwarded the matter to Knesset speaker Reuvin Rivlin. In an urgent letter Meretz representatives urged the Speaker to put the issue on the Committee of Environmental and Internal Affairs agenda for review.Transliteration:, Meretz UK Volunteer

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Haiti, Israel Survey, and Update from Meretz Israel

2010-01-14T19:51:00.007Z

Meretz UK has added some donation links for donations to Haiti toour website. We will leave them there for a month or so. If you haven't donated yet, we urge to participate inthis global appeal for showing humanity by giving whatever small fundsyou have available.
Do think of booking a ticket for our 24th of January refugee day. Spaces are limited, so to avoid disappointment use the pay pal bookingfacility on the link above.
Complete the Israel Survey (at bottom of this posting)

From our sister organisation in Israel (translated from Hebrew):
Responding to the Turkish Diplomatic crisis (see here)Meretz Israel MK (Member of Parliament (Knesset)) Oron slamsLieberman's (and Deputy D. Ayalon) conduct as 'intimidating' and'signalling no alternative,' but their own exit from the government'and that "(this) thuggish behavior leads one to believe thatanything less than their dismissal from office won't stop the harm theyare causing Israel and its image worldwide (see also here)."Meretz MK Ilan Gilon suggested the Knesset relegate Lieberman toForeign Minister for Eastern Europe 'leaving (general) foreign affairsto a diplomat'.

Gilon also continues touring Tel Aviv with “Access Israel, ” part of aninitiative to ensure public businesses provide accessibility for peoplewith disabilities.

Meretz Israel Chairman H.Oron urged the Knesset this week to ignoreLikud's MK Danny Danon's request that the Israeli Arab MK MahmoudBerekah, be excluded from the Knesset delegation for Auschwitz. Headded “Its a shame that even the memory of the Holocaust is distortedby unnecessary and unpleasant confrontations.”

ISRAEL SURVEY
If you have time please fill out the MORI / Jewish Policy Institute Israel Survey commissioned by the Pears Foundation )

To start the survey click here.or via the website www.ipsos-mori.com/israelsurvey . Please forward to others. It is important that all voices are being heard, including that of the Jewish Left in the UK. For questions email israelsurvey@ipsos-mori.com

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Israeli Secular Children awarded the right to secular streamlining

2010-01-12T19:59:00.004Z

(28.12.09)

In response to apetition signed by secular families in Shlomi¹, the High Court has abrogated a law forcing local children to enrol in the town's religious state school. In defiance of the theMinistry of Education and the local council the High Court grantedparents the right to admit their children to secular schools innearby communities. Meretz MK, Ilan Gilon, dubbed the victory 'alesson in civics'.

1Small town in the Northern District of Israel

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A day of our sister organisation - Meretz Israel

2010-01-07T23:42:00.003Z

Many in the UK always ask us, what does Meretz in Israel do, they are a party of bygone ages. Here is a sample of just one day of Meretz Israel, written by one of our volunteers:

Route 443 - “In any other language including Hebrew, its called Apartheid.
6.1.10Meretz Chairman Chaim Oron, today led the debate in the Knesset for opening Route 443 to Palestinians.Eilan Gilon to Bibi and Abu Mazen: “Return to the negotiating table!”

6.1.10In todays general assembly address, MK Eilan Gilon urged the Knesset to renew negotiations with the Palestinians. by acknowledging the American plan for a final status agreement.Debate for health funds to provide hospital nursing is adjourned.

6.1.10The assembly today voted against a motion presented by Chairman of the Public Healthcare lobby, Haim Oron, for the national healthcare to cover nursing costs. The bill made no demands on the budget, as funds would be funnelled through a 0.3% health tax increase on elites. Meretz Chairman, Chaim Oron, responds to Rabbi Haim Drukerman's instructions for Hesder Yeshiva soldiers to refuse settlement evacuation orders

6.1.10Oron claimed that an intent to thwart future evacuation of settlements is not the domain of marginal elements among hasder yeshivas . “The government must appreciate the gravity of Drukerman's actions and their implications for peace.”Meretz Leader Haim Oron proposes amendment to severence pay law

6.1.10Chaim Oron, Meretz Chairman and member of the Finance Committee claims the current law waives the right of compensation for voluntary resignation. The amendment seeks to expand eligibility those working for a three year period, even if they resigned on their own initiative.

Explanations:
Route 443 is the main highway connecting the West Bank and Modi'in with Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The closure of the road was motioned in 2000, followed by the erection of anti-sniper barricades on parts of hte highway adjacent to Palestinian populated areas
The Hasder Yeshiva Program combines Torah study with army service

Meretz UK is now officially part of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition

2009-12-22T20:21:00.001Z

We have just received confirmation that we are now officially part of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition.
Meretz UK will now always be well informed on this issue and part of the UK campaign for what Copenhagen so failed upon. The coalition's next aim is to make sure the EU members are true to their reduction promises and that these will become law soon. Stop climate chaos can be accessed via www.stopclimatechaos.org/

http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/

Meretz UK Statement on Zippi Livni MK arrest warrant

2009-12-16T13:43:00.008Z

Meretz UK issued a statement earlier this year stating that Israel (and the Gaza Authorities) would be wise to implement the Goldstone Report or carry out a fully independent investigation.
Meretz UK believes that the warrant against Tsipi Livni, Kadima Party Member of Knesset (MK) is not constructive. It will only serve to confirm a skewed and claustrophobic world view held by the Right in Israel.The legal procedures of the arrest warrant are questionable – and being used not because they have any likelihood of a prosecution but in order to brand Israeli politicians beyond all others as “war criminals” in the public perception. Israel's spoke persons are correct in pointing out that there are many - possibly more suitable - candidates for such actions from around the world.
We note that Tsipi Livni, whilst not being a member of Meretz, has made many statements opposed to Israel's Premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies on settlements and stated that she was committed to a two-state solution, unlike Netanyahu.
However Meretz UK objects to Tsipi Livni's description of the IDF actions in Gaza in 2009 "as ethical, or something to be proud of." Our sister movement in Israel (Meretz Israel) has called for an end of the assault only a few days after it started. We believe that the continued actions in January 2009 were an obstacle to peace, notwithstanding that we were likewise opposed to the rocket attacks from Gaza.
We align ourselves with those Israelis and Palestinians who believed that militant actions and use of weapons and explosives would not be the method to bring about peace. Rather we underline that the method is engagement, reconciliation and open discourse. Just as many civilian Palestinians are not Hamas supporters or supporters of militant groups, a point that needs to be made, many Israelis and Jewish people are not supporters of the the right wing direction Israel has taken in the last few years. Meretz UK is one such group.

-------------------------------------------------------
Post ed. Latest: Zahava Galon, former serving Meretz MK at the time of the Gaza military action, said on Livni today (reported in New Scotsman)

"Thearrest warrant should be a red light for decision-makers. Before theyembark on military adventures, they should know what the consequencesmay be at the international level and that they may pay themselves"

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£1 per month for a Meretz UK Membership!

2009-12-13T15:31:00.001Z

Yearly Rates:
Concessions £10,
Normal £20,
Supporter £50.

Memberships support not only us and but have a direct correlation to political influence in Israel when the numbers of right wing conservative members of Zionist organisations are tallied up against Left wing organisations.

For automatically annually renewable membershipclick here

What's the Jerusalem Programme?

Hag Sameah - Happy Hanukkah

2009-12-11T20:20:00.012Z

Happy Hanukkah !

From Meretz UK to all our members, supporters and friends! If you can come to our Hanukkah Party in the Meretz UK national head quarter building in London on the 13th of December(details here).

Enjoy the traditional Hanukkah Song Maoz Tsur performed by Jerry Weil http://jerryweil.com/ and republished here with his very kind permission for Meretz UK.

Changes! Demonstrate - Change your Life Style!

2009-12-04T22:37:00.007Z

Meretz UK would urge any Jewish and non Jewish person reading this to support the climate change demonstration this Saturday. It may be that it is Sabbath but this is ever more reason to leave your car in its garage and walk.

Meretz UK itself has been reworked from the bottom. This year we have signed up to fair-trade, changed all the bulbs in the building to low voltage bulbs, use solely Ecover as a cleaning product and are looking for further ways to improve our economic impact.

Our director, Daniel a former vegan, and current vegetarian, has given up his last carbon bastion in August, selling his motorbike. He travels to work by bicycle and does his grocery shopping with a Danish designed German made Nihola transport bike (fits 7-10 big grocery bags) (see nihola.de).

There are some alternatives the office could not afford yet, such as membership cards made from expensive recycled plastic for example, or a solar panel for the hot water..., or a gas and electricity contract from an all green energy company, but we like to put this on the menu when we can financially. One of the next viable things would be a vegetable plot in our garden.

In the Middle East some still believe in nuclear and petrol energy. How ironic that in the Sahel zone, similarly hot, they are planning on a huge solar energy plant (albeit how the electricity is supposed to be shared is a matter of injustice - nearly 100% to the EU).

Israel, Jordan and Syria continue to wreck the river Jordan and the Dead Sea decline is subject to many consultations that are but hot air. Water desalination plants like the one near Ashkelon in Israel were supposed to solve the water shortage politics of the region but may cause severe marine life disruption, and if implemented along the Mediterranean and Red Sea by every nation could create dead seas out of these (BBC Radio 4).

The rest you know, the sea levels are rising, the ice caps are melting, the seas are increasingly polluted and over fished, life forms are extinguished at an annual shocking rate, deserts are growing, landslides, floods, droughts .... what else do you need to hear?

Times are changing we may not be perfect but must try what we can.

Come and join in for a new awareness not just during the demonstrations but permanently with life-style changes!

Message to all Meretz UK Members - Meretz membership change from 1st January 2010

2009-12-02T15:25:00.002Z

Dear Supporters and friends of Meretz UK,
please note that from the 1st of January 2010 all memberships will have to have transferred into the new paid for model. Meretz UK membership is hence constituted through affiliation and the payment of the small subscribers fee of £20 or £10. The fees have been kept deliberately small and on concessions rate represent less than £1 a month. Meretz UK is being restructured at the moment and there are many changes imminent. Members of the executive committee, and the new directorate let by Daniel Zylbersztajn, are working hard on increasing our voice within the UK. Already many know of our new internet based facilities from twitter to facebook and this website. More is to follow and we have a refugess conference forthcoming (24th Jan) and other events as well as an expansion to places outside of London, and easy involvement of members from outside London. Also in the planning are Arabic classes alongside our traditional Hebrew programme.

Whilst the elections in Israel were not fantastic for Meretz Israel, or any other left wing party, especially the arrival of Nitzan Horowitz has rejuvenated efforts there and his fresh and alert sense of campaigning has also found echoes here in the UK.

Please select the membership appropriate for yourself, (full or affiliated), normal, concessions or supporter and complete your membership subscription on this website. If you can offer more than that, for example a few hours of your time each week, we would love to hear from you. We have many suggestions for people to help us and they range from environmental affairs to LGBT, Anti Racism, and Peace Affairs. and more. Just contact daniel.z@meretz.org.uk or info@meretz.org.uk to discuss this.

Thank you

Meretz UK

1 Dec. World Aids Day

2009-12-01T14:10:00.000Z

Meretz UK supports the Stop the Climate Chaos Rally for a positive Copenhagen outcome .

2009-11-29T13:58:00.000Z

Meretz UK supports:

Saturday 5th December
Stop Climate Chaos Coalition for the main event, called “The Wave” which will leave Grosvenor Square at about 1.00 pm to surround parliament for the ‘wave event' at about 3.00 pm.

Untermenschen and Asylum Seekers. Conference Sunday 24th of January 2010.

2009-11-22T23:49:00.042Z

"Untermenschen" and "Asylum Seekers":

Refugees and Economic Migrants. Past and contemporary themes on refugees and migrants, reviewed by experts, time witnesses and campaigners from Britain, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. A one day information conference organised by Meretz UK.

24th January 2010
Start 09.45 (9.00Doors Open), End 1930 (approx.)

Venue: Meretz UK - 37a Broadhurst Gardens, NW6

Costs: Advance £25 / Concessions £15.

Donation ticket £65 (£40 will go directly to charities present on the day).

On door £30/£20. Donations welcome.

People who can not pay the lowest rate above, but who wish to attend are advised to contact the office by email and state their case for an application of a further reduced rate.

Any surplus income will be donated to charities related to the

presentations, including Asylum Aid, ARDC, SOS Children Villages, Save Behnam.

Featuring:

Mimitah Best New Comer Awarded Singer

to perform at our refugee day

David Rosenberg: The 1905 Aliens Act . How it came to be, its impact and why it is important to know about it 110 years on.
Leslie Baruch Brent: Sunday's Child? My life story and how it shaped me.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind: 25min. FILM documentary, (Harris / Ben Tovim) Narrated by Juliet Stevenson
Edwin Shuker: Jewish Refugee from 1970s Iraq. How being a refugee has shaped me.
Jayyab Abusafia: Refugee Existence in Gaza. A young Palestinian journalism student recounts his years growing up as a Palestinian refugee in Gaza under Israeli occupation.
Nitzan Horowitz: Current Meretz Israel Member of Knesset (MK), Israeli House of Parliament. CANCELLED, We have instead Rotem Ilan of Israeli Children, an organisation fighting for the rights of refugee children who lived in Israel for the majority of their lives.
The Forgotten Refugees (2005): Award winning Documentary aboutJewish refugees from the Middle East and the Maghreb produced by theDavid Project / Isra TV.
Ben Du Preez: Refugees cared for by African Refugee DevelopmentCentre (ARDC), Tel Aviv.
Maurice Wren: Director, Asylum Aid. London: Asylum Aid 2010. Contemporary challenges and successes
Pauline Levis: One person can make a difference. How and why I got involved in running a campaign to safe Behnam
Mimitah Abofando: Professional singer originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She will perform live as well as talk a little about growing up in a refugee family!

More:
If any people are experts on being refugees by their experiences throughout human history, the Jewish people would surely make a good candidate. Jewish people with direct refugee experience live still amongst us and can recount their still vivid memories. What the German Nazis labelled to be racial sub-humans "Untermenschen" were to be expelled from the German Reich by force. Today many Jewish people are well settled in relatively safe countries. Our refugee experience obligates us to look around us. What are the realities of refugees today? The last few decades saw a tightening of the EU borders to outsiders, with an increase of desperate people willing to risk all to reach Western shores. Many just want a better chance in life, others are refugees from the war torn battlegrounds that humanity fails to prevent or end. Asylum Laws have tightened in spite of the introduction of the European Human Rights Charter in the U.K. 1000s of people drown every year trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe, others perish in deserts. Many live phantom existences in European towns, exploited, without medical aid, always on the run. People smuggling has grown into a sophisticated business involving criminal gangs from many corners on earth. In Israel Darfurian Sudanese refugees and other migrants who hoped the Jewish people will understand have made headlines, mostly because of appalling treatment by the state and related authorities. The birth of Israel supposed to end unsafe refugee existence of Jews caused other Jews from Arabic speaking countries to become refugees and the stories of Palestinian refugees goes hand in hand with the establishment of Israel, and remains still unresolved. This is the reason why Meretz UK has decided to dedicate a special day on the issue of refugees and migrants to inform, discuss and encourage to help and take action. We have succeeded to get an excellent line of speakers and what's more money raised through this event will reach refugees in Europe and in the Middle East.

Be there listen, participate, get encouraged, take action!

More details:

David Rosenberg: is a teacher and writer who also leads guided walks on London's radical history (http://www.eastendwalks.com/). He is on the National Committee of the Jewish Socialists' Group and on the editorial committee of the Jewish Socialist Magazine. During the 1980s he was co-ordinator of the Jewish Cultural and Anti-Racist Project and then worked for the Runnymede Trust - a research and information body dealing with issues of racism and discrimination.

Leslie Baruch Brent's autobiography is called "Sunday's Child? A Memoir." He is University of London Emeritus Professor, and a Kinder-transport refugee, and has been outspoken on a number of civil rights and human rights subjects in the past.

Edwin Shuker fled Iraq when Arab Nationalism caused Jewish expulsion as a response to the foundation of Israel. However he is a man of bitter sweet memories, who thinks that the Jewish experience amongst Arab and Muslim countries has more to offer than an example of failure, but also a possible example how "Others" can live successfully amongst a non-Jewish Muslim majority in the Middle East.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind is a 25 min documentary following three mothers as they struggle to provide a normal life for their children against the shocking reality of being an asylum seeker in the UK. Emily Harris and Yoni Bentovim are an award winning filmmaking duo. They began collaborating whilst studying at the London Film School and have continued to produce successful projects ranging from drama shorts and feature to television documentaries. The film was recently screened at the Human Rights Film Festival.

Jayyab Abusafia is from Jabylia Refuge Camp in the north of Gaza Strip, the biggest Refugee Camp in the Occupied Territories. He is studying for a Journalism career here in London.

Nitzan Horowitz, MK cancelled due to unexpected committment in Germany.

Rotem Ilan, of the organisation Israeli Children, replaces Nitzan Horowitz on suggestion of his office. Rotem was described to us as one of the real hopefuls on young Left in Israel. Being only 24 years of age, with a BA in Psychologyand Special Education she set up "Israeli Children" herself in July 2009. "IsraeliChildren" is fighting against the government decision to deportchildren of migrant workers that were born and raised in Israel. She will introduce the organization (that issupported among others by MK Nitzan Horowitz from Meretz), and talk aboutthe absence of a clear migration policy in Israel that led to thecurrent situation in which these children are facing deportation afterthey already felt a part of the Israeli society. See here for a profile in Haaretz.

Ben Du Preez (formerly Amnesty International (Refugee Rights) and Sadaka-Reut): Refugees cared for by African Refugee Development Centre (ARDC), Tel Aviv. ARDC was one of the first is today one of the leading organisations to reach out to non Jewish African refugees in Israel. Ben Du-Preez worked alongside ARDC as part of his mission in Israel to check on refugees in prisons. Du-Preez currently took a break from work to study at SOAS.

David Project (Boston). An educational trust and lobby group that serves to promote "strong voices for Israel," who also campaigned for the story of Arabic speaking Jewish refugees to be publicised. They and Isra TV are producers and promoters of the documentary "The Forgotten Refugees, (Executive Producer: Ralph Avi Goldwasser
Director: Michael Grynszpan)" winner of the Marbella Film festival 2007 and The Warsaw Film festival 2006.

Maurice Wren, Director, Asylum Aid. London: Asylum Aid 2010. Contemporary challenges and Successes:Asylum Aid is a leading national charity working to secure protection for people seeking refuge in the United Kingdom from persecution and human rights abuses abroad. They provide legal aid, and act as a lobby and support group

Pauline Levis is a single-handed grassroot campaigner for an Iranian Refugee and Asylum Seeker. She is a former chair of Meretz UK by coincidence.

Mimitah Abofando is a professional singer originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She grew up in a refugee family in the UK and has recently won the award of best new talent at the 2nd African Music Award. http://www.mimitah.com/

Buy Tickets either via our online facility here (now deleted), with a chequeissued to to Meretz UK, 37a Broadhurst Gardens, London NW6 3BN or payon door. Limited Availability!

Meretz Hanukkah Party with Jewish Humanists

2009-11-15T21:57:00.001Z

Friends and members of Meretz UK and Meretz in general who are based in or who are visiting London, are all welcome to our ethical fairtrade Hanukkah partysupported by members of the loose London network of Jewish Humanists.

Religious and Secular Jewish and non Jewish guests are welcome alike!

Thelead part will be run by U.S. ordained Jewish Humanist Leader (madriha) LauraMiller.

Come along.

Entrance £10 /conc. £5.
Meretz members £2.50 Discount

13th Dec. 2009, 19.30 (7.30 p.m.) 37a Broadhurst Gardens.

Find us:

View Larger Map

Green cleaning at Meretz UK - Meretz switches to Ecover

2009-11-08T23:27:00.000Z

Meretz UK in line with its policy on the environment has changed most of its cleaning products to green environmentally sound products, mostly of the Ecover range. Further we have changed all light-bulbs to the energy saving types.

Meretz Director Meets African Hebrew Community Senior Member

2009-11-08T23:09:00.003Z

Meretz UK Executive Director Daniel Zylbersztajn has met with Sar Elyakeem Ben Yehuda one of the most senior members of the African Hebrew Israelites, who most prominently live in Dimona, Israel as well as in Jerusalem.

Mr Ben Yehuda has in January 2009 become the first member of the African Hebrew Israelites to be granted full Israeli Citizenship, which also extends to his children.  Ben Yehuda is currently in Great Britain and Europe to raise awareness about his community and change often false perceptions about it.

Ben Yehuda lived in Israel since 1971. He is a worldly man of high intellect with a friendly approachable manner. He said that the community had grown from its humble beginnings to count now 3000 members, not even counting supporters abroad. He mentioned the various positive projects they were engaged in as a community to both defend Israel's right to exist to amongst some prejudiced African communities, as well as to promote peace in the Middle East.  He said, "some believe we are a cult, but in the 40 years of being in Israel we have proven to be a positive part of Israeli life."

He was interested in how he and members of the African Hebrew Israelites in the UK could help to improve the image of Israel amongst the wider African communities in the United Kingdom.

He mentioned that the community had met with delegates of the Obama regime, as well as through a member who holds a ministerial governmental post in Ghana. Further that Shimon Peres had recently addressed the community as a positive part of Israel.

In the conversation Daniel Zylbersztajn conceded that whilst Kibbutzim were on the collapse nearly everywhere else in Israel, the African Hebrew Israelites are proving the Kibbutz idea well and alive in their own community and that also significant achievements were made in changing lives around for some people who have become their members. Not only through work in deprived inner city communities in the West but also through worthy projects in the South. He thanked Mr Ben Yehuda for seeking to meet with him and Meretz UK.

A public introductory talk on the African Hebrew Israelites at Meretz is planned for 2010.

The African Hebrew Israelites are a Jewish community of mostly African members (both diaspora and continental) who understand themselves as part of the Jewish People, both by calling, as well as by migratory routes in the past. They study Torah and Jewish Law and live an environmentally aware, naturalist and ethical Jewish life-style. For more information see
http://africanhebrewisraelitesofjerusalem.com/

Meretz UK supports the rights of the African Hebrew Israelites to settle in Israel. If some supposed birth right migrants to Israel become Neonazis (see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/6985808.stm) then one can only endorse a group of people that feels so positive about living a Jewish life in Israel and wanting to be part of Israel.

Meretz UK also rejects the idea and fact that the orthodox Ashkenazi and Spheradic rabbinical authorities in Israel, who have political power through representation in the Knesset, should have the sole right to define and decide who is a Jew and who not when it comes to Israeli citizenship.

Meretz UK in full support of Fairtrade Products

2009-10-25T20:38:00.008Z

Meretz UK has pledged that from 1st of October 2009 it will purchase Fairtrade products as much as practical. In particular this will include purchases of Fairtrade coffee, sugar, cocoa, some fruits and some juices. Meretz UK and its predecessors have always been associated with the fair treatment of labourers. The history of sugar and tea, coffee, bananas and some other products are strongly connected to the British histories of slavery, colonialism and neocolonialism. Where possible Meretz UK will try to support communities who are treated well and paid a fair wage, and hence distance itself from these legacies and set an example for those whose real lives are affected today.

Our commitment and its wording has been registered and approved by Fairtrade (UK) www.fairtrade.org.uk

Goldstone, Temple Mount, Obama, Refugees in Israel

2009-10-17T17:47:00.000+01:00

A brief statement by Meretz UK including positional decisions from our Policy Committee October 2009

1. We recall our recent statement on the Goldstone Report even in the face of the UN Human Rights Committee. Read Here

2. We welcome the Nobel Peace Price for Barack Obama (Watch here). Whilst we understand that it was based on intend and on vision, wenevertheless fully support Obama's vision for Israel and Palestine andits immediate neighbours, as expressed in Cairo (Listen Here).Peace can not come only by Obama's will and good intend. We feel thatit is now time for Benjamin Nethanyahu and Mahmood Abbas to ceaseputting obstacles in the way of peace, and that they adopt a differentvision. We hope for the later to be courageous and become recipientsof a forthcoming Nobel Peace price.

3. We are concerned about the developments in Jerusalem on the grounds of temple mount / dome of the rocks. Meretz UK believes that such tensions will not serve anyone. We call on all concerned to be more contemplative, and put renewed efforts in inter-faith dialogue, an dialogue between Muslim Palestinians and Jews of Jerusalem.

We further note that Meretz Israel Member of Knesset M.K. Nitzan Horowitz currently opposes measures to deport children of refugees and economic migrants born in Israel and fully support him in his stance to enforce a humane voice on the issue of refugees in Israel.

------------------------------------
Meretz UK - for Equality, Civil Rights and Peace
T. +44.2073285451
e.: info@meretz.org.uk
www.meretz.org.uk
Skype: meretzuk
Find us on Facebook and Twitter

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Meretz UK has a new logo!

2009-10-07T22:33:00.004+01:00

Meretz UK has got a brand new logo created by Israeli designer and artist Ziv Gil Kazenstein.

"Ziv Gil Kazenstein was born in Israel in a lovely sunny city by the sea side and then moved to the inspiring London. He is currently enrolled on a Fashion and Print BA course at Central Saint Martin's."

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The Ball is in Netanyahu's hands -

2009-09-25T14:12:00.006+01:00

A Statement from Meretz Israel - Haim Oron. M.K.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his second tenure as a prime minister enjoys perfect political conditions that allow a political breakthrough. It is an opportunity to reduce the wasted years of the past: The leader of the Palestinian Authority has been opposed to the method of an armed struggle for more than a generation , the terrorism of the past has stopped. Netanyahu enjoys political stability and manoeuvrability. Moreover, in Washington sits a young president, a "responsible adult," for once. Obama with assertiveness and vigour appears to want to move on the political process speedily.

The ball is therefore in Netanyahu’s hands, especially because there is a demographic issue here, there is the danger to the Jewish State's continued existence as a democratic state, which is in reality almost a state of apartheid. There is also the Jihad culture on the other side and a general increase of extremism on both.

A turn in how we understand the conflict is essential and a different way of governance by the Israeli government and its leader. Survival is not a purpose and is not a goal...

Netanyahu, Go in peace.

Freely (!) translated by Meretz UK. The original can be read in Hebrew

here http://www.myparty.org.il/aspx/article.aspx?id=473

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Meretz UK Statement on Goldstone UN Report on Gaza

2009-09-16T23:09:00.003+01:00

Whilst we have no insights into the events on the ground we believe that the Israeli government has missed an opportunity in its peremptory reactions to the recently released UN Goldstone Report.

In the view of Meretz UK, the government ought now to follow their commendations contained within the report to investigate the alleged violations, and then report back to the UN within the given period. By contrast, the government has chosen to reject the report out of hand as somehow inevitably biased against Israel. This approach, we feel, will ultimately prove counter-productive, not least because it sends the message that Israel has something to hide.

To date the Israeli government has not acted in a democratic manner, through only allowing internal military investigations. Surely it would have boosted Israeli credibility to have ordered independent investigations into the matter? Instead its position was always that their entire strategy was right, and that none of the IDF soldiers could have done any wrong, with the exception of some "unavoidable mistakes."

Moreover, the Israeli government chose not to help the UN fact finding teams in their investigations. Having done so, does that not erode its right to criticize now? Nor has the government recognised that the techniques and strategies of Hamas were likewise condemned as possible war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity, and that the report also calls for the immediate release of Gillad Shalit.

Meretz UK believes that direct negotiations and improvement of human conditions in Gaza could have brought about far better conditions for an end to the terrorising rocket attacks. This avenue had not been tested, because of a stubborn position of not talking to Hamas. We remember that there was a time when Israel refused to speak to the PLO and the PLO to Israel, and that since they do, conditions have improved.

Several Israeli NGO's, registered and run by Israelis, and representing Jewish Israelis, have declared that Human Rights violations have occurred,amongst them most prominently Breaking The Silence and B'tselem. Meretz UK believes that it is the duty of any moral and law obeying country to investigate any claims properly before an independent tribunal.

A true democratic spirit starts with allowing questions to be asked and investigated, and fails with questions being disallowed and thrown over board at face value.

We understand that the U.N. has at times been biased and hostile towards Israel, but the U.N. was also instrumental in securing for Israel its right to become a member state, and to become a nation in law amidst other nations.

Furthermore Jews like Rene Cassin were instrumental in the creation of the UN in the shadow of the Shoa. We also believe that if the Israeli government cooperated more within a democratic and legal spirit, it would command the respect and support it tries to gain so strongly. It is this democratic, law obeying and morally conscious Israel that Meretz UK wishes for and works towards.

Meretz UK was not in support of military actions in 2009, and acknowledges and regrets that a very high number of people perished as a result on the Palestinian side, including a considerable proportion of innocent civilians.

We support further independent investigations,and request that Israel investigate any claims properly.

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Have you grown up in a Kibbutz?

2009-09-08T00:16:00.000+01:00

Meretz UK is looking for people who grew up in a Kibbutz but now live in Britain to get in contact with us for a public discussion with members and experts on Kibbutzim then and now in London, November 2009. If you have pictures or short films we may be willing to show them. Please get in contact with Avivit Caspi via info@meretz.org.uk

Wanted Teacher of Palestinian Arabic

2009-09-04T18:26:00.000+01:00

Meretz UK is looking for a language teacher of conversational Palestinian Arabic in London from January 2010. Anyone interested please contact the office before the end of September 2009 with your session rate for groups. We are introducing Arabic to our education programme because:

1.) Arabic is an official language of the State of Israel alongside Hebrew.
2.) Most in the Left in Israel have now basic or elaborate Arabic skills and many schools offer Arabic alongside English as the main foreign languages now taught in Israel.
3.) Knowledge of Arabic is a key to communication for peace and we believe just as essential as Hebrew for anyone frequenting Israel.
4.) Arabic was and still is a language of Jewish life.

If you wish to declare an interest in learning Arabic with others in a positive and peaceful (!) atmosphere do contact us. There will be a fee for this, but the opportunity to do something so positive is second to none, plus we emphasise ability to speak in every day use in Israel / Palestine as a primary aim, rather than classical Arabic knowledge.

Message from the UK Executive Director Daniel Zylbersztajn

2009-09-04T16:07:00.000+01:00

It is my great honour to have become the executive director of Meretz UK very recently. It is a post of great importance in Jewish life, and yet the Left of Jewish life here and in Israel has been much ignored in the last decade. There were frustrations about the peace process, even two outright war situations, that caused some to reach a state of apathy and disinterest. There were the boycotts and outbursts of some British politicians that pushed at times well meaning left wing supporters to the right, and then there were perhaps some mistakes and inactions of our own making.

I have been selected after careful deliberation in the hope that the hope for equality, civil rights, human rights and peace between Jews and Palestinian and Israel and its Arab neighbours have an address once again. If you support all the above, Meretz UK is the place to be, to support and help re-build.

There can be no doubt that there is much to do and so much need for us to exist. The debates between those who claim that in January 2009 the IDF did nothing wrong and those who claim that disturbing irregularities by the IDF occurred (to put it mildly) is still ongoing. Netanyahu and Lieberman are running Israel in a shocking coalition that left settlements in tact or in expansion, that left the rest of Israel in a dire state of pay cuts, diminished social welfare provisions and increased hatred of non Jewish migrants (legal and illegal) and a murderous attack on a Lesbian and Gay centre in Tel Aviv. What is more disturbing is that in deed the majority of Jewish Israelis voted for this political leadership.

Here in Britain Jews have seen an increase in anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli attacks, there is little plurality within the British Jewish hemisphere, and it seems almost impossible to be Zionist and not end up under the wings of some right wing unquestioning quango, in spite of the fact that much of Zionists history was governed by groups who were inspired by trying to create a better future in Palestine, from communal Kibbutzim pioneers, socialist ideologues who dreamed of being able to convince the Arab workers to unite with the Jewish workers, to outspoken advocates for human and civil rights.

The treatment of migration and immigrations and the rise of brown-shirts are themes that Jews in Britain are sensitive to. We have witnessed successes by the BNP (most shockingly in Manchester) and Europe-wide the sympathy for migrants has worsened, especially that of Africans in Southern Europe, but not exclusively. Only recently a BBC investigation confirmed that if you had a foreign name or accent some estate agents agreed not to refer foreigners to a racist landlord. My own Polish spelled name and German accent would certainly fail in some areas in Britain.

I hope that we can enlarge our movement in the UK. There are reasons here and abroad why we must not give in. The Jewish Left was once a very strong parameter of Jewish life in Britain, and anyone who makes claims otherwise is only ignorant of his or her own history. Israel likewise needs more supporters, who are willing to commit to the only political movement in the Knesset (currently three seats) that guarantees equality, civil rights, human rights peace as well as for the right of Jews to live in Israel. Most recently green and animal welfare issues were also put forward by Meretz there.

I think it is fair to say that we at Meretz UK are Jews and supporters with a moral conscience, without being in denial of Israel or consumed with what the right claims is self hatred. To the contrary. There is a proud Jewish tradition, far reaching too, of humanitarianism, of care for others, and fighting for equality and justice and peace.

This year we have seen the rise of Barack Obama to power. Nobody thought it could be possible, now let us work for a better future in Israel and here in Europe against the barrage of the right and far right.

In this spirit I will try and rebuild Meretz UK with all it needs. We will need some time, but also some new people to help.

Daniel Zylbersztajn

Meretz UK in Solidarity with Tel Aviv LGBT community

2009-08-02T23:54:00.002+01:00

Meretz UK expresses solidarity with the LGBT community in Israel and deeply regrets the fact that it has come under violent attack in Tel Aviv, one of the most LGBT friendly cities in the world. The murder of two young hopeful individuals and the injury to others by this blind act of cold blooded killing is received by us with great shock. Meretz UK alongside the world-wide Meretz movement has a proven and long record in championing the rights of the LGBT community. In fact currently Meretz's Nitzan Horowitz is the only open gay member in Israeli parliament. Meretz UK invites any UK based Jewish LGBT members to join us in our new efforts to rebuild a Jewish left with the power to affect real change in Israel and in the UK. In the words of Nitzan Horowitz: "

We demand that the [Israeli] government put an end to this hate campaign and that the [Israeli] Education Ministry institute proper information and education at schools in order to prevent the recurrence of such shameful events"

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Settlement Watch

2009-08-02T21:24:00.006+01:00

You can view the full of our 2nd of August programme here:

Israel Parliamentary Member Chaim Oron calls for cease fire in Knesset

2008-12-29T21:40:00.002Z

Meretz MK Chaim Oron has said in an extraordinary parliamentary session on what has been labelled in Israel as "The war against Hamas" that the government should reveal its plans. Do they have clear plans, he asked? He continued that, whilst Israel had the right to secure its citizens, he stated that this would not justify the actions by the IDF in the last 48 hours. Any other plan than looking for an instant ceasefire and aid for the residents of Gaza would in his opinion be once again a disaster. (Source meretz.co.il; translated by DZ)

חיים אורון (ג'ומס)
"למבצע צריכה להיות מטרה אחת: להגיע מוקדם ככל האפשר להפסקת אש ולהפסקת הירי על ישובי עוטף עזה"
ח"כ חיים אורון, יו"ר התנועה החדשה-מרצ, אמר היום בדיון המיוחד שנערך בכנסת בנושא פעולת צה"ל בעזה והמצב בדרום: "למדינת ישראל הזכות והחובה לשמור על ביטחון אזרחיה. עם זאת, אין זה אומר שימוש בכל כוח או הצדקה של כל פעולה שנעשתה ב-48 השעות האחרונות. נאמר לנו על ידי דוברי הממשלה שלמבצע ישנן מטרות ברורות: אנחנו עדיין לא יודעים אותן. למבצע צריכה להיות מטרה אחת: להגיע מוקדם ככל האפשר להפסקת אש ולהפסקת הירי על ישובי עוטף עזה. כל מטרה אחרת, כמו דיבורים על חיסול החמאס וצריבה בתודעה, יסתיימו פעם נוספת באסון".

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Meretz Israel calls for direct talks with Hamas and an end of incursion in Gaza!

2008-12-28T21:38:00.003Z

Meretz Israel has today released a statement that calls for the Israeli government to immediately end the incursion in Gaza and especially not to enter ground forces. It calls for the end of unnecessary blood-shed and states that the best approach is the establishment of a lasting ceasefire and direct talks with Hamas.

התנועה החדשה-מרצ לראש הממשלה ושר הביטחון: "יש להימנע מהרחבת הפעולה הצבאית בעזה ולא להיגרר לפעולה קרקעית רחבה"

28/12/2008
התנועה החדשה מרצ קוראת לראש הממשלה ולשר הביטחון להימנע מהרחבת הפעולה הצבאית בעזה ובעיקר לא להיגרר לפעולה קרקעית רחבה שתסבך אותנו פעם נוספת בבוץ טובעני, הפעם בעזה.
ההגנה על תושבי הדרום מחייבת לחתור להפסקת אש ולחידוש הרגיעה בתנאים שיבטיחו לתושבים שקט לתקופה ארוכה וישימו קץ לשפיכות הדמים ההדדית. התנועה קוראת לראש הממשלה ליזום במהירות הידברות עם החמאס, באופן ישיר או באמצעות מתווכים, על-מנת להשיג את המטרות האמורות.
(original statement on meretz.org.il)
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About Meretz UK

2008-09-06T20:59:00.011+01:00

Meretz UK is a membership led organisation that is part of the worldwide Meretz Movement. It represents a platform of Social Democracy, Civil Libertarianism, Green Environmental Issues, Progressive Labour Zionism, Peace and at times Secularism (although it defends rights of Jewish religious women for example).

It is an amalgamation of earlier movements, which include the former movements Ratz headed by Shulamit Aloni (Israeli Civil Rights Movement), MAPAM (United Workers Party), Shinui (Change Party), and the early 20th century Poale Zion (Workers of Zion). Some former and current members of Peace Now were and are also members of Meretz. It is affiliated with the Shomer Ha Zair movement.

In the UK, Meretz champions and propagates issues within the sphere of its platform. These may regard Israel, Israel and Palestine, as well as the UK. They may be in the form of educational and cultural events, news-updates, educational visits, campaigning, or educational lessons such as in Modern Hebrew and Arabic. Meretz is the only movement that stands for a left wing platform as whole including all its issues from civil and human rights and peace to green politics and social justice. It is a progressive left and moderate Zionist organisation, accepting the right of a Jewish homeland called Israel, although its vision of that state is significantly different from the structure of Israel today, seeing Palestinian Israelis as equals, and supporting fully a Palestinian independent state.

Meretz Israel brought the first Palestinian Israeli woman Mrs. Hussniya Jabara into parliament in 1999 and Yossi Beilin another Israeli member was one of the key people involved in the Oslo negotiations and the Geneva Initiative. Yossi Sarid, was another of the famous leaders associated with Meretz Israel. One of the current three Meretz parliamentarians, Nitzan Horowitz is currently (2009) the only openly gay member of parliament MK in Israel. The others are likewise bastions of moral upholding in the Knesset. They are Jumas Haim Oron and Ilan Gilon.

Meretz UK also upkeeps a direct link with the Israeli party as well as with other movements around the world. Meretz UK is also part of the Socialist International. Meretz UK is a member of the Stop Climate Change Coalition and supports Fairtrade and green cleaning products, above all Ecover.

A copy of the Meretz UK Constitution is available on request!

Link: Become a Member of Meretz UK Link: Meretz on Wikepedia

Become a Meretz UK Member

2008-09-04T22:37:00.011+01:00

Annual Membership is open to any person living or residing in the UK. Without membership subscriptions we would have to reduce our work, so please consider making a public statement of being a member of the Progressive Left and a subscriber to our principles of striving for more equality, civil rights, human rights, peace and to further green and welfare issues. All members get reduced rates at all our events and we are in the process of trying to some discounts from supportive businesses and organisations.

To become a member either use the pal options below:

1.) For Automatic Renewal by Direct Debit, using pay pal select here:

or use

3.) Alternatively write to

Memberships, including your
address, telephone number, mobile phone
details applicable payment.

Meretz UK Memberships 37a Broadhurst Gardens, London NW6 3BN
020 7328 5451info@meretz.org.uk

Our rates are under review annually and are currently:

Supporter Rate £50 plus optional donation, agreement to Jerusalem Programme
Full Member £20 incl. voting rights, and agreement to Jerusalem Programme. Additional donations are welcome.
Full Member Concession £10. As above, full time students and people on low incomes.
Associate Member £20 (no voting rights, no signing up to Jerusalem Programme), additional donations are welcome.
Associate Member Concession £10, as above, full time students and people on low incomes.

Meretz UK People

2008-09-04T22:29:00.019+01:00

This list is still being completed.

Honourees:
Chair: Yehuda Erdman
Yehuda Erdman was born on the Independence Day of Israel (Yom Ha Atzmaut) 1948 in Jerusalem. He is the sonof refugees from Nazi Germany who went on Aliya (emmigrated) to Palestine in 1935.In his teens Yehuda became an enthusiastic member of the Jewish Socialist Jewish youth movement Habonim in the UK,including training on the Hachshara in Sussex followed by his own Aliya to akibbutz in Upper Galilee in 1968. After returning to London, Yehudajoined Mapam UK (Jewish Workers Party), and later Meretz UK. He is married with four grown up sons,and he retired from his profession of Microbiology after working mainlyin Public Health Microbiology including some published research. Hehas been Chair for about three years, and hopes to see a resurgence inthe fortunes of Meretz UK and even the holy grail of a youth wing herein London. On the wider picture, despite all the setbacks in recentyears, Yehuda still wants to see peace in the Middle East betweenIsrael and her neighbours soon, but preferably in his lifetime!

Secretary, Acting Treasurer: Lawrence Joffe
Lawrence Joffe is a freelance journalist who writes for the Guardian, Jewish Chronicle, Times and other publications. Born in South Africa, he is active on the Jewish Arab peace and friendship front. He has held several talks on Israel and its Arab neighbours and published on the topic repeatedly, including Keesings Guide to the Middle East Peace Process (1996).

Membership Supervisor: Ben Freiman
Secretary: t.b.d

Avivit Caspi: Administrator, avivit.c@meretz.org.uk
Avivit has been an administrator since 2004 and having been born in Israel, she believes strongly in building a better Israel for all! She is a known artist in her own right, beside her activities for Meretz UK.

Acting Administrator: Yael Shahar

(Avivit Caspi is currently on maternity leave)

Current Committee Members (maskirut, listed alphabetically):

Yehuda Erdman (Chair)

Ben Freiman
Ben Freiman is a freelance property consultant, unchangeable motorbike enthusiast and fantastic source of technical knowledge and has been member of Meretz and Mapam for as long as he can remember. Ben's father fought in the war of independence of Israel after surviving the Shoah; in spite of this Ben remains a man who believes in peace and reconciliation with Palestinians and Arabs. he also has an interest in Jewish Humanism. Ben is also a DJ available to parties and weddings to which he rides with his portable system on his motorbike.

Liz Goldberg. An artist and broadcaster (Spectrum) she currently also works as events coordinator of Spiro. She is an unmissable events consumer in the Jewish London scene, and has a vast knowledge of what is going on in London Jewish World. Liz has always maintained a relationship with Israel with a firm stance on the left.

Lawrence Joffe (Secretary) see above.

Pauline Levis
Pauline ran a single-handed self-built and admirable campaign to save an Iranian refugee and his family - Save Behnam). She is also a responsible carer for her elderly mother and former chair of Meretz UK. She was part of the Shomer Ha Tsair Youth Movement in her teens and has been with Mapam / Meretz all her life.

Debbie Green

Stephanie A.

Patrons:
We are in the process of building a
list of patrons.

If you would like to become a patron
of Meretz UK please contact Yael Shahar (see contacts) while Avivit Caspi is on maternity leave.

Palestinian Partners

2008-09-04T20:06:00.000+01:00

UK Links

2008-09-04T18:25:00.002+01:00

Selected Jewish Links

2008-09-04T18:19:00.002+01:00

Please contact us to suggest inclusion. However we upkeep the right on choosing whom to list!

Meretz Links

2008-09-04T18:04:00.001+01:00

Meretz Israel (Hebr.)
Meretz Israel (En.)
Yossi Beilin's Website
Meretz USA
Hashomer Hatzair, France

Progressive Organisations in Israel

2008-08-04T17:43:00.003+01:00

Direct Debit Options

2007-09-20T21:29:00.000+01:00

Please Select the Meretz UK Membership you want:

Become an Associate Member (Concessions) - Direct Debit

2007-09-20T21:12:00.004+01:00

If you are a full time student or on a low income and want to become a member of Meretz UK without voting rights and without signing up to the Jerusalem Programe, you can become an Associate Member for currently only £10 Pounds per year.

Become Associate Member - Direct Debit

2007-09-20T21:12:00.003+01:00

You can become an associate member, which will mean that you lack voting rights and don't sign up to the Jerusalem Programme. The current costs are £20 per year.

Concession Standard Subscription by Direct Debit

2007-09-20T21:02:00.001+01:00

If you are a student or on a low income you can become a full member of Meretz UK, which entails agreement to the Jerusalem Programme. The costs are £10 per year at the moment.

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The Jerusalem Programme

2007-09-20T20:25:00.004+01:00

Introduction by the Director of Meretz UK:

Below you can read the current version of the Jerusalem Program. It has been changed several times. The majority of Zionist organisations are on the political right. Changing its contents in a way that becomes more attune to Left wing ideology requires a strengthening of Jewish left bodies, such as Meretz UK. We and others have representative rights on world representative congresses, but the voting rights are measured in membership counts. Possible changes to the text may or may not include:

An added expressions of Israel as a nation in peaceful cooperation with its neighbours and the community of nations and with respect to international obligations and treaties.
An added expression to support an Israel bound by full respect for human and civil rights, with respect to the fact that Jewish people were often treated without that respect throughout history.
An added expression of Israel as a state with Jewish character but to no exclusion of the right of others.
An added expression of a temporary aim to take necessary steps for a reconciliation and peace process with Palestinians.

The majority of Jewish people who subscribe to such notions are currently situated in the Diaspora, hence it is crucial to strengthen organisations such as Meretz UK and others on the Jewish Left. In the mean time it is important for people who sign up with Meretz for full membership to be aware that they quasi agree to the programme as cited below, by proxy of becoming a full member and Meretz UK being part of the Federation of Zionist Organisations in the UK and part of the left wing blog of World Zionist organisations.

The twist in the matter is that only if you agree to the current text (by obtaining a full Meretz UK membership), do you gain the right to campaign (through full membership) for a better version, because only full members can vote and count when it comes to the Zionist Federation. For all others we have the associate membership, which allows you to opt out, but still support us.

Daniel Zylbersztajn, Executive Director Meretz UK, September 2009

"New Jerusalem Program - Adopted June 2004

Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, brought about the establishment of the State of Israel, and views a Jewish, Zionist, democratic and secure State of Israel to be the expression of the common responsibility of the Jewish people for its continuity and future.

The foundations of Zionism are:

The unity of the Jewish people, its bond to its historic homeland Eretz Yisrael, and the centrality of the State of Israel and Jerusalem, its capital, in the life of the nation;
Aliyah to Israel from all countries and the effective integration of all immigrants into Israeli Society.
Strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society with a unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish people, rooted in the vision of the prophets, striving for peace and contributing to the betterment of the world.
Ensuring the future and the distinctiveness of the Jewish people by furthering Jewish, Hebrew and Zionist education, fostering spiritual and cultural values and teaching Hebrew as the national language;
Nurturing mutual Jewish responsibility, defending the rights of Jews as individuals and as a nation, representing the national Zionist interests of the Jewish people, and struggling against all manifestations of anti-Semitism;
Settling the country as an expression of practical Zionism."

Full Standard Membership by Direct Debit

2007-09-20T20:21:00.002+01:00

Get the Full Standard Membership, and have it automatically annually renewed.
Full membership entails agreement to the Jerusalem Programme. The current costs
are £20 annually.

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2007-09-20T19:03:00.007+01:00

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Contact Meretz UK

2006-10-06T22:31:00.007+01:00

Meretz UK
UK Head Office, London
37a Broadhurst Gardens, London NW6 3BN
+ 44.20.32.86.16.16

Inquiries

Acting administrator:
Yael Shahar 0783-868 9034

Secretary:
Lawrence Joffe 0207-482 3587

Email: info@meretz.org.uk
Skype: meretzuk

Meretz UK operates flexi time with no fixed office hours, so sending an email or leaving a message are the best ways of contacting us!

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Ha-Shomer House is located 5 minutes from Finchley Road London Underground (Jubilee and Metropolitan Line) and Bus Station (C11, 82,13, 187) and can be equally reached from Swiss Cottage (Jubilee Line, and buses 13,31, 46, 82, 113, 187, 268, 603, C11) and West Hampstead tube and B.R. Parking is free on Sundays.Ha Shomer House is located 5 minutes from Finchley Road London Underground (Jubilee and Metropolitan Line) and Bus Station (C11, 82,13, 187) and can be equally reached from Swiss Cottage (Jubilee Line, and buses 13,31, 46, 82, 113, 187, 268, 603, C11) and West Hampstead tube and B.R. Parking is free on Sundays.