Mission statement Join our listserve ... Join us on Facebook Contact your representatives PJP meets at 6:30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, currently at Mega Bite, 335 S. Gilbert St. Anyone who is in basic agreement with our mission statement is welcome.

Upcoming events

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The Razing of Human Rights: Demolition and Dispossession on the Israeli-occupied West Bank
Mon., 16 Apr. 2012, 7-9 pm
Meeting Room A, Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn Street
POSTER

In a single week in June 2011, more than 200 people on the West Bank were made homeless by the Civil Administration. Their crime ? They are Arab, and the Israeli government wants their land.

(cf. B’Tselem, Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, “Sharp Increase In West Bank Home Demolitions, Press Release, 22 June 2011. www.btselem.org).

Of all the injustices which plague the Middle East in the era of the Arab Spring, this one stands out as of special interest to Americans. Because Israel gets US taxpayer support to support this policy, at least three billion dollars a year according to the Congressional Research Service Report: U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel (www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf).

Christine Cowan, peace activist with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme of the World Council of Churches, is an eyewitness to the deteriorating human rights situation on the Israeli-controlled West Bank. She has met and talked personally to the victims of Israeli home demolitions and worked with international, Palestinian, and Jewish Israeli non-violent activists who are standing up against this injustice. Learn what is going on and how you can stand up with them. Please join us for her free lecture and discussion.

This event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by People for Justice in Palestine (www.iowapjp.org). Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please call Julia at 337-9303.

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Do something now

Nothing too taxing.

In 2011, the average U.S. taxpayer gave Israel $21.59 for weapons. That adds up to three billion dollars a year to kill the hope of peace for Israel and Palestine.

With April 15--tax time--coming up, you might like to offset that amount by making a tax-deductible donation to UNRWA (UN relief for Palestine refugees) or a human rights group like the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation.

With a $20 donation to UNRWA--less than what you're paying for Israeli weapons--you will protect a Palestinian refugee child from disease. With just $16, you'll feed a family of four for a month.

With any donation to any group or organization working for peace and justice, you'll be un-doing some of the harm that our government does with your tax money. Please consider it.

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Follow-up on "Palestine Inside Out: An Everyday Occupation," a lecture and discussion featuring Dr. Saree Makdisi and sponsored by the Arab Student Association. Dr. Makdisi recommended not only continuing education efforts but also participation in the BDS movement through PACBI, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel at www.pacbi.org.

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A Long Wait for a State: Palestine on Hold: Follow up--take action. Send postcards to:

President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20500

Secretary Hillary Clinton U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520

Ambassador Susan Rice 2 United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017