And if you need to contact the SU in advance while we put the info up, you can always e-mail pb14@soas.ac.uk , here now until term starts.

Break the Bank!

Edinburgh

Four days of training and direct action: 21st–24th August

The Camp for Climate Action is a grassroots movement taking direct action against the root causes of climate change. We’ve already had major successes with Heathrow’s third runway and E.ON’s plans for a new coal fired power station at Kingsnorth.

This year we’re targeting the Royal Bank of Scotland, one of the world’s largest investor in oil, gas and coal.

Last year RBS were bailed out with £50 billion of public money. From tar sands extraction in Canada to coal infrastructure here in the UK, we’re paying to trash our future. These projects are not just causing catastrophic climate change, but destroying the lives and livelihoods of people across the globe. Meanwhile, we’re told there is no money left in the public pot and we should be braced for decades of public sectors cuts.

What are we doing about it? In August, people from across the UK will be converging to take back the power and Break the Bank! Our sustainable and collectively organised basecamp will give you the chance to learn, train up, and meet like minded individuals. Exciting action plans are also underway for those who want to get involved.

So come to Edinburgh this summer! We’ll see you there.

More information: www.climatecamp.org.uk

TRAVEL TO EDINBURGH

Minibuses… coaches… hitching

It’s nearly time for the Camp and we know that lots of people haven’t
sorted out their travel plans yet. The train is now pretty expensive, so
we’ve got two *exciting London minibuses* going up to the Camp from
London, leaving on Friday, and coming back on Monday night or Tuesday
night.

LEAVING
Friday 20 August, Departs 9.15am, arriving Friday evening (The Early bus)
Friday 20 August, Departs 6.15pm, arriving late Friday night (The Late bus)

RETURNING
Monday 23 August, Departs 10pm (approx), arriving Tuesday morning
Tuesday 24 August, Departs 10pm (approx), arriving Wednesday morning

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Tickets are £30 unwaged/£40 waged

HOW TO BOOK
Email london@climatecamp.org.uk or text 07818 651124 with the TIMES you
want, your NAME and PHONE NUMBER. We’ll send you payment details and hold
the ticket for 24 hours. If you’ve got any questions email
london@climatecamp.org.uk

OTHER OPTIONS:

NATIONAL EXPRESS TICKETS
We have two National Express coach tickets available for £29 return for
the following journey:

Wed 18 Aug 0900 –> 1835
Thu 26 Aug 0945 — > 1950

If you’re interested email london@climatecamp.org.uk

COACH TICKETS
There are still some Megabus coach tickets available at various times from
£28 return: http://uk.megabus.com/default.aspx. Or National Express from
about £50: http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/index.cfm.

HITCHING
We’ve also had an offer of a place to stop off on the Scottish border for
people who are hitching to the Camp. Email london@climatecamp.org.uk if
you’re interested!

‘A long standing Academic who over 30 years has championed Africa and the new initiatives challenging the Western World, Stephen Chan is committed to the principles of praxis, whereby academic scholars should engage with society and the real world as much as with books. In these series of podcasts, Stephen takes the listener through a personal reflection where he discuss current and sometimes controversial topics in the international agenda.

Stephen Chan is Professor of International Relations at the School of Oriental and African Studies in the University of London. He has published 27 books on international relations and more than 200 articles and reviews in the academic and specialist press, as well as over 100 journalistic feature articles.’

HATHA YOGA classes every THURSDAY evening in Shoreditch (one minute from Hoxton train station) 6:30 – 8pm @ Geffrye Centre, Falkirk Street N1 6HQ (opposite the SPACe sports centre). The class is £7 (£5 suggested donation for students), or £35 for 6 classes. Beginners welcome, mats available for anyone who needs.

http://yoga.soasunion.org/hatha-yoga/

———————————–

“FOUNDATIONS OF YOGA” six week summer course

This six week course is due to start mid to late August with a wonderful guest teacher from India, Vasistha Giri.

The classes are most likely to be held on Sundays from 2 – 4 pm, and possibly also another evening during the week. This is a great opportunity for learning about yoga through the teachings of a very experienced practitioner. The course is suitable for both beginners, and those hoping to deepen their already established practice.

http://yoga.soasunion.org/foundations-of-yoga-six-week-summer-course/

***
Please email if you are interested and would like to know more:

meghayoga.london@gmail.com

Also for regular updates join the SOAS YOGA SOCIETY Facebook group.

Now that the place has been stripped the ceiling looks like something out of Aliens…

The 3 offices have become one and will soon be where our new shop is.

In fact here is the exit that used to be the entrance of the Welfare & Education office…

and 3 little alcoves where we can display sports trophies and society achievements or wares of the shop behind. This wall is now where the Sports & Societies entrance used to be…

The stairs are no more…but some of the wood that was on the treads will be cleaned and become part of the new side surface that will make the new bar.

People cut all sorts of things in the Student Common Rooms. Stairs are a first though…

Whilst digging the new foundations for the stairs they found the bar is actually ontop of an underground water source!

More picture updates to come soon! Stay tuned unless you would much rather be doing anything else…

We suggest a regular visit back to refurb.soasunion.org to keep up to date to feel sure that everything is going according to schedule.

ASYLUM & IMMIGRATION TRIBUNAL, HATTON CROSS

Peace Musabi’s case to be reunited with her three children is FINALLY coming to court on 22 July.  Two long and agonising years have gone by since Peace found them safe in Uganda. Shamefully, the Home Office have resisted allowing the children to join her.  Twice, their visa applications have been refused.  This family’s anguish is unimaginable.

Peace was forced to leave Burundi in 2003 after she and her family, who are Hutu, were targeted by Tutsi authorities.  Her husband and eldest son were disappeared and her brother was murdered in front of her. Peace sent her surviving children to a safe place before she was captured, imprisoned and suffered rape and other torture.  When she managed to escape, she could not find them and was forced to flee alone.  For years she didn’t know where they were or if they were alive.  Her children thought she was dead.

When Peace eventually found them in 2008, having spent years and every penny she had looking for them, she had to break the awful news that they couldn’t immediately join her and their little sister who was born in the UK.  Because Peace won her status under the Legacy process she has no automatic right to family reunion.

The case has been winding its slow path to court, without any regard to the heartbreak caused to the children and their mother of the seven year separation.

Women Against Rape (WAR) will give evidence at the forthcoming appeal hearing.  We have supported Peace’s courageous and determined efforts to rebuild her life despite her ordeals and torment.

Your support is needed now more than ever.  Please write to demand that this family be reunited.  The Home Office may try to claim that Peace and the children could live in Burundi, or even in Uganda rather than the children coming here.  This is particularly brutal considering the persecution Peace suffered in Burundi and the fact that she has never lived in Uganda.

As a single woman and a survivor of rape she would be ostracised and destitute.  Her six year old daughter has only ever lived here and is settled in school.  Both she and Peace are deeply involved in community and church activities.  Peace is one of our most dedicated volunteers bringing her experience and wisdom to the aid of other women.

Please help put an end to this family’s anguish and insist that they be allowed to live together in the UK – the only place where the whole family is safe.  All support letters should be addressed: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, and sent to Liz Farrell at Birnberg Peirce solicitors (Liz@birnbergpeirce.co.uk or Fax: 0207 9110170) with a copy towar@womenagainstrape.net as soon as possible and no later than Sunday 18 July.  The children’s reference numbers are: Samuel ADD/106562; Diana ADD106563; Daniel ADD1206559

Peace Musabi writes: “My heart is full of appreciation for all of the support I have received. It is what has kept us all going during our hardest times. This hearing is the final stage and I cannot bear to think that we may lose.  It would be great for the Judge to hear from as many people as possible in support of my claim to be re-united with my children.  I know that there are many demands on your time but your words could make all the difference. ”

Samuel, my oldest son, has written to say:

“Please allow us to live with our mother and our little sister who we have never seen. We have missed so many years together and this has affected us so much.  My brother and sister who are 13 and 16 are distraught. I have tried to care for them but we all suffer without our mother’s love.  I get nightmares and wake up crying and shivering. To live without our mother after so many agonising years thinking that she is dead is the worst cruelty. We need to start rebuilding our torn apart family”.

My youngest daughter, who is six and was born in the UK, has this to say:

“My mum is sad and cries because she does not see her big children.  I do not want to see my mum sad because it makes me sad as well.   My sister and brothers miss me and I miss them. I pray for them everyday for God to look after them as mummy is not there to look after them.”

At the Hearing, Ms Musabi will be supported by a Mothers’ Vigil sponsored by the Mothers’ Campaign for Family Reunion which she helped to found.  All welcome.

Women Against Rape
Crossroads Women’s Centre, 230A Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2AB

Phone: 0207 482 2496; www.womenagainstrape.net

20% of all proceeds will go towards the SOAS Alumni & Friends Fund and the rest will go to the Students’ Union. If you don’t want your name to appear on this clothing please contact the alumni relations team by 9:00am on the 28 July 2010. email: alumni@soas.ac.uk tel. +44 (0)20 7898 4041

AFRO CUP FESTIVAL LINE-UP

June

The Hackney Empire is Holmes‚s unique blend of African and European Pop.

“Africa and Europe meet again with such an original freshness; my tip for album of the year„: DE:BUG

12th

12:30 – South Korea V Greece

15:00 – Argentina V Nigeria

19:30 – England V USA

Hackney Globe Trotter with  Zing Zong and DJ Russ Jones

Soukous Music from London’s finest resident Soukous Band, The Zong Zing All Stars. Soukous is music from The Democratic Republic of Congo, closely related to Rumba, which draws its influences from Cuban music….enjoy!

13th

12:30 – Algeria V Slovenia

15:00 – Serbia V Ghana

19:30 – Germany V Australia

DJ session with Aficathy

Africathy of Mama Put, Malamu Music Club and Afri-Kokoa mixes up the finest African and Tropical grooves.

15th

12:30 - New Zealand V Slovakia

15:00 – Ivory Coast V Portugal

19:30 – Brazil V North Korea

Next Stop Soweto album launch party with DJ Duncan Brooker

For this one-off night DJ and ŒNext Stop Soweto‚ series co-compiler Duncan Brooker spins an unmissable selection of rare township jive, Soweto soul and swinging South African jazz.

16th

12:30 – Honduras V Chile

15:00 – Spain V Switzerland

19:30 – South Africa V Uruguay

South African Funk Experience album launch with DJ John Armstrong and live South African Funk Experience band

Launching his album  and accompanied by a handpicked township funk band specially put together for this night only, DJ John Armstrong gives a taster of Œ ŒSouth African Funk Experience‚ ˆ 70s and 80s vinyl rarities.

17th

12:30 – Argentina V South Korea

15:00 – Greece V Nigeria

19:30 – France V Mexico

DJ session with Sofrito

Bringing the heavy sounds of the Sofrito Tropical Discotheque to the Afro Cup Festival blending rhythms from Africa, the Caribbean and South America

18th

12:30 – Germany V Serbia

15:00 – Slovenia V USA

19:30 – England V Algeria

Headshigh with Monkfish DJs Cal Jader and  Duke Etinne

Monkfish rock driving Congolese rumba to Cuban son, original tropical party dance floor hits all saturated with African pop sensibilities with an urban South London twist.

19th

12:30 – Netherlands V Japan

15:00 – Ghana V Australia

19:30 – Cameroon V Denmark

Afrikokoa with We Are Benin

A special with live performance from the extraordinarily funky ŒWeareBeninCity‚ Supported by Afrikokoa DJs ˆ AJ Kwame and Baggy playing a fine selection of highlife, makossa, soukous, afrobeat, hiplife, broken beat, afrofunk and more

20th

12:30 – Slovakia V Paraguay

15:00 – Italy V New Zealand

19:30 – Brazil V Ivory Coast

DJ Cliffy presents Batmacumba with Eri Okan

An afro brazilian special with the legendary club night Batmacumba and live Eri Okan representing the best of african inspired north eastern Brazilian roots and samba.

21st

12:30 – Portugal V North Korea

15:00 – Chile V Switzerland

19:30 – Spain V Honduras

21:30 - Dj’s

22nd

15:00 – France V South Africa

15:00 – Mexico V Uruguay

19:30 – Greece V Argentina

OR

19:30 – Nigeria V South Korea

Afro street art “public view” and live event with Degree Art.

23rd

15:00 – Slovenia V England

15:00 – USA V Algeria

19:30 - Australia V Serbia

OR

19:30 – Ghana V Germany

12 Tone with United Vibrations

12tone, 12Time, Afro-Punk, an Anglo-Afro hybrid, „12tone is the 21st Century re-incarnation of 2-Tone.‰

24th

15:00 – Paraguay V New Zealand

15:00 – Slovakia V Italy

19:30 – Cameroon V Netherlands

OR

19:30 – Denmark V Japan

Tigerlily Films

An evening of Africa-themed film screenings including Dolce Vita Africana and a selection of short films

25th

15:00 – North Korea V Ivory Coast

15:00 – Portugal V Brazil

19:30 – Chile V Spain

OR

19:30 – Switzerland V Honduras

Lake Of Stars with Afrikan Boy

Afrikan Boy, hot from collaborating with M.I.A and opening for Prince, returns to Rich Mix to headline a night of live music and DJs curated by award winning Malawian festival vinspired Lake of Stars

26th

15:00 – Winner A V Runner Up B

19:30 – Winner C V Runner Up D

Hotplate Sessions with Kasai Masai and DJs Dudu Sar and DJ Magrelo

Kasai Masai Live, playing vintage Congolese rhythms with a modern twist + DJs Magrelo & Dudu Sarr mixing deep African grooves.

27th

15:00 – Winner D V Runner Up C

19:30 – Winner B V Runner Up A

Afrogroov presents Ntoumos, Muntu Valdo and DJ Eric Soul

Afrogroov presents an exclusive collaboration fusing live Sawa Blues, Hiphop and Jazz + DJ with  Ntoumos

Lead by trumpeters Dominic Ntoumos (Radio3 World Music Awards 2004 Think Of One) and  Muntu Valdo  who  toured last autumn with Congolese superstars Staff Benda Bilil.

28th

15:00 – Winner E V Runner Up F

19:30 – Winner G V Runner Up H

Chillie Fried with El Andolous and DJ Jamie Renton

El Andolous provide soul-stirring sounds from North Africa and beyond.

29th

15:00 – Winner F V Runner Up E

19:30 – Winner H V Runner Up G

Wormfood presents AFRICAN ROOTMASTER: Afrik Bawantu + Bobby Gandolf

Eight piece high-energy hilife + afrobeat plus sweet African, reggae and dancehall sounds.

July

2nd

15:00 – World Cup Quarter Final 1

19:30 – World Cup Quarter Final 2

Afrovibrations.  DJ Koichi with London Afrobeat Collective and Dele Sosimi

Extra special Afrobeat event featuring the finest Afrobeat musicians in London and Fela Kuti cohort Dele Sosimi

3rd

15:00 – World Cup Quarter Final 3

19:30 – World Cup Quarter Final 4

Yaaba Funk and DJ Chief Commander Yaaba, Mr Brett, Outlaw Clive Wales and Volta45

Yaaba Funk are London’s finest Ghanian style high-life and afro beat orchestra .  The have a definitive swing and know how to make the house jump.

- 6th –

19:30 – World Cup Semi Final 1

Kazum! Presents Krar Collective ˆ Ethiopian Vibes

Led by a former star pupil of Ethiopiques vibraphone legend Mulatu Astatke, Temesgen Taraken, Krar Collective deliver a stunning show from different parts of Ethiopia driven by hypnotic rhythms representing the best of Ethiopia’s magical and very hip music.

- 7th –

19:30 – World Cup Semi Final 2

Bukky Leo Quintet.

Bukky is a London nigerian legend.  Spotted by Tony Allen as a young boy going onto to be a stalwart of the early Acid Jazz movement and playing with Joe Henderson are a few of his accolades.  He is currently working with Tony Allen again, a member of  African Jazz All Stars and has a new album on the way.

- 10th –

19:30 – World Cup 3rd Place Play Off

Hackney Globe Trotter with Usifu Jalloh and Maambena’ & DJ Russ Jones

This energetic and enthralling live show is unique and fresh and entrenced in traditional West African Drum and Bass encompassing drumming, storytelling, masquarde, acrobatics and dance influenced by Sierra Leone & West Africa.

- 11th –

19:30 – World Cup Final

Hackney Globe Trotter with Soothsayers & DJ Russ Jones

Dub, afrobeat and reggae  pioneers, Soothsayers will be performing tracks from their last two acclaimed albums “One More Reason ” and “Red Earth Dub”  featuring the dynamic horns of Robin Hopcraft and Idris Rahman and members of Jerry Dammers Spatial AKA.

15:00 – 17:00

Thursday, 3rd

——————————————————————————————

 “This is happening now, and we can no longer claim ‘wir haben es nicht gewußt’ (we didn’t know): Silence is Complicity!  It is time to stand up. To stand up in solidarity with the Palestinian people and with the believe in International Human Rights.” – Anne de Jong

Agenda

1.    Video Presentations of SOAS Occupation & Anne de Jong’s video statement

2.    Speech from representative of Medical Aid for Palestinians

3.    Phone link to Anne de Jong

4.    Motion & Amendments

5.    AOB

——————————————————————————————

Support Anne de Jong and the Freedom Flotilla

Submitted by Sebilio Uribe – Seconded by Ben Sellers

This Union Notes:

1. On the night of the 30^th of May the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ (4 Cargo Ships, 4 Passenger Boats, 700 people) carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza from Turkey, Britain, Ireland, Greece, Kuwait and Algeria were attacked with at least 10 people having been killed.
2. This attack was done while the boats were in International Waters and has violated The United Nations Law of the Sea part VII notably:

-          Article 87 (a) provides for “Freedom of Navigation”

-          Article 88 states ‘The High Seas shall be reserved for peaceful purposes’

-          Article 89 States ‘No State may validly purport to subject any part of the high seas to its sovereignty.’

3. On May 6^th 2010 John Ging the Director of Operations of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza was quoted saying

-          ‘We believe that Israel will not intercept these vessels because the sea is open, and human rights organisations have been successful in similar previous operations proving that breaking the siege of Gaza is possible.’

4. A SOAS PhD researcher, Anne de Jong, was on one of the boats. As part of her fieldwork research she spent  16 months in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel, including annexed East-Jerusalem and Besieged Gaza.

5:  Anne de Jong was being held, together with a large number of other activists, in the Be’er Sheva prison, with consular meeting denied to them.  She refused to sign a statement for immediate deportation.

6. A former SOAS student, Jamal Elshayyal, was reporting from the Mavi Marmara ship when it was attacked.

7. That the Israeli Government is branding those on the ships as terrorists sympathisers with ties to the global jihad.

8. That the Israeli Government is attempting to brand a humanitarian, non-violent solidarity project as organised violent action against Israel.

9. That the Freedom Flotilla’s purpose was to deliver much-needed medicine, medical equipment, milk powder, hygiene kits, toys, books, stationary articles etc that have been banned from entering Gaza due to Israel’s siege that is now entering its fifth year. As such, their aim was to protest the siege that constitutes a form of collective punishment and is in breach of international law.

10. That the siege, as documented by a number of reports by international organisations, has created a man-made humanitarian crisis that is sanctioned by the UK government.

11. That the Israeli Government denies that a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip exists.

12. That there is a growing number of Israeli and international organisations, as well as notable public intellectuals, supporting the call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) – as issued by Palestinian civil society organisations – to put pressure on Israel and holding it accountable for its actions.

13. Paul Webley, SOAS Director, has released a short statement to students and staff, noting Anne’s detention.

This Union Believes:

1. The Freedom Flotilla is a humanitarian project, not an attack on Israel, and should be supported.
2. That more pressure needs to be exerted on Israel to end the siege on Gaza and end the occupation.
3. That when government(s) refuse to act, global civil society must take action.
4. That the call for BDS is a moral and political imperative. It needs to be supported and strengthened everywhere and SOAS, as a progressive institution, should be part of the growing BDS movement.
5. The School’s statement, as prepared by Paul Webley, falls well short of the standard that the SOAS community expect of their institution. It fails to join the international condemnation of Israel’s actions, and it fails to call for the immediate release of Anne and the other detainees. It is a mealy-mouthed statement that makes no positive contribution to Anne or the other detainees’ welfare.
6. It is a source of shame for students and staff at SOAS that the School authorities cannot bring themselves join the international consensus in condemning Israel’s actions and act to meaningfully support the welfare and safety of a SOAS student.
7. We as a Students’ Union should condemn Paul Webley for implying that the Humanitarian activists were imprisoned in Israel whilst this clearly happened in International Waters. This is in clearly mis-representing facts and is showing a bias away from Human Rights.

This Union Resolves:

1. For the School and Students’ Union to support Anne in whatever way she  deems necessary.
2. For the union to facilitate debate and transmission of information about the BDS campaign in anticipation of a motion at the 1^st UGM of 2010-11 to make the union an official participant in BDS.
3. To demand that the School both immediately and unreservedly condemn Israel’s unlawful actions, (and call for the immediate release of Anne and all detainees from custody.
4. To organise a welcome home event and party
5. To provide a platform for the students and alumni to give a report back at this event if they wish to do so.
6. To request the school’s management provides funding and publicity for this event
7. To send a 20 x 8 ft container full of books to the University of Gaza

Amendments:

Amendment 1: Submitted by Elian Weizman- Seconded by Ben Sellers - Passed

Add to This Union Notes:

4:  * Anne de Jong is now being held, together with a large number of other activists, in the Be’er Sheva prison, with consular meeting denied to them.  She refuses to sign a statement for immediate deportation.

5. A former SOAS student, Jamal Elshayyal, was reporting from the Mavi Marmara ship when it was attacked. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFEBbDkyrqQ

6. That the Israeli Government is branding those on the ships as terrorists sympathisers with ties to the global jihad.

7. That the Israeli Government is attempting to brand a humanitarian, non-violent solidarity project as organised violent action against Israel.

8. That the Freedom Flotilla’s purpose was to deliver much-needed medicine, medical equipment, milk powder, hygiene kits, toys, books, stationary articles etc that have been banned from entering Gaza due to Israel’s siege that is now entering its fifth year. As such, their aim was to protest the siege that constitutes a form of collective punishment and is in breach of international law.

9. That the siege, as documented by a number of reports by international organisations, has created a man-made humanitarian crisis that is sanctioned by the UK government.

10. That the Israeli Government denies that a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip exists.

13. That there is a growing number of Israeli and international organisations, as well as notable public intellectuals, supporting the call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) – as issued by Palestinian civil society organisations – to put pressure on Israel and holding it accountable for its actions.

Believes:

1. That more pressure needs to be exerted on Israel to end the siege on Gaza and end the occupation.2. That when government(s) refuse to act, global civil society must take action.3. That the call for BDS is a moral and political imperative. It needs to be supported and strengthened everywhere and SOAS, as a progressive institution, should be part of the growing BDS movement.

Resolves:

1. For the union to facilitate debate and transmission of information about the BDS campaign in anticipation of a motion at the 1^st UGM of 2010-11 to make the union an official participant in BDS.

Amendment 2- Submitted by James Meadway – Seconded by Elly Badcock - Passed

Add to This Union Notes:

5. Paul Webley, SOAS Director, has released a short statement to students and staff, noting Anne’s detention.

Add to Union Believes:

5. The School’s statement, as prepared by Paul Webley, falls well short of the standard that the SOAS community expect of their institution. It fails to join the international condemnation of Israel’s actions, and it fails to call for the immediate release of Anne and the other detainees. It is a mealy-mouthed statement that makes no positive contribution to Anne or the other detainees’ welfare.

6. It is a source of shame for students and staff at SOAS that the School authorities cannot bring themselves join the international consensus in condemning Israel’s actions and act to meaningfully support the welfare and safety of a SOAS student.

Add to Union Resolves:

3. To demand that the School both immediately and unreservedly condemn Israel’s unlawful actions, (and call for the immediate release of Anne and all detainees from custody.)

Amendment 3- Submitted by Clare Solomon – Seconded by Maham Hashmi - Passed

Add to Union Resolves:

1. To organise a welcome home event and party
2. To provide a platform for the students and alumni to give a report back at this event if they wish to do so.
3. To request the school’s management provides funding and publicity for this event

Amendment 4- Submitted by Sebilio Uribe – Seconded by Ben Sellers - Passed

Add to Union Resolves:

1. 1. To send a 20 x 8 ft container full of books to the University of Gaza

Amendment 5- Proposed by Alex Griffiths Seconded by Sam Bowman - Failed

Add to Union Believes
1. That the underlying concerns which had led to the blockade of Gaza remains unresolved.

2. This Union must lobby for the creation of an aid transit corridor to the Gaza strip through which legitimate and much needed humanitarian aid may pass.

3. The legitimate contents of this aid, if aid is required, must be guaranteed by the international community and its safe transit protected by an international force.

Minutes

EGM Minutes 03/06/10

1. Videos of Anne De Jong and the SOAS occupation last year.

2. Phonecall to Anne

– She is back in the Netherlands as of four hours ago. She ran through the events on the night of the attack:

1)      Firstly the IDF communicated a message to the ships, essentially stating that they’ll do anything to protect the blockade.

2)      Then three IDF ships surrounded the flotilla ships

3)      Helicopters then appeared above

4)      At 3.30am, the IDF ships fired live ammunition at the flotilla ships

5)      Soldiers then immediately abseiled down from the helicopters, firing live ammunition and using tear gas, sound grenades and rubber bullets too.

6)      Anne then had a bag placed over her head and was taken into an Israeli prison, where she was refused access to a lawyer and was pressured to sign a statement saying that she had entered Israel, even though she was 60 miles outside of Israeli territory.

3. Meeting called to order

Andrea Becker the Head of Advocacy at Medical Aid for Palestinian (MAP) and SOAS alumni opened the EGM. She emphasised the illegality and moral abhorrence of the blockade. She argued that silence is complicity and pointed out that Helena Kennedy, Honorary President of SOAS, also used to be honorary chair of MAP and might be sympathetic to our cause.

4. Motion Debate

Speech by: Sebilio Uribe

AMENDMENT 1: proposed by Elian Wiesman.

Amendment to a1 – add quotation marks to Union Notes 6 – PASSES

Amendment to a1 – remove ‘solidarity’ from Union Notes 7 – FALLS

Amendment to a1 – add ‘and break’ to Union Notes 8 – PASSES

VOTE: PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

AMENDMENT 2: proposed by James Meadway

Amendment to a2 – add sentence reflecting the fact that Israel’s attack took place in international waters, where Webley had suggested that it took place is Israel – PASSES

VOTE: PASSED

AMENDMENT 3 : proposed by Clare Solomon

VOTE: PASSED

AMENDMENT 4: proposed by Sebilio Uribe

VOTE: PASSED

AMENDMENT 5: proposed by Alex Griffiths

VOTE: FALLS

VOTE ON MAIN MOTION: PASSES