SPSC campaigners facing trumped-up political charges of ‘racism’

Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd of January,

9.30am outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court

Map: http://tinyurl.com/EdinburghSheriff-Court 

At our November conference, Solidarity passed a motion of support for the 5 members of the Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign who have been charged with racism following a peaceful protest during a performance by the Jerusalem Quartet in Edinburgh. We would urge as many people as possible to get along to the court n Edinburgh on Thursday and Friday and show solidarity with the SPSC 5. 

For more information on the case please check SPSC website: www.scottishpsc.org.uk 

From the SPSC website; 

Help us fight the move to criminalise the boycott of Israel.  

The same British authorities who support the siege of Gaza are working to stifle Israel's critics here.  Even if you can only be there for 10 minutes to show your support, please meet outside the court at 9.30am on Thursday and Friday, and stay for as little or as long as you can. A court room full of supporters makes a difference.  

For more information on the case please check SPSC website: www.scottishpsc.org.uk

“Anyone who stands up for Palestinians is automatically accused of being ‘anti-Semitic’. I am Jewish and proud to be Honorary President of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, an anti-racist group that opposes Israeli apartheid.”
Marion Woolfson

Five SPSC members are facing trial on Friday for boycotting Israeli state-sponsored cultural ambassadors, the Jerusalem Quartet. The Israeli musicians, in the words of their admirers, believe that 'a rifle in one hand and a violin in the other is the ultimate Zionist statement.'

While Israel was carrying out what the UN’s Goldstone report describes as “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity” in Gaza early this year, the Procurator Fiscal here in Edinburgh was preparing to drop the original Breach of the Peace charge in favour of new charges of “racially aggravated conduct”. This Thursday and Friday prosecution and defence witnesses will be called and the BBC recording of our protest will be presented.

Boycott helped end South African Apartheid, and can do likewise with Israel. The TUC have now joined the STUC, and many others, in pushing for boycott of Israel until it stops its crimes.

The five accused are confident this trial will see the Israeli State and its British allies in the dock of the real supreme court: the court of public opinion.  

Good recent article from Pilger: http://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/2010/01/pilger-israel-palestinian-gaza