September 2013 - August 2014
Presented by the Steering Committee and Staff to the US Campaign’s 12th Annual National Organizers’ Conference, George Mason University, Arlington, VA, September 20-22, 2013. Introduction
A Letter from the Steering Committee
Co-Chairs
When the US Campaign to End the military occupation. Israeli Occupation began planning for The media coverage of these and so our 13th Annual National Organizers’ many other victories brought the issue Conference, The Mainstreaming of BDS of Palestinian rights into the mainstream, & Continuing Struggle for Palestinian and it was clear that the struggle for Rights, there was a feeling that we were freedom, justice, and equality was at a turning point. reaching a new level. The global struggle for Palestinian Then on July 7, Israel launched yet rights was gaining so much ground as it another assault on Gaza. During 50 seemed every few days a new boycott, days of attacks, Israel killed more than divestment, or sanctions win was 2,100 Palestinians, including at least announced. We supported the American 500 children. Israel either completely Studies Association adoption a resolution destroyed or severely damaged 18,000 to endorse the academic boycott of housing units, leaving approximately Israel. We helped lead an international 108,000 of Gaza’s 1.8 million Palestinians campaign that pressured Hollywood star homeless. It will cost at least $8 billion Scarlett Johansson to resign as an Oxfam dollars to repair the damage. And yet International Global Ambassador after she again, to the dismay and horror of a became a spokesperson for settlement growing number of Americans, Congress manufacturer SodaStream. and the Obama administration gave We worked with a diverse coalition of Israel almost total support for this latest organizations on a campaign to pressure travesty. the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to Despite this watershed year for BDS, divest all $184 million of its holdings in Israel’s attack on Gaza made it clear how G4S, a British private security company much more work we need to do to end that helps Israel run prisons where all U.S. support for Israeli occupation, Palestinian political prisoners are apartheid, and ethnic cleansing. The need detained and often tortured. In June, we is greater than ever for the US Campaign supported a successful Presbyterian-led to strengthen its BDS work and efforts effort to divest from Caterpillar, Motorola to change U.S. policy to ensure Israel Solutions, and Hewlett Packard because is held accountable for its violations of of the companies’ involvement in Israel’s international law and human rights.
Peter Miller & Felicia Eaves Co-Chairs US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation
2 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013 A. Challenging U.S. Policy
This program area is directed by Josh Ruebner, Policy Director, and Mike Coogan, Legislative Coordinator
1. Achieving Policy Victories Josh Ruebner Mike Coogan Policy Director Legislative Coordinator
Even though we are still a long way from achieving our overall policy goal of ending U.S. support for Israeli military occupation and apartheid policies toward the Palestinian people, we’ve had a significant number of smaller, yet nevertheless consequential, policy victories since our last conference. Through the coalitions we are building, the grassroots energy we are able to harness and mobilize, and the relationships we are creating with decision-makers in our nation’s capital, we are laying the groundwork for the more fundamental policy changes we need. Here are a few of the successful policy campaigns we’ve worked on over the previous year.
• Working with member group the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), we succeeded in getting a number of Members of Congress to press for a hearing into the killing of Alex Odeh, an ADC staff person who was killed in a domestic terrorist attack.
• Working with our friends at the US Palestinian Community Network and as a key player within the national Rasmea Defense Coalition, we pressured a judge with extensive pro-Israel ties to recuse himself in the case of Rasmea Odeh, a Palestinian-American community organizer and survivor of Israeli torture, who is being prosecuted on spurious immigration- related charges.
• Working with our friends at Adalah: The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel and member group Jewish Voice for Peace, we educated-decision makers about the Prawer Plan, Israel’s attempt to forcibly remove Palestinian Bedouin citizens of Israel from their ancestral lands. Just as we were preparing to escalate our campaign to bolster this educational effort, Israel shelved this controversial plan.
3 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013 efforts to hold Israel accountable with thousands of people at more than for its misuse of U.S. weapons to 100 events in 24 states in high schools, commit human rights abuses of universities, public libraries, book stores Palestinians is starting to bear and festivals, Rotary Clubs, and religious fruit. During Israel’s massacres institutions about U.S. policy toward of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip Israel and the need to change it to in “Operation Protective Edge,” support freedom, justice, and equality for the Obama administration halted the Palestinian people. Along the way, the delivery of Hellfire missiles to he’s also given dozens of interviews to Israel and decided to scrutinize radio, television, and print media. future weapons transfers at the In addition, we’ve continued to expand highest level. This is the first time our overall media presence on U.S. we know of since the Reagan policy issues. We’ve written op-eds in administration that Israel has publications such as The Hill, Electronic been sanctioned in this way and Intifada, and Mondoweiss. We’ve given is a hugely important building interviews on Al Jazeera and even Fox block in our campaign to end aid News, and our Congressional briefing on to Israel. Israel’s use of force against Palestinians aired live on C-SPAN. Media turns to us 2. Changing the Conversation regularly for commentary on policy issues • After the American Studies and as a source of trusted information. Last fall, our Policy Director Josh Association passed a resolution In the past year, we’ve given interviews Ruebner published his first book, supporting the academic boycott to or been cited in publications such Shattered Hopes: Obama’s Failure to of Israeli educational institutions, as The New York Times, The Nation, Broker Israeli-Palestinian Peace, to we beat back Congressional Business Week, Jerusalem Post, New critical acclaim. The Journal of Palestine legislation to penalize academics York Daily News, Middle East Monitor, Studies called it “a devastating book,” and supporting the boycott and, Tom Dispatch, the Los Angeles Times, Tikkun magazine dubbed it a “stinging working with ad hoc coalitions and Alternet to name just a few. indictment of the absurdity of the Obama of civil liberties groups, helped administration’s failed peace process.” stymie similar legislation at the An updated paperback edition, covering 3. Gaza Under Attack state level in New York, Maryland, Secretary of State John Kerry’s recently and Illinois. failed round of negotiations, is due out In response to Israel’s 50-day massacre • Having educated, organized and this month. of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip this mobilized for more than ten years summer, the US Campaign staff Since the book’s publication, Josh to end U.S. military aid to Israel, our worked together to educate, organize has barnstormed the country, speaking and mobilize on numerous fronts to press for an immediate ceasefire, the lifting of Israel’s illegal blockade, and accountability for Israel’s war crimes. Early on, the US Campaign created a devoted web section -- Gaza Under Attack -- to provide a central hub for real- world and online organizing to oppose Israel’s attack, featuring resources and actions from member groups across the country. Also, working closely with the Palestinian BDS National Committee and a team of volunteers, the US Campaign helped create a Tumblr featuring more than 450 posts of pictures and videos
4 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013 from protests in more than 50 cities in media coverage and discourse on Throughout the past year we 20 countries across six continents. Israel’s attack on Gaza. Letters we challenged and successfully thwarted organized from tens of thousands of passage of AIPAC’s top priority The US Campaign also stepped up the activists played a role in reinstating legislation, The United States- Israel pressure on elected officials to end U.S. NBC correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin Strategic Partnership Act. The legislation support for Israel’s attacks by generating to Gaza, critiquing and getting better has been held up for more than 18 tens of thousands of letters to the White coverage from CBS’s Face the Nation, months and a newly introduced version House and Congress, culminating in and pressuring The New York Times and of the bill includes amendment language the Obama administration temporarily CNN to stop privileging Israeli narratives we have been lobbying in favor of, which freezing delivery of Hellfire missiles over Palestinian ones. The US Campaign effectively bars Israel from entering to Israel and pledging to scrutinize also activated a do-it-yourself online tool the Visa Waiver Program so long as it future arms transfers. The US Campaign that enabled activists to send letters-to- continues to discriminate against U.S. organized two standing-room only the-editor of their local papers. citizens. Hill briefings -- attended by at least 47 Congressional offices and televised live Recognizing the need to intensify by C-SPAN -- providing expert testimony tactics to escalate opposition to Israel’s on Israel’s use of force against civilians, attack on Gaza, the US Campaign including from Tariq Abu Khdeir, the facilitated a conference call with member Palestinian-American teenager viciously groups to share lessons learned from beaten by Israeli police in July. Then, previous direct actions. The US Campaign as a ceasefire was announced, the also provided behind-the-scenes support US Campaign launched a major new for direct actions, including the sit-in at campaign -- Hold Israel Accountable the offices of California Senators Boxer -- with American Muslims for Palestine, and Feinstein. Code Pink and Roots Action which has, The US Campaign’s various activities Representative Keith Ellison sits on the to protest Israel’s attack on Gaza resulted floor with other audience members in a large increase in our supporter base during packed Congressional briefing. as more people both awakened to the appalling barbarity of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians and gravitated to the coalition as a vehicle for taking action. We also helped organize four Since Israel’s attack, the US Campaign’s Congressional briefings, which have email list has grown by more than been attended or viewed by more than one-third to nearly 100,000 people, 100 Congressional offices. our Twitter followers nearly doubled to 17,000, and our Facebook “likes” roughly tripled to more than 95,000. We’ve successfully For a more complete archive of the US Campaign’s work to end pressured lawmakers to Israel’s attacks on Gaza, please see change and thwart AIPAC’s www.endtheoccupation.org/ gazaunderattack. top priority legislation, helped organize four as of this writing, resulted in more than 4. Legislative Advocacy. 40,000 signatures to the president, Congressional briefings, representing a significant increase in Throughout the past year, we’ve and organized dozens of online capabilities. worked with a diverse coalition of organizations and individuals to advance meetings with lawmakers. The US Campaign also played a Palestinian human rights on Capitol Hill. significant role in trying to shape
5 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013 a. Wadi Foquin Congressional of individuals to challenge Israel’s In addition to organizing the briefing. discriminatory treatment of briefing, we brought Tariq and U.S. citizens. This Congressional Suha Abu Khdeir, as well as We supported an effort led briefing examined Israel’s pattern their attorney Hassan Shibly, to by Friends of Wadi Foquin of discrimination and its violation Washington DC to tell their story to organize a Congressional of treaty obligations, U.S. laws, to lawmakers. Not only did Tariq briefing entitled “Wadi Foquin: and the civil rights of American tell his story to a rapt Capitol A Microcosm of the Urgency for citizens. Hill audience; we also brought Israeli-Palestinian Peace.” The him to the White House, State briefing was attended by more c. ”This morning I learned Department, Senate Foreign than 100 individuals, including my tax dollars killed eight of my Relations Committee, Lantos more than 50 Congressional staff. family members.” That is how Human Rights Commission, and author Laila El-Haddad began numerous other lawmakers. b. On May 21, 2013, the US her testimony to a room full of Campaign helped organize a journalists and Congressional staff briefing entitled “Israel’s Entry at Congressional briefing hosted into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program: on August 1, 2014. The briefing, Voices in support of Examining Israel’s Discrimination which is available to watch online, against U.S. Citizens.” was attended or viewed by more Palestinian human rights than 100 Congressional offices Throughout the past 18 months, are being heard more and thousands of people across we’ve been working with dozens the country. than ever on Capitol Hill. of organizations and thousands
6 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013 B. Boycott and Divestment Campaigns
This program is coordinated Our campaign challenging Scarlett Johansson’s by Anna Baltzer, National marketing contract with Organizer, with support from SodaStream generated a media firestorm and led to Ramah Kudaimi, Membership her resignation from her & Outreach Coordinator. position with Oxfam.
The past year brought unprecedented victories for the global movement of boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) targeting Israel and institutions complicit in its occupation and apartheid partners worldwide to urge Johansson promotions by Ellen DeGeneres, Whoopi policies. The US Campaign played a to end her relationship with the Goldberg, Wired Magazine, and Rachel critical role in mobilizing and coordinating settlement company. We also pressed Ray. support for many U.S. breakthroughs. Oxfam to use its leverage with her,
pointing out the contradiction that one
cannot champion human rights and By May 2014, 1. From ScarJo to Earth Day occupation at the same time. Following to George Soros and Beyond, a petition, actions, countless letters, SodaStream’s CEO and a Thunderclap reaching millions, announced that profits SodaStream Fizzles! Johansson stepped down from her role at Oxfam -- a ground-breaking BDS The US Campaign began the winter were plummeting, victory that spawned unprecedented holiday season coordinating Boycott media attention and embarrassment having dropped SodaStream International Days of for the company. Action -- an extraordinary success by nearly 85% due with 61 actions unfolding in 51 cities A few months later, when Earth in large part to a spanning 17 states, six countries, and Day Network -- which mobilizes the three continents! From flash mobs to environmental movement in 192 “challenging holiday boycott jingles to culture jamming, countries -- partnered with SodaStream, season” in the U.S. activists worldwide created a wave of the US Campaign worked with member momentum to boycott the settlement groups such as CodePink to expose profiteer that continues to ripple today. SodaStream’s greenwashing attempt, SodaStream BDS victories, large and culminating in victory when the network small, continue to unfold, the latest 2014 began with a bang. When cut ties with the company. The US being billionaire investor George SodaStream announced Hollywood Campaign also mobilized responses Soros divesting his entire stake from actor and Oxfam Global Ambassador with letters and culture jamming to the company, citing EU guidelines Scarlett Johansson as SodaStream’s countless other propaganda efforts on de-normalizing with settlement brand ambassador, the US Campaign by SodaStream, countering cameo companies. mobilized member organizations and
7 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013 campaign bringing together Gates Foundation in support of a Palestinian activists, water Palestinian-led campaign calling on the workers, environmental foundation to divest from private security groups, and other concerned company G4S, which helps run Israeli St. Louis residents to stop a prisons as well as privatized U.S. juvenile proposed city water contract detention facilities. Weeks later, the with Veolia -- renowned foundation divested all $184 million of its also for privatization, shares in the company. Soon thereafter, environmental destruction, G4S announced that it intends to pull and anti-labor practices -- the out of Israeli prisons completely. US Campaign celebrated a hard-earned victory Following pressure alongside member group St. Louis Palestine Solidarity from the US Campaign, Committee and others as the the Bill & Melinda multinational announced its withdrawal from Gates Foundation consideration in response divested $184 million Alongside St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee, to pressure. environmental activists, and workers, we worked from occupation to challenge occupation profiteer Veolia. profiteer G4S. Having lost $16 billion in 2. Investors, Workers, We welcome Veolia’s and G4S’s contracts from worldwide announcements, still keeping the and Activists Dump BDS campaigns, Veolia pressure on until sales are final. Far Veolia - So Veolia Dumps sold off all bus services in beyond symbolic victories, these Occupation! G4S Too! breakthroughs illustrate that BDS campaigns are now exerting tangible, Supporting Veolia BDS campaigns Israel/Palestine. economic consequences on Israel nationwide with resources, testimony and complicit institutions, showing at hearings, media, briefings, on-the- Weeks later, after years of advocacy that participation in the occupation is ground support, a national network, by the We Divest Campaign, co-led unsustainable and comes at a dear cost. and more, the US Campaign worked to by the US Campaign and five partner establish and broaden the flagship global organizations, TIAA-CREF -- the largest BDS campaign against multinational retirement fund of its kind -- divested corporation Veolia -- which runs its Social Choice Fund of $1.2 million segregated bus lines, operates a in Veolia investments. The move was settlement landfill and waste water celebrated by Palestine solidarity groups, system, and is involved in the Jerusalem labor, and environmental activists light rail -- in the U.S. Last September, alike -- a testament to the power of having lost more than $16 billion in cross-struggle coalition work. And, sure contracts worldwide following BDS enough, Veolia recently announced campaigns, Veolia sold off all bus services plans to sell off all water and waste in Israel/Palestine. We celebrated and service contracts with Israel! redoubled efforts to pressure Veolia to end all corporate complicity with the This spring, the US Campaign helped occupation. gather more than 11,500 signatures and delivered them to the Bill & Melinda The next month, following an 11-month
8 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013 3. Faith-Based Activism Reaches New Heights: The US Campaign worked especially to Presbyterians Divest! lift up Palestinian voices to Presbyterian And more... decision-makers, both in committee testimonies and by creating and The US Campaign played a critical distributing resources featuring role in coordinating grassroots support Palestinian perspectives -- from business before, during, and after the General people, Christians, students, and others Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian -- to counter divestment opponents’ Church (USA) as it considered divestment arguments. We also organized letters from U.S. companies involved in the of support for divestment from Israelis, Israeli occupation. We helped recruit, We will never forget South Africans, and other critical voices. vet, orient, and mobilize hundreds On social media, the US Campaign the moment when the of volunteers nationwide to support helped lead a team promoting national Presbyterians in following their final vote flashed on the discussion online and rapid response to conscience both from afar and on the divestment opponents’ online tactics. screen -- 310 to 303 -- ground in Detroit. From Gaza to the in favor of divestment! Midwest, from Turkey to Australia, we The US Campaign provided strong, helped include anyone who wanted to on-the-ground, overall strategic and contribute to this historic campaign, organizing support for member group making it not just a true win for Israel Palestine Mission Network Presbyterians --who of course led and (IPMN), a leader in Presbyterian championed the effort -- but more divestment efforts for over a decade. largely for all those who care about The US Campaign worked with other peace and justice. Presbyterian partners to strengthen intersectionality with other progressive legislation, drawing natural, strategic connections. We also served as an official General Assembly Middle East resource for the second GA in a row. We will never forget the moment when the final vote flashed on the screen -- 310 to 303 -- in favor of divestment! The US Campaign quickly organized a Thank You Presby Tumblr for people worldwide to send photos and notes of thanks to congratulate the church and counter backlash. We also worked with Jewish Voice for Peace to organize a lessons learned call with other faith-based groups to help the Presbyterian achievement boost other denominational divestment efforts. Presbyterian divestment came on the heels of two other significant faith-based Young activists at the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly supporting resolu- victories: with strong support from the tions calling for divestment from companies that profit from Israel’s occupation and US Campaign -- through resources, encouraging the church to take a clear stand in suport of Palestinian human rights. advice on strategy and messaging, and
9 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013 recruitment of testimonies -- the New organizations represented, including York Conference of the United Church Muslim and Jewish partners to make it of Christ voted to support divestment interfaith as well. from companies involved in the occupation and a boycott of settlement products as acts of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Not long after, the 4. Strategic Support, United Methodist Church divested Trainings, Resources, Days from G4S following advocacy citing its of Action, and More to involvement in Israeli prisons. It is no Advance BDS Nationally exaggeration to say that faith-based boycott and divestment campaigns and Internationally have entered the mainstream, sending Over the course of the year, the US a clear message to Israel and complicit Campaign provided online and in-person institutions that there can be no business trainings, workshops, and one-on-one Anna Baltzer, National Organizer as usual with occupation. strategic support and other mentorship to more than 60 organizations international BDS context. nationwide, including campus groups, The US Campaign faith-based organizations, and broad The US Campaign also helped coalitions. We supported dozens of promote and mobilize for coordinated helped promote and campaigns, including Stop Dig, in national days of action including Israeli mobilize for coordinated which the US Campaign worked with a Apartheid Week; International Week broad coalition of Palestinian and U.S. against Mekorot (between World Water national days of action; groups to oppose production by NBC Day and Land Day); July Month of Action and worked with students of an Israeli-sponsored series based in against the Apartheid Wall; We Divest the Silwan neighborhood of occupied BDS Day of Action; Boycott SodaStream across the country who East Jerusalem. The US Campaign also Days of Action; and Ben & Jerry’s Free are organizing creative provided strategic campaign support Cone Day -- the latter as part of an effort to Avaaz in its corporate engagement to urge the ice cream makers to end and effective boycott and campaign, which generated more than commercial complicity with the Israeli divestment campaigns. $1.6 million signatures -- the largest BDS occupation. petition in history. Last September, the US Campaign In the academic realm, when the The US Campaign continues to seek brought together the third annual American Studies Association (ASA) ways to facilitate overall coordination, Interdenominational Summit with 30 voted overwhelmingly to endorse the collaboration, and resource sharing representatives from 18 denominational academic boycott of Israel and faced a between member groups, managing and and ecumenical organizations spanning tremendous backlash, the US Campaign broadening campaign-based, campus- more than a dozen mainstream quickly mobilized a statement signed based, and faith-based networks. The faith communities in an effort to by more than 150 organizations and US Campaign conducted special guest strengthen relationships and deepen thousands of individuals to strengthen briefings to highlight strategic campaign cross-denomination collaboration on the ASA’s resolve and ilustrate the targets such as Veolia, Israeli Bonds, advocacy and campaigns. The network broad-based support behind it. and the Jewish National Fund. We also was well-poised to respond jointly to brought lessons learned around building Israel’s summer massacre in Gaza with a The US Campaign also provided and sustaining effecive campaigns to broad-based call for a military embargo one-on-one support of various kinds the first ever Divestment Conference on Israel led by IPMN and signed by more -- hearing recruitment, talking points, in Scotland -- which looked to the U.S. than 50 faith-based organizations. The letters, networking, action technology, as a leader in the realm of divestment US Campaign will be hosting a similar and more -- to students leading divest- -- enhancing cross-Atlantic collaboration meeting this year with even more ment campaigns at Oberlin College, and placing our U.S. work in the broader
10 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013 Loyola University Chicago, University of South Florida, University of Washington, • AdsAgainstApartheid: San Diego State University, and several Cambridge, MA University of California campuses, among others. • American Islamic Community of Woman & Child: Staten Island, NY The US Campaign continues to serve • Binghampton University BDS/ with National Students for Justice in SJP: Vestal, NY Palestine and other groups on the Campus BDS Support Team, streamlining • Bryn Mawr Pace Coalition: Bryn and enhancing support for campus Mawr, PA campaigns, providing divestment and • CUNY Law Students for Justice company target research, legal support, in Palestine: Queens, NY media support, community mobilization, campus connections, and sophisticated • Evergreen State College SJP: technology for online targeted actions. Olympia, WA Ramah Kudaimi • Historians Against War: New Membership & Outreach Coordinator York, NY C. Membership and • Students for Justice in • Kairos USA: Portland, OR Palestine, Marquette University: Outreach • Librarians and Archivists with Milwaukee, WI Palestine: Brooklyn, NY • Students for Justice in Palestine • Massachusetts Peace Action: - Loyola University: Chicago, IL Cambridge, MA This program area is • Students for Justice in Palestine directed by Ramah • Mennonite Palestine Israel at UCF: Orlando, FL Network: Mount Pleasant, IA Kudaimi, Membership • Sonomans for Justice and Peace • Milwaukee Palestine Solidarity in Palestine: Sonoma, CA and Outreach Coalition: Milwaukee, WI • University of Delaware Students Coordinator. • Occupy Savannah: Savannah, GA for Justice in Palestine: Newark, DE • Palestine Solidarity Legal 1. Growing Our Coalition. Support: Chicago, IL • Veterans for Peace Chapter 69: San Francisco, CA • Whatcom Peace & Justice Center: Since our last annual Bellingham, WA conference, the US • Students for Justice in Palestine at College of Staten Island: Campaign has welcomed Staten Island, NY 21 new organizations • Students for Justice at UCLA: Los to the coalition. There Angeles, CA are now more than 400 • Students for Justice in Palestine- Southern Illinois University: member groups in 224 Edwardsville, IL cities across the country.
11 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013 of Sabeel - North America on its open campaigns and set up opportunities for letter campaign to Pope Francis before groups to network with one another and his visit to the Holy Land in May to speak share best practices in order to help all out against Israel’s mistreatment of our work for Palestine rights flourish. Palestinian children, a campaign which generated thousands of signatures. 3. Incorporating Anti- We worked with the US Campaign Racism and Anti-Bigotry for the Academic and Cultural Boycott Principles into Our of Israel to set up an action alert • Students United for Palestinian Palestine Activism. demanding the University of Illinois at Equal Rights-UW: Seattle, WA Urbana-Champaign reinstate Dr. Steven In recent months, the staff and • Tufts Jewish Voice for Peace: Salaita, a Palestinian-American and Steering Committee have been working Medford, MA world-renowned scholar who was fired to advance the US Campaign’s priority from his new position there because of of challenging all forms of racism, • University of Denver his public criticism of Israel’s assault on bigotry, and discrimination. As we and Students for Justice in Gaza. Our work helped generate nearly our member groups act to transform Palestine: Denver, CO 5,000 emails to the chancellor, citing the oppressive structures that sustain • Vancouver for Peace: blatant violation of academic freedom injustice in Palestine/Israel, we must Camas, WA and calling on her to reinstate him. make sure that our own actions within the coalition do not serve to support • Wellstone Democratic We also worked with the International or perpetuate other racist or bigoted Renewal Club: Oakland, CA Jewish Anti-Zionist Network and behaviors, practices, and structures as Palestine Solidarity Legal Support to • Women's International stated in our anti-racism principles. highlight the case of another Palestinian League for Peace & Freedom, professor, Dr. Rabab Abdulhadi, who Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz, CA was the target of a smear campaign by the right-wing, pro-Israel group AMCHA Initiative. After thousands of supporters contacted San Francisco State University, 2. Supporting Our it issued a statement clearing Professor Abdulhadi of any wrongdoing. Member Groups. In March, activists from member The US Campaign serves as a resource groups Northeastern University Students for its more than 400 member groups, for Justice in Palestine were informed helping strengthen their work for by the school’s Center for Student Palestinian rights. Throughout the year, Involvement that their chapter had we helped groups across the country by been suspended for at least a year for In order to make sure that our work is promoting their actions, campaigns, and organizing a mock eviction action to based on these principles, it is important events both locally and nationally to our protest Israel’s policy of demolishing that we openly address issues of anti- nearly 100,000 email supporters, as well Palestinian homes. The US Campaign Semitism, Islamophobia, privileging of as via our social media followers (more set up an email action alert calling on non-Palestinian voices, and any other than 95,000 on facebook and 17,000 on people to contact the university to forms of bigotry that come up in our Twitter). We provided online trainings protest its repression of free speech. coalition. and conference calls for activists about More than 2,500 people took action various BDS campaigns, direct action, and in April, the SJP announced that We will continue to ensure our and opportunities to connect with other the university had backed off and was coalition’s commitment to combating groups in the region. reinstating the group. all forms of racism and bigotry to strengthen our work for Palestinian We supported member group As our coalition grows, we will rights. BDS campaigns and other projects continue providing support and throughout the year. We helped Friends resources to strengthen member group
12 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013
D. Finance & Administration Three key facts about the US Campaigns finances in 2013: This area of work is coordinated by 1. In 2013, the US Campaign received $423,625 in income and Mike Coogan, Director of Development spent $477,657, for a net loss of $53,982. 2. At the end of 2013, the US Campaign had a cash balance of $249,093. In addition to dealing with all aspects of US Campaign finances, Mike was previously responsible for filing the annual 3. The US Campaign's 2013 income came from over 2,900 tax return, managing aspects of donor engagement and different contributors and the average donation was about fundraising, and managing the office. $90. The US Campaign receives the vast majority of its funding from relatively small individual donations throughout the Since the US Campaign's fiscal year is a calendar year, the country. Generous support from a large base of diverse information below reflects the latest data submitted to the supporters ensures that the US Campaign can remain Internal Revenue Service in the US Campaign's most recent principled, independent, and not reliant on a small group of tax return. Complete versions of previous tax returns are filed foundations, grantors, or government grants. The diversity under the organization's legal name, Education for Just Peace of income sources for the US Campaign's work is a good in the Middle East, which is registered to do business as the indicator of the organization's overall financial health and US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation. the depth of grassroots support.
2013 INCOME BREAKDOWN 2013 EXPENSE BREAKDOWN Year End Mailing Programs General Donations Fundraising Olive Branch Club Management Events Foundations/Grants Membership Dues Conference Registration Merchandise Sales Other Income
13 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013 E. Staff, Steering Committee, Advisory Board, 2013-2014
Staff members manage the day-to-day business of the US Accredited delegates of member groups in good standing Campaign and are responsible for developing strategic action elect four new Steering Committee members at each plans that provide them with a framework in which to work conference for staggered terms. Below is a current list of between semi-annual in-person meetings of the Steering Steering Committee members. Organizational affiliations are Committee. Since the last conference, the following people, for identification purposes only; Steering Committee members who are listed alphabetically, have worked for the US Campaign. serve in their individual capacities. A Steering Committee member’s term ends in the year indicated in parentheses.
• Anna Baltzer, National Organizer • Felicia Eaves (2015) - US Campaign Co-Chair • Mike Coogan, Manager of Finance and Administration and Legislative Coordinator • Peter Miller (2014) - US Campaign Co-Chair, Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights • Kathryn Johnson, Interim Executive Director • Hatem Abudayyeh (2015) - US Palestinian Community • Ramah Kudaimi, Membership and Outreach Coordinator Network • Sarah Mink, Office Manager • Nasser Barghouti (2016) – San Diego BDS, American • Josh Ruebner, Policy Director Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee • Shirien Damra (2015) – American Friends Service Committee; Chicago Movement for Palestinian Rights; Interns & Volunteers Students for Justice in Palestine The US Campaign would not be able to function • Abraham Greenhouse (2016) - The Palestine Freedom without the dedication of our unpaid corps of Project interns and volunteers. Specifically, we would like • Andrew Kadi (2016) - human rights activist, commentator to thank interns Will Alexakos and Ntebo Mokuena. • Sydney Levy (2014) - Jewish Voice for Peace Steering Committee • Mike Merryman-Lotze (2014) - American Friends Service Committee The Steering Committee meets monthly by phone and twice a year in person to provide strategic guidance to the • Kristin Szremski (2014) - American Muslims for Palestine work of the US Campaign and staff oversight. Many Steering • Sandra Tamari (2015) – St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee members also serve on subcommittees dedicated Committee to various aspects of our work. Some Steering Committees members also represent the US Campaign in public and in the • Andrea Whitmore (2015) Citizens for Justice in the media. Steering Committee members are elected at annual Middle East; United Methodist Kairos Response; Friends national conferences for three year terms. of Sabeel- North America
The US Campaign would like to extend its deepest appreciation to all Steering Committee members who volunteer their time and financial resources to guide the work of the US Campaign.
14 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013 • Dr. Joel Beinin, Professor of Middle East History, Stanford University; Middle East Research and Information Project; Jewish Voice for Peace • Kathy Bergen, Co-Founder of Friends of Sabeel North America • Kathy Engel, poet and communications strategist. • Nadia Hijab, writer and human rights advocate • Hany Khalil, former Grassroots Organizer at United for Peace and Justice national headquarters • Dr. Rashid Khalidi, Edward Said Professor of Arab Studies, Middle East Institute, Columbia University • Dr. Mark Lance, Georgetown US Campaign Steering Committee and Staff University Professor of Philosophy • Kevin Martin, Executive Director, Peace Action and Peace Action Their collective knowledge of social to represent the US Campaign at public Education Fund justice movements, rich historical appearances. • Nabil Mohamad, Vice President, organizing experiences, and sharp The US Campaign is deeply grateful American-Arab Anti-Discrimination political analysis shape the work of to all our Advisory Board members who Committee the US Campaign in profound ways. advance our mission in innumerable ways. The US Campaign staff and Steering • Dr. Nancy Murray, Boston Coalition Current members are: Committee would like to acknowledge for Palestinian Rights our outgoing Steering Committee • Dr. Barbara Ransby, University of member and Co-Chair, Peter Miller. • Rev. Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel, Presbyterian Chicago, Associate Professor of Peter has served the US Campaign minister, Greater Atlanta Presbytery, History and African-American for more than six years, and has been Moderator of the 214th General Studies instrumental in strengthening and Assembly PCUSA- 2002-2003 growing the organization and providing • Mariam Said, Vice President of leadership to both the Steering Committee • Susan Abulhawa, author of Barenboim-Said Foundation and Staff. We wish him all the best. Mornings in Jenin and founder of Playgrounds for Palestine • Huwaida Arraf, International Advisory Board Solidarity Movement Advisory Board members serve in their • Dr. Naseer Aruri, Chancellor Professor individual capacities; organizational (Emeritus) of Political Science at affiliations are listed for identification the University of Massachusetts, purposes only. Advisory Board members Dartmouth perform a variety of functions. The US Campaign draws on its Advisory Board to help in fundraising campaigns, to share their political and organizing insights, and
15 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013 US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation Annual Report September 2013-August 2014
Presented by the Steering Committee and staff to the US Campaign’s 13th Annual National Organizers’ Conference in San Diego, CA, September 19-21, 2014.
A nationwide coalition of more than 400 organizations working to end U.S. support for Israel’s illegal military occupation and U.S. complicity in Israel’s apartheid policies toward Palestinians. We support freedom, justice and equality for all.
WWW.ENDTHEOCCUPATION.ORG 202-332-0994
16 USCampaign to End the Israeli Occupation | AnnualReport September 2012-August 2013