Boycott Israel, a sign from above!

OK, first things first,  I waxed lyrical with the title above (I admit that), couldn't resist it!  If you think that a sign was sent from the creator to boycott Israel, then I apologise.

Former TUI President ('89-'92), Billy Fitzpatrick skydived from 4,000 metres at the Skydive Ireland Airfield in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, wearing his IPSC "Boycott Israel" t-shirt to further make the point that Israel must be boycotted..

Mr. Fitzpatrick pictured below said:  "After the recent massacre on the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza in international waters, surely the only course available to civil society now is the one called for by the IPSC, ICTU and TUI: the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel?"..

A committed Billy before the Skydive

 For those of you, like me, who have a terrible time just climbing a three step ladder, to change a light bulb, Billy's skydive would be a nightmare just to contemplate. For Billy on his first Skydive it was just another day at the office and a way to further highlight the current situation for Palestinians under Israeli occupation.

Billy on the way down.

After a lifetime in education, Mr. Fitzpatrick had considered seeking sponsorship for the rebuilding of some of the schools flattened in last year’s Gaza bombardment. "However, I felt that helping to pressurise Israel from continuing its seemingly endless cycle of attacks, through the kind of painstaking education and campaigning work carried out by the IPSC and others, was probably more effective", he said.

Speaking on behalf of the IPSC Freda Hughes thanked Mr. Fitzpatrick for his kind and brave gesture and his ongoing support for Palestine in this country.

If you would like to see the video of Mr. Fitzpatrick's BRAVE Skydive please cut and paste the link below:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFpAAYHB3iQ

Sometimes, it just takes one!

How many times have you heard the excuse, what can I do, one man alone?, the answer is, sometimes it just takes one person to help change things!

Blood Diamonds seemed a thing of the past when eventually Apartheid South Africa, became the South Africa we all know & love today.  However, Blood Diamonds have again reared their ugly head, that is Israeli blood Diamonds, which without doubt are the single largest contributor to the Israeli state finances (approx. $20. billion per year), apart from the USA.
Israel is a member of the Kimberly process, which was set up to ensure that diamonds could not be used to finance terrorism, (state or otherwise). Furthermore, the Kimberly process was supposed to restrict diamond sales from States alleged to have committed crimes against humanity, as Israel has against the Palestinian people.
But (there is always a But), the hole in the net, (so to speak), is that the Kimberly process only covers rough cut or uncut diamonds, Israel produces only cut polished diamonds, therefore Israel is free from any scrutiny from the Kimberly process, despite accusations against Israeli leaders regarding war and Human Rights violations.  Effectively Israel has found the hole in the net and are using it to their total advantage!

In view of this the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) has released the following press statement:   

The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign calls on Irish Jewellers to do the following: 

Desist from telling customers that Diamonds are now "conflict Free" when 50% of gem quality diamonds are crafted in Israel, one of the worlds Bloodiest conflict zones.

Support the call for an URGENT review of the Kimberly Process, SO THAT ALL diamonds that  

fund human rights abuses are banned, not just rough diamonds that fund such abuses.

Call on the diamond industry to Hallmark ALL diamonds, so consumers have the right to know where

each diamond was crafted & the right to choose genuine conflict free diamonds.

  

Provide laser-inscribed diamonds manufactured in countries that respect human rights & International law and refuse to sell diamonds crafted in Israel until it fully complies with its obligations under

International law. 

One man is on the ground in Israel, where the Kimberley process is based at the moment for it's latest meetings. He is Irishman  Tommy Donnellan, and he took part in a protest outside the Kimberly Process Conference, held in the Hotel Dan Panorama in Tel Aviv. 

Tommy, holding the IPSC, boycott Blood Diamonds signs .

Of course, Tommy was duly approached by Tel Aviv's finest (Police) and was asked to immediately give over to the state, his passport & mobile phone.  Israeli Police took all details including all names and numbers in Mr. Donnellan's mobile phone.