We are suing the Dutch state for failing to prevent genocide in Gaza\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n On 10th October, we announced that we, together with a coalition of Palestinian and Dutch civil society organisations,\u00a0are\u00a0suing the Dutch state for failing to prevent genocide in Gaza and other Israeli violations of international law long before October 2023. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We are calling on supporters like you to join us in this fight for justice. Your donation, no matter how small, will make a difference in\u00a0supporting our efforts to hold the Dutch state accountable for violating its Genocide Convention obligations and for failing to take effective measures to bring an end to Dutch trade and investment relations<\/strong>\u00a0that help maintain Israel\u2019s ongoing colonisation of Palestinian land. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Share on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0X<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n LEGAL VICTORY for\u00a0Dr. Shahd Abusalama<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Palestinian academic, activist, and artist Dr Shahd Abusalama\u00a0has secured a major settlement against Sheffield Hallam University (SHU)<\/strong>, which suspended and investigated her! After Zionist lobby groups led a smear campaign against her.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Shahd’s victory stands as a powerful testament against the unjust repression of advocates for Palestine in Europe initiated by our institutions<\/strong>. Liana Wood represented Dr. Abusalama at Leigh Day, who instructed Michael Sprack. The European Legal Support Center also supported her.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n Solidarity Demonstrations and Legal Support for the Palestine Solidarity Movement in Italy\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n On October 5th, demonstrations in solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people were held across Europe. However, Italy stood out as the only country where the national demonstration organised by the Palestinian Youth Movement was banned by the government. Police carried out several arrests, issued travel warrants, and conducted searches. Dozens of buses en route to the demonstration were stopped, preventing many from attending.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n At the demonstration site, the situation was no less tense. The area was heavily fortified by police, who restricted access to the square and subjected the majority of attendees to intense scrutiny.\u00a0Despite these attempts to suppress the protest, more than 10,000 people gathered in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.\u00a0<\/strong> #BlockTheBoat<\/a>: MV Kathrin\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In collaboration with BDS, we worked on delaying the arrival of military explosives to Israel through the Kathrin ship.\u00a0We have sent letters<\/a>\u00a0to different governments including Portugal, Malta, Montenegro, Slovenia, and Croatia to remind them of their international and domestic legal obligations to not aid the genocide in Gaza. Successfully, Portugal has de-registered Kathrin from using its flag, and the the remaining countries rejected Kathrin from docking at their ports.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n University of Milan Suspends Ties with Israeli Institutions Amid Student-Led Boycott Calls\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In response to growing student demands for an academic boycott,\u00a0the University of Milan has announced it will suspend its relations with Reichman University<\/strong>. This decision follows a meeting between the university\u2019s rector, Marina Brambilla, and a delegation of\u00a0Giovani Palestinesi d\u2019Italia\u00a0<\/a>who had protested against continued ties with Israeli universities. Earlier this year, the University of Milan also ended its agreement with Ariel University, another Israeli institution. As ELSC we supported\u00a0the students with legal research about the nature of the agreement between the University of Milan and Reichman University.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This suspension is\u00a0a significant outcome of the tireless mobilisation\u00a0of student activists<\/strong>, who have been pushing for the university to take a stand against Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. We will continue to monitor this important development and share further updates with you as they emerge.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n SUPPORT THE LEGAL AID FUND<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Setting up a small monthly donation to our legal aid fund can go a long way to ensure ELSC\u2019s stability and security at this critical time where we face an all-time-high number of repression cases. We cannot do this alone, and we need your help to continue supporting the movement!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n ELSC EVENTS<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Join Us for Our First National Community Event of 2024 in Italy!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming event on\u00a0Monday, November 6th, at 6:00 p.m.\u00a0at\u00a0BASE Milan.\u00a0Titled\u00a0\u201cPalestine, Freedom of Expression, and the Future of Protest: Strategies to Protect Solidarity Movements\u201d, this event will bring together activists, journalists, lawyers, and researchers to reflect on the past year’s events and discuss strategies to defend the Palestine solidarity movement from increasing repression and criminalisation. We hope you’ll join us for this vital discussion on how we can stand together and protect our rights to protest and mobilise in solidarity with Palestine.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Our Senior Legal Officer in Germany Nadija\u00a0facilitated a Know Your Rights workshop in Bremen<\/strong>, where we reflected collectively on current political and legal developments in Germany and answered questions around protest rights, police violence, student organising, migration law and some of the ELSC\u2019s ongoing cases, such as\u00a0the legal action against Germany\u2019s delieveries of war weapons to Israel<\/a>. The event was organised in collaboration with\u00a0Seeds of Palestine Bremen<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In collaboration with\u00a0Arci Porco Rosso,<\/a>\u00a0Voices in Silence and Giovani Palestinesi d\u2019Italia – Palermo, the ELSC organised a public Community event in Palermo on\u00a0\u201cThe criminalisation of the Palestinians and the Palestinian movement in Italy\u2019\u2019<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n One of our Germany lawyers and expert on migration law, Alexander, participated at a discussion organised by Berlin Left\u00a0<\/strong>about the state of affairs in Germany in the past year, reflecting on the mobilisation and experiences of the Palestine solidarity movement. The discussion covered historical context, German military support, activist\u2019s personal experiences, and the legal framework employed by the German state to maintain Israel\u2019s impunity and criminalise and silence those who stand in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/cc28b146-4fa1-bb05-795b-013869810043-819x1024.png\")
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At ELSC, we have been closely monitoring the situation and providing legal assistance. We remain committed to ensuring the protection of the Palestine Solidarity Movement and will continue our efforts in this regard.\u00a0We also encourage everyone to consult our\u00a0“Know Your Rights” toolkit<\/a><\/strong>, which offers crucial advice for those participating in street demonstrations and beyond.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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