November Updates on the Defence of Palestine Solidarity in Europe
Published on Fri Dec 20 2024Dear Friend,
In the past month, we’ve fought some crucial battles and secured a number of legal victories, which we bring to you in this month’s newsletter, along with some useful resources to continue mobilising for Palestine.
CASE UPDATES
Supporting Palestinians’ Right to Resistance is protected under Free Speech: Dana Abu Qamar Wins Landmark Tribunal Victory
This decision comes after court documents showed that then-Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick personally intervened in the matter, enquiring with the Home Office whether it would be “possible to revoke her student visa”. Amid a government crackdown, this is a massive win for the Palestine solidarity movement and a blow to the British government’s shameless attempts to criminalise protestors and bully them into silence.
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 supporting 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 that help maintain Israel’s ongoing colonisation of Palestinian land.
Your solidarity made this victory possible! Please consider donating to support Dana with covering her legal costs and amplify her story here and here.
ELSC Warns Aachen University in Germany About Direct Involvement in Crimes Against Humanity in Palestine
On 30th September, the ELSC warned the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen (RWTH) in an open letter to comply with its obligations to prohibit genocide and apartheid and cut its cooperation agreements with the Israeli Technion University which is directly involved in crimes against humanity in Palestine.
Technion is known for its close ties with the Israeli military industries. It conducts research and development in fields such as robotics, drones, and cybersecurity, which are then deployed by the Israeli military. The RWTH Aachen University and Technion are connected on multiple levels and have a partnership agreement, which provides academic and scientific cooperation for military applications.
In the face of such blatant complicity, students at the University, organised as Students for Palestine Aachen, have been holding a protest camp against genocide on campus since May 2024 to demand an end to the cooperation with Technion. You can support the students by signing and amplifying their petition, and donating to their fundraiser.
Share on Instagram in Arabic, German, and English.
Shahd Abusalama Secures Important Victory in Her Long-Running Battle Against Sheffield Hallam University
Palestinian academic Dr. Shahd Abusalama has secured a significant settlement with Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) after it was revealed the university shared confidential and derogatory information about her with third parties. Dr. Abusalama faced a smear campaign and was close to losing her teaching position at SHU. Her case reveals how universities, under the guise of “institutional neutrality” or “protecting” the welfare of Jewish students and staff, have cracked down on Palestine solidarity across campuses, even collaborating with discredited outlets like the Jewish Chronicle.
Shahd’s victory underscores the power of solidarity against unjust silencing tactics targeting advocates for Palestine in Europe. These tactics often leverage the controversial IHRA Working Definition on Antisemitism, adopted by SHU last year.
Dutch State to Answer In Court For Failing to Prevent Gaza Genocide
On 22 November, we will present our case in court, urging the Dutch State to cut all ties supporting genocide, occupation, racial discrimination and segregation, and violence against the Palestinian people.
In the legal action, first announced on 10 October 2024, our coalition of Palestinian and Dutch organisations demand:
- A ban on the export and transit of weapons, weapon parts, and dual-use items to Israel;
- A ban on all trade and investment relations that help maintain Israel’s illegal occupation, racial discrimination, segregation, and settlements.
The coalition emphasises that the findings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in respectively January 2024 and July 2024 are clear: Israel is plausibly committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, and Israel’s presence, policies, and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are unlawful.
We expect the judge to give a verdict within weeks following the hearing. In simple cases, a decision can come after one week while more complex cases require additional time.
Support the case by sharing our social media posts in English and Dutch.
SUPPORT THE LEGAL AID FUND
Setting up a small monthly donation to our legal aid fund can go a long way to ensure ELSC’s 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!
ELSC EVENTS
ELSC’s Community Event in Italy
On 6 November in Milan, the ELSC in collaboration with Voice Over Foundation, Base Milano and Darna organised a community event entitled ‘Palestine, freedom of expression and the future of protest: Strategies and tactics to protect the solidarity movement’. It was an important moment to reflect on the movement in solidarity with Palestine in Italy and the challenges and difficulties it has encountered over the past year. More than 100 people participated in the discussion and shared vital reflections on tactics and strategies to open new spaces for collective mobilisation.
Our Senior Legal Officer managing impact litigation work at ELSC Daan will be speaking at an interdisciplinary panel discussion that critically examines the European Union’s legal obligations and evolving stance towards Palestine. This event will explore the complex intersection of international law, international relations, and humanitarian concerns within the context of EU-Palestine relations.
ELSC IN THE MEDIA
On 29 October 2024, we filed an emergency motion with the Berlin Administrative Court (Verwaltungsgericht Berlin), requesting that the court mandate the German government to stop the delivery of military RDX explosives to Israel, which are currently being transported on the German cargo ship MV Kathrin. Berlin-based lawyer Ahmed Abed, member of the ELSC’s network of lawyers in Germany, filed the urgent appeal on behalf of three Palestinians in Gaza, asking the German government to protect their right to life.
READ MORE ABOUT IT HERE AND HERE
Journalist Hannah El-Hitami spoke to ELSC lawyers Nadija and Alexander about our work, and Germany’s weaponisation of racist policy, surveillance, and law enforcement to repress solidarity with Palestine.
Our legal battle to hold companies like Booking.com accountable, which are complicit in and enabling ongoing Israeli settler colonialism, is still ongoing. Read more about it in this recent coverage in Dutch.
RESOURCES OF SUPPORT
We at the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) stand in solidarity with the people in Amsterdam standing up against the genocide perpetrators, supporters, and vicious police force unleashed on the streets of Amsterdam over the past week. Allow us to remind you to:
- Report all incidents of repression and request support by filling out this form, available in Dutch, Arabic, English, and several other languages.
- Consult our Know Your Rights Toolkit for Protesters in the Netherlands. It provides an overview of protest law in the Netherlands and pays attention to specific questions and themes that affect our movement. It is available in Dutch, Arabic, and English.
- Read these tips on what to do before, during, and after house searches.
- Consider this guide on prevention and aftercare of doxing.
We are working to connect activists and lawyers to challenge the numerous removal orders issued during the October 5th national demonstration in Rome. Despite increasing repression in Italy, efforts to build a collective response are growing.
Please reach out to us if you received a removal order (foglio di via) on October 5th in Rome and are already in contact with a lawyer to appeal it. The deadline to appeal these orders is December 4th.
We are proud to be in community with you. As you continue to organise and take action, make sure to visit our Know Your Rights resources and continue to report any form of repression.
In solidarity,
The ELSC
