Urgent Action Alert - Please complain against the BBC's decision to not air the DEC fund raising appeal for Gaza

FOSIS urges all people of conscious to complain to the BBC regarding its decision
to not air the Disaster Emergency Committees appeal for Gaza.

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The BBC has refused to air a DEC TV fund-raising appeal for Gaza – saying it wanted to avoid compromising public confidence in its impartiality. The DEC is an umbrella organization that represents a number of aid agencies including ActionAid, the Red Cross, Cafod, Islamic Relief and Save the Children. These organisations have always been apolitical in their work and are simply attempting to deliver urgent, life-saving humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

Please complain to the BBC at : http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints

Below is a sample letter you can use as either an email or a letter.

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Dear Mark Thompson,

As a TV license payer, I am shocked and appalled at
the BBC's decision to refuse air time to the DEC's Gaza Appeal,
claiming its decision was based on its attempt to 'avoid compromising
public confidence in its impartiality' .

The DEC as an umbrella organization has always been an apolitical
organisation that concentrates solely on humanitarian disasters. The
DEC is not proposing to rebuild Gaza (which should clearly be paid for by Israel) but rather is aiming to deliver urgent, life-saving humanitarian aid. Once again the organisations involved with DEC are apolitical and the appeal is a response to humanitarian principles.

I fail to understand why the BBC is prepared to air appeals for humanitarian
crises in Burma and the Congo, but not Gaza. Why is delivering life saving
aid to Palestinians a political act and life saving aid to the Burmese an
apolitical act? In essence, the BBC appears to be stating that saving the
lives of Palestinians is political? This position is utterly shocking and
immoral. In fact by refusing to air the DEC appeal, the BBC rather
than remaining impartial has taken a very clear stance.

I urge you, for the sake of the BBC's reputation to urgently reconsider your position before more lives are lost. Please write to me explaining why saving the lives of Palestinians is a 'political' act and saving the lives of other people in need is a
'humanitarian' act?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

FOSIS Head of Campaigns Speaks at Palestine Conference in Lewisham Islamic Centre.

Head of campaigns Oussama Mezoui gave a talk tonight at Lewisham Islamic Centre about the needed response from British Muslim to not only the Gaza crisis but larger Palestinian struggle.

The talk outlined the urgent need for activism by Muslims as both individuals and as a collective body.

Drawing on historical examples of where activism has been successful such as in America during the Vietnam war and during the civil rights struggle, he spoke about the need for the Muslim community to mobilise and take on greater responsibility in the fight against Zionism.

The talk focused on the need to lobby members of Parliament and others in the British Government. It outlined the methods and importance of campaigning for Palestine via lobbying elected representatives.

The talk also outlined the importance of lobbying against the media who have been far form objective in their coverage of the crisis. The BBC's decision to not air the DEC advert for Gaza was discussed and members of the congregation were urged to write in with their complaints.

It was very pleasing to see typically apathetic members of the community really rise to the challenge and want to become active for the Palestinian cause.

We pray that this activism and momentum continues to the months and years ahead.

Gaza – What have ISOCs been doing?

ISOCs nationwide have done a fantastic job of raising thousands of pounds for the people of Gaza. Since the beginning of the Israeli onslaught against Gaza, ISOCs have held lectures, organised Gaza charity weeks, Gaza awareness weeks and have helped occupy parts of their universities demanding an end to Zionist support.

Here are some of the initiatives undertaken by in ISOCs:

-Oxford University ISOC with the help of other societies put together a fabulous press release that was signed by over 100 prominent Oxford academics.

-Coventry University ISOC held a week long Gaza Awareness Week.

-Manchester University ISOC is so far leading the way in fundraising.

-Kings ISOC helped occupy a room in light of the King's College Council's decision to award Shimon Peres with an honorary doctorate.

-Birmingham University ISOC and Warwick University ISOC are also participating in occupations in their universities to highlight the plight of Palestinians.

For information on what you or your ISOC can do to help the cause please email head.campaigns@fosis.org.uk

FOSIS Campaigns offers support to Students taking part in Occupations

FOSIS Campaigns offers its full support to the courageous students who due to their conscious and sense of moral duty have occupied parts of their universities demanding an end to the crimes of Zionism.

To the students at SOAS, LSE, King’s College, Birmingham, Newcastle, Warwick, Sussex, Essex and Oxford, we salute you!

We pray that students nationwide will follow the example of these students, who release and honour the weight of their responsibility.

If FOSIS Campaigns can be of any help to you or your society on campus, please contact head.campaigns@fosis.org.uk

Protest Against the BBC's biased coverage of the Gaza Massacre!