Social Justice Film

-submitted by Barbara Taylor

The Social Justice committee and Utahns for Just Peace in the Holy Land are showing a free documentary, “The Settlements”, Saturday, March 11, 7 pm in Elliot Hall.

During the last week of December, the Obama administration abstained from a vote in the UN Security Council condemning Israel’s settlement policy. Since the UN was formed in 1946, the US as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, (there are 15 members in all) has the power to veto any vote. The US has used its veto power only 77 times in the 70 year history of the UN, and over half of those vetoes have been to protect Israel.

Let it be pointed out that the US did not vote “Yes” of the measure. We merely abstained, which allowed the resolution to pass 14-0. Netanyahu pronounced that Israel would step up the settlement process and build 5600 new homes in East Jerusalem immediately, yet over 100,000 more Israelis already live in the West Bank today than when Obama took office. Settlements flagrantly violate international law, and the Geneva Convention and damage prospects for a future Palestinian state.

On Saturday, March 11, Eliot Hall, 7 pm, we will show the film, “the Settlements,” a documentary directed by Shimon Dotan, a Jewish professor at NYU. The film interviews people who represent many sides of the issue, including Zionists and Palestinians with new and varied viewpoints. We look forward to a passionate Q&A following the film. Mark your calendars and save the date.