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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact: Melissa Garriga: melissa@codepink.org

CODEPINK to Build Settlements in Congress Today

Activists call for end to siege on Gaza and illegal settlements

WASHINGTON

Shortly after announcing Israel's commitment to defense in his
address to the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
Gala, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was disrupted by a
demonstrator. Rae Abileah, 27, from Half Moon Bay, CA, jumped onto
AIPAC Executive Director Howard Kohr's private table alongside the stage
and unfurled a pink banner that said "Netanyahu: Build Peace Not
Settlements!" Abileah shouted, "Lift the siege of Gaza! No illegal
settlements!" as she was forcefully removed from the building. A second
disruption came moments later from Joan Stallard, from Washington, DC,
who shouted, "Stop the settlements!"

Today, Tuesday,
March 23, at noon CODEPINK is planning to build a
settlement (including homes and beds) inside Senator Schumer's and
Senator Lieberman's offices (Hart Senate Building, offices 313 and 706).
CODEPINK's protests of the policies of AIPAC during their
national
conference this week have included daily morning protests, staging of a
checkpoint for attendees, an afternoon press conference announcing the
launch of a city-wide boycott of products illegally made in the
settlements, and the release this morning of a spoof press release from AIPAC announcing that the
organization was calling for a settlement freeze.

American Jewish peace activists are outraged at the influence that AIPAC
has on U.S. policy. "AIPAC supports policies of aggression that damage
Israel's reputation, harm innocent Palestinians, and contribute to
making America less safe in the world," said Jewish-American activist
Medea Benjamin of CODEPINK."

CODEPINK is a women-led grassroots organization working to end U.S. wars and militarism, support peace and human rights initiatives, and redirect our tax dollars into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming programs.

(818) 275-7232