Rupert's Read

[This [below] was written before the brutal ground-assault began, of course. This question of the EU 'trade association' agreement with Israel will be a major focus of concern now, in early 2009. Rest assured that, as a prospective MEP, I will be taking a strong and active interest in this!]     EU must hold Israel to its agreements

The Guardian, Monday 5 January 2009

Despite the EU's call for a ceasefire, the brutal Israeli bombing of Gaza
continues (Reports, 3 January).

In exactly 5 months' time today, Europe goes to the polls, for its 5-yearly elections of Members of the European Parliament. Now more than ever, Green MEPs are needed: to pursue peace, to take serious action against climate damage, to stabilise the economy by investing in good green jobs, and so much more. Please spread the word, and join the campaign now!

Israel is current attacking Gaza from the air, from the sea, and now from the ground, in an invasion that will have a heavy cost. Gaza is one of the most densly populated areas in the world and civilian casualties are inevitably rising fast.     Greens condemn all the violence, but note that the massively unequal struggle is resulting in about 100 Palestinians dying for every one Israeli.   Green Party members and councillors have today joined peaceful protests in the UK and across the world in calling for an end to the Gaza crisis.

Rupert's Readers!

JOIN THE NORWICH PROTEST
SATURDAY 3rd JANUARY
I2 NOON TILL 1PM
OPPOSITE THE FORUM
TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF GAZA SUFFERING MILITARY SLAUGHTER, INJUSTICE & STARVATION

· END THE KILLING/START THE TALKS
· RENEW THE TRUCE
· END THE SIEGE OF GAZA

All welcome – stay as long as you are able.

More info: Frank 01493 664499

http://www.ajc.com/gwinnett/content/metro/dekalb/stories/2008/12/29/cynthia_mckinney_gaza.html The recent U.S. Presidential candidate for the Green Party Cynthia McKinney, on being rammed by the Israelis to prevent the aid boat that she was on from reaching Gaza...

  The recent vote by Members of the European Parliament to scrap the opt-out on the Working Time Directive might sound distant to the concerns of people in the East of England - but Greens believe it was the right decision and that it will matter a great deal to thousands of workers and families.
 
There are over 3 million people in the UK who currently work over 48 hours a week. Eastern Region has the highest proportion of such workers outside of London - about 15% of all people in this Region will be direc

This was sent out to the British media yesterday -- its content a clear contrast to Brown's dreadful failure to call on the Israelis to stop their mass-killing bombing-raids: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Green MEP Caroline Lucas calls for suspension of EU Israeli association agreement   London, UK – 28 December 2008