Author: Scientist4Palestine (Page 1 of 3)

A petition about current events at Columbia University and other US campuses

We are closely monitoring the recent developments at Columbia University and other US campuses with growing concern. Echoing the words of Professor Edward Said, who once wrote regarding his advocacy for Palestinian rights from inside the academy, our role as scientists and academics of consciousness is ‘to widen the field of discussion, not to set limits in accord with the prevailing authority’. In this spirit, we encourage you to take a stand in favor of the freedom of expression of students worldwide.

Please consider signing the petition linked here and sharing it widely among your colleagues and within your department.

Prof. Imad Barghouti set to be released imminently

We have just received news from the family of our esteemed colleague, Professor Imad Barghouti: his attorney has confirmed that Professor Barghouti is expected to be released very soon. Specifically, at the latest military court hearing, the judge announced that the administrative detention order under which Professor Barghouti has been incarcerated will conclude tomorrow, April 22nd. This hearing was also attended by professor Barghouti, who with the help of his lawyer was also able to record a brief message where he expressed gratitude to his family and supporters around the world. With tomorrow marking the beginning of Passover, one of the most significant Jewish holidays, there is a possibility that Imad could be released even today! We remain cautiously optimistic, as the fate of Palestinian prisoners is entirely in the hands of Israeli military authorities, and there is no established process to ensure the enforcement of such decisions.

It is important to remember that Professor Barghouti was arrested in October 2023 from his home in the West Bank and has been held for over six months without any formal charges. Furthermore, indirect sources have confirmed that he has endured even harsher conditions than before. During these six months, his family received very few updates about Imad, and last week’s hearing was the first opportunity in six months for his family to hear Imad’s voice. As academics and conscientious individuals, we must remain steadfast in condemning the arbitrary detentions of our Palestinian colleagues. Palestinians are tried in Israeli military courts, which have an alarmingly high conviction rate, and many, like our dear colleague Imad Barghouti, are held under Administrative Detention. There can be no justice or peace in the region as long as these egregious double standards persist.

Urgent call: write to Professor Imad Barghouti!

Distinguished Professor Imad Barghouti was forcibly taken from his home on the night of October 23rd and is presently detained in Israeli jails without any formal charges. We have recently been informed by his family that the Israeli military has at last granted permission for a meeting with his attorney on January 25th, although no family member is permitted to attend.

Should this meeting occur – bearing in mind that Israeli forces frequently cancel such meetings without any justification – it will provide a rare opportunity to convey messages of love and support to our esteemed Imad from those outside the prison walls. Our goal is to send a resounding message: numerous scholars and conscientious individuals globally recognize the injustice at play and fervently hope for the immediate release and reunion of Imad and all unjustly imprisoned Palestinian prisoners with their families.

To extend your message to Imad, please complete this form as soon as possible. We will cease collecting messages tomorrow, January 24th, at 6 p.m. Palestine time. This deadline allows Imad’s family sufficient time to organize and print the supportive messages received.

An update on Professor Imad Barghouti’s imprisonment

The Israeli army’s brutality extends beyond the Gaza Strip. We have recently received an update regarding Prof. Imad Barghouti, a distinguished Professor of Plasma Physics at Al-Quds University. Prof. Barghouti was forcefully taken from his home in the West Bank on October 23rd, 2023, and later sentenced to six months of administrative detention [1].

Despite being detained for over three months without any formal charges, Prof. Barghouti’s family has been unable to communicate with him due to restrictions imposed by the Israeli army. Indirect reports suggest that he is still held in Ofer prison, an Israeli facility located in the West Bank. There is growing concern for Prof. Barghouti’s health, especially given reports from Palestinian prisoners about worsening conditions in Israeli jails. These reports indicate severe issues, such as extremely limited food provisions and overcrowding in cells. It is estimated that Prof. Barghouti has lost between 20 and 40 kilograms during these three months.

Scientists for Palestine urges scholars worldwide to maintain their moral and ethical standards and to avoid double standards that devalue Palestinian lives. Considering the well-documented lack of due process in Israeli abductions and prosecutions of Palestinians, and the absence of international oversight regarding their detention conditions, it is essential to recognize that most Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, including Prof. Barghouti, should be regarded as hostages of the Israeli government. Just as there are calls for the unconditional release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, it is equally imperative to demand an end to the illegitimate detention of Prof. Barghouti and all Palestinian hostages in Israeli custody.

[1] Administrative detention is a procedure employed by Israeli authorities to jail indefinitely without trial and without charges and used routinely against Palestinians. It has been condemned by the UN and is in direct violation of Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Administrative detention lasts up to six months, but can then be renewed indefinitely. Professor Barghouti has already spent almost one year in administrative detention in 2020.

Professor Barghouti sentenced to administrative detention

We’ve just been informed by his family that Professor Imad Barghouti has been sentenced to six months of administrative detention.

Administrative detention, a procedure employed by Israeli authorities to jail indefinitely without trial and without charges and used routinely against Palestinians, has been condemned by the UN and is in direct violation of Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In the past few weeks, more than a thousands Palestinians have been arrested in the West Banks alone, most of them being put in the regime of administrative detention.

We call for the immediate release of Prof. Barghouti and of the other Palestinians illegally detained, as well as the end to the hostilities immediately in Gaza and a prosecution of war crimes being committed. Please sign the petition here.

An update on the imprisonment of our colleague Prof. Barghouti

After the arrest of Professor Imad Barghouti on October 23rd, only today the family has received second-hand news about Prof. Barghouti’s whereabouts and the status of his health. He appears to have been already transferred to a detention center and is no longer under investigation – though no charges have been brought against him. He is thus now held in the Ofer Prison, an Israeli detention center located in the occupied West Bank. The reports the family received also indicate that he is overall in good health but we have no definitive information on whether he has been subjected to any abuse by the Israeli forces. Further updates on his case might come on October 30th when a court date is set in which indirect sources claim that Prof. Imad Barghouti is scheduled to appear.

We are nevertheless extremely concerned about Prof. Barghouti, as there are numerous reports indicating that the conditions of Palestinian prisoners have deteriorated considerably in the last few weeks with two Palestinians dying in Israeli jails. It is deeply unsettling that the international community has been so vocal on the release of the hostages held in Gaza yet absolutely silent regarding the hundreds of Palestinian prisoners like Prof. Barghouti held in Israeli captivity with no charges.

We reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of our colleague Prof. Imad Barghouti. You can sign the petition here.

Professor Imad Barghouti arrested once again by the Israeli military

Professor Barghouti (third from the left) following his arrest

Early in the morning of October 23nd, Professor Imad Barghouti was arrested by the Israeli forces. Imad Barghouti is a professor of Physics at Al-Quds University beloved by his students, a father of five, one of the most internationally respected Palestinian astrophysicists and a very charismatic person who is relentlessly outspoken about the Israeli occupation. He belongs to no political party and has never engaged in any violence.

The family of Professor Barghouti reported how tens, if not hundreds of fully armed Israeli soldiers surrounded Imad’s house. Seven of them went by the door threatening him and his family that if he didn’t surrender they would demolish his house. They then took him. His family knows nothing about him and has no idea what will happen next. Professor Barghouti was not charged with any crime.

Professor Barghouti was arrested in 2020 and released after almost a year spent in prison, without any trial. We call upon the scientific community to ask for the release of Professor Barghouti, and for the release of all hostages, including all the over 200 Israelis held in captivity in Gaza, as well as several thousands Palestinian held with no charges in Israeli jails.

Webinar on Covid-19 vaccines (in Arabic)

Scientists for Palestine and the Bisan Center for Research and Development are hosting a joint public education event in Arabic for the general Palestinian public to explain the science and efficiency of the available COVID- 19 vaccines with medical experts. The registration page and the speaker’s bios is available here.

Prominent Palestinian astrophysicist starts his eighth month of detention awaiting trial

Al-Quds Professor Imad Barghouthi was charged in August 2020 for the content of his Facebook posts.

Imad Barghouthi, renowned Palestinian astrophysicist, Professor of Plasma Physics at Al Quds university (West Bank), has been detained since July 22nd, 2020. It was only after being held in jail for several weeks that charges, related to the content of his Facebook posts, were moved against him. Now, more than half a year after his arrest, Imad is still incarcerated, awaiting trial.

Already in September, a judge had agreed on releasing him on bail, a decision which sparked hopes of seeing Prof. Barghouthi reunited with his family, as well as his colleagues and students at Al Quds. However, this verdict was rapidly overturned by the Isaeli Military commander of the West Bank who, based on secret evidence which not even the defense lawyer can access, placed Prof. Barghouthi in Administrative Detention since.  Administrative detention is a system regularly employed by Israel to imprison Palestinians without any charges or trials; it can be prolonged for indefinite periods of time and is mandated top-down from Israeli military commanders. The initial three months detention order has since been renewed, and to this day Prof. Barghouthi remains in prison.

Residents of the West Bank, like Imad, are tried in Israeli military courts which are known to have astronomical conviction rates and violating basic international law. Imad’s lawyer, with the support of his family, decided then to appeal to the Israeli High Court of Justice, which is instead a civil institution. Unfortunately the first hearing, scheduled for February 15th, was postponed and took place on February 22nd. Allegedly, after hearing both sides, the judge listened behind closed doors to the Israeli Secret Service and was convinced to reject the appeal. Thus Prof. Barghouthi, one of Palestine’s most prominent scientists charged solely on the bases of a few Facebook posts, will remain in prison for the foreseeable future.

As concerned scientists and individuals, it is hard to remain silent in front of such a blatant human rights violation and in fact we should not. The harassment of scientists and their imprisonment without a fair trial is in direct violation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 27, as well as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, article 14. We ask for the immediate liberation of professor Barghouthi which should be granted a fair and just trial!

IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program

Professional mathematicians are invited to nominate highly motivated and mathematically talented students from developing countries who plan to complete a doctoral degree in a developing country, including their own home country. Nominees must have a consistently good academic record and must be seriously interested in pursuing a career of research and teaching in mathematics.

The nomination process will open on February 1, 2021 and conclude at 09:00 AM hours CET on May 31, 2021.

For more details see here

Global Masters Scholarship in Mathematical Sciences – Durham University (UK)

The Department of Mathematical Sciences is offering a scholarship to a student from a low or middle income country (as defined below) who wishes to study for a Masters in Mathematical Sciences , or a Masters in Particles, Strings and Cosmology. The scholarship covers full fees and accommodation for one year at Trevelyan College, and includes full catering during term time.

The closing date for applications is Monday May 1st 2021.

all details here

Webinar:

Mentorship: A Pathway to Succeed
in Medicine and Allied Health Professions

We were very happy to host a webinar with keynote speakers, to address topics ranging from developing strong mentorship relationships to academic research and career/networking advancement. The recording of the webinar is available here as well as the speaker’s slides. Thanks to everyone who participated and to our wonderful panelists!

Palestinian astrophycisist Prof. Barghouthi sees his administrative detention renewed

Hours before Palestinian Astrophysicist Prof. Imad Barghouthi’s scheduled release on Sunday November 8th, the military commander of the West Bank issued a new administrative detention order extending his imprisonment, which has been going on since July 16th 2020, by an additional three months and three weeks. The justification for this decision by the Israeli military referenced secret files in possession of the Israeli forces, which neither Prof. Barghouthi nor his lawyer have been provided access to.

Prof. Bargouthi continues to be held, in violation of international law, and kept from his family, students, and colleagues. More than a thousand of scholars worldwide have been engaged in demanding the release of the Palestinian Astrophysicist since his unlawful arrest earlier in the year and only weeks before the scheduled beginning of the Fall semester in Palestine.

Administrative detention, a procedure employed by Israeli authorities to jail indefinitely without trial and without charges and used routinely against Palestinians, has been condemned by the UN and is in direct violation of Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Prof. Bargouthi’s detention has been justified based on his social media activity, but repeatedly judges on his case have ruled in favor of his release during the trial.

However, following an indictment by an Israeli military court, the judge decided to release him on bail on September 2nd. Hours before his release, the Israeli military commander of the West Bank ordered an extension of Imad’s detention until November 15th, in contradiction of the judge’s decision. Again, the judge decided to release him on November 8th which was communicated to his family as definitive. Again, the Israeli military commander has contradicted the judge’s decision.

Scientists for Palestine strongly condemns this unlawful detention of one of our Palestinian colleagues. Prof. Bargouthi’s situation is not uncommon and faced by many Palestinian scientists, students, and others. Through the case of Prof. Imad Barghouthi we hope to find a leverage to bring to the world’s attention also the situation of so many others. So long as this cruel, unlawful system continues, the hopes of Palestinian scientists (young and old) of becoming engaged members of the International Scientific Community will always fall short of becoming a reality!

Our thoughts are with Imad, his family and so many other Palestinians in similar situations. Please sign our petition if you have not done so yet.

Webinar: From Education in Palestine to Israeli Military Courts

A Conversation with Ubai Aboudi

On November 8th Scientists for Palestine will host an entire webinar dedicated to to celebrate the return to his family of our colleague Ubai Aboudi. Ubai will touch upon his experience in military jail, the prospects of education and research in Palestine and many other topics. The meeting will be convened and moderated by Haynes Miller, Professor of Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. See all details here.

Register for the event here.

Breaking news: Prof. Imad Barghouthi set to be released within days!

After nearly three months of detention, overwhelmingly either without charges or in administrative detention, Prof. Imad Barghouthi will come home!The judge on the case of our the internationally renowned Palestinian astrophysicist, announced that Imad is set to be released on November 8th.

Imad’s family cannot be happier about the news and, along with us, thank dearly the thousands of scholars worldwide who signed the petition to free him and took a stand to support the right to Science of Palestinians. Without your work this would not have been possible!

Today is time to celebrate for this great news, but we will keep following the case closely to avoid further surprises and you should too! Check our website and our Facebook page for the latest updates.

TWAS-UNESCO Associateship Scheme

In collaboration with UNESCO and a number of centres of excellence in the South, TWAS has instituted a Joint Associateship Scheme to enable competent researchers from the South to visit these centres regularly. An associate is appointed for three years during which he/she can visit a Centre twice for research collaboration. Almost 300 centres have been selected to participate in the Scheme.

All details here

Breaking news: Ubai Aboudi finally freed!

Mr. Ubai Aboudi, Palestinian-American researcher and educator and director of the Bisan Center for Research & Development, who was abducted by the Israeli military without charges on November 13, 2019, is finally FREE! Over a thousand scholars worldwide, including Nobel prize winner George Smith and world renowned linguist Noam Chomsky, had signed a petition asking for his release.

Our thoughts are with Ubai’s wife, Palestinian writer Hind Shraydeh, who never stopped fighting for Ubai’s liberation, and Ubai’s three kids who have been waiting for almost a year to see their beloved father. Scientists for Palestine looks forward to finally returning to the many projects that we initiated with Ubai before his brutal abduction!

Webinar: Impact of the Israeli Occupation on Palestinian Science, Education, and Research

We are extremely excited to announce a new S4P webinar discussing the various impediments to higher education and research facing Palestinians within the context of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, covering the practical barriers at various functional levels of higher education, up to and including the arbitrary detention of Palestinian academics. The presentation will include a recent paper from the Bisan Center, “The Obstacles of Scientific Research in Palestine”. See all details and how to register here. The event will also be streamed on our Facebook page.

On my administrative detention: Palestinian astrophysicist writes from jail.

Professor Imad Barghouthi, the Palestinian astrophysicist arrested in July who was then set to be released on bail, has been placed in administrative detention until November 15th by an order of an Israeli military commander. Administrative detention is a procedure employed by Israeli authorities to jail indefinitely without trial and without charges and used routinely against Palestinian, and it has been condemned by the UN. We share here a letter from Prof. Barghouthi on his current situation:

“Career Paths and Opportunities for Palestinian Students in Medicine and Medical Sciences”

Scientists for Palestine is organizing an online panel discussion with a Q&A session on different post-graduate opportunities outside of Palestine in medicine and medical fields. The event will take place on September 12 at 5PM Palestinian time and registration is required to receive the zoom link. Visit the page below for the speaker list and the registration link. Please share widely with Palestinian medical students or students in medical fields!

Prominent Palestinian Astrophysicist set to administrative detention by Israeli military order

NEW YORK—On September 2nd Dr. Imad Barghouthi, Professor of Physics at Al-Quds University, Palestine, was placed under administrative detention until November 15th by an order of an Israeli military commander in the West Bank which came only hours before his scheduled release on bail.

Prof. Barghouthi was first arrested on July 16th at an Israeli check-point, then held without charges for over two weeks and then finally charged in relation to his Facebook activity. After thousands of scholars worldwide demanded Prof. Barghouthi to be freed from prison, his lawyer successfully argued for his release on bail which was granted by the judge on his case on September 2nd. Then an Israeli military order was issued in contradiction to the decision of the judge, indefinitely continuing the unlawful imprisonment of Prof. Barghouthi.

Continue reading

Breaking News: Prominent Palestinian Astrophysicist set to administrative detention!

Our colleague Dr. Imad Barghouthi, Professor of Physics at Al-Quds University, who was scheduled to be released on bail within 48 hours, by an order of an Israeli military commander in the West Bank will remain under administrative detention until November 15th.

Prof. Barghouthi was first arrested on July 16th at an Israeli check-point, then held without charges for over two weeks and then finally charged in relation to his Facebook activity. After thousands of scholars worldwide demanded Prof. Barghouthi to be freed from prison, his lawyer successfully argued for his release on bail which on September 2nd was granted by the judge on his case. But just when our hopes rose that Prof. Barghouthi could be freed, reunited with his family and restart his activity as a researcher and mentor of his many students, an Israeli military order was used to override the decision of the judge, indefinitely continuing the unlawful imprisonment of Prof. Barghouthi.

Administrative detention, a procedure employed by Israeli authorities to jail indefinitely without trial and without charges and used routinely against Palestinian, has been condemned by the UN (see for example paragraph 80 of document A/HRC/28/80/Add.1) and is in direct violation of article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

As concerned scientists, we condemn the arbitrary and unlawful administrative detention of professor Imad Barghouthi. This violation of international law and basic human rights is an attack on Prof. Barghouthi and his family, as well as his students and the scientific community everywhere in the world. We therefore demand that the judge rejects the military order and releases Prof. Imad immediately.

A letter from prison from prof. Imad Barghouthi

Imad Barghouthi, the prominent Palestinian astrophysicist arrested by Israeli authorities last month, remains in arbitrary detention at the Ofer Israeli prison camp. A petition demanding his liberation has reached more than 1500 signatories, many of which distinguished scholars around the world. We publish here a letter addressed to the international scientific community that prof. Barghouthi wrote from prison.

Freedom for Imad Barghouthi

A violation of the right to science anywhere is an attack to scientists everywhere.

On Thursday, July 16th 2020, renowned Palestinian scientist Imad Barghouthi was detained by Israeli military forces during a routine stop at a military checkpoint outside of Anata. A military court hearing is scheduled for Thursday July 23rd to discuss the case of professor Barghouthi, an astrophysicist at the university of Al-Quds in East Jerusalem. No charges have been brought against him and his lawyer fears that he will be put under administrative detention, an illegal measure commonly used by the Israeli military forces to put Palestinians in arbitrary detention without any charges or trials.

This is not the first time that the Israeli military forces have arrested professor Barghouti, one of Palestine’s most prominent scientists. In 2014 he was placed under administrative detention for two months, and in 2016 he was again detained for six months. In both cases his arrest triggered a significant indignation of the international Scientific community.

Scientists for Palestine condemns the continuous and arbitrary harassment of Professor Barghouthi in the strongest possible terms and calls on all members of the International Scientific community to demand the immediate release of our colleague. The right to science is protected under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (article 27), as well as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (article 15). The violation of the right to science anywhere is an attack to scientists everywhere.

Palestinian Scientists in solidarity with black colleagues in the US and around the world!

Scientists for Palestine stands in solidarity with our black colleagues, in the US and around the world, in the struggle against the plague of systemic racism. We feel a particular resonance, as the similarities between the struggle faced by African-Americans and Palestinians are staggering. Palestinian scientists know all too well what it is like to have fundamental human rights stripped away from them. We join our colleagues in their commitment to ending the violent effects of systemic racism, wherever they take place.

As Dr. King said: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice”. We hope that soon the scientific and academic world will stand up united to end systematic racism against our black colleagues, against Palestinians, and against racism in all of its forms. Until then we will be steadfast in our active solidarity with our black colleagues. That is why we endorse the strike on Wednesday June 10th. To show our active support, we call on our Palestinian colleagues to submit a short video to express their solidarity with as well as joining the strike on June 10th!

Guidelines on how to make the video:

  1. Please submit the video no later than Tuesday June 9th at 10 a.m. Palestine time to give us enough post-production time.
  2. The video should be no longer than 30 seconds, all submissions which exceeds this limit will not be considered.
  3. The video can be shot with professional cameras (preferred) or cell-phones, so long as the final product is of good enough quality.
  4. Please shoot the video horizontally so that post-production will be easier.
  5. Please start the video by introducing yourself mentioning your full name, your affiliation and your research field.
  6. Please end your video with the sentence “I believe that Black Lives Matter”.
  7. During the video, it would be appreciated if you could hold a sign with some of the hashtags created for the event, like #ShutDownSTEM, #ShutDownAcademia or other which can be found at: https://www.shutdownstem.com/.
  8. We would appreciate it if the video contained a sentence or two explaining the special empathy felt by us as Palestinians. (e.g. As a Palestinian Scientists I know too well what systematic racism is like).
  9. Please clearly state that you will be striking on June 10th (e.g. … that is why I am striking in solidarity with my black colleagues on June 10th).

Guidelines on how to submit the video:

Please upload your video via https://wetransfer.com/ and fill out the “email to” box with Scientists for Palestine email (admin@scientists4palestine.com).

For more info on what you can do: https://www.shutdownstem.com/

Covid-19

كرد على الإشاعات التي تدور مؤخرا على الإنترنت، أنشأ 

فريق من جامعة هارفارد بقيادة سارة الزعبي  و أمينة زياد رسوم توضيحية لنشر معلومات صحيحة و دقيقة عن فيروس COVID-19 للمجتمعات العربية حول العالم.

نرجو منك نشر الرسالة إلى أفراد عائلتك و أصدقائك.

In response to the misinformation being circulated online, Harvard University team, lead by Sara Al-Zubi and Amina Ziad, created these infographics with a focus on sharing accurate COVID-19 information with Middle East- North African communities around the world. Please share with your networks and family members!

Video: Third International Meeting for Science in Palestine

The third International Meeting for Science in Palestine was a great success, watch this video for the highlights of the weekend:

The meeting aimed to escalate and refine plans toward Scientists for Palestine’s primary objectives of advancing science in Palestine and integrating Palestinian sciences into the international scientific community by: enhancing collaboration between Scientists in Palestine and exile with key partners globally; highlighting Palestinian scientists and scientific development; and devising measurable goals toward these ends. The international meeting provides space to access information about the challenges and successes of Palestinians practicing and researching science under occupation while also providing concrete opportunities for international scientists to get involved. A working group track ran to help develop enhanced strategies to identify mechanisms for sustained international collaboration with and elevation of Palestinian scientists.

The meeting included presentations by Palestinian scientists from both Historic Palestine (Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel) and Palestinians abroad, as well as other young and established scientists from around the world, and will be joined by prominent scientists including 2018 Chemistry Nobel Prize winner George Smith, MacArthur fellow Astrophysicist Nergis Mavalvala, and renowned Palestinian medic and innovator Dr. Tarek Loubani.

Study in Canada Scholarships

The new Study in Canada Scholarships program will offer full academic scholarships for up to two years of study at the post-secondary level that leads to a diploma, post-secondary or post-graduate certificate, or Master’s degree at a college, technical or vocational institute, or university in Canada. The Study in Canada Scholarships program is open to students from all disciplines.

all details here.

Call and email the US Department of State and demand they act to release Mr. Ubai Aboudi

A Palestinian US Citizen, a father, a husband, education activist, human rights worker and one of Scientists for Palestine closest partner unlawfully abducted by Israeli military without charge.

Our dear friend and close partner in Palestine, education activist Mr. Ubai Aboudi, remains in Israeli military detention. A Twitter storm, a Facebook storm, and call-in to the US Department of State (DOS) are set for Wednesday January first at 1p.m. EST. Please be ready to tweet, call and post.

Twitter storm for #Freedom4Ubai #Science4Palestine #AdministrativeDetentionIsAWarCrime #EducationNotDetention

Continue reading

Petition for the immediate release of Mr. Ubai Aboudi

On Monday, November 18th, 2019, an Israeli tribunal placed Mr. Ubai Aboudi under administrative detention for 4 months despite no charges being brought against him.

We call on all scholars concerned about human rights and the enforcement of the universal right to education to join, among others, Nobel laureate George Smith and Noam Chomsky, to ask for Mr. Aboudi’s immediate release from military prison.

Update: Amnesty International has started a campaign for the release of Mr. Ubai Aboudi, see how to take action here.

Update from Dec. 2nd:

In the confirmation of detention hearing at the Ofer military court, the judge has reduced the detention order of S4P’s dear partner Mr. Ubai Aboudi to two months instead of the initial four. The judge unfortunately did not confirm that this detention order will be the last. Administrative detention orders can be indefinitely renewed. Also Ubai has thus far spent three weeks in jail, but no charges have been brought against him.

On the Abduction of Mr. Ubai Aboudi

Mr. Ubai Aboudi, one of Scientists for Palestine’s closest partners in Palestine, was brutally abducted from his house on Wednesday at 3 a.m. in the morning and is currently held in jail without charges.

For this reason S4P started a campaign to call for his release which will be escalated in case he is not released on Monday. Our statement has the full support of Ubai’s family as well as the signatures of many prominent scientists among which Nobel prize winner George Smith.

Please share it as widely as possible among your contacts and social media. On top of the moral duty that we have to call for the release of Ubai, with Mr. Aboudi in jail the fate of the upcoming Third International Meeting at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is at stake.

The statement appears below, and here is a link to our Facebook post.

Registration open for the Third International Meeting for Science in Palestine

We are very happy to announce that registration for the Third International Meeting for Science in Palestine is now open. We are proud to inform that this third meeting will be hosted the by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston from January 10 to January 12, 2020 and will see the participation of high-profiles figures of the caliber of George Smith, 2018 Chemistry Nobel Prize Winner, Nergis Mavalvala, MIT astrophysicists and MacArthur fellow and Mawan Awartani, Minister of Education of Palestine.

Over the past year, we have expanded and further developed the work and goals of Scientists for Palestine in collaboration with the broader scientific communities and in collaboration with Palestinian civil society. We are most excited to share these developments with you, as your input and participation is critical to the ambitious phase we are entering in the expansion of this important movement.

Please note that the weekend working groups and plenary sessions are strictly for registered participants and that registration will close December 15th, 2019, or whenever we reach capacity. Please also note that registration requires two steps:

  1. Registering for the conference by paying the fee here. (basic registration is $10, sponsor options also available); and
  2. Completing the registration form here

PAPS 2019 a great success!

PAPS 2019 group picture

The third Palestinian Advanced Physics School ended on July 18th 2019. The school took place in Birzeit University and was attended by around 30 students from different universities across the West Bank. An additional 10 students from Gaza, who did not receive travel permits to attend the school, gathered at the physics department of the Islamic University of Gaza to participate remotely in the school, through a video link. In addition to lectures on cosmology, quantum optics, electron microscopy and string theory, there was a public lecture on the expanding universe held at the A.M. Qattan foundation. Overall, the school was a resounding success, with all participants — students, lecturers and organizers — having a great time while learning physics.

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