EVENTS - 2019
March 16, 2019 - Stand Up To Racism march, Glasgow
For the third year in a row, COFIS took part in the annual Stand Up To Racism march in Glasgow. In 2018, there was a concerted effort by masked thugs to disrupt the march and prevent us marching. They failed.
We believe it is important to show that, as campaigners for peace between Jews and Arabs, we place a high value on opposing racism in any form. To argue that hatred of Israel is not antisemitism is like arguing that one's ankle is not one's foot. They may not be identical, but they are invariably connected and move in unison.
We believe it is important to show that, as campaigners for peace between Jews and Arabs, we place a high value on opposing racism in any form. To argue that hatred of Israel is not antisemitism is like arguing that one's ankle is not one's foot. They may not be identical, but they are invariably connected and move in unison.
EVENTS - 2018
⦁ March 15. 2018, Newton Mearns Synagogue, Glasgow – Reservists on Duty
At this event, approximately 100 people heard from three Israeli reservists who are members of religious minorities within Israel: one Druze; one Lebanese Christian and one Palestinian Muslim. They spoke of their lives as members of minority groups and their shared commitment to Israel. They explained that they enjoy much greater social and political freedoms in Israel than they would in any of the surrounding countries.
At this event, approximately 100 people heard from three Israeli reservists who are members of religious minorities within Israel: one Druze; one Lebanese Christian and one Palestinian Muslim. They spoke of their lives as members of minority groups and their shared commitment to Israel. They explained that they enjoy much greater social and political freedoms in Israel than they would in any of the surrounding countries.
March 17, 2018 - Stand Up To Racism march
The three Israeli Reservists from the Reservists on Duty talk accompanied us as we joined the Stand Up To Racism march for the second year in a row. Unfortunately, the march was disrupted by an aggressive hate mob which threatened us whilst chanting their support for violence against Israel; participants were assaulted (including at least one sexual assault) and had possessions stolen.
The police were overwhelmed and the march took a lot longer to arrive at George Square than planned. But they didn't stop us, as you can see from the photo below.
The police were overwhelmed and the march took a lot longer to arrive at George Square than planned. But they didn't stop us, as you can see from the photo below.
EVENTS - 2017
⦁ International Shalom Festival, Edinburgh – August 2017
This event showcased Israeli (Jewish and Muslim) culture, including the following:
The opportunity to meet with members of the Bedouin community and learn about their traditional lifestyle
Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community of Haifa explained about their distinctive beliefs, such as that the Messiah has already come in the form of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.
Demonstration of Israeli cookery
Performance of play “The City” by Incubator Theater of Jerusalem. An attempt to perform this in 2014 in Edinburgh had been wrecked by protests
Sculptor Yaron Bob, who lives near Sderot and creates jewellery out of rockets fired by terrorists from Gaza.
The event received the endorsement of all three main political party leaders in Scotland at the time: Nicola Sturgeon; Ruth Davidson and Kezia Dugdale (below):
EVENTS - 2016
⦁ International Shalom Festival, Aberdeen – 2 November 2016
This event took place at the Hilton Doubletrees Hotel in Aberdeen and was billed as “A taste of Israel”. It featured Israeli music by the band Kedma; wine tasting and a buffet of Israeli food. The main speaker was Noor Dahri, founder of the Pakistan Israel Alliance, who is a Muslim peace activist concerned with building links between his native Pakistan and Israel.
⦁ International Shalom Festival, Edinburgh – 17 August 2016
The background to this event was the desire to showcase the multi-faith and multicultural nature of Israel, and to allow Israeli performers to visit the Edinburgh Festival in safety following aggressive protests suffered two years earlier. This event was endorsed by the Board of Deputies by British Jews in the terms indicated by this Tweet:
This event took place at the Hilton Doubletrees Hotel in Aberdeen and was billed as “A taste of Israel”. It featured Israeli music by the band Kedma; wine tasting and a buffet of Israeli food. The main speaker was Noor Dahri, founder of the Pakistan Israel Alliance, who is a Muslim peace activist concerned with building links between his native Pakistan and Israel.
⦁ International Shalom Festival, Edinburgh – 17 August 2016
The background to this event was the desire to showcase the multi-faith and multicultural nature of Israel, and to allow Israeli performers to visit the Edinburgh Festival in safety following aggressive protests suffered two years earlier. This event was endorsed by the Board of Deputies by British Jews in the terms indicated by this Tweet:
It featured a Druze chef demonstrating traditional cookery; Israeli singers and a demonstration by Magen David Adom UK. Magen David Adom is the Israeli ambulance service, which is entirely funded by voluntary donations and whose services are overwhelmingly provided by volunteers.