Colin Clark MP's reply to my concerns on the detention and treatment of Palestinian minors

I have twice now written to my MP, Colin Clark, who is a member of the Conservative Party  about issues relating to Israel's oppression of the Palestinian people and both times I have been very unhappy with his response. In fact I was so appalled by his response to my letter on Palestinian child prisoners that I wrote back to him about it.

It seems unlikely that he will take up any of the issues which I raise with him in relation to the terrible situation in Palestine or the oppression of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government, in breach of human rights.  So I am going to post his responses on this blog. Please read on.

Time to tell Israel enough is enough - Support Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions

Here is my speech for the protest in Aberdeen on 7th April to condemn the shootings of unarmend Palestinians by the Israeli Defence Forces. 

That very day the news broke about the killing of photo journalist Yusef Murtaja despite wearing a PRESS vest. Yet our government still sells arms to Israel and refuses to condemn this outrage.

"So here we are again 

Gathered together in Aberdeen to condemn once again the horrific actions of the Israeli government against the people of Palestine

And sending a message of support and solidarity to the people of Gaza

Here’s what you need to know about the shooting of unarmed Palestinians protesting in Gaza

These are not clashes

Clashes are incidents that take place between equals

Clashes are what you see in Parliament, when Jeremy Corbyn takes on Theresa May or the SNP and Labour disagree on levels of taxation

What we are seeing in Gaza just now is a massacre – pure and simple

Soldiers armed with live ammunition are shooting unarmed Palestinians

And let’s make no mistake 

Most are engaged in peaceful protest – you can see that from the video footage on social media

But it doesn’t actually matter if some of those Palestinians are throwing stones or bits of burning rubber
 

Shooting and killing is a complete over-reaction

It is a tactic designed to terrorise

To put down and control an entire population to make them feel powerless

Men, women and children – trying to tell the world what is going on in Gaza

Killed and maimed by live ammunition

It’s terrorising and it’s terrorism – pure and simple

We must use our collective power to end gender inequality and the abuse and exploitation of women

Here is my speech for the International Women's Day Rally in Aberdeen, organised by the Aberdeen Trades Union Council in our 150th year and compered by ATUC Vice President and Aberdeenshire UNISON Equalities Officer, Kathleen Kennedy.

It was a very cold evening but it was great to see women and men standing together to call for gender equality and an end to all forms of discrimination against women.

Especially good to see my son Euan there to support the struggle!

"Kate Ramsden, bringing greetings from UNISON on International Women’s Day.

And very proud to be speaking here at this Aberdeen Rally to celebrate the achievements of the women’s movement over the past 100 and more years and to gird our loins for the battles yet to be fought.

We’ve heard a great deal about inspirational women and there have been many throughout history – In fact some of them are here today.

But despite the best efforts of those women and the women’s movement I think we all know that gender inequality is alive and well.

Many of the challenges that I was facing and fighting as a young trade unionist and Labour activist are the challenges that face us still

Some things have got better – but much has stayed the same or got worse.

The problem is that we still live in a society dominated by male power and male privilege.

The exploitation and abuse of women is one example of a power imbalance that has never really gone away over the years.