The Only Democracy?

Ofer Neiman (a regular contributor to The Only Democracy?) and Ayala Shani published this article in Hebrew in Haaretz. As is often the case, the most interesting, and cutting-edge discussions, don’t get translated into the English version of the paper, perhaps in fear of offending sensitive Jewish American sensibilities? In any case, the article has been translated by Dena Bugel-Shunra, of Shunra Media.  It was originally published in English in Jews Sans Frontieres. Only a boycott will persuade Israel by Ayala Shani & Ofer Neiman “Israel won’t change unless the status quo has a downside” – these words were written by journalist Tony Karon, a Jew from South Africa. This sentence reflects the rationale behind the broad BDS campaign – which includes sanctions, institutional boycott, and divestment – which has begun trickling down … Read entire article »

A few days ago, I posted a video of a young child in Bil’in being arrested while working in his olive groves with his family.  In the follow up video below, the child, Fadi Al-Khatib,  talks about what happened after the last video left off, including being left blindfolded with his hands tied behind his back for hours before he ever reached prison,  being hit in the neck and kicked, threatened with greater physical abuse and torture, and finally coerced to sign a confession that he threw stones at a demonstration. Ayed Abu Eqtaish, the representative of Defence of Children International, Palestine Section puts Fadi’s terrifying experience in context:  approximately 700 Palestinian children and teenagers are arrested each year by the Israelis. … Read entire article »

While the world has been rightfully focused on the Gaza Flotilla, the banality of occupation goes on.  In this video (originally posted on Coteret), a twelve year old boy is arrested in Bil’in.  An international activist and the boy’s mother plead with the soldiers to release him, but the soldiers ignore them completely, with the complete power of the occupier.  The child was apparently working in his olive groves with his family.  As the boy is taken away, you can see, not far away at all, the buildings of the nearest settlement.  Just another day in Palestine. … Read entire article »