The Only Democracy? » Archive
Arrests and eviction orders in Sheikh Jarrah
By Noam Sheizaf, reprinted from his Promised Land blog with permission. Jerusalem – about 200 people took part in the weekly protest against the Jewish colonization of Sheikh Jerrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem. Among them were New Israel Fund President Naomi Hazan, former Knesset speaker Avrum Burg, and author David Grossman. During the protest, several activists, among them Grossman, marched near the area of the four houses already occupied by settlers. Four … Read entire article »
Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
How Israel Gagged on Its Own Gag Order
by Gila Svirsky This story is a testament to the Internet. (Ed.: in particular blogger Richard Silverstein who broke the story!) And to Anat Kam, the whistleblower, who is widely regarded in Israeli security circles as a traitor and will probably soon be charged with treason. Anat (I’ll use her first name, though I don’t know her) is a 23-year old journalist who wrote for the popular Israeli portal Walla. Some months ago, Anat … Read entire article »
Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
Swedish Palestinians Barred Entry for Promoting Coexistence
A Jewish-Palestinian joint dialogue group arrived from Sweden’s Olof Palme Centre for a visit to Israel. You might think they would have no problems gaining entrance into Israel. You would be wrong. Here’s the Ha’aretz editorial on the subject. Last week Israel deported three Swedish women from Ben-Gurion International Airport who had arrived in a group of seven young people of Jewish and Palestinian heritage, active members of a Jewish-Palestinian education group in … Read entire article »
Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
Palestinian Police Crack Down on Protest for Israeli Army. UPDATE: They Apologize
by Jesse Bacon Organizer Mousa Abu Maria, whose home was raided March 8th, has been detained again. This time, the force attempting to suppress his demonstrations in Beit Ommar was not the Israeli army, but rather the Palestinian Authority police. It seems both Israeli and Palestinian officials can agree on something: that protest must be crushed. His wife and co-organizer Bekah Wolf reports: While Salam Fayyad and other PA ministers march in Bil’in and Bethlehem declaring … Read entire article »
Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
The Only Democracy? Wishes You a Sweet and Liberating Season
By Jesse Bacon Of all the stories in the Passover liturgy, I am most inspired by the idea that it was “mixed multitude” that went forth from Egypt, Israelites and Egyptians alike. Here is a perfect description of what I mean when I talk about democracy: a diverse group of people united by an idea, and inspired to brave action. Later in the story there will be time for specific religious experiences: the Jews’ revelation at … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured
Israel Tries to Expel People For Their Beliefs
By Noam Sheizaf, cross-posted from his Promised Land blog with permission. Pay close attention to this item. It doesn’t seem like much, but it’s an important one: Two international activists, Ariadna Jove Marti (from Spain) and Bridgette Chappell (Australia), who are living in Bir Zeit in the West Bank (it’s near Ramallah, and well within the Palestinian Autonomy), were arrested by the IDF last month. The two were about to be expelled … Read entire article »
Filed under: On The Ground Reports
Quarreling Lovers Make Up Over Missiles
The United States and Israel may be fighting, but fear not. These BAF (Best Allies Forever) have the equivalent of a bunch of roses to reconcile over, a sweetheart deal to buy fighter jets. The US supplies the cash, and Israel buys the weapons. It’s like a gift certificate! For your own store. That sells guns to a domestic (and foreign) violence offender, Israel, who America refuses to cut off no matter how badly they … Read entire article »
Filed under: Discrimination, Featured
Gaza Students Can’t Study in Gaza, Can’t Leave
From Gisha’s Gaza Gateway Between March 1 and March 5, 2010, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was open, and 4427 people passed through the crossing, including 461 students. Of these students, 100 were returned to Gaza by the Egyptians either because Egypt believed that they would seek to remain in Egypt, or because they were missing the requisite exit documents. According to the latest information, 502 students are presently seeking to leave the Gaza Strip in order to realize their dreams and study in universities abroad. Yet why do students in Gaza aspire to study outside the Strip? Among the reasons is the fact that in Gaza it is not possible to study certain fields, such as dentistry, occupational … Read entire article »
Filed under: Discrimination
Israeli Soldiers Torture Another Man for Organizing Demonstrations, UPDATED with Graphic Photos and Video.
From the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee Omar Alaaeddin from the village of al Ma’sara was nabbed from the Container Checkpoint on Sunday the 14th. He was released yesterday with no charges pressed against him. Alaaeddin reports having been tortured in the Israeli Russian Compound Jail in Jerusalem. Omar Alaaeddin, who is involved in organizing demonstrations in the village of alMa’asra south of Bethlehem, was arrested a week ago on Sunday at the Container Checkpoint, as he was … Read entire article »
Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
Two Youths Killed by Israeli Military, WARNING: Graphic Photos.
by the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee Israeli Army Kills Youth Demonstrators in Iraq Burin Village Near Nablus. Mohammed Ibrahim Qaddous, 16, was shot dead with live ammunition when a Border Police force raided his village of Iraq Burin near Nablus to quash a demonstration this afternoon. Ussayed Qaddous, 19, who struck in the head with live ammunition and critically injured passed away in the Rafidya hospital in Nablus … Read entire article »
Filed under: On The Ground Reports
Interactive Video
“You have a choice! Israeli Anti-Militarists Speak”
Four Israelis—Dorothy Naor, Sergeiy Sander and Eli Fabrikant, and Ofer Golani—talking about their personal histories, political views and activism in 132 short films.