The Only Democracy? » Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
JVP Action Alert: Support Mohammed Bakri
Support Actor/Filmmaker Mohammed Bakri Mohammad Bakri, a Palestinian citizen of Israel and one of the country’s most prominent actors and directors, has been fighting for his democratic right to free expression since 2002 when he made the world-famous film Jenin Jenin. Shortly after the Israeli military attacked a refugee camp in Jenin, banning reporters and human rights observers “for safety” reasons, Bakri snuck in and interviewed the survivors and asked them to tell their stories from … Read entire article »
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Teargassing the Na’vi in Bi’lin
In the weekly demonstrations by Bi’lin residents against the Israeli barrier that separates them from their agricultural land, both sides are armed: Israeli soldiers with an arsenal of ammunition and tear gas cannisters, and the demonstrators with relentlessly creative expressions of nonviolent resistance. This Friday, the demonstrators marched to the barrier dressed up as the indigenous blue-skinned Na’vi tribe, the heroes of the blockbuster movie Avatar (More videos of the protest are available on Friends … Read entire article »
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Ha’aretz calls protest crackdown “unacceptable,” will US Media follow suit?
Ha’aretz’s editorial gives a good summary of the recent Israeli crackdown on dissent, citing many examples covered on this blog. “According to data provided by the activists, since December, Israeli forces have undertaken more than 20 nighttime raids on the villages of Na’alin and Bil’in and have arrested more than 30 people. They are all suspected of taking part in protests against the separation fence, which invades these villages and very severely harms the inhabitants’ welfare. … Read entire article »
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International activists freed, then their office raided again by IDF.
Ha’aretz reports that international activists seized in immigration raids as part of Israel’s crackdown were freed by Israel’s Supreme Court. “The activists’ lawyer described their arrest as part of a campaign by Israel to choke off weekly demonstrations by Palestinians, left-wing Israelis and foreign activists against Israel’s West Bank separation barrier as peace efforts remain at a stalemate. Israeli soldiers raided the West Bank city of Ramallah on Sunday and detained Spaniard Ariadna Jove Marti and Australian … Read entire article »
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Palestinian expert on Israeli settlements and cartography barred from travel
According to Amira Hass, “Interior Minister Eli Yishai has banned Palestinian geographer Khalil Tufakji, a resident of Jerusalem, from traveling abroad for six months, citing unspecified security concerns. The ban was issued on the recommendation of the Shin Bet security service and is based on 1948 Emergency regulations. “Having been convinced that there is real concern that the exit of Mr. Khalil Tufakji from Israel may harm the security of the state, I order that he be banned … Read entire article »
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Palestinian nonviolent leader and international arrested.
Haaretz has the video of Israeli immigration leaders seizing a Czech international activist who worked along Palestinian nonviolent activists. : Another article in Ha’aretz tells the story of the arrest of a Palestinian nonviolent leader. “Israeli forces arrested a leading Palestinian protest organizer on Thursday in what activists said was a sign of Israel’s concern over plans for more demonstrations in the West Bank. Mohammed Khatib was taken into custody in a pre-dawn raid, said a statement by … Read entire article »
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Israeli Army raids offices of Stop the Wall
In a late-night strike, Israeli military forces raided the Stop the Wall offices in Ramallah in the Occupied West Bank, and confiscated the organization’s electronic equipment and documents. “Some 10 military jeeps, hummers and an armoured bus surrounded the building as soldiers searched rooms, turning the office upside down and confiscating computer hard disks, laptops, and video cameras along with paper documents, CDs, and video cassettes.” Stop the Wall is part of a Palestinian grassroots campaign to … Read entire article »
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Conscientious objector Emelia Marcovich has been sentenced
On Sunday 2/2/2010, Conscientious objector (CO) Emelia Marcovich refused to enlist in the Israeli army. Emelia is a part of “The Senior Letter (Shministim) 2009-2010“ which reads “We, High School Seniors that are suppose to enlist the israeli army in followed by the mandatory military service,refuse to take part in any oppression, in the occupation and in wars.” Emelia has been sentenced for 10 days of detention in a closed base (Meitav –Reception and Sorting Base), and she … Read entire article »
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Rabbis for Human Rights defend New Israel Fund from anti-democratic attacks
Dear Friends and Supporters, In light of the smear campaign being run by a group called “Im Tirtzu,” it should be clear to all that we are engaged in a struggle for Israeli democracy. That is not an exaggeration. This is also a not to be missed opportunity, because many people are waking up and realizing the just how dangerous the situation has become. Please find below a description of the situation, a list of things … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
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.