The Only Democracy? » Victories for Democracy
New Egyptian government stops helping starve people of Gaza
Connecting their revolution to the Palestinian struggle in a positive way, Egypt’s new government refused to continue participation in the Siege of Gaza. Liberation will not stop at the Rafah Crossing. Hopefully this will help Israel to recognize the inevitable and cease its futile policy. Here’s Gisha’s response to the announcment that the government would ease passage via Rafah. Gisha expresses hope that Egypt will expand the ability of Gaza residents to travel abroad via Rafah Crossing, … Read entire article »
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U-N-I-T-Y of Palestinian factions.
Now the attention of the world is distracted by the OBL extrajudicial assassination, but it is still worth keeping an eye on the Fatah-Hamas unity agreement scheduled to be signed on Wednesday. Update: Hamas condemns killing of Osama Bin Laden, presumably to shore itself up with Salafist sympathizers or possible hosts. Ali Abunimah has some critical questions, while Mitchell Plitnick has a slightly more optimistic view. Here’s +972’s take from Palestinian activist Aziz Abu Sara. Here is Saree Makdisi on Democracy Now! And because I do think this is generally a good thing, here’s Queen Latifah with the title cut. … Read entire article »
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Abdallah Abu Rahmah is free, may all Palestinians be soon
Great news on the heels of the horrible killings in Itamar settlement and Netanyahu’s exploitation of them. It’s good to have a hopeful example even if its freedom for a man who should have never been imprisoned. Indeed, the protests Abdallah Abu Rahmah helped organize are still going on after he served 16 month sentence, and he intends to rejoin them, which should be a sign to Israel to quit jailing people for inciting against … Read entire article »
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What will you do?
By Jesse Bacon My friend asked me, only half-jokingly “What if you have to change your name for your blog?” I wish a swift and durable success to the people’s movements in Cairo. I was just coming of age when the Berlin Wall fell (my “camp” was actually a nerdy kids Current Events class in June of 1989.) I was starting to wonder if I would ever see another wave of revolutions like that, sweeping aside … Read entire article »
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On Adeeb Abu Rahmah’s release
By Rebecca Vilkomerson Video of Adeeb Abu Rahmah being released On a personal note, I remember very clearly the weekend that Adeeb was arrested. I was still living in Israel, and a friend from Anarchists Against the Wall was arrested with him. This friend was detained for over 24 hours, blindfolded, etc. This was fairly harsh treatment for a Jewish Israeli, and he told me all about it on our way to visit Tristan Anderson. It’s still amazing … Read entire article »
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Jews dancing at the gate
By Jesse Bacon I am proud to note that Emily Schaeffer’s blog post on the BDS movement was linked to in Bradley Burston’s recent column. I have noted Burston’s shift in one of my first blog posts; it makes me happy that we are now part of his evolving thinking and the broader opinion shift that represents. To celebrate, here’s a video clip I have been meaning to post: Jewish Israelis protesting for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) at … Read entire article »
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What Is, and Isn’t, the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement
By Emily Schaeffer The call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel is gaining momentum. At the same time, it is widely misinterpreted, unfortunately by skeptics, opponents and proponents alike.The basic premise behind BDS movements initiated by civil society is that they are a grassroots, international, non-violent means of expressing stern disapproval of a country’s choice to oppress or discriminate against a group of people in contravention of international law and principles of equality, humanity … Read entire article »
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Historic BDS debate in Zeek
By Jesse Bacon Zeek, the artsy hipstery Jewish journal, published two long pieces on BDS (Boycott Divestment and Sanctions) for what I assume is the first time. This bold move plants the movement squarely within the more creative portion of the Jewish establishment, at least as a topic of conversation. This suggests that the effort to make any discussion, as opposed to demonization, of BDS taboo has backfired. It is the BDS-demonizers who find themselves increasingly … Read entire article »
Filed under: Victories for Democracy
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.