The Only Democracy? » Archive
Democracy Now! on Julian’s death
Democracy Now? asked us to repost their interview with Nabeel Raee, director of the Acting School at the Jenin Freedom Theatre and Constancia “Dinky” Romilly. She is the founder and president of the board of the New York-based Friends of Jenin Freedom Theatre. They are speaking of the death of their colleague Juliano Mer-Khamis. Rush Transcript: AMY GOODMAN: Palestinians, artists, peace activists worldwide are mourning the loss of a leading figure in Palestinian creative nonviolence resistance. Juliano Mer-Khamis, the head … Read entire article »
Filed under: On The Ground Reports
Juliano Mer-Khamis, in his own words
From filmmaker and activist Jen Marlowe: Dear friends, Many of you may have already heard about the murder of Juliano Mer-Khamis. The co-founder and director of the Freedom Theatre in Jenin Refugee Camp, he was gunned down (five bullets to the head) this afternoon outside the theatre by an unknown assailant. I first met Juliano in 2006, when I began working with a group of activists in New York to support the Freedom Theatre. I have visited the Freedom Theatre multiple times over the years, watching Juliano teach and direct young acting students. Most recently, I watched Juliano as he coached acting students three months ago, preparing for the much-acclaimed production of “Alice in Wonderland.” I have no words at this moment to describe Juliano, the work of the Freedom Theatre and the scope … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
Video from Israelis speaking out against Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions bill
Below is a short video of Israeli celebrities and several activists, among whom I was honored to appear. The video is in Hebrew and for an Israeli audience, but there are English subtitles. The video essentially is self-explanatory, but to give you a synopsis we are coming out strongly against the bill currently in advanced stages in the Israeli parliament (Knesset) that will make it illegal to support and advance boycotts, divestment campaigns and/or a call for sanctions (and perhaps other non-violent political expression) against Israel for its unlawful acts against Palestinians. We are all coming out for democracy, freedom of thought and expression, and stating that this law won’t stop us from resisting the occupation. From the Coalition for Women for Peace’s channel: This is the promo for a series of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Discrimination
Salem’s Music Center Team Visits Tel Aviv And Jaffa
Dear Friends, The last months saw the development of connections between the Music Center that opened about a year ago in the village of Salem, near Nablus, and several people from the well-stablished Alef High-School of Arts in Tel Aviv. Ram and Rutie, who are leading this initiative from the Israeli side, initiated and organized for Jubier, Fadi and Amid – the Music Center’s team, a visit of three days in Tel Aviv. … Read entire article »
Filed under: On The Ground Reports
How to lift the closure of Gaza in three easy steps
From Gisha’s Gaza Gateway, what it would actually take to end just the closure of Gaza, although not the entire Occupation. Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister said last week that the continued smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip threatens further implementation of the “easing” of the closure. Israel of course has the right to prevent the passage of arms shipments (as it did this week at sea). But why weapons smuggling should prevent easing the closure is … Read entire article »
Filed under: On The Ground Reports
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 »
Filed under: Victories for Democracy
Please report any unattended human rights
I read Neve Gordon’s piece a few months back about human rights websites being banned at Ben Gurion airport, and thought what a perfect microcosm of the front Israel is trying to put up to the world. While they wouldn’t think of banning such websites to their own population, I hope, international travelers are key to the PR efforts that they shouldn’t be allowed to read any such depressing news. Including, presumably, reports on the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
Israeli solidarity activist interrogated by police for “incitement”
Sara Benninga, whose speech I reposted here on the blog, was interrogated by the police after speaking at the JStreet conference I attended. She provided one of the voices for a new direction for Jewish and Israeli activists working alongside Palestinians for justice. For this she rewarded with an interrogation. From Didi Remez’s facebook page: Sara was interrogated for “incitement” because she made a call for solidarity with the #Jan25 protesters at Tahrir sq. She was also … Read entire article »
Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs, On The Ground Reports
Eviatar: Three Dead Children
Guest Post by Aharan Eviatar The recent ghastly events in Arizona, especially the killing of Christina Greene, gunned down by a political lunatic at age nine, lead one to think of the phenomenon of political killing of children and what it implies for society. In particular, I would like to bring up along with Christina, two other cases of killing of little girls, one in Arizona and the other in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The story … Read entire article »
Filed under: Discrimination
Second School Year Opens at Salem’s Music Center
On Saturday February 19 we visited the Salem Music Center. We were accompanied by three professionals – Fuad, a music teacher from Tel Aviv-Yaffa, Ram – principal of Tel Aviv’s art high school, and Ruti – head of that school’s music department. The occasion was the opening of a second school year at the Center, absorbing a second cohort of students in addition to last year’s students who continue their work (see here for a description … 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.