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 »

What is Israel’s reaction to the growing nonviolent movement of boycott, divestment, and sanctions? Well criminalize it, of course! We just learned new bill has been introduced in the Israeli Knesset by 25 Knesset members, that would criminalize all BDS activities or even BDS advocacy inside or outside Israel. You can find info about this in English here and with more detail in Hebrew here. The proposed bill would target those that initiate, encourage, or provide assistance or information about boycotts against Israel. Israeli citizens or residents of Israel could be sued by whoever was harmed by the boycott and would have to pay up to 30,000 shekels in restitution and an additional amount according to the harm established by the Israeli courts. This provision would endanger the Israeli Coalition of Women for Peace, … Read entire article »