The Only Democracy? » Archive
Helen Thomas response, hypocrisy here and there
By Cecilie Surasky, crossposted from Muzzlewatch.com It’s impossible to defend White House Grande Dame of journalism Helen Thomas’ recent off the cuff statement that Israeli Jews should go back to Germany…..or Poland. (She said Israel should get out of Palestine, but it wasn’t clear if she meant the Occupied Territories, which Israelis should get out of, or Israel behind the green line.) It was deeply offensive and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Discrimination
Our 2 Op-Eds in the Israeli Press about Israel’s Future (1)
(crossposted on Daily Kos) In April, in anticipation of Israel’s independence day, fellow Israeli activist Ofer Neiman sent us an op-ed for feedback. I ended up co-signing the article. It appeared on Ynet, the website of Israel’s largest daily. I planned to translate it to English but was too busy. A couple of weeks ago, as the Gaza flotilla was cruising towards its tragic end, I thought up another article – a sequel if you will. This time it was Ofer who joined me as a co-author, and the article appeared in Haaretz – but wasn’t translated on their English mirror. Both articles deal with Israel’s existential problems rather than focus on current events. The Ynet article reminds Israelis, that the deteriorating quality of our public life bears a direct impact upon the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured
The Banality of Occupation
While the world has been rightfully focused on the Gaza Flotilla, the banality of occupation goes on. In this video (originally posted on Coteret), a twelve year old boy is arrested in Bil’in. An international activist and the boy’s mother plead with the soldiers to release him, but the soldiers ignore them completely, with the complete power of the occupier. The child was apparently working in his olive groves with his family. As the boy is taken away, you can see, not far away at all, the buildings of the nearest settlement. Just another day in Palestine. … Read entire article »
Filed under: On The Ground Reports
Links and Video about the Gaza Freedom Flotilla
Documents explaining international law and law of sea applicable to the Flotilla: Video: Daniel Machover, Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights, summary of analysis of international law applicable to flotilla attack. Downlaodable Documents: Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights document analyzing international law applicable to flotilla attack and a Diakonia analysis on the law of sea applicable to flotilla attack: Link concerning the criminalization of the four Palestinian citizens of Israel who were … Read entire article »
Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
Pixies Cancel Concert in response to Gaza Freedom Flotilla Attack
By Jesse Bacon I wrote earlier about how moved I was by the call for the Pixies to cancel their concert in Israel. What my blog post could not accomplish by itself, the Gaza Flotilla attack has. The Pixies have cancelled their concert, according to Ha’aretz. We can only hope for better days, in which we will finally present the long awaited visit of the Pixies in Israel.” I can only add, “to a free Israel and Palestine.” Here’s … Read entire article »
Filed under: Victories for Democracy
Bibi, Stop Racist Talk against Turks and Release All Footage!
(expanded version of Occupation Magazine post) Today (Saturday), Israeli PM `Bibi` again claimed, in rather crude terms, that the reason why the IDF killed 9 activists on Monday but today boarded the MV Rachel Corrie peacefully, is because of “…the difference between a ship of peace activists, with whom we don’t agree but respect their right to a different opinion from ours, and between a ship of hate organised by violent Turkish terror extremists…” This continues a race-baiting campaign against the Turkish ship and IHH, which started well before Monday’s attack. As CindyCasella’s excellent diary shows, just like in previous controversies the Israeli PR machine churns mostly lies. They are already backtracking from a claim IHH has Al Qaeda ties. But they’re still at it. Call Bibi’s racist bluff: demand that Israel release all … Read entire article »
Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
interview with Greta Berlin of Free Gaza Movement UPDATE: Israel takes over boat.
By Jesse Bacon Here’s a clip of Greta Berlin, who is twittering at @FreeGazaOrg She says boat should arrive within half hour if not stopped. IDF is jamming all transmission, but boat can be seen through binoculars from shore. Greta Berlin of Free Gaza Movement. UPDATE: Tweet from onboard says that Israel is towing boat to Ashdod. … Read entire article »
Filed under: On The Ground Reports
BREAKING: During Mariead Maguire interview, MV Rachel Corrie approached rapidly by Israeli navy
By Jesse Bacon I was interviewing Mairead Maguire, Irish Nobel Peace Laureate, when the MV Rachel Corrie was rapidly approached by the Israeli Navy, 65 miles from Gaza. We ended the call to keep the line clear. Hopefully the whole world really is watching. Listen here: Mariead Maguire … Read entire article »
Filed under: On The Ground Reports
Live from the Only Democracy? Exclusive: Denis Halliday aboard the Rachel Corrie
By Jesse Bacon Contrary to some reports today, the Rachel Corrie is scheduled to arrive in Gaza about 10 pm Eastern Time. I will call back then, but had this conversation with an upbeat Dennis Halliday aboard the boat today. Here is the audio; I will post a cleaned up version over the weekend. Denis J. Halliday was the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq from September 1, 1997, until 1998. He is Irish and holds an … Read entire article »
Filed under: On The Ground Reports
Huwaida Arraf detained
by Jesse Bacon I called Huwaida Arraf for her second part of our interview to find she had been detained by Israeli police at the Friday Bil’in protest against the wall. Will check on a number to call. In the meantime, here’s her interview on Democracy Now! … 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.