The Only Democracy? » Entries tagged with "Israeli Knesset"
For Lieberman, human rights = terrorism
Well, this sums it up well. Though Israel declined to follow up the anti-Boycott bill by passing a law calling for the investigation of human rights organizations, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was not “blasted ministers for refusing to probe” From Ha’aretz, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud ministers for their opposition to a bill calling for parliamentary investigations into left-wing organizations. Speaking during Sunday’s cabinet meeting, Lieberman said the bodies slated for … Read entire article »
Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs, Victories for Democracy
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
Meanwhile in Israel..
By Jesse Bacon While their neighbors in Egypt struggled to defend their amazing movement from attack by pro-government goons, Israel used it’s remaining democracy to..further the investigation of NGO’s. The House Committee approved a motion for the first panel to be chaired by MK Fania Kirshenbaum (Yisrael Beiteinu ), who proposed its establishment. Her proposal calls for the panel to examine financial support by foreign governments and organizations for “Israeli organizations taking part in the campaign of delegitimization … Read entire article »
Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
Targetted professor stands up for human rights in Israel
By Jesse Bacon Neve Gordon, whose own academic freedom was threatened after his support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, writes in the Nation on the continued slide of human rights in Israel. This time at Ben Gurion Airport the site of much harassment of democracy activists as well as ethnic profiling. Neve Gordon points out that human rights websites are blocked there by filters. I am reading a book about the rise of Nixon, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
CWP Report: “All out War: Israel against democracy”
by the Coalition of Women for Peace Comprehensive Report on Intensifying Political Persecution in Israel CWP published a new report today, titled “All-Out War: Israel Against Democracy.” This comprehensive report documents the increasing political persecution of peace and human rights organizations and activists, and describes the connections between the assaults led by Israeli government officials, security forces, courts, journalists, and extreme-right organizations in this well-orchestrated offensive on democracy. The report was published in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, and English. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs
Audrey Farber responds to proposed loyalty oaths; UPDATED with NIF response
by Audrey Farber A part of me wants to give at least a hesitant nod of acknowledgement to the less-extreme-right in the Knesset who recognize that there is something less-than-savory in Lieberman’s loyalty oath. In Lieberman-land, all naturalized citizens will swear loyalty to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. (Ah, the hypocrisy!) As much as Netanyahu may be frustrating the hell out of those of us who – dare we say it – hope for better, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Discrimination
Israeli McCarythism 2010: Now with loyalty oaths
By Jesse Bacon When I was guest-editing over at our sister blog Muzzlewatch, I was struck by the extent that “McCarthyist” had gone from a crude epithet, like “That’s fascist, man” to an actual blueprint for advocating for Israel’s policies. The writer I was responding to was the brother of former Prime Minister, he claimed to have a “list” of BDS academics who would then go on to the state department. Well, less we think the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Discrimination, Featured
Israeli Knesset completes step 1 of 3 in criminalizing nonviolent economic pressure against the Occupation
by Cecilie Surasky, crossposted from our sisterblog Muzzlewatch.com Real News Network, a professional online alternative to US corporate media, has this comprehensive report about a Knesset bill to criminalize Palestinian, international and Israeli efforts to promote and enact boycotts against Israel. Last week, it passed its “preliminary reading” in the Knesset, with two more rounds to go to become law. If passed, this stunning bill will mark the most severe and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Discrimination
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.