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The Only Democracy? » Entries tagged with "Jenin"

Support a Palestinian Family Fighting to Stay Together under Israel’s Citizenship Law

Reprinted with permission from Mondoweiss. Written by Udi Aloni, member of the Jewish Voice for Peace advisory board. There has been a flood of new laws, practices and rules of apartheid in Israel. Sometimes many of us feel paralyzed because of the racist manifestations in the judiciary, legislature and executive and don’t know where to start fighting. Yet when those laws begin to destroy the lives of close friends, we know this is a good place to start. On January 12th, 2012 the Israeli Supreme Court upheld a ruling allowing Israel to prevent Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza, who marry Israelis, to reside with their spouses in Israel. This law further permits the deportation of Palestinians who are currently living with their families in Israel. I remember a year … Read entire article »

Filed under: Discrimination, On The Ground Reports

Freedom Theatre Update: First rule about being arrested by Israel is..

Freedom Theatre Update: First rule about being arrested by Israel is..

 `Let the jury consider their verdict,’ the King said, for about the twentieth time that day. `No, no!’ said the Queen. `Sentence first–verdict afterwards.’ Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Here’s an update about the latest arrest at the Freedom Theatre in Jenin Refugee Camp. The previous arrests were covered here, but you can’t read about the latest on in Israel. The democracy has forbidden reporting on it within the country. Acting Student Rami Hwayel Taken By Israeli Army by: The … Read entire article »

Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs

Updated: Israeli Army ambushes Freedom Theater

Soldiers have stormed the Freedom Theatre of Jenin, whose co-founder Juliano Mer-Khamis was slain earlier this year. UPDATE: Per Jonatan Stanczak: latest is that the lawyers have been barred from visiting or speaking with Adnan or Bilal and that they have been taken to two different prisons in Israel. No additional info from the army on why. – Show quoted text – URGENT PRESS RELEASE From The Freedom Theater Foundation, Jenin, Palestine 04.46 (gmt+2), July 27, 2011 Special Forces of the Israeli Army attacked the Freedom Theater in Jenin Refugee Camp at approximately 03:30 this morning.  Ahmad Nasser Matahen, a night guard and technician student at the theater work up by heavy blocks of stone hurled at the entrance of the theater.  As he opened the door he found masked and heavily armed Israeli Special Forces … Read entire article »

Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs

Democracy Now! on Julian’s death

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

Mike Leigh joins the growing Israeli boycott festival

Mike Leigh joins the growing Israeli boycott festival

By Jesse Bacon You could already have a quite a film festival with the stars supporting the Ariel settlement boycott. Now one of my favorite directors Mike Leigh, has refused to come to Israel at all. On the same weekend that I heard JVP advisory board member Udi Aloni speak about artists who let themselves be used by the government versus those who don’t, Leigh gives us a good example.  He had already refused to come … Read entire article »

Filed under: Victories for Democracy