Wednesday, November 14, 2007
How the cat got its whiskers
Ok. so I am now back in Britain after an extended period away. Who on earth do I think i'm talking to? anyway. I'm unemployed and have a lot of time on my hands. Miaow!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
West Bank Settlement Expansion
For more information on the Olive Tree Campaign go to www.jai-pal.org
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Three Legged Dog
Okay.
Last night I watched 'Bil'in Habibti' at a film screening in my local political cafe. It is a fine film, made by Israeli activist Shai Pollack, who attended the screening.
This morning, while walking to work, I was thinking about the film and especially about the role that Israeli activists play in opposing the occupation. I really believe that any genuine progress, in what is rightly being modelled as a civil rights movement, can only be made with the input of the (largely marginalised) left-wing within Israel. Just as in South Africa there were whites who could see the horror of Apartheid, just as in the United States groups like the Freedom Riders did much to show the way in the South, the change must at least in part come from inside Israel if any kind of sense is to prevail.
I'm not talking about normalisation. I'm talking about joint struggle against something that is palpably wrong.
At the moment though, examples of joint Israeli-Palestinian non-violent resistance to the occupation are few and far between. I have Palestinian friends who (very reasonably) will refuse to have anything to do with Israeli organisations, while the oppressor maintains its grip. Likewise, since it's apparently illegal for Israelis to enter the West Bank, not to mention the fear that is whipped up regarding any such visit (Arabs waiting to stab you etc...), it seems very unlikely that any popular anti-occupation campaign will really get off the ground any time soon.
Which is shit.
Internationals might know what's going on, but most people don't care. Israelis are already unequal partners with Palestinians in the continuing occupation. Hopefully more from both sides can become equal partners in trying to end it.
Just as I was thinking about this kind of thing, I saw a three legged dog running along, in the incredible way three legged dogs have of doing what you might think would be rendered next to impossible after the loss of a limb, on the other side of the road. Lost in admiration for the dog, I was watching it and not looking where I was going, when suddenly I had a shock, like waking from a dream. I hadn't actually walked into a street-sign, but rather passed exactly between the two vertical posts that were in my path. Then I carried on going.
Last night I watched 'Bil'in Habibti' at a film screening in my local political cafe. It is a fine film, made by Israeli activist Shai Pollack, who attended the screening.
This morning, while walking to work, I was thinking about the film and especially about the role that Israeli activists play in opposing the occupation. I really believe that any genuine progress, in what is rightly being modelled as a civil rights movement, can only be made with the input of the (largely marginalised) left-wing within Israel. Just as in South Africa there were whites who could see the horror of Apartheid, just as in the United States groups like the Freedom Riders did much to show the way in the South, the change must at least in part come from inside Israel if any kind of sense is to prevail.
I'm not talking about normalisation. I'm talking about joint struggle against something that is palpably wrong.
At the moment though, examples of joint Israeli-Palestinian non-violent resistance to the occupation are few and far between. I have Palestinian friends who (very reasonably) will refuse to have anything to do with Israeli organisations, while the oppressor maintains its grip. Likewise, since it's apparently illegal for Israelis to enter the West Bank, not to mention the fear that is whipped up regarding any such visit (Arabs waiting to stab you etc...), it seems very unlikely that any popular anti-occupation campaign will really get off the ground any time soon.
Which is shit.
Internationals might know what's going on, but most people don't care. Israelis are already unequal partners with Palestinians in the continuing occupation. Hopefully more from both sides can become equal partners in trying to end it.
Just as I was thinking about this kind of thing, I saw a three legged dog running along, in the incredible way three legged dogs have of doing what you might think would be rendered next to impossible after the loss of a limb, on the other side of the road. Lost in admiration for the dog, I was watching it and not looking where I was going, when suddenly I had a shock, like waking from a dream. I hadn't actually walked into a street-sign, but rather passed exactly between the two vertical posts that were in my path. Then I carried on going.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Bil’in, Second anniversary demonstration. 23rd February 2007
This isn’t by any means a documentary, nor is it an account of the valiant efforts of those who protest the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and the bad tempered wall that is being built.
Rather it is a narrative of the day, and an attempt to represent what I felt as a both a protester and witness to the demonstration.
Bil’in is a phenomenon of a sort, in that it is the only anti-wall demo that has built up any kind of momentum. It has built a reputation as a success story of the non-violent resistance movement in Palestine, despite controversy regarding the motives of some of the activists that attend the weekly protest (so-called “violence tourists”), the regular stone-throwing of local kids and even the extent to which local villagers would like to see these protests continue.
This was the second time I’d attended the protest, and both times I have been overwhelmed, not only by the ridiculously heavy-handed methods of the Israeli military (which is self-evident in the video), but also by the intangible atmosphere amongst the protesters.
Bil’in is unique in that it is no longer simply an anti-wall demonstration; it has become something of a public relations animal. A symbol of non-violent resistance to show to the world, regardless of the ground-level intentions and goals of the local people who essentially want to get rid of the illegal wall (or, if you will, security fence, blah blah blah), so that they can access their farmland.
I have a friend who is convinced (and I am persuaded) that Israel only permits “Bil’in” to continue, firstly as an excellent training arena for their vast amounts of inexperienced young soldier-boys, and secondly to give sheen to the illusion of permissive Israeli democracy. Although it is slightly self defeating to be smug about allowing non-violent protest when you violently dismantle it.
It is a weird event, made all the more weird by the hundreds of people that attended the second anniversary. I would guess that there was at least three cameras to every person.
A thank you to James by the way…
Rather it is a narrative of the day, and an attempt to represent what I felt as a both a protester and witness to the demonstration.
Bil’in is a phenomenon of a sort, in that it is the only anti-wall demo that has built up any kind of momentum. It has built a reputation as a success story of the non-violent resistance movement in Palestine, despite controversy regarding the motives of some of the activists that attend the weekly protest (so-called “violence tourists”), the regular stone-throwing of local kids and even the extent to which local villagers would like to see these protests continue.
This was the second time I’d attended the protest, and both times I have been overwhelmed, not only by the ridiculously heavy-handed methods of the Israeli military (which is self-evident in the video), but also by the intangible atmosphere amongst the protesters.
Bil’in is unique in that it is no longer simply an anti-wall demonstration; it has become something of a public relations animal. A symbol of non-violent resistance to show to the world, regardless of the ground-level intentions and goals of the local people who essentially want to get rid of the illegal wall (or, if you will, security fence, blah blah blah), so that they can access their farmland.
I have a friend who is convinced (and I am persuaded) that Israel only permits “Bil’in” to continue, firstly as an excellent training arena for their vast amounts of inexperienced young soldier-boys, and secondly to give sheen to the illusion of permissive Israeli democracy. Although it is slightly self defeating to be smug about allowing non-violent protest when you violently dismantle it.
It is a weird event, made all the more weird by the hundreds of people that attended the second anniversary. I would guess that there was at least three cameras to every person.
A thank you to James by the way…
Dignity
Click to enlarge the image. There are three pages. Sorry I'm not bright enough to put it in a swankier format.
Have a listen.
Extracted Audio 01.aiff
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Cheesey Video
Hallo. I haven't done this for a while...
Yesterday afternoon I had many things to do, so instead if doing them I made this cheesey offering. The truth tastes like cheese.
Soon (maybe even later this afternoon) I will get round to writing about what I've been up to, including a bonkers day in Hebron nearly two weeks ago...
Yesterday afternoon I had many things to do, so instead if doing them I made this cheesey offering. The truth tastes like cheese.
Soon (maybe even later this afternoon) I will get round to writing about what I've been up to, including a bonkers day in Hebron nearly two weeks ago...
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