Thursday, September 30, 2004
Israel-Palestine: Radio interview with Anarchists Against the Wall 30/09/04
A radio interview made earlier this year with some members of the Anarchists Against the Wall initiative is available online at http://www.indymedia.org.uk/media/2004/05/291928.mp3 . The interview was broadcast by Free Radio Tonka in the Netherlands.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Palestine-Israel, Update - on the daily struggle against the Apartheid wall: Budrus demo 28th September 04 (it) 29/09/04
About 20 comrades were arrested in a demo in Budrus initiated by the radical anti occupation people - including the Anarchists Against The Wall initiativePalestine-Israel, "We arrived at the village at around 12:30 and started marching at around 13:00. we were about 150 palestinians and 50 israelis and internationals. we stood on the hill, and didn't attempt to walk towards the soliders, for a bit more than an hour. We chanted and sang and the whole time people from the village stopped the Shabab from throwing a single stone. The village then decided the protest was over. We started walking back, I managed to see one shower of stones and then we started running from the sound grenades and tear gas. A bunch of us crowded between 2 buildings, and suddenly we were surrounded by Magav (border police) who were threatning the people in the house, and not letting anyone of us leave. The made us sit down and then told all the israelis to get up and that we were arrested.
We walked to where the protest was and were made to stand against a wall that was a sort of ramp where internationals were standing with magav. Suddenly the magav started hitting everyone and I saw a guy on the floor being kicked by at least 4 Magav, and a at least 3 internationals who were beaten over the head with sticks while soldiers were shouting in hebrew "lie down on the ground!". We couldn't do anything, it was horrible. The guy who was kicked was a palestinian they arrested with us.
They then took us to a shady hill near the village where we sat for about 3 hours. We were two internationals (one of whom is a reporter), 2 palestinians who were accused of throwing stones (the one who was beaten up, and another one who was grabbed from his house and apparently wasn't even in the protest- they obviously both never did such thing) and 16 israelis (including 3 minors under 18).only the second palestinian was handcuffed.
We were taken in a very crowded truck where we decided on jail solidarity with the internationals and palestinians.
We got to police station in Beit Aryeh where they let us sit on the grass outside for hours, which was very nice. The internationals were relaesed quite quickly, around 19:00, me and another guy were told not to enter Budrus for the next 14 days but werent given anything to sign and got our IDs back, and another woman needed to be at work the next day so she signed it at around 22:00.
The others waited on the grass till we knew what was happening with the palestinians. At the end the one who was beaten was released on the same condition as the israelis, and the other was taken to Ofer but was paid bail for in the same night. Everyone were realeased around 23:00.
we went home feeling tired but in high spirits and very much in solidarity with eachother.
We walked to where the protest was and were made to stand against a wall that was a sort of ramp where internationals were standing with magav. Suddenly the magav started hitting everyone and I saw a guy on the floor being kicked by at least 4 Magav, and a at least 3 internationals who were beaten over the head with sticks while soldiers were shouting in hebrew "lie down on the ground!". We couldn't do anything, it was horrible. The guy who was kicked was a palestinian they arrested with us.
They then took us to a shady hill near the village where we sat for about 3 hours. We were two internationals (one of whom is a reporter), 2 palestinians who were accused of throwing stones (the one who was beaten up, and another one who was grabbed from his house and apparently wasn't even in the protest- they obviously both never did such thing) and 16 israelis (including 3 minors under 18).only the second palestinian was handcuffed.
We were taken in a very crowded truck where we decided on jail solidarity with the internationals and palestinians.
We got to police station in Beit Aryeh where they let us sit on the grass outside for hours, which was very nice. The internationals were relaesed quite quickly, around 19:00, me and another guy were told not to enter Budrus for the next 14 days but werent given anything to sign and got our IDs back, and another woman needed to be at work the next day so she signed it at around 22:00.
The others waited on the grass till we knew what was happening with the palestinians. At the end the one who was beaten was released on the same condition as the israelis, and the other was taken to Ofer but was paid bail for in the same night. Everyone were realeased around 23:00.
we went home feeling tired but in high spirits and very much in solidarity with eachother.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Israel-Palestine/Tel Aviv 50 attended an open information+organization meeting of The Anarchist Against The Wall initiative, 2 days of action 28/09/04
People were invited to the meeting in a leaflet distributed at the just released 5 refusnics reception happening last Thursday. Teens and older people came to the meeting and were given a short introduction to the initiative, as well as basic tips for new Israeli participants in the direct actions in the joint struggle against the Apartheid wall/fence. After coordination of next day actions (Tuesday) and future dates, video documentaries of lasts days actions in Awwa and Budrus were screened. Following reports from two of this week actions:
1) bulldozers stopped in beit awwa, september 27 2004, by kobi snitz
2) bulldozers stopped in Budrus, Sunday, september 26 - at the 44th action
1) A small but unified march manages what a large march was unable to do: stop the work on the wall. after an early departure from Tel Aviv we arrived at beit awwa and got ready to join people who were gathering for the demonstration. The march was delayed when we heard that the army was around and looking to arrest israelis and internationals. (See the pictures at: https://israel.indymedia.org/feature/display/778/index.php)
The army and police were in the area in large numbers, especially on the route to the bulldozers, and the feeling was that it would be dangerous to head right towards them.
At around 9:30 a group of 50-100 people started to march from the center of beit awwa towards a field where olive trees were cut and away from where the soldiers were.
Two police vans arrived and after them more army jeeps. we got to within site of the cut olive trees and from there we headed back to beit awwa.
after regrouping near the center of the village, the march grew to about 200 people. We walked in the direction of the cemetery, where some preliminary work on the wall was being done, but the army was everywhere. either following us inside the village or moving troops to where we were heading. in spite of initial reluctance to get close to the soldiers we eventually headed towards the bulldozers. I guess the feeling was that we are close to the soldiers in any case so we might as well try to stop the bulldozers.
The odds were against us, last thursday a group of 1000 of us was unable to get past 20 soldiers who used lots of tear gas and rubber bullets and today we were no more than 200 and faced with what looked like 100 soldiers and police.
the soldiers must have expected the shabab to throw stones and did their best to provoke them, they drove their jeeps through the marching crowd but the shabab did not fall for it.
we linked arms in the open field where we were gassed on thursday and started up the hill.
unprepared for a unified and disciplined march the soldiers ran frantically trying in vain to stop the marchers. photographers later told us that the soldiers were yelling at each other for letting us get this far.
WE made it up the hill to a distance of about 100 from the machines. our proximity caused work to halt and we stood our ground in front of growing numbers of police, border police and army. At this point in what was the symbolic highlight of the day, a young man from beit awwa planted an olive tree in the place where trees were recently uprooted.
In the course of the standoff with the army and police a group of women advanced a small distance further and the situation came close to erupting when the border police and private security guards pushed and threatened the women.
after holding our ground for about 35 minutes and with the arrival of the border police notorious crowd control units it was decided to head back to the village instead of risking injuries. The thought was that we should retain control of the situation by deciding when to leave and that this will put us in a strong position to continue the demonstrations. We did manage to get back to the village without injuries and virtually no stones being thrown.
later, over cups of super-sweet palestinian tea there seemed to have been general satisfaction with the performance of the marchers as a group.
Pictures are at:
2) Sunday 26.9.04 was the 44th demonstration in the struggle against the wall at Budrus. And the bulldozers were blocked again, for a while. Following a a week of curfew, violence and threats to the Budrus villagers by the army, gendarmes, and occupation authority, 40 Israeli and international activists came to express solidarity and join the daily demo.
At 10:30 the villagers and activists released the kids from the school to prevent their detentions in the school by the Israeli forces - as they did lately got into the "habit" of "conquering" the village when dispersing a demo and holds the kids in the schools.
At 11:00, the the demo departed from the village towards the building site of the fence. About 100 participants - women and men of the village accompanied by the Israeli and international activists started to march towards the bulldozers. A big group of reporters from all over the worlds that came to cover the demo restrained a bit the soldiers brutality.
The demonstrators succeeded to mount the bulldozers and stop their work for 15 minutes. In spite shock and tear-gas grenades, the demonstrators held their ground for a while. When a big reinforcement of gendarmes arrived, the villagers decided to disengage to evade harsh violence towards them. It seems that the absence of violet clash at the site disappointed the gendarmes who came spoiled for action. As the villagers went away peacefully, the decided to follow them to the village - as they are used lately, to "educate" the villagers and to deter them from future demos "at any cost needed" (as was said to the villagers by occupation authority the previous week). They entered the village, and "conquered" the school using tear gas and shock grenades and rubber coats bullets.... Just that this time they got empty school with no pupils to "educate".
Tuesday 28 September a big demonstration is expected at the village at noon.
For details, Einat
1) bulldozers stopped in beit awwa, september 27 2004, by kobi snitz
2) bulldozers stopped in Budrus, Sunday, september 26 - at the 44th action
1) A small but unified march manages what a large march was unable to do: stop the work on the wall. after an early departure from Tel Aviv we arrived at beit awwa and got ready to join people who were gathering for the demonstration. The march was delayed when we heard that the army was around and looking to arrest israelis and internationals. (See the pictures at: https://israel.indymedia.org/feature/display/778/index.php)
The army and police were in the area in large numbers, especially on the route to the bulldozers, and the feeling was that it would be dangerous to head right towards them.
At around 9:30 a group of 50-100 people started to march from the center of beit awwa towards a field where olive trees were cut and away from where the soldiers were.
Two police vans arrived and after them more army jeeps. we got to within site of the cut olive trees and from there we headed back to beit awwa.
after regrouping near the center of the village, the march grew to about 200 people. We walked in the direction of the cemetery, where some preliminary work on the wall was being done, but the army was everywhere. either following us inside the village or moving troops to where we were heading. in spite of initial reluctance to get close to the soldiers we eventually headed towards the bulldozers. I guess the feeling was that we are close to the soldiers in any case so we might as well try to stop the bulldozers.
The odds were against us, last thursday a group of 1000 of us was unable to get past 20 soldiers who used lots of tear gas and rubber bullets and today we were no more than 200 and faced with what looked like 100 soldiers and police.
the soldiers must have expected the shabab to throw stones and did their best to provoke them, they drove their jeeps through the marching crowd but the shabab did not fall for it.
we linked arms in the open field where we were gassed on thursday and started up the hill.
unprepared for a unified and disciplined march the soldiers ran frantically trying in vain to stop the marchers. photographers later told us that the soldiers were yelling at each other for letting us get this far.
WE made it up the hill to a distance of about 100 from the machines. our proximity caused work to halt and we stood our ground in front of growing numbers of police, border police and army. At this point in what was the symbolic highlight of the day, a young man from beit awwa planted an olive tree in the place where trees were recently uprooted.
In the course of the standoff with the army and police a group of women advanced a small distance further and the situation came close to erupting when the border police and private security guards pushed and threatened the women.
after holding our ground for about 35 minutes and with the arrival of the border police notorious crowd control units it was decided to head back to the village instead of risking injuries. The thought was that we should retain control of the situation by deciding when to leave and that this will put us in a strong position to continue the demonstrations. We did manage to get back to the village without injuries and virtually no stones being thrown.
later, over cups of super-sweet palestinian tea there seemed to have been general satisfaction with the performance of the marchers as a group.
Pictures are at:
2) Sunday 26.9.04 was the 44th demonstration in the struggle against the wall at Budrus. And the bulldozers were blocked again, for a while. Following a a week of curfew, violence and threats to the Budrus villagers by the army, gendarmes, and occupation authority, 40 Israeli and international activists came to express solidarity and join the daily demo.
At 10:30 the villagers and activists released the kids from the school to prevent their detentions in the school by the Israeli forces - as they did lately got into the "habit" of "conquering" the village when dispersing a demo and holds the kids in the schools.
At 11:00, the the demo departed from the village towards the building site of the fence. About 100 participants - women and men of the village accompanied by the Israeli and international activists started to march towards the bulldozers. A big group of reporters from all over the worlds that came to cover the demo restrained a bit the soldiers brutality.
The demonstrators succeeded to mount the bulldozers and stop their work for 15 minutes. In spite shock and tear-gas grenades, the demonstrators held their ground for a while. When a big reinforcement of gendarmes arrived, the villagers decided to disengage to evade harsh violence towards them. It seems that the absence of violet clash at the site disappointed the gendarmes who came spoiled for action. As the villagers went away peacefully, the decided to follow them to the village - as they are used lately, to "educate" the villagers and to deter them from future demos "at any cost needed" (as was said to the villagers by occupation authority the previous week). They entered the village, and "conquered" the school using tear gas and shock grenades and rubber coats bullets.... Just that this time they got empty school with no pupils to "educate".
Tuesday 28 September a big demonstration is expected at the village at noon.
For details, Einat
Palestine-Israel, The daily struggle against the Apartheid wall continues - 19 arrested in budrus demonstration today 28/9/2004
On 28 September 2004 in a demo in Budrus initiated by the radical anti occupation people - including the Anarchists Against The Wall initiative, 16 israelis and 2 internationals have been arrested and one palestinian who was also beaten. At 14:30 the arrestees were being kept in a grove near the work site. It was expected that they will be taken to the police station at givat ze'ev near Jerusalem, but latest news is that they were taken instead to Beit Ariye police station.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Palestine-Israel, Recent Palestinian Popular Resistance and its Israeli Support*- by Kobi Snitz 27/09/04
Palestinian resistance
Palestinian popular resistance is nothing new, yet in recent months it has reached a new level of development. The catalyst has been the confiscation of Palestinian land for the construction of the separation wall, the path of which stands to create enclaves containing tens of thousands of Palestinians. One of the leaders of the new type of resistance is Ayed Morar (Abu Ahmed) of Budrus, a small village close to the Green Line. Since November 2003 Budrus has been the model for what has come to be called the Third Intifada: Popular resistance to the wall by whole villages. According to Morar, there are several reasons why Budrus has been a model of organizing. Budrus is a small village with strong social and familial ties where the social and political leaders all know each other. So when it came time to organize a popular committee in Budrus, it happened quite naturally. Morar stresses that it was important that the popular committee include everyone: Religious leaders, members of Fatah, leaders of the mosque, school headmasters, leaders of the youth club and the civic council. Women's groups were particularly strong and vocal in demonstration in Budrus, unlike in some other villages.
In addition to the local committees, a council of 9 villages was formed to coordinate resistance among the villages. For various reasons, however, other villages where the wall was constructed did not put up an organized fight. According to Morar, the villages that did not resist were not as unified as Budrus and also did not know exactly how to go about actually resisting the wall.
> >>From the beginning of the demonstrations in Budrus on Nov 11*, 2003, the popular committee made a clear decision on three principles: To use only peaceful means in their struggle; to involve the entire village;and to seek international and Israeli support. The organizers were both morally committed to non-violence and also believed that it is the most effective way to struggle in this situation. Morar explained how it is easy for a handful of soldiers to disperse a crowd throwing stones from a distance but very difficult even for large groups of soldiers to control a disciplined crowd that approaches them. Morar's assessment is confirmed by Haaretz reporter Arnon Regular who describes "confused regular and reserve troops [facing Palestinian demonstrations], acting without a guiding hand in violation of regulations they do not know" [Haaretz April 14, 2004]. Commentator Amos Har'el commenting in the same issue on soldiers assigned to face demonstrations.
concludes that "it is not hard to guess which is the least favorite mission amongst soldiers in the central command region." In contrast, the army does not suffer from confusion or lack of guidance when it resorts to the use of violence, and according to Amos Har'el at least, Israeli soldiers prefer anything, including the use of violence, to confronting nonviolent demonstrations.
"At first it was very hard for us to get near the soldiers. With their history and their armor and weapons we were intimidated," says Morar, adding that "once we got past the fear, the soldiers were unable to control us and we were able to push the soldiers back a few times and stop the bulldozers." One key to maintaining unified and disciplined demonstrations in Budrus was that the leadership placed itself in front of the crowd and was always present. The level of coordination and trust was such that the people of Budrus were able to do one of the most difficult things in a demonstration, which is to walk away from a standoff without being hurt.
When they wished it, they would march up to the soldiers and hold their ground for an amount of time they decided on in advance and then turn back. In that way they gained a measure of control of the situation, and preserved their energies for days on which their goals were more ambitious.
As mentioned above, certain kinds of confrontations are easier than others for the army. Therefore, the army would try to escalate the situation into a confrontation between small groups of soldiers and a crowd throwing stones from a distance of 50-100 meters.
It is probably not the case that explicit orders are given to prevent peaceful demonstrations. Rather the soldiers on the ground are effectively given permission to use tear gas, shock grenades and rubber coated metal bullets at their discretion and given orders that make escalation inevitable.
After hours in the sun, performing a frustrating job they are not equipped or prepared for, soldiers act in the predictable way to make their job easier- they escalate the confrontation. The realization that the soldiers' job is difficult (if not impossible) does not remove their guilt. Soldiers do have the options of refusing to serve as thousands have done before them. However, the larger part of the blame belongs to the commanders who send soldiers on missions with predictable outcome and who set standards for conduct that allow soldiers to attack peaceful Palestinian demonstrations without fear of being disciplined. This is the sense in which it is army policy to prevent peaceful Palestinian resistance. As further evidence one can compare army procedures when dealing with settlers. In a recent example (May 17, 2004) no less than 1000 troops and police were used in the demolition of the single permanent structure in the Mitzpeh Yizhar outpost. With such huge numbers of troops, the need to escalate violence (to rubber coated metal bullets) in order to carry out orders does not exist. It goes without saying that the army would retreat before using live fire on settlers.
In the case of Palestinian demonstrations, violence would usually break out after the demonstration disperses. Usually soldiers would shoot rubber coated metal bullets, shock grenades and tear gas at the dispersing crowd.
Soldiers would sometimes even enter the village and chase people into houses. For their part, the young people of Budrus would respond with stone throwing. Morar emphasizes that the demonstrations were disciplined enough to prevent stone throwing but that demonstrations organizers should not be expected to be responsible for how the young people respond to army provocation after the demonstration is over. In addition, the army would often raid villages at night arresting those they suspect of stone throwing or political organizing. Once arrested Palestinians can be held indefinitely without trial.
Morar himself was arrested in this way and held for 10 days. Eventually, after the intervention of a member of the Knesset, Morar was released by a military judge who criticized the arrest in a rare move.
The price of resistance has been very high for Budrus and neighboring villages: Six dead and hundreds wounded. If the army succeeds in violently crashing this popular resistance it would escalate the level of violence in two ways. First by condemning thousands of Palestinians to life inside of open air jails and second by making non-violent resistance impossible. Army commanders and Israeli policy makers must know this and would welcome the escalation of violence for the reasons mentioned above. The higher the level of violence the simpler the confrontation is for the army. On the other hand, Ayed Morar and the other leaders of the Budrus resistance are striving in the opposite direction. As Morar says " We do not demonstrate against Jews, Israelis or even against soldiers. We demonstrate against the wall and the occupation. We have to act in a way that gives people a hope of freedom." That hope is both the strongest force against the escalation of violence and the strongest force of the popular resistance.
Israeli support
---------------
Israeli resistance to the separation wall in the form of direct action and support for Palestinian demonstrations has been growing along with the construction of the wall. The group I am familiar with is best described as a spontaneous anarchist organization, which has operated under different names such as "Jews Against Ghettos" and "Anarchists Against the Wall."
Although the form of organization is anarchistic in the sense of no centralized power and direct participatory democracy, most participants probably do not consider themselves anarchists. While in practice being far from the anarchist ideal, the group does benefit from the main advantages of such an organization: highly motivated and creative participants and a resilience against political pressure or repression.
Since the end of 2003*, the group has been mostly active in supporting Palestinian demonstrations against the wall. The main aims are to reduce the threat of violence against Palestinian demonstrators and to increase media attention. It should be made clear that the roll of Israelis is that of support. The initiators and large majority of participants in the demonstrations are Palestinians, who are also the ones who suffer the brunt of the violence and repression.
Between January and May, demonstrations occurred practically daily and often in more than one village.
Israeli participation falls into two categories, weekdays and weekends. During the work week construction usually goes on and the border police and army are out in force to prevent the demonstration from getting near the bulldozers. In spite of the best efforts by organizers, almost every weekday demonstration ends with at least a few wounded Palestinians. As the Christian Science monitor reported, [May 6 2004], 262 people have been injured and 5 killed in Biddu alone.
Weekend demonstrations are relatively safe since on those days there usually is no work being done on the wall and therefore less army or border police will be present to protect the bulldozers. However Friday demonstrations are also attacked sometimes such as in Beitunia on April 16, 2004, when 17-year-old Hussein Mahmoud Hussein Awad was killed. Because of the constraints of work and school, and because of the increased risk, a relatively small number of Israelis participate in weekday demonstrations. The Friday demonstrations are quite successful in drawing Israeli participation. The most successful Friday demonstrations have been organized mostly by Taayush and have drawn hundreds of Israelis to Budrus.
One aspect of the demonstration which does not make it into the media coverage is the interaction with occupation forces. It is sometimes possible for Palestinians as well as internationals and Israelis to safely approach the soldiers and negotiate or debate with them. It is not expected that soldiers will be persuaded to immediately put down their guns and refuse to continue to serve in the army. The hope is that it will be harder for soldiers to open fire on people they have just talked to and that a residue of moral pressure will still settle in them. It should be added that while internationals and especially Israelis might have more access to soldiers, their interaction with occupation forces should be approached very carefully. In my experience, soldiers have been surprisingly open to discussion and frank about their dislike of what they say they must do. However, as Gadi Elgazi pointed out to me, some of that sentiment should be understood as an attempt by the soldiers to divide Israelis and Palestinians demonstrators. The danger is that any agreement or even familiarity between Israeli demonstrators and soldiers can cast doubt on the solidarity of Israeli demonstrators with Palestinians. Still, with the conscientious objector movement growing amongst Israeli soldiers it is important to keep repeating to soldiers that they can follow the thousands of others before them and refuse to serve in the occupied territories or refused to serve at all.
The first mentioned goal of Israeli participation in the demonstrations is the increase of safety. It is impossible to know exactly how much safety is provided by Israeli presence. However, according to a senior army officer who commands the region "there is no doubt that the introduction of Israelis into [demonstrations] changed the picture... the most significant thing to change when Israelis are around is the open fire regulations." [quoted in Haaretz weekend section April 16, 2004]
The second main goal of Israeli support of Palestinian demonstrations against the wall is to increase media attention to the popular struggle. There has, in fact, been much media attention but most of it centered on the shooting of an Israeli protester by the army in Mas'ha on Dec 26, 2003.
Much of the rest of the coverage was about the participation of Israelis and not about the demonstrations as such, let alone the cause of the demonstrations. Still even with such racist priorities in the press, the existence of principled Israeli opposition to the wall and its critique as a means for Palestinian dispossession are now well known in Israel-- something that was not true 6 months ago. The over attention to Israeli demonstrators is motivated in part by the Israeli press's familiarity with the Israeli propaganda device known as "shooting and crying". By this device, domestic criticism is used as evidence of the liberalism and ultimate benevolence of "the only democracy in the Middle East." Indeed, a receptive Haaretz readership always feels flattered by depoliticized depictions of the beautiful Israeli lefty.In this way, just as familiarity with soldiers, so can over-familiarity with the Israeli press can corrupt Israeli dissidents.
There are several obstacles to the organizing of Israeli support of Palestinian popular resistance. It is a reflection of deep racism that permeates Israeli society that even after the army shot several Israelis and very nearly killed one of them, many potential supporters have to overcome their fear of the Palestinians they would be supporting rather than fear of the army. For those who do come out and support the Palestinian struggle, the reception has been completely positive--almost overwhelmingly so. This type of refutation of Israeli racist assumptions (about the hostility of Palestinians to individual Israelis for example) is perceived as a novelty and thus is one reason for the amount of attention given to the demonstrations.
Another typical, obstacle to drawing more Israeli support for Palestinian popular resistance is the particular opinion received by those more sophisticated than us. It is the idea that political activism is generally futile. This idea is communicated with empathy in the form of "very good of you but do you think any of it makes a difference?" The almost universal prevalence of this idea generally reflects the anti-democratic tendencies in societies where people are governed by other people and is not unique to Israel. It is both personally convenient and convenient for governments when people believe that their roll is essentially as spectators. The fact that the belief in political impotence is a product of indoctrination and personal psychology is reflected in the fact that it is typical exactly for those who do have the most political power and as such are subject to the most indoctrination.
One more indication of the power of the myth of political impotence is that as soon as this myth is refuted, political action suddenly becomes very attractive. In this particular case, the relatively large amount of media attention, (in spite of it being mostly derogatory) did give the impression that these actions have an effect and consequently the interest in joining the actions increased dramatically.
As mentioned above, media attention has a corrupting effect. While it is essential, it is dangerous for political action to be directed by a quest for media attention. On the contrary, much of the work of resistance is the unglamorous tedious work of political organizing. In many ways organizing is harder, more important and more democratic than the work that can be done by small groups of people. The true of success of direct forms of resistance is success in organizing a growing number of people.
At this point Palestinian popular resistance is in need of more Israeli support. Given the effect that a relatively small group of activists has had, it seems possible to increase significantly the political and material cost of constructing the wall. This effort does not really require an intellectual contribution (if this term even makes sense) in the form of literary metaphors or marketing expertise. The Israeli support effort requires resources and an honest effort on the part of Israelis. It requires more people, more creativity, more money and more work.
================================
* Article written for a conference at the Van-leer intitute by Kobi Snitz
================================
* Ed. Note: The upsurge in the struggle on November 2003 followed an initial project started at the Spring at Mas'ha. It was a camp of Israeli anarchists and others joining in protest against the wall local villagers, and Internationals. When the construction of the fence forced them away they moved the camp to Dir Balut for a while. The first joint action which even lead to damage of the fence was in Zabuba.
See:
http://www.ainfos.ca/03/nov/ainfos00221.html
(en) Israel - Palestine, Tel Aviv - Zububa, Twenty meters of fence removed - in joint Israeli/Palestinian action
http://www.ainfos.ca/03/nov/ainfos00203.html
(en) Israeli anarchist group - One Struggle - initiated an internationalist action against the wall
Palestinian popular resistance is nothing new, yet in recent months it has reached a new level of development. The catalyst has been the confiscation of Palestinian land for the construction of the separation wall, the path of which stands to create enclaves containing tens of thousands of Palestinians. One of the leaders of the new type of resistance is Ayed Morar (Abu Ahmed) of Budrus, a small village close to the Green Line. Since November 2003 Budrus has been the model for what has come to be called the Third Intifada: Popular resistance to the wall by whole villages. According to Morar, there are several reasons why Budrus has been a model of organizing. Budrus is a small village with strong social and familial ties where the social and political leaders all know each other. So when it came time to organize a popular committee in Budrus, it happened quite naturally. Morar stresses that it was important that the popular committee include everyone: Religious leaders, members of Fatah, leaders of the mosque, school headmasters, leaders of the youth club and the civic council. Women's groups were particularly strong and vocal in demonstration in Budrus, unlike in some other villages.
In addition to the local committees, a council of 9 villages was formed to coordinate resistance among the villages. For various reasons, however, other villages where the wall was constructed did not put up an organized fight. According to Morar, the villages that did not resist were not as unified as Budrus and also did not know exactly how to go about actually resisting the wall.
> >>From the beginning of the demonstrations in Budrus on Nov 11*, 2003, the popular committee made a clear decision on three principles: To use only peaceful means in their struggle; to involve the entire village;and to seek international and Israeli support. The organizers were both morally committed to non-violence and also believed that it is the most effective way to struggle in this situation. Morar explained how it is easy for a handful of soldiers to disperse a crowd throwing stones from a distance but very difficult even for large groups of soldiers to control a disciplined crowd that approaches them. Morar's assessment is confirmed by Haaretz reporter Arnon Regular who describes "confused regular and reserve troops [facing Palestinian demonstrations], acting without a guiding hand in violation of regulations they do not know" [Haaretz April 14, 2004]. Commentator Amos Har'el commenting in the same issue on soldiers assigned to face demonstrations.
concludes that "it is not hard to guess which is the least favorite mission amongst soldiers in the central command region." In contrast, the army does not suffer from confusion or lack of guidance when it resorts to the use of violence, and according to Amos Har'el at least, Israeli soldiers prefer anything, including the use of violence, to confronting nonviolent demonstrations.
"At first it was very hard for us to get near the soldiers. With their history and their armor and weapons we were intimidated," says Morar, adding that "once we got past the fear, the soldiers were unable to control us and we were able to push the soldiers back a few times and stop the bulldozers." One key to maintaining unified and disciplined demonstrations in Budrus was that the leadership placed itself in front of the crowd and was always present. The level of coordination and trust was such that the people of Budrus were able to do one of the most difficult things in a demonstration, which is to walk away from a standoff without being hurt.
When they wished it, they would march up to the soldiers and hold their ground for an amount of time they decided on in advance and then turn back. In that way they gained a measure of control of the situation, and preserved their energies for days on which their goals were more ambitious.
As mentioned above, certain kinds of confrontations are easier than others for the army. Therefore, the army would try to escalate the situation into a confrontation between small groups of soldiers and a crowd throwing stones from a distance of 50-100 meters.
It is probably not the case that explicit orders are given to prevent peaceful demonstrations. Rather the soldiers on the ground are effectively given permission to use tear gas, shock grenades and rubber coated metal bullets at their discretion and given orders that make escalation inevitable.
After hours in the sun, performing a frustrating job they are not equipped or prepared for, soldiers act in the predictable way to make their job easier- they escalate the confrontation. The realization that the soldiers' job is difficult (if not impossible) does not remove their guilt. Soldiers do have the options of refusing to serve as thousands have done before them. However, the larger part of the blame belongs to the commanders who send soldiers on missions with predictable outcome and who set standards for conduct that allow soldiers to attack peaceful Palestinian demonstrations without fear of being disciplined. This is the sense in which it is army policy to prevent peaceful Palestinian resistance. As further evidence one can compare army procedures when dealing with settlers. In a recent example (May 17, 2004) no less than 1000 troops and police were used in the demolition of the single permanent structure in the Mitzpeh Yizhar outpost. With such huge numbers of troops, the need to escalate violence (to rubber coated metal bullets) in order to carry out orders does not exist. It goes without saying that the army would retreat before using live fire on settlers.
In the case of Palestinian demonstrations, violence would usually break out after the demonstration disperses. Usually soldiers would shoot rubber coated metal bullets, shock grenades and tear gas at the dispersing crowd.
Soldiers would sometimes even enter the village and chase people into houses. For their part, the young people of Budrus would respond with stone throwing. Morar emphasizes that the demonstrations were disciplined enough to prevent stone throwing but that demonstrations organizers should not be expected to be responsible for how the young people respond to army provocation after the demonstration is over. In addition, the army would often raid villages at night arresting those they suspect of stone throwing or political organizing. Once arrested Palestinians can be held indefinitely without trial.
Morar himself was arrested in this way and held for 10 days. Eventually, after the intervention of a member of the Knesset, Morar was released by a military judge who criticized the arrest in a rare move.
The price of resistance has been very high for Budrus and neighboring villages: Six dead and hundreds wounded. If the army succeeds in violently crashing this popular resistance it would escalate the level of violence in two ways. First by condemning thousands of Palestinians to life inside of open air jails and second by making non-violent resistance impossible. Army commanders and Israeli policy makers must know this and would welcome the escalation of violence for the reasons mentioned above. The higher the level of violence the simpler the confrontation is for the army. On the other hand, Ayed Morar and the other leaders of the Budrus resistance are striving in the opposite direction. As Morar says " We do not demonstrate against Jews, Israelis or even against soldiers. We demonstrate against the wall and the occupation. We have to act in a way that gives people a hope of freedom." That hope is both the strongest force against the escalation of violence and the strongest force of the popular resistance.
Israeli support
---------------
Israeli resistance to the separation wall in the form of direct action and support for Palestinian demonstrations has been growing along with the construction of the wall. The group I am familiar with is best described as a spontaneous anarchist organization, which has operated under different names such as "Jews Against Ghettos" and "Anarchists Against the Wall."
Although the form of organization is anarchistic in the sense of no centralized power and direct participatory democracy, most participants probably do not consider themselves anarchists. While in practice being far from the anarchist ideal, the group does benefit from the main advantages of such an organization: highly motivated and creative participants and a resilience against political pressure or repression.
Since the end of 2003*, the group has been mostly active in supporting Palestinian demonstrations against the wall. The main aims are to reduce the threat of violence against Palestinian demonstrators and to increase media attention. It should be made clear that the roll of Israelis is that of support. The initiators and large majority of participants in the demonstrations are Palestinians, who are also the ones who suffer the brunt of the violence and repression.
Between January and May, demonstrations occurred practically daily and often in more than one village.
Israeli participation falls into two categories, weekdays and weekends. During the work week construction usually goes on and the border police and army are out in force to prevent the demonstration from getting near the bulldozers. In spite of the best efforts by organizers, almost every weekday demonstration ends with at least a few wounded Palestinians. As the Christian Science monitor reported, [May 6 2004], 262 people have been injured and 5 killed in Biddu alone.
Weekend demonstrations are relatively safe since on those days there usually is no work being done on the wall and therefore less army or border police will be present to protect the bulldozers. However Friday demonstrations are also attacked sometimes such as in Beitunia on April 16, 2004, when 17-year-old Hussein Mahmoud Hussein Awad was killed. Because of the constraints of work and school, and because of the increased risk, a relatively small number of Israelis participate in weekday demonstrations. The Friday demonstrations are quite successful in drawing Israeli participation. The most successful Friday demonstrations have been organized mostly by Taayush and have drawn hundreds of Israelis to Budrus.
One aspect of the demonstration which does not make it into the media coverage is the interaction with occupation forces. It is sometimes possible for Palestinians as well as internationals and Israelis to safely approach the soldiers and negotiate or debate with them. It is not expected that soldiers will be persuaded to immediately put down their guns and refuse to continue to serve in the army. The hope is that it will be harder for soldiers to open fire on people they have just talked to and that a residue of moral pressure will still settle in them. It should be added that while internationals and especially Israelis might have more access to soldiers, their interaction with occupation forces should be approached very carefully. In my experience, soldiers have been surprisingly open to discussion and frank about their dislike of what they say they must do. However, as Gadi Elgazi pointed out to me, some of that sentiment should be understood as an attempt by the soldiers to divide Israelis and Palestinians demonstrators. The danger is that any agreement or even familiarity between Israeli demonstrators and soldiers can cast doubt on the solidarity of Israeli demonstrators with Palestinians. Still, with the conscientious objector movement growing amongst Israeli soldiers it is important to keep repeating to soldiers that they can follow the thousands of others before them and refuse to serve in the occupied territories or refused to serve at all.
The first mentioned goal of Israeli participation in the demonstrations is the increase of safety. It is impossible to know exactly how much safety is provided by Israeli presence. However, according to a senior army officer who commands the region "there is no doubt that the introduction of Israelis into [demonstrations] changed the picture... the most significant thing to change when Israelis are around is the open fire regulations." [quoted in Haaretz weekend section April 16, 2004]
The second main goal of Israeli support of Palestinian demonstrations against the wall is to increase media attention to the popular struggle. There has, in fact, been much media attention but most of it centered on the shooting of an Israeli protester by the army in Mas'ha on Dec 26, 2003.
Much of the rest of the coverage was about the participation of Israelis and not about the demonstrations as such, let alone the cause of the demonstrations. Still even with such racist priorities in the press, the existence of principled Israeli opposition to the wall and its critique as a means for Palestinian dispossession are now well known in Israel-- something that was not true 6 months ago. The over attention to Israeli demonstrators is motivated in part by the Israeli press's familiarity with the Israeli propaganda device known as "shooting and crying". By this device, domestic criticism is used as evidence of the liberalism and ultimate benevolence of "the only democracy in the Middle East." Indeed, a receptive Haaretz readership always feels flattered by depoliticized depictions of the beautiful Israeli lefty.In this way, just as familiarity with soldiers, so can over-familiarity with the Israeli press can corrupt Israeli dissidents.
There are several obstacles to the organizing of Israeli support of Palestinian popular resistance. It is a reflection of deep racism that permeates Israeli society that even after the army shot several Israelis and very nearly killed one of them, many potential supporters have to overcome their fear of the Palestinians they would be supporting rather than fear of the army. For those who do come out and support the Palestinian struggle, the reception has been completely positive--almost overwhelmingly so. This type of refutation of Israeli racist assumptions (about the hostility of Palestinians to individual Israelis for example) is perceived as a novelty and thus is one reason for the amount of attention given to the demonstrations.
Another typical, obstacle to drawing more Israeli support for Palestinian popular resistance is the particular opinion received by those more sophisticated than us. It is the idea that political activism is generally futile. This idea is communicated with empathy in the form of "very good of you but do you think any of it makes a difference?" The almost universal prevalence of this idea generally reflects the anti-democratic tendencies in societies where people are governed by other people and is not unique to Israel. It is both personally convenient and convenient for governments when people believe that their roll is essentially as spectators. The fact that the belief in political impotence is a product of indoctrination and personal psychology is reflected in the fact that it is typical exactly for those who do have the most political power and as such are subject to the most indoctrination.
One more indication of the power of the myth of political impotence is that as soon as this myth is refuted, political action suddenly becomes very attractive. In this particular case, the relatively large amount of media attention, (in spite of it being mostly derogatory) did give the impression that these actions have an effect and consequently the interest in joining the actions increased dramatically.
As mentioned above, media attention has a corrupting effect. While it is essential, it is dangerous for political action to be directed by a quest for media attention. On the contrary, much of the work of resistance is the unglamorous tedious work of political organizing. In many ways organizing is harder, more important and more democratic than the work that can be done by small groups of people. The true of success of direct forms of resistance is success in organizing a growing number of people.
At this point Palestinian popular resistance is in need of more Israeli support. Given the effect that a relatively small group of activists has had, it seems possible to increase significantly the political and material cost of constructing the wall. This effort does not really require an intellectual contribution (if this term even makes sense) in the form of literary metaphors or marketing expertise. The Israeli support effort requires resources and an honest effort on the part of Israelis. It requires more people, more creativity, more money and more work.
================================
* Article written for a conference at the Van-leer intitute by Kobi Snitz
================================
* Ed. Note: The upsurge in the struggle on November 2003 followed an initial project started at the Spring at Mas'ha. It was a camp of Israeli anarchists and others joining in protest against the wall local villagers, and Internationals. When the construction of the fence forced them away they moved the camp to Dir Balut for a while. The first joint action which even lead to damage of the fence was in Zabuba.
See:
http://www.ainfos.ca/03/nov/ainfos00221.html
(en) Israel - Palestine, Tel Aviv - Zububa, Twenty meters of fence removed - in joint Israeli/Palestinian action
http://www.ainfos.ca/03/nov/ainfos00203.html
(en) Israeli anarchist group - One Struggle - initiated an internationalist action against the wall
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Palesine-Israel, The struggle continue - Join demonstration In Budrus this Sunday! 26.9.04
Last Thursday the village was under curfew in order to prevent any kind of protest. the DCO told the villagers that they will not allow demos in Budrus "no matter what, no matter the results".This Sunday at 9:00 we will join the villagers to demonstrate against the stealing of their lands inspite of IDF promises and court decisions. it is very importent to be there and show solidarity.
call Raz:
---------------------
see also:
Palestine-Israel, Report of Anarchists Against the Wall (AAtW) about the last five days of resistance
http://ainfos.ca/04/sep/ainfos00429.html
See pictures at:
https://israel.indymedia.org/media/all/display/190/index.php
and
https://israel.indymedia.org/media/all/display/199/index.php
call Raz:
---------------------
see also:
Palestine-Israel, Report of Anarchists Against the Wall (AAtW) about the last five days of resistance
http://ainfos.ca/04/sep/ainfos00429.html
See pictures at:
https://israel.indymedia.org/media/all/display/190/index.php
and
https://israel.indymedia.org/media/all/display/199/index.php
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Israel-Palestine, Tel Aviv, Celebrating the release of the 5 refusnics aster two years in jail - the struggle goes on. 25/09/04
About four years ago - at the beginning of the second Intifada, an high-school refusniks initiative for total refusal of the compulsory 3 years service in the army was started by anarchist youth and others. This step was interwoven as an extreme with the refusniks spectrum. The wide spectrum include mainly people who evade reserve service and compulsory 3 years service on individualistic mode - mainly faking health and mental problems.
The political refusniks spectrum included mainly reservists whose refusal was selective - not to serve in the occupied territories. The second Intifada that started 4 years ago initiated a stronger wave of selective refusnics and a new wave of high-school refusnics.
At the beginning, the teens refusnics were few - mainly anarchists, and the army let them go after few repetitions of 3 weeks prison terms. At the beginning of the third year of the Intifada, the refusniks and teens political total refusing the compulsory service expanded to less marginal extremists and the army changed strategy - not letting the teen refusnics go after 100 or so days in jail.
The political refusniks 5 and a pacifist were in the focus of the struggle of refusing service, in spite of the objection to that step by the milder refusniks movement which is only the radical wing of Zionism.
Thursday evening, two days after the final release of the 5 refusnics, a big welcome reception with about 700 participants was arranged in Tel-Aviv, sponsored by the whole radical left - including the Anarchists Against The Wall.
Following is the leaflet distributed by the AATW at that happening.
WE MUST PUT DOWN THE WALL
Would you buy a used toaster from Dany Nave [the health minister] Would you buy a used car from Tsahi Hanegby [the suspended police minister] How come you buy from them and their friends (Aric, Bibi, Ehud, Limor [first names of the top ministers] and all other interested from any where up to the Likud [ruling party] central comity, disastrous plans, that will influence our life for many years?
IS IT THEM YOU TRUST THAT THE SOLUTION TO THIS PLACE IS FENCES, IS WALLS, IS APARTHEID ?
At the end of 2002 Israel government started to build a separation fence. The route decided on pass, mostly, deep in the Palestinian area, garbing thousands of acres of agriculture lands, separating between children and schools, between sick people and medical treatment, and between people and their relatives. The twisted route create Getos - enclaves that prevent normal connection between villages and the surrounding world. Thousands of fruit trees are uprooted to clear the way - trees that gave the main income to people (who were prevented from working in Israel). The government present the the route as just a security measure, but both the Israeli supreme court and the international court stated that the route is illegal, and harm in a serious way the life of the inhabitants. This rise the question: "was so harsh harming of the inhabitants was taken into the security considerations? is a person his resources were robed, his trees are uprooted, and his honor is tramped become less dangerous?"
So, if not security, what really hide behind the decision to build that kind of fence? The sad answer is TRANSFER. Not the kind in which people are forced on transport cars and taken away, but the quiet transfer - the one that making the life of people so unbearable that they were left with only two options: to get out or to explode.
At january 2004* the villagers have chosen a different option - nonviolent struggle against the fence, inspired by leaders like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King. Men, women, children and old people, went out of the villages to try to block with their bodies the bulldozers, to prevent the destruction and robbery, accompanied by Israeli and international activists who arrived to stand at their side in solidarity, and to try to decrease the level of violence of the army. Not always was this helpful as usually the army responded with extreme violence, using batons, shock and tear gas grenades, and shooting of rubber coated bullets and even live ammunition.
Along the year, there were tens of demonstrations harshly suppressed, resulting with the killing of 6 demonstrators and the injury of hundreds. The media usually chose not to focus on what was happening and only the decision of supreme court stooped for a while the free stampede of the bulldozers.
These days, the work of building the fence is renewed with full speed, again in Palestinian area, with clear disregarding of the supreme courts verdicts. Now, it is no more possible to avert the eyes and to say - we did not know.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.
STOP THE MADNESS! STOP THE FENCE!
---------------------------------
Come to Salon Mazal, Simta Almonit 3 Tel Aviv, Monday (already moved)
[20:00 27.9.04] to hear more.
Subscribe to the activist against the fence list:
againstwall-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
More derails on the fence: www.gader.org
=========================================
* [Ed. Note: after 8 months of joint struggles of small scale activities of the villagers, international volunteers and people involved with the Anarchists Against The Wall initiative]
The political refusniks spectrum included mainly reservists whose refusal was selective - not to serve in the occupied territories. The second Intifada that started 4 years ago initiated a stronger wave of selective refusnics and a new wave of high-school refusnics.
At the beginning, the teens refusnics were few - mainly anarchists, and the army let them go after few repetitions of 3 weeks prison terms. At the beginning of the third year of the Intifada, the refusniks and teens political total refusing the compulsory service expanded to less marginal extremists and the army changed strategy - not letting the teen refusnics go after 100 or so days in jail.
The political refusniks 5 and a pacifist were in the focus of the struggle of refusing service, in spite of the objection to that step by the milder refusniks movement which is only the radical wing of Zionism.
Thursday evening, two days after the final release of the 5 refusnics, a big welcome reception with about 700 participants was arranged in Tel-Aviv, sponsored by the whole radical left - including the Anarchists Against The Wall.
Following is the leaflet distributed by the AATW at that happening.
WE MUST PUT DOWN THE WALL
Would you buy a used toaster from Dany Nave [the health minister] Would you buy a used car from Tsahi Hanegby [the suspended police minister] How come you buy from them and their friends (Aric, Bibi, Ehud, Limor [first names of the top ministers] and all other interested from any where up to the Likud [ruling party] central comity, disastrous plans, that will influence our life for many years?
IS IT THEM YOU TRUST THAT THE SOLUTION TO THIS PLACE IS FENCES, IS WALLS, IS APARTHEID ?
At the end of 2002 Israel government started to build a separation fence. The route decided on pass, mostly, deep in the Palestinian area, garbing thousands of acres of agriculture lands, separating between children and schools, between sick people and medical treatment, and between people and their relatives. The twisted route create Getos - enclaves that prevent normal connection between villages and the surrounding world. Thousands of fruit trees are uprooted to clear the way - trees that gave the main income to people (who were prevented from working in Israel). The government present the the route as just a security measure, but both the Israeli supreme court and the international court stated that the route is illegal, and harm in a serious way the life of the inhabitants. This rise the question: "was so harsh harming of the inhabitants was taken into the security considerations? is a person his resources were robed, his trees are uprooted, and his honor is tramped become less dangerous?"
So, if not security, what really hide behind the decision to build that kind of fence? The sad answer is TRANSFER. Not the kind in which people are forced on transport cars and taken away, but the quiet transfer - the one that making the life of people so unbearable that they were left with only two options: to get out or to explode.
At january 2004* the villagers have chosen a different option - nonviolent struggle against the fence, inspired by leaders like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King. Men, women, children and old people, went out of the villages to try to block with their bodies the bulldozers, to prevent the destruction and robbery, accompanied by Israeli and international activists who arrived to stand at their side in solidarity, and to try to decrease the level of violence of the army. Not always was this helpful as usually the army responded with extreme violence, using batons, shock and tear gas grenades, and shooting of rubber coated bullets and even live ammunition.
Along the year, there were tens of demonstrations harshly suppressed, resulting with the killing of 6 demonstrators and the injury of hundreds. The media usually chose not to focus on what was happening and only the decision of supreme court stooped for a while the free stampede of the bulldozers.
These days, the work of building the fence is renewed with full speed, again in Palestinian area, with clear disregarding of the supreme courts verdicts. Now, it is no more possible to avert the eyes and to say - we did not know.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.
STOP THE MADNESS! STOP THE FENCE!
---------------------------------
Come to Salon Mazal, Simta Almonit 3 Tel Aviv, Monday (already moved)
[20:00 27.9.04] to hear more.
Subscribe to the activist against the fence list:
againstwall-subscribe@lists.riseup.net
More derails on the fence: www.gader.org
=========================================
* [Ed. Note: after 8 months of joint struggles of small scale activities of the villagers, international volunteers and people involved with the Anarchists Against The Wall initiative]
Palestine-Israel, More on the action at Awwa - Thursday 24th September in my experience By Anarchis Against The Wall 25/09/04
Yesterday there was a big rally/party for the five refusers that got out of jail after two years. They where also released for good from the army. It was a really happy event with lots of performers and important people from around the world and Israel congratulating them for there release, people where dancing and there was great music but for me it was hard to enjoy the event.
I arrived to the event straight from the police station in Hebron after being arrested most of the day. The day started at five in the morning, we traveled to Biet Awwa a Palestinian village south west of Hebron. A lot of the land of the village is being destroyed and stolen for the building of the fence/wall.
We held a big march and started to walk towards the bulldozers. We where around one thousand people with included around 600 young girls in school inform.
Before we got close to the working site of tear gas was shot at us. I like many I was hit by it right away and we retreated a bit. By that point of course the shabab started to throw stones, many of the Palestinian organizers tried to stop the stone throwing so we could continue with the non-violent march but chaos brook out and then the soldiers started shooting rubber bullets (steel bullets covered with rubber to be exact). At this point the situation was getting really violent and both the shabab and the border police where out of control. A couple of Israelis and internationals including myself decided to walk forward and to try to speak the soldiers and police men. It was quiet scary but with the bullets flying by our ears but we managed to get close and yell at them that they are crazy and that they are shooting at unarmed people, at woman and young girls. It surprisingly worked for a few minutes and they put down there guns and also the stone throwing stopped. Then before I understood what was going on the soldiers charge at us and I was grabbed and arrested. I was taken to the jeeps handcuffed and sat in the sun for around five hours. It was very frustrating because I could not see what was going on but I heard gun shots and chanting, was choking on waves of tear gas and kept on seeing the soldiers coming back to the jeeps for more and more ammunition and tear gas. In the afternoon the soldiers managed to push the demonstrators back into the village and by then in was pretty much over. Over 100 people where hurt and over thirty people got hit by rubber covered bullets many in the upper part of there body. Myself and another Israeli anarchist was taken to the Hebron police station, where interrogated and yelled at but was basically treated nice.
Finally at around 7pm we where released on bail and signing that we will not go to the area for the next two weeks. We quickly traveled to Tel-Aviv to catch the end of the refusers rally.
I don’t know if charges will be filed, but I don’t think so. Anyway a video activist filmed me being arrested and it shows that I did not resist arrest and that I was just trying to talk to the soldiers and did not through any stones (something the interrogator claimed that I did) so I'm pretty much covered.
An anarchist against the Wall
from italy.indymedia
I arrived to the event straight from the police station in Hebron after being arrested most of the day. The day started at five in the morning, we traveled to Biet Awwa a Palestinian village south west of Hebron. A lot of the land of the village is being destroyed and stolen for the building of the fence/wall.
We held a big march and started to walk towards the bulldozers. We where around one thousand people with included around 600 young girls in school inform.
Before we got close to the working site of tear gas was shot at us. I like many I was hit by it right away and we retreated a bit. By that point of course the shabab started to throw stones, many of the Palestinian organizers tried to stop the stone throwing so we could continue with the non-violent march but chaos brook out and then the soldiers started shooting rubber bullets (steel bullets covered with rubber to be exact). At this point the situation was getting really violent and both the shabab and the border police where out of control. A couple of Israelis and internationals including myself decided to walk forward and to try to speak the soldiers and police men. It was quiet scary but with the bullets flying by our ears but we managed to get close and yell at them that they are crazy and that they are shooting at unarmed people, at woman and young girls. It surprisingly worked for a few minutes and they put down there guns and also the stone throwing stopped. Then before I understood what was going on the soldiers charge at us and I was grabbed and arrested. I was taken to the jeeps handcuffed and sat in the sun for around five hours. It was very frustrating because I could not see what was going on but I heard gun shots and chanting, was choking on waves of tear gas and kept on seeing the soldiers coming back to the jeeps for more and more ammunition and tear gas. In the afternoon the soldiers managed to push the demonstrators back into the village and by then in was pretty much over. Over 100 people where hurt and over thirty people got hit by rubber covered bullets many in the upper part of there body. Myself and another Israeli anarchist was taken to the Hebron police station, where interrogated and yelled at but was basically treated nice.
Finally at around 7pm we where released on bail and signing that we will not go to the area for the next two weeks. We quickly traveled to Tel-Aviv to catch the end of the refusers rally.
I don’t know if charges will be filed, but I don’t think so. Anyway a video activist filmed me being arrested and it shows that I did not resist arrest and that I was just trying to talk to the soldiers and did not through any stones (something the interrogator claimed that I did) so I'm pretty much covered.
An anarchist against the Wall
from italy.indymedia
Friday, September 24, 2004
Palestine-Israel, Report of Anarchists Against the Wall (AAtW) about the last five days of resistance 24/09/04
Five days of struggle - the same repression a new day.
With the resumption of construction of the separation wall a familiar pattern repeats itself. Negotiation is not even attempted, and Israeli policy is set unilaterally by the army and government without consideration for Palestinians. At the same time, every attempt at protest and non-violent resistance is repressed violently. In addition to the criminality of this repression, by making negotiation and peaceful protest impossible the army and government contribute to the escalation of the conflict in a direct way.
In the course of the last five days (September 19-23) the occupation forces returned to their attempt to literally cement their existence on Palestinian lands. Naturally the residents of the effected villages resisted this attempt and we are with them. Our method and our aim, which we have declared and consciously acted on for the last two years, are popular non-violent struggle.
Beit Awwa and Sikka, Sunday Sept 19.
For the first time since the beginning bulldozers started wrecking in the village lands, about a week earlier, we headed for the bulldozers together with the residents of Beit Awwa and Sikka. In spite of violence directed at the march we managed to get to the machines. For about two hours we stood in their way and prevented the theft of the land. During that time the soldiers and the police tried to remove us using brutal violence, which caused a resident of Sikka to lose consciousness for about 15 minutes and three others to be wounded. When large amounts of reinforcements arrived we were forced to retreat.
Budrus, Monday September 20.
When the bulldozers entered the village lands after a few weeks ago, following a long struggle a compromise was reached by which the path of the wall will not be on Budrus land- the people of Budrus went to their lands. Men women and children sat on their lands and with their own bodies prevented the bulldozers from taking their lands. The army did not have sufficient forces and after several unsuccessful attempts to remove the demonstrators, the bulldozers left.
Budrus, Tuesday September 21.
At dawn we went to the land to stop the bulldozers but this time the army was waiting with many troops. In spite of that, together with the people of Budrus we managed to get pass the soldiers and to the land. After about two hours of work being halted an agreement was made with a representative of the army that the bulldozers will not work on Budrus land during that day and that we will leave the lands. When we began to leave, the border police attacked people with clubs, shock grenades, tear gas and rubber coated metal bullets in violation of the agreement reached. In spite of that, during the attack, a representative of the village attempted to continue negotiating with a representative from the army. Finally another agreement was reached by which we will return to the lands where we stood first and the army will retreat from the lands. When the representatives headed their own way a border police force attacked the village, again in violation of the agreement reached. The resistance to the invasion of the village continued to about 5 pm when the army left the village. Many were hurt during the confrontation amongst them 26 people injured by rubber coated metal bullets. Two Israeli protesters were arrested and released the next day by Adv. Gaby Lasky who represented them in front of a judge who restricted their access to the Budrus area for 14 days.
Budrus, Wednesday September 22.
About 500 villagers, together with Israelis and internationals were attacked by the army with rubber coated metal bullets and tear gas even before leaving the village and at great distance. In the first minutes of the demonstration five demonstrators were injured by rubber coated metal bullets. Two of them, a 12-year-old boy and a member of the popular committee against the wall were shot in the head. The attempt to reach the land lasted about two hours and in the end the army occupied the schoolhouse and another house. The shooting continued during the course of the day as well as wide use of tear gas, which was sometimes shot directly into homes. The occupation of the village, which was carried out while the soldiers shouted "Budrus is ours!" was not only humiliating, illegal and immoral but also caused a large number of injuries. 17 Of them were hurt by rubber coated metal bullets.
Beit Awwa and Budrus, Thursday September 23.
On our way to Beit Awwa we heard that a full curfew was declared in Budrus at 8 am, after the beginning of the school day, thus trapping the school children in school. The army occupied several buildings and besieged the school. The curfew was lifted only after it was dark.
In Beit Awwa, about 1000 demonstrators were gathered, amongst them about 600 women and girls. We headed towards Sikka where the bulldozers were working and at a distance of about a kilometer from the bulldozers we were attacked by the army without any warning. For about two hours the army used tear gas rubber coated metal bullets in one of the most extreme displays of violence used at a demonstrations in a long time. We managed to hold our ground and were reminded of the most difficult demonstrations in Dir Kaddis and Harbata when an Israeli demonstrator was hit very near his eye by a rubber coated metal bullet. The daily toll was 120 wounded, of them 35 from rubber coated metal bullets. 45 of the demonstrators were evacuated to hospital in Hebron because their condition was too severe for the village clinic. Many of the wounded were women and girls who took the lead in facing the army throughout the day. In addition, 2 Israeli demonstrators were arrested. They were later released on condition that they do not return to Beit Awwa for 14 days.
Unlike the occupation forces who are not interested in dialogue, the people of Beit Awwa declare again that they invite anyone who wished to come and meet with them.
The bullets which try to silence protest will not silence us. Neither will political persecution, the corrupt system of military orders and courts, police interrogation or live fire stop the struggle. We are in integral part of the struggle against the wall and the occupation and for true liberty for all living beings.
With the resumption of construction of the separation wall a familiar pattern repeats itself. Negotiation is not even attempted, and Israeli policy is set unilaterally by the army and government without consideration for Palestinians. At the same time, every attempt at protest and non-violent resistance is repressed violently. In addition to the criminality of this repression, by making negotiation and peaceful protest impossible the army and government contribute to the escalation of the conflict in a direct way.
In the course of the last five days (September 19-23) the occupation forces returned to their attempt to literally cement their existence on Palestinian lands. Naturally the residents of the effected villages resisted this attempt and we are with them. Our method and our aim, which we have declared and consciously acted on for the last two years, are popular non-violent struggle.
Beit Awwa and Sikka, Sunday Sept 19.
For the first time since the beginning bulldozers started wrecking in the village lands, about a week earlier, we headed for the bulldozers together with the residents of Beit Awwa and Sikka. In spite of violence directed at the march we managed to get to the machines. For about two hours we stood in their way and prevented the theft of the land. During that time the soldiers and the police tried to remove us using brutal violence, which caused a resident of Sikka to lose consciousness for about 15 minutes and three others to be wounded. When large amounts of reinforcements arrived we were forced to retreat.
Budrus, Monday September 20.
When the bulldozers entered the village lands after a few weeks ago, following a long struggle a compromise was reached by which the path of the wall will not be on Budrus land- the people of Budrus went to their lands. Men women and children sat on their lands and with their own bodies prevented the bulldozers from taking their lands. The army did not have sufficient forces and after several unsuccessful attempts to remove the demonstrators, the bulldozers left.
Budrus, Tuesday September 21.
At dawn we went to the land to stop the bulldozers but this time the army was waiting with many troops. In spite of that, together with the people of Budrus we managed to get pass the soldiers and to the land. After about two hours of work being halted an agreement was made with a representative of the army that the bulldozers will not work on Budrus land during that day and that we will leave the lands. When we began to leave, the border police attacked people with clubs, shock grenades, tear gas and rubber coated metal bullets in violation of the agreement reached. In spite of that, during the attack, a representative of the village attempted to continue negotiating with a representative from the army. Finally another agreement was reached by which we will return to the lands where we stood first and the army will retreat from the lands. When the representatives headed their own way a border police force attacked the village, again in violation of the agreement reached. The resistance to the invasion of the village continued to about 5 pm when the army left the village. Many were hurt during the confrontation amongst them 26 people injured by rubber coated metal bullets. Two Israeli protesters were arrested and released the next day by Adv. Gaby Lasky who represented them in front of a judge who restricted their access to the Budrus area for 14 days.
Budrus, Wednesday September 22.
About 500 villagers, together with Israelis and internationals were attacked by the army with rubber coated metal bullets and tear gas even before leaving the village and at great distance. In the first minutes of the demonstration five demonstrators were injured by rubber coated metal bullets. Two of them, a 12-year-old boy and a member of the popular committee against the wall were shot in the head. The attempt to reach the land lasted about two hours and in the end the army occupied the schoolhouse and another house. The shooting continued during the course of the day as well as wide use of tear gas, which was sometimes shot directly into homes. The occupation of the village, which was carried out while the soldiers shouted "Budrus is ours!" was not only humiliating, illegal and immoral but also caused a large number of injuries. 17 Of them were hurt by rubber coated metal bullets.
Beit Awwa and Budrus, Thursday September 23.
On our way to Beit Awwa we heard that a full curfew was declared in Budrus at 8 am, after the beginning of the school day, thus trapping the school children in school. The army occupied several buildings and besieged the school. The curfew was lifted only after it was dark.
In Beit Awwa, about 1000 demonstrators were gathered, amongst them about 600 women and girls. We headed towards Sikka where the bulldozers were working and at a distance of about a kilometer from the bulldozers we were attacked by the army without any warning. For about two hours the army used tear gas rubber coated metal bullets in one of the most extreme displays of violence used at a demonstrations in a long time. We managed to hold our ground and were reminded of the most difficult demonstrations in Dir Kaddis and Harbata when an Israeli demonstrator was hit very near his eye by a rubber coated metal bullet. The daily toll was 120 wounded, of them 35 from rubber coated metal bullets. 45 of the demonstrators were evacuated to hospital in Hebron because their condition was too severe for the village clinic. Many of the wounded were women and girls who took the lead in facing the army throughout the day. In addition, 2 Israeli demonstrators were arrested. They were later released on condition that they do not return to Beit Awwa for 14 days.
Unlike the occupation forces who are not interested in dialogue, the people of Beit Awwa declare again that they invite anyone who wished to come and meet with them.
The bullets which try to silence protest will not silence us. Neither will political persecution, the corrupt system of military orders and courts, police interrogation or live fire stop the struggle. We are in integral part of the struggle against the wall and the occupation and for true liberty for all living beings.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Palestine22/09/04-Israel, Media, Wednesday, The daily struggle against the WALL continue - in Budrus 22/09/04
Till noon, eighty demonstrators were already hurt. 50 by gas. 30 by bullets - including 6 in their heads. The direct action resumed at Budrus by villagers and Israeli Anarchists Against The Wall Tuesday as the works for building the WALL was resumed. Villagers reported that Israeli soldiers entered the village, and took hold of roofs of houses - firing from them gas grenades and rubber coated bullets. The army also occupied the village school and driven the student out.
==> See also the call for international solidarity day of anarchists all over the world on October 22 (en) Greece, Crete, Proposal for an international day of solidarity to the Palestinian struggle http://www.ainfos.ca/04
==> See also the call for international solidarity day of anarchists all over the world on October 22 (en) Greece, Crete, Proposal for an international day of solidarity to the Palestinian struggle http://www.ainfos.ca/04
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Palestine-Israel, Media, The daily truggle against the WALL continue - in Budrus - 21/09/04
Seven demonstrators and four soldiers and jandarms were injured. Three Israelis demonstrators were detained. The direct action at Budrus resumed when the works for building the WALL was resumed. Participated in the confrontation Budrus about 100 vilagers and some Israeli Anarchists Against The Wall who arrived inspite of the general strike in Israel, blocked the buldosers.
The back grownd is the sneaking effort to resume building on the village fields in spite the governpent decision to change the route following the international presure.
Agreement between representative of the vilagers and the occupation buoerecracy was arrived to that temporarily the work on the vilage fiels will be suspended. As a reveange, when the demonstrators started to disperse, The jandarms and soldiers assoulted them with ruber coated bullets and tear gas grenades.
The reporter presented Jonathan Polak as member of the "Anarchists Against The Wall{" and quoted his claim that the army enterd the vilage, fired shock and tear grenades even to the school premises.
===================================
See also the call for international solidarity day of anarchists all over the world on October 22 (en) Greece, Crete, Proposal for an international day of solidarity to the Palestinian struggle http://www.ainfos.ca/04/aug/ainfos00059.html
The back grownd is the sneaking effort to resume building on the village fields in spite the governpent decision to change the route following the international presure.
Agreement between representative of the vilagers and the occupation buoerecracy was arrived to that temporarily the work on the vilage fiels will be suspended. As a reveange, when the demonstrators started to disperse, The jandarms and soldiers assoulted them with ruber coated bullets and tear gas grenades.
The reporter presented Jonathan Polak as member of the "Anarchists Against The Wall{" and quoted his claim that the army enterd the vilage, fired shock and tear grenades even to the school premises.
===================================
See also the call for international solidarity day of anarchists all over the world on October 22 (en) Greece, Crete, Proposal for an international day of solidarity to the Palestinian struggle http://www.ainfos.ca/04/aug/ainfos00059.html
Monday, September 20, 2004
Israel-Palestine, Another Media on: The construction of the WALL and the struggle that continues 20/09/04
Four anti-fence demonstrators and four soldiers were wounded Sunday following a confrontation between protesters and security forces south of Mt. Hebron. The IDF said demonstrators threw stones and bricks at the soldiers, lightly wounding four.
> Jonathan Pollak, of Anarchists Against the Wall said that "throughout the whole demonstration not one stone was thrown." Demonstrators were holding olive branches in their hands to symbolize the 1,000 trees lost during the fence's construction in the area of Beit Awwa, Sikka, Deir Aamut, said Pollak. Violence broke out when security forces tried to arrest the demonstrators. "They started kicking people and punching people," he said.
According to Pollak, some 250 Palestinians and 50 Israelis and international demonstrators headed in the direction of the construction near the settlement of Shekef around 10 a.m. "We managed to block the bulldozers for two hours or so," said Pollak. Additional security forces came "and it got pretty rough," he said. "One Palestinian demonstrator was beaten unconscious. They were stepping on his face and kicking his head. Another Israeli demonstrator got burn wounds from a stun grenade that was thrown at her. Two other Palestinians were lightly injured," said Pollak.
He said that the villages are losing some 1,200 dunams of land to the fence. Much of the arguments surrounding the fence have been reduced to the question of whether or not it is on the green line, said Pollak. He doesn't accept any wall, including on the green line. "We oppose the wall on any path," Pollak said. Construction of a wall in Gaza has turned it into one of the world's largest prisons. "We won't let that happen here," he said. "Not in our name," he added.
> Jonathan Pollak, of Anarchists Against the Wall said that "throughout the whole demonstration not one stone was thrown." Demonstrators were holding olive branches in their hands to symbolize the 1,000 trees lost during the fence's construction in the area of Beit Awwa, Sikka, Deir Aamut, said Pollak. Violence broke out when security forces tried to arrest the demonstrators. "They started kicking people and punching people," he said.
According to Pollak, some 250 Palestinians and 50 Israelis and international demonstrators headed in the direction of the construction near the settlement of Shekef around 10 a.m. "We managed to block the bulldozers for two hours or so," said Pollak. Additional security forces came "and it got pretty rough," he said. "One Palestinian demonstrator was beaten unconscious. They were stepping on his face and kicking his head. Another Israeli demonstrator got burn wounds from a stun grenade that was thrown at her. Two other Palestinians were lightly injured," said Pollak.
He said that the villages are losing some 1,200 dunams of land to the fence. Much of the arguments surrounding the fence have been reduced to the question of whether or not it is on the green line, said Pollak. He doesn't accept any wall, including on the green line. "We oppose the wall on any path," Pollak said. Construction of a wall in Gaza has turned it into one of the world's largest prisons. "We won't let that happen here," he said. "Not in our name," he added.
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Palestine-Israel, Photographs, wall construction stopped at sikka/beit awwa 19/9/04
Today, the people of beit awwa were successful in stopping the construction of the wall on their lands. work was halted for about 2 hours and two were injured.
photoes credit AP and AFP https://israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/697 The march left beit awwa 100 strong. Palestinians, internationals and israelis*.
men women and children. They were intercepted by IDF infantry which tried to stop the march at gun point. an officer informed indymedia that "this is for your protection i don't want you to be hurt by the heavy machinery" It must also have been out of concern that the soldiers used stun grenades and tear gas to try to stop the march.
Undeterred, the march continued to the work site near sikka where the crowed of demonstrators grew to about 200. When the demonstrators reached the work site, the worked stopped and did not resume for about 1 hour.
Confrontation with the army and border police() developed whenthey attempted to arrest people. In the end no arrests were made but several palestinians were injured. One injury was medium. An israeli women was also injured by the plastic casing of a stun grenade exploded near her.
After some of the demonstrators went back work resumed briefly but was topped again when demonstrators placed themselves in front of the bulldozers.
After about 45 minutes of blocking the bulldozers large forces of civilian police and riot police arrived at which point the demonstrators decided to retreat rather than risk more injury and arrests.
The lack of arrest and more serious injury leaves the demonstrators in a good position to intensify the resistance to the construction of the wall in the area.
=================================
* Edotor note: Media claimed it was Israeli Anarchists Against Against The Wall
See also:
(en) Israel-Palestine, Media:...................
http://ainfos.ca/04/sep/ainfos00359.html
http://ainfos.ca/04/sep/ainfos00366.html
Sun Sep 19 15:12:11 GMT 2004
photoes credit AP and AFP https://israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/697 The march left beit awwa 100 strong. Palestinians, internationals and israelis*.
men women and children. They were intercepted by IDF infantry which tried to stop the march at gun point. an officer informed indymedia that "this is for your protection i don't want you to be hurt by the heavy machinery" It must also have been out of concern that the soldiers used stun grenades and tear gas to try to stop the march.
Undeterred, the march continued to the work site near sikka where the crowed of demonstrators grew to about 200. When the demonstrators reached the work site, the worked stopped and did not resume for about 1 hour.
Confrontation with the army and border police() developed whenthey attempted to arrest people. In the end no arrests were made but several palestinians were injured. One injury was medium. An israeli women was also injured by the plastic casing of a stun grenade exploded near her.
After some of the demonstrators went back work resumed briefly but was topped again when demonstrators placed themselves in front of the bulldozers.
After about 45 minutes of blocking the bulldozers large forces of civilian police and riot police arrived at which point the demonstrators decided to retreat rather than risk more injury and arrests.
The lack of arrest and more serious injury leaves the demonstrators in a good position to intensify the resistance to the construction of the wall in the area.
=================================
* Edotor note: Media claimed it was Israeli Anarchists Against Against The Wall
See also:
(en) Israel-Palestine, Media:...................
http://ainfos.ca/04/sep/ainfos00359.html
http://ainfos.ca/04/sep/ainfos00366.html
Sun Sep 19 15:12:11 GMT 2004
Israel-Palestine, Media: The construction of the WALL and the struggle continue 19/09/04
Radio and other media report on struggle at noon in the South of Hebron mountains region near Shekef. About 150 Palestinians and 30 Israeli Anarchists Against The Wall and ISM people demonstrated against cutting trees and confiscating fields for the building of the WALL.
In the clash the Police and gendarmes shoot tear gas and more... In the clashes one comrade of Anarchists Against The Wall and one Palestinian were injured. The works were suspended for a while but resumed later.
See also the call for international solidarity day of anarchists all over the world on October 22 (en) Greece, Crete, Proposal for an international day of solidarity to the Palestinian struggle http://www.ainfos.ca/04/aug/ainfos00059.html
In the clash the Police and gendarmes shoot tear gas and more... In the clashes one comrade of Anarchists Against The Wall and one Palestinian were injured. The works were suspended for a while but resumed later.
See also the call for international solidarity day of anarchists all over the world on October 22 (en) Greece, Crete, Proposal for an international day of solidarity to the Palestinian struggle http://www.ainfos.ca/04/aug/ainfos00059.html
Friday, September 10, 2004
Israel-Palestine, Nikmat Olalim tour + Slovanian\Italian info tour 10/09/04
Hey friends, please help spreading this msg. thanx. Me.
Antizionist Hardcorepunk storm over europe
Nikmat Olalim ("Toddler's Revenge") is the name of an extremist Jewish organization that set a pipe bomb in an elementary school in Zur Baher, a village in East Jerusalem. This subject doesn't receive much attention in the Israeli public, even though when there are terrorist attacks against Jews you would hear about them for weeks, and the intention is to show ourselves and the world that the Jews are the victims and we're under constant threat. Obviously, bringing up the existence of Jewish terrorism against Arabs damages this image. When this issue is being raised, the Jewish terrorists are presented as crazy extremists, outside the Israeli mainstream. Few make the connection between this illegal act, to the much worse actions carried out by the Israeli Army which are considered legal (at least according to Israeli law), and receive practically full support by the Israeli public. The organization Nikmat Olalim injured 10 schoolchildren and a teacher in Zur Baher. In the past three years, around 20 Palestinians were injured on daily average by the Israeli security forces, and more than 2 were killed every day.
Jewish terrorism is not some extremist or singular , terror is an inseparable part of Israeli society, and it is carried out daily. Nikmat olalim members are Israeli activists in Human\Animal liberation struggles.in groups like anarchists against walls, OneStruggle , GreenAction and more
these are the dates for the european tour,:
Wed 15.9. Finland, Helsinki, Vuoritalo w/Armageddon Clock and Abduktio
Tthu 16.9. Finland, Turku, TVO w/Armageddon Clock
Fri 17.9. Finland, Helsinki TBA w/Armageddon Clock
Sat 18.9. Finland, Lappeenranta, Husaari w/Armageddon Clock and Watsons
Sun 19.9. TBA
Mon 20.9. TBA
Tue 21.9. TBA
Wed 22.9. TBA
Thu 23.09. Latvia, Riga @ Depo w/ IN.STORA, KRIEGOPFER
Fri 24.09. Latvia, Valmiera
Sun 25.09. Latvia, Kuldiga
Mon 26.09. Lithuania, Vilnius
Tue 27.09. Poland, Grudziadz
Wed 28.09. Poland, Warszawa
Thu 29.09. Poland,Lublin
Fri 30.09. Poland, Krakow @ kawiarnia naukowa w/ Superape X & Eon
Sat 1.10. Poland, Sosnowiec
Sun 2.10 TBA
Mon 3.10 TBA
Tue 4.10 TBA
Wed 5.10. Hungary, Budapest @ MUSIC FACTORY CLUB w/ show your life
Thu 6.10 TBA
Fri 7.10. Austria,Vienna
Sat 8.10. Austria,Graz
Sa/ 9.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Su/ 10.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Mo/ 11.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Tu/ 12.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
We/ 13.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Th/ 14.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Fr/ 15.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Sa/ 16.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Su/ 17.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Mo/ 18.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Tu/ 19.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
We/ 20.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Th/ 21.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Fr/ 22.10. Germany, Saarlonis Sa/ 23.10. Germany. Mannheim
Su/ 24.10. Germany TBA
Mo/ 25.10. Germany TBA
Tu/ 26.10. Germany TBA
We/ 27.10. Germany, Siegburg (near Bonn)
Th/ 28.10. Germany, Oberhausen
Fr/ 29.10. Germany TBA
Sa/ 30.10. Germany, Berlin
Su/ 31.10. Germany TBA
Mo/ 1.11. Germany TBA
Tu/ 2.11. Germany TBA
We/ 3.11. Germany TBA
A lot of dates are not closed (TBA) but in the following days there will be more updates, you can check it on the band Website at http://www.gutzy.com/olalim and also get some music and ideas about them..
if you think you can help the band with anything (some shows had been canceled after the organizers found out that the band speak against the idea of zionism so if you can help setting shows in Germany/Switzerland/sweden/lituania please contact ) or just wanna say you like\hate them - catch them at tal_olalim@hotmail.com
VIVA LA ANTIZIONIST HARDCOREPUNK!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yet another Infotour in Slovenia\Italy..
Lili, an israeli activist, will speak+show movies from the nonviolence resistance of israelis and palestinians against the israeli apartheid wall, these are the dates, you can catch her at liadland@yahoo.com
> 21 Gorizia(slovenia)
> 22 Lubiana (Slovenia)
> 24 - 9 Carrara
> 25/26-9 Carrara (no lecture but the congress/meeting of the italian anarchist federation)
> 27-9 Napoli
> 28 Cosenza
> 29 Palermo
october 1-10 Bologna
> 2 Reggio Emilia
> 3 Rimini
> 4 Imola
> 5 Trieste
> 6 Pordenone
> 7 Milano
> 8 Torino
> 9 Cuneo
> 11 Savona
> 12 Pisa
> 13 Volterra
.xVx.
Antizionist Hardcorepunk storm over europe
Nikmat Olalim ("Toddler's Revenge") is the name of an extremist Jewish organization that set a pipe bomb in an elementary school in Zur Baher, a village in East Jerusalem. This subject doesn't receive much attention in the Israeli public, even though when there are terrorist attacks against Jews you would hear about them for weeks, and the intention is to show ourselves and the world that the Jews are the victims and we're under constant threat. Obviously, bringing up the existence of Jewish terrorism against Arabs damages this image. When this issue is being raised, the Jewish terrorists are presented as crazy extremists, outside the Israeli mainstream. Few make the connection between this illegal act, to the much worse actions carried out by the Israeli Army which are considered legal (at least according to Israeli law), and receive practically full support by the Israeli public. The organization Nikmat Olalim injured 10 schoolchildren and a teacher in Zur Baher. In the past three years, around 20 Palestinians were injured on daily average by the Israeli security forces, and more than 2 were killed every day.
Jewish terrorism is not some extremist or singular , terror is an inseparable part of Israeli society, and it is carried out daily. Nikmat olalim members are Israeli activists in Human\Animal liberation struggles.in groups like anarchists against walls, OneStruggle , GreenAction and more
these are the dates for the european tour,:
Wed 15.9. Finland, Helsinki, Vuoritalo w/Armageddon Clock and Abduktio
Tthu 16.9. Finland, Turku, TVO w/Armageddon Clock
Fri 17.9. Finland, Helsinki TBA w/Armageddon Clock
Sat 18.9. Finland, Lappeenranta, Husaari w/Armageddon Clock and Watsons
Sun 19.9. TBA
Mon 20.9. TBA
Tue 21.9. TBA
Wed 22.9. TBA
Thu 23.09. Latvia, Riga @ Depo w/ IN.STORA, KRIEGOPFER
Fri 24.09. Latvia, Valmiera
Sun 25.09. Latvia, Kuldiga
Mon 26.09. Lithuania, Vilnius
Tue 27.09. Poland, Grudziadz
Wed 28.09. Poland, Warszawa
Thu 29.09. Poland,Lublin
Fri 30.09. Poland, Krakow @ kawiarnia naukowa w/ Superape X & Eon
Sat 1.10. Poland, Sosnowiec
Sun 2.10 TBA
Mon 3.10 TBA
Tue 4.10 TBA
Wed 5.10. Hungary, Budapest @ MUSIC FACTORY CLUB w/ show your life
Thu 6.10 TBA
Fri 7.10. Austria,Vienna
Sat 8.10. Austria,Graz
Sa/ 9.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Su/ 10.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Mo/ 11.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Tu/ 12.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
We/ 13.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Th/ 14.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Fr/ 15.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Sa/ 16.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Su/ 17.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Mo/ 18.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Tu/ 19.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
We/ 20.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Th/ 21.10. Germany/Switzerland TBA
Fr/ 22.10. Germany, Saarlonis Sa/ 23.10. Germany. Mannheim
Su/ 24.10. Germany TBA
Mo/ 25.10. Germany TBA
Tu/ 26.10. Germany TBA
We/ 27.10. Germany, Siegburg (near Bonn)
Th/ 28.10. Germany, Oberhausen
Fr/ 29.10. Germany TBA
Sa/ 30.10. Germany, Berlin
Su/ 31.10. Germany TBA
Mo/ 1.11. Germany TBA
Tu/ 2.11. Germany TBA
We/ 3.11. Germany TBA
A lot of dates are not closed (TBA) but in the following days there will be more updates, you can check it on the band Website at http://www.gutzy.com/olalim and also get some music and ideas about them..
if you think you can help the band with anything (some shows had been canceled after the organizers found out that the band speak against the idea of zionism so if you can help setting shows in Germany/Switzerland/sweden/lituania please contact ) or just wanna say you like\hate them - catch them at tal_olalim@hotmail.com
VIVA LA ANTIZIONIST HARDCOREPUNK!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yet another Infotour in Slovenia\Italy..
Lili, an israeli activist, will speak+show movies from the nonviolence resistance of israelis and palestinians against the israeli apartheid wall, these are the dates, you can catch her at liadland@yahoo.com
> 21 Gorizia(slovenia)
> 22 Lubiana (Slovenia)
> 24 - 9 Carrara
> 25/26-9 Carrara (no lecture but the congress/meeting of the italian anarchist federation)
> 27-9 Napoli
> 28 Cosenza
> 29 Palermo
october 1-10 Bologna
> 2 Reggio Emilia
> 3 Rimini
> 4 Imola
> 5 Trieste
> 6 Pordenone
> 7 Milano
> 8 Torino
> 9 Cuneo
> 11 Savona
> 12 Pisa
> 13 Volterra
.xVx.
Tuesday, September 7, 2004
Israel-Palestine, Tel-Aviv, The Anrchist Against The Wall get organized 07/09/04
About 30 people of the initiative gathered to improve the structure, communication and future activities of the initiative. Among other subjects was discussed the initiatives of the Cretian anarchists suggested for the 22 October.
See: http://www.ainfos.ca/04/sep/ainfos00050.html (en) Israel-Palestine: Appeal from Greek comrades for an international anarchist day of action (ca,it) Following is a greeting text The Federation of Anarchist Communists (FdCA) in Italy that was read in yesterday meeting. "Text for Anarchists Against The Wall - thanks! from FdCa"
Dear comrades,
The Federation of Anarchist Communists (FdCA) in Italy sends you its warmest greetings and best wishes for the success of your initiative.
The FdCA is a federation of militants and has been active since 1986 when it was formed from the union of several existing groups. Although we are a relatively small organization, our members share a solid theoretical base which is the continuation of the class-struggle anarchism which has existed in Italy since the 19th century, a tradition which we are happy to carry on. We are active in many struggles, for example anti-militarism, anti-sexism and, most importantly for our anti-capitalism, the labour movement.
We have closely followed the activities of the "Anarchists Against the Wall" initiative since its beginnings and are happy to note the success it has enjoyed in bringing practical anarchism to the public eye through its non-violent actions and close, non-authoritarian co-operation with the Palestinian inhabitants of the occupied areas.
As we believe the example you provide can be a valuable lesson to others (and not only anarchists), and as the importance of your struggle deserves the maximum exposure possible, we have dedicated a part of our federation's website to your activities (www.fdca.it/wall). Though you have been successful in obtaining a certain amount of public attention in your country through the media, the Apartheid Wall is still sadly ignored by large areas of the Western media, and we hope that, in Italy at least, our website on the Anarchists Against the Wall can help to focus more attention on the struggle.
We were also interested to note the initiative which has been made among you with this meeting to try to co-ordinate better your movement. We welcome any move towards greater anti-authoritarian organization of social forces and therefore we wish you luck in your work.
Long live anarchist communism!
In solidarity,
Nestor McNab
for FdCA International Relations
See: http://www.ainfos.ca/04/sep/ainfos00050.html (en) Israel-Palestine: Appeal from Greek comrades for an international anarchist day of action (ca,it) Following is a greeting text The Federation of Anarchist Communists (FdCA) in Italy that was read in yesterday meeting. "Text for Anarchists Against The Wall - thanks! from FdCa"
Dear comrades,
The Federation of Anarchist Communists (FdCA) in Italy sends you its warmest greetings and best wishes for the success of your initiative.
The FdCA is a federation of militants and has been active since 1986 when it was formed from the union of several existing groups. Although we are a relatively small organization, our members share a solid theoretical base which is the continuation of the class-struggle anarchism which has existed in Italy since the 19th century, a tradition which we are happy to carry on. We are active in many struggles, for example anti-militarism, anti-sexism and, most importantly for our anti-capitalism, the labour movement.
We have closely followed the activities of the "Anarchists Against the Wall" initiative since its beginnings and are happy to note the success it has enjoyed in bringing practical anarchism to the public eye through its non-violent actions and close, non-authoritarian co-operation with the Palestinian inhabitants of the occupied areas.
As we believe the example you provide can be a valuable lesson to others (and not only anarchists), and as the importance of your struggle deserves the maximum exposure possible, we have dedicated a part of our federation's website to your activities (www.fdca.it/wall). Though you have been successful in obtaining a certain amount of public attention in your country through the media, the Apartheid Wall is still sadly ignored by large areas of the Western media, and we hope that, in Italy at least, our website on the Anarchists Against the Wall can help to focus more attention on the struggle.
We were also interested to note the initiative which has been made among you with this meeting to try to co-ordinate better your movement. We welcome any move towards greater anti-authoritarian organization of social forces and therefore we wish you luck in your work.
Long live anarchist communism!
In solidarity,
Nestor McNab
for FdCA International Relations
Friday, September 3, 2004
Israel-Palestine: Appeal from Greek comrades for an international anarchist day of action (ca,it) 03/09/04
Hello friends and comrades of the world, We hope you're all fine wherever you are and you still struggle for dignity, freedom and social justice. The reason for which I'm sending you this message is considerably important and we would like you to pay attention to a proposal we'd like to make from here, Greece, a proposal which demands the coordination, the action and the passion of all of us who want to call ourselves as libertarians. We are a group of comrades from Heraklion of Crete, Greece, and we've thought about organizing an event of solidarity to the palestinian people (not the fanatic fundamentalists) who struggle and get brutally murdered every day (together with heroic figures like Rachel Corrie, Tom Hurndall etc) and, on the other side, to the Israeli consciencious objectors who have refused to join the army of their country in the occupied areas and because of this attitude are now in jail.
The reason for which we address you too is that we wish this event to take place in all the parts of the world where there are anarchists, ON THE SAME DAY.
We all know that crimes like those that are committed every day in Palestine (and in Iraq, Afghanistan) are results of the world's leaders' plans, targets and strategies. They are crimes that are committed because of and through their global web of interests and correlations. That's why we believe we GLOBALLY have to face them.That is to say, if 200 persons demonstrate here in Heraklion, none of those criminals will be bothered, none will listen to our voice. THEY MUST FEEL THE PRESSURE. And, under the given conditions that dominate in the world now, we'll succeed in this only or principally if we start demonstrating massively, dynamically, all together coordinated and at the same time.
Our proposal consists in the following points: - In proportion to the problems, emergencies etc that we face in the place we live in, we'll all arrange a date within the forthcoming September - October, when all of us or a big amount of us will come out in the streets to demonstrate in order to declare our solidarity to the people we previously referred to - Each group, collectivity, federation, syndicate, organization, individual etc will arrange autonomously of course the kind of action that will assume at that date, according to its possibilities, potential problems etc. But the only certain thing will be that we'll all organize a demonstration out in the streets. After that, each one will continue the way they'll judge better according to the local sircumstances - We'll type a poster concerning this event. Now, there are two options:
a) if we can agree on the content of the poster in a way that we'll all type the same slogans on it, each one in his/her own language, would be great. This is the most difficult point of the case, although not impossible. In this case, there will be specific proposals
b) otherwise, each organization will type what they judge better, but we all put the same date and, if possible, the names and the areas/countries where each collectivity is from. The general sign will be "Anarchists - Libertarians" or something, according to what we'll agree on in the course. This proposal of course, sumits to discussion and elaboration. This is a general framework. Through e-mails, phone calls if necessary etc, we'll gradually reach an agreement about the whole thing. That's why we've thought about organizing it in September - October: so that we'll all have the time to communicate and coordinate our action till then, or. If we judge it better, earlier or later.
If you approve of this idea, please become a repeater and transfer it to all the groups etc you're in contact with or you simply know and we begin organizing it - the sooner the better.
The e-mail which in the beginning will constitute the centre of this communication till we need to expand it among us, is the one in this message: nikosfindelmundo@yahoo.com
If you pass this message to any people you know, please let each other know the names of the groups, organizations etc so that all of us will know who have already got it and we won't repeat it to those who've already received it. We've already started to discuss it in Greece and the first lines of the plan are the ones we've mentioned above.
Friends and comrades, it isn't too difficult: let's prove to the people, the capitalists and especially ourselves, that we constitute a global force, that we're capable of utilize the media (Internet etc) for continuous large-scale mobilizations, that we can organize ourselves and move all together towards a target. If we succeed, we'll contribute a substantial help for the case of the Palestinian people and the Israeli strugglers and, additionally, we'll have created an action without precedent which will be able to be repeating in the future for more and more cases that concern us.
Let's just try. This message has already been sent to various anarchist groups, organizations, individuals etc in Spain, France, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela. We've already had the first response: the comrades of the "El Libertario" magazine in Venezuela said they'll think about the whole thing and reproduce it to another 200 persons and organizations in all Latin America. Let's try for our history and conscience. We expect your answers, proposals, demurs, comments.
From Heraklion of Crete, Greece, and on behalf of the circle of comrades that took this iniciative.
Warm greetings, "evangelismos" Squat, Heraklion of Crete, Greece.
The reason for which we address you too is that we wish this event to take place in all the parts of the world where there are anarchists, ON THE SAME DAY.
We all know that crimes like those that are committed every day in Palestine (and in Iraq, Afghanistan) are results of the world's leaders' plans, targets and strategies. They are crimes that are committed because of and through their global web of interests and correlations. That's why we believe we GLOBALLY have to face them.That is to say, if 200 persons demonstrate here in Heraklion, none of those criminals will be bothered, none will listen to our voice. THEY MUST FEEL THE PRESSURE. And, under the given conditions that dominate in the world now, we'll succeed in this only or principally if we start demonstrating massively, dynamically, all together coordinated and at the same time.
Our proposal consists in the following points: - In proportion to the problems, emergencies etc that we face in the place we live in, we'll all arrange a date within the forthcoming September - October, when all of us or a big amount of us will come out in the streets to demonstrate in order to declare our solidarity to the people we previously referred to - Each group, collectivity, federation, syndicate, organization, individual etc will arrange autonomously of course the kind of action that will assume at that date, according to its possibilities, potential problems etc. But the only certain thing will be that we'll all organize a demonstration out in the streets. After that, each one will continue the way they'll judge better according to the local sircumstances - We'll type a poster concerning this event. Now, there are two options:
a) if we can agree on the content of the poster in a way that we'll all type the same slogans on it, each one in his/her own language, would be great. This is the most difficult point of the case, although not impossible. In this case, there will be specific proposals
b) otherwise, each organization will type what they judge better, but we all put the same date and, if possible, the names and the areas/countries where each collectivity is from. The general sign will be "Anarchists - Libertarians" or something, according to what we'll agree on in the course. This proposal of course, sumits to discussion and elaboration. This is a general framework. Through e-mails, phone calls if necessary etc, we'll gradually reach an agreement about the whole thing. That's why we've thought about organizing it in September - October: so that we'll all have the time to communicate and coordinate our action till then, or. If we judge it better, earlier or later.
If you approve of this idea, please become a repeater and transfer it to all the groups etc you're in contact with or you simply know and we begin organizing it - the sooner the better.
The e-mail which in the beginning will constitute the centre of this communication till we need to expand it among us, is the one in this message: nikosfindelmundo@yahoo.com
If you pass this message to any people you know, please let each other know the names of the groups, organizations etc so that all of us will know who have already got it and we won't repeat it to those who've already received it. We've already started to discuss it in Greece and the first lines of the plan are the ones we've mentioned above.
Friends and comrades, it isn't too difficult: let's prove to the people, the capitalists and especially ourselves, that we constitute a global force, that we're capable of utilize the media (Internet etc) for continuous large-scale mobilizations, that we can organize ourselves and move all together towards a target. If we succeed, we'll contribute a substantial help for the case of the Palestinian people and the Israeli strugglers and, additionally, we'll have created an action without precedent which will be able to be repeating in the future for more and more cases that concern us.
Let's just try. This message has already been sent to various anarchist groups, organizations, individuals etc in Spain, France, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela. We've already had the first response: the comrades of the "El Libertario" magazine in Venezuela said they'll think about the whole thing and reproduce it to another 200 persons and organizations in all Latin America. Let's try for our history and conscience. We expect your answers, proposals, demurs, comments.
From Heraklion of Crete, Greece, and on behalf of the circle of comrades that took this iniciative.
Warm greetings, "evangelismos" Squat, Heraklion of Crete, Greece.
Wednesday, September 1, 2004
Israel-Palestine, Tel-Aviv, Activist/Anarchist against the wall general meeting 01/09/04
U., k. and R. are calling for a general meeting that will be held on: Monday 6th of September at 19:00 At the offices of the Hienrich Boll foundation.
24 Nahalet Binyamin st. (03 5167734/5) On the agenda:
1. communication between the different activist
2. relationships
3. legal matters
4. activity report and summer summary
5. future plans
6. budget and money matters
7. website
8. international relationships
9. letting of steam in a civilized matter
everybody's attendance is needed. You who receive this message please make sure that all who should know knows.
Please bring snacks and cold and booze potluck
24 Nahalet Binyamin st. (03 5167734/5) On the agenda:
1. communication between the different activist
2. relationships
3. legal matters
4. activity report and summer summary
5. future plans
6. budget and money matters
7. website
8. international relationships
9. letting of steam in a civilized matter
everybody's attendance is needed. You who receive this message please make sure that all who should know knows.
Please bring snacks and cold and booze potluck
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