As we read the headlines of Israel's proxy war against the Palestinian people (via their puppet Fatah collaboraters), I wanted to share with you the video evidence of the non-violent resistance to the occupation from my time there from 2003 until 2006. The videos that I will link to will display what has been the rule for the greater part of the 40-year occupation of the Palestinian people; non-violent resistance to the occupation and a great diversity of groups and peoples united against the occupation, from rival Palestinian political groups to the participation of Internationals and Israelis on the frontlines of Israel's annexation and colonization of Palestinian land.
All of these videos were of or referring to demos that I participated in, so watch, listen & learn...
(And if you can, go see this speaking tour of Palestinian activists in the USA)
The first video is of a demonstration in the village of Bil'in on 1/20/2006. This was just five days before the elections that put Hamas into power, and it was attended by somewhere between 2000-4000 people, Palestinians, Israelis (about 400 or more of them!) and Internationals. Bil'in has been doing these demos for almost 2 years now, on every Friday, while their village has been torn apart, with close to 60% of the land being confiscated by the apartheid wall. In fact, these days the wall has been finished there and the march we did is to some degree not possible; all the land on the 'Israeli' side is inaccesible. Despite that, the village continues, as do others in Palestine facing the same fate. For more info, check the ISM site and others.
The next video is of the village of Aboud and their first demo over a year ago. This is a village which is half muslim and half christian and Israel covets its land and water resources for its ever-expanding settlements. Their bravery and courage in defying the Isareli army and its brutality is amazing to see, even now. By their third demo, myself and many others had been clubbed, tear gassed & shot and beaten, but still we did not give up. Just watch what the Internationals and Israelis are able to do when working with Palestinians and their struggle.
The next video is another Bil'in protest, this one in February of 2006, and not as big as the previous one. Still, there is excellent footage of a de-arrest of an Israel, as well as the ability of the Israelis, Internationals and Palestinians to de-escalate the violence of the Israeli military via non-violence. I have tried to provide translations in the videos, although I do not hav eit all complete as of yet. However in this one, there are some excellent exchanges between Israeli protesters and soldiers that I urge you to check out carefully (just press pause!). Also, watch for the way in which the army reacts to Israelis and Internationals as opposed to Palestinians, it's quite an euye-opener.
Last but not least, a video by the Anarchists Against the Wall, an Israeli group that has been an integral part in the non-violent resistance, concerning the shooting of Israeli protester Gil Na'mati on December 26th 2003. This was my first demo, and it scared the shit out of me, to say the least! The film comments on the demo, the lies of the Israeli military, and Israeli society in general, a must see!
bye,
Jon