Yes, the left wing does exist in Israel, despite attempts from the mainstream media in both Israel and the U.S. to proclaim that the "Israeli left is dead." (quote from the Ha'aretz article) They're out in full force, and they're not being the least bit shy about immediately condemning this weekend's murderous attacks on the peace flotilla from Gaza.
Earlier today in Tel Aviv, hundreds of activists banded together to protest the actions of the Israeli military against the flotilla attack. From the Jerusalem Post:
Several hundred left-wing activists held a demonstration outside the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv on Monday, protesting a raid by IDF troops on the Gaza flotilla that left at least nine foreign activists dead.
The protestors, many of whom were waving Palestinian flags, included members of groups from across the spectrum of left-wing Israel, including Peace Now and Hadash as well as a large group of anarchists and communists. In the wake of the deadly raid, activists sang chants calling Israel a fascist state, and held signs, including some that called for a boycott.
Hadash, an acronym for HaHazit HaDemokratit LeShalom VeLeShivion (translation: The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality), was actually one of the organizations that called for the protest, and is apparently helping to rally another on June 5th:
Saturday, June 5, there will be a mass demonstration in Tel Aviv against the dangerous deterioration violence in the region, conducted by the Netanyahu government - Barak - Lieberman to mark 43 years of occupation, under the title two "Jerusalem - Peace One | No next war." Demonstration written invitation : A policy of perpetuating the occupation and continuing settlements. against preparations for war to come. We will demonstrate in five June for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel; two capitals in Jerusalem, to dismantle all settlements; ending the siege on Gaza; Green Line - the border of peace.
The link above contains a Facebook invite to the protest and a general invite for the Hadash organization itself. The other organization mentioned in the J-Post article is Peace Now, or Shalom Achshav, as it is translated in Hebrew. Shalom Achshav has an American contingent, Americans for Peace Now, that had this to say in the wake of the attack:
Americans for Peace Now (APN) is deeply dismayed at the tragic results of Israel's interception of the international Gaza aid flotilla today and calls on Israel to thoroughly investigate the operation and to reassess its policy toward the Gaza Strip.
Another left-wing Israeli group, the human-rights watchdog group B'Tselem, spoke out against the flotilla attack and called for a non-military investigation into the incident:
B’Tselem demands that an immediate, independent and effective investigation be made into the circumstances of the military action taken to gain control of the ships, which led to the death and injury of dozens of activists. The investigation must be conducted by non-military officials.
Among the issues to be investigated are whether the army used proportionate force, whether the forces were trained to cope with this type of event, were they equipped with the correct means, what open-fire regulations were given to the soldiers, and whether alternative options were considered.
More on their statement is on the B'Tselem site. According to the group's About page, "B'Tselem in Hebrew literally means "in the image of," and is also used as a synonym for human dignity."
Another Israeli human-rights group, Gisha, had these remarks:
Gisha expresses sorrow at reports that dozens of civilians have been killed or injured during the Israeli military's interception of boats bound for the Gaza Strip, carrying humanitarian assistance and hundreds of foreign and Israeli activists, including elected representatives.
Other left-wing Israeli organizations include Machsom Watch, Women against the Occupation and for Human Rights, which was founded by women in Israel who want an end to the occupation; Rabbis for Human Rights; and Yish Den, or Volunteers for Human Rights. To my knowledge, they have not yet made statements, but I'll be on the lookout.
Also, back on our own side of the pond, J Street has called out to President Obama as well as others to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:
J Street is deeply shocked and saddened by reports that at least 10 civilians have been killed and dozens more wounded (including Israeli soldiers) this morning as Israel intercepted a naval convoy bringing humanitarian supplies and construction materials to the Gaza Strip.
"We express our condolences to the families of those killed and we wish the injured a full and speedy recovery. We hope that leaders on all sides will take immediate steps to ensure that this incident does not escalate into a broader round of violence – in Israel, in Gaza, or in the region.There will undoubtedly be calls in the coming days for a UN investigation into today’s events.
"A credible, independent commission appointed by the Israeli government should provide the world with a full and complete report into the causes and circumstances surrounding the day’s events and establish responsibility for the violence and bloodshed."
More from J Street's statement is here.
This is somewhat personal to me, because although I am no longer religious, I had once converted to Judaism when I was younger, and my heart feels sick when I learn of the needless bloodshed that continues in Israel's name. Although I am angry and ashamed for what has been done to the people on the peace flotilla, I do realize that there ARE good people and organizations in Israel who are actively working for an end to the madness that has consumed the Netanyahu government, the IDF, and yes, many right-wing Israelis--and needless to say, the lives and families of people in Palestine who only want to be free and at peace.
Yes, the liberal and peace-loving Israelis are alive and speaking out, and in my opinion, they need our support and alliance.
UPDATE: I unluckily forgot to mention Gush Shalom (Israeli Peace Bloc) in my listings; I apologize. (H/T and thanks to Tom J for the reminder.
Gush Shalom released a a very harsh yet well-deserved statement roundly condemning Israel's government and the IDF. Here is a portion of their statement:
"Only a crazy government that has lost all restraint and all connection to reality could something like that - consider ships carrying humanitarian aid and peace activists from around the world as an enemy and send massive military force to international waters to attack them, shoot and kill.
"No one in the world will believe the lies and excuses which the government and army spokesmen come up with," said former Knesset member Uri Avnery of the Gush Shalom movement. Gush Shalom activists together with activists of other organizations demonstrated on this very day in Ashdod, Tel-Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem.
This is a day of disgrace to the State of Israel, a day of anxiety in which we discover that our future was entrusted to a bunch of trigger-happy people without any responsibility. This day is a day of disgrace and madness and stupidity without limit, the day the Israeli government took care to blacken the name of the country in the world, adding convincing evidence of aggressiveness and brutality to Israel's already bad international image, discouraging and distancing the few remaining friends.