Israeli peace activity: - We're trying to stop our government

[mogster]

Quick and dirty translation from this Norw. article.

- Israel has been in a war-like situation for the last six years, but this is something entirely different. Now the military will get an even more free license to do war. It is very worrying, says leader of the Israeli peace org. Btselem Jessica Montell to dagbladet.no.

Among Israeli msm media only one paper was against the continuing escalation of the violence, the paper Ha'aretz. Under the title "'No' to Lebanon War II" the paper warns the Israeli army against overuse of their enourmous military power. Too many rockets, bombs and violence may be a contributing factor to a full regional war, says Ha'aretz.

- We're very worried now, says Montell of the Btselem, and continues:

- As an organisation we're working continously to uncover Israeli human rights violations in occupied territories in Gaza and the West Bank. Now that the situation is escalating, the danger of new violations and more serious incidents is more present, says Montelli.

The organization Btselem was started in 1989 by Israeli academics, lawyers, journalists and members of the Knesset. Their goal is to document human rights violations - and influence the Israeli opinion.

- While the battle is going on in the north of Israel, we'll use our ressources to uncover what's happening in Gaza. We'll see to that the military does not do things in Gaza while the people's attention is focused on Libanon, says Montelli.

She's living in Jerusalem, where the situation is business as usual, despite unrest and rockets in northern and southern Israel.

- People are out in the streets as usual. But of course we are worried about what's gonna happen, says Montelli.

Montelli wishes to stress that the Israelis are not the only ones violating human rights these days.

- Our organization documents Israeli violations, but in the present situation it is important to bring to the public eye that not only the Israelis are violating rules. And as always, it's the civilian population that suffers; Palestinians, Lebanese and Israelis. I'm worried about the situation, says Montelli.

Yestaerday afternoon, some hundred Israelis demonstrated in the streets of Tel Aviv, against the excessive use of force.

"One-two-three-four/we don't want this f.... war", shouted the demonstrators. Young as old. Other slogans were:

"Artilley and Quassam/Occupation is terrible for everybody"

"Jews and Arabs/Refuse to be enemies"

- The government chooses to use military power and collective punishment against the civilian population in Gaza and in Lebanon to put pressure on the people holding the hostages, to free them. But the methods are amoral and borders on being war crimes. This policy does not lead anywhere, says the Israeli peace activist Adam Keller in an email to other peace activists.

(There was no link to Adam Keller, but I think it might be this guy.)

On edit: removed Norwegian sentence accidentally left standing in the middle of the text ;-)

[mogster]

1. I can't believe I have to self kick this

Come on, it is important to broaden the picture a bit ;-)

[Karenina]

4. I'm not surprised, though.

K&R!!! :kick:

[Hatalles]

15. Kick and a rec.

[Lilith Velkor]

2. I hope they have better luck than we did

Good on Israeli peaceniks! :yourock:

[rman]

3. k&r for Israeli peace movement

[mogster]

14. Thanks, rman. Extending our picture is important, no?

Israel is demonized considerably here these days and it is important for the DU debate to show the Israelis who work for peace and change. And we must give the DU Jews a little break now that the Israel-debate has been loosened a bit, they are not to be held accountable for every move this conflict takes.

I registred at the Ha'aretz today, and found a hilarious article at Ha'aretz Underground called 'Survival guide to Israel', just a fun article with some zinging comments by Jews coming to Israel for the first time. It was a very sane article, the kind you would find in Norway if Norwegians had picked on the Norwegian peculiarities. That's also Israel.

For me, there is a likeness to the situation in the US seen from Europe; the broad brush used in the press removes everything but the agressive part - that is Bush w/friends - while the huge majority of liberals and moderates are nearly invisible. It's the Americans, that's the term used. It may be understandable, but hardly correct.

What if it's the future Israeli DU'ers on that picture? ;-)

[Behind the Aegis]

20. Well stated!!!

:hi:

Takk (two "t"s, right?)

[mogster]

21. Hi, BTA!

Double T, yep :hi:
Thanks for posting, it means a lot. DU'ers need to stick together.

[dogday]

5. K&R

War is never the answer... My son sits in the middle of all of this in Iraq... My fears grow daily....

[mogster]

6. I'm sorry to hear that, dogday

I hope he's going home soon, so you won't have to worry anymore. People have heavier burdens to carry than me (who have none), and it is always making me think. Mother's and father's, they carry the heaviest burdens of all and should definitely have larger say in politics when war is considered.
Thank you for the K&R :-)

[AzDar]

7. Blessed are the Peacemakers....... n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. Amen

[katinmn]

8. More: American and Israeli Jews speaking out for peace

We need them to get louder!

http://www.jatonyc.org/
Jews Against the Occupation
A Jewish Voice of Opposition to the War on Palestinians




http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/


http://www.nimn.org/

http://www.refusersolidarity.net/



http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?list=type&type=34


http://www.batshalom.org/
Bat Shalom : women with a vision for a just peace

[gratuitous]

10. Excellent reminder

The government of Israel no more represents every last Israeli than the government of the United States represents the opinion and viewpoint of every last American. And the same goes for every other nation on the planet.

Let us be sure to apportion blame fairly and properly for this madness, because there are indeed millions if not billions of folks all over the world just as appalled as we are by what's being done in the name of humanity.

[The Stranger]

11. I wish they would post here.

[Terran1212]

12. The DU-Israel hawks will not come to this thread

They don't want to know that not every Israeli buys the myth that all of this crushing of Arabs is in self-defense.

[Poll_Blind]

24. You got that right! n/t

PB

[pelsar]

39. israeli hawks?

there arent any israeli hawks at the DU...those that visit are on the "left side of the line"....liberals

[Englander]

42. If -

one says 'Jabba' backwards, x3, the Indefensibles appear.

;)

[pberq]

13. Kick & Nominated! - thanks for posting

[Spazito]

16. Thanks for posting! It IS important to be reminded that government

actions shouldn't be taken as being supported by the populace. Reminders like these are particularly important at times like these when it is easy to narrow one's focus and perspective.

Recommended.

[Bluerthanblue]

17. K&R- hope springs eternal- silence is death-

thank you for this encouraging post.

peace,
blu

[Behind the Aegis]

18. Great piece!

Nice that the complexity of Israel can be shown. Goes to show that Israeli government and her people are not always on the same page; sounds remotely familiar.

[sellitman]

27. The part nobody mentions is that...

You never hear of Palestinians who speak out against their government and it's terror tactics. If they do they aren't heard from again. It's great to hear Israelis who disagree.....I would like to see the tables flipped.

[enigmacat]

19. Great post...

“Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.”
Buddha quotes (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)

[originalpckelly]

22. I think we should literally evacuate the innocent people...

and let the horrible men who want war, blow themselves up.

[AlienGirl]

23. Frickin' beautiful! K & R

It is going to be important for people to remember, as this thing unfolds, that many Israelis do not agree with their government's actions, either.

Tucker

[Poll_Blind]

25. Learn more about Jewish Voice for Peace with this streaming video.

Jewish Voice for Peace

Against the occupation. Against the violence. Working for Peace.

  Also, take a moment to view this inspiring and touching video for Karama, a women and children's center set up in Occupied Palestine with funding from American, Israeli and international peace organizations. Karama means "dignity" in Arabic. Karama gives women and children a safe place to learn, play and grow.

  Moreso, it is an inspirational story of a solution in a time when the problems facing the world seem innumerable.

Karama, The Story of a Solution

  I thank you for your time. I assure you, it will be well-spent.

  We really can do this- make a difference. Stop the hate. Stop the violence. Make the world a better, safer, place for everyone.

PB

[cool user name]

52. Thanks for posting ...

I think it is important that more and more people will speak out against injustice.

It's sort of infectious!

[AntiFascist]

26. K&R don't wait for vast numbers of Americans to engage in this....

start a worldwide peace protest movement!

[nam78_two]

28. great :)

k&r
:thumsup:

[Vidar]

29. K&R.

[Swamp Rat]

30. k&r

I wonder how protestors are treated there?

[Kajsa]

31. Bra gjort, mogster.( Good job,mogster)

This is the top story in all the Swedish newspapers as well.

http://www.svd.se/


http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=144


I wish you all the best in your endeavor.
You are definitely not alone, many people stand with you.

This situation is very frightening. It has already escalated rapidly.

Lycka till-Good Luck

:pals:

[mogster]

48. Thanks, Kajsa

I think we need to not be one eyed on this issue, and appreciate your support. :-)

[NNadir]

32. We have some experience here in detesting what our country does.

[Zhade]

33. Kick for peace!

An interesting thing to consider: this group also documents IDF brutality and murder of innocent Palestinians. I wonder what rabidly pro-Israel posters think of that, as they often deny these facts?

I hope they open their eyes to the reprehensible acts of the Israeli government, and that both Israelis and Palestinians get decent leaders instead of warmongers and puppets.

GO BTSELEM!

[pelsar]

40. what rabidly pro-Israel posters think

we think they are part and parcel of our democracy and applaud their existance and work....we also wonder where the palestenian counterpart is, and why their reports arent posted here as well...

and we also wonder why so many posters here dont wonder where the palestenian BTSELEM version is

[EFerrari]

34. Thank you, mogster!

:kick:

[bloom]

35. It's nice to hear about these people.

Democracy Now or somebody like that had something about them also.

If this Israeli peace position was what was promoted here instead of the defense of Israel no matter what they do position - we probably wouldn't even need an I/P section.

[Lithos]

36. FYI

I asked that this be moved over when it hit page 2 in the GD forum to specifically allow it to remain active for a longer period of time. Grassroot Peace efforts such as these should receive the maximum amount of attention and support.

Lithos
DU Moderator

[mogster]

46. Awright, Lithos

I agree ;-)

[melnjones]

37. Could you translate this pic caption for me???

I really really want to know what it says!!!

"Innbyggerne i den israelske byen Nahariya bruker dagen i bomberom i dag. Hizbollah har sendt minst 10 raketter inn i Nahariya-byen i dag."

[mogster]

45. Of course

"The citizens in the Israeli town of Nahariya spend their day in bomb shelters today. Hizbollah has launced at least ten rockets into Nahariya today"

[Violet_Crumble]

38. Thanks for translating that...

I have a lot of respect for Btselem, and use them regularly as a source of information. Another group worth mentioning is Jerusalem Link, a feminist peace group made up of Israeli and Palestinian feminists:

who we are


The Jerusalem Link is the coordinating body of two independent women's centers: Bat Shalom—The Jerusalem Women's Action Center, located in West Jerusalem, and Marcaz al-Quds la l-Nissah—The Jerusalem Center for Women, located in East Jerusalem.

In 1989, a meeting was convened in Brussels between prominent Israeli and Palestinian women peace activists. The meeting initiated an on-going dialogue that in 1994 resulted in the establishment of THE JERUSALEM LINK composed of two women's organizations—BAT SHALOM on the Israeli side, and the JERUSALEM CENTER FOR WOMEN on the Palestinian side. The two organizations share a set of political principles, which serve as the foundation for a cooperative model of co-existence between our respective peoples.

Each organization is autonomous and takes its own national constituency as its primary responsibility—but together we promote a joint vision of a just peace, democracy, human rights, and women's leadership. Mandated to advocate for peace and justice between Israel and Palestine, we believe a viable solution of the conflict between our two peoples must be based on recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and an independent state alongside the state of Israel, Jerusalem as the capital of both states, and a final settlement of all relevant issues based on international law.

http://www.batshalom.org/jlink_about.php

[Englander]

41. Link to B'Tselem;

http://www.btselem.org/index.asp

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mogster]

50. Well, you know

The point of this thread was to extend the picture, to show that Israel is more than violence when violence is all it appears to be. Your post is timely, because it illustrates very well how different it is possible to see this situation. Israel sees itself immersed in a sea of Arabs (many with hostile intentions), the Europeans sees Israel as the strong part against the Palestinians.

I don't think Israel should roll over and die, and we should adjust our thinking also to encompass the Israeli view on the conflict to understand what it's about. If we see the escalation as a proof that Israel, and all of Israel, has jumped on the opportunity to twist arms, we're going nowhere. I choose to see it as a result of fear, much as the US was dominated by fear right after 911. And fear, wether it's real or not, should be taken seriously. I think Olmert is totally off the mark with his response to the hostage situation, but that should not be attributed to all Israelis or any person with a positive view of the country - we need to have a free flow of thought here. Showing dissent, diversity and pluralism isn't always popular but will help broadening the picture.

The blame for this conflict we put fair and square where it belong; at the world community who has failed to solve it, even though we were very close.

[rman]

44. 27 Israel Pilots Refuse To Carry Out Air Strikes

CBC
25 Sep 2003
http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2003/09/24/mideast030924.html

JERUSALEM - A group of 27 Israeli air force pilots said Wednesday they are refusing to carry out any more air strikes against Palestinian territories.

The declaration by the pilots reinforced a small movement among soldiers who refuse to serve on the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.

They say they're unhappy with Israeli air strikes aimed at killing Palestinian militants.

Israel calls them "targeted killings" but Palestinians call them assassinations, saying innocent civilians have often been killed as well.

...

[malaise]

47. Great news

one more kick

[Violet_Crumble]

49. Another Israeli peace group...

Watching brief: removing roadblocks to Palestinian life

CHECKPOINTS dominate Palestinian life. Whether travelling to work or visiting family in a nearby village, it often means passing through a roadblock manned by young Israelis serving as soldiers and police.

Those soldiers and police are now being watched. A group of Jewish women volunteer to monitor those checkpoints in the West Bank and Gaza. They are there to observe what they consider human rights abuses, committed by young men who could be their sons.

"We come as their mothers, really," Dafna Banai said.

Ms Banai is in Sydney to talk about her experiences with the group Machsom Watch. Machsom is Hebrew for checkpoint.

Like many of the 500 women who visit these checkpoints, her own three children served in the army. She is worried not only for the Palestinians who live under the occupation, now in its 39th year. She also worries for the young Israelis who must enforce it.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/watching-brief-removing-roadblocks-to-palestinian-life/2006/07/14/1152637872418.html

[mogster]

51. Today: Israeli peace demonstrators arrested

About 2000 Israelis marched Sunday in the streets of Tel Aviv to protest the Israeli campaign against Lebanon, which have cost about 150 lives according to the people behind the demonstration.

- Yes to exchange of prisoners, the demonstrators shouted, pointing to the demands set by Hizbollah in return for the Israeli soldiers taken hostage.

- Yes to peace. Our children will live, shouted a group of Israeli and Arab peace activists.

The demo lasted for about two hours before it was closed down by police, and was an initiative by six Israeli pacifist groups.

In Lebanon, at least 141 people are killed and 385 wounded since the Israeli campaign started wednesday when the two Israeli soldiers was abducted by Hizbollah. Most of them civilians.

In Israel at least twelve civilians and twelve soldiers are killed since the fighting started. Sunday eight people were killed and 20 wounded by app. 20 rockets from Hizbollah.


From this article (NO) with pictures:
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/midtosten/article1389831.ece

Edit: mangled english