Comments on: Jaffa-based Palestinian activist facing indefinite home detention for political activity

By: syvanen

syvanen — Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000

This why nonviolent protest will be so difficult for the Palestinians. The zionist know as well as we do that non-violence works. Therefore it is imperative to crush any who try that tactic.

They prefer suicide bombings -- think of all the good publicity that Israel received inexchange for the 1000 Israeli lives given up during the second intifada. Small price to pay considering it is a demographic struggle and the number of lives lost were small compared to birth rate.

Violent struggle is good for Israel but non-violent protest we be their end.

By: Asiswhen

Asiswhen — Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000

Agreed, Non-violent protest joined by humanists around the world..

By: Grumpy Old Man

Grumpy Old Man — Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000

This so reminds me of Russia or Egypt. Next they'll put him in a mental hospital.

By: Jacqueline_Hyde

Jacqueline_Hyde — Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000

They prefer suicide bombings

Too true! Selling protection is good business for Israel and the other capos.

By: Shirin

Shirin — Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000

"This why nonviolent protest will be so difficult for the Palestinians."

Make that non-violent protest has never been effective for the Palestinians. There is a long, and full history of Palestinian non-violent action against Zionism and Israel going back at least to the '30's. There have been Palestinian leaders who advocated and practiced non-violent protest and civil disobedience. The most famous of them was illegally deported by Israel. The First Intifada was overwhelmingly non-violent, including movements to reduce dependence on Israel for goods and services.

Non-violence is an important part of resistance, but it will not work alone against a determined and overwhelmingly powerful oppressor.

By: Citizen

Citizen — Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000

Shirin is right once again, the history of Palestinian passive resistance is very long, though you'd never know about thanks to Uncle Sam's MSM. Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh has written about in great detail with thorough footnote support; he is a Professor at Bethlehem University and is the President of the Administrative Board for the Rapproachement Center in Beit Sahou. I think he use to be at Duke U.

By: Citizen

Citizen — Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000

Jeez, I don't want to scare anyone but Jabbarin looks like he could be Phil's twin brother. Where are you at on the donations, Phil?

Did Witty send you a donation?

By: Shirin

Shirin — Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000

Citizen, I know Mazin Qumsiyeh, and yes, he has written quite a lot about Palestinian non-violent resistance. As I recall he intends to publish a book on the subject.

But I would not call it passive resistance as much Palestinian non-violent resistance has been and is very active, consisting of civil disobedience as well as demonstrations, and so on. Children defying attempts by Israel to block them from going to school is a form of resistance. I remember hearing about teachers and students conducting their classes right at the barricades in front of the same soldiers who had blocked them from reaching the schools. But there have also been organized, planned acts of disobedience and defiance.

By: syvanen

syvanen — Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000

The symbol of that one lone protester in Tian An Mien square standing up to the tanks. What an inspirational message! The Chinese tank camander was unable to crush him under the threads of that tank -- he too must have realized the significance of that brave souls stand.

In Israel, the bulldozer driver simply ran over Rachel Corrie because he knew, as did his superiors, that non violent protest would not be accepted in Israel.

By: asiswhen

asiswhen — Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000

It's sad how cruel and unpunished Israel has been. The challenge to non-violence is not just to do it, but to be effective like Shirin points out.
The zionists will always claim to be retaliating, no matter what violence and cruelty is exposed, and the western media will back them up.
When activists struggle to expose Israeli cruelty, we tend to focus on the problem instead of the solution. Meanwhile, most american jews think that Palestinians want to throw the Israelis into the sea.