Amira Haas reports on the Israeli Secret Service, Shin Bet, targeting a variety of Israeli activists who support Palestinian rights, including 22-year-old Matan Cohen. He has quite a resumé: co-founder of Anarchists Against the Wall, an organizer of Hampshire College's divestment measure, and one of the Young Jewish Proud protesters who disrupted Netanyahu's speech. From the article:
Cohen: "Was it you who decided to detain me?"
Policeman: "No, security elements did."
Cohen: "Meaning the Shin Bet security service?"
Policeman: "Yes, the Shin Bet's Jewish department."
Four more people in civilian clothes examined Cohen's possessions. It took them two and a half hours.
"We merely were warned that you are suspected of terrorist activity." . . .
Cohen: "[Am I] a suspect in something?"
Policeman: "You're not a suspect. You're suspected."
Cohen: "Your grammar is amazing."
Policeman: "It means that they think you're connected to something but you are not suspected of anything concrete."
Cohen: "In other words, you can detain me whenever you wish."
Policeman: "These are the instructions I got from the Shin Bet and the decision is theirs."
Read "Shin Bet puts Israeli 'anarchists' in crosshairs" here.
See the emerging pattern, people?
If you fight against, or even merely speak out or write against the global banksters, the endless war machine, U.S. expansionism, israel and it’s land-grab, you are going to be labeled a “terrorist” and put on a list so you mind your place and obey
Which suggests that the Shin Bet doesn’t have any actual terrorism to concern itself with – and justify its existence.
“Shalom, this is Rona from the Shin Bet. I’m sure you’ve heard about me.”
fun
Amira spoke at Hampshire College about a month ago.
I made a recording of the lecture, which others are welcome to hear. I offered it to Phil and he said that he wanted a copy, but never communicated how to get it to him.
Do not worry, Shin Bet has a copy.
If Matan Cohen is one of the group who disrupted NuttyYahoo’s speech some time back, then hats off. That was a very courageous and effective action. Bravo!
“”We merely were warned that you are suspected of terrorist activity.” .
They are so accomplished at lying. So accomplished. Since when did organizing against an oppressive and brutal government become “terrorist activity”
Well, since forever, since governments started. There’s other associated lables, such as “subversive,” or “radical,” or “treasonous.” But “terrorist” is the best because it conjures up totally irrational subhumans with bombs strapped to their privates. Talking animals with a suicidal bent who want you to share in their rapture. Now, don’t be giving them any rhetorical material support. Let them buy their own diapers and band-aids.
this is so confusing. many here have argued that BDS is a fruitless, even childish, pursuit, and is not/will not have any effect on the israeli economy or politics generally. so why the need for shin bet to muck about in an ineffectual enterprise? two possible answers: 1. BDS is a threat; 2. BDS is not considered a threat, but, in any event, all dissent outside of the permitted parameters must be punished.
No All of the above option?
For years, the Israeli left’s (Read: dissent) idea of breaking with convention and working to bring an end to the conflict was singing kumbaya, holding hands with a few Palestinians who had pinned their hopes on the Israeli ‘activists’.
It wasn’t until now that BDS started getting traction. So, when a few Israelis joined the movement, the government started paying attention. Why? Because the Israelis who truly cared (not the self-styled hypocrites who are usually found on the left) were finally taking concrete steps to bring about change.