At the end of one of my first journeys to the Israeli-occupied West Bank in 2004, I endured a shocking experience at Ben-Gurion Airport. I never imagined that Israeli security forces would abuse a 79-year-old Holocaust survivor, but they held me for five hours, and strip-searched and cavity-searched every part of my naked body. The only shame these security officials expressed was to turn their badges around so that their names were invisible.
The only conceivable purpose for this gross violation of my bodily integrity was to humiliate and terrify me. But it had just the opposite effect. It made me more determined to speak out against abuses by the Israeli government and military.
Yet my own experience, unpleasant as it was, is nothing compared to the indignities and abuses heaped on Palestinians year after year. Israel’s occupation of the West Bank is based not on equal rights and fair play, but on what Human Rights Watch has termed a “two-tier” legal system – in other words, apartheid, with one set of laws for Jews and a harsh, oppressive set of laws for Palestinians.
This, however, is the legal system and security state AIPAC (The American Israel Public Affairs Committee) will defend from May 22-24 at its annual conference. And, despite this grim reality, members of Congress will converge to hail AIPAC and Israel . The Palestinians’ lack of freedom is bound to be obscured at the AIPAC conference with its obsessive focus on security and shunting aside of anything to do with upholding fundamental Palestinian rights.
Several years ago near Der Beilut in the West Bank, I saw the Israeli police turn a water cannon on our nonviolent protest. As it happened, I recalled Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 and wondered why an ostensibly democratic society responded to peaceable assembly by trying, literally, to drown out the voice of our protest.
In Mas'ha, also in the occupied West Bank , I joined a demonstration against the wall Israel has built, usually inside the West Bank and occasionally towering to 25 feet in height. I saw a red sign warning ominously of “mortal danger” to any who dared to cross in an area where it ran as a fence. I saw Israeli soldiers aiming at unarmed Israelis, Palestinians and international protesters. I also saw blood pouring out of Gil Na'amati, a young Israeli whose first public act after completing his mandatory military service was to protest against the wall. I saw shrapnel lodged in the leg of Anne Farina, one of my traveling companions from St. Louis . And I thought of Kent State and Jackson State, where National Guardsmen opened fire in 1970 on protesters against the Vietnam War.
So as AIPAC meets and members of Congress cheer, I hold these images of Israel in my mind and fear AIPAC’s ability to move US policy in dangerous directions. AIPAC does a disservice to the Palestinians, the Israelis and the American people. It helps to keep the Middle East in a perpetual state of war and this year will be no different from last year as it keeps up a steady drumbeat calling for war against Iran .
AIPAC pretends to speak for all Jews, but it certainly does not speak for me or other members of the Jewish community in this country who are committed to equal rights for all and are aware that American interventionism is likely to bring further disaster and chaos to the Middle East .
Israel, of course, would not be able to carry out its war crimes against civilians in Lebanon and Gaza without the United States – and our $3 billion in military aid – permitting it to do so. At 86 years old, I use every ounce of my energy to educate the American public about the need to stop supporting the abuses committed by the Israeli government and military against the Palestinian people. Sometimes there are people who try to shout me down and scream that I am a self-hating Jew, but most of the time the audience is receptive to hear from someone who survived the Holocaust and now works to free the Palestinians from Israeli oppression.
The vicious discrimination brought to bear against Palestinians in the occupied territories deserves no applause this week from members of Congress attending the AIPAC conference. Instead, they should raise basic questions with Israeli officials about decades of inferior rights endured by Palestinians both inside Israel and the occupied territories.
Hedy Epstein is a Holocaust survivor, who writes and travels extensively to speak about social justice causes and Middle Eastern affairs. Take action by attending Move Over AIPAC, a gathering in Washington DC from May 21-24, 2011, to expose AIPAC and build the vision for a new US foreign policy in the Middle East! More information can be found at www.MoveOverAIPAC.org.
Alan Eisner of the Israel Project, in a debate on RT Television’s CrossTalk yesterday, while defending Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, made a big deal of his being the son of Holocaust survivors.
Thank you, Hedy, for doing your part to discredit that sort of behavior.
well put. AIPAC threatens jews worldwide with a backlash when more people realize what the right wingers have done in israel-palestine, and to the US government (of course it is many more folks than just zionist right, but the masses may see it differently). the only real self-hating jew is the knowledgeable one who seeks immoral bias to support israeli crimes. and there imposition of their expansionist ideology on so many will, in time, even threaten jews. i fear in the years to come some radicals will attack jews/synagogues. i find this horrible, but the “average” jew needs to wake up and understand the abuse of relative power, if not moral, is a recipe for disaster. but i guess that is how power works, jewish or any other group. but can we learn from history, or just use simple logic? can the larger collective jewish debate shift, if ONLY for self-interest (forget the poor palestinians even…)?
you are a wonderful brave woman Hedy and i am so proud of you and everything you stand for. thank you, i am so grateful.
Ms. Epstein, I am humbled by your clear sense of morality and justice, and by your courage. You are everything – and more – that self-professed “liberal Zionists” are not.
Peace and good health to you! :-)
Thank you, Hedy. We will do what we can to spread your valuable message.
“AIPAC pretends to speak for all Jews”
I looked at AIPAC’s About Us page and it doesn’t say anything about representing Jews. J Street on the other hand, talks about their Jewishness a lot. I think we should stop pretending AIPAC is a Jewish organization. There are many millions more Christian Zionists than Jewish Americans that support AIPAC.
MICHAEL W- “I think we should stop pretending AIPAC is a Jewish organization. ”
Are you seriously claiming that AIPAC is not a Jewish organization?
It’s an American lobby that advocates a position that millions of American Christians support. They clearly out number American Jews.
MICHAEL W- “It’s an American lobby that advocates a position that millions of American Christians support. They clearly out number American Jews.”
What is this all about? AIPAC is a member of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Are you about to write and inform them that AIPAC is a front group for Christian Zionists? It is not “an American lobby” in the inclusive sense of the term. While Christian Zionists may support AIPAC’s work and position, AIPAC most assuredly is an exclusivist American Jewish Zionist organization. If you wish to comment on Christian Zionist support for AIPAC/Israel, why not just say so. Why the bullshit? What does your blatant distortion of reality add to the discussion, or are you attempting to scuttle the discussion through Zionist techniques of propaganda? I am really getting tired of this crap.
For some reason there is a lot of hasbara going on trying to impart the idea that it is non Jews in the US who are the driving force of support for Israel and zionism. I think the intent of this tactic is pretty obvious.
But as illustrated by a previous post on here by Phil concerning the public’s negative comments and reactions to the MSM propaganda on Israel…..that it is non Jews who are the Godfathers of Israel support….. just doesn’t fly.
What is your reason for not wanting zionist Jews to have to own their support of Israel?….because the US public has become critical of Israel and of them and they need cover? You know, first the zionist claimed all “The Jews” were in their camp and now they are claiming most ” Christians” are in their camp? Or even the ‘leaders” of Israel support?
Hummm……I smell desperation setting in among the zionist and the Lobby as the Isr-USA veil is being lifted by the public.
The zionist know their scent is in the wind and they are looking to deflect the brunt of any attack by seeking protection in a different herd.
My numbers may be a tad off but last time I checked any sources, Evangelicals—which include, and where from sprang, Christian zionist, only numbered about 20 to 30 million in the US…10% or less of our population. And further, any googling will quickly show you that there are many types of Evangelicals with widely different
views…..so that further reduces the actual number of the christian zionst.
Christian “zionist’ is really a contridiction….jews and zionist say Israel is about a homeland for the Jews….the Christians say it is about an in gathering where the Jews convert or perish…so if christian zios are for Israel it’s because they consider it a temporary holding pen until they can convert them or watch God wipe them out.
It doesn’t even make any sense…LOL…..but that’s par for the course for both zionist and their zio christian avatar’s.
American. Yep. Wimpy.
Jewish Zionist to Christian Zionist: “I’ll gladly pay you tomorrow for a hamburger today.”
Christian Zionist (with foreclosed home or trailer): “Good! Want cheese on that double burger?”
“It’s an American lobby that advocates a position that millions of American Christians support. They clearly out number American Jews.”
Yeah, all the Lutherans, Baptists (both ‘cold water’ and ‘hard shell’) Episcopalians and Unitarians in my neighborhoods are members. The meeting nights are a regular block party and street fair!
And thanks for the laugh. Hey, Micheal, ever hear of an American TV show called “Get Smart”? There was a repeated comedic riff in that show called “would you believe….” Do you remember it?
Are you seriously claiming that AIPAC is not a Jewish organization?
Yes he is. Just like Oren was claiming the other day that Geo Washington was a Zionist. These guys live in a different world than the rest of us. It is difficult to understand how an entire nation can live in such a total distortion of reality and survive.
“”I think we should stop pretending AIPAC is a Jewish organization.”"
++++ Yes. Mostly its a spy agency for Israel state. lol
link to capwiz.com
Try this page:
link to en.wikipedia.org
All members of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations serve on AIPAC’s Executive Committee.
Maybe you can point out the Christian Zionists among the AIPAC officers listed. Good luck.
Your comment is a perfect illustration of what I mentioned on the “bastards” thread. An amazing ability to ignore reality and insist that no Jew or group of Jews could have real power and responsibility for anything that might be construed negatively. It must be the goyim who are really in charge. The Jewish leaders of AIPAC are all just front men, I’m sure, coverin’ for ‘da (goyishe) man’.
agreed, but israel does like to pretend they speak for all jews, and are a good thing for all jews, if not a g-d given miracle (the opposite?). further, it is quite clear AIPAC supports israel fairly unconditionally, but in general takes its marching orders from the israeli right/likud. but yes, they have worked hard to get christian zionist support, if not increase the number of christian zionists… but they are most significantly a product of active or passive jewish support. i do wonder where their money comes from… it is all about money really. i assume the vast majority is from right wing jewish americans.
I understand that Hedy escaped the holocaust, that she did not endure the rigors of years in concentration camps as actual survivors did. Rather, she enjoyed life in England. For her to expect preferential treatment, instead of assisting true survivors, is a travisty.
She should be ashamed of herself.
>> I understand that Hedy escaped the holocaust, that she did not endure the rigors of years in concentration camps as actual survivors did.
I always wondered who got to decide whether or not a person was a “real” Holocaust survivor or a “fake” one. Now I know.
And now you know what “preferential treatment” in Israel is, as well: Not being stripped and cavity searched. How dare she demand that!
ChrisB you should be ashamed of yourself. But being a Zionist that is not likely is it? I have met a number of Jews who escaped from the holocaust, people who lost many family members that did not escape. And you denigrate their experience since they successfully escaped. Oh my god, you guys really are evil aren’t you?
For those curious who the real holocaust survivors are perhaps it would helpful to see who received the reparations:
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/HOLOCAUST-REPARATIONS-RIP-OFF–106967768.html
Norm Finklestein tried to warn us of this swindle.
I love Hedy Epstein. She is a role model.
More power to you.
I LOVE Hedy too!
What an inspirational woman! And as sad as I am by what you (what we both) endured in Ben-Gurion, I’m encouraged by your strength and determination to press on and travel/ speak out regardless of what psychological/ physical humiliation they put us all through in order to silence and stop us.
And fabulous news Egyptian FM announces Permanent Opening of Rafah Border Crossing! loooloooloooloooliiiiiii!
“I never imagined that Israeli security forces would abuse a 79-year-old Holocaust survivor” Elsewhere on this blog, Israel was accused of discriminating against people arriving at Ben Gurion airport based on race. I think this story clearly puts the lie to that claim.
I think it’s spurious to argue whether someone who was part of the kindertransport to the UK in 1939 is a true Holocaust survivor or not. She may never have been in the camps but she lost family there and I’m sure endured unimaginable horrors in the years leading up to her emigration. Nevertheless, I will say will all due respect to Ms Epstein that if it is in questionable taste to bring up the Holocaust in defence of Israel then it must also follow that it is in questionable taste to use it to attack Israel.
GUILTYFEAT- “Elsewhere on this blog, Israel was accused of discriminating against people arriving at Ben Gurion airport based on race. I think this story clearly puts the lie to that claim.”
No it doesn’t. Israel discriminates on race and ethnicity. They also exact retribution on Jews who publicly oppose Zionism. One doesn’t negate the other. Also, your veneer of moderation has worn off exposing a blatant Zionist troll.
Things have deteriorated of late. Methinks the website could use a good fumigation with industrial strength Troll-Be-Gone.
I think this story clearly puts the lie to that claim.
By that convoluted logic, the deaths of Schwerner, Goodman and Liuzzo in the 1960′s “put the lie” to the claim that the Jim Crow American South discriminated against blacks. But of course, that’s nonsense, as is your statement.
Keith, good call. GF should be exposed to all for what he really represents. I guess hasbara central will have to recall this handle and come at us with anther one.
Yawn, hasbara, yawn blah blah. You got me. I’ll radio my handler and tell him my cover’s been blown.
You realize that calling someone a hasbarista 20 times is just the flip side of calling someone an anti-semite. They’re both useless terms designed to prevent you from relating to an opposing opinion as originating from a human being. Bo-ring!
guiltyfeat
Hasbara lies can be very easily shown for what they are. Bullsh*te amassed over 63 years. link to wp.me
Denial of them prevents any reasoned dialogue.
Accusations of Anti-semite on this board are rarely, if at all substantiated.
“I think this story clearly puts the lie to that claim.”
If you tell me Israel sadistically searches all 86 yr. old visiting women, I believe you. I won’t even say it seems unlikely.
tell me GF, in what vacuum would ms. epstein publicize her identity as a holocaust survivor? she’s attacking holocaust exploitation as the foundation of a state.
Let’s remember that she was one of those Jews that the Zionists had already disowned 70 years ago:
“If I knew that it would be possible to save all the children in Germany by
bringing them over to England and only half of them by transporting them to
Eretz Israel, then I opt for the second alternative.” (David Ben-Gurion,
1938)
i don’t know … the last time i went through Ben-Gurion i was part of a church based Social Justice delegation study group. i was the only Middle Easterner, the rest pretty much of the same background (15 people) except for maybe 1 or 2 others. anyhow, i was the only one given over to the Detention Rooms in Ben-Gurion for 5 hours or so. my traveling mates were drinking beer out of glass bottles while i was being interrogated repeatedly, watched Palestinian mother’s with newborn babies on their laps detained (i wondered how will they nurse here? change a diaper? prepare formula? wash their hands?).
on the way out of Israel in Ben-Gurion i was ushered away toward the same “special treatment” again. i’d spent i don’t know how many days with this group but i was the only one singled out and the director insisted that he was my guardian and he come with me to the interrogation and strip search rooms of Ben-Gurion. once detained my group director insisted that he be treated in the same manner as i was treated, he insisted that he too be stripped, that he too be questioned, that he too have his belongings searched. it was very generous of him, i’ll admit it misery in Ben-Gurion loves company. changes the process a bit from being Kafka-esque to being plain ridiculous and humorous, in a sad, pathetic this is what your occupiers, detainers and oppressors do to construct their mythology kind of way.
there should really be an online space where people can write their stories about their experiences going through Ben-Gurion. i know for me it was very traumatic combined with being refused entry to Gaza (i couldn’t even deliver to my grandmother the kilos fresh goat cheese from the West Bank. i failed to fulfill her one request -pocks on you Israel!).
Ms. Epstein may you live forever. The energy that you give for the advancement of humanity cannot be measure.I give you to my kids as an exemple of how everybody should live their life
Hedy Epstein. A moral giant.
Finkelstein discusses the term “Holocaust survivor. Page 81 ff.
\
link to books.google.com.au
A 79 year old woman is cavity searched?
I am speechless….I hadn’t seen this before.
As for who is and isn’t a holocaust survivor Israel has changed the definition of ‘survivor’ several times. They now consider a survivor “to be anyone who lived for any time in any country invaded or occupied or allied with Germany during the war”…whether they escaped or not, or whether or not they were ever in a camp.
As we all know the actual camp survivors are almost all dead. I think I read that only about a dozen or less “actual concentration camp’ survivors are still living.
I think Israel revised their definition of survivor in order to get more money from Germany because Israel has gone back to Germany several times with claims more money is needed. They also demanded ‘new’ money from Germany to treat the children of survivors due to their inherited trauma from the holocaust.
“A 79 year old woman is cavity searched?
I am speechless….I hadn’t seen this before.”
Is there anything left about Israelis to surprise? These people are terrorists of the worst kind.
“They also demanded ‘new’ money from Germany to treat the children of survivors due to their inherited trauma from the holocaust.”
did they get any $$$?
and yet some of the Israelis here say they don’t believe in compensation, Right of Return and Justice for Palestinians? HELLOOO????
i and my family are still being traumatized by Israel but Israelis don’t believe we should be compensated.? is it all about $$$ or is it about the humiliation of compensation? Peace isn’t going to be cheap, reconciliation doesn’t come without atoning for one’s sins (an aside- maybe part of the problem IS that for many zionism IS void of religion, VOID of accountability? interesting thought).
Israel wants 99 cent store Peace for Palestinians, (yet they themselves live by another standard with Germany) Palestinians want Peace with Justice.
A lot of discussion about AIPAC, but not much about their brother org JINSA…Jewish Institute for National Security. They are the military industrial arm of the zionist in the US…and the uber hawks that inflitrate the US pentagon and weapons industry the same way AIPAC infiltrates our congress.
link to jinsa.org
Here’s an article The Nation did on..
“The Men From JINSA”
link to thenation.com
AIPAC is the front page, JINSA is the backroom boys.
”
link to thenation.com
Check out the blatant lies
link to jinsa.org
“I never imagined that Israeli security forces would abuse a 79-year-old Holocaust survivor, but they held me for five hours, and strip-searched and cavity-searched every part of my naked body. The only shame these security officials expressed was to turn their badges around so that their names were invisible.
The only conceivable purpose for this gross violation of my bodily integrity was to humiliate and terrify me.”
Hedy I cried and my stomach turned. Do not know what you went through during the brutal, criminally insane Holocaust but am always amazed by individuals who are committed to working through personal trauma and maintain their humanity. What a remarkable and honorable woman. Thank you for your powerful example. Hope to stand in your presence at the Move over Aipac gathering