I first read about Rae Abileah’s most recent courageous activism by way of Gideon Levy’s excellent thrashing Haaretz article Netanyahu’s speech to Congress shows America will buy anything
It was an address with no destination, filled with lies on top of lies and illusions heaped on illusions. Only rarely is a foreign head of state invited to speak before Congress. It’s unlikely that any other has attempted to sell them such a pile of propaganda and prevarication, such hypocrisy and sanctimony as Benjamin Netanyahu did yesterday. The fact that the Congress rose to its feet multiple times to applaud him says more about the ignorance of its members than the quality of their guest’s speech. An Israeli presence on the Jordan River – cheering. Jerusalem must remain the united capital of Israel – applause. Did American’s elected representatives know that they were cheering for the death of possibility? If America loved it, we’re in big trouble. The fact that the only truth spoken in the Capitol was that of a former Israeli shouting “equal rights for Palestinians” is a badge of honor for us and a mark of shame for America. Netanyahu’s “speech of his life” was the speech of the death of peace.
Yep, a badge of honor. Rae is an honor for not only Israel and America, she’s a badge of honor for (wo)mankind and humanity and Levy didn’t even mention her name.
Perhaps you have been living under a rock and are unfamiliar with Rae Abileah. She is a founding member of Young Jewish Proud , a national organizer and essential cornerstone of Code Pink. Like other strong vibrant moral ethical traditional Jews she’s courageous like a tigress and her bravery knows no bounds. I’ve had the good fortune and honor of befriending Rae and she has enriched my reality. It was during a conference in San Francisco following the Gaza Massacre I first heard Rae speak and she inspired me to travel to Gaza.
Police arrested CODEPINK peace activist Rae Abileah at the George Washington University Hospital in Washington DC. Abileah was taken to the hospital after having been assaulted and tackled to the ground by AIPAC members of the audience in the House Gallery during Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech to Congress.
“I am in great pain, but this is nothing compared to the pain and suffering that Palestinians go through on a regular basis,” said Abileah from her hospital bed. “I have been to Gaza and the West Bank, I have seen Palestinians homes bombed and bulldozed, I have talked to mothers whose children have been killed during the invasion of Gaza, I have seen the Jewish-only roads leading to ever-expanding settlements in the West Bank. This kind of colonial occupation cannot continue. As a Jew and a U.S. citizen, I feel obligated to rise up and speak out against stop these crimes being committed in my name and with my tax dollars.” Abileah explained that she stands in solidarity with the Palestinian and Israeli activists who are routinely jailed and beaten for speaking out for democracy.
Thank you Rae, my gratitude knows no bounds. You glorify our world.
Heal swiftly, we need you.
