After about two months of detention, Israeli authorities released Israeli activist Jonathan Pollak on February 20. Pollak was arrested after right-wing group Ad Kan filed a suit against him for protesting in the West Bank and allegedly “attacking IDF soldiers”. During his detention, Pollak refused to pay a NIS 500 bail (around $145) set by a Jerusalem judge for, in Pollak’s words, refusing to “recognize the legitimacy of the Israeli system.”
Last week, Pollak attended his first questioning session after the Israeli Attorney General ordered a criminal probe against him for “incitement to terror and to violence” over a news article published online. In addition to the incitement case, Pollak is facing another ongoing trial and several criminal probes into a dozen demonstrations he had participated in.
Palestinian journalist Ahmad Al-Bazz interviewed Pollak following his release.
Thankyou Mondoweiss for this truly uplifting article and enlightening video by Ahamad Al-Bazz, et al., regarding anti-Zionist Johathan Pollack, a truly righteous Jew and a courageous supporter of the long suffering indigenous Palestinians.
Jonathan has long been one of my heroes in the movement. Years ago I invited him to make a presentation in my house, which turned out to be one of the most powerful I’d ever heard on the issue.
When people like Jonathan become the role models for the coming generations in Israeli society, we’ll know we’ve finally turned the corner and we will, finally, be able to see the light at the end of this very long tunnel.
Johnathan Pollack, a truly righteous Jew and a courageous supporter of the long suffering indigenous Palestinians.
Watching this interview, I am moved to tears by Pollack, his courage and his righteousness (a word I hesitate to use elsewhere).
Only when Jews (and Christians) everywhere renounce the aberration called Zionism will there be peace in Palestine and the Middle East.
When the ISM had an apartment in Bil’in in the mid-2000s, Jonathan was always there marching. I remember him fonding, then probably in his early 20s, marching with us in 2005 when, every Friday, we walked to the loathsome wall they were building. He co-founded the organization Anarchists Against the Wall, which protests the Israeli West Bank barrier.
I’m not sure that is still around as a viable group but it was fantastic when I lived in Bil’in during the summer and fall of 2005
what an amazing man, an amazing interview. a leader among men and he leads by following.
thanks and much gratitude to Ahmad Al-Bazz.