Just the other day, a few members of Anarchists Against the Wall were finally tried in court for an action from 2004. Although their lawyer argued the legitimacy of civil resistance in instances of nations breaking international law, they were found guilty. Those on trial pointed out the hypocrisy of the situation and distraction from actual international crime:"This trial, had it not taken place in a court of the occupation, in the democracy imposed on 3.5 million Palestinian subjects devoid of basic democratic liberties, would have been the trial of the Wall; that same wall that was defined as illegal by the highest legal authority in the world; that same wall that is used as a political tool in the campaign of ethnic cleansing being undertaken by Israel in the Occupied Territories; that same wall that in its previous route, that route of the relevant days, was thrown out even by Israeli courts! It was not us who should have been standing accused here, but rather the architects and enforcers of Israeli Apartheid."
While some received community service hours, Yonatan P. refused to comply with this nor suspended sentences (a conditional sentence resulting in imprisonment if such activities are repeated) and stated he "will ask not to have a conditional sentence imposed... but an active one, as any demonstration taking place in the Occupied Territories is declared illegal assembly, according to the extensive and anti-democratic system of closed military zone warrants. In this state of affairs, any conditional sentence imposed upon me will quickly become an active one." Read more about it HERE.
Yonatan and many other dedicated Israeli activists will continue to
demonstrate against apartheid - today is the second-year anniversary of the famous weekly Bil'in village demonstration against the Wall and illegal Israeli settlement expansion. Even though there (someday) may be considerable international pressure for Israel to respect human rights and comply with international law, there must be also be a shift in public opinion in Israel to oppose apartheid and feel responsible for the actions of its government and military. The growth of these and other activist groups is a source of hope - for instance, more young people seem to be refusing and speaking out against required military service. Visit New Profile, a "movement for the civil-ization of Israeli society," which supports conscientious objection. Read the great letter from Shministim, a group of high school seniors condemning the occupation and refusing military service. Consider writing a quick email of support to Hadas Amit, a conscientious objecter serving her fifth consecutive prison term at amitdrch@gmail.com. Take more action supporting these refuseniks HERE.
demonstrate against apartheid - today is the second-year anniversary of the famous weekly Bil'in village demonstration against the Wall and illegal Israeli settlement expansion. Even though there (someday) may be considerable international pressure for Israel to respect human rights and comply with international law, there must be also be a shift in public opinion in Israel to oppose apartheid and feel responsible for the actions of its government and military. The growth of these and other activist groups is a source of hope - for instance, more young people seem to be refusing and speaking out against required military service. Visit New Profile, a "movement for the civil-ization of Israeli society," which supports conscientious objection. Read the great letter from Shministim, a group of high school seniors condemning the occupation and refusing military service. Consider writing a quick email of support to Hadas Amit, a conscientious objecter serving her fifth consecutive prison term at amitdrch@gmail.com. Take more action supporting these refuseniks HERE.
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