“I did not know” is no excuse! The news from Palestine is not a secret, even in part of the Israeli press and other media. Just this past week, August 24-28, Haaretz, one of the most serious newspapers in Israel, published these headlines, among many others, in Hebrew and in English:
“One Thousand Attacks on Palestinians by Israelis in the West Bank Since the Beginning of the Year”
“Sick and Elderly Shelter in Gaza City Churches with Nowhere to Go Amid Looming IDF Siege”
“West Bank Settler Attack on Palestinian and Israeli Activists Wounds Seven”
“Dozens Wounded as IDF Troops Raid West Bank City Ramallah, Confiscate Cash From Local Foreign Exchange Bureau”
“ 'Better Late Than Never': Israeli Journalists Hail Killing of Palestinian Colleagues in Gaza”
“Israel Committed a War Crime That Was Broadcast Live to the World" -- Haaretz editorial
“Israel Police Bans Anti-Gaza War and Anti-Government Protest Signs at Haifa Pride Parade”
“Targeting Truth: Israel's Killing of Gazan Journalists in Nasser Hospital Is No 'Mishap' ”
So, yes, the truth and facts are out there for anyone to see, learn and act! Awareness and support for Palestine, both in Gaza and the West Bank, is central and ongoing.
Nowadays many more Israelis want a ceasefire deal to end the war and free all remaining hostages, and even participate in massive demonstrations--but many are mostly driven by concerns about hostages still in Gaza and the impact of two years of war on Israeli society and its economy.
On the other hand, demonstrations and opposition to ethnic cleansing and genocide, while still usually a small minority, continue to grow in Israel. Protests call for refusal to serve in the army and an end to the starving and the slaughter of Palestinians.
This past week in Tel Aviv, tens of thousands of Israelis and Palestinians demonstrated together, symbolizing the breaking of another psychological barrier among Palestinian citizens in Israel, and perhaps also constituting another small brick in the foundation of a common political camp. This is a thing that can truly threaten the horrific Zionist regime.
Unfortunately, polling this week showed that nearly three-quarters of Jewish Israelis partially or totally agree with the claim made by Israel’s government that “there are no innocents in Gaza.”So, no time to waste for those that struggle for justice!
Meanwhile, in the rest of the world, the “Anti-Zionism=Antisemitism” charge used by the “Israel-right or wrong” people for so long is facing new challenges to its credibility. More thoughtful leaders in the world Jewish community and institutions are publicly decrying the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestine. These are not just the Orthodox Jewish communities that opposed the Israeli state from its inception. These are now scholars of the Holocaust, rabbis and community organizers. Just last week rabbis demonstrating in NYC were detained and harassed by the police!
Palestine Will Be Free! From Yakov--
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I would like to invite you to a potluck fundraiser on Saturday, September 6th at 6pm for INTERNATIONAL GAZA RELIEF- a humanitarian organization that has found a way through the blockade to feed and provide clean water to hungry children in Gaza. There will be music, speakers, camaraderie and good food! It is being held at Unframed Artists Gallery- 173 Huguenot St, New Paltz, NY 12561
Please go to igirelief.org for more information, or contact me- Michele Riddell- you can call, text or email.🌹