This is
what the Jewish Labour Movement, Luke
Akehurst & Jeremy Newmark
support when they cry ‘anti-Semitism’
 |
| Israeli security forces taking a child into custody during a protest in Kafr Qaddum, December 2016. Nedal Eshtayah/Anadolu Agency |
Below is an article by Jonathan Cook, an ex-Guardian
journalist based in Nazareth whom the Guardian dismissed as part of their move
rightwards. Below that is an article by
Gideon Levy, one of Ha’aretz two excellent journalists (the other being Amira Hass). It describes a ‘combat mission’ by the Israeli
Defence Forces that involves waking and terrorising Palestinian children in the
early morning as a raid is conducted on Kfar Qaddum, a Palestinian village.
journalist based in Nazareth whom the Guardian dismissed as part of their move
rightwards. Below that is an article by
Gideon Levy, one of Ha’aretz two excellent journalists (the other being Amira Hass). It describes a ‘combat mission’ by the Israeli
Defence Forces that involves waking and terrorising Palestinian children in the
early morning as a raid is conducted on Kfar Qaddum, a Palestinian village.
Kfar Qaddum has protested against the confiscation
of their lands by the neighbouring Jewish settlement of Kedumim. The army is there, like any colonial army, to
protect the settlers and it represses violently any opposition to their open
theft of Palestinian land.
of their lands by the neighbouring Jewish settlement of Kedumim. The army is there, like any colonial army, to
protect the settlers and it represses violently any opposition to their open
theft of Palestinian land.
You might have heard that the Zionists of the Jewish
Labour Movement, Labour Friends of Israel and the Board of Deputies support 2
states. However this is meaningless
because there isn’t even one example of them opposing the military repression
that Palestinians suffer from. 2 States
is a slogan, about something that will never come to pass, as a means of
avoiding taking any position on the daily suffering of the native Palestinian population.
Labour Movement, Labour Friends of Israel and the Board of Deputies support 2
states. However this is meaningless
because there isn’t even one example of them opposing the military repression
that Palestinians suffer from. 2 States
is a slogan, about something that will never come to pass, as a means of
avoiding taking any position on the daily suffering of the native Palestinian population.
What
should also be called out is that the Jewish Labour Movement has been
encouraged in its attack on Labour Party members as ‘anti-Semites’ by Jon
Lansman, who is currently engaging in a coup in Momentum. Equally disappointing is the fact that Jeremy
Corbyn has been intimidated into silence by the Israeli state driven
accusations of anti-Semitism.
should also be called out is that the Jewish Labour Movement has been
encouraged in its attack on Labour Party members as ‘anti-Semites’ by Jon
Lansman, who is currently engaging in a coup in Momentum. Equally disappointing is the fact that Jeremy
Corbyn has been intimidated into silence by the Israeli state driven
accusations of anti-Semitism.
Tony Greenstein
16
January 2017
January 2017
Israeli
security forces taking a child into custody during a protest in Kafr Qaddum,
December 2016. Nedal Eshtayah/Anadolu Agency
security forces taking a child into custody during a protest in Kafr Qaddum,
December 2016. Nedal Eshtayah/Anadolu Agency
Forget
the empty posturing of world leaders in Paris yesterday. This photo
tells us what the Israel-Palestine “conflict” is really about.
the empty posturing of world leaders in Paris yesterday. This photo
tells us what the Israel-Palestine “conflict” is really about.
Imagine
for a second that the little boy – how old is he, eight, nine? – is your son,
trying to adjust his keffiyeh because it keeps falling over his eyes and he
can’t see anything. Image your small son surrounded by masked Israeli
“soldiers”, or what looks more like a Jewish militia than an army. Imagine
that the boy is likely soon to be bundled into the back of a
military van and taken for interrogation without his parents or a lawyer
present, or even knowing where he is. That he could end up beaten and tortured,
as human rights groups have regularly documented.
for a second that the little boy – how old is he, eight, nine? – is your son,
trying to adjust his keffiyeh because it keeps falling over his eyes and he
can’t see anything. Image your small son surrounded by masked Israeli
“soldiers”, or what looks more like a Jewish militia than an army. Imagine
that the boy is likely soon to be bundled into the back of a
military van and taken for interrogation without his parents or a lawyer
present, or even knowing where he is. That he could end up beaten and tortured,
as human rights groups have regularly documented.
Maybe you
can’t imagine any of that because you, a responsible parent living in
Europe or the United States, would never let your child out to throw stones.
can’t imagine any of that because you, a responsible parent living in
Europe or the United States, would never let your child out to throw stones.
Then you
need to know more about the story behind this picture.
need to know more about the story behind this picture.
This
photo was taken in Kfar Qaddum last month. The boy and his friends aren’t there
to bait Israeli soldiers or indulge a bout of anti-semitism. Jews from the
violent – and illegal – settlement of Kedumim have taken over their farm
lands. Kedumim’s expansion has been further used to justify the army
closing the access road in and out of Qaddum. The village is being choked
off at the throat. In short, these villagers are being ethnically cleansed.
photo was taken in Kfar Qaddum last month. The boy and his friends aren’t there
to bait Israeli soldiers or indulge a bout of anti-semitism. Jews from the
violent – and illegal – settlement of Kedumim have taken over their farm
lands. Kedumim’s expansion has been further used to justify the army
closing the access road in and out of Qaddum. The village is being choked
off at the throat. In short, these villagers are being ethnically cleansed.
Parents
living in such circumstances do not have the privilege of concealing from their
children what is happening. Everyone in the village knows their community and
its way of life are being extinguished. Israel is determined that they
will leave so that the Jewish settlers next door can grab their land. Israel
expects these villagers to join the rest of the aid-dependent Palestinian
population in one of the ghettoised towns and cities in the bantustans of
the West Bank.
living in such circumstances do not have the privilege of concealing from their
children what is happening. Everyone in the village knows their community and
its way of life are being extinguished. Israel is determined that they
will leave so that the Jewish settlers next door can grab their land. Israel
expects these villagers to join the rest of the aid-dependent Palestinian
population in one of the ghettoised towns and cities in the bantustans of
the West Bank.
Even
little boys understand the stakes. And unlike your child, this one knows
that, if he doesn’t resist, he will lose everything he holds
dear.
little boys understand the stakes. And unlike your child, this one knows
that, if he doesn’t resist, he will lose everything he holds
dear.
What Israeli Soldiers
Never Tell Their Mothers
There is
virtually no combat service in the IDF that doesn’t entail soldiers carrying
out despicable missions like the one described below.
virtually no combat service in the IDF that doesn’t entail soldiers carrying
out despicable missions like the one described below.
Gideon
Levy Jan 16, 2017 10:45 AM
Levy Jan 16, 2017 10:45 AM
They
gathered in the narrow street, on a cold and dark night. They were tense. The
howl of a distant jackal broke the silence. For some, this was their first
operational mission. They’d always dreamed of it, and they’d been in training
for a long time. The adrenaline was flowing, just the way they liked it. That’s
what they enlisted for.
gathered in the narrow street, on a cold and dark night. They were tense. The
howl of a distant jackal broke the silence. For some, this was their first
operational mission. They’d always dreamed of it, and they’d been in training
for a long time. The adrenaline was flowing, just the way they liked it. That’s
what they enlisted for.
Before
they set out, they texted their parents to tell them not to worry. When the
dawn broke and they returned safely to their base, they’d text again. Their
mothers won’t ask what they did, and they won’t tell them. That’s how it always
is. Their parents are proud of them: they’re combat soldiers.
they set out, they texted their parents to tell them not to worry. When the
dawn broke and they returned safely to their base, they’d text again. Their
mothers won’t ask what they did, and they won’t tell them. That’s how it always
is. Their parents are proud of them: they’re combat soldiers.
As they
formed up before leaving, their commanders checked their gear and ammunition,
and gave them their final orders. The intelligence officer told them of the two
wanted men; they must be found, at any price. Then the force went out into the
night. Thirty soldiers. They went up the hill on foot.
formed up before leaving, their commanders checked their gear and ammunition,
and gave them their final orders. The intelligence officer told them of the two
wanted men; they must be found, at any price. Then the force went out into the
night. Thirty soldiers. They went up the hill on foot.
They
reached their target sometime after midnight. The village was deep in sleep,
the orange security lights of the settlement across the way winking in the
distance. And the order was given: Attack!
reached their target sometime after midnight. The village was deep in sleep,
the orange security lights of the settlement across the way winking in the
distance. And the order was given: Attack!
They
leaped at the back door of the house and shook it until it was almost torn from
its hinges. A dim light emanated from the second floor and a man came down in
pajamas, still half asleep, to open the metal gate. Not one of them asked
himself what he was doing there. Maybe that will happen when they grow up a
little more.
leaped at the back door of the house and shook it until it was almost torn from
its hinges. A dim light emanated from the second floor and a man came down in
pajamas, still half asleep, to open the metal gate. Not one of them asked
himself what he was doing there. Maybe that will happen when they grow up a
little more.
The first
four entered with their machine guns at the ready. Black masks covered their
faces; only their eyes peeped out. They pushed the shocked Palestinian
backward. He tried to explain to them that the children were sleeping and he
didn’t want them to wake up to the sight of a masked soldier above their bed.
four entered with their machine guns at the ready. Black masks covered their
faces; only their eyes peeped out. They pushed the shocked Palestinian
backward. He tried to explain to them that the children were sleeping and he
didn’t want them to wake up to the sight of a masked soldier above their bed.
The
soldiers wanted Tariq. And also Maliq. They ordered the Palestinian to take
them to them. The two wanted men slept in a room that was all blue, including
the sheets. The soldiers woke them with shouts. The wanted men woke up in a
panic.
soldiers wanted Tariq. And also Maliq. They ordered the Palestinian to take
them to them. The two wanted men slept in a room that was all blue, including
the sheets. The soldiers woke them with shouts. The wanted men woke up in a
panic.
The
soldiers ordered them to get up. Then they grabbed their arms, pushed them into
two separate rooms and locked them in. Other soldiers broke into the house,
whose inhabitants had all woken up in the meantime. Six-year-old Mahmoud began
to cry: “Daddy, Daddy!”
soldiers ordered them to get up. Then they grabbed their arms, pushed them into
two separate rooms and locked them in. Other soldiers broke into the house,
whose inhabitants had all woken up in the meantime. Six-year-old Mahmoud began
to cry: “Daddy, Daddy!”
The soldiers
warned the two wanted men not to dare participate in any more demonstrations.
“Next time, we’ll shoot you or arrest you,” they told Maliq. He remained locked
up for about 40 minutes, until the force left. On their way out, the soldiers
threw stun grenades into the yards of the homes they passed – the icing on the
cake.
warned the two wanted men not to dare participate in any more demonstrations.
“Next time, we’ll shoot you or arrest you,” they told Maliq. He remained locked
up for about 40 minutes, until the force left. On their way out, the soldiers
threw stun grenades into the yards of the homes they passed – the icing on the
cake.
All of
this happened about 10 days ago in Kafr Qaddum. All of it happens every night
throughout the West Bank.
this happened about 10 days ago in Kafr Qaddum. All of it happens every night
throughout the West Bank.
The two
wanted men were aged 11 and 13. Tariq’s voice hasn’t broken yet, and Maliq has
a bashful smile. Since that night, they will sleep only in their parents’ bed.
Mahmoud has started wetting the bed. The large force of soldiers came in the
dead of night just to intimidate them, and perhaps also to maintain their edge.
wanted men were aged 11 and 13. Tariq’s voice hasn’t broken yet, and Maliq has
a bashful smile. Since that night, they will sleep only in their parents’ bed.
Mahmoud has started wetting the bed. The large force of soldiers came in the
dead of night just to intimidate them, and perhaps also to maintain their edge.
The
Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson’s Unit wasn’t ashamed to say, “Soldiers
spoke with youths who had taken part in the regular demonstrations in Qaddum.”
That’s what IDF soldiers do: hold intimidating nighttime talks with children.
That’s what they enlisted for. That’s what they’re proud of.
Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson’s Unit wasn’t ashamed to say, “Soldiers
spoke with youths who had taken part in the regular demonstrations in Qaddum.”
That’s what IDF soldiers do: hold intimidating nighttime talks with children.
That’s what they enlisted for. That’s what they’re proud of.
Kafr
Qaddum, it’s worth noting, is a place that merits respect. It has been fighting
for about five years now, with courage and determination, for the reopening of
its access road – which was blocked because of the settlement of Kedumim. The
settlement had grown right up to the edge of the road, leading to its closure.
Qaddum, it’s worth noting, is a place that merits respect. It has been fighting
for about five years now, with courage and determination, for the reopening of
its access road – which was blocked because of the settlement of Kedumim. The
settlement had grown right up to the edge of the road, leading to its closure.
Last
Friday, Amos Harel reported in Haaretz about a steep decline in the number of
young men from well-off families willing to serve in combat units. The Border
Police is now the most sought-after unit, and its gates are mobbed by the
weaker sections of society, whom Israel cynically incites against the
Palestinians, so that all of them want to be Sgt. Elor Azaria.
Friday, Amos Harel reported in Haaretz about a steep decline in the number of
young men from well-off families willing to serve in combat units. The Border
Police is now the most sought-after unit, and its gates are mobbed by the
weaker sections of society, whom Israel cynically incites against the
Palestinians, so that all of them want to be Sgt. Elor Azaria.
Perhaps
it’s good that the well-off are abandoning service in the territories. Or
perhaps it’s bad, because they’re leaving it to others. Today, there is
virtually no combat service in the IDF that doesn’t entail carrying out
despicable missions like the operation in Kafr Qaddum.
it’s good that the well-off are abandoning service in the territories. Or
perhaps it’s bad, because they’re leaving it to others. Today, there is
virtually no combat service in the IDF that doesn’t entail carrying out
despicable missions like the operation in Kafr Qaddum.
This
Friday, or the following one, Tariq and Maliq will resume demonstrating on the
road, and perhaps they’ll also throw stones. They won’t forget the terrors of
that night so quickly; those terrors will form their consciousness.
Friday, or the following one, Tariq and Maliq will resume demonstrating on the
road, and perhaps they’ll also throw stones. They won’t forget the terrors of
that night so quickly; those terrors will form their consciousness.
And the
soldiers? They’ll continue to be heroes, in their own eyes and those of their
people.
soldiers? They’ll continue to be heroes, in their own eyes and those of their
people.
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