Yes, I know … it’s political. Obama is up for re-election. But that doesn’t mean that America isn’t making a big mistake by announcing that they will veto the Palestinian’s bid for statehood in September. We’re talking about the world vs. the USA, Germany and Israel. Not good for any of these nations’ interests in the Middle East — or the world.
So please, if you’re still in denial about the situation — or more importantly, you know someone who is — take the time to share this video with them.
Love,
Alison
from Jerusalem
This is a shame on Israel and America… what kind of Democracy do they consider themselves to be? Not the kind they used to be or began as! Hope the young mad didn’t suffer too much from their brutality.
Unfortunately, Israel didn’t used to be much of a democracy and certainly didn’t begin as one … expelling hundreds of thousands of people from their homes during the 1948 Nakba. And today, well certainly not. Freedom of speech is certainly being stomped out here.
Alison – with much respect, I dont agree with your determination regarding Israeli democracy. First of all, regarding history: The rift between the Jewish and Arab communities predates the state – and the causes for the Nakba are not simplistic and are not only Jewish propogated. It had little to do with not beng a democracy and have everything to do with the fact that those two communities were at war with each other. We happened to “win” – but it doesnt make us the only perpetrators in this horrible dance that we are playing with each other. Making one side out to be the villains does not help but only exacerbates the situation. Everyone has to take responsibility for the place we are in in order to solve it.
This does not condone the absolutely horrible behavior of the police in this video. But because we do live in a democracy those police can be photographed, and hopefully brought to justice.
Thank you for your response. Let’s leave the history for a moment. Like you said, we are all more or less responsible for the current situation — the current degradation of democracy and democratic ideals. Of course I do hope that these police will be put on trial and “justice” served — that is a big part of why I published this piece. However, I am more disturbed by the reactions of these individuals (the police officers). Under their uniform is a fear of dissident thought and a desire to eliminate and suppress freedom of speech, rather than to protect it.