Jonathan Pollak is an active member of Anarchist Against The Wall (about AATW, see below).
"Your Honor, once found guilty, it is then customary for the accused to ask the court for leniency, and express remorse for having committed the offense. However, I find myself unable to do so. From its very beginning, this trial contained practically no disagreements over the facts. As the indictment states, I indeed rode my bicycle, alongside others, through the streets of Tel Aviv, to protest the siege on Gaza. And indeed, while riding our bicycles, which are legal vehicles belonging on the road, we may have slightly slowed down traffic. The sole and trivial disagreement in this entire case revolves around testimonies heard from police detectives, who claimed I played a leading role throughout the protest bicycle ride, something I, as well as the rest of the Defense witnesses, deny. As said earlier, it is customary at this point of the proceedings to sound remorseful, and I would indeed like to voice my regrets regarding one particular aspect of that day's events: if there is remorse in my heart, it is that, just as I argued during the trial, I did not play a prominent role in the protest that day, and thus did not fulfill my duty to do everything within my power to change the unbearable situation of Gaza's inhabitants, and bring to an end Israel's control over the Palestinians. His Honor has stated during the court case, and will most likely state again in the future, that a trial is not a matter of politics, but of law. To this I reply that there is hardly anything to this trial except political disagreement. This Court may have impeded the mounting of an appropriate defense when it refused to hear arguments regarding political selectiveness in the Police's conduct, but even from the testimonies which were admitted, it became clear such a selectiveness exists. The subject of my alleged offense, as well as the motivation behind it were political. This is something that cannot be sidestepped. The State of Israel maintains an illegitimate, inhuman and illegal siege on the Gaza Strip, which still is occupied territory according to international law. This siege, carried out in my name and in yours as well, sir, in fact in all of our names, is a cruel collective punishment inflicted on ordinary citizens, residents of the Gaza strip, subjects-without-rights under Israeli occupation. In the face of this reality, and as a stance against it, we chose on January 31, 2008, to exercise the freedom of speech afforded to Jewish citizens of Israel. However, it appears that here in our one-of-many-faux-democracies in the Middle East, even this freedom is no longer freely granted, even to society's privileged sons. I am not surprised by the Court's decision to convict me despite having no doubt in my mind that our actions on that day correspond to the most basic, elementary definitions of a person's right to protest. Indeed, as the Prosecution pointed out, a suspended prison sentence hung over my head at the time of the bicycle protest, having been convicted before under an identical article of law. And, although I still maintain I did not commit any offense whatsoever, I was aware of the possibility that under Israeli justice, my suspended sentence would be imposed. I must add that, if His Honor decides to go ahead and impose my suspended prison sentence, I will go to prison wholeheartedly and with my head held high. It will be the justice system itself, I believe, that will need to lower its eyes in the face of the suffering inflicted on Gaza's inhabitants, just like it lowers its eyes and averts its vision each and every day when faced with the realities of the occupation."
About AATW
Israeli group supporting the popular Palestinian resistance to the Israeli separation wall.
Anarchists Against the Wall (AATW) is a direct action group that was established in 2003 in response to the construction of the wall Israel is building on Palestinian land in the Occupied West Bank. The group works in cooperation with Palestinians in a joint popular struggle against the occupation.
Since its formation, the group has participated in hundreds of demonstrations and direct actions against the wall specifically, and the occupation generally, all over the West Bank. All of AATW's work in Palestine is coordinated through villages' local popular committees and is essentially Palestinian led.
For more see on http://www.awalls.org/
jeudi 30 décembre 2010
mardi 7 septembre 2010
Some insights into the daily life of Palestinians in Gaza in August 2010
Gaza moments by Anne P (activist friend in Palestine)
Dear all,
I just came back from Gaza and wanted to share with you a video I have put together in order to convey a message: let us not forget Gaza in our words and actions.
I could participate to only one demonstration against the buffer zone (I included a tiny part of it in the video), half of the people were young brave Palestinian women. I was very impressed., they were really happy to have 10 internationals with them that day- apparently a record. Contrary to the demos in the West Bank to which I have become accustomed to, I felt powerlessness walking in the buffer zone which became a desolated area and where this is not one tree which can help to protect you. You do not see the soldiers, they are hidden in their military towers. The Palestinians started to move some barb wire. The soldiers did shoot, but the Palestinians went back and continue. I felt really impressed by their determination, These demonstrations are occurring every week and we barely hear about them. So I wanted to share, and if you want to see the whole video of the demo please let me know...
By the way, the ISM team told me that they are really short of people (only 4 to cover the whole Gaza)...now it is really easier to enter through Rafah, so I hope more people will go.
Anne P./Activestills
Dear all,
I just came back from Gaza and wanted to share with you a video I have put together in order to convey a message: let us not forget Gaza in our words and actions.
I could participate to only one demonstration against the buffer zone (I included a tiny part of it in the video), half of the people were young brave Palestinian women. I was very impressed., they were really happy to have 10 internationals with them that day- apparently a record. Contrary to the demos in the West Bank to which I have become accustomed to, I felt powerlessness walking in the buffer zone which became a desolated area and where this is not one tree which can help to protect you. You do not see the soldiers, they are hidden in their military towers. The Palestinians started to move some barb wire. The soldiers did shoot, but the Palestinians went back and continue. I felt really impressed by their determination, These demonstrations are occurring every week and we barely hear about them. So I wanted to share, and if you want to see the whole video of the demo please let me know...
By the way, the ISM team told me that they are really short of people (only 4 to cover the whole Gaza)...now it is really easier to enter through Rafah, so I hope more people will go.
Anne P./Activestills
vendredi 3 septembre 2010
Ici travaillent des espions israéliens
http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/2010/09/HAGER/19642
Une station d’écoute dans le Néguev
Ici travaillent des espions israéliens
Au nom de la lutte contre le terrorisme, nombre de pays ont déployé des systèmes d’écoute, en dehors de tout contrôle judiciaire. Le réseau Echelon, le plus célèbre d’entre eux, associe notamment les Etats-Unis et le Royaume-Uni. Ignorée jusqu’ici, la base israélienne d’Ourim est l’une des plus grosses stations d’espionnage du monde.
Par Nicky Hager
A une trentaine de kilomètres de la prison de Beer-Sheva — où les passagers de la « flottille pour Gaza » furent brièvement détenus après l’assaut sanglant du 31 mai dernier —, en direction de la bande de Gaza, se trouve l’installation d’espionnage la plus importante d’Israël. Cette base, jamais dévoilée jusqu’ici, est constituée de lignes d’antennes satellites interceptant en secret appels téléphoniques, courriers électroniques et autres types de communications émis du Proche-Orient, d’Europe, d’Afrique et d’Asie.
La puissance d’Israël dans la région est souvent associée à ses forces armées, à son arsenal nucléaire et à ses services d’action clandestine (Mossad). Mais ses capacités de collecte électronique d’informations paraissent tout aussi importantes, qu’il s’agisse de surveiller gouvernements, organisations internationales, sociétés étrangères, organisations politiques et individus. Le travail d’espionnage s’effectue majoritairement depuis cette installation située aux abords du désert du Néguev, à environ deux kilomètres au nord du kibboutz d’Ourim. Nos informateurs ont travaillé dans le milieu du renseignement israélien, et connaissent cette base de première main. Ils décrivent des lignes d’antennes satellitaires de tailles variées et, de part et d’autre de la route 2 333 qui conduit à la base, des bâtiments et des baraquements. De hauts grillages, des barrières et des chiens protègent le domaine. Comme chacun peut le constater sur Internet, les images satellites de ce lieu ne sont pas brouillées. L’œil averti y distingue sans peine tous les éléments caractéristiques d’un poste de surveillance électronique. Un grand cercle dans les champs indique l’emplacement d’une antenne de recherche de direction (HF/DF), destinée à l’observation maritime.
La base d’Ourim fut établie il y a des décennies afin de surveiller les communications internationales transitant par le réseau satellitaire Intelsat, relais téléphonique majeur entre différents pays. Son activité s’étendit aux liaisons maritimes (Inmarsat), puis grossit rapidement (...)
Retrouvez la version intégrale de cet article dans Le Monde diplomatique de septembre 2010 actuellement en kiosques.
Nicky Hager.
Une station d’écoute dans le Néguev
Ici travaillent des espions israéliens
Au nom de la lutte contre le terrorisme, nombre de pays ont déployé des systèmes d’écoute, en dehors de tout contrôle judiciaire. Le réseau Echelon, le plus célèbre d’entre eux, associe notamment les Etats-Unis et le Royaume-Uni. Ignorée jusqu’ici, la base israélienne d’Ourim est l’une des plus grosses stations d’espionnage du monde.
Par Nicky Hager
A une trentaine de kilomètres de la prison de Beer-Sheva — où les passagers de la « flottille pour Gaza » furent brièvement détenus après l’assaut sanglant du 31 mai dernier —, en direction de la bande de Gaza, se trouve l’installation d’espionnage la plus importante d’Israël. Cette base, jamais dévoilée jusqu’ici, est constituée de lignes d’antennes satellites interceptant en secret appels téléphoniques, courriers électroniques et autres types de communications émis du Proche-Orient, d’Europe, d’Afrique et d’Asie.
La puissance d’Israël dans la région est souvent associée à ses forces armées, à son arsenal nucléaire et à ses services d’action clandestine (Mossad). Mais ses capacités de collecte électronique d’informations paraissent tout aussi importantes, qu’il s’agisse de surveiller gouvernements, organisations internationales, sociétés étrangères, organisations politiques et individus. Le travail d’espionnage s’effectue majoritairement depuis cette installation située aux abords du désert du Néguev, à environ deux kilomètres au nord du kibboutz d’Ourim. Nos informateurs ont travaillé dans le milieu du renseignement israélien, et connaissent cette base de première main. Ils décrivent des lignes d’antennes satellitaires de tailles variées et, de part et d’autre de la route 2 333 qui conduit à la base, des bâtiments et des baraquements. De hauts grillages, des barrières et des chiens protègent le domaine. Comme chacun peut le constater sur Internet, les images satellites de ce lieu ne sont pas brouillées. L’œil averti y distingue sans peine tous les éléments caractéristiques d’un poste de surveillance électronique. Un grand cercle dans les champs indique l’emplacement d’une antenne de recherche de direction (HF/DF), destinée à l’observation maritime.
La base d’Ourim fut établie il y a des décennies afin de surveiller les communications internationales transitant par le réseau satellitaire Intelsat, relais téléphonique majeur entre différents pays. Son activité s’étendit aux liaisons maritimes (Inmarsat), puis grossit rapidement (...)
Retrouvez la version intégrale de cet article dans Le Monde diplomatique de septembre 2010 actuellement en kiosques.
Nicky Hager.
mercredi 18 août 2010
Europe's most costly "member" (18 August 2010 Público Madrid )
http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/317811-europes-most-costly-member
Even though it is supposed to be a privileged partner of the European Union, Israel regularly targets infrastructure paid for by the EU during its attacks on Palestinians. So why is Europe not demanding compensation?
Óscar Abou-Kassem
Only ruins remain of the Al Karameh orphanage in Gaza. The establishment, which was home to some 50 Palestinian children, was destroyed by the Israeli air force during Operation Cast Lead in January 2009. It had cost nearly 200,000 euros, half of which came from the Spanish agency for international cooperation (AECID) and the Olof Palme Foundation.
The orphanage is but one of 78 projects financed by European funds that have been destroyed by Israeli army attacks on Palestine over the last ten years. According to a European Commission report, the total damage done exceeds 79.5 million euros (at a conservative estimate). Spain alone had solely financed eight of those projects at a cos 33 million euros.
A profitable partnership
While its army is systematically destroying European projects, Israel has managed to negotiate a very profitable Association agreement with the EU. "This Association agreement gives Israel a number of important advantages in its relationship with the European Union, in political as well as in economic terms", rejoiced the Israeli minister of foreign affairs.
Europe is the principal export market for Israeli agricultural products, and Israel has purchased 637 million euros worth of such goods since 1981 through the intermediary of the European Investment Bank. Just last year, 25 million euros were granted to the Hebrew state for the construction of a desalinisation plant in Hadera, north of Tel Aviv, and this in addition to the 120 million euros already invested in 2007.
On the other hand, since the beginning of the second Intifada in 2000, the Israeli government has launched a campaign of destruction targeting Palestinian installations. Airports as well as roads, bridges, electric power stations, water treatment plants, hospitals, barns and greenhouses have all suffered the collective wrath of the Israeli army.
EU passivity
The EU has not yet dared claim compensation from Israel for the damages caused to its projects in Palestine. "The projects financed by the EU legally belong to the Palestinian Authority, and we have no knowledge that it has lodged damage claims with Israel," admitted Benita Ferrero-Waldner, former commissioner for foreign relations, when she was questioned by MEPs last March on the subject. "To demand compensation from Israel for the expenditures that the EU has made (in Palestine) would be justified," replied Austrian MEP Johannes Swoboda.
The EU's passivity is also criticised by many international NGOs. "The problem is that the EU does not want to be the one that has to pay for the peace process, and the role of mediator has already been taken by the United States," explained Brigitte Herremans, Near East specialist for Belgian NGO Broederlijk Denle, "And the EU doesn't want to lose all its influence by putting pressure on Israel."
The most costly project destroyed by the Israeli army was the airport at Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. The site was effectively razed after numerous bombardments and the carving up of the landing strip by Israeli bulldozers. All that remain is the skeleton of the terminal. The control tower has vanished, and the landing strip has become a quarry for asphalt and other construction materials.
European institutions
Rising power of Israeli lobby in Brussels
"Israel's influence in Europe has grown enormously in recent years thanks to pressure groups based in Brussels and in the other European capitals," Público claims. It is an intensive lobbying campaign that aims not only to influence the EU's Middle East policy, "but also that of each of European state, above all regarding the conflicts with Palestine and Iran," declares the paper. This political strategy was launched by the powerful American Jewish Committee, which opened a bureau in Brussels in 2004. Other organisations like the European Jewish Congress, B´nai B´rith, the think-tank Transatlantic Institute and the European Friends of Israel, an "alliance made up of MEPs of all persuasions", also make their presence felt "combating anti-Semitism", notes the paper. The European Friends of Israel have also suggested the creation of a "common watchdog policy" against anti-Semitism.
Even though it is supposed to be a privileged partner of the European Union, Israel regularly targets infrastructure paid for by the EU during its attacks on Palestinians. So why is Europe not demanding compensation?
Óscar Abou-Kassem
Only ruins remain of the Al Karameh orphanage in Gaza. The establishment, which was home to some 50 Palestinian children, was destroyed by the Israeli air force during Operation Cast Lead in January 2009. It had cost nearly 200,000 euros, half of which came from the Spanish agency for international cooperation (AECID) and the Olof Palme Foundation.
The orphanage is but one of 78 projects financed by European funds that have been destroyed by Israeli army attacks on Palestine over the last ten years. According to a European Commission report, the total damage done exceeds 79.5 million euros (at a conservative estimate). Spain alone had solely financed eight of those projects at a cos 33 million euros.
A profitable partnership
While its army is systematically destroying European projects, Israel has managed to negotiate a very profitable Association agreement with the EU. "This Association agreement gives Israel a number of important advantages in its relationship with the European Union, in political as well as in economic terms", rejoiced the Israeli minister of foreign affairs.
Europe is the principal export market for Israeli agricultural products, and Israel has purchased 637 million euros worth of such goods since 1981 through the intermediary of the European Investment Bank. Just last year, 25 million euros were granted to the Hebrew state for the construction of a desalinisation plant in Hadera, north of Tel Aviv, and this in addition to the 120 million euros already invested in 2007.
On the other hand, since the beginning of the second Intifada in 2000, the Israeli government has launched a campaign of destruction targeting Palestinian installations. Airports as well as roads, bridges, electric power stations, water treatment plants, hospitals, barns and greenhouses have all suffered the collective wrath of the Israeli army.
EU passivity
The EU has not yet dared claim compensation from Israel for the damages caused to its projects in Palestine. "The projects financed by the EU legally belong to the Palestinian Authority, and we have no knowledge that it has lodged damage claims with Israel," admitted Benita Ferrero-Waldner, former commissioner for foreign relations, when she was questioned by MEPs last March on the subject. "To demand compensation from Israel for the expenditures that the EU has made (in Palestine) would be justified," replied Austrian MEP Johannes Swoboda.
The EU's passivity is also criticised by many international NGOs. "The problem is that the EU does not want to be the one that has to pay for the peace process, and the role of mediator has already been taken by the United States," explained Brigitte Herremans, Near East specialist for Belgian NGO Broederlijk Denle, "And the EU doesn't want to lose all its influence by putting pressure on Israel."
The most costly project destroyed by the Israeli army was the airport at Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. The site was effectively razed after numerous bombardments and the carving up of the landing strip by Israeli bulldozers. All that remain is the skeleton of the terminal. The control tower has vanished, and the landing strip has become a quarry for asphalt and other construction materials.
European institutions
Rising power of Israeli lobby in Brussels
"Israel's influence in Europe has grown enormously in recent years thanks to pressure groups based in Brussels and in the other European capitals," Público claims. It is an intensive lobbying campaign that aims not only to influence the EU's Middle East policy, "but also that of each of European state, above all regarding the conflicts with Palestine and Iran," declares the paper. This political strategy was launched by the powerful American Jewish Committee, which opened a bureau in Brussels in 2004. Other organisations like the European Jewish Congress, B´nai B´rith, the think-tank Transatlantic Institute and the European Friends of Israel, an "alliance made up of MEPs of all persuasions", also make their presence felt "combating anti-Semitism", notes the paper. The European Friends of Israel have also suggested the creation of a "common watchdog policy" against anti-Semitism.
lundi 16 août 2010
Bitter dates - dattes amères (reportage)
Voici un documentaire produit par Kav LaOved sur les conditions de travail des ouvriers palestiniens dans les palmeraies coloniales de la vallée du Jourdain.
N'achetez pas les dattes King Salomon, Jordan River... ! Boycott
N'achetez pas les dattes King Salomon, Jordan River... ! Boycott
mardi 1 juin 2010
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