More News We Don't See....

Genocide in Gaza

These are some VERY DIFFICULT-to-see photographs of what is happening on the ground in Gaza - a memorial to the 1000+ people - many of them women and children - who have been killed in the fighting. Please view them ONLY if you are prepared to see some horrific shots of the mayhem inflicted by the bombs and shelling of Gaza: http://www.elfarra.org/gallery/gaza.htm

I link you to these photos, not because I want to sensationalize the attacks on Gaza or manipulate you to action. I viewed these photos simply because I cannot imagine what it is like to be living in Gaza - or anywhere in the Palestinian Territory - where soldiers can come in any time of the day or night and attack. Whether you are being attacked by planes and tanks in Gaza or you are sitting at your breakfast-table in East Jerusalem and the soldiers come with a demolition order and give you two hours to vacate your home before the bulldozers come to turn it into rubble. I am so lucky to live in the U.S., where this cannot happen and I need to never forget that this is not the way of life for most people on this planet.

Article by Dr. Mona El Farra, Gazan pediatrician

Read this article from the Guardian, written by a Palestinian pediatrician from Gaza, who is currently in London. She talks about the deaths, especially of her cousin (no pictures here): http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/30/gaza-doctor-victims

Demonstrations Across Palestine Protest Israeli Attacks on Gaza

While world attention focuses on what is happening in Gaza, Palestinians are rallying to support their brothers and sisters in Gaza - these demonstrators, too, are being attacked for expressing their views. Read the news story from Palestine News Network: http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4523&Itemid=1

Israelis Oppose Attacks on Gaza

Although public opinion in Israel supports the Army's attacks on Gaza, there are small groups of Israelis who oppose the attacks. Some of these stories are listed here:

Nine Israeli human rights organizations call for investigations into human rights violations by the Israeli Army: http://www.btselem.org/English/Press_Releases/20090114.asp

Ometz L'Sarev (Courage to Refuse) demonstration in front of the Ministry of Defense in the heart of Tel Aviv; video includes interviews with multiple refusers and advocates of refusal: <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cMs0nai4JQ>.

Reservist Refuses to Serve: Ha'aretz reports that at least one reserve soldier has already been jailed for refusal to serve: <http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1054861.html>.

Commentary by an Israeli protester
Sharon Dolev: "A lefty in Israel." Accompanying video shows firefighters hosing protesters outside of the air force base: <http://news.walla.co.il/?w=/4560/1416660>.

Resistance in Sderot - (from Jewish Peace News) a little Israeli town that has been bearing the brunt of rocket fire from Gaza for over 7 years now. Its population is mostly Middle Eastern Jews and new immigrants from the former USSR - both are groups whose worldview tilts right, especially with regards to Israel-Arab relations. Its mayor Eli Moyal has been extremely vocal in demanding heavy-handed IDF attacks on Gaza.

Yet, Sderot is not monolithic. Jewish Peace News received a posting from Israel, written (in Hebrew) by a member of Kol Aher (Another Voice http://www.othervoice.org/welcome-eng.htm) - a Sderot-based peace group:

Sderot War Diary, Naamika Zion, Sderot, 8.1.09

"I talk with Sderot people and everyone's cheeks are rosy again", boasted Fuad on the war's second day [Fuad is Benjamin Ben Eliezer, a long-time centrist Labor minister - Assaf]. "The heavier the blow we deliver - the wider the hearts get".

Hey Fuad, not everyone. Even if I was the only one around Sderot feeling differently - and I am not - my voice should be heard.

Not in my name and not for me you went to war. The current bloodbath in Gaza is not in my name and not for my security. Destroyed homes, bombed schools, thousands of new refugees - are not in my name and not for my security. In Gaza there is no time for burial ceremonies now, the dead are put in refrigerators in twos, because there is no room. Here their bodies lay, policemen, children, and our nimble reporters play acrobatically with Hasbara strategies in view of "the images that speak for themselves". Pray tell me, what is there to "explain"? [Hasbara literally means "explanation" - Assaf] What is there to explain?

Read the entire text, translated from the Hebrew on Jewish Peace News (scroll down to the second piece on the page): http://jewishpeacenews.blogspot.com/2009/01/dissident-voices-everywhere.html

"Shministim" Resist Service in Occupied Palestine

Nearly 2000 Israeli military personnel and high school students ("Shministim") refuse to serve in the Occupation, sometimes as great cost to themselves. Interviews with some of these "refusniks" are found in Ronit Chachem's excellent book, Breaking Ranks. Learn more and meet some of these courageous young people: http://december18th.org/