Non-Violence in Palestine

Update:

Until watching this video (originally posted by Philip Weiss), I was unaware of Machsom Watch, a Jewish Women’s organization that monitors/bears witness to the checkpoints. Maschom is Hebrew for checkpoint. Please check them out on their website, or learn more on their Wikipedia page. 

Here is a woman from Maschom Watch who narrates her letter to President Obama, accompanied by pictures and footage from the checkpoints:

 

Note to Jonathan Zasloff: 

Please do not mistake the presence of a violent resistance for the absence of a peaceful one:

Tianamen, today.

Despite the degree of difficulty associated with non-violent resistance against a force that you are almost entirely cut off from, there is a strong tide of non-violent resistance in Palestine.

Here is a list that I made from my own memories and a google/wikipedia search: 

International Solidarity Movement  (Remember Rachel Corrie)

Committee Against House Demolitions (more from the Israeli side, but many Palestinians still take part, particularly the ones whose houses are being demolished)

Stop the Wall

Mass Resistance to Air Strikes

The Free Gaza Movement (attempting to sail boats laden with supplies through the blockade)

The divestment and economic boycott movements

International Women’s Peace Service

The Right of Re-Entry

Birzeit University’s Right to Education Campaign

Open Bethlehem

Non-violent resistance in Bilin village

Here are some other sources that document current events or provide a historical summary of non-violent resistance in Palestine:

Anna Baltzer’s reports from Palestine,

IfAmericansKnew devotes a page to non-violent resistance in the occupied territories,

The Palestine Monitor sums recent efforts and the Israeli response,

Qusimyeh has provided a thorough history of Palestinian non-violent resistance,

and best of all, The Palestine News Network has an entire section devoted to articles on non-violent resistance, with dozens listed in just the past few weeks and updates daily.

You know, if I could read a shred of Arabic, or knew where to look besides a google search, or asked someone more knowledgable about Palestine, I’m sure I could find far more and far better examples of Palestinian non-violent resitance. But I think I’ve made my point.