In an historic demonstration unnoticed by most world media, on Dec. 28, thousands of Israeli, Palestinian and international peace activists marched through Jerusalem in a demonstration organized by the Coalition of Women for a Just Peace.
Beginning with a March for Mourning remembering all victims of the violence, Israeli and Palestinian, the demonstrators moved peacefully through the streets of Jerusalem gathering first outside the Jaffa Gate, and then into the Old City.
According to first-hand reports posted on the web site of the peace organization Gush Shalom, the program, moderated in Hebrew and Arabic, included speakers Shulamit Aloni, former government minister; Nurit Peled Elhanan, winner of the Sakharov Peace Prize and mother of slain Smadar; Zahira Kamal, Palestinian peace activist; Luisa Morgantini, Italian member of the European Parliament; and Khulood Badawi, member of Association of Arab Students in Israel.
After the speeches, leaders of 13 peace organizations each lit a torch representing one aspect of their work: the wounded, the homes demolished, the trees uprooted, and the children whose lives were fractured. They acknowledged the efforts of those who refuse to despair, but keep on struggling to transform the nightmare into peace and partnership.
Enough of occupation
Following the ceremony, there was music and poetry and prayers as they joined hands and sang and danced together within the walls of Jerusalem. Not unlike the old folk song “ they all joined hands and circled round and grateful prayers were made.”
Three days later another peace demonstration was held. This one was to start in Bethlehem and march to the Old City forming a “Peace Circle around the Old City”.
However, many Palestinian and foreign peace activists were detained at roadblocks leaving Bethlehem. Some 2,000 Palestinians were refused entry into Israel, but held their midday prayers at the checkpoint, creating a peaceful protest.
The VIP Palestinian delegation that was allowed through joined Israeli peace activists marching through the Old City. The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, the Lutheran bishop and the Anglican bishop joined them along the way. The “Sermon on the Mount” was read in Arabic and English, along with the late Faisal al-Husseini’s “Prayer for Peace.”
The Latin patriarch called for “recognizing that occupation is the root cause of hatred and bloodshed. There can be no peace and security for Israelis without peace and security for Palestinians; there can be no peace on destroyed homes; there can be no peace with assassinations. But, we Palestinians will also not have peace if we take retribution of the same kind.”
Uri Avnery, veteran peace activist and recipient of the Alternative Nobel Peace Prize stated, “Peace is not made by politicians. Peace is not made by the men of war, but by the people who seek it . The Jewish tradition says: ‘Justice, justice shalt thou pursue,’ and “Seek peace and pursue it.’”
Yet little of this even made the news. Not here. Not in Israel. Not in the Palestinian territories.
Why don’t we hear about activities and demonstrations in which Israelis and Palestinians join together with like-minded determination? Is it because, as Rabbi Arthur Waskow claims, “ supporters of major steps toward peace and serious critics of the Sharon government are easily described as anti-Israel or as soft-minded leftists”?
Yet, Israel is a democracy, and theoretically allows the voice of dissent. And there are many voices within mainstream Israel (not far-out leftists) that oppose the occupation and say “Enough!” Enough of occupation, enough of violence.
In an interview in the French journal “Le Monde,” Ami Ayalon, former head of the Shin Bet (the Israeli internal security secret service) under Prime Ministers Benjamin Netenyahu and Ehud Barak, stated, “In Israel, no one is in touch with reality. This is a consequence of a misperception of the peace process . Those who want victory want an unending war . Only a Palestinian state will preserve the Jewish and democratic character of Israel.” Only an end to the occupation will allow both Jews and Palestinians to live in peace.
How can you become informed of peace activities? Check online list-serves such as Gush Shalom, (info@gush-shalom.org), Jewish Peace News (jewishpeacenews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com) or The Shalom Center (shalomctr1-subscribe@topica.com).
Add your voice to theirs in local demonstrations of Women in Black. Join the American Jewish Committee or Americans for Peace Now in activities of reconciliation and bridge building.
Gigi Pomerantz is a Milwaukee Jewish activist.
Loading ...