In a few hours, the courageous activists of Sheikh Jarrah will return to Anatot (English here), the site of a horrific pogrom several weeks ago which involved a knife assault by a settler hooligan-resident, a sexual assault, and broken ribs and noses suffered by the protesters. I only wish I could join them myself. But if you are in Israel and see this in time and can join the hevra, please do so. It is critical to rally in support of the Palestinian farmer denied access to his fields by the Anatot settlement. It is critical to support the right to protest in a free country.
The Israeli police for several weeks have denied protesters the right to return to Anatot because they claim doing so would be a provocation against the residents. Sheikh Jarrah appealed to the Israeli Supreme Court. But before a hearing could be held, the State attorney general informed the police it could not defend their position in court, which gave them no choice but to drop the matter.
Now, protesters going to test the law. Will Israeli police stand by as they did at the first demonstration and allow their fellow Israelis to be beaten to a pulp yet again by settler pogromists? Or will they maintain order as police tend to do in democratic societies? If you’re betting for the latter I wouldn’t want to steal your money. Can you imagine a police force whose legal position just had its legs cut out from under it by the attorney general, feeling inclined to do anything on behalf of the activists?
Justice for victims of Anatot! To support the work of Sheikh Jarrah Solidarity, donate here.
I am at anatot now. Police have us in a pen. You want photos?
Yes please. Send them.
I sent it to what I think is your email address. Tell me if it got through.
I got them. Thanks. Haven’t taken a look yet.
Correction, sending failed. Where shall I send it?
It was a disgrace. Police prepared a tiny fenced enclosure, right next to the site of the pogrom, by the outer fence of Anatot. Worse yet, Solidarity cooperated fully with this. Every step of the way was controlled by police. Members of solidarity wore vests and directed movement. They defended the “security measures”. When the “protest” ended, police let us out in small groups, effectively holding protesters in the pen for short periods of time. Police and settlers took photos of us. The settlers seemed particularly thorough, trying to photograph each protester individually. I have taken some photos myself, if anyone is interested.
Dear Mr. Silverstein –
You should check the background of your stories before you publish them.
The so-called innocent palestinian “farmer” is a convicted rapist who was in prison several times and for many many years. At Anatot his only goal was provocation and the protesters joined him. They’re all very far from being innocent protesters
I don’t know if you read Hebrew but if you do, and if the truth matters to you – please go to the following link to read what really happend in Anatot:
http://www.nrg.co.il/app/index.php?do=blog&encr_id=79974780b5e0d394fddbd1a00f4f21d3&id=2957
You should check the Yisrael HaYom lies that you attempt to spread here before you stick your foot in dogshit. And you might also want to check the post I wrote demolishing the Yisrael HaYom story with the help of an Israeli blogger who did most of the spade work.
Spreading lies will get you banned here. Next time try facts & things that are provable & which you can verify.