Nonviolent Resistance in Israel

Dear friends, sisters, brothers,

Thanks to list member Kristen Barker, for this series of nuggets about nonviolent resistance within Israel to the war in Lebanon and the Occupation of Palestine.

Blessings on the many forms of creative resistance to injustice.

Blessings on your hearts which resist injustice from their loving depths.

Blessings on your ingenuity in finding your own ways to speak the words NO, and YES.

~Matt Guynn
On Earth Peace



AT LEAST TWO ISRAELI FIGHTER PILOTS DELIBERATELY MISS CIVILIAN TARGET
Inigo Gilmore at Hatzor Air Base, Israel
Sunday August 6, 2006
The Observer <http://www.observer.co.uk >

At least two Israeli fighter pilots have deliberately missed civilian targets in Lebanon as disquiet grows in the military about flawed intelligence, The Observer has learnt. Sources say the pilots were worried that targets had been wrongly identified as Hizbollah facilities. Voices expressing concern over the armed forces' failures are getting louder.
 
DIRECT ACTION AGAINST WAR IN LEBANON  08-08-06
12 activists of the left were arrested in demonstration in front of the air force base. About 25 activists stood this morning (Tuesday) in front the Ramat David base carrying placards on which was written: `stop killing of civilians`, `stop the war crimes`. They called for immediate cease fire and releasing all the prisoners and war prisoners. Israel, North, direct action against the war in Lebanon in front of  Ramat David Air Force
http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=15695
 
STOP THE WAR DEMOS EACH SUNDAY AND ANTI-WAR ADS
While the government gave the green light to intensifying and prolonging the war for weeks or months, today at 6pm a Stop the War demo was called opposite the Defence Ministry in Tel-Aviv. It was initiated by selective refusers (Ometz Lesarev) as an effort to unite those who opposed the war from the start with those who feel that now is the time to stop it. Gush Shalom's daily anti-war paid ads can be read also on www.gush-shalom.org. Demos are held each Sunday.
 
DRAFTED ART- ARTISTS CALLING FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE AND RELEASE OF PRISONERS We are opposed to the war, to the Israeli army�s horrible bombardment of Lebanon and to Hezballah�s firing of rockets onto northern Israel. Our conflict with our neighbors has lasted for more than 100 years and so the question of who started this round of violence is irrelevant. We believe that conflicts are solved through dialogue, negotiations and compromise, not through violence, more bombings and annihilations, more security zones and occupations, more territories in which soldiers and civilians alike will be killed from both sides. http://maarav.org.il/draftedart/
 
ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN BLOGS
Israel-Palestine Blogs is a blog aggregator featuring peace blogs written by Israeli and American Jews, Palestinians, Lebanese, Arab-Americans and others. Though the blogs are varied in political viewpoint, they are dedicated to advocating a just, equitable and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. http://israelpalestineblogs.com/
 

Counter-recruitment networking call; Tues Aug 15, 6:00PM Eastern

Dear friends:

Are you concerned about the presence of military recruiters in your community -- or the lack of jobs and alternative sources of direction and guidance for young people?  

Are you involved, or would you like to get involved, with raising up alternatives and helping more young people find the paths that lead to life?

On Earth Peace ( www.onearthpeace.org) is a peace education and action agency, rooted in the Church of the Brethren (www.brethren.org ). Since early 2005, we have been supporting counter-recruitment organizers -- both folks from Church of the Brethren congregations and folks from all over the place. 

        Our main offerings are twofold: 1) A basic outreach and organizing packet (an introduction to the work, with a variety of brochures from different groups, and some basic getting started things that we've created, including letters for pastors and youth advisors, a youth group session for use in churches, and more).

        2) Networking calls which take place every six to eight weeks.  These calls sometimes have a topical focus (youth involvement, best resources, a featured speaker), but they always include a lively exchange of ideas and support for each other's work.  They are a great place to connect with others in the movement!

*****OUR NEXT NETWORKING CALL IS COMING UP ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, at 6:00PM.  Can you join us?   There are about six slots remaining for the call.

*****The call on August 15 will include a brief time of reflection on the Christian theological and spiritual undergirding for counter-recruitment organizing.
        It will also include a chance for you to join the conversation and hear updates from organizers around the country. What plans are being laid for the fall?  How are folks thinking about their work?

**Encountering Recruitment Networking calls are always a time for asking questions, sharing stories, commiserating and celebrating, and getting support and inspiration as we strengthen each other for continued organizing.

Whether you are a beginner or an old hand, the conversations are always informative and a great place to get connected with the counter-recruitment movement.

Can you join us?

Matt Guynn
coordinator of peace witness
On Earth Peace

Mubarak Awad launches hunger strike for ceasefire

Dear friends,

Welcome to all the new members in the last few days! I pray that the Peace Witness Action List is a blessing and an inspiration to you.

Mubarak Awad, who is initiating this hunger strike, is a Palestinian Christian, the founder of the Palestinian Centre for the Study of Nonviolence (whose work is now continued by the Holy Land Trust).

After being expelled by Israel in 1988, he founded Nonviolence International (based in Washington, DC).

~Matt

Media Release
August 1, 2006

Contact:
Mubarak Awad 202 413 6062
Edy Kauffman, 301 728 6886
Mohammed Abu-Nimer 703 839 5259

LET US TALK FAST

STOP THE KILLINGS AND START NEGOTIATING

Washington DC. On Wednesday, August 2, 2006, at 2pm, Lebanese, Israeli and Palestinian citizens will hunger strike in relays at the US State Department joined by many others around the world. The message, together with other Christians, Muslims, and Jews is: Stop the killing and start negotiations with all the fighting parties.

Mubarak Awad, says "As Lebanese, Israelis, and Palestinians, now living in Washington DC, we call upon Americans of all faiths to show compassion for the victims and ethical concern for the current violence by fasting for peace and justice. The right to life is the most valuable of all."

Edy Kaufman says "We call on the United States government and all the conflicting parties to talk officially or unofficially to each other instead of trying to kill and injure each other. Talk to Syria, talk to Hezbollah, talk to Hamas, talk to Israel, and talk to Iran. Talk, don't kill. All parties have legitimate grievances and concerns. Deal with them."

Mohamed Abu Nimer says "We are undertaking a fast, knowing well that Middle East conflicts will not be resolved by this action alone. Join us in a hunger strike to share in the suffering of hundreds of innocent civilians killed, the wounded, the displaced, those whose livelihoods were destroyed, and those countless children who will grow up with deep traumas."

The organizers expect thousands of people to join the effort in the Middle East and around the world, fasting from 1 to 21 days calling on the United States and all parties to talk rather than kill. Many are expected to donate their meal savings to peace and humanitarian groups.

Others are expected to meet their political representatives and tell them there is no military solution to these conflicts. Therefore we have to talk.

For more information: www.nonviolenceinternational.net

Signatories:

Prof. Mohammed Abu-Nimer,

Prof. Mubarak Awad,

Prof. Karim Crow,

Prof. Edy Kaufman,

Jonathon Kuttab,

Michael Beer,

Barbara Wien.

Christian Peacemaker Teams urges halt to US support for Israeli

CPTnet ~ www.cpt.org
29 July 2006

CHICAGO: CPTers urge halt on U.S. funding of Israeli aggression in Lebanon
and Gaza

On Monday 24 July, Chicago police arrested six CPT members as they appealed for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel in the office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.

More than forty-five CPTers, CPT training participants and supporters gathered for prayer outside the Israeli Consulate, then walked a mile through downtown Chicago to the Federal Building, making the connection between Israel's military actions and U.S. military aid to Israel.
Participants carried large STOP signs and a banner that read, "U.S.A. STOP Funding Israeli Aggression."

Prayers of confession and songs of peace echoed through the Federal Plaza as the six member delegation made its way into the office of Senator Durbin, a ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee. The group expressed their concerns to the Senator's Chief of Staff, asked that the Senator take a public stand regarding U.S. military aid to Israel, and said they were prepared to wait in the office until receiving a response from the Senator.

Group members prayed and quietly read the names of civilians killed in Gaza over the past month while waiting for a reply from the Senator's Washington, D.C. office. A short time later, the local Chief of Staff insisted that the group leave or he would have them arrested. The delegation continued in prayer until Homeland Security agents took them into custody and turned them over to Chicago Police on charges of criminal trespass. The six spent up to eleven hours in jail. A judge told them they must appear in court on 14 September 2006.

Those arrested were Jason Arndt (Gary, IN), John Funk (Armstrong, BC)
Abigail Ozanne (Falcon Heights, MN), Jessica Phillips (CPT Personnel Coordinator, Chicago, IL), Howard Taylor (Wentworth, NH), and Shirley Way (Stanley, NY. ) Other members of the training group who participated in the witness were Michele Braley and Nils Dybvig (Minneapolis, MN), and Joel Gullege (Chicago, IL.)

Related article in the Chicago Tribune

Related blog posting from SoapBlox/Chicago