Debriefing Palestine
by Jonathan Kuttab
I just returned to the US from a month-long trip to Palestine/Israel. You can read my trip reflections at the link below:
On my trip, I was able to reconnect with old friends and update the FOSNA family on a number of our ongoing campaigns, including:
The Tent of Nations
“The Six” organizations erroneously designated as “terrorist “ by Israel,
Shadi Khoury, and
Mohammed El-Halabi
The overwhelming feeling in the air, however, was that of a real sense of crisis. Even before the recent Israeli elections, there has been a sharp rise in settler violence. Once the new government was inaugurated, it published its “guidelines,” asserting Jewish control over and the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and greater emphasis on the exclusive “Jewishness” of the state. The new government also granted sensitive ministries, with control over the lives of Palestinians, to some of its most radical ministers (Ben Gvir, Minister of Police; Smotrich, Deputy Minister of Defense with special authority over the Civil Administration of the West Bank). Palestinians understandably expected the worst, and their fears have proven correct. Even before the beginning of Ramadan (on the 22nd of March), we have witnessed a pogrom in Huwwara and Za’tara, as well as bloody incursions into Jenin, Jericho, and Nablus, alongside open threats of a “Second Nakba,” additional home demolitions, harsher treatment for prisoners, and new legislation regarding capital punishment for Palestinian fighters. All this happens while the Palestinian Authority sinks to even new lows in terms of respect, legitimacy, and acceptance among its own people, and whose 80,000 strong police force cannot provide even the most basic of protections from daily settler violence. This is not to mention a looming crisis over succession, when the aging Mahmoud Abbas departs this life.
Also, on the Israeli side, there is a major existential crisis boiling out into weekly mass demonstrations and threats of wide-spread civil disobedience. The new government embarked on new legislation championed by some of the most extreme elements in Israeli society. The protests seem to be centered on laws that impact the very nature of the state and its system of governance. The old guard of Ashkenazi leaders have been steadily losing power to the National Religious Party and the Sephardic Jews. The demographic changes, as well as the steady shift towards fascism, have finally yielded the most extreme right-wing government Israel has seen. The “judicial reforms” proposed by the new government coalition are openly intended to weaken the last vestiges of political power held by the “old regime,” by reducing the power of the courts to overturn Knesset legislation and increasing the power of elected politicians to appoint judges who reflect the new power of the religious right and Sephardic Jews. Absent in this protest movement is any concern over genuine equality for Arab citizens of Israel, much less for the Palestinians in the occupied territories. The massive display of Israeli flags in the demonstrations sends the message that the protest is by and for Zionist Israelis, not about a rethinking of the state's racist nature.
To be sure, some of the demonstrators are genuinely concerned about issues of equality and democracy. Some realize also that they cannot fight fascism while also supporting the occupation or neglecting Arab citizens who compose 21% of Israeli citizenry. Yet, the strategic decision was made by the Opposition not to permit Palestinian flags or placards and slogans against the occupation. But the resistance to the government is real, and some radical issues are being discussed. The prospect of a deep conflict and even a “constitutional crisis” looms large, particularly since Israel does not have a constitution and any changes to its structure, particularly of the courts, will certainly end up in the courts themselves. If the courts hold elements of the “judicial reforms” to be illegal, Israel has no easy method to resolve the conflict between the supporters of the current system and those with a Knesset majority who desire to change it by limiting the very power of the courts to examine and overturn Knesset legislation and government actions.
The crisis also extends to many of the supporters of Israel in this country who are finding it harder and harder to support the Israeli government and its increasingly fascist and openly racist policies, actions, and statements. As its activities and the actions and statements of its leaders are openly fascist, leaders who do not shun away from declaring the state's apartheid nature, it becomes harder and harder for Israel's supporters here, many of whom are otherwise quite liberal, to accept these realities.
I will be discussing these and other features of the current situation in a special debriefing session open to all members and friends of FOSNA next Thursday, March 16. You are welcome to register and join me in one week: to ask questions, make comments, and together discuss how things are changing and how we can use this unique opportunity to advance the cause of justice, equality, and peace that is central to our mission and belief as supporters of Palestinian liberation. Let us pursue a better future for all the residents of the Holy Land.
Take Action!
Department of Education Office of Civil Rights: Thank you for protecting educators and students!
(JVP) Are you an educator committed to Palestinian liberation? If so, we need your support today.
Despite immense pressure from pro-Israel and right-wing groups, the Department of Education (DoE) has, for the moment, decided to continue to protect students and academic freedom by not including the IHRA definition of antisemitism in a policy affecting K-12 and universities. The IHRA definition would punish speech critical of the Israeli government; if the DoE were to adopt it, it would put the safety and speech of students and educators in jeopardy.
The power of our movement to combat dangerous and distorted definitions of antisemitism is working. But when we take a stand for Palestinian human rights and safety for all students, backlash often follows. We need to let the DoE know that, as Jewish educators and allies, we see them doing the right thing and will have their back should the opposition go on the attack!
Department of State: Don't Let Smotrich Fundraise for Genocide
(Adalah Justice Project) The US State Department needs to go farther than simply condemning Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for his genocidal language. The US State Department should revoke his visa immediately and deny him entry.
Mobs of settlers set ablaze and terrorized the Palestinians villages of Huwara, Burin, and Za’atara. Only a week before, Israeli occupying forces committed a massacre in Nablus, killing 11 Palestinians and injuring over 100 in broad daylight in a busy market.
The Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich said, “The [Palestinian] village of Huwara should be wiped out...I think that the State of Israel needs to do that - not...private individuals.”
This is a clear, unabashed call for genocide. And it makes clear once again that while they may disagree on the methods, both Israeli politicians and the settlers we saw burning down homes agree on the goal.
This Sunday, March 12, Smotrich is traveling to Washington, DC to speak at the Israel Bonds conference and raise money for his genocidal project.
Will you sign our petition demanding the US State Department block Smotrich’s travel to the U.S.?
Get Involved!
We invite you to join us in the following events and activities:
March 16: Online
Debriefing Palestine with Jonathan Kuttab
Join us via Zoom on Thursday, March 16th at 4pm PT / 7pm ET to hear all about our Executive Director Jonathan Kuttab’s recent monthlong trip to Palestine and what current events mean for the Holy Land. Ask questions, make comments, and together discuss how things are changing and how we can use this unique opportunity to advance the cause of justice, equality, and peace that is central to our mission and belief as supporters of Palestinian liberation.
March 18: Pittsburgh
Fasting for Peace and in Palestine: Valley View / ICP Event
This year, Lent and Ramadan overlap for two weeks. We are seeking a deeper unity among our faith communities in prayer and action and encourage others to do the same.
Our national organizer Pastor Chad Collins is working together with chair of the board at the Islamic Center of Pgh (ICP), brother Mizanoor Biswas, and former board member and friend to FOSNA brother Ahmed Arafat to get the Muslim and Christian communities together united in a time of fasting and prayer for our Palestinian sisters and brothers, as they experience religious discrimination under occupation.
As many of you know, Palestinian Christians and Muslims are given very limited access to their own holy places, for example Al Aqsa and The Church of the Holy Sepulchre / Church of the Resurrection. And as you can imagine, it is very difficult for them to fast, while living under constant threat of violence from Israel.
On Saturday, March 18th at 5:30pm, we will have a small discussion / dialogue at Valley View on the challenges Christians and Muslims face living under Israeli apartheid and we will feast and fellowship together.
March 19: Online
VFHL Film Salon: The Law and the Prophets
In Israel, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, the law is whatever Israel deems to be in the best interest of Jewish Israelis, to the detriment of Palestinians. In this, Israel violates the civil and human rights of Palestinians as a matter of standard, accepted policy. However, there are brave, determined individuals — prophets —who are trying to expose the destructive, unjust, and sometimes invisible ways in which Israel exploits and oppresses Palestinians. The Law and The Prophets explains the mechanisms of control that Israel deploys to control Palestinians. These mechanisms, some violent and some nonviolent, have been perfected through decades of civil and military rule of Palestinians both within Israel, and in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Watch the film for free at your convenience | Join the Q&A Discussion with an expert panel.
Joshua Vis: Filmmaker, writer, activist, and tour organizer
Muhaned Al Qaisy : General Coordinator - Olive Tree Campaign; Proj. Officer - Joint Advocacy Initiative
Chase Carter: Community organizer; Communications Dir. – Center for Jewish Nonviolence;
Mercy Aiken: Author, Relationship Manager – Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East
Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, Jerusalem:
Weekly
Sabeel Prayer Service. Join Sabeel every Thursday (6pm Jerusalem) for online Bible Study, discussion, and prayer. Examine scripture in light of the ongoing realities confronting the Palestinian Church and the pursuit of Palestinian liberation.
Wave of Prayer. Subscribe to receive Sabeel's Wave of Prayer, enabling friends of Sabeel around the world to pray over issues of critical concern to the Holy Land on a weekly basis.
Kumi Now! (Week 10) Women in Peacebuilding. In other weeks of the year we document the hardships that women have had to bear due to the occupation. However, as the world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, we want to highlight the roles that women play in nonviolent resistance and the growing opportunities available to them in spite of the occupation. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do so that together we can rise up.