Bi'lin: The Little Village That Could
Bi'lin won. Villagers marched every Friday to protest the wall that was swallowing their farm land. Although they marched peacefully, the Israeli occupation army met them with clubs, rubber bullets, and tear gas. They persevered. The villagers were joined by Israeli anarchists and international activists who believed that they must do something against injustice. They too took risks.
I've been highlighting Bi'lin's resistance to occupation on this blog at every opportunity. They offer a model of resistance and solidarity that has immense potential if it get replicated in all Palestinian occupied villages and cities. This is resistance from the bottom up, that respects people's abilities and does not use them as pawns to score points. It's a form of resistance that left the people standing and ready for the next round, not dead and exhausted. For what is the value of a victory without a spirited round of dabkeh to celebrate it.
In Bi'lin they had their victory and their dance.
posted by Amal A @ 9:58 PM
17 comments
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17 Comments:
I really do not believe those demonstrations 'won'. They have taken the line I always wondered why those useless demonstrations were necessary in the first place and have PETITIONED their objection through the LAW. That's why it won...
Israel has disrespected the LAW over and over and over again. It wouldn't be engaging in illegal occupation, and building an illegal wall, if it cared for the LAW. It certainly ignores or denies other petitions. Yet it made an exception for Bil'in-- because of the demonstrations.
in the past two other petitions have been granted by the court changing the route of the wall. they had no demonstrations....
Must have been to save some rare cactus. You know, Israel has re-routed the wall to save unique specimens of plants. Homes, families, livelihoods of Palestinians are unimportant. But a rare cactus... Now that deserves reconsideration of the apartheid snake.
I don't know where you got your information from, but is most certainly is not from reliable sources (like the petitioners and court).
Of course, when you've only got a Palestinian source, it's always unreliable...
And of course, you need to have the last word, because you know best, right?
Tsedek, are you suggesting that if Palestinians petition for what is legally their right, Israel would comply? Come on, we have decades of history to prove this wrong.
BTW, I live in the US, and about four years ago, I read that Israel did indeed re-route the Wall, upon some botanists' recommendation, to preserve some rare specimens. Sadly, it is an illustration that israel does place just about anything (yes, "thing") over Palestinian human life.
you should not believe everything you read. and yes, demonstrations are useless if the court doesn't find in the first place there is an injustice done.
Tsedek,
Do us a favor, and stop assuming we are idiots in need of enlightenement, which you are generously and selflessly willing to bestow upon us.
Your tone is patronizing: you know best, and you're telling us what is going on here. We're naive, we're stupid, we're mis-informed--in short, we're wrong-- but thankfully, we have YOU, wonderful YOU, to enlighten us.
Why am I not surprised?
I only know better because I work for a lawyers office that handles humanitarian rights petitions and other claims. I think I am entitled to know better. Your attempt to play the 'insulted' is poor, to say the least.
Sorry, Tsedek, I have no desire to pursue this discussion with someone as self-righteous as you seem to be, not least because I think this is not the appropriate forum for it.
So go ahead, make one final comment, get the last word.
But know it is because I think a genuine give-and-take discussion with you is a hopeless case, and I'd rather put my energy to good use elsewhere.
you may think what you will. i'm used to those answers. if there is one person that is the least 'self-righteous' - it's me. but it's ok - as i said: people want to give the impression they are right and if someone actually knows in a specific case they are not, they turn on personal accusations.
very typical. but elusive and petty conduct, i think.
Thank you, Tsedek, for informing us that you are not self-righteous. You see, judging from your posts, we wouldn't have known. I, for one, had formed quite the opposite impression. Mind you, that's because I don't know you, and can only judge from your posts. But now, you have corrected us, and I am extremely grateful.
Thank you.
Of course, when you've only got a Palestinian source, it's always unreliable...
And of course, you need to have the last word, because you know best, right?
these are assumptions - first = I said your sources are not reliable - not in one word did I mention "Palestinian sources": how come you are puting words in my mouth I never said? (neither did I say anything about you, but about your sources)
second you attack me personally (must have the last word,) = a sign of weakness to bring forward arguments for your claim.
So, tell me Nada e, who here is selfrighteous?
Tsedek.
You.
You're the one being self-righteous.
Bye, Nada e.
when you get out of your prejudices maybe I will try again to have a discussion with you, but until then: have a good time with yourself and people with the same prejudices.
Be well and take care.
Tsedek, I'm very happy to see you leave. Really. But I will point out that, while I agree with "Anonymous," I am not that person. I have signed my posts. Your comments are rude and out-of-place. But as I said in an earlier post, "why am I not surprised?"
Anyway, Bye, Tsedek!
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