Anarchists Against The Wall (AATW) is an Israeli group that supports the popular Palestinian struggle. The proximity of the struggle on the ground to Israeli cities presents an opportunity for intense involvement by many Israelis. At the same time, the physical risk in such activity is quite high. It goes without saying that the risks for our Palestinian partners are much higher. As a small group with an aversion to institutionalization, AATW has to be accountable for taking real physical as well as legal risks. We must strive to be democratic and open while carrying out actions that involve a high degree of trust and much outside social selection. We must maintain a situation in which Palestinians are the ones making important decisions, even as they work together with privileged Israelis. I will attempt to expand on these challenges and review the organizational success of AATW.
Kobi Snitz is a member of Anarchists against the Wall. His political involvement started when he joined CUPE local 3902 as a teaching assistant in Toronto. He continued being active as a graduate student in the United States, working on teaching assistant union drives, and to oppose U.S. aggression. His work with AATW started when he returned to his native Israel in 2003.
This program was produced by the Institute for Anarchist Studies during the 2007 Renewing the Anarchist Tradition conference.
For more information, visit:
anarchiststudies.org
awalls.org
Flashpoints Radio looks at the Israeli High Court decision that hands back over a hundred acres of stolen Palestinian land in the village of Bili’in with Yonatan Pollack, an activist with the Israeli Anarchists Against the Wall. Then, Nora Barrows-Friedman speaks with a Palestinian teenager about visiting her father in prison.
This program was produced by Flashpoints Radio for September 5, 2007.
For more information, visit:
flashpoints.net
awalls.org
This Week In Palestine for March 31st through April 6th, 2007 is a service of the International Middle East Media Center.
In the West Bank this past week, nonviolent resistance against the occupation and wall construction continued. In Bil’in village, 15 protesters were injured Friday during the weekly demonstration against settlement and wall construction. Six protesters, including two Israelis, were injured in demonstrations in Al Ma’assara village near Bethlehem.
International sanctions against the Palestinian Authority unity government continue, though Europeans countries are beginning to host talks with Palestinian officials. US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visited Palestine on Wednesday as part of her tour of Middle Eastern nations including Lebanon, and Syria.
The Israeli military carried out 24 invasions of Palestinian communities in the West Bank this week. At least 36 Palestinians were abducted, bringing the yearly total to 897. Israeli checkpoints continue to heavily restrict travel throughout the West Bank despite Israeli claims that these restrictions have eased. Israeli settlers continued to escalate their attacks on Palestinian civilians.
In Gaza, Israeli undercover forces carried out several attacks. Palestinian fishermen continue to be targeted by the Israeli navy and two Palestinians were wounded. Civil unrest continues to plague Gaza with civilians injured amidst the fighting. BBC reporter Alan Johnston is still being held captive by unknown people. His abduction sparked protests by Palestinian journalists in solidarity.
For more information, visit:
imemc.org
bilin-village.org
holylandtrust.org
pchrgaza.ps/
Crossing The Line speaks to Jonathan Pollock of Anarchists Against The Wall about their continued opposition against the Wall on Palestinian land.
Pollock was recently given a 3-month suspended sentence in Israeli prison for his continuing support of nonviolent Palestinian resistance to the Apartheid wall and occupation.
For more information, visit:
cbgonzo.blogspot.com/ (Crossing The Line blog)
ctl.libsyn.com/ (Crossing The Line podcasts)
www.palsolidarity.org/main/2007/02/18/jpollak-sentence/ (Article on Pollock’s sentencing)
www.awalls.org/ (Israeli Anarchists Against The Wall site)
The Palestinian village of Bil’in has been engaged in non-violent protest against the wall that separates villagers from their crops and olive trees. Canadian photographer and journalist Jon Elmer has been documenting the protests. He speaks to Karen Mackintosh.
This program was produced in Vancouver by Redeye Radio.
For more information, visit:
www.coopradio.org/redeye
jonelmer.ca