It’s been some time since I’ve started taking part in this project, and I still haven’t written anything. I wasn’t sure I wanted to, but I’ve come to a conclusion that I do- I’ll probably be writing smaller pieces, bits put together, simple and probably not very elaborated on. So this is somewhat of a test-
Last week I took part in the march in Tel-Aviv against the siege on Gaza, remembering, one year after, Israel’s brutal attack on it. On the way to Rabin square, on the bus, we could only recognize one other marcher on her way. There, my mother was surprised at how little people had arrived (a few hundred), only 3-weeks after the human rights march from the same point A to the same point B (but, in different courses). Later I would call the IPS [Israeli Prison Service] minibus, already there ready for coming arrests (that never came), ‘the IPS taxi’ accidentally- marches always turn my head to muck, to ooze, I think it’s the combination of rhythms- the rhythmic shouting, stepping, greeting. Its Saturday evening and we are walking through deserted streets- deserted because of us, only some ghosts watching from windows and balconies, some clerks in open shops, devoid of customers.
We arrive at the area in front of the Tel-Aviv museum. I am one of the first to enter the big square, I walked up ahead, and the acoustic system put there already begins chanting, and it echoes from the close buildings. I realize how odd a spot this is- on the one side the museum, on another a big library—on the other twoTel-Aviv court and a major army base, in it most evidently the impressive new building built for the Chief of General Staff (the highest ranking Israeli general).
During the demonstration an Israeli-citizen-Palestinian speaker talked, arguing a point that could be understood in two ways- either as saying that Israeli [Jewish] left MUST, if its support for Palestine is sincere, support Hamas as the elected leadership of the people and support its path of action vis-a-vi Israeli oppression; or as saying the same left must support Hamas as the chosen leadership against Israeli undermining of Palestinian popular chose and right to elect its officials.
Even these two interpretations of what said can be understood in different ways (for instance- the first could mean that Israeli Jewish activists and supporters of the opposition cannot, morally, assume a position wherein they take claim on the shape of Palestinian resistance). I am interested in hearing your opinions regarding these subjects, and would be happy to hear them in your comments.
