Israeli Peace Movement at Jenin Checkpoint Demonstration by Ben Scribner 9:00am Sun Apr 14 '02 phone: 720-956-0700 ccmep@hotmail.com We had gathered at an intersection within Israel's 67' borders, 18 kilometers from Jenin. Buses arrived for over an hour, unloading into a swelling crowd of "thousands" according to the local media. The scene was hopeful and impressive. Maybe there is something going on with the Israeli left. print article Israeli Peace Movement at Jenin Checkpoint Demonstration by Ben Scribner on Israeli/Palestine border near Jenin Saturday, April 13th Tay Yush. Yesh Guvul. Gush Shalom. Bat Shalom. Peace Now. I'm getting confused navigating the Israeli peace movement. But this is not different from our own in the U.S. - no one can speak officially for the party line, there are tendencies within tendencies within tendencies. Yonathan (forgive my attempts at phonetic spellings), however, who I have just met, is emphatic on the point that all these groups are anti-occupation. "The issue that people argue about is the right of return," he says. I'm asking Yonathan, who was just on camera with press (in their helmets and flak jackets, of course - I've now learned it's a matter of insurance coverage) what just happened at the demonstration that is now breaking up. "Well, everything I know is rumors," he says, "but my understanding is that the food convoy was allowed through to Jenin." I'm concerned, I didn't see it happen with my own eyes. We had gathered at an intersection within Israel's 67' borders, 18 kilometers from Jenin. Buses arrived for over an hour, unloading into a swelling crowd of "thousands" according to the local media. The scene was hopeful and impressive. Maybe there is something going on with the Israeli left. Again there was a large Arab presence, out of proportion with their 1 in 5 numbers in Israel. On the bus coming in, Chaya, an American Jew who emigrated to Israel in 1950, tells me "The number one rule today is to mix - Jews and Arabs, men and women. They'll try to separate us and beat up especially hard on the Arabs." And then someone else chimes in "And since you're not a Jew, an Arab, or a woman, we'll have to work something out for you!" Along with the buses were three large and laden trucks carrying shrink-wrapped foodstuffs. One had a bin that was being loaded by hand with blankets, clothing, and more food brought by individual Israelis. The goal was to get the aid to Jenin. No one thought it would work. Charles Linchner, a U.S. Jewish peace activist described the plan: "We go to the checkpoint, demonstrate, and get tear gassed and beaten." With these expectations, I was surprised that the food had simply been let through "from another route." But Yonathan, an older, white-haired man from Tel Aviv who speaks with a gentle European accent, has faith: "If they lied to us, all of these people will remember, and there will be more trouble with them." He reads my skeptical expression. "You think this is bullshit?" he says, laughing. * Ben is one of four Coloradans currently in Palestine joining many internationals in solidarity with Palestinians in ending the illegal Israeli military occupation of Palestine. More on their trip at: http://www.ccmep.org/palestine.html www.ccmep.org/ add your comments

3000 left wing activists protest next to West by Jalal Bana, Ha'aretz Correspondent 3:35pm Sun Apr 14 '02 print comment 3000 left wing activists protest next to West Bank town of Jenin Some 3,000 Israelis, both Jews and Arabs, set out on a march towards Jenin, in the West Bank, protesting the IDF operations in the territories. A short while after the march began, border policemen claimed that it was illegal, and tried to block their way. A struggle broke out between the two groups, and the protestors managed to break through the blockade, enabling them to reach the Salam junction next to the city and set up a rally. At a different junction they tried to send in 15 trucks with food and water to Palestinians whose houses were destroyed. A large number of police forces accompanied the demonstrators and prevented reporters in cars from following. MKs Issam Makhoul (Hadash), Mohammed Barakeh (Hadash), Ahmed Tibi (Ta'al), and Azmi Bishara (Balad), took part in the march, as did many peace groups took part in the march. add your comments

I am with You by Victor Efimov 5:46pm Sun Apr 14 '02 address: Moscow, Russia evictor@mail.ecfor.rssi.ru print comment It,s great. Your march gives the chance to live further. It,s a moral victory over mad Sharon@Co. Thank You. I think what can I do now to help Palestinians. Victor in Moscow, Russia. add your comments

Stephanie Siek by A dangerous job 12:24am Thu Jun 6 '02 address: svsiek@mailcity.com phone: Siek Stephanie print comment Trying to navigate the Hebrew script on this page, so hope I have some success... I felt the need to point out that the reporters in flak jackets and protective gear that you saw are nto wearing them merely as a matter of "insurance coverage" - they wear them because they are shot at and harrassed by people on both sides of the conflict. For more information, please visit the Committee to Protect Journalist's section about reporters and photographers wounded and killed while covering events in the Middle East: http://www.cpj.org add your comments