http://indymedia.org.il
Dear "not ISM"
author: LSM
Dear " "not" ISM"
You speak nice "lawyerish" but I am a simple retired bicycle thief.
The ISM does not "show by action" - the ISM actions are to create propaganda opportunisms carefully crafted to fit the mind of the world media.
An action like Anin, where ISMers cur the fence is done so that in later Al-Aharam and other could print" IDF shot at unarmed protestors"
There is nothing in this action that was non-violent or targeted at getting peace and you know it (although you may pour words and words saying that this action is continuing of the work of Gandhi)
Gandhi and is followers marched against life bullets from the British – they did not attack the British. If the ISM would learn something from Gandhi salt march they would tell the Palestinians: “built an economy not based on Israel”
They do none of this.
They do not speak clearly, in Arabic against violence.
They do not protect Israeli civilians with signs SIMILAR TO THE ONE THEY HAVE PLACED IN RAFFAH.
They do not show the way for real civil disobedience – every action of theirs is targeted at the world media not at the Israeli public.
This is not the way to “win the heart on mind of the opponent” – which is the core of Gandhi teaching. He spoke about truth and love while ISM practice lying (from the air port all the way to publicized “truth tours” across the US) and it’s actions contribute to spreading of hate.
Hate is spread via a simple message to Palestinians: Continue doing what you do – don’t change, just augment it with smart propaganda that we (the ISM media office) will arrange for you – this send a clear message that is read in Every ISM PR: “Israel is the only guilty party in this conflict”
Not telling Palestinians the truth - namely that the Palestinians have a part (greater smaller – I will not debate it but it is significant enough) in creating violence and a responsibility to end it – this revel the true nature of ISM: It is the “non-violent” propaganda arm of what is otherwise a bloody campaign to destroy Israel.
Even if you accept (like I do) that the Israeli government is doing much wrong with the occupation, closures, targeted killings etc – the suicide bombings are nothing but war crimes in the form of collective punishment inflicted on innocent children – ISM has not spoken one word against in it (in English and in Arabic)
As a direct action group ISM should do MORE than just speak about – ISM should take action about. ISMers can spend the next 3 months on buses in Jerusalem with a sign in Arabic: “International and children on this bus – Do not detonate here”