First they came for the Palestinians…
JVL Introduction
The huge “pro democracy” protests in Israel against proposed changes to the Judicial system and its independence. These demonstrations attracted impressive numbers week after week for nine months but they stopped after the shock of October 7th. On these demonstrations there was always a (small) Anti Occupation Bloc and far too many other participants could not see the connection.
“For nine months, Israelis didn’t turn out in such extraordinary numbers due to a theoretical opposition to autocracy; they flooded the country’s streets because they thought this particular program to crush Israel’s democratic institutions would affect them personally. Now, way, way too late, is the time to realize that Tulkarm is coming to each and every Israeli. No one is safe.”
As James Baldwin said in a letter to Angela Davis: “”If they take you in the morning, they will be coming for us that night”
This article was originally published by Ha'aretz on Wed 26 Mar 2025. Read the original here.
The Occupation Comes Home: Israelis Are No Longer Safe Under Netanyahu's Rule – Just as No Palestinians Are
Most Israelis now fearful of a Kahanist police force and an insurgent autocracy never made a connection with the arbitrary abuse of Palestinians by vigilante settlers and the IDF in the West Bank. But now Tulkarm is coming to Tel Aviv, and Israelis should be asking: When the authorities come for me, who will stop them?
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First they came to the land of Palestine, and displaced, tortured, murdered and imprisoned the people there.
But I took residence on this land, at the pointing of the barrel of a gun at Palestinians.
Then my kith and kin, through its government, declared war on the natives and called on my sons and daughters to take up arms against them.
But I didn’t want war with the natives and took up the placard, the banner and the drum once I realised my wrongs and betrayal of my faith.
Then the sons and daughters of others came after us and beat us, harassed and imprisoned us, because we protested.
Now I see through the eyes of Palestine, whom the real criminals are.
First they stole my faith to cloak their evil, and now they come for me, and I will not be silenced….. For we and the Palestinians are one.
A small tweak on Neil’s theme, showing how the harm caused by others’ evil deeds in Gaza can degrade UK institutions (in this case the police service)…
Westminster (Quaker) Meeting House was RAIDED yesterday by at least 20 police officers, armed with tasers. They arrested 6 (young?) women attending a publicly advertised initial meeting to explore non-violent ways – possibly including direct action – of stopping the genocide in Gaza and curbing climate change.
So much force used to break into a place of worship cherished by people known to have opposed the use of violence by themselves or others since their faith group began 400 years ago.
The police surely also knew the Youth Demand student group organising the session share this Quaker ethos of non-violence?
And that the whole nature of this meeting – publicly advertised so anyone could come to it (including individual police officers if they wished) makes criminal intent unlikely?
Articles about this infamous police raid have appeared in the 28 March “Guardian” and “Independent Catholic News” media.
It is worth noting that this appalling action was actually on the front page of The Sunday Times!