Yesterday, Peace Now struck again... During a protest at the Ministry of Defence, organized by several anti-occupation organizations, Peace Now went to the police and got several activists arrested over 2 signs Peace Now was not comfortable with (Mainly a sign which said "The IDF is a terrorist organization").
It seems that Peace Now is not happy to be in a coalition of equals, but tries again and again to dictate the limits of left discourse in Israel.
Bryan
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Peace Now and the Freedom of Speech
by Guy West 6:49pm Sun Mar 17 '02
phone: 972-67-276376
Peace Now and the Freedom of Speech
One would think that the struggle for peace in the region and the defense of Freedom of Speech go hand in hand.
However, the organization "Peace Now" seems to believe these are contradictory concepts.
If this were not so, why did "Peace Now" complain (snitch) to the police on other peace activists, with whom they merely had conceptual disagreements with?
I would like to refer you to an incident that occurred last night. Though I was not personally present at the peace rally, I have collected the information from reliable activists who witnessed the entire event.
During an anti-occupation rally organized by a coalition of peace organizations in front of the Ministry of Defense (Kiryah) compound in Tel-Aviv, five radical peace activists held up two signs containing the texts "The IDF is a terrorist organization" and "Profile 21" (a military term that refers to people that are incapable of serving in the army for medical or mental reasons).
The activists were aware in advance that a portion of the protest organizers had a strong desire to appear as mainstream as possible and would find this type of content objectionable.
A few minutes after beginning to hold up the signs, a member of the 'peace coalition' attempted to snatch the "Profile 21" sign from the activists, and a few women barked at them that their sons are serving in the army. The controversial activists agreed to move to the end of the row.
Minutes later "Peace Now" activists approached them again and violently tried to snatch their "IDF is a terrorist organization" sign.
A short time later a policeman arrived to arrest them on incitement and disrupting public order. The activists were taken for questioning, the police claiming that criticism of the army is illegal (a ridiculous claim) and therefore incitement.
At the questioning the police reveled the fact that it was "Peace Now" who made the complaint.
The activists got house arrest for a week, and are required to pay bail of 1000 NIS (220$).
"Peace Now" has joined the reactionary coalition in their actions to silence free speech; this was no more than an act of thuggery. "Peace Now" is continuing the mistakes of the Oslo peace agreement, by forcing their monolithic voice and silencing the spectrum of voices and ideas, which are coming out from the left.
This was not the first time of late that "Peace Now" has attempted to dictate the agenda of the whole left. They have tried to silence the genuine call for abstaining army service in the occupied territories.
If you feel angered at the actions of "Peace Now", please contact them and express what you think about this incident.
http://www.peacenow.org.il mailto:info at peacenow.org.il
A personal account of the event yesterday: http://www.indymedia.org.il/imc/israel/webcast/17450.html
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