Tikkun's demonstration against Israeli Occupation

Tikkun's San Francisco demonstration today, in support of Michael Lerner and Professor Cornell West's Tikkun demonstration in Washington, D.C. (they both got arrested today), was very successful. There were perhaps 100-200 people there, maybe more. It was totally peaceful and very well organized.

There were a number of speakers, including a man from Jewish Voice for Peace who grew up in Lebanon and had to move away because of the havoc Ariel Sharon had wreaked there. There was also an Arab-American Catholic priest whose parishioners comprise the largest group of Palestinians from Ramallah outside of Ramallah. He expressed his solidarity with American Jews who have the courage to voice their dissent, their opposition toward Israel's oppressive policies. A few folksingers sang peace songs, including an Irish guy who talked about similar conflicts in Northern Ireland.

The best thing I walked away with is the knowledge that, as an American Jew, although I am in the minority, I am certainly not alone. There are many Jews who oppose Israel's treatment of the Palestinians and who have the courage to speak up. Our numbers are growing, and, hopefully, will continue to grow, until we reach a critical mass to change the current situation. I just hope this happens soon, for the sake of Palestinians, Israeli Jews, and Jews and Arabs all over the world.