Israel Celebration Day Report Back: Justice in Palestine Coalition Holds Powerful Action

Israel Celebration Day Report Back: Justice in Palestine Coalition Holds Powerful Action.

The Justice in Palestine Coalition held a powerful action today at the entrance to SBC (Pac-Bell) Park-- calling into question what there is to celebrate about 56 years of racist colonialism, displacement, and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. As people entered the event to 'celebrate' the anniversary of the formation of the state of Israel, the demonstrators passed out leaflets which listed the crimes against the Palestinian people. There were speakers and street theater performances, which depicted such atrocities as the bulldozing of Palestinian homes and land seizures, and drawing clear connections between the recent revelations of torture in Abu Graib prison in Iraq and the ongoing torture of Palestinians by the Israeli "Defense" Forces.

Strong messaging by the Coalition stressed the need to treat this as a somber occasion, and organizers worked to minimize the amount of angry altercations between the 300 or so demonstrators and the 'celebrants' by focusing on non-engagement with racist hecklers. This was mostly very effective: ugly incidents were kept to a minimum. The Justice in Palestine coalition, which consists of the Arab-American anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), SUSTAIN (Stop US-funded Tax Aid To Israel Now), Jews for a Free Palestine (JFFP), QUIT (Queers Underming Israeli Terrorism), and other groups, were unified in their message of support for the Palestinian struggle of national liberation. Other groups present were the Heads Up collective, Malcom X Grassroots Movement, and the International Socialist Organization (all of which, along with QUIT and other allies, helped provide security for the demonstration) Students for Justice in Palestine (of UC Bekeley), and Jewish Voice for Peace were also representing.

It is an unfortunate fact that there is a minority of indiduals who attend pro-Palestine actions who use the Palestinian struggle as a cover for a disgusting anti-Jewish agenda. A handful were present today, but the Justice in Palestine Coalition was unwavering in their rejection of anti-Jewish slogans and imagery (such as motages equating the Star of David with the Nazi Swastika). The leadership shown by Arab, Muslim, and Jewish organizations, united in their support of peace with justice for Palestine, was truly moving, and speaks to the possibility of unity in struggle toward collective liberation for Arabs, Jews, and all peoples.

--Jeff Giaquinto, Heads Up Collective