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Some thoughts and reflections on Israel in Gardens, by an anti-Zionist, former Israeli,Jew
Or how I realized that I might not be an Israeli.
On June 1 I wandered into “Israel in Gardens”, a celebration of sixty years of Israel’s existence, in the Yerba Buena gardens in S.F. I was speculating whether there is anything to celebrate about a country that was established on a land belonging to Palestinians. I was also wondering what this kind of celebration would mean to me as a former Israeli, as someone who grew up in an Israeli culture.
Inside, the Zionists organizers (in my opinion) were trying desperately to win over or to convince bay area liberals (and maybe themselves as well) that Israel is some kind of a diversity heaven. Posters of Jews from different countries were presented all over the place, all happy and smiling. To push this point even deeper, Idan Riachel, a musician who makes music with Ethiopian Jews was invited to perform. C.D.’s of Riachel were given away in which Riachel is talking about going back to Jewish roots through these Ethiopian Jews. It was never mentioned that a lot Ethiopian Jews were denied entrance into Israel because of their religion (the Flashmora) was not deemed acceptable by Israeli authorities, or that blood donation from Ethiopian Jews was not accepted by Israeli hospitals, out of prejudice. Furthermore, no one mentioned the fact that while Ethiopian Jews who were detached from Israel for generations were allowed entry almost immediately, many Palestinians who live in Palestine or have family members who live in Palestine were not allowed to immigrate back into Palestine by Israeli authorities.
I started by walking through the entrance where heavy security was present. The security had nothing to do with a terrorist threat, but with a demonstration across the street that dared to mention the fact that the state of Israel was founded on Palestinian land (given by colonialist England to Zionist) or that some laws that are design to give privilege to Jews while taking rights from Palestinians. People who looked even slightly like activists (long hair, earrings, tattoos) were denied entrance, some of them Jews. “diversity” in Zionist terms means only the diversity that is stripped of its real meaning.
On June 1 I wandered into “Israel in Gardens”, a celebration of sixty years of Israel’s existence, in the Yerba Buena gardens in S.F. I was speculating whether there is anything to celebrate about a country that was established on a land belonging to Palestinians. I was also wondering what this kind of celebration would mean to me as a former Israeli, as someone who grew up in an Israeli culture.
Inside, the Zionists organizers (in my opinion) were trying desperately to win over or to convince bay area liberals (and maybe themselves as well) that Israel is some kind of a diversity heaven. Posters of Jews from different countries were presented all over the place, all happy and smiling. To push this point even deeper, Idan Riachel, a musician who makes music with Ethiopian Jews was invited to perform. C.D.’s of Riachel were given away in which Riachel is talking about going back to Jewish roots through these Ethiopian Jews. It was never mentioned that a lot Ethiopian Jews were denied entrance into Israel because of their religion (the Flashmora) was not deemed acceptable by Israeli authorities, or that blood donation from Ethiopian Jews was not accepted by Israeli hospitals, out of prejudice. Furthermore, no one mentioned the fact that while Ethiopian Jews who were detached from Israel for generations were allowed entry almost immediately, many Palestinians who live in Palestine or have family members who live in Palestine were not allowed to immigrate back into Palestine by Israeli authorities.
I started by walking through the entrance where heavy security was present. The security had nothing to do with a terrorist threat, but with a demonstration across the street that dared to mention the fact that the state of Israel was founded on Palestinian land (given by colonialist England to Zionist) or that some laws that are design to give privilege to Jews while taking rights from Palestinians. People who looked even slightly like activists (long hair, earrings, tattoos) were denied entrance, some of them Jews. “diversity” in Zionist terms means only the diversity that is stripped of its real meaning.
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really, why?
Wed, Jun 25, 2008 11:32PM
How are Chassidim treated in the U.S.?
Wed, Jun 25, 2008 2:05PM
dear Morgan
Sun, Jun 22, 2008 2:00PM
To Miko
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 6:52PM
Thanks
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 5:33PM
difference in
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 5:23PM
Different eyes
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 5:03PM
Dear Morgan
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 3:43PM
To Miko
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 10:58AM
Dear Morgan
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 9:35AM
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