Yesterday afternoon, almost by accident, I heard a press conference in the U.S. with three Palestinians on the initiative of 15 March. Here are my notes
Stephanie
The conference was organized by the Institute for Middle East Understanding (an organization that, in short, seeks to facilitate the access of Palestinian voices in media), with three guests from Palestine:
Fadi Quran from the West Bank, coordinator of various youth movements. He graduated in physics and international relations at Stanford, is currently doing a Masters in human rights and constitutional law.
Lina Al-Sharif from Gaza, he studied English literature at the Islamic University in Gaza, is a blogger and writer.
Fajr Harb from the West Bank, deputy director of the Carter Center Field Office in Ramallah and a member of the Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network.
Tell us how did the initiative of 15 March
Fadi: for some 'time there are many groups of young Palestinians from the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and the Diaspora, who have worked on various appeals with different demands Sometimes a change. 270 groups have come together on specific requests that led to the call for March 15. Among the main demands are: a democratic representation for all Palestinians wherever they reside, elections, the end of the division between Fatah and Hamas.
Fajr: What we understand is that there was a common feeling in all of Palestine that the status quo was no longer acceptable. Is emerging a strong movement, carried out by young people, clearly inspired by the events in Egypt and Tunisia.
Lina: In Gaza, of course we have the same demands. Many groups are mobilizing. Gaza Youth Breaks Out is one of the organizers. Regarding participation, I do not know if it is equal to that of the West Bank and Jerusalem, however we are trying to mobilize people. We use the same methods as in the West Bank. Facebook and Twitter are the most important. It all commences as a small idea, but now most people here know of the initiative. Generally, people here do not trust much of Facebook, since it is easy to disguise, but in this case is different. People here know that it is planning a mobilitazzione and you expect that manifests itself in Gaza.
Fadi: Facebook and Twitter are important tools, especially for linking the West Bank and Gaza, but also with the rest of the world. However, are just tools. This revolution in the Arab world was coming, and would come without facebook. What happens in other countries help us rise from despair and find hope. The people here now knows that things can change, and are ready to make sacrifices to occur.
What are the lessons you learned from Egypt mobilitazionin and Tunisia?
Fadi: We learned a lot from the manuals of the Egyptians, for example how to deal with infiltrators, how to plan a stay (sit-in) to the bitter end, where to put the tents, etc.. However, Tunisia is an example for us closer, is a small country like Palestine.
There were aspects of the Egyptian Revolution that we can not use. For example, for us it is not possible, given the restrictions on movement, bringing together all in one city. To say nothing of the Israeli occupation. We must prepare ourselves for the reaction to the protests against Israel.
Fajr: We can not say much about the tactics that utilizzaremo, but we are aware of the obstacles stiamp and we prepare.
Fadi: We know the power of the Palestinian population. Lately, with some people who are marginally better because of the "economic peace," opposition to the occupation was no longer a priority. Now that has changed. People are seeing that change is possible.
Lina: An important thing to remember is that this is not a protest against Hamas. It is an event for the unit. All together against the occupation. Clearly, Israel does not like to hear about unity. And Hamas must understand that these protests are for the good of all, to end the occupation and the siege of Gaza, all to help the Palestinians. And this It can not happen unless we are united. It may be that the top does not like who has the power, but they must understand that for most people, the unity is a priority.
What do you want the international community?
Fadi: There are three requests, aimed at three audiences:
First, we call on all Palestinians in the Diaspora to organize sit-in at the long-term Palestinian delegation to his country.
But for the citizens of the world (note: in reality is aimed mainly at American public), I remembered a quote by Henry David Thoreau, "does not lend itself to injustice against which protests." So, for example in United States, more than asking a direct support for our initiative, we ask that you do everything to stop the military aid the U.S. gives to Israel. And we ask everyone to support the BDS campaign.
In the end, for journalists, we know a hand in making the initiative and to give space to what is happening in Palestine and Israel.
What was the reaction from the press so far and there are forecasts for participation?
Fadi: For printing, there is definitely interest. On participation, we will not talk about numbers, but we hope to thousands or tens of thousands. Ensured the presence of youth associations, NGOs and some political parties.
Lina: As for the press, I'm afraid that here, unlike in the West Bank to Gaza, the media presents it as a protest against Hamas instead of a demonstration unit. So we ask that the context is true of the initiative said.
Fadi / Fajr: Of course, even in the West Bank we have to fight against media bias. It's easy to do services on the Western media revolts against autocratic Arab leaders, will be a different thing when it comes to protests against Israel. We are talking to involve all Palestinians (WB, 48, Gaza, diaspora) in political decisions, we are sure that the idea of \u200b\u200bone person, one vote attirirà media attention. Once you turn protest against Israel, instead it will be very difficult to have a positive impact on mobilization services. But not impossible. We have already seen a few Western journalists to begin to give accurate information on Palestine.
The biggest mistake that our leaders have Commes was to raise awareness of not knowing the true nature of our demands for freedom in the world, so that in the world there is often no sympathy for the Palestinians. Is it morally right to support those who fight for justice but we did not have this support from the world.
There have been attempts to co-opt the initiative?
Lina: there were actions "preventive" by those in power, especially looking to avoid any responsibility for the current situation.
Fajr: yes, it is above all the instinct of "survival politics".
How do you feel on the eve of mobilization?
Lina: I hear something I did not think I ever hear, hope. That things can change. This is the first time in my life. I never thought of having these thoughts.
Fadi: We are inspired by our brothers in Egypt and Tunisia. Egypt is important for the Arab world, culture, television programs permeate Egyptian Palestine. Now I have hope. I would like to see unity in the Arab world, a sort of European Union for the Arab countries, the Arab Union, which can compete with the rest the world. I am 20 year old. I hope to see something like that when I am 40 year old.
Fajr: I remember the first intifada. Looking at the images of Egyptian women and Tahrir Square in the square, I thought about the strong role that women had during the first intifada. I heard the songs repeat on Egyptian women who used the Palestinian women. Women can be a force for good.
Lina: I think so many images of Egypt and Palestine that are superimposed and become one, all together, brothers and sisters Arab Emirates.
one of the Palestinians are talking about the media are the people's committees for non-violent resistance. Are involved in the March 15?
Fadi: Yeah. Are directly involved. Did not have to even call them, were naturally integrated from the outset. We have participated in their events, we have seen and reviewed the video of their demonstrations to see what works and what not. There has been helpful in planning for the Israeli oppression and the possible Hamas and Fatah. They have 6 years of experience, follow what they did is a true course for a change.
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