First they came for the communists, now they are coming for the Palestinians

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Sunday January 11, 2009 15:42

by dunk - 1 of millions globally showing solidarity on streets

fuspey at yahoo dot co dot uk

BCN

And now its our time to speak, boycott, demand expulsions, act!

100 - 175,000 march in Barcelona against Gaza massacre and call for Israeli boycott.
Due to the ongoing massacres being carried out in the Gaza strip at present, 700+ Palestinians killed, mostly women and children, the protest in the streets of Barcelona was attended between 100 and 175 thousand people, thats about 2 full Croke Parks. Activists, at some stage, mounted a construction scaffolding and attached a banner in Catalan which was a slight modification to the famous poem "First they came…" about the Nazis coming for, removing and disappearing all those they then opposed: the communists, the jews, the trade unionists, the Catholics, the intellectuals, the last of which was the poems author, Martin Niemöller (1892–1984), was part of. Yesterdays banner included "Now they are coming for the Palestinians"

First they came for the communists, now they are coming for the Palestinians

Israeli state being likened to past horrific acts of the Nazis
Spain with its history of the civil war which was won with the full support of nazi power and weaponry, its later fascist dictatorship with raised arm salutes, its existing problems with neo nazis killing foreigners and left wing political activists, its ongoing fascist / nazi sybolism being graffitid on walls... with all this, Spain, and especially Barcelona knows only too well all that lyes behind the symbolism of nazism, their rotated swastika. An interesting thing from yesterdays demo was the number of flags, banners, stickers with the isreali flag without its Jewish star and instead that swastika, or else that star with the equal symbol and the swastika. Basically many here, both Spanish /Catalan and foreigner made, held and displayed such banners etc. Also last week, one of the popes cardinalls likened the present situation in Gaza to Nazi concentrations camps. This is not, as some try to make out, Jews bad, muslims good. It is a political statement against the, what might yet be deemed as, war crimes and state terror being orchestrated by the Jewish Zionist state of Israel, with the present support of George Bush and the present US regime, which yet again obstructs the UN from bringing a halt to the senseless killings. To emphasise that the Israeli state does now speak for or act for all Jews, this week 8 Canadian Jews occupied the Israeli embassy. Equally in Israeli itself, where both young men and women are drafted into the army and given orders to go out and kill, some brave people choose to not serve and to flee their state or do time in prison instead. These people, and more who feel like doing the same, should be supported. Also there is much protest from "Israeli" Jews and non-jews in Jewish cities, who are eually horrified by the actions of their state.

Regarding Urban warfare
After the atrocities of Guernica, which was commerated by the communist artist Picasso, his then city, Barcelona was used as the urban laboratory for HItlers "Blitzkreig", the act of arial bombardment and spreading of terror on urban dwellers, of which today in Gaza we sadly still see happening. As to the reasons, Norman Finkelstein, pointed out on Fridays Democracy Now show that perhaps it is, amongst other things, to show the mite of isreal while it can prior to the US presedential changeover, with Obama saying he means change for the region, it is perhaps also a tool in the lead up to upcoming Israeli elections. Whatever the reasons, nearly 800 Palestinians have been killed directly from bombs and bullets, 1000's are injured and who knows what the full fall out will be due to hunger, lack of medicines etc due to infrastructure breakdown, non entry of supplies... etc. This is a complete massacre and has to end.

How to stop the massacre
- To the streets
Taking to the streets, is the first step, and thankfully many have taken that step. For many it was their first "political" step. From that experience or built on prior feelings many are seeking more ways of helping bring a quick end to the killings.
- Boycott
From that an international boycott is growing, boycotting Israel and all those who support the state somehow through economic, sporting, and cultural / educational means. This tool was part of the success in the end to Apartheid in South Africa, about which Christy Moores rendition of the tune "Dunnes Stores" tells how all small actions play their part. The use of the word and mechanism of Boycott comes from our own troubled history in fighting for similar desires of peace and humility, which the Palestinians seek today, during the time our own population was being quartered (@8+ > 2+ million...) due to unfair imperialsist systems that had us starve, emigrate or be executed.
- Expulsion of Israeli embassadors
Venezuala was the first to expell their Israeli embassador.
In Ireland Fianna Fail TD Chris Andrews has made a similar call from which people are urging the IPSC to push for likewise.
Tony Benn has recomended the same in Britain.
Yesterday Jordan recalled their embassador from Israel
Im not sure where else the call has been made, but im sure its in many more places

First they came...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came...

First they came...
(Original Translation with highlighted modification inspired by Yesterdays Catalan show of support for Palestine)

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I was not a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

Now they are coming for the Palestinians
and now its our time to speak, boycott, demand expulsions, act!

Related links

Christy Moore - Dunnes Stores
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=aMhKWdMF5oo

Norman Finkelstein vs Martin Indyk over Gaza and the "Peace Process" 1/8/09 Democracy Now 1 of 4
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=PH_bcbJ2K_M

'Concentration camp' remark threatens Pope's visit to Israel

Jewish-Canadian Women Occupy Toronto Israeli Consulate
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/8/headlines#9
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east...8.ece

Barcelona as urban war lab
Saturday @ BCN = Metro Refugios + Post-it city + Goya + DRAN + Parc Ciutadella
http://itsafunnyoldworld.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/post-it/
Refugi 307
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=jXE1hnk0Brs
REFUGI - quan el refugi és el subsòl
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=TqzTfwGiMms

Yesterdays 100,000 + Demo @ BCN
Barcelona: Més de 100.000 manifestants en solidaritat amb Palestina i contra el sionisme (cat/cast)
http://www.kaosenlared.net/noticia/barcelona-mes-100.00...ntra-
Barcelona: Més de 100.000 manifestants en solidaritat amb Palestina i contra el sionisme (crònica i fotos)
http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/362322/...x.php
Barcelona: Más de 175.000 personas se manifiestan en solidaridad con los palestinos de Gaza y contra el sionismo
http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/362290/...x.php

How to stop the massacre

Regarding Boycott

The word boycott entered the English language during the Irish "Land War" and is derived from the name of Captain Charles Boycott, the estate agent of an absentee landlord, the Earl Erne, in County Mayo, Ireland, who was subject to social ostracism organized by the Irish Land League in 1880.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boycott

Online version of Catalan free paper with its article about boycotting Israel which was widely distributed yesterday. Its in Catalan, if you have spanish you should be able to get most of the gist...
http://www.scribd.com/word/full?id=9934517&access_key=k...ehzux
from the Catalan Palestine support network, check out page 5 for photo from Galway under international solidarity
http://www.palestina.cat/index.php?option=com_content&v...ng=en

Government TD calls for Expulsion of Israeli Ambassador : IPSC should do same.
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/90435

Israeli state terrorism likened to nazi acts on streets of Barcelona

Israeli state terrorism likened to nazi acts on streets of Barcelona- end killing of kids

Gaza, Yes We Can + Blood on Israelihands

Caption: Video Id: PH_bcbJ2K_M Type: Youtube Video
Embedded video Youtube Video

Caption: Video Id: aMhKWdMF5oo Type: Youtube Video
Embedded video Youtube Video

save preference

Comments (7 of 7)

text error

by dunk

Sun Jan 11, 2009 15:44

Apologies, in First word of main body "Spanish" should read "Israeli". can editors please modify- Ta, dunk

'Concentration camp' remark threatens Pope's visit to Israel

Sun Jan 11, 2009 15:50

Israel broke the ceasefire, Hamas retaliated: Norman Finkelstein transcript + conflict origins

Sun Jan 11, 2009 16:35

The embedded Youtube vid from DEMOCRACY NOW (in original article) points out the origins of the conflict:

NORMAN FINKELSTEIN: Well, the record is fairly clear. You can find it on the Israeli website, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Mr. Indyk is correct that Hamas had adhered to the ceasefire from June 17th until November 4th. On November 4th, here Mr. Indyk, I think, goes awry. The record is clear: Israel broke the ceasefire by going into the Gaza and killing six or seven Palestinian militants. At that point—and now I’m quoting the official Israeli website—Hamas retaliated or, in retaliation for the Israeli attack, then launched the missiles.

Former Amb. Martin Indyk vs. Author Norman Finkelstein: A Debate on Israel’s Assault on Gaza and the US Role in the Conflict
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/8/former_amb_martin_...uthor

This is thedefinitive response to the much bandied about argument about Israeli having the first rock thrown at them as was written in the letters section of the Irish Times recently by Blackrock resident NEAL NEWMAN, in response to TD Chris Andrews correct call for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador from Ireland:

Madam, - My neighbour throws rocks at my house. It continues for months. Many of my windows are broken. My family are terrorised...
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2009/0109/1....html

The sequence of things

by Miriam

Sun Jan 11, 2009 18:02

First they came for the Jews, now the Zionists are coming for the Palestinians in the name of Judaism.

Tens of Thousands Demonstrate Globally Against Israeli Actions + Disgraceful Irish demo turn out?

Mon Jan 12, 2009 18:27

Global protests, including Norways "clashes said to be worst in Oslo since 1980s"
Pro-Israel protest in Dublin + A disgraceful Irish turn out in solidarity demo with Gaza?
Jews protesting against Israeli State terrorism
NYC 2 sided protest

Global protests
Democracy Now: Tens of Thousands Demonstrate Globally Against Israeli Actions, Jewish Women Among Those Leading Protests
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/12/tens_of_thousands...ainst

- Tens of thousands of people took to streets over the weekend in cities across the globe to protest Israel’s assault on Gaza.
- In France, tens of thousands of people marched in the streets of Paris. In London, thousands of people filled Trafalgar Square.
- In Pakistan security forces used tear gas and batons to repel protesters who tried to attack the U.S. consulate in Islamabad.
- A protest in the Belgian capital of Brussels drew 30,000 people.
- In Manila, Philippines, policemen used shields to disperse students protesting outside the U.S. Embassy.
- In Spain, as many as 100,000 attended rallies in Madrid and the southwestern city of Seville.
- In Beirut, Lebanon an estimated 2,500 Lebanese and Palestinians gathered to demonstrate.

Norway
Meanwhile in Norwegians pro Israel demo, things took a stronger tone...
Thirty-one people arrested as some 1,000 pro-Palestinian protesters attack pro-Israeli demonstration in Norwegian capital; clashes said to be worst in Oslo since 1980s
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2162164/posts
+ http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3653467,00.html
See also youtube vid below: Clashes during a demonstration in support of Gaza in Oslo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgvmliKob2A

Dublin, for and against
Pro-Israel protest in Dublin
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/90550

A disgraceful Irish turn out in solidarity demo with Gaza?
"A large crowd estimated of 1,500 -2,000 marched to the Israeli embassy on a cold day in Dublin" Thats only about 1% of the Population of Dublin alone, is this not a disgraceful turn out? In Barcelonas demo on Saturday there about 100 times as that, the population of BCN is about twice that of Dublin... Here there were between 100,000 - 175,000 people on the streets, thats about 2 full Croke parks!

Jews protesting against Israeli State terrorism
DM!: We speak with two Jewish women for peace: Dorothy Zellner, one of 15 Jews who have signed a call for a protest in front of the Israeli Consulate in New York and Judy Rebick, who organized a sit-in comprised of Jewish Canadian women at the Israeli consulate in Toronto.
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/12/tens_of_thousands...ainst

10, 000 people from all over Israel protested against the war on Gaza on 3rd January, 2009. At the end they were attacked as traitors by right-wingers and abandoned by police who were supposed to protect them.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417186.html
+ http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/events/1231029668

New York
NYC coverage, both sides out on streets, those FOR and AGAINST the massacre. There also the comparison was made to past nazi atrocities, see 2 photos below. On the other side, it seems some people would be happy with a full Gazan genocide, sadly 1 poster said "What innocent civilians, they elected HAMAS"
Photos: Rallies Supporting and Protesting the Ongoing Israeli Assault on Gaza
http://nyc.indymedia.org/or/2009/01/102895.html
related: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehud_Olmert

Jews protesting against Israeli State terrorism

NYC: comparison made with Israel massacres to past nazi atrocities

"What innocent civilians, they elected HAMAS" : anti Gazan poster in NYC

Caption: Video Id: KgvmliKob2A Type: Youtube Video
Embedded video Youtube Video

"Yellow Triangle" by Christy Moore + "The pianist" film set in Warsaw Ghetto

Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:59

The first time I came across this poem "first they came" was, as far as I can remember, in a museum in Warsaw in 1999 about the Jewish Ghetto there during prior to the war and during it, I subsequently visited Auschwitz and now am here in Barcelona.

The comparisons between the prison of gaza and the Nazi controlled Warsaw Ghetto continue to grow. Here are 2 more items to consider; the song "Yellow Triangle" by Christy Moore and the 2002 film by Roman Polanski set in the Ghetto, "The Pianist".

Christy Moore - Yellow Triangle:
A previous altered rendition of the poem was "Yellow Triangle" by Christy Moore, released as part of his box set
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7y-9FqLluQ
lyrics
http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/christy_moore/yellow....html
from Christys super box set
http://www.lastfm.es/music/Christy+Moore/The+Box+Set%3A...+2004

The Pianist
A 2002 Polish-French-German-British co-produced film directed by Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody. It is an adaptation of the autobiography of the same name by Jewish-Polish musician Władysław Szpilman.

In addition to the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the film won the Oscars for Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It was also awarded seven French Césars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Brody (who became the only American actor to win one).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pianist_(2002_film)
http://www.thepianistmovie.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Ghetto

The Pianist Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itR0-I9idXk

watch full film on a chinese youtube type site
http://6.cn/watch/3447636.html