Video: Elderly Israeli Fighter Talks About 1948 Genocide

Jeremy Sapienza, December 29, 2011 

 

Electronic Intifada‘s Benjamin Doherty shared a video from “Nakba”-awareness group Zochrot – “Remembering” – of a former Palmach fighter who participated in the expulsion of unarmed Palestinian Arabs from their villages in Southern Israel. Amnon Neumann casually describes that he helped kill people, burn their villages, and chase off women and children. He regrets his actions but notes he is one of the few to admit his crimes; even so, he is loath to talk about the details of the atrocities.

In one grimace-inducing moment, Neumann talks of the Palestinians who didn’t quite realize they wouldn’t be coming back, who sneaked out of Gaza refugee camps at night to tend their villages’ grapevines. There, says Neumann, they were gunned down.

As late as the 50s, he notes, Arab villages were being evicted wholesale and forced to Gaza. The desert was made to bloom, it seems, only after its villages were ploughed under.

The reason for the Nakba, said Neumann, was “the Zionist ideology.” Like all ultranationalist movements, Zionism requires the murder and expulsion of a people and the destruction of all evidence of their existence. Those not destroyed must be permanently subjugated by the ethnicity in charge. It seems that for many, the tragedy of the Holocaust was that it happened to Jews. That the Nakba happened to Arabs means it’s not worth our attention — or worse, they are revised as aggressors.

“This is very clear. We came to inherit the land. Who do you inherit from? If the land is empty you inherit it from no one. The land was not empty when we inherited it.”

 http://www.antiwar.com/blog/2011/12/29/video-elderly-israeli-fighter-talks-about-1948-genocide/

Hundreds mark 'Nakba Day' in Jaffa

At least 1,000 protesters march on Jaffa's main street, wave Palestinian flags. 'Just as is happening in Arab world, one day Israeli-Arab population will explode, go out on streets and protest against government,' says Jaffa resident

Hassan Shaalan

Published:  05.14.11, 17:43 / Israel News

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At least 1,000 people on Saturday attended a procession held at the coastal city of Jaffa ahead of "Nakba Day" – the Palestinian day of mourning over the inception of the State of Israel.

The procession moved along Jaffa's main street Sderot Yerushalayim and blocked traffic in both directions.

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The goal: Zero funerals / Alex Fishman Op-ed: IDF ordered to show restraint in bid to avoid ‘Nakba Day’ escalation to full-scale uprising Full story

Protesters waved Palestinian flags and signs reading: "We have the right of return", "we will not leave Jaffa" and "From Jaffa to Beirut – one people will not perish." The crowd chanted slogans against the Israeli government, calling it "a terror government."

Baqa al-Gharbiyye resident Ali Moasi told Ynet, "We came to the protest in order to convey a message to the Israeli establishment and the government of Israel; we will not keep silent over our rights and continue the struggle – no matter the cost.

'We want our right of return.' Protesters in Jaffa (Photo: Yaron Brener)

"All the racist laws that the Knesset legislated gave us more motivation and power to protest and struggle without fearing the government or Avigdor Lieberman," he added.

A Jaffa resident also participating in the protest added that "eventually we will return to our occupied lands, and will never forget our Nakba. It will remain engraved in our memories, and I say to the government of Israel – it makes no difference how much you acts against us, you will eventually lose and regret your actions."

'Continue the struggle even if it costs us our lives.' (Photo: Yaron Brener)

Linking between the "Nakba Day" protests and the recent uprisings across the Arab world, the Jaffa resident said, "Just as is happening in the Arab world, one day the Israeli-Arab population will explode and go out on the streets, protesting against the government and all the racists.

"They will demand rights and the right of return, even if it costs them their lives," he noted.

The procession was organized by members of youth movements in Jaffa and Lod. Arab Members of Knesset did not attend the protest, although it is considered one of the main events ahead of "Nakba Day."

"I regret that no Arab MKs participated in the protest. It is irresponsible and makes the Arab residents lose their trust in them," said a protester.

Shortly prior to the procession, a group of protesters arrived to the Tel-Aviv promenade and got off the bus while waving Palestinian flags, prompting passersby to spit on them while calling out slurs. The Arab protesters responded with more slurs and returned to the bus.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4068464,00.html

Arab-Israelis avoid protests over 'Nakba bill' Israel Police, IDF as well as Palestinian security forces raise alert level on 'Nakba Day.' Some Arab-Israelis say they won't protest over recently passed Yisrael Beiteinu bill withdrawing state funds from groups undermining Israel's core values. Closure imposed on West Bank Ynet reporters Published:  05.15.11, 08:40 / Israel News share Israeli security forces are on high alert Sunday ahead of events marking 'Nakba Day.' Police raised its alertness level and the Israel Defense Forces are prepared to face riots across the border, but security forces still estimate that the Palestinians have an interest in maintaining calm. Meanwhile, some Arab-Israelis are reluctant to mark 'Nakba Day' over a recently passed Knesset bill. Across the Border Israel's neighbors prepare 'Nakba Day' events / Ynet reporters In Lebanon, 500 buses will shuttle Palestinians from refugee camps to border in order to protest on day of mourning marking Israel's founding. But in Israel, Arabs say 'Nakba bill' prevents them from joining protests Full story Many social and religious groups within the Arab sector decided not to hold rallies or demonstrations this year, saving a few small events. "The Lieberman bill gave us the courage to hold our activities on Independence Day and not on Nakba Day," Samikh Abu Mouch told Ynet. Roughly two months ago, the Knesset passed the "Nakba bill" which enables the state to withdraw government funding from various local councils and organizations which undermine the State of Israel's core values as a Jewish and democratic state by marking Independence Day as a day of mourning. Friday demonstration in Jerusalem (Photo: Reuters) Ahmed Mahmid from Umm al-Fahm said: "I am very sad there are no demonstrations in Umm al-Fahm. Apparently the Lieberman bill succeeded in shutting us up and this poses danger." A Tira resident told Ynet, "Every year we demonstrate on Nakba Day but this time we shall not because of the new Nakba bill. It's not over fear, but we are certain that after such a demonstration police will arrest the organizers and indictments could be filed against us. It's better not to take responsibility for such steps." MK Ahmad Tibi said: "The time has come that you learn about us and show empathy to the victim's victim. In 1948, ethnic cleansing was carried out and wiped out 532 Palestinian villages. Hundreds of thousands were expelled. Why do you refuse to teach your children about the Nakba and the Palestinian narrative? You're either afraid or ashamed. Nakba Day rallies are a natural expression basing a Palestinian narrative which is gaining force." MK Afu Aghbaria (Hadash) sent a letter to Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch and warned against provocations on Nakba Day. Police presence in Arab villages constitutes provocation, he claimed. Preparations in West Bank, Gaza Meanwhile, the West Bank and Gaza Strip are gearing up towards 'Nakba Day' events. Mass processions are scheduled to be held simultaneously in Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, Bethlehem, Tulkarem and Qalqilya. A 63-second siren will be sounded at 12 pm to mark the number of years that have passed since Israel declared independence in 1948. In Ramallah a ceremony is scheduled to take place near Yasser Arafat's grave. A procession will then head towards the Qalandiya checkpoint in north Jerusalem. The Palestinian Authority will also hold a soccer tournament at the al-Ram stadium north of Jerusalem. Officers and rioters in east Jerusalem (Photo: Noam Moskowitz) A Palestinian security source told Ynet that Palestinian police has been on high alert since Friday. Palestinian security forces will be deployed in all areas where clashes between protestors and IDF forces are likely to take place. The source noted there may be minor riots near checkpoints. The source added the Palestinian security forces and the IDF are fully coordinated. Defense Minister Ehud Barak has ordered closure on the West Bank for 24 hours. The IDF is preparing for all possible scenarios. Riots in Qalandiya checkpoint (Archive photo: AP) Preparations for 'Nakba Day' are also underway in the Gaza Strip. Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has called Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank to take part in a special prayer to "ease the sorrow and end the occupation." A procession is also slated to leave Beit Hanoun. Organizers have asked participants to carry only flags of Palestine and not flags of the various factions to demonstrate Palestinian unity. 'March of return' Another procession is also slated to leave Rafah. Thousands of people are also scheduled to take part in the "procession of return" marching as refugees seeking to return to their lands. The organizers said they plan on trying to cross the Erez crossing, but will avoid violence. Advertisement     They also stressed that the refugee march should not be linked to the Arab-Israeli conflict. "Our goal is not ideological: We want to return to our homes. We have no interest in confronting the Israeli forces." They are planning to set up tents 500 meters from the border and waive signs with the names of the towns and villages they left in 1948. Hassan Shaalan, Hanan Greenberg, Ronen Medzini and Elior Levy contributed to this report

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4068607,00.html