Finally: Pro-Peace Rally in New York City This Sunday
As previously noted here, many of the pro-Palestinian demonstrations around the world have been organized by very far left organizations with militant slogans often veering off the political deep-end. Why hasn't there been a stronger voice calling for peace and an end to the violence - physical, verbal, and emotional - that Israelis and Palestinians inflict upon each other? Where are the peaceniks willing to be counted?
Undoubtedly, my efforts have borne fruit, as an initiative has taken shape. As Mobius writes in Orthodox Anarchist:
On Sunday, January 11, a coalition of New York-based Jewish and Zionist organizations will be holding a mass demonstration outside of the Israeli consulate on 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue in unreserved support of Israel’s military action in the Gaza Strip. AIPAC, the ADL, Hadassah, Yeshiva University and several other groups will join forces to proclaim in the name of American Jewry that it is Israel’s right and responsibility to decimate Hamas, even at the cost of hundreds of civilian Palestinian lives and thousands more injured.
Also on Sunday, a mass demonstration by pro-Palestinian activists will transpire in Times Sq. where protesters will condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza and — in all probability — justify Hamas’ attacks on Israeli civilians as a legitimate response to Israel’s blockade of Gaza, its multiple violations of the 2008 ceasefire agreement, and the international community’s failure to adequately address these matters.
Both of these groups will likely demonize one another — the Jews decrying the Palestinians and the pro-Palestinian activists maligning the Jews — each engaging in gross displays of hatred, and advocating not in favor of peace, but in one side’s victory over the other.
I wish to propose a third way: A counter demonstration to both the pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations. That is, I wish to propose a pro-peace demonstration.
I invite individuals who favor an immediate ceasefire, oppose the occupation, support the two state solution, and who believe in the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to leave in peace and security to join in action against those who justify violence and hatred on either side, and against those who claim a monopoly on representing our voices in this matter.
I wish to see not just a contingent waving Israeli flags and another waving Palestinian flags, but also a contingent waving Israeli and Palestinian flags together, carrying peace signs and banners with slogans like, “Fighting for peace is like f*cking for virginity” and “Peace cannot be achieved militarily.”
I call on all organizations — Jewish, Arab and otherwise — which advocate in favor of peace, dialogue and coexistence to join in this action by encouraging their constituents to come out in full-force. (If your organization is interested in cosponsoring this event please be in contact.)
Those who truly believe in peace should and must make a showing and demonstrate that there are significant number of us who differ from both sides in their responses to this latest round of violence.
We have been granted permission by the NYPD to assemble south of the consulate on 2nd Ave. near 41st St. I hope to see you there.
I will be there. Anyone else want to come?
COMMENTS (24)