Hunger Strike (Warning - political subject)

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 2:29 pm

By the end of the week more than 7500 Palestinian prisoners are supposed to be on hunger strike for phone access, sanitation, and family visits.

Though more egregious human rights violations are not unheard of (or, perhaps, not uncommon) in Israeli prisons, poor sanitation and lack of access to family and legal help are some of the most pervasive, basic problems. (For those of you who want sites, ask my comrade who couldn't use the toilet because it was inaccessible from piles of excrement. And he was International. Or ask the family of Bashir, who was killed in prison.)

Many families don’t get to see their imprisoned relatives for years at a time.

Israeli Public Security Minister Tzachi Hanegbi is quoted in major US newspapers as saying ‘The prisoners can strike for a day or a month, even starve to death, as far as I am concerned.’ Sanctions have already been imposed on the prison population in response to the strike.

Palestinians and humanitarians around the world have declared Wednesday a day or solidarity with the imprisoned population.

Don’t eat solid food, and spend the time you normally spend chowing calling up your reps and senators to tell them to pressure the Israeli government to meet humanitarian standards.

You can find their names and contact details at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov

Spread the word, start the strike.

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 3:19 pm

Defining not eating for a day as a 'hunger strike' is about as ridiculous as it is effective. Regardless of your political leanings trying to muster such shows of 'solidarity' do nothing except dishonor and diminish those in the past like Bobby Sands and Ghandi who actually walked the walk and were prepared to die (as in Sand's case) for their beliefs. People who do it for a day or even a week with no intention of taking it to an end point really should re-think such silliness.

Drawing attention to the Palestinian prisoners and their strike (as you've done) is more appropriate than soliciting a somewhat privileged demographic to play 'let's-pretend-we're-political-prisoners-by-not-eating-for-a-day'. Hope the phone calling aspect works out. Hope the 'hunger strike' part is a flop.

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 4:02 pm

Isotopia wrote:Defining not eating for a day as a 'hunger strike' is about as ridiculous as it is effective. Regardless of your political leanings trying to muster such shows of 'solidarity' do nothing except dishonor and diminish those in the past like Bobby Sands and Ghandi who actually walked the walk and were prepared to die (as in Sand's case) for their beliefs. People who do it for a day or even a week with no intention of taking it to an end point really should re-think such silliness.

Drawing attention to the Palestinian prisoners and their strike (as you've done) is more appropriate than soliciting a somewhat privileged demographic to play 'let's-pretend-we're-political-prisoners-by-not-eating-for-a-day'. Hope the phone calling aspect works out. Hope the 'hunger strike' part is a flop.

i agree. i'm currently trying to decide whether or not to go whole hog. might not be wise with the desert on the way. and it takes a certain amount of media infrastructure to do an effective solidarity hunger strike.

the point, i think, is that for those who are not inside it's a symbolic action. granted, half the time symbolic actions don't to jack shit, but occasionally they can be really powerful. I don't think that it diminishes those who have risked their necks hunger striking. it's a matter of perspective. there are times when no action is the best course, but it's rare. frequently some action is better than none.

not that i expect this to happen, but if you had thousands of people fasting for a day (because that's what a one day hunger strike amounts to) and talking to their media folks and politicos, it could work some pretty huge change. even if just for that one day.

i talked to mcdermott's people. we'll see how it turns out. apparently he's very 'busy'. the receptionist person said that the Israeli government ain't listening to anybody 'cause they have bush in their hand.

careful isotopia. if you talk in such large chunks i might figure out who you are....

cowboyangel · Post by **cowboyangel** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 4:41 pm

nuf said

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:04 pm

I don't think that it diminishes those who have risked their necks hunger striking.

I think it absolutely does. How hypocritical do you think it looks when some Stanford/UC student (or trust fund Dead Head) pulls this sort of shit only to leave the main plaza after the day's classes and then head out to for sushi in dad's Land Rover.

Its fucking nauseating to the nth.

samtzu · Post by **samtzu** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:40 pm

Badger wrote:

I don't think that it diminishes those who have risked their necks hunger striking.
I think it absolutely does. How hypocritical do you think it looks when some Stanford/UC student (or trust fund Dead Head) pulls this sort of shit only to leave the main plaza after the day's classes and then head out to for sushi in dad's Land Rover.

Its fucking nauseating to the nth.

I would agree to a certain degree. First, some response (i.e. hunger strike) is better than no response... but a half assed response (such as Badger cited above) is lame. By taking an action, you associate yourself with the people who are most affected by the thing you are protesting. Our comfort and security can be judged as almost disgusting (or even totally disgusting) by those who are most affected by injustice, poverty, oppression. They may take our money, our volunteer efforts, but they will never take us into their hearts until they can see that we are suffering as they suffer.

Two observations from the Sixties:

1) I knew within a few months of entering Vietnam that the 'war effort' was doomed... after all, if we survived, we were 'going home' after a year. The Viet Cong were home! Where the hell could they retreat to? They fought for their homes as only the threatened can fight: doggedly. They won. South Vietnam was run by profiteers who had chalets in Switerland and villas on the beach at Cannes and Monte Carlo. When it came time to retreat, they were already packed and out the door.

2)As soon as the draft was abolished in the early Seventies, the anti-war 'movement' lost the bulk of its supporters... those young men (and their girl friends) who were affected by the draft. They went on to become the self indulgent Yuppies that have poisoned the world because of their greed. All that power and strength went into making money instead of making peace because there was no longer a threat to their personal lives! A few (I suspect CBA is one) carried on the good fight, going after injustice and tyrrany in whatever form it took. God bless 'em, but they didn't have the power of the masses, because the masses were too busy jacking each other off for the sheer pleasure of doing it. When the Vietnam War ended, it was more like a fizzled firecracker than the grand celebration of the Peace Movement that it should have been.

Sigh. The point I am making here is that people will only begin to do something about injustice when it begins to affect them personally. That is what the 911 terrorists thought they were doing: Making America suffer as they felt their people were suffering, and they thought that through America's suffering change would come about. Well, that didn't happen because the threat is pretty much a hit and miss kinda' thing. Example: how many of us have changed our life styles radically in reponse to the destruction of the twin towers? Not a very high percentage. Should we? That comes down to personal decision.

As does a one day 'hunger strike'. If you can get the attention of the leaders who have control over what is being done in Palestine by fasting for a day, then do it! The injustice that is being perpetrated on those people is appalling and horrific. It must be stopped.

But if the hunger strike is simply an empty gesture, then any other empty gesture would serve just as well. In fact, a day where no one in America drives a vehicle would do more to get the leaders' attentions (double plural?) than a day without food. But, that being said, I'm sure one day without food would appear to the Palestinians to be just as empty and symbolic as a day without driving your SUV. You see, the next day, we can go out, start it up, and drive to the supermarket and get all groceries we want and not have to worry about getting shot in the process.

The Palestinians must see that as incredibly cynical.

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:36 am

Rian Jackson wrote:careful isotopia. if you talk in such large chunks i might figure out who you are....

Pssst. Pssst. Hey. Pssst. Rian. Pssst!... RIAN!

Jeez, what were you thinkin' about? You looked like you were dreaming... Anyway, what I was gonna tell you was Iso = Badger, or Badger = Iso if you prefer. Shame on you. Now stop daydreaming and get back to the e-playa.

Simply Joel · Post by **Simply Joel** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 4:04 am

We could suggest Michael Moore join in!

cowboyangel · Post by **cowboyangel** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:42 am

or Ralph...he's one of the few candidates out there willing to call the Sharon government for what it is....

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:38 am

Imagine this. Joel, since Joel is a big Pal rights supporter, is sitting in the lunch room at work not eating. It's funny because he's famous for his salami sandwiches at noontime. Badger/Iso leans over and asks why the hell he isn't eating. 'Well, i'm fasting for a day. I'm doing it to draw attention to the situation in Israeli prisons.' Badger, now curious, begins to read about how the Israeli plan is to have bbqs outside of the prisons and denying basic amenities for the duration of the strike. Now Badger also knows about it....

Much as i respect ya'll and have a fair amount of agreement, a few things:
1) It's practically impossible to get people here to do a real hunger strike for anyone who isn't white rich and pretty (we've tried)
2) Palestinians largely seem to appreciate it when people take any positive action on their behalf (especially americans) It's been frequently verbalised to me in multiple ways.
3) i have a really hard time stomaching hoity toity bullshit from the peanut gallery. maybe all of you are doing amazing feats, but it sounds like a bunch of hot air largely from folks who wouldn't know solidarity work if it hit them in the face. i know some about what some of you have done with your lives, and respect it. others i don't know all the kick ass things you do - i'm sure there are many. but right now you - as i - are sitting at your computers being holier than thou. and it makes me sick. i'm not saying i'm perfect or that i'm not chicken shit, but this is a lot of talk right now, and it does not impress me.

i'm gonna go away before i really start calling people names. because i'm sounding enough like an asshole like a big ego, and you all are sounding like the same.

time to go psychoanalyse why i'm so peeved right now.

Simply Joel · Post by **Simply Joel** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:57 am

How about a moratorium on suicide/homicide bombings?
How about a moratorium on calls for a violent end of the Israeli state?

hmmmm

How about lunch?

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:27 am

Simply Joel wrote:How about a moratorium on suicide/homicide bombings?
How about a moratorium on calls for a violent end of the Israeli state?

hmmmm

How about lunch?

sorry Joel, couldn't resist using you above.

how about a moratorium on torture?
how about a moratorium on house demolitions?
how about a moratorium on Geneva Convention violations?
how about a moratorium on imperialism?
how about a moratorium on illegal settlements?
how about a moratorium on assassinations?
how about a moratorium on land theft?
how about a moratorium on roadblocks?
how about a moratorium on curfews?
how about a moratorium on nerve gas use against civilians?
how about a moratorium on shelling of civilian areas?
how about a moratorium on school closures?
how about a moratorium on shooting ambulances?
how about a moratorium on apaches and tanks against stones?
how about a moratorium on bulldozing houses with whole families inside?
how about a moratorium on economic strangulation?
how about a moratorium on systematic destruction of market goods?
how about a moratorium on house occupations?
how about a moratorium on child imprisonment?
how about a moratorium on settler violence?
how about a moratorium on hospital raids?
how about a moratorium on the beating of defenceless elders?

i could go on.....
________________________

As far as the rest of you, i'm glad it's an abstract exercise for you. but for me it's my brother's life.

Simply Joel · Post by **Simply Joel** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:38 am

all of the above remind me of the woman, pregnant with twin boys, who prayed for the most polite children in the world...

her pregancy went on for years... finally at a very elderly age she died pregnant...

as they performed the autopsy... they opened the womb and found two elderly gentleman near the cervix...

first one said... "After you..."

the second responded, "No, I couldn't, please, you first"

So, between the two gentlemen states... one the Palestinian State, one the Israeli State... both saying "you first" and nothing gets done.

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:53 am

he he he. i like it.

those who wield the power
must make the first move.

not always true, shouldn't be, but usually is.

makes me wonder if Israel sees itself as powerless while it tries to convince everyone (including themselves) they are powerful.

Simply Joel · Post by **Simply Joel** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:57 am

Rian Jackson wrote:he he he. i like it.

those who wield the power
must make the first move.

not always true, shouldn't be, but usually is.

makes me wonder if Israel sees itself as powerless while it tries to convince everyone (including themselves) they are powerful.

now, you might be onto something....

ever heard of "short man syndrome" the small guy feels he must prove himself by picking and winning fights to show his manliness (self-worth)?

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:00 am

Simply Joel wrote:
Rian Jackson wrote:he he he. i like it.

those who wield the power
must make the first move.

not always true, shouldn't be, but usually is.

makes me wonder if Israel sees itself as powerless while it tries to convince everyone (including themselves) they are powerful.
now, you might be onto something....

ever heard of "short man syndrome" the small guy feels he must prove himself by picking and winning fights to show his manliness (self-worth)?

kinda like napoleon complex, eh?

Simply Joel · Post by **Simply Joel** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:29 am

yup, that would be it.

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:40 am

it was really sad in Al-Quds/Yerushalayim/Jerusalem.
The Israelis i met always seemed terrified of me.
And i was dressed like any old person.
Met a few good folks, most pretty much ran away when i tried to ask where the post office was.

but they've been really propagandized...
take a history of abuse and oppression,
add a really good dose of their governement telling them everyone's out to get them,
and the combine with things like when, decades ago, Zionist groups committed terrorist acts in the sizeable Jewish Iraqi population to get them to move to 'safety' in Palestine.....

it's no wonder.

and it doesn't help at all that 'anti-semitism' (really not an accurate phase) has been on the rise in Europe because of the IDF/Israeli government's actions of late. part of the buzz about it is overinflated, since in the propaganda rhetoric anything against the state of Israel is anti-semitic. But i think there is some actual increase in it.... which is horribly destructive for everybody.

but it makes me sad.

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:44 am

right now you - as i - are sitting at your computers being holier than thou.

only those who are posturing or proselytizing can be accused of such

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:49 am

stuart wrote:
right now you - as i - are sitting at your computers being holier than thou.
only those who are posturing or proselytizing can be accused of such

well, those who are at their computers can be accused of sitting at their computers.

but you make my point nicely, thank you. though i think it was unneccesary.

Simply Joel · Post by **Simply Joel** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 11:47 am

It may seem like news to you, but it is the same old song and dance to me.

Arafat Acknowledges Mistakes, Urges Change
By Mohammed Assadi

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian President Yasser Arafat made a rare acknowledgement of mistakes under his rule Wednesday and urged reforms to end corruption after an unprecedented wave of turmoil.

It was his first such admission since internal unrest blew up last month in the greatest challenge to his authority since he returned from exile a decade ago.

"There is nobody immune from mistakes, starting from me on down. Even prophets committed mistakes," said a confident-looking Arafat at his West Bank compound in his first speech to lawmakers since the troubles began.

But while he urged efforts to correct "all the mistakes," Arafat made no specific promises to satisfy demands for reforms from Palestinians frustrated at the failure of their leaders to win statehood, assuage economic crisis or assure law and order.

Arafat, still seen by Palestinians as a symbol of the struggle for a state in the West Bank and Gaza, was not personally targeted or accused of corruption by protesters.

"There were wrong actions ... by some institutions, and some were irresponsible and misused their positions," the veteran Palestinian leader said. "We need to move together to correct and reform all the mistakes."

In chaotic scenes last month that raised fears of civil war, gunmen kidnapped Palestinian officials and foreigners in Gaza, burned government buildings and clashed with security forces. Violence has since died down.

Palestinian ministers said Arafat was expected to order specific changes later Wednesday that would demonstrate a commitment to fighting corruption.

"The results have to be translated into action," lawmaker Hannan Ashrawi told Reuters.

The last time Arafat made a major public admission of mistakes was in mid-2002, when he called for sweeping reforms and new elections. Neither has happened.

The latest unrest partly reflects a power struggle between Arafat's old guard and a younger generation of leadership jockeying for position ahead of Israel's plan to pull troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip next year.

But Arafat placed blame for the chaos squarely on Israel, saying the Jewish state had created a security vacuum.

"This vacuum, which was made by the occupiers, aimed at creating a state of security chaos and unrest in the absence of the rule of law," he said.

"The occupation is mainly responsible for this situation. It should not drag us away from doing what we can to end it."

A senior Hamas leader survived an Israeli assassination attempt in the Gaza Strip Wednesday but at least five other Palestinians were killed in the explosion that tore through his home.

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 1:32 pm

Fuck Arafat.
He's a tool.
A puppet.
And he just gave the nod to the building of 1000 new homes in illegal settlements.

Fuck Arafat.

Hunger Strike (Warning - political subject)

Hunger Strike (Warning - political subject)

Too Little, Too Late...