Palestinians Turn To Hunger Strikes
Most Americans over the age of 40 have probably know of Bobby Sands. However, it is safe to say, that most Americans have know idea who Bilal Diab and Thaer Halahleh are.Beginning last month, 1,200 to 1,500 Palestinian political prisoners or terrorists (depending which side you take) began a hunger strike to protest Israel’s practice of imprisoning people without charges.* The hunger strike recently ended as Egypt and Jordan brokered a deal between Israel and the prisoners. Though it is not know if a smaller number of prisoners who started their hunger strike days before the general protest would end their hunger strike. Israel promised to look into the “administrative detentions”, but Palestinians don’t see this policy changing any time soon.
*Yes, I know the US does this. But let’s try to stay on topic.
Tags: Hunger Strike, Israel, Palenstine
Israel is now run by (RUN BY…. NOT INHABITED BY) Jewish versions of Rick Santorum and Apt Robertson. Hopefully sanity will be restored at their next election.
With elections postponed, Bibi is going to be in there for awhile. Unfortunately, Kadimah is a shell of a party and Labor is history.
There is going to have to be a young people’s revolution from both the Israelis and Palestinians. It’s probably a safe bet that anyone born before 1948 cant be trusted to handle the best interests of either people. Al the Bibis think they can take on Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Saudi Arabia….. you get the idea… on their own. And throw in any unsympathetic European nations for good measure. The US Has been enabling this kind of idiocy for far too long. Yes, there was a time where Israel needed a big brother with lots of nuke loudly proclaiming protection, but that time has passed. Right now, the biggest threat to Israel’s longevity are the old chazzers in charge.
Over time, the demographics of Israel will shift rightward. In general, Haredi (ultra-orthodox) Jews marry young and have large families. [Haredi Jews can afford large families because the Israeli government subsidizes large families.] Right now, Haredi Jewish are 8% of the population. By 2028, Haredi Jews might be 28% of the population and a greater percentage of the younger population.
(1) The Haredi Jews want Israeli law to more closely conform to Jewish law.
(2) The Haredi Jews are security conscious, although they reject political secular Zionism.
(3) The Haredi Jews are growing increasingly sympathetic to the settler movement.
The real bastion of freedom, for Israelis and Palestinians, is the Supreme Court of Israel.
Davy, I agree with your analysis of the Haredi. Personally, I think they should not be allowed to vote if they refuse to serve in the military, which is compulsive. And they government needs to cut off their subsidies.
@MJ: Unfortunately, the Israeli government is more concerned about the demographic war between Jewish people and the Palestinians than the demographic war among Jewish people. Right now, Haredi birth rates are rising, and Palestinian birth rates are declining. For many Israelis, that is a victory. Sad, but true.
I know, Davy. I have relatives on both sides of the issue living there.