'Jews Say No' is holding all-night protest outside World Zionist Organization 3rd Ave NYC right now

[grassfed]

'Jews Say No' is holding all-night protest outside World Zionist Organization on Third Avenue right now!

People should bring coffee to "Jews Say No," the fabulous ladies (and a few men too) outside the World Zionist Organization and Jewish Agency offices on Third Avenue between 40th and 41st Streets in New York. The east side of the street. They're holding a 24-hour protest. I stopped by this afternoon and heard about 20 of them chanting "A Shonde, a Shame/The Occupation in our Name!" The not-in-our-name thing is key. The group formed over Gaza, and took heart when 800 Jews joined a protest outside the Israeli consulate a month ago. I talked to Nina Felshin, an art curator at Wesleyan, who said it was the first time in a long career of social activism that she's identified Jewishly. "I'm not religious at all, I'm an atheist. I've always been a part of a diverse group of activists. But I want to use my Jewish voice to speak out." That way she can signal to non-Jews that it's not antisemitic to criticize Israel, and to Jews that their secret apprehensions about what Israel is turning into are widely shared. Jump in, the water's fine.

"Never again! Not in our name! "Israel's violence is our shame!"

While I was there, a number of people engaged the protesters. More heat than light, you'd expect. But Hannah Mermelstein managed to explain to one guy that Palestinians have no problem accepting her as a Jew. " is not about borders, but about basic human rights," she said. "I've never once felt in any physical danger. Why is that? It's because I'm there in solidarity. This is not an ethic or religious issue, it's the politics of Zionism...Jews can live with Muslims and Arabs."

The big message of the group, which we should all remember when we're in discussions with anyone, is that "It's not the rockets, it's the occupation." They held up photographs of three Palestinian kids standing at a checkpoint behind barbed wire. Makes me angry. Jane Hirschmann said they expected to have a few hundred people coming on and off the line overnight. So: coffee, doughnuts, and It's not the rockets, it's the occupation. They're there now. Hannah Mermelstein is there now. Go talk to her, ask her what it's like on the West Bank...

http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/02/jews-say-no-is-at-allnight-protest-on-third-avenue-right-now-.html

[Howardx]

1. thanks for posting

was there any follow up articles?

[grassfed]

2. update: "Look at these beautiful Jewish women!"

February 13, 2009

Look at these beautiful Jewish women!

They're outside the World Zionist Organization during the all-day protest. Apparently 900 Jews showed up!! These are the people that Dershowitz wants to write off as hard left Stalinists, and Marty Peretz calls kookoo. Wow. I just want to hug these ladies for bringing tears to my eyes and making me proud to be a Jew this morning! I can honestly say that these women are changing my heart and changing my country. You go girls!!!! And give me names! I want to identify you heroines in the book of life! Look at that lady on the right making an identification with the Palestinian children. Do you think she would give you a legalistic answer about Why it's not apartheid??? No!
(Phil Weiss)


http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/02/look-at-these-cool-jewish-women-.html

more pictures HERE
http://desertpeace.wordpress.com/2009/02/13/photo-essay-new-york-jews-take-to-the-streets-in-support-of-gaza/