Settler Turned Peace Activist Now Occupies Wall Street

[Jefferson23]

Kobi Skolnick Puts Jewish Stamp on Protest, Not Just on Holidays


By Josh Nathan-Kazis
Published October 20, 2011, issue of October 28, 2011.


At the Downtown Manhattan base camp of the Occupy Wall Street protest movement, young Lubavitchers filter through the activist crowd, seeking Jews. But when one approached Kobi Skolnick, a 30-year-old Israeli with a heavy Hebrew accent, Skolnick lied.

“No, I’m Palestinian!” he told the lulav-bearing Lubavitcher.

Skolnick is, in fact, Jewish. And not only that — he’s a onetime Lubavitcher turned right-wing settler turned peace activist, now at the center of the leftist protest movement roiling cities across the United States and the world.

Despite allegations of anti-Semitism at Occupy Wall Street, Jewish activists can be found at the heart of the anti-corporate movement. And though the Jewish protest actions tagged to Yom Kippur and Sukkot observances have drawn the most attention, those religious activists aren’t the only Jews helping shape the movement’s inchoate message.



Read more: http://www.forward.com/articles/144620/?picks_feed=true#ixzz1bMSxvUyh

[PDJane]

1. I knew they had to be there;

In spite of the claims of anti-semitism and disorganization, it was too humanitarian for there to be no Jewish adherents there.

[King_David]

4. Very True nt

[King_David]

5. .

:thumbsup:

[Scurrilous]

2. Thanks.

:thumbsup:

[Jefferson23]

3. An OP from Harretz on the young man:

The Israeli ex-settler at the center of Occupy Wall Street
Kobi Skolnick, an ex-settler and Chabadnik turned non-Observant Israeli, is in NYC fighting for a better future – one where money doesn't comfort the rich while burdening the poor.

By Haaretz

"No" was probably the last word finance giant Citigroup expected to hear when it offered the protesters sitting across the street whether they'd be interested in sitting down to discuss what's bothering them.

The Occupy Wall Street protesters have already spent two months residing in tents at a park situated near Ground Zero, where the Twin Towers once stood – not far from the New York Stock Exchange.

Ex-settler and Chabadnik turned non-Observant Israeli, Kobi Skolnick, explains why the meeting didn't work out. "Citigroup approached us and offered for us to meet up. We agreed, but said we'd only meet here - in the square. One of the problems with politicians is that they leave their voters very quickly and go to rub shoulders with businessmen and wealthy people who give them donations. We're different. We are happy to speak to everyone – but come here to talk, not at your offices. And they decided not to come."

Skolnick, 30, is not a tourist that randomly got caught up with the movement, but is one of its core founding members– a group of about 20 activists. He arrived at Zuccotti Park last month– the day after the protest broke out, on September 18 – after he found out in July, via chain mails, that the movement was coming together. "I came here and straight away felt at home. There were intelligent people here who understand the problems, who want to change the world. But they are not naïve, rather very pragmatic. They understand that the United States is sinking and that the young generation around the world, and here too, demands a change. What you see here is a real protest. A protest that comes from the roots."

Skolnick's role in the Occupt Wall Street movement is in managing communications with the media and the protesters' meetings. It is not an official role and he is not the only person fulfilling it – this is a democratic movement without official leaders. Skolnick himself also participates in protests.

in full: http://english.themarker.com/the-israeli-ex-settler-at-the-center-of-occupy-wall-street-1.391361

[shira]

7. Seems like a good guy. Not one of yours though. Not in the Mondoweiss, FGM, etc. n/t

[azurnoir]

8. Thanks for posting n/t

[King_David]

6. 1

:thumbsup:


Yes thanks. It dispels the myth that Jews own Hollywood and Wall Street. They occupy it too :)

Kol Hakavod.

[pelsar]

9. not impressed...quite the opposite

sounds like a persons looking for his "religion", couldn't find it in chabad, couldn't find in the settlers view, and for the time being is finding it amongst the left wing..until he moves on to the "next thing."

hes a dime a dozen here, and they're picked up by the "professionals, "kids looking for something to believe in, brought in to the fold, some stay, some move on after a while