In its wide and arid geography Jordan Valley, a black minibus with tinted windows pulls out. It moves fast, leaving an endless trail of dust behind. Try to follow the usual route, but nothing is usual about it anymore disputed land. The speed of the vehicle carries the danger of the journey. Its travelers know they are not welcomed by those who control these roads. For this reason radical settlersThe new lords and lords of the areas that the Palestinians have historically used to graze their flocks are blocking their passage. “That’s how they see us traitors“, sign Daphne Banai. He with other passengers in the black van Israelis. They devoted their lives and time to this activism against military occupation Supported by the West Bank’s government and taxes. They have doubled their efforts since last October 7th.
“We now accompany Palestinian shepherds 24 hours a day, seven days a week. we sleep “In their own communities so they can sleep and live,” he condemned this activist. Mahsom Timewithout shaking the dust off his boots. Created in 2001, this organization includes:women There are figures from all segments of Israeli society who have come together to end the occupation, accompanied by Palestinians and through documentation of violations. “We are not enough”Banai tells El Periódico de Cataluña from Prensa Ibérica. In a shift to the right, Israel’s population lives longer and longer away from conflict and therefore Palestinian society is systematically punished every day. During Protests for judicial reformEven left-wing protesters ignored the claims of this minority of activists who sought to condemn the horrific occupation as part of this unprecedented social movement.
‘Palestinian lives matter’
Despite the rejection and their age (they all share gray hair in their sixties) Banai and his colleagues remain dedicated to the cause. “We feel aloneBecause we are a minority,” he admits. Guy HirschfeldAfter embracing a Palestinian shepherd who still dares to graze his cows even though the settlers have closed the water source from which they drink water. “But it’s a matter of a few weeks or monthsBefore the Israeli public starts talking more about the occupation with our help and Jewish supremacy”he explains convincingly to this newspaper. The representative of Palestine wore a T-shirt with the words ‘Palestinian Lives Matter’. ‘Look into the eyes of the profession’ organization He seems optimistic. “We’re trying to wake up the Israelis so they see what’s going on here, even though the majority don’t want to see it, they want democracy, but they know democracy and occupation are impossible at the same time,” he says.
“The number of people joining us in the protests against judicial reform increased,” recalls Banai of the movement, which was completely paralyzed on October 7. Although demonstrations against the prime minister return, Benjamin NetanyahuThere is no word profession. “So more people wanted to hear about the occupation. They regretted their negligence.“They were ignorant about it and wanted to join us, but it bothers me because then they said they felt bad, and today they continue to do nothing while everything is getting worse,” she admits. Almost nothing remains of the organization that once brought together 500 Israeli women “They are old and can no longer accompany the shepherds. “The majority of our members Did they die and although I am not young, I am young,” says this woman. He feels young without realizing what he has He is 73 years old.
Remnants of another generation
Banai or Hirschfeld are remnants of a culture. Israeli generation dreaming of peace. So much so that it even worked for him. Now, the majority of Israeli citizens, helped by a wall for the last 20 years, literally live with their backs on their neighboring people; They aid oppression with their taxes and silent accomplices. minimal solidarity What existed before October 7 disappeared that day. “When I tell the people around me what is happening here, they look at me with a questioning face.” How can I help Palestinians? After what is happening in the south right now,” Banai laments. “Do you want to take the Palestinians to this extreme again? There less empathy “It’s very difficult to attract people’s attention now,” he adds.
But whether in the Jordan Valley or anywhere else in the world Occupied West BankThe situation has never been this bad. Settlers operate with uncontrollable impunity, driving Palestinians from their lands and killing those who resist. More than once in the last two months 250 Palestinians They were killed as a result of violence by these radical groups or the Israeli army. Previously, these Israeli activists were able to offer: some protection This situation, which the Palestinians have never enjoyed, is now over. “If I call the police they won’t come, they were very hostile and we Accused of aiding HamasWhen all we do is help the Palestinians,” Banai says, after describing some of the incidents in which he helped members of these groups escape death. isolated bedouin communities.
“A crazy state”
Neither institutions, security forces, nor courts protect them. As part of their activism, they reported cases of dispossession. Supreme Court these were ignored. “The situation is becoming increasingly serious and the authorities have started to persecute human rights activists both in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem violence something we haven’t had before,” charges Danny, who is also a ‘Looking the occupation in the eye’ activist. “We are in a terrible situation and this whole issue human rights and Israeli courts no longer protect either Palestinians or Israelis when these violations are committed,” explains the political scientist from inside the van, in front of an area completely cleared of Palestinians. The aggression of the settlers in the area prevents the activists from getting out of the vehicle.
“Israel has become a crazy state because acts against your interests”Danny explains. They are all trying to move away from the evil they share in their speech. They don’t say it out loud, but the feeling of shame is mixed with the pain of being associated with their government’s actions. “I hope things change in the next few months because if they don’t, if they win, end of the state of Israel and we must hurry to escape from here,” concludes Hirschfeld. They can get to fewer and fewer places from that black van, and the sound of its tires on the asphalt wakes people up. fear of local people They are trying to protect themselves, afraid of becoming victims of the numerous violent incidents that have occurred in recent weeks. Weak When there is no empathy between them, they give them all they have left:their bodies, their companies– With the longing for the others to wake up and get on the minibus tomorrow.