Discussion > Reflections on the Demonstration (10/1)
Yes. This gives the lie to the argument that Palestinians are anti-Semitic. Last week at a vigil in Brighton, where there was overwhelming support, one Israeli screamed at me that 'they (Palestinians) are animals.' This is the reality of the situation.
Tony Greenstein
I've been on the left and on demonstrations all my life (Earliest photgraphed appearance age 3). Never before have strangers on a demo wept to see me, told me I was brave or wanted to photograph my placard. One man sent a picture of me on his mobile phone to his aunt in Ramallah. We clearly affected the people we marched with. We just have to hope that Brown, Obama etc were also affected by the size and diversity of the demonstrations across the world. JaneB
Jane Bernal
As a non-jew, not only do I admire Jews who have the courage to speak out against Israeli Government policies versus the Palestinians but I think it weakens those who might otherwise use the situation to be anti-semitic. Jews for Justice have always been appreciated in the demonstrations in Rome where I'm based. I know that Palestinians appreciate any support, moral or otherwise, that they can get because they have felt abandoned for so long.
Margaret Farrell
Margaret Farrell
Just back from the march today. It was truly extraordinary, simply amazing, the warmth with which the JfJP placard was met by Islamics and Palestinians and others on the march. I found this every step of the way (because I was isolated, not being able to find the other Jewish banners or placards), hence I seemed a lone Jew with my two friends).
People took at least ten photographs of the placard, or of me with them, did interviews etc. Then one 'classy' Jewish woman out shopping in Knightsbridge joined me and my two friends at one point saying "I like people like you, none of my friends think this, can I walk along with you for a while?"
Even on my way home I was snapped with placard by a Spanish women on the tube one last time, saying she wanted to take the photo home, and a the stranger beside me started asking about the march. At the very end had I to relinquish the banner to someone who identified himself as 'a teacher in the East End', so he could put it up in his school, because he had no poster or banner to suggest any Jews anywhere opposed the Israeli actions.
The two non-Jewish friends with whom I was marching want a big badge saying, 'we are friends of Jews who oppose the War against Gaza/Occcupation', or whatever. We had the same experience even stopping in a café. Never before has what we do seemed quite so significant. It was a strange and moving experience.
Lynne Segal