Current Affairs

[Nir]

INTRODUCTION

Israeli politics are pretty complicated. Roots of the present conflict were implanted about 4000 years ago. Ishmael was the son of Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's slave. Sarah 'gave' Hagar to Abraham thinking she (Sarah) was infertile - Ishmael was born. Then a miracle happened - the barren Sarah gave birth to Isaac. On Sarah's initiative, wishing for her own son's inheritance, Hagar and Ishmael were driven out of the camp (Genesis 21). Thus two half-brothers, Isaac and Ishmael became the forefathers of two great nations, but they never got over their mothers' inheritance conflict. Two conflicting nations are today destined to live in the middle east, side by side, in harmony.

But harmony still has not been attained.

In 1947, following the end of the British mandate in Palestine, UN Resolution GA181 called for partition of Palestine based on the following map:



Descendants of Ishmael were unhappy with the resolution; Syria, Jordan and Egypt attacked the descendants of Isaac, and lost. Descendants of Isaac established the State of Israel on the yellow area of the following map:



In the 1960s pressure began to build. In May 1967 Egyptian President Gamal Nasser began building up pro-war rhetoric in the media and then closed the Strait of Tiran to Israeli shipping. The Fatah group, headed by Yasser Arafat (recently deceased), began calling for war to eliminate Israel. Jordan signed a defense pact with Egypt, readying itself for war. King Hussein stated: "The armies of Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon are poised on the borders of Israel...to face the challenge, while standing behind us are the armies of Iraq, Algeria, Kuwait, Sudan and the whole Arab nation. This act will astound the world. Today they will know that the Arabs are arranged for battle, the critical hour has arrived. We have reached the stage of serious action and not declarations." On June 4, Iraq likewise joined a military alliance with Egypt and committed itself to war stating "This is our opportunity to wipe out the ignominy which has been with us since 1948. Our goal is clear--to wipe Israel off the map."

Israel could not maintain total military mobilization indefinitely. When it became apparent that Egypt would not stand down, Israel attacked the Egyptians beginning on June 5, 1967. In the first hours of the war, Israel destroyed over 400 enemy aircraft to achieve total air superiority. Israeli troops quickly conquered the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza. Jordanian artillery began firing at Jerusalem on the first day of the war, despite a warning by Israeli PM Levi Eshkol to stay out of the war, and then the Jordan Legion advanced and took over the headquarters of the UN (Governor's house - Armon Hanatziv ) in Jerusalem. After warning King Hussein repeatedly to cease fire and withdraw, Israel conquered the West Bank and Jerusalem. During the first days of the war, Syrian artillery based in the Golan Heights pounded civilian targets in northern Israel. After dealing with Egypt, Israel decided to conquer the Golan heights. After just six days of fighting, Israeli forces broke through the enemy lines and were in a position to march on Cairo, Damascus and Amman. Along with the territories conquered, Israel now had close to a million Palestinians under it's rule.



How does all this relate to the subject "Current Affairs"? The point of the intro is understanding the Gaza Strip. The 360 square kilometers of the Gaza Strip today house almost 1.5 million Palestinians and about 6,000 Israeli settlers.



In February 2005 the Israeli government voted to withdraw Israel's presence from the Gaza strip during the summer of 2005, including dismantling all the Israeli settlements and removing all Israeli settlers from the strip. The government still faces significant opposition to the plan.

A ribbon war has broken out in Israel. On the orange side are Jewish settlers and their supporters objecting to the dismantling of Jewish settlements in Gaza. On the blue side are Gaza pullout supporters. The orange side claims the Israeli Government does not have a moral right to withdraw from biblical lands. The blues say Israel cannot continue to occupy and rule Palestinians.

So what has all this got to do with photography? Bear with me just a little longer.

A few years ago I read on the net about someone who claimed ownership to the moon. After making his declarations public he waited seven years as supposedly required by international law. Since no one took him seriously nor disputed his claims, after seven years he began selling deeds to plots on the moon.

I too am now making a declaration (maybe in seven years it will come true). I
declare the intersection of Herzl Boulevard, Itzchak Rabin Boulevard and Kiryat Moshe Street, in Jerusalem, mine. This is a central intersection located about 1 Km from the main entrance to Jerusalem from the West, about 1 Km from the Israeli Parliament and about 1 Km from my home. This intersection serves a battleground for oranges and blues. Activists stand on corners and tie their ribbons to passing cars before the lights change green, they carry signs with slogans supporting their cause and sometimes semi-violently try to stop traffic here, at my intersection, and elsewhere around the country.

Israelis are facing a few very intense months as the Gaza pullout is planned for August 15th. I plan to follow the ribbon war at my intersection, and, if you guys are interested, update you on current affairs.


APRIL 2005

Anti-Gaza-pullout protesters have been recruiting the younger generation for their cause. In a sense, they are desperate, as they are opposing a government decision soon to be implemented.




27-June-2005

Anti-Gaza-pullout activists have called for a nationwide traffic standstill at exactly 6pm. They urge drivers to stop for 15 minutes and contemplate on the upcoming events, thus paralyzing traffic all over the country. My intersection, located near the religious neighborhood of Kiryat Moshe, is totally orange territory. Police forces are spread out in advance and a police helicopter hovers above as the orange protesters spread out around my intersection.





Children have a big part in this protest








This guy seems like he doesn't really understand why he was brought here and what all the commotion is about:




Here is something to worry about - the ribbon war may deteriorate to something more violent as active security personnel are also involved in the politics:



News headlines today report of an active IDF soldier who this week refused to take part in preparations for dismantling Jewish settlements in Gaza. His court martial began today.

Some are still hopeful, some turn to prayer




My intersection was definitely orange yesterday, not one blue ribbon to be seen. But, police were very assertive and orange plans to disrupt traffic at my intersection were unsuccessful.

[Gator]

What a fabulous history lesson, and a great series on the "current" situation! Please, keep us posted!

[Lee Massey]

Excellent history lesson and update on current events in your area... Please keep us updated.

Thanks,

Lee

[Ann McRae]

Fabulous, Nir. I look forward to more, and wish for peace for you and for all of us.

ann

[4labs]

I missed Sharon the first timeI looked. A powerful image for me.



Thnxs for the excellent way you presented the situation for us and please keep us updated..

[johno]

On the mark Nir. Thank you for sharing your photos and your heart.

peace to you and your family.
johno~

[mercphoto]

Very interesting read.

Originally Posted by Nir

Two conflicting nations are today destined to live in the middle east, side by side, in harmony.

Personally, I would not agree. I don't believe in destiny. I believe in choices. These two countries choose to continue this behavior, in my opinion.

In 1947, following the end of the British mandate in Palestine, UN Resolution GA181 called for partition of Palestine based on the following map

I am too young to have personal experience with any of this, having been born in 1966. Does anyone know the justification for taking land from one country and creating another? It seems to be the cause of the hostilities.

[DavidTO]

An interesting commentary on the situation by Larry Miller (often attributed to Dennis Miller, but it is in fact the other Miller, Larry).

[mercphoto]

Originally Posted by DavidTO

An interesting commentary on the situation by Larry Miller (often attributed to Dennis Miller, but it is in fact the other Miller, Larry).

Lots of personal ad hominem attacks and very little substance.

[DavidTO]

Originally Posted by mercphoto

Lots of personal ad hominem attacks and very little substance.

I won't defend the humorous and personal nature of it, but think about the size and numbers that he's talking about. I really do believe that the Palestinians are disingenuous about having their own country. What they can't stand is that Israel is there. And it is a tiny country in a sea of Arab States.

[mercphoto]

Originally Posted by DavidTO

What they can't stand is that Israel is there. And it is a tiny country in a sea of Arab States.

That is what I'm trying to learn. Why is Israel there in the first place? What was the rational for its creation by the UN?

[Harryb]

Originally Posted by mercphoto

That is what I'm trying to learn. Why is Israel there in the first place? What was the rational for its creation by the UN?

Leaving out the numerous occupations by various entities prior to WW I -

After WWI control of Palestine became a League of Nations Mandate "entrusted" to Great Britain. Prior to WW I it was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. The Mandate's terms recognized the "historical connection of the Jewish people with Palestine," and called upon the mandatory power to "secure establishment of the Jewish National Home".

After WWII Britain's position in Palestine became untenable as hundreds of thousand of displaced Jews entered Palestine. Great Britain presented the Palestine problem to the United Nations in 1947. The UN determined to partition Palestine between the Arabs and the Jews. This lead to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.

Most of the nations that currently comprise the Middle East are artificial creations arising out of occupation and control by non-local entities including but not limited to the Ottoman Empire and the European colonial powers. They were created by the conquest and the sublimnation of their respective native populations.

[mercphoto]

Originally Posted by Harryb

After WWI control of Palestine became a League of Nations Mandate "entrusted" to Great Britain. Prior to WW I it was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. (snip)

That was the info I was wanting to learn. Thanks!

Most of the nations that currently comprise the Middle East are artificial creations arising out of occupation and control by non-local entities including but not limited to the Ottoman Empire and the European colonial powers. They were created by the conquest and the sublimnation of their respective native populations.

That much I already knew, just not in any details. And I have a vague understanding that that is a source of much of the problems over there as well.

[Nir]

29-June-2005

Orange anti-Gaza-withdrawl leaders have declared a nation wide demonstration to begin at 17:00 with an aim to block traffic all over the country and bring it to a standstill. The Israel Police has deployed 6,000 officers around the country to deal with this threat, 1,500 of them in Jerusalem. Instructions from the Ministry of Internal Security are clear but troubling; roads WILL NOT BE BLOCKED, police will not use batons or other 'violent' tools.

16:30 - My intersection is very quiet. About 10 police officers demonstrate their presence to a handful of orange activists at the intersection.






17:15 - Still quiet. A patrol of motorcycle cops passes through my intersection.



Three minutes later it begins. A group of about 30 youths appear from no where and spread out around my intersection and begin to block traffic.



The youth's enthusiasm is used to mutually fuel each others courage. Working as a group each individual looses judgment and must keep up with the group's inertia. Drivers are angry and impatient.















Police officers react quickly and use reasonable force to get the kids off the street. I'm thinking to myself "where are their parents?" One or two of the most provocative youths are arrested.









Ninja police bikers I wrote about in a separate thread, drive through my intersection with a threatening appearance.




More and more orange activists are gathering and they are difficult to disperse.



The cavalry is called in. Just the appearance of two huge horses is enough to disperse the crowd for the time being.





More arrests are made. A young girl is separated from her mother as the mother is arrested. I didn't see exactly what she did or why she was arrested but what business does she have bringing her daughter to a violent demonstration? The crowd tries to intervene on her behalf, physically blocking arresting officers and then shouting and cursing.






I notice one youth sticking out of the crowd. He's planning something he must think is extraordinary; scattering rocks on the road to block traffic. He was dealt with pretty quickly by police.




There was an incident I did not photo - I was too astounded. Three girls, about 15 years old, sat on the road to block traffic. From the first car being blocked the driver got out. His wife remained in the passenger's seat. He was about 70 years old, well dressed, well groomed - someone I would normally respect. The driver carried a container of green liquid, probably radiator coolant, and sprayed some on the demonstrating girls. "You are dirty!" he said, "you need to be cleaned!". The girls jumped to their feet and one of them replied to the driver "but there is nothing else I can do!"
This incident left me with very deep emotions. Currant affairs have brought these youths to a state of hopelessness. A government decision has been made and the parliament voted and accepted it. This young girl is out in the streets because she sincerely feels despair and helplessness. In her mind there is nothing else she can do. And on the other hand, a respectable gentleman in any other situation, out of anger and hate that has built up, gets out of his car and moderately attacks the 15 year old girl.

An abyss of hatred is tearing apart the Israeli society, and it's happening at my intersection.

Yesterday afternoon was a photographic paradise and an Israeli's hell. Three things I have learned in regard to photography; I need a wider lens and the photos that work in such situations are those from up front and up close. You need to show faces and emotion. Backgrounds and wide shots are less important and you can't do it standing apart from the crowd.

[Nir]

Guys,

I thank all of you for your comments!

I really have no intention of creating a political debate. I'm trying to objectively describe our "Current Affairs" at my intersection and my feelings with words and photos. The introduction was meant to give you some idea of where all of this comes from.

My objectivity obviously cannot be 100% pure - I am involved. I apologize if my own political thoughts slip out into the text. I will do my best for that not to happen.

[4labs]

Originally Posted by Nir

Guys,

I thank all of you for your comments!

I really have no intention of creating a political debate. I'm trying to objectively describe our "Current Affairs" at my intersection and my feelings with words and photos. The introduction was meant to give you some idea of where all of this comes from.

My objectivity obviously cannot be 100% pure - I am involved. I apologize if my own political thoughts slip out into the text. I will do my best for that not to happen.

-*

Hey Nir
You are showing us things that we Americans never get to see and hope you will continue this documentation. No need to apologize if you slip your own views in, it is only natural.People will have their opinions right or wrong I don't think anyone can truly understand unless they are living through it like you are.

Thnxs again...

[Michiel de Brieder]

Thank you Nir,

from the bottom of my heart for your education.... I hope you will continue to keep us aware...

[Nir]

29-June-2005 Addendum

160 arrests were made yesterday bringing the number to over 1,000 orange activist arrests in the last few months.


From 27-June-2005:
"News headlines today report of an active IDF soldier who this week refused to take part in preparations for dismantling Jewish settlements in Gaza. His court martial began today."

IDF soldier was sentenced yesterday to 56 days military imprisonment.

[ChrisJ]

Originally Posted by Nir

Guys,

I thank all of you for your comments!

I really have no intention of creating a political debate. I'm trying to objectively describe our "Current Affairs" at my intersection and my feelings with words and photos. The introduction was meant to give you some idea of where all of this comes from.

My objectivity obviously cannot be 100% pure - I am involved. I apologize if my own political thoughts slip out into the text. I will do my best for that not to happen.

Just incredible. I really appreciate the 1st hand reporting of this. Thanks, Nir.

Stay safe, hope for peace.

[Gator]

Wow Nir, another knockout of a series! Fabulous work and great information. Your work covering "Current Affairs" at "Your Intersection" is enlightening and educational. Thank you for continuing to share as these events unfold.

Stay safe and peace be with you.