privilege

Jewish activists take part in a Black Lives Matter protest in Brookline, MA, December 16, 2014. (Tess Scheflan/Activestills.org)

An important lesson on privilege, courtesy of Peter Beinart

In a recent article comparing Jewish anti-occupation activists IfNotNow with Black Lives Matter, the prominent Jewish American columnist creates divisions precisely where alliances are needed. By Tom Pessah The word privilege gets thrown around a lot in activist circles. People tend to interpret its use as an accusation, which it sometimes is. But reflection about…

By +972 Magazine April 7, 2017

Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav walks with his wife Gila, after releasing from Ma'asiyahu Prison where he served his sentence, December 21, 2016. (Aloni Mor/Flash90)

When a government shows more forgiveness to a rapist than a victim

An ex-president who has been convicted of rape is released from prison early, despite showing no remorse. Meanwhile, a rape victim who killed his assailant in self-defense remains behind bars, denied clemency. By OR Seri On Sunday, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin announced that he had rejected a request for clemency for Yonatan Heilo. Heilo, an Ethiopian immigrant,…

By +972 Magazine December 22, 2016

File photo of a Palestinian woman voting in Bethlehem. (Photo by Activestills.org)

Why I’m ‘giving’ my vote to a Palestinian in Israel’s elections

‘I very much want to vote for the party that best represents my ideological leanings; I’m waiving that right in these elections because so many others living under this government’s control can’t vote at all.’ By A. Daniel Roth Millions of people will go to the polls on March 17th to decide who will represent…

By +972 Magazine February 11, 2015

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Anarchists Against the Wall: Direct Action and Solidarity with the Palestinian Popular Struggle, (Photo: Courtesy of AK Press)

Navigating privilege, solidarity and belonging: A chapter from the new book ‘Anarchists Against the Wall’

As a member of Anarchists Against the Wall, Roy Wagner acts in solidarity with people whose plight and oppression has to do with his privilege. ‘Since I am part of their problem, it’s pointless for me to patronize them over how their communities go wrong.’ When it comes to his beloved hometown of Tel Aviv,…

By +972 Magazine December 7, 2013

A matter of choice: Why optimism is integral to anti-occupation activism

Often times pessimism is caused by choosing to remain a spectator, and pretending to remain powerless instead of taking responsibility and deciding to act according to what one believes. But what does this mean, and how do you do it? By Tom Pessah In a recent +972 post, Noam Sheizaf wrote that “there is something…

By +972 Magazine December 12, 2012