The Israeli regime is afraid of us
Atalya here. It is now effectively semi-illegal in Israel to hold signs bearing the images of Palestinian children and babies in Gaza. Just last week, left-wing Israeli organizers revealed that police only approved an anti-war protest on the condition that demonstrators refrain from displaying photos of Palestinian children or Israeli hostages, and that signs using the word “genocide” would be banned. We are witnessing a serious escalation, from managing dissent to actively suppressing even the most basic forms of public expression. The Israeli regime understands its established order is threatened, and is resorting to its usual tactics: police violence, riot control tactics, ambiguous legal restrictions, and threats of arrest. As RSN’s media coordinator, I spend my days attending actions, protests and documenting both incidents of police violence as well as brave resistance. Through our page Voices Against War, I not only report the news from the ground but paint a picture of the state of the struggle against the genocide. From my work on the ground, it is clear that the Israeli state is escalating all of its tactics in order to stifle dissent. And while these moments stoke fear, they also signal that the government is panicking, resorting to desperate measures. That is why it is imperative that you, << Test First Name >>, support us in any way you can from afar. Right now, we need supporters to ramp up pressure on Israel as it tries to quash any real opposition: we are asking each and everyone of you to put pressure on your governments, wherever you are, to implement an arms embargo on Israel. Sign our global call for an arms embargo now, and send it to your communities.
Showing the most basic forms of care for Palestinian lives has become increasingly outlawed by the Israeli state. It’s not just pictures of Palestinian children, but the very ability to publicly express opposition. Police violence at protests is not new, but is escalating. Just last week, over 20 protestors demonstrating against the genocide were violently arrested in Haifa in a clear message: dissent will not be tolerated.
These latest events closely follow other clear signs that lay bare the political-military establishment’s anxieties over their ability to continue the genocide. Fines for refusers, direct threats from Prime Minister Netanyahu himself against war resisters, and police violence at protests that beg the question: are these riot police, or is this a police riot?
The Israeli political class is hard-pressed as reports pile up of more military reservists refusing to report for duty, and Israelis themselves are starting to ask themselves when this forever war will end. I’ve covered protests and direct actions since the war on Gaza broke out, including protests led by Israelis calling for an arms embargo in their own words. This call has been made here on the ground, and is gaining traction. This is a rare opportunity for action, and why we need you to ramp up external pressure to meet the urgency of this moment. Sign our call for an arms embargo today.