WUNRN
ISRAEL - WOMEN IN BLACK HAVE STOOD
UP FOR 26 YEARS AGAINST THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION & IN SUPPORT OF THE
PALESTINE STRUGGLE
In honor of International Women’s Day,
Activestills pays tribute to more than a quarter century of anti-occupation
activism by the ‘Women in Black’ group in
Project
by: Keren Manor &
Dafna
Kaminer: It was the time of the First Intifada, and we wanted to support the
Palestinian struggle. So we decided that we would stand out there with signs
calling to end the occupation. It was the simplest and most visual thing we
could do.
Edna Glukman: In the
beginning, the right-wing protesters started to attack us during the vigils. We
sewed big black banners and with small white letters we wrote slogans against
the occupation, as well as for justice, peace and women. By the time we began
writing the word “women” on our banners, it was already starting to become a
women’s movement.
Tamar
Huffman: You could say we are handful of women with a lot of opinions; it is
definitely a feminist group. If we had a man on the board, he would probably be
the one making decisions.
Tamar Lehan: I didn’t join
for feminist reasons, but rather for the persistent and clear statement of the
group. However, I think that it is very logical that it is a women’s group,
since women are accustomed to doing hard work for long periods of time without
seeking immediate results.
Dafna
Kaminer: In times of unrest, we expect more verbal and sometimes physical
violence. People curse at us as if we were the ones responsible for the
situation, and not
Aliya Strauss: People
approach us and cynically ask “What occupation are you talking about?” But
there are also young people who come to ask the same question in all
seriousness, since they simply learn nothing about it. In the first few years,
many women stood at dozens of junctions – Jewish and Arab women together. Today
we are far fewer. It is truly difficult to come every week, to dedicate a day
for this cause. We are the ones that continued to do so. People on the street
should know that we think there should be a solution.
Dalya
Segal: In 1967 my husband came back from the war cheering. I went
with him to see the Western Wall that I knew from my childhood. I saw the
ruined houses all around. It wasn’t the narrow alley that I used to walk in.
Then I started asking myself, what are they planning here? Why are they
expelling people from their homes? When I came to join the vigil, the women
there asked me why I wanted to join. I answered simply, ”I came
to stand with you.” It was so natural, like I was there all my life.
Ruthi Geler: We took the
black color code from Mayo Mothers‘
in Argentina and Chile, as part of a worldwide political movement
against violence, occupation, discrimination and racism. In the historical
context it makes sense – it should be thought of as one cause.
Edna
Zaretzki Toledano: Our state should be a state for all its citizens, while at
the same time it should open the door for refugees from around the world.
That’s how I see our humanity. Unfortunately, we are going through a process of
de-humanization. As part of the second generation of Holocaust survivors, it is
very hard for me to see.
Orly Nathan: Unfortunately,
we are diminishing in numbers and also getting old. I think that perhaps Jewish
women today consider our vigils too passive. But that is not true. Standing in a public space at noon, on
the busiest day of the week, in the middle of the town – that is not a passive
act. Our goal is to make the occupation present. To make people realize that
the occupation is wrong.
Vered Madar: As far as I
remember, I have always had a passion to change the world. Women In Black is
one way for me. For years I saw them standing in
Judy
Blanc: I am very proud of my grandson, Natan (conscious objector Natan Blanc).
I’m amazed at how many people see him as an independent, honest young man. Even
people who do not agree with him politically are appreciative of his deeds.
Young people nowadays are more individualistic. Only critical thinking about
society and collectivity can help us bring peace.
Yaffa
Berlovitz Bloch: This persistence and continuity gives me the feeling that this
is not “special.” This is our life. The occupation still exists, nothing
changes. This sign, which screams “stop the occupation,” – we will continue to
carry it even if nobody listens.
Edna
Glukman: I have been participating in activism for 60 years,
and I don’t think we have achieved much. On the other hand we did, we have
made some progress. I wouldn’t change a thing – if I were young I would to
it all over again.