Interview with Israeli dissidents taking action for Palestine

Summary

This transcript features a personal account from one of the 'Bristol 7,' activists who took direct action against Elbit Systems, a major arms manufacturer, in Bristol in 2022. The speaker, an Israeli of Holocaust-surviving descent, describes growing up in a Zionist society unaware of Palestinian realities. Their journey includes military refusal, involvement in activism, and solidarity with Palestinians. The speaker reflects on systemic injustices, colonialism, and the moral imperative to oppose crimes against humanity. Their activism challenges arms production used in Gaza and the West Bank, calling for greater action against oppression.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker is part of the 'Bristol 7' who vandalized the Elbit headquarters in Bristol, protesting against 74 years of Israeli colonization, apartheid, and human rights violations.
• 📚 The speaker grew up in apartheid Israel, raised by Holocaust survivors and educated in a Zionist system, initially unaware of Palestine or its history.
• 🛑 The speaker realized that Israel was built on Palestinian land, and became disillusioned with the Israeli military and Zionism, eventually refusing to serve in the military.
• 🎓 University education and exposure to discussions about colonialism and apartheid led the speaker to become an activist against Israel’s occupation of Palestine.
• 🤝 The speaker became involved in protests and direct actions, often facing violence, arrest, and witnessing friends being injured by Israeli military forces.
• 💣 The speaker highlighted the role of Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer, in producing drones and other weaponry used in Gaza and the West Bank.
• ⚖️ The speaker engaged in the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign, and later resorted to direct action when political and legal avenues seemed ineffective.
• 🛠️ The Bristol action was part of an effort to disrupt the production of weapons used against Palestinians, with the speaker emphasizing a moral obligation to oppose Israeli war crimes.
• 🚔 Legal actions against activists like the speaker have increased in the UK, with authorities denying certain legal defenses and aiming to criminalize protest.
• 🕊️ Despite legal challenges and imprisonment, the speaker remains committed to the struggle for Palestinian freedom, viewing it as a moral imperative to stand against genocide and human rights abuses.

Q & A

What is the 'Bristol 7' referred to in the script?

The 'Bristol 7' refers to a group of activists who were involved in an action that targeted the headquarters of Elbit Systems in Bristol. This protest occurred on what is referred to as 'AKA day,' in 2022, and the action was in opposition to Israeli military actions and Elbit's role in arms production. The group was relieved to receive a suspended sentence instead of imprisonment.

How did the speaker's background influence their views on Zionism?

The speaker grew up in apartheid Israel to a Holocaust-surviving family and was initially shaped by a Zionist education that disconnected them from the reality of Palestine. Over time, they realized that Israel was built on Palestinian land, leading them to view Zionism critically, comparing it to a cult or a mental disorder that prevents Zionists from seeing Palestinians as equal human beings.

What role did the Israeli education system play in shaping the speaker's early views?

The Israeli education system, according to the speaker, promotes a segregated society and instills fear of non-Jewish neighbors in children. It also fosters an exclusive form of Zionist thinking, which is designed to prevent Israeli children from seeing Palestinians as equals.

What led the speaker to refuse military service in Israel?

The speaker initially followed the expected path of military service but had a moral realization while working on an anti-tank missile project. They refused to participate in the Israeli military system and viewed themselves as no longer Israeli or a soldier, which led them to resist the military establishment and eventually support others who refused to serve.

How did the speaker become involved in activism against Israel's actions in Palestine?

After attending university and engaging with intellectuals discussing colonialism and apartheid, the speaker became an activist with groups like 'Anarchists Against the Wall,' participating in demonstrations against the annexation of Palestinian land. This activism included direct confrontations with Israeli forces, which resulted in arrests and injuries.

What is Elbit Systems, and why is it significant in the context of this script?

Elbit Systems is Israel's largest arms manufacturer, producing military technology such as drones and weapons that are used extensively in Gaza and the West Bank. The speaker's family had ties to Elbit, and the company's role in the Israeli military's operations against Palestinians, especially in Gaza, became a focal point of the speaker's activism.

How does the speaker view the UK's legal system in relation to Israeli war crimes?

The speaker believes the UK legal system has changed over time to protect Israeli war criminals, citing the example of an arrest warrant against an Israeli official being overridden by a legal change granting her immunity. This protection of Israeli interests has hindered accountability for war crimes, according to the speaker.

What led the speaker to engage in direct action against Elbit Systems in the UK?

The speaker felt that traditional campaigning, including involvement in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, had reached a dead end. This prompted them to engage in direct action, such as the attack on Elbit Systems in Bristol, to prevent weapons manufacturing that they believe contributes to genocide and war crimes.

What legal challenges did the 'Bristol 7' face during their trial?

During the trial, the 'Bristol 7' were not allowed to present key arguments such as the protection of life, necessity, and urgency, which were central to their motivations for taking action against Elbit Systems. They were found guilty after a four-week trial despite these restrictions.

What is the speaker's perspective on the morality of their actions and the potential consequences?

The speaker views their actions as morally justified, believing that it is their duty to oppose crimes against humanity, including the genocide of Palestinians. They express a willingness to face imprisonment if necessary, seeing it as a continuation of their struggle for justice and viewing their inaction as a greater moral failure.