Is This Arab-Jewish Movement in Israel the Right Way to Fight Apartheid and Occupation?

Quick Overview

The movement Standing Together, represented by Sally Abed and Alon-Lee Green, argues that their goal of achieving equality, democracy, and freedom for both Israelis and Palestinians is the only viable path forward, contrasting this with the perceived failure of right-wing Zionist ideology and the ongoing military control and occupation that breeds violence and despair.

Key Points: Standing Together advocates for a political project rooted in equality, democracy, and freedom for both Israelis and Palestinians within the land, contrasting sharply with the right-wing Zionist ideology currently in power. The movement was formed before October 7th, 2023, but the recent events have made their goal of ending the occupation, apartheid, and the cycle of violence much more urgent and visible. Sally Abed, a Palestinian citizen and City Council member in Haifa, notes that the current situation feels suffocating, leading to increased calls for Palestinian liberation across society. Alon-Lee Green points out that the Israeli left is crumbling, and the right-wing's narrative is detached from reality, evidenced by polls showing high support (82%) for expelling Gazan residents among Jewish Israelis. Abed states that being associated with Palestinian liberation activism has led to personal isolation, including being unable to find a place to live in Israel. The movement's core belief is that working together across ethnic lines for peace, equality, and ending the occupation is the only way to create a sustainable reality, rather than relying on military control. The conversation highlights the difficulty of maintaining hope amidst the ongoing violence and the perceived normalization of the occupation and military control.

Context: The video features an interview with Sally Abed, a Palestinian citizen and City Council member in Haifa, and Alon-Lee Green, co-founder of the Israeli-Palestinian grassroots movement Standing Together. They discuss the movement's mission to foster joint Israeli-Palestinian efforts for equality and peace, contrasting their inclusive vision with the current political climate dominated by right-wing ideology and the ongoing military occupation, especially in the context of the events following October 7th.