When I read the headlines I was curious to see if Palestinians would actually write slogans on signs and march chanting political demands as they approached the Israeli Wall that surrounds their unhappy ghetto. But, I thought I would see the usual crowd of Palestinian stone throwers. I read one article on the World Socialist Web Site that said 'world was shocked by images of Palestinian protesters being shot dead.' I decided to see the videos for myself.
The video from Al Jazeera shows Palestinians throwing stones, using slings to launch stones, setting tires on fire. The 'protesters' are all young men of military age who are looking for a physical confrontation and seem very sure of themselves - (4:17 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWy1k8Gea3I
A video from the UK Guardian shows that the Palestinians are in a pro-war militant demonstration working crowds into a frenzy for a battle. These are not 'protesters' simply holding signs trying to change people's minds through publicity and persuasion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lal4jtoSgWU
Fox gives a decent report and shows enough of what happened for the viewer to judge - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_QIqig4Goc
The Israeli wall around a population of people as collective punishment for the right wing Islamists of Hamas rule of the Gaza Strip is wrong. But, the Palestinian strategy seems like a dead end. Over the years the Palestinians have moved from a relatively secular appeal to the right of nationhood for Muslim and Christians who call themselves Palestinians to a more and more Islamic appeal that excludes non-Muslims and has been losing in struggle against the Israelis. If Palestinians want rights the whole world can back they can start holding real political demonstrations with signs and men and women rallying together. Stop holding 'protests' that are angry young men who just came from a blood drenched sermon at a mosque after Friday prayers and throw stones immediately upon seeing any Israeli target.
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