Introduction
The publication "All Rise: Judicial Resistance in Poland" by Marcin Mrowicki highlights the strategic and organized resistance of Polish judges against authoritarian encroachments on judicial independence. Using the Nonviolence International Tactical Database as a foundation, this work demonstrates the power of nonviolent tactics in preserving democracy and judicial autonomy. Below, we detail the integration of our framework, key outcomes of the resistance, and its broader implications, along with a call to action for further engagement with our tactical database.
The publication represents a significant milestone in the application of Nonviolence International’s Tactical Database. By categorizing judicial resistance actions such as public demonstrations, digital campaigns, and legal challenges, the framework provides a comprehensive lens to analyze these efforts. This integration underscores the database’s versatility, offering insights into how nonviolent tactics can effectively safeguard institutional independence.
Marcin Mrowicki’s use of the Nonviolence International Tactical Database demonstrates how these tactics extend beyond grassroots movements to professional and institutional settings. Actions such as acts of omission, commission, and expression mobilized solidarity among judges, lawyers, and civil society, forming a united resistance against systemic authoritarianism.
The publication illuminates the adaptability of nonviolent resistance in challenging political climates. Polish judges, faced with systemic threats to their independence, strategically employed tactics that disrupted authoritarian agendas while safeguarding democratic principles. These insights serve as a valuable resource for pro-democracy movements worldwide, illustrating how even nontraditional actors like the judiciary can lead impactful resistance.
The resistance actions detailed in All Rise had profound national and international repercussions. They catalyzed European Union interventions, including financial penalties against the Polish government, and inspired solidarity across borders. Ultimately, these efforts contributed to the electoral defeat of the ruling Law and Justice Party in 2023, demonstrating the long-term impact of organized nonviolent resistance.
Polish judges employed tactics like the "Chain of Lights" protests, where citizens and legal professionals came together to defend the judiciary, and resistance to the "Muzzle Law," which aimed to silence dissenting judges. These actions not only showcased the creative application of nonviolent resistance but also underscored the importance of judicial independence as a democratic cornerstone.
The publication provides actionable lessons for global movements facing authoritarianism. It emphasizes that judicial independence is not merely a legal principle but a vital pillar of democracy. The tactics and outcomes described in All Rise offer inspiration and guidance for activists, civil society groups, and legal professionals worldwide.
The Nonviolence International Tactical Database proved instrumental in structuring the resistance analyzed in this publication. Its framework not only enabled effective categorization but also empowered judges and their allies to design impactful strategies. This validation highlights the database’s role as a foundational tool for resistance planning and analysis.
We invite readers to explore the Nonviolence International Tactical Database to discover how nonviolent tactics can be adapted to diverse contexts. Whether you are an activist, scholar, or professional, the database offers a wealth of knowledge and a platform to contribute your insights or case studies. Together, we can expand its scope and continue to support nonviolent resistance worldwide.
Read the whole publication here: All Rise: Judicial Resistance in Poland
Global Civilian Intervention to Colonial Occupation – Webinar
International intervention is being requested by Palestinian and Saharawi groups to help protect them from the violent occupiers. The US and most European States support or acquiesce to the Israel and Morocco illegal occupations and their repression of the residents. To fill the vacuum, international groups and tourists are helping. Are you interested in learning and maybe even being part of the historic and ongoing efforts of unarmed solidarity and civilian protection in Palestine and Western Sahara?On Thursday, November 21, we hosted a powerful and inspiring webinar exploring unarmed civilian protection (UCP) efforts in the occupied territories of Palestine and Western Sahara. Experts and activists shared firsthand insights into the critical role of international solidarity in supporting self-determination and defending human rights. 📺 Missed it?
The discussion addressed the challenges of colonial occupation, settler violence, and repression faced by Palestinians and Saharawis, as well as how international groups are stepping up to fill the vacuum left by state inaction. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the decades-long movements in these regions and explored ways to engage in these historic efforts.
Our distinguished panel included:
We delved into parallels between the Israeli Apartheid Wall in Palestine and Morocco’s 2,700km-long occupation wall in Western Sahara, emphasizing the importance of applying principles of self-determination and human rights universally.
Join us in amplifying the voices of the oppressed and advancing the global movement for justice and solidarity!
Dates: December 19, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Organized By: Rabbis for Human Rights and Solidarity of Nations – Achvat Amim
Application Deadline: November 18, 2024, 11:59 PM EST
The Winter Solidarity Visit is an intensive 19-day program aimed at fostering meaningful connections and support for Palestinian communities facing increasing displacement due to settler and state violence in the West Bank. This transformative initiative blends education, volunteerism, and direct action, offering participants an opportunity to learn, engage, and act for justice and human rights.
Program Highlights:
Who Can Apply?
This program welcomes students, educators, activists, and anyone committed to justice and equality. Whether you're traveling internationally or residing locally, you'll join a diverse group living communally and working together for co-resistance.
Mission and Vision:
Rabbis for Human Rights and Achvat Amim aim to combat violence, racism, and inequality, emphasizing the values of justice and peace central to Judaism. Participants will connect with long-standing partnerships to empower communities and drive change through collaborative and adaptive efforts.
Why Join?
For more details or to apply, visit Rabbis for Human Rights or Achvat Amim.
Unarmed civilian protection is about courage, solidarity, and the power of nonviolence to resist oppression. Among those embodying these principles is Andrey X, a Russian Jewish journalist and activist who has become a steadfast ally in Palestine.
Fleeing potential persecution in Russia, Andrey arrived in Israel with the hope of freedom and safety. Yet, he quickly turned his attention to the injustices in the occupied Palestinian territories. With a journalist's keen eye and an activist's unwavering commitment, Andrey immersed himself in the struggles of Palestinian communities, particularly in the West Bank.
Operating in areas like the village of At-Tuwani, Andrey documents and resists the daily challenges faced by Palestinians, including settler violence, military harassment, and systemic displacement. His reports and protective presence not only shine a light on these injustices but also serve as a shield for vulnerable communities, embodying the essence of unarmed civilian protection.
Andrey's activism is a powerful reminder of the role international allies can play in supporting nonviolent resistance. By amplifying the voices of those under occupation and standing alongside them, he demonstrates how individuals, regardless of background, can contribute to the global pursuit of justice and peace.
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The olive harvest in the Palestinian village of Burin in the West Bank
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JENIN, October 17, 2024 (WAFA) A 60-year-old woman was shot and killed by Israeli occupation forces in the village of Faqqu'a, northeast of Jenin, on Thursday.
The director of the Red Crescent Society in Jenin, Mahmoud al-Saadi, said that the society's crews transferred a 60-year-old woman who was killed after being shot in the chest with live ammunition to the hospital
The woman was shot by Israeli occupation forces while she was picking olives with her family in the area near the separation and expansion wall built on the lands of the village of Faqqu'a.
The olive harvest season in the West Bank this year is witnessing repeated attacks by settlers and occupation forces, such as burning and cutting down olive trees, stealing the crop, and preventing farmers from reaching their lands.
This morning, colonists opened fire on participants in an event organized by the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission to help farmers from the village of Kafr al-Labad, east of Tulkarm, pick olives from their lands.
UN experts said yesterday that farmers in the occupied West Bank are facing the most dangerous olive season ever this year.
They added that Palestinian farmers are subjected to intimidation, restricted access to land, severe harassment and attacks by armed settlers. They considered that restricting the olive harvest season, destroying orchards and blocking access to water sources are attempts by Israel to expand its illegal settlements. source
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Michael Jacobsen was accompanying a Palestinian farmer in Masafer Yatta when he was arrested and threatened with imprisonment
17th of OCT. 2024: A United States military veteran was arrested by Israeli forces while accompanying a Palestinian farmer in a village in the West Bank, according to the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
Michael Jacobsen was in the Palestinian village of Masafer Yatta in the Hebron governorate when he and other activists as well as Palestinian land owners were approached by Israeli soldiers on Thursday morning.
The ISM said the farmer Jacobsen was accompanying was facing "daily harassment, attacks, and invasions of his private land by Israeli settlers and occupation forces".
The soldiers demanded their identification and later Israeli police were called, who arrested Jacobsen and took him into custody at an interrogation centre.
Police told the US citizen's lawyer that Jacobsen was “endangering the public due to provocation of disturbances” and accused him of entering the country illegally because they suspected him of supporting the Palestinian-led Boycott, Sanctions, and Divestment (BDS) movement.
He was threatened with "imprisonment and deportation if he did not leave the country immediately", according to the ISM, and he chose instead to leave for Jordan.
The news of Jacobsen's arrest in the occupied West Bank comes as Israeli forces have on multiple occasions targeted American and other international activists in the area who assist Palestinians in protesting against Israeli settler encroachment.
Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank has soared since the beginning of Israel's war on Gaza last October.
In June, the United Nations reported that Israeli security forces and Israeli settlers have killed more than 500 Palestinians in the West Bank since the war began.
The United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, said in a report that the cases of these killings showed "consistent violations of international human rights law on the use of force by the ISF (Israeli security forces) through unnecessary and disproportionate use of lethal force and an increase in apparently planned targeted killings".
In August, Israeli forces shot American citizen Amado Sison in the leg while he was at a demonstration held in Beita, a Palestinian village near the occupied West Bank town of Nablus.
Then, nearly one month later in September, Turkish and American national Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was shot dead by Israeli forces in a demonstration in the same village of Beita.source
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On October 7, 2024, Ziad Abu Helil, a prominent Palestinian leader and peace activist, was killed following a brutal raid by Israeli forces on his home in Dura, south of Hebron. Ziad, affectionately known as the "Icon of Resistance," was a key figure in advocating for Palestinian rights through peaceful means while also standing as a symbol of tribal integrity and conflict resolution in his community. His legacy will continue to inspire those committed to justice and peace.
Ziad's contributions to Palestinian society and beyond were manifold. As the tribal elder (Mukhtar) of Dura, he worked tirelessly to mediate and resolve conflicts within his community, playing a vital role in maintaining social cohesion. His peaceful approach extended beyond local concerns as he engaged actively in nonviolent resistance against the Israeli occupation. He was present in various peaceful protest actions, including in the village of Al-Araqib in the Naqab Desert and the Bab Al-Shams encampment near Jerusalem. His steadfastness made him a symbol of resistance, courage, and unity.
Ziad’s famous phrase, “بيهمش" (It doesn’t matter), uttered when confronted by Israeli soldiers accusing Palestinian children of throwing stones, embodied his unflinching resolve. He continually advocated for the rights of Palestinians to peacefully resist oppression, even in the face of violence and injustice.
His last public action—a demonstration to retrieve the bodies of Palestinian women held by Israeli forces—was a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice. His leadership in this protest, despite threats and arrests, successfully pressured Israeli authorities to reconsider their policies.
Nonviolence International honors the memory of Ziad Abu Helil as an exemplar of nonviolent resistance. His leadership, courage, and dedication to his people are a reminder of the power of peaceful action in the face of immense adversity.source
On September 12, Freedom Flotilla has announced that the demonstration to release the Flotilla ships currently being prevented from leaving port by the Turkish Port Authorities, continues in Istanbul. and they are calling for help;
We need your help in getting international media to cover this historic protest and help put pressure on the government to release the ships, ensuring we can sail towards Gaza.
HOW TO HELP:
1. Call, email, and/or demonstrate at Turkish embassies and consulates and demand that the Freedom Flotilla ships be released and allowed to deliver aid to Gaza immediately.
2. Tag mainstream accounts in this post or when you share our photos to your stories.
3. Message the social media page of the Ministry of Transport and Foreign Affairs @tcdisisleri & @uabakanligi on IG and on X
4. Share our videos using the hashtags #WeWillSail and #LetThemSail tagging @tcdisisleri and @uabakanligi
#WeWillSail #LetThemSail #TheFreedomFlotilla #FFC #Istanbul #Turkiye #Turkey #mavimarmara
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Nonviolence International has long supported third-party nonviolent action around the world and in Palestine/Israel through training, research, fiscal sponsorship, and advocacy. NVI strongly encourages well-meaning visitors, delegations, and organized solidarity accompaniment and co-resistance to go to Palestine/Israel. This page highlights some of the many activities by courageous international people and groups in Palestine/Israel who seek to protect civilians and human rights.
On September 3, 2024, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi traveled to the occupied West Bank to join the unarmed civilian protection (UCP) group, the International Solidarity Movement (ISM)/Faz3a. According to her family, she felt a deep responsibility to stand with Palestinian civilians facing ongoing repression and violence, particularly from settlers. On September 6, 2024, while attending a peaceful protest in Beita, Eygi was tragically shot in the head by an Israeli soldier. Source.
A photo of Aysenur Eygi during her graduation.
Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was born on July 27, 1998, in Turkey and raised in Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Seattle Central College in 2022 with an Associate’s degree in Art and completed her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures at the University of Washington in June 2024. She was actively involved in pro-Palestinian activism and was considering pursuing graduate studies in Near Eastern archaeology.
Nonviolence International, an organization dedicated to promoting nonviolent resistance and human rights, strongly condemns the killing of Eygi. We express deep outrage at the violent suppression of peaceful protests towards both Palestinians and internationals. This tragic incident underscores the dangers faced by activists advocating for basic human and civil rights in the occupied territories. Nonviolence International reaffirms its commitment to supporting peaceful activism and standing in solidarity with those resisting oppression.
Please call on the United Nations, Turkey, and the United States of America to launch independent investigations and to take measures to protect everyone.
To support our partners involved in UCP in Palestine, please visit the following:
https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/ucpnp_partner
https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/ffc_freedom_flotilla_coalition
https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/cjnv_partner
Last week, 250 individuals, including Mubarak, founder of Nonviolence International, united in a monumental moment by endorsing the faith-driven appeal titled Protecting Our Common Climate System: Earth Governance for a Sustainable Future. This document, shaped by principles rooted in global faith traditions, calls for transformative governance to address the climate crisis.
Mubarak’s involvement reinforces the organization's commitment to fostering global cooperation and sustainable peace through environmental justice.
This appeal bridges the gap between faith-based values and actionable climate policies, making it a vital document for those seeking holistic approaches to environmental governance. By integrating spiritual and ethical dimensions, it provides a unique roadmap for inclusive and equitable climate solutions.
The document also directs readers to resources, campaigns, and proposals for deeper understanding and active participation in the movement for Earth governance.
International Environmental Forum
Honoring Richard K. Taylor: A Life Dedicated to Nonviolence and Global Justice
Author of NVI's Training Manual Against a Coup D'etat
A long time NVI supporter, Richard K. Taylor, a renowned advocate for peace and social justice, passed away on October 14 at age 91. A lifelong Quaker who later embraced Catholicism, Taylor founded numerous organizations, including the Fair Housing Council of Delaware Valley, Witness for Peace, and the Movement for a New Society. His efforts centered on confronting injustice, promoting equality, and advocating for human rights across the globe, often drawing inspiration from figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.
Throughout his life, Taylor took an active role in challenging U.S. government policies and addressing issues such as housing discrimination, racism, and human rights abuses. He traveled extensively to countries facing conflict, such as Nicaragua, El Salvador, and South Africa, aiming to serve as a "nonviolent deterrent" against oppression. Taylor’s activism spanned multiple decades and included prominent moments like the 1963 March on Washington and the 1971 protests against U.S. policy on Bangladesh, all of which underscored his dedication to global peace and justice.
Taylor was an author of Nonviolence International's Nonviolence Training Manual Against a Coup D'etat. The Spanish version can be found here. Taylor was also a mentor to countless individuals and shared his vision through books, articles, and speeches. His wife, Phyllis, was his close partner in activism, and together they fostered a legacy of community support and inclusion. Taylor’s impact lives on in his family and the many communities he served. Services will be held in his honor at the Germantown Friends Meeting in Philadelphia, with donations encouraged to organizations close to his heart, such as Face-to-Face and the Against Malaria Foundation.
Read the full article from the Philadelphia Inquirer here.
The ongoing war on Gaza has seen unprecedented levels of destruction and human suffering, drawing global condemnation and calls for accountability. In a major development, an international arrest warrant has been issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing alleged war crimes and violations of international law. This pivotal moment could mark a turning point in the struggle for justice and peace in Palestine.
The arrest warrant signals a significant step by the international community toward holding leaders accountable for actions that may constitute war crimes. Netanyahu’s leadership has been marked by policies and military actions in Gaza that many human rights organizations have decried as disproportionate and in violation of international law. This warrant is a testament to the growing demand for justice for the Palestinian people, particularly in light of the devastating consequences of the recent escalation.
This is a defining moment for the global movement for Palestinian rights. We urge supporters of justice and peace to:
Contact Your Representatives: Demand that your government supports international accountability mechanisms and presses for an end to the war in Gaza.
Raise Awareness: Share information about the arrest warrant and its implications on social media, and encourage others to take a stand.
Support Humanitarian Efforts: Donate to organizations providing critical aid to the people of Gaza.
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Nonviolence International stands in solidarity with the people of Gaza and calls for immediate international action to end the violence and ensure accountability. Together, we can work toward a future where justice and peace prevail.
The apartheid system in Palestine and Israel has reached new levels of repression. Palestinian communities are facing severe and unrelenting challenges—from the ongoing expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank, which force families from their homes and strip them of their land, to the genocidal attacks in Gaza, where civilians suffer devastating loss and relentless violence. These escalating atrocities make it clear that the time to act is now.
In the face of these threats, our Palestinian partners and allies are undeterred. They continue to resist through bold, creative, and steadfast nonviolent action, holding onto hope for justice despite immense obstacles. Join them—and us—in resisting occupation and apartheid. Here’s how you can make a difference:
https://www.instagram.com/youthofsumud/
https://www.instagram.com/ali_awad98/
https://www.instagram.com/basilaladraa/
https://www.instagram.com/samihuraini/
https://twitter.com/YouthOfSumud
https://twitter.com/SoHebronWatch
https://twitter.com/masaferyatta
https://twitter.com/Cjnvtweets
https://twitter.com/holylandtrust
For those wanting to learn more about the Palestinian struggle for freedom, please see these NVI resources below. Below the NVI resources are primers welcoming people who are not yet immersed in the conversation.
Jonathan Kuttab's Book - Beyond the Two-State Solution
David Hart's invitation to Jewish Americans
Normalization and Co-Resistance, Jonathan Kuttab
Safety Isn’t Demolishing a School, Tess Greenwood
The Many Faces of Nonviolence - A Taste of Palestine
Gaza: Cruelty Without Consequences
Important Update: Nonviolence International Stands in Solidarity with Al-Haq
Raising Up Impressive Group Challenging GBV in Palestine
Music is the Healing Force of the Universe!
Our Partner's Powerful Piece in the Forward.
The Many Faces of Nonviolence - Rachel Corrie
Expand our Compassion to Include Palestinians
The Many Faces of Nonviolence - Ann Wright
Beyond The Two-State Solution, by Jonathan Kuttab. Interactive webinar.
Co-Resistance and Solidarity with Palestine - Webinar
Writer from Gaza Reflects on the Two State Solution
Spotlight on Nonviolence - Huwaida Arraf
A Video Featuring Ahmed Alnaouq, founder of WANN
A Jew Asks Questions of Two Palestinians in a Time of War
Holy Land Trust's Founder Sami Awad's Wonderful Take on Active Nonviolence - Webinar
Courage Along The Divide - Produced and Directed by Victor Schonfeld 1986
The Popular University of the Palestinian Youth Movement Presents - OUR HISTORY OF POPULAR RESISTANCE: PALESTINE READING LIST
Palestine-Israel Primer - MERIP
Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU)
Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories
A Threshold Crossed: Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution | HRW
Not a "vibrant democracy". This is apartheid. | B'Tselem
Visualizing Apartheid through interactive maps | B'Tselem
For those interested in learning more about state by state US legislation, please see this impressive map from Palestine Legal. They tell us, "The right to stand for justice is under attack. Politicians are pushing unconstitutional laws to stop the movement for Palestinian freedom and shield Israel from criticism."
Your Guide to Difficult Conversations About Israel/Palestine
Israel-Palestine animated introduction
Primer on the Arab-Israeli Conflict - TeachMideast
The Israel Apartheid Report Database
Do you have suggestions for other high quality introductory material we should consider including?
If so, please contact us.
And, of course, please help spread the word. Ask people to visit this page, learn, and take action.
(Art Credit - Kayla Ginsburg - from CJNV)
The brutal occupation of Palestine is likely to get even more repressive. The coalition government in Israel includes unrepentant haters and racists. They have wasted no time showing their true colors. The impacts will be immediate, widespread, and as usual those harmed the most will be Palestinians.
People who have been paying attention know that the occupation has been supported by successive governments of all parties. And still we recognize we are entering a new and dangerous moment. We will work to make sure that this is also a time with the potential for real and lasting positive change.
During this time, we will see suffering increase and we must urge people to open their eyes to the reality of the situation. We must find ways to make the power of active nonviolence relevant to this struggle. NVI co-founder Jonathan Kuttab wrote,
"Successive Israeli governments have pursued these goals steadfastly, while pretending that their aim was security and that their aspirations were for peace with Palestinians, not domination over them. The new Israeli government abandons all such pretense, rips off the mask, and dares the world to do something about it.
Acknowledging that reality is the first necessary step towards addressing it. When Israel determined it wanted to be a Jewish state, and further that it wanted to keep all the land of historic Palestine, the results were inevitable. The only two options Israel allows for are ethnic cleansing or apartheid. Calls for democracy and equality (where democracy includes giving Palestinians [50% of the population] the vote and a stake in running the country) are totally rejected.
The good news is that with this new government, the mask is off, and many people can see the reality. This includes a majority of the Jewish people in the United states and their supporters, who have always been liberal, democratic, and in favor of progressive values. Facing the reality of Israel may be painful for many of them, but it is an important first step towards seeking a new solution based on equality and human dignity, and which would also bring healing and peace."
Tallie Ben-Daniel, the managing director of Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP), said the new Israeli government has openly embraced apartheid.
“The horrifying actions of this new government, only five days in, prove exactly what Palestinians have been saying all along: Israel is an apartheid state, where Palestinians are treated as inferior. The dangerous escalations by the new Israeli government make clear that now is the time for action.”
US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib wrote,
“Not even one week into 2023, the new far-right apartheid government is moving to ethnically cleanse entire communities—which would displace more than 1,000 Palestinian residents, including 500 children. All with American backing, bulldozers, and bullets. #SaveMasaferYatta”
"We are not going to build a better future in Israel and Palestine by killing or dominating each other. We need a proactive nonviolent movement with vision and strategy."
"Israel has never truly negotiated for peace; it has always negotiated for security and dominance." - Sami Awad
Sami Awad is a Palestinian nonviolent activist and co-director of Nonviolence International. He is also the founder of Holy Land Trust where he was its director for 25 years.
In this article, Sami Awad shares a profound perspective on the threat that nonviolent movements pose to the persistence of occupation. He reveals the harsh truth behind the failure of the peace process and the repressive impact of the October 7th events on nonviolent activism in the region.
🔗 Read the full article now via the link below👇
Nonviolent resistance in Palestine is more dangerous than ever l Waging Nonviolence
بقلم: سامي عوض*
مترجم عن موقع اللاعنف
أصبحَ السّابعُ من أكتوبر 2023، واحداً من الأيّامِ – مثلَ اغتيال كنيدي أو 11 سبتمبر – الّتي لن ينساها الكثير منّا أبداً. نحنُ نعرفُ أينَ وماذا كُنّا نفعلُ عندما سمعنا الأخبارَ. في صباحِ ذلكَ السّبت، كنتُ متوجِّهاً إلى السوقِ الأسبوعيّ المحليّ للخضرواتِ العضويّةِ في بيت لحم، عندما سمعْتُ أنَّ “حماس” اخترقَتِ الحاجزَ حولَ غزّة ودخلَتْ إسرائيل. عُدْتُ بسرعةٍ إلى المنزلِ، وفتحْتُ قناةَ الجزيرةِ، وبدأتُ في سماعِ تفاصيلِ ما كان يحدثُ. اتصلْتُ بابن عمّي في غزّة، حيثُ تعيشُ عائلةُ والدتي بالكاملِ، وتوسّلْتُ إليهِ أن يجدَ طريقةً للخروجِ. كنتُ أعلمُ أنَّ هذا سيكونُ كارثةً، ولكن بحلولِ ذلكَ الوقتِ كانَ الأوانُ قدْ فاتَ، كانَتِ الأسرةُ عالقةً.
في ذلكَ اليومِ وفي الأيّامِ الّتي تلتْهُ، وبدلاً من التّفكيرِ والتّحليلِ والتّساؤلِ بعمقٍ عن سببِ حدوثِ كلِّ هذا، سارعَتِ الحكومةُ الإسرائيليّةُ ــ الّتي وصفَها العديدُ من مواطنيها بالفعلِ بالفاشيّة ــ بتعزيزِ ما لم تنجَحْ بهِ لعقودٍ من الزمانِ، وهوَ: المزيدُ من الهيمنةِ، حشدُ الكثيرِ من القوّةِ العسكريّةِ، المزيدُ من الدّمارِ تجاهَ الفلسطينيّين، وبثِّ الرّعبِ بين سكَّانِها. وفي غيابِ الوقتِ الكافي للحزنِ على الإسرائيليينَ الّذينَ قُتلوا، أو محاولةِ التّفاوضِ على إطلاقِ سراحِ الرّهائنِ، صَعَّدَتْ قيادةُ إسرائيل من سياستِها، وشوَّهَتْ سمعةَ السكّانِ الفلسطينيّينَ بالكاملِ في غزّة، ووصفَتْهم بأنَّهم “حيوانات بشريّة”، بلْ وحتّى قارنَتِ الهجماتِ بالهولوكوست. واستشهدَتْ بـ “عماليق”، وهوَ إشارةٌ من الكتابِ المقدَّسِ إلى قِصّةِ الملكِ شاول الّذي أمرَ بإبادةِ كلِّ إنسانٍ وحيوانٍ من قبيلةِ عماليق.
وكانَتِ الهجماتُ على غزّة مدفوعةً بالانتقامِ، الّذي كانَ يحرِّكُهُ شعورُ إسرائيل بالإهانةِ. لقدْ انهارَتْ في غضونِ ساعاتٍ الأيديولوجيّةُ التأسيسيّةُ لإسرائيل، المتمثّلَةُ في أنْ تكونَ وطناً آمناً ومضموناً للشعبِ اليهوديّ الّذي واجهَ قروناً من الاضطهادِ. لقدْ تبيَّنَ أنَّ اعتقادَ إسرائيل بأنَّ بناءَ الجيشِ الأقوى والأكثرَ تقدُّماً من النّاحيةِ التكنولوجيّةِ في المنطقةِ والسّيطرةِ على “الآخر” كوسيلةٍ لضمانِ الأمنِ ليسَ سوى واجهة.
نعم، قدْ تقولون: ماذا عن الماضي؟ ألمْ تكُنْ هناكَ عمليّةُ سلامٍ فشلَتْ أيضاً، ولم يكُنْ هناكَ خيارٌ آخر؟، عندما ننظرُ إلى الوراءِ، إلى عمليّةِ السّلامِ الّتي بدأتْ في تسعينيّاتِ القرنِ العشرين، واستمرَّتْ بالفشل، نرى أنَّ إسرائيلَ لم تكُنْ تفاوضُ حقّاً من أجلِ السّلامِ، بلْ كانَتْ تفاوضُ من أجلِ الأمنِ والهيمنةِ، من موقعِ الهيمنةِ. وكانَ كلُّ شيءٍ “مُعطى” للفلسطينيّين في تلكَ المفاوضاتِ، _حتّى إنشاءِ السّلطةِ الفلسطينيّة_، يهدفُ إلى الحفاظِ على تفوّقِ إسرائيل باسمِ تلبيةِ احتياجاتها الأمنيّةِ ظاهريّاً. واستمرَّتْ مصادرةُ الأراضي الفلسطينيّة لبناءِ المستوطناتِ غيرِ القانونيّةِ، وأصبحَتِ القيودُ المفروضةُ على حركةِ الفلسطينيّينَ أكثَر شدّةً، ناهيكَ عن الجدارِ العازلِ الّذي زعموا أنَّهم بنوه لأسبابٍ أمنيّةٍ، لكنَّهُ أصبحَ هيكلاً دائماً للانقسامِ والسّيطرةِ. وتقلَّصَتْ مسائلُ التحريرِ والحريّةِ والمساواةِ في الحقوقِ والعدالةِ والثّقةِ المتبادلةِ إلى مجرّدِ إيماءاتٍ رمزيّةٍ. إنَّ السّلامَ الحقيقيَّ لم يكُنْ الهدفَ أبداً.
إنّني لا أتحدَّثُ من موقعِ الحكمِ، بلْ مِنْ منطلقِ الرّغبةِ في فهمِ ما حدثَ، حتّى نتمكَّنَ من المُضيّ قدماً. وأتحدَّثُ بصفتي ناشِطاً كَرَّسَ حياتَهُ للسعيّ إلى تحقيقِ العدالةِ والسّلامِ لجميعِ النّاسِ في هذهِ الأرضِ. إنّي أتحدَّثُ كمُتألِّمٍ رأى كيفَ فشلْنا جميعاً في تحقيقِ هذهِ الأهدافِ، وسمحْنا لأحداثٍ مثلَ السابع من أكتوبر/تشرين الأول بالحدوثِ، وشهِدْنا الموتَ والدّمارَ المستمرَّ في غزّة والضفّةِ الغربيّة. إنني أتحدَّثُ بصفتي شخصاً زارَ معسكراتِ الموتِ في أوشفيتز وبيركيناو، وتعلَّمتُ وعرفتُ بعمقٍ معنى الإبادةِ الجماعيّةِ الّتي حدثَتْ في أوروبا وكيفَ خلقَتْ وعياً جماعيّاً بالخوفِ والصدمةِ بين اليهودِ، بناءً على قرونٍ سابقةٍ من التهميشِ والتمييزِ.
بصفتي ناشطاً سلمياً، فقدْ فهمْتُ منذُ فترةٍ طويلةٍ أنَّهُ في نظامِ الهيمنةِ المطلقةِ، فإنَّ الاستجابةَ لأيّ مقاومةٍ _وخاصّةً اللّاعنف_ هي القمع. وهذا ما شهدْناهُ خلالَ سنواتٍ عديدةٍ من مشاركتِنا في الأعمالِ اللّاعنفيّة. لقد شهدْنا جميعاً مسيرةَ العودةِ في غزّة عام 2018 حيثُ قُتِلَ المئاتُ من الفلسطينيّين وجُرِحَ الآلافُ في عملٍ سلميٍّ يطالبُ بحقِّ اللّاجئينَ في العودةِ إلى ديارِهم كما حددتْهُ الأممُ المتّحدةُ. إنَّ اللّاعنفَ يفضحُ أنظمةَ القمعِ وبالتّالي فهوَ يُشكِّلُ خطراً على هذهِ الأنظمةِ. لا أستطيعُ أن أحصي عددَ المرّاتِ الّتي جاءني فيها إسرائيليونَ أو أجانبَ يسألونني لماذا لا يستخدمُ الفلسطينيّونَ اللّاعنف؟ كنتُ دائماً أطلبُ منهم تعريفَ ما يقصدونَهُ باللّاعنفِ قبلَ أنْ أعطيَهم إجابتي. ونعم، كانَ الفرقُ صارخاً.
في حينِ أنَّ الوضعَ في غزّة الآنَ هو محاولةُ البقاءِ على قيدِ الحياةِ في خضمِّ القصفِ والهجماتِ المستمرّةِ، فإنَّ وضعَ المقاومةِ اللّاعنفيّةِ في الضفّةِ الغربيّةِ على وجهِ الخصوصِ، أصبحَ أكثرَ خطورةً وفتكاً من أيّ وقتٍ مضى. بدافعِ الانتقامِ، والتجريدِ مِنَ الإنسانيّةِ والهيمنةِ، ضاعفَ الجيشُ الإسرائيليُّ من قمعِ المقاومةِ اللّاعنفيّةِ، حيثُ تمَّ اعتقالُ العديدِ من النّاشطينَ الفلسطينيّينَ اللّاعنفيّين في الضفّةِ الغربيّةِ في وقتٍ مُبكّرٍ من أكتوبر ونوفمبر 2023، منهم عهد التّميمي ووالدُها باسم، زعيمُ حركةِ اللّاعنف في فلسطين، الّذي أُطلِقَ سراحَهُ في يونيو 2024، بعدَ تعرّضِهِ للتّعذيبِ. يتمُّ استقبال أيّ عملٍ لاعنفيّ بعنفٍ غيرِ مسبوقٍ مِن قبلِ الجيشِ الإسرائيليّ، أو المستوطنين، الّذينَ تمَّ منحَهم المزيدَ مِنَ الأسلحةِ وحريّةً أكبرَ للانخراطِ في العنفِ ضدَّ الفلسطينيّينَ. كما تمَّ استهدافُ نشطاءَ التّضامنِ الدوليّ، حيثُ أُصيبَتِ النّاشطةُ التركيّةُ الأمريكيّةُ آيسنور إزجي إيجي برصاصةٍ في رأسِها مِن قِبَلِ قنّاصٍ إسرائيليّ الشهر الماضي.
على مدارِ العامِ الماضي، شعرْتُ باليأسِ في كثيرٍ من الأحيانِ، وسألْتُ مراراً وتكراراً “ماذا يمكنُنا أنْ نفعلَ؟”. إنَّ هذا السؤالَ يجولُ في ذهني وفي محادثاتي مع ناشطينَ فلسطينيّينَ وإسرائيليينَ آخرين. وحتّى على المستوى الدوليّ، ورغمَ الاحتجاجاتِ العالميّةِ والاعتصاماتِ والمظاهراتِ الّتي دعَتْ إلى وقفِ إطلاقِ النّارِ _على الأقل_ لوقفِ قتلِ الفلسطينيّينَ الأبرياء، فإنَّ زعماءَ العالمِ، وخاصّةً في الغربِ، لم يردّوا إلّا بتصريحاتٍ مفادُها أنَّ “لإسرائيل الحقَّ في الدفاعِ عن نفسِها”. ويعني هذا أنَّ إسرائيل محقّةٌ في استخدامِ العنفِ دائماً، وهمْ يؤيّدونَ ذلكَ وبالتّالي لن يُغيّروا سياستَهم. وقدْ تمَّ رفضُ العديدِ مِنَ الاحتجاجاتِ العالميّةِ اللّاعنفيّةِ باعتبارِها معاديةً لإسرائيل، أو معاديةً للساميّةِ، بلْ وحتّى قوبِلَتْ بالعنفِ مِنْ جانبِ قوّاتِ الشرطةِ الإسرائيليّةِ.
إنَّ الشعورَ باليأسِ أمرٌ طبيعيٌّ، ولكنَّ الاستسلامَ ليسَ خياراً. إنَّ التزامَنا باللّاعنفِ لابُدَّ وأنْ يكونَ أقوى من أيِّ وقتٍ مضى، ولن نتمكَّنَ مِن بناءِ مستقبلٍ أفضلٍ مِن خلالِ قتلِ بعضنا البعض، أو السيطرةِ على بعضِنا البعضِ، والمقاومةُ اللّاعنفيّةُ هي السّبيلُ إلى المضيّ قدمُاً. وقدْ أصبحَ هذا أكثرَ وضوحاً بالنّسبةِ لي مؤخّراً، عندما طُلبَ منّي تقديمَ تدريبٍ في المقاومةِ اللّاعنفيّةِ لمجموعةٍ مؤلّفةٍ من 25 شخصاً همْ مِنَ القادةِ الفلسطينيّينَ الشباب، رجالٌ ونساء في أوائلِ العشرينيّات مِنَ العمرِ. لقدْ جدّدَ انفتاحُهم على إمكاناتِ اللّاعنفِ في نفسي شعوراً بالأملِ لم أشعرْ بهِ منذُ فترة.
لم يعدْ مُمكِناً أنْ يكونَ اللّاعنفُ ردَ فعلٍ رجعيٍّ على العدوانِ، كما كانَ في كثيرٍ من الأحيانِ في الماضي _الاحتجاجُ على مصادرةِ الأراضي، أو بناءُ جزءٍ من الجدارِ العازلِ، أو هدمُ المنازلِ_، لذا يجبُ أنْ يصبحَ اللّاعنفُ حركةً واضحةً واستباقيّةً ذاتَ رؤيةٍ واستراتيجيّةٍ شاملةٍ، تعالجُ العقباتِ الحاليّةِ والمستقبليّةِ لتحقيقِ الحريّةِ والعدالةِ والسلامِ والمساواةِ على هذهِ الأرضِ. يجبُ أنْ تعالجَ أنظمةُ الهيمنةِ والسلطةِ، وليسَ فقطْ أفعالَها. لا ينبغي أن يُنظرَ إلى اللّاعنفِ باعتبارِهِ اختيارَ أولئكَ الضعفاءِ للغايةِ لاستخدامِ المقاومةِ المسلّحةِ، بلْ باعتبارِهِ اختيارَ الأقوياءِ والملتزمينَ والراغبينَ في المخاطرةِ بما هوَ مطلوبٌ من أجلِ التّحريرِ والحريّةِ.
حتّى لو كانَتِ الاحتجاجاتُ والمظاهراتُ مستحيلةً في هذا الوقتِ، فإنَّ تكتيكاتِ اللّاعنفِ وفيرةٌ. إنَّ الاستراتيجيّاتِ الأساسيّةَ المتمثلّةَ في عدمِ التّعاونِ والامتثالِ لابُدَّ وأنْ تصبحَ جزءاً أساسيّاً من المقاومةِ والمرونةِ، ليسَ فقطْ بالنّسبةِ للفلسطينيّينَ بلْ وأيضاً بالنّسبةِ للإسرائيليّينَ والمجتمعِ الدوليّ.
وبشكلٍ خاصٍّ، لابُدَّ وأنْ تنشأَ حركةٌ لاعنفيّةٌ على الجانبِ الإسرائيليّ، تتحدّى بشكلٍ مباشرٍ الإيديولوجيّاتِ الّتي تروِّجُ للخوفِ، والضحيّة، والحصريّةِ، والتفوّقِ، وتجريدِ الآخر من إنسانيّتِهِ. ولابُدَّ وأنْ نجتمعَ معاً لمعالجةِ الخوفِ والصدمةِ من خلالِ خلقِ مساحاتٍ من الثّقةِ المتبادلةِ والاحترامِ، وليسَ الانفصالُ والهيمنةُ والعسكرة. وإذا لم نعالِج الصدمةَ الجماعيّةَ لكلٍّ من الظالِمِ والمظلومِ، فلنْ نحققَ السّلامَ أبداً. إنَّ أولئكَ الّذينَ يتفاوضونَ من مكانِ الخوفِ (سواءٌ أكانَ حقيقيّاً أو متخيّلاً) سوفَ يسعونَ دائماً إلى السيطرةِ على الآخرِ. وعندما تتحدُ القوّةُ المطلقةُ مع الخوفِ المطلقِ، فإنَّ النتيجةَ هي الكارثةُ المطلقةُ، كما نحنُ اليوم.
إنَّ هذهِ الكارثةَ الّتي نعيشُها لا تؤثِّرُ فقطْ على السكّانِ الفلسطينيّينَ، الّذين يعانونَ أكثرَ مِنْ غيرِهِم، بلْ وأيضاً على السكّانِ الإسرائيليّين، الّذينَ سوفَ يدفعونَ ثمناً باهظاً في الأمدِ البعيدِ إذا استمرَّ هذا النظامُ من القوّةِ والخوفِ ــالمعروف أيضاً باسم الفاشيةــ في الهيمنةِ. وعلى الصعيدِ الدوليّ، لابُدَّ أن تنمو حركةُ المقاطعةِ وسحبِ الاستثماراتِ، وأنْ تصبحَ الحملاتُ الراميةُ إلى فرضِ العقوباتِ على أنظمةِ الفاشية قِيماً أساسيّةً. ولابُدَّ مِنْ دعمِ المرشّحينَ السياسيّينَ الّذين يفضحونَ الفاشيةَ. وهذهِ ليسَتْ قضيّةٌ بينَ المسلمينَ واليهودِ والمسيحيين، أو بينَ الشرقِ والغربِ، أو بين البيضِ والبُنيّين، كما يزعمُ بعضُ الساسةِ الغربيّين لإثارةِ الخوفِ في شعوبِهم. بلْ إنَّها قضيّةُ حقوقِ الإنسانِ والكرامةِ والعدالة.
ولكلِّ هذا، نحتاجُ إلى زعامةٍ ــوخاصةً بينَ الفلسطينيّين- قادرةٍ على تحقيقِ الوحدةِ والرؤيةِ لشعبٍ منقسمٍ بسببِ نظامِ السيطرةِ الإسرائيليّ والصراعاتِ الداخلّيةِ. وفي حين نحتاجُ إلى التّضامنِ الدوليّ والإسرائيليّ، فإنَّ هذا لا يعني بالضرورةِ أنَّ إسرائيل قادرةٌ على إلحاقِ الضررِ بالمجتمعاتِ الّتي تعيشُ في حالةٍ من الفوضى.
إنَّ اللّاعنفَ يتطلَّبُ مستوىً عالٍ من الالتزامِ والانضباطِ، ولابدَّ وأنْ يتمَّ الانخراطُ فيهِ كاستراتيجيّةٍ طويلةِ الأمدِ، مع فهمِ أنَّ العديدَ مِنِ المعاركِ سوفَ تُربَحُ، والعديدُ مِنْها سوفَ تُخسَرُ. ولا ينبغي أنْ يُستخدمَ اللّاعنفُ لفضحِ الاحتلالِ فحسب، بلْ وأيضاً لبناءِ مجتمعاتٍ تلتزمُ بقيمِ الحياةِ اللّاعنفيّةِ. ولابُدَّ وأنْ يُشرَكَ المجتمعُ الدوليّ أيضاً في ممارسةِ الضغوطِ اللّازمةِ على جميعِ الأطرافِ للسماحِ بعمليّةِ سلامٍ جديدةٍ، لا تُحرِّكُها الهيمنةُ والخوفُ، بلْ عمليّةٌ تهدفُ إلى التحريرِ الجماعيّ والسّلامِ والعدالةِ والأمنِ للجميعِ. وفي نهايةِ المطافِ، فإنَّ أعظمَ أملٍ لديّ هوَ أنْ أصدِّقَ ما قالَهُ مارتن لوثر كينغ الابن ذاتَ يومٍ: “إنَّ قوسَ الكونِ الأخلاقيّ طويلٌ، لكنَّهُ ينحني نحوَ العدالةِ”.
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سامي عوض ناشطٌ فلسطينيّ في اللّاعنفِ ومديرٌ مشاركٌ للمركزِ الدوليّ للّاعنف. وهو مؤسسُ منظمةِ هولي لاند تراست حيثُ كانَ مديرها لمدّةِ 25 عاماً. حصلَ سامي على درجةِ الدكتوراه في اللّاهوت من معهد شيكاغو اللّاهوتي، ودرجةِ الماجستير في العلاقاتِ الدوليّةِ من الجامعةِ الأمريكيّةِ في واشنطن العاصمة، ودرجةِ البكالوريوس في العلومِ السياسيّة من جامعةِ كانساس.
