Gaza Youth Breaks Out

the version on Bataille Socialistew additionally contains the endorsing groups/individuals, looks like some cultural activists and rap artists:

Ayman Jamal Mghamis
Project Coordinator
Social Arts Centre (SAC)
PALESTINIAN UNIT
PR.The Palestinian Rapperz

So encouraging to hear some real voices of rebellion from that quarter even if the direction is unclear but difficult to see how we can support them other than by spreading the word?

On their Facebook page they request the following:

Pls consider supporting us by taking one or more of the following actions:

1) Promoting our manifesto by sharing it on your profile on Facebook
2) Sending an email to your friends asking them to like our page FB
3) Translating the manifesto to... your language and sending it to us (we have it in English, Arabic, Hebrew, French, Portuguese, German, Spanish, Italian)
4) Sending the manifesto to journalists in your country
5) Making organizations in your countries that are concerned with the Palestinian issue and/or youth rights know about our existence
6) Posting links about violation of youth's rights in Gaza on our wall
7) Planning an event in your country about this issue and/or organizing for a skype conference, where we are able to talk with a group of youth, politicians or others outside Gaza
8) Suggesting us ideas for reaching out to a greater number of people

THANKS!

I don't want to piss on anyone's parade, but what do they actually want to do with all that publicity? What's their agenda? This manifesto has all the right words in it, but it's kind of lacking in operative content.

Agree with Tojijah. I've got nought against supporting initiatives like this, but if it ends up being some weird DFLP or nationalist stuff, well...

Can't find the quote, but on their FB somewhere they mentioned that they're having a big meeting sometime soon to plan the "where to from here" kind of stuff, so I guess we'll know more after that.

Big article in today's Observer about this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/02/free-gaza-youth-manifesto-palestinian

I think it is a very significant development. I would think that a greater danger would be a form of liberal pacifism rather than PDFLP type leftism, but it would be very important for internationalists to make contact with them, especially those from the Middle East.

Asher, Tojiah, Khawaga - you're the Middle East internationalists I was thinking about - maybe you know others. Have you thought about how to get in touch with the Gaza youth, and what you could discuss with them?

Alf, I live in Canada now so I'm out of the loop. Though I am sure my contacts in Palestine could get in touch with them. Unfortunately I've just got a lot on my plate at the moment so it's not a priority. I'll at least wait until they've figured out what it is exactly that they want.

I can give you a generic update - they've been interviewed by someone from the Observer, so they are not entirely a virtual phenomenon, and it seems that they have been caught unprepared by the online publicity. Otherwise, I haven't heard anything more enlightening from people in the region, and frankly, I'm not sure if it would be wise to share it publicly if I did.

agree on need to be very careful with any information. They are putting themselves in a lot of danger by taking this stand. Thanks for responses.

Alf

I think it is a very significant development. I would think that a greater danger would be a form of liberal pacifism rather than PDFLP type leftism, but it would be very important for internationalists to make contact with them, especially those from the Middle East.

I don't think that in itself it is a "very significant development". It may reflect that fact that more people in Gaza and on the West Bank feel more aggrieved at those in power, and are willing to say something about it, but I think that the impetus behind it seems like a "form of liberal pacifism". Certainly there is no mention of class in there.

I don't think that it is wrong to 'make contact with them', but imagine that it will be lost in the whirlwind of replies generated by their international media.

Devrim

All the more reason to put forward a class perspective if any discussion with them is possible

Alf

All the more reason to put forward a class perspective if any discussion with them is possible

That can be very hard at times. When I was in Palestine some people just refused that position all together, especially in those areas that have been very hard hit by the occupation (refugee camps, Nablus, Hebron) even though if they had close contacts with folks from AATW, Rabbis for Human Rights and Tayyush. It is easier in the areas where Palestinians have gone to work in Israel. Though it does seem like these Gaza Youth would be receptive to such a perspective. But, I think that has to be done in person. Just sending some e-mail willl have little effect.

I think it's way too early to tell what this initiative will evolve into. Still, its importance is quite big. Not so much for what they represent in Gaza, but more for the influence it has on debates in Western countries. After this manifesto got so much attention, it becomes MUCH easier for internationalists (anarchists, left communists) to argue a position against Israeli occupation and Western complicity AND at the same time against state-buiding armed formations like Hamas, and FOR some kind of solution truly from below against all states and state-building armed factions. Arguing such a position might become very urgent in the very near future, with all the rumours of a new Israeli Gaza offensive around.

That there is an open anti-occupation AND at the same time anti-Hamas voice from Gaza, getting media attention is helpful, whatever the exact perspectives of these very couragious young people are. Their main importance may be that effect on the debate in Western European countries for instance, much more that the immediate effect in Gaza itself

Just saw on their Twitter this article, which contains the gem: "we have ONE enemy which is the Zionist Occupier". So perhaps not as exciting as it seemed at first.

It is hardly surprising really.

Devrim

That article's not too bad. I mean, yeah I see FB's point about them forming an apparent hierarchy of oppression but they're underlining their opposition to Hamas and all political parties. I guess the question is whether they consider it worthwhile "allying" (ie being subservient to) the would be intifada leaders in order to end occupation. It doesn't look like it.

This quite reasonable:

Many activists reject our movement and consider us as some Zionist machinery because in the manifesto, we’ve been denouncing Hamas – among others. It’s always amazing to see the shortcuts people’s minds can take and how good they are at condemning without even trying to understand. We’d like to remind all our goal: yes we are frustrated and tired of being oppressed, killed, humiliated and kept from even leaving to study in other countries, yes we denounce political parties governing us because they didn’t help in anything, but we denounce ALL of them, not ONLY Hamas

It doesn't shock horror me that people would consider the Zionist occupation the biggest enemy, considering that they have much more firepower and consistently launch missiles into Gaza. That is, objectively, they are the bigger and more dangerous enemy, and the one who fucks up their live the most.

Of course, Hamas lives off that miserable situation and perpetuates it in order to maintain their dominance, but speaking openly that the official alternative is one of the enemies of the Palestinians' emancipation is a good start. The military attacks by Israel just make it even harder to get rid of the theocratic oppression.

That the "international activists" would attack them for that is hardly surprising, but it's quite shocking to me... I mean what's the reason to support Hamas with such passion when there are other alternatives? "Geopolitical pragmatism"?

In apparent contradiction to my previous statements, I do not think that they should be dismissed merely because they are not up to par with internationalist shibboleths.

I don't think that the fact that these young elements in Gaza have not sprung forth with a fully formed communist consciousness should detract from the extremely positive and courageous stand that they have taken thus far.

Just saw on their Twitter this article, which contains the gem: "we have ONE enemy which is the Zionist Occupier". So perhaps not as exciting as it seemed at first.

Come on... this is a bit ridiculous. What, are you waiting for conscious anarchist communists to spontaneously spring forth and put forward a correct internationalist line?

Okay, but its hardly a clearly thought out political program is it?

Implying that the problem is that Fatah and Hamas have let them down not resisting properly, not that they are part of the problem.

But that simply isn't true. For example:

The final drop that made our hearts tremble with frustration and hopelessness happened 30rd November, when Hamas’ officers came to Sharek Youth Forum, a leading youth organization (www.sharek.ps) with their guns, lies and aggressiveness, throwing everybody outside, incarcerating some and prohibiting Sharek from working. A few days later, demonstrators in front of Sharek were beaten and some incarcerated.

I mean I think this quote actually contradicts the quote you mentioned, because quite clearly the 'Zionist occupier' isn't the only enemy for these young people, another is the repressive statelet of Hamas.

I totally agree with the internationalism of the libcom milieu, nevertheless surely it is possible to communicate those politics with a potentially sympathetic audience without dismissing them as soon as they commit the original communist sin and put forward a 'line' we consider to be incorrect.

bootsy

I totally agree with the internationalism of the libcom milieu, nevertheless surely it is possible to communicate those politics with a potentially sympathetic audience without dismissing them as soon as they commit the original communist sin and put forward a 'line' we consider to be incorrect.

I don't think that there is anything wrong in trying to communicate these politics, but neither do ı think that this is a sympathetic audience. I think that '' is basically right and that this is within the confines of Palestinian nationalism.

Devrim

I think that given the university protests in England a couple of years ago largely defended Palestinian nationalism and given that the youth protests in Britain recently looked hardly likely to be duped into supporting Palestinian gangsters, and given the recent youth protests in previously quiescent Tunisia and Algeria (with all sorts of confusions), then I think, that up to now, a rejection of Hamas by Palestinian youth has to be welcomed.

The ICC commented on this:
ICC

A Radical Manifesto from Gaza?

A recent manifesto published in Gaza by a group of eight students has captured the attention of the Western media and gone viral on the internet. Gaza Youth's Manifesto for Change was described as “an incendiary document” by the UK Observer newspaper. Their Facebook page had attracted 5,000,0000 friends before Facebook stopped them from posting on it, and their manifesto has been translated into over twenty languages.

The manifesto itself starts “Fuck Hamas. Fuck Israel. Fuck Fatah. Fuck UN. Fuck UNWRA. Fuck USA! We, the youth in Gaza, are so fed up with Israel, Hamas, the occupation, the violations of human rights and the indifference of the international community!”, and proceeds to denounce the terrorism of the Israeli state, and the dictatorial rule of HAMAS in Gaza. Of course, these are sentiments that all internationalist communists can relate to, and given the situation in Palestine today, the anger which flows from the words of the manifesto is something that can only arouse feelings of solidarity, and respect on a personal level for the bravery of these young people who are obviously putting themselves at risk by these actions.
Nevertheless, when looking more deeply at the document, and surrounding discussions, it seems to us that despite the rejection of HAMAS and Fatah, it is still firmly on the ground of Palestinian nationalism, nor does it even hint at the idea that the only solution to the situation in the Middle east lies in the hands of the working class.

For us this is unsurprising. Over sixty years after the foundation of the state of Israel on ethnic cleansing, the brutality used by Israel in the occupied territories since 1967 and after seven wars, the Palestinian working class is virtually completely tied to the ideology of nationalism. For those in Gaza and on the West Bank, as well as those in the refugee camps of Lebanon, and scattered across the world, the Palestinian national movement seems to offer dignity, and hope for a better future.

Of course these hopes are illusory. Today the goal of a Palestinian state seems further away than ever. Fatah now plays its role as Israel’s policeman on the West Bank, even, according to Wikileaks urging the Israelis to attack HAMAS in Gaza; Gaza itself has been turned into the biggest prison camp in the world, and HAMAS, have taken on the role of the prison guards. This is what GYBO rails against when they talk of being ‘sick of being beaten by HAMAS.
GYBO still places its hopes in the Palestinian national movement though. They write “regarding Israel, it[HAMAS]’s just as it should be and any group fighting Israel has our full support”, and that “we have ONE enemy which is the Zionist Occupier. Hopefully this call will shake our political leaders, wake them up and remind them that they are responsible of us! Hopefully they will realize that what we want is UNITY, and NO MORE DIVISION,”. This is hardly surprising. When looking from the prison that is Gaza, it must seem that there is very little alternative.

The left (ie the left wing of capitalism) often talks about the Palestinian working class being undefeated. For us the working class in Palestine is the most defeated in the region, and is barely capable of asserting its own interests. Of course that doesn’t mean that it is non-existent, or that it doesn’t struggle at all. However, even when it does manage to struggle such as in the teachers’ strike of August 2006, which was joined by many other public sector workers who hadn’t been paid their wages for seven months, the demonstrations ended up turning into gun battles between the rival Palestinian factions. Incidentally HAMAS’ attitude to these strikes was very clear. They firmly denounced them, and called for workers to break the strike, which they said had “no relation to national interests”. This is, of course, a line heard by workers all over the world.

Unlike the Trotskyists, Maoists and others we don’t cheer on the war against Israel from afar. We don’t think that it offers any future for the working class in Palestine except getting them murdered in defence of HAMAS’, or Fatah’s ‘national interests’. For us, we don’t see that there is a solution to the problems within either Palestine or Israel. It is not, for us, a question of endless arguments about whether the Palestinians should be fighting for a one state, or two state solution. The answer lies somewhere else completely.

At the moment there is much talk in the Arabic media of a new Intifada in Tunisia, and not only in Tunisia alone as it seems to be spreading across the border into Algeria. Here we have working class people fighting not for the interests of the nation, but for their own class interests. For us this offers a glimpse of where the solution to the Palestinian question lies, in workers uniting across international boundaries to fight for their own interests, not ‘national interests’. These struggles go beyond just the Arab world and are exactly the same struggles against austerity and job cuts faced by workers everywhere.

http://en.internationalism.org/icconline/2011/gaza

Devrim

2nd Manifesto from GYBO:
GYBO

GYBO – Manifesto 2.0
Gaza Youth to Planet Earth! Anyone out there? “Gaza what?”

The previous manifesto seems to have grown bigger than expected; many supported us, many others stood firmly against us, and very few stayed indifferent. Everyone had an opinion, yet rarely did they listen to others’ and in the middle of that mess, our own voice remained unheard.

Secular, Islamophobic, Dividing, Conspiratorial, Imaginary (?); we’ve been called by so many names, stopped counting and started crying. Both our supporters and those who swore to tear us down seem to have stopped at ONE thing in our manifesto: “Fuck Israel. Fuck Hamas. Fuck Fatah. Fuck UN. Fuck UNRWA. Fuck USA!”. And no matter how hard we tried to explain on our Facebook page, in vain.

What about the rest? Let’s make things clear, starting with the Palestinian movements point. We were harsh, true. We were angry, and still are. The order in which the “parties” have been cited was not intended, and we are conscious that it brought much confusion in people’s minds. However, to those reproaching us – because we denounced the corruption of our political leaders – of insulting the thousands who voted for Hamas in 2006 (among which us), of insulting the memories of the martyrs of the Resistance groups affiliated to the different Palestinian factions who shed their blood for us in many occasions, starting with Operation Cast Lead, we want to reply don’t insult the Palestinian people’s right to criticize its politicians.

Cast Lead wasn’t a war; Cast Lead was a massacre, a slaughter, anything but a war. And during that massacre, we, people of Gaza, paid from our blood too. Every single Palestinian sacrificed something, someone, it affected us all, from the youngest to the oldest, not only the Resistance. Bombs didn’t make much difference. We never intended to reject the Resistance, and we’re going to repeat it again; we will NEVER reject those who fight for us, for our Palestine, and it was NOT the case in our previous manifesto.

Yes we voted for Hamas government. We all did. We were tired of Fatah government’s corruption, wanted a change and hoped Hamas would be that change. That PRECISELY gives us the right to shout our anger at them, because they are responsible of us, responsible of our well-being, our security. Fatah in the West Bank arrests Hamas affiliates, Hamas in Gaza arrests Fatah affiliates, while everywhere in Palestine you can find family members from different factions living united. Yes we denounce our politicians – note that words; POLITICIANS – because their mutual hatred divided them even during the commemoration of the first anniversary of Cast Lead massacre, while a crowd of Palestinians from all factions stood united by martyrdom, grief, and love for Palestine.

Whether you want to admit it or not, believe it or not, corruption exists, and it’s our right as Palestinians to denounce it, because we are tired of it. Internal change has not only internal parameters. Change will come only if people outside realize that they need to take into consideration the fact that corruption does exist, and that it needs to be stopped if we want unity back. So if it takes us to shout it to the world for our political leaders to hear us and care to unite for us, we’ll do it a hundred times.

No one helps us by asking from us to keep our mouths shut about our political issues. We’re accused of encouraging division because we dare point out the weakness of our political leaders. No one knows, apart from those who are INSIDE, how life is in Palestine because of these divisions. Trying to shut us up by saying “don’t criticize, keep your divisions “secret” and discrete” is most harmful! It just confirms our politicians that they can keep on doing it the way they do it, they will be supported by people who don’t know the theory lying in political programs. In other terms, criticizing Hamas political leaders – but the other factions’ political leaders AS WELL – is a way for us to say “if you keep it this way, all you will get is division, which is what Israel seeks”. We ought to remind them of our martyrs and imprisoned, our ancients, those who gave birth and made those movements live. We ought to remind them that Cheikh Yaseen, Marwan Barghouti, and all the others deserve more than that. Who’s in the best position for such an honest shout out, if not their own children?

The question has been raised about our anonymity. We can understand that. What we don’t understand is that instead of listening to our call for patience and time, we’ve seen ourselves caught in a witch-hunt, as ridiculous as fetching for the slightest element to make us fall. Example?

“The founding base of this group [Sharek Youth Forum] was funded by the U.S.’s National Endowment for Democracy (which have done much to overturn democracy in many countries) is suspect. Allen Weinstein (one of the founders of NED) said “a lot of what we [NED] do today was done covertly 25 years ago by the CIA”. Does that sound good anyone?”

Seriously?! Because we mentioned that the closure of the forum – which was one of the only centers for youths remaining in Gaza, one of the only places where young people could meet, learn foreign languages, use the internet, and enjoy things they don’t have at home to escape from the deadly routine in Gaza – was the straw that broke the camel’s back for youths who had nowhere else to go, people assumed that our “base” was that center and that we were funded by the CIA? Other people claim that it’s most suspicious that our manifesto created that much buzz, made its way to Western journals. Where is the “innocent until proven guilty” principle? We seem to be the first victims of our success.

We do exist, and if we don’t want to reveal our identity for the moment – for safety reasons – it’s our right. However, more proofs of our existence are to come in the next days, one brought by contributors of the Electronic Intifada:

Asa Winstanley : both Max Ajl and Jarid Malsin (non-mainstream western journalists and bloggers based in Gaza, both of whom I personally trust) reckon they are for real:
http://twitter.com/jmalsin/status/21724694201769984
http://twitter.com/maxajl/status/21730678391439360

What is our leitmotiv? Freedom. And for that, we know that we need the Palestinians and their leaders to unite against the Zionist Occupier. And that’s precisely why we call for action. Now. Not in 6 months, not in a year, not wait until another massacre strikes us. Now. We call on the Palestinians to unite and organize in an efficient movement of non violent protests, boycott. We call for divestment and sanctions against “Israel”. We want our land back, we want our freedom of movement back, we want to be able to go abroad to have a chance, like other people of our age, to get education. We want to be able to exchange freely with the world, to have a future and be motivated to work for it. Enough fear, enough terror, enough misery, enough broken dreams, enough airstrikes, enough blockade, enough mourning, enough violation of every single human right we are supposed to have.

We want three things. We want to be free. We want to be able to live a normal life. We want peace. Is that too much to ask? We are a peace movement consistent of young people in Gaza and supporters elsewhere that will not rest until the truth about Gaza and Palestine is known by everybody in this whole world and in such a degree that no more silent consent or loud indifference will be accepted. And if we fail, other groups will take our place, until our voice can’t be ignored anymore.

Devrim

Well the nationalist framework of this youthful protest is more obvious now but it still represents a small crack in the otherwise hidden divisions within the public politics of that national movement arising from some honest attempts to describe the reality of life in Gaza which must be welcome.

GYBO calls for a unified Palestinian leadership

Palestine: demands for a unified nation set for March 15