Lovely photo, although I hate olives. (So does my dog. She will eat a soggy, two-day-old French fry off the sidewalk, but olives? Spits 'em right out. Good dog.) #abudis
This picture reminds me of a scene from the documentary "Promises" that depicts the surreal quality of Israeli/Palestinian interactions, particularly in Jerusalem and particularly between youths. I think there is really something special about the segregated but superimposed dynamic of Jerusalem's urban landscape that is impossible to understand even from my kibbutz, only an hour away. It is the hotbed of some of the most profound and disturbing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians (and secular and religious people, Christians and Jews and Muslims, etc) but it is also unique in that it actually forces people to see (if not necessarily interact) each other on a daily basis. Yes I am continuously shocked by limited view of Jerusalem that most tourists see, but at least the inhabitants of the city are forced to recognize the existing realities of multiple narratives and communities. I love the kibbutz and enjoy the security of a socialist, relatively homogenous environment, but if ever we are going to learn how to peacefully coexist (and maybe even appreciate?!) each other in this land, it seems Jerusalem has the potential to demonstrate the way.
@tootsiesva: There's so much bad blood in Jerusalem, though. I think some of the communities in Northern Israel are better examples of peaceful coexistence. In Jerusalem, things are... tense.
When is the world finally going to say 'enough' to this systematic destruction of a peoples? This behavior would be unacceptable from any other 'westernized' nation.
I must say I'm a little disappointed with the responses here. Whatever your views on the Israeli/Palestinian issue, according to international law none of this is "open to interpretation." Mitzpe Shalem is an illegal settlement. It doesn't matter whether it's a kibbutz or non-religious, it was built in the Occupied Territories in 1977, and the Geneva Conventions expressly prohibit a country from settling any territory it took over during a war. Same with taking minerals, mud, etc from the Dead Sea - also against the Geneva Convention to exploit the natural resources of an occupied territory. And, to add insult to injury, there are no Palestinians employed and all profits go to Israelis. I, for one, will never buy any Ahava products - there are other things that "smell good" or make my skin soft that do not perpetuate the occupation of the Palestine. If you're interested, there's a website called "Who Profits" (www.whoprofits.org) run by an Israeli group, that lists Israeli and international companies profiting from the occupation. Motorola is a specifically bad example.
And if you think boycotts are useless, you should ask South Africans.
Hey, they are in front of my pharmacy. They better be nice to all the great employees there who take great care of me and make sure I don't die of drug interactions.
@CherriSpryte: Yes. And somehow, seeing their window posted on Jezebel reminds me that I promised I would bring them wedding pictures....it really is like a neighborhood pharmacy.
To explain a bit: the demonstration was part of CODEPINK’s new campaign, Stolen Beauty, a boycott of the Israeli cosmetics company Ahava, which illegally harvests the minerals for its products from the Dead Sea of the Occupied Territory of the Palestinian West Bank. It’s the fifth of four similar demonstrations of the past few months, in Las Vegas, NYC’s Central Park, Santa Monica and Tel Aviv (check out photos and news reports at the campaign site, www.stolenbeauty.org). The campaign is a part of the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement to create economic pressure on Israel (and the U.S.) to end its occupation and apartheid of Palestine. Our goal to inspire people to boycott the company, draw attention to Israel’s illegal occupation demand its end.
The purpose of wearing bikinis is two-fold: one, to play on the fact that Ahava harvests minerals from the Dead Sea, a super popular beach destination, and women use the products on their skin all over their bodies; two, to symbolize the fact that our exposure, and uncovering, represents what we’re trying to do to Ahava — to expose and uncover the dirty truth of their illegal practices.
So I am now ordering a product that I would have never heard of if it weren't for their protest against it. Great reviews are great reviews, I thank them for letting me know.
I love Ahava products. And if they're made in the Palestinian territory, then one can assume they employ Palestinians, which can only be a good thing given how abysmal the unemployment is on the West Bank.
@BeckySharper: It's an Israeli company employing Israelis in an "illegal" West Bank settlement. Whether or not it's actually illegal or whether Palestinian resources are actually being stolen is, of course, up for interpretation.
11/20/09
10/15/09
10/15/09
10/15/09
10/15/09
10/15/09
10/08/09
10/08/09
10/07/09
10/06/09
10/06/09
09/16/09
08/10/09
07/30/09
And if you think boycotts are useless, you should ask South Africans.
07/30/09
07/30/09
07/30/09
07/30/09
07/30/09
The purpose of wearing bikinis is two-fold: one, to play on the fact that Ahava harvests minerals from the Dead Sea, a super popular beach destination, and women use the products on their skin all over their bodies; two, to symbolize the fact that our exposure, and uncovering, represents what we’re trying to do to Ahava — to expose and uncover the dirty truth of their illegal practices.
07/30/09
07/30/09
07/30/09
07/30/09
07/30/09
07/30/09
http://www.alternet.org/action/141483/