In Midst of War, Israel Clamps Down on Internal Dissent

[unhappycamper]

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/08/11/midst-war-israel-clamps-down-internal-dissent



From crackdown on the press to mob beatings of protesters, critics of Gaza assault within Israel face fierce retaliation.

In Midst of War, Israel Clamps Down on Internal Dissent
Sarah Lazare, staff writer
Monday, August 11, 2014
Common Dreams

As a tenuous ceasefire takes hold, the besieged Gaza strip must contend with the path of death and destruction left by Israel's month-long military assault, including 1,939 Palestinian lives lost, 9,886 wounded, over 200,000 displaced, and more than 10,000 Palestinian housing units severely damaged or completely ruined.

Israeli critics of the "Operation Protective Edge" and occupation say the attacks have also unleashed a fury of pro-war, ultra-nationalist sentiment within Israel, escalating intimidation and violence towards those who dissent: from the firing of journalists to the beating of protesters to the harassment of Palestinian citizens of Israel.

"There has been a feeling in the air: it is dangerous to be outspoken against the war," said Haggai Matar, an Israeli journalist for +972 Magazine and a longtime activist against the occupation, speaking over the phone with Common Dreams from Tel Aviv.

Targeted for Being Palestinian in Israel

Mass protests throughout the West Bank against Israel's attacks on Gaza have been met with severe Israeli repression, with at least three Palestinians killed by Israeli fire. The Alternative Information Center recently reported that over the past month, "more than 450 Palestinians from East Jerusalem have been detained in protests, and over 150 indictments have been filed." The killings and arrests are in keeping with a well-documented history of Israel's deadly attacks on Palestinian protests.

[DetlefK]

1. Israeli politician proposes rape of palestinian women as a weapon of war. Hmm.

Wasn't that supposed to be a war-crime?