To believe in something, and be so dedicated that you are willing to keep on fighting year after year is in itself a sign of conviction. To keep that spirit up even when people are yelling nasty things out of the window as they drive pass, or point fuck you, or even worse spit on you, shows a sign of dignity and inner belief in the just cause you are fighting for. To continue even when most of your friends are long gone, and not surrender to resignation shows a great deal of strength.
Today it was raining in Jerusalem, and many shops were closed due to the weather. The umbrella broke, and in the end looked like the skeleton of a tree with empty branches. Despite the rain and the wind, I was determined to join the ‘Women in Black’. Even now when my toes are frozen, and there is no hot water or heating in the room, I feel that is was a worthwhile decision. And honestly I am freezing! But if the women in black can do it, then so can I!The ‘Women in Black’ is not some catch phrase on the movie Men in Black, in fact if you ask me which one came first, the women in black would win! These women stand in their black clothes, conducting a silent demonstration every Friday, holding up black hands calling to “stop the occupation” in English, Hebrew and Arabic. Everyone is not in favor of demonstration as a means to an end. It may be associated with radicals, or activists. Personally I had never participated in a demonstration before, a fact I was rather comfortable with. I am nonetheless proud to say that I took part in this demonstration. The message is simple; there is no condemning of one side or the other, no debate, no shouting and no hidden political agenda. Stop the occupation!
Did I mention that they are Israeli women in their 80’s that have been doing this since the first Intifada?
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