Multiple injuries were reported at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Berlin commemorating the Nakba and criticizing Israel on Thursday. Police and politicians have condemned the violence.
I’d say symbols are a constant negotiation between meanings. The swastika is lost, but other symbols like Nordic runes are only fully lost if we surrender them. We must fight to insist on the meaning of the symbols not yet lost to evil.
“From the river to the sea; Palestine will be free.” This is the slogan I hear. I hear no violence in these words, only a call for freedom for all Palestinians in what used to be Palestine. I can’t help but think that the misunderstanding of this slogan is willful.
If this slogan is surrendered to evil, how long before the accusations start against the next slogan? Is waving a Palestinian flag the same as condoning terrorism? Is saying the word “genocide” an act of aggression against Israel? Shouldn’t we defend that when we call for freedom, we mean that and just that? And refuse those who would make such a simple call for freedom illegal and associated with evil?
We can be part of controlling the meaning of these things, not only evil can do that.
I’d say symbols are a constant negotiation between meanings. The swastika is lost, but other symbols like Nordic runes are only fully lost if we surrender them. We must fight to insist on the meaning of the symbols not yet lost to evil.
“From the river to the sea; Palestine will be free.” This is the slogan I hear. I hear no violence in these words, only a call for freedom for all Palestinians in what used to be Palestine. I can’t help but think that the misunderstanding of this slogan is willful.
If this slogan is surrendered to evil, how long before the accusations start against the next slogan? Is waving a Palestinian flag the same as condoning terrorism? Is saying the word “genocide” an act of aggression against Israel? Shouldn’t we defend that when we call for freedom, we mean that and just that? And refuse those who would make such a simple call for freedom illegal and associated with evil?
We can be part of controlling the meaning of these things, not only evil can do that.