So– I wake up this morning to a barrage of emails giving me a link to a web posting that has been widely picked up. It says that Rabbi Hier at the Simon Wiesenthal Center (he and I were friends—I thought) claims I support the destruction of Israel because I signed (along with many other artists, historians, including eight Israelis, mostly filmmakers) a petition protesting the Toronto International Film Festival’s decision to feature a celebratory “spotlight” on Tel Aviv. We understand that by doing this the festival has become, whether knowingly or not, a participant in a cynical PR campaign to improve Israel’s image, make her appear less war-like. The Israeli Consul General said a year ago that Toronto would be the launch site of an extensive “Brand Israel” campaign. Artists and others of us who love Israel do not want art to be used to whitewash the tragedies committed against Palestinians, most recently in last winter’s terrible war in Gaza (1400 Palestinians dead, mostly civilians, many more wounded, and there are documented human rights violations) and the ongoing blockade of Gaza that is deepening a serious humanitarian crisis, wreaking havoc on the lives of innocent people, and preventing reconstruction in the aftermath of the attack.
The letter we signed did not —repeat: DID NOT–call for a boycott of any part of the Toronto Film Festival. In fact, many of the people who signed the letter are showing films there and many of the Israeli filmmakers that go to the festival show films critical of Israel. We protest the use of Tel Aviv to rebrand Israel. We are standing up for integrity of art, not censoring anyone. The letter certainly did not call for the destruction of Israel or call into question the legitimacy of Tel Aviv as a city. But In the year when Gaza happened there shouldn’t be a celebratory spotlight on Tel Aviv.
I have been to Israel many times. The first was in the early 1980s and it was love at first sight…for the country and for its people. I stayed in a Kibbutz with the great Israeli novelist, Amos Oz, and his family. I raised money for a senior center in Haifa, for a girl’s shelter in Jerusalem. I have spoken at the Hebrew University. I traveled into Lebanon with the Israeli army in 1981. I went deep into Russia in the 80s to secretly meet with Soviet Refusenik, Ida Nudel, after which I a national speaking tour in the U. S. to build support for letting Ida go to Israel where she now lives. In other words, I have been intimately involved with Israel over 3 decades. On almost every visit I also went into the West Bank, met with Palestinian artists, visited Palestinian refugee camps, drove through the Israeli settlements that encroach increasingly into Palestinian territory. I have seen suffering on both sides. It is out of love for Israel and all that it promised to be that I protest the use of art (which is meant to search for truth) in this branding campaign. The greatest “re-branding” of Israel would be to celebrate that country’s robust peace movement by allowing aid to be delivered to Gaza and stopping expansion of the settlements. That’s the way to show Israel’s commitment to peace, not a PR campaign. There will be no two-state solution unless this happens.
Glenn
The problem in part is Hamas appears to be both the elected gov’t of the Palestinian people AND a terrorist organization, building terrorist targets in the midst of its peoples… so they, Hamas, might also be added to the list of problems for the Palestinian people.
Another irony is that John Greyson, the initiator of the protest letter is a gay man, yet pulls his film because of the spotlight on Tel Aviv, likely the only city in the Middle East where being gay isn’t punishable by violence and / or frowned on in some way.
Interestingly, this minor film festival “controversy” is creating some excitement for the 10 film City To City spotlight on Tel Aviv Program, causing many of these films to sell out, when they surely would not have otherwise.
By the way, I saw Greyson’s pretentious, self important and quite excruciating full length doc about aids called Fig Trees at Hot Docs (the excellent documentary Toronto Documentary Film Festival held this summer). Thus, I might applaud John for pulling his short from TIFF this year to save other dear unsuspecting souls from watching what I would presume to be yet another art film where one is yearning to dash out of the theater. And to further thank John for small mercies – that his latest celluloid “masterpiece” is mercifully a “short”.
Richard Silverstein
Sorry I clicked on the wrong reply button above & placed my comment in the wrong place.
Glenn, Glenn. How much do you know about Israel? You do realize that only a few wks ago a mass murderer decided to go on a shooting rampage in Tel Aviv & killed several gay teenagers & hasn’t yet been found by a police dept. not particulary known for their interest in solving crimes against gays.
Perhaps you’d like to rewrite yr comment to reflect reality, as opposed to yr own version of it.
Hayley
for what* they believe in.
PAULETTE
Loving Israel is not enough. In your position, you need to be aware of how easily you can help anti-semites that want to destroy Israel and there are so many of those all around the world.
Sharon M
I love that you have such a good sense of right and wrong. And oh my, some of your commenters are real ass suckers! Keep it up, Jane!
ps I really digged your bio:-)
Kristian
Jane, I don’t know how you do it and after all these years, you continue to fight for what is right in the face of such adversity. You are an inspiration to me and I know many, many others.
People just don’t get that this is what America is about…what men and women have died in wars to ensure our freedom of speech and our right to protest when things aren’t going right.
Then people like Susan says:
“September 6, 2009 at 10:27 am
Why don’t you just live the rest of your life quietly. Just check into a nursing home and spend the rest of your days asking for forgiveness for the things that you have said and done. No one wants to hear your negative thoughts or unAmerican feelings. You have done your best to tear down my country. Just go away!”
Why do you have any less right than she does to express your opinion and to work on causes you believe in. Her statement is the posterchild for UNAmerican.
It is unfortunate, and I am sure frustrating, to see your words, thoughts, hopes, and beliefs twisted in the media and by those, like Susan above, that turn your wanting a better World into being unAmerican.
You turn your energies into positive change and effort. Keep above the Susans in this world and keep on doing what you do best….being an American with a voice that is heard.
Nirmala Heriza
Jane, thanks as always, for the distilled, balanced lens. With love, Nirmala
Socogal
Regarding Susan’s Comment @ 10:27am today:
Like it or not, this is Jane’s country, too. What have you done for the good of the country besides run your mouth? I bet not much.
Ina
You have visited Israel many times and liked it and, presumably, the freedom you enjoyed there. You have not visited any of the other Middle Eastern regimes where dictatorship is the rule, and where women are 2nd class if they’re lucky. Why not devote your energies to those truly oppressive regimes that kill their own citizens (Iran) when they dare grasp for freedoms that are in abundace in the Israel you so despise?
Sandy
Kbergen, please read Jane’s book, “my life so far”. Jane, your courage, strength of conviction, selflessness, honesty and energy are inspirational. Thank you.
TB
Dear Ms Fonda,
As a filmmaker here in Tel Aviv and as a citizen of the free world, I have to take a stand against the proposed censorship of the Tel Aviv city to city segment at the Toronto Film Festival, a stand against the moral relativism that seems to have blinded those artists whom signed the open letter. As I personally know many of the films planned to participate at the festival (many student films) your accusation as if these films are a part of some higher conspiracy and plan to serve as “white wash” for the “re-branding” of Israel (as if Israel needs re-branding) is not only offensive to our integrity as filmmakers, as artists, not only does it smell of the worst kind of bigotry Israel has known, but it is simply not true, these are films made over a period of many years and express different perspectives on contemporary life in Tel Aviv and Israel. Ironically NOT as in our neighboring countries, Israeli artists have freedom of expression and are NOT subject to the terror censorship of fundamentalist totalitarian propaganda mechanism. Therefor you may be “surprised” to see that not all films are the same nor do they all cater to the same themes nor do they all show a pretty picture.
Freedom of speech, I am sure that you Jane, having been in the centre of controversy in the past, appreciate it more than many. Thank you for speaking out against the Vietnam War and thank you for caring about the poor Palestinian population in Gaza. I think that in times of conflict all voices should be heard. Trying to shut the mouths of Israeli filmmakers who speak against violence and want peace here more than you as they actually live here, shutting them up is just pouring more fuel into the fire.
And since the subject was brought up, a few words about the Gaza operation: As much as any clear headed person objects to war and violence, I highly doubt any person in his right mind, any government in their right mind, worldwide, would sit idly by as their working class population are bombarded day in and day out, by religious Muslim fundamentalists, which not only want to put an end to Israel, but have no respect towards their own population as they hide amongst them, within them, endangering women and children by using them as human shields. Just to clarify in days and weeks prior to the operation over 50 rockets a day, day in and day out, were fired into Israeli towns from Gaza. Violence is horrific and many Palestinians in Gaza were innocent victims to the fighting, this is awful, but it is no less violent to let your own poor lower classes living in this area of the country, be shelled over period of years, with no options, no place to go, and just let it be because you do not want to hurt anybody… unfortunately it doesn’t work that way.
As much as I feel the pain of human suffering, and I do, I myself am a pacifist and a follower of the teachings of non-violence. There cannot in my opinion be room for this type of moral relativism. One cannot claim to fight the fight of riotousness and freedom and then support closed minded censorship. This is why I hope you will retract you signature and serve as a vessel of peace not of division.
Thank you
AG
Beautifully stated and clearly explained, Jane, though that won’t stop willfully ignorant people from dismissing your profoundly good intentions or denying the complex nuances of the incredibly provocative issues at hand. I’d like to see this particular post reach a much wider audience–consider sending it to Huffpo, or there’s a great new(ish) online paper called Herald de Paris et Cie that I know would love to publish it as an OpEd. Let me know if you’ve any interest and I can get it to the appropriate editors.
clive
In total agreement with your comments. There is no decent brand to be built based on death and aggression. Negotiations conducted in good faith are urgently required!
Adam Glantz
Dear Ms. Fonda,
I write as a longtime fan and as someone skeptical of the hysterical criticism often leveled at you. With that background and with deep respect, I ask: Did you really read the TIFF petition you signed? It calls Tel Aviv, that most Jewish of cities, founded on an uninhabited sane dune in 1909, “contested ground”. That’s a far more categorical and uncompromising statement than calling for two states for two peoples, or appealing for more sympathy and understanding for the Palestinians. Moreover, that kind of language won’t strengthen the Israeli peace camp…it will make the moderate Israeli public justifiably concerned that this campaign is a strategy to demonize and delegitimize the State of Israel.
Alas, good intentions and a progressive outlook don’t permit you to support any hyperbolic protest that comes down the pike with immunity from criticism. If you want a two-state solution, please sign a balanced petition and take a balanced stand in fact as well as in name.
Thank you very much and best wishes.
millie
So sad to read the misinterpretations of your past and now your present views. May the ugly desires wished upon you by some of these writing on your blog bring them future anguish!
Barry
Ms. Fonda I have been a fan of your work for so many years and even flew from my home city to see you on Broadway recently but I must say I am shocked that you have signed and support a letter such as this.
Your blog is so full of contradictions that I find it unbelievable. You cannot sign a petition that states “…Tel Aviv is built on destroyed Palestinian villages..” and then write “the letter does not call into question the legitimacy of Tel Aviv as a city” – of course it does! of course you do!
When Israel went into Gaza it was not an attack but a defense. If Mexico were firing rockets into say, Sante Fe, wouldn’t the U.S. put a stop to it to protect its citizens?”
When the Palestinian terrorists, who
call for the destruction of Israel, planted suicide bombers throughout Israel on city buses, nightclubs, and hotel ballrooms in the midst of a Passover Seder killing loads of innocent Israeli/Jewish civilians where was the world outrage then? where were the protesters? where were the letters of condemnation?
Why has there always been a double standard when it comes to Israel or the Jewish people throughout history?
I hope for peace in the region one day as well and believe that a two state solution is the best idea but supporting one sided letters such as this will put the cause backwards instead of forwards.
Zbigniew Holdys
My first note (first oon this list) is stil waiting for the moderation. Somehow it should be approved.
Israel is an important country. Ruanda is country of blood, symbol o worlds big lost. Talking to the Red China now it’s only business, so where is all that democratic address, freedom to the people, Juan and Yen are stronger than promisses. Some day some film festival in Bejing would begin with fantastic movie epopea how China is free, how people are educated and honest, how prolific and huanitarian is transplant program of tekin donors from those with death penalty.
And it would by6 tols as a huge success.
The Next movie festiwal, lets say in Venice, shoud start with a story of how beautiful time it was in Romania and Poland during Ceaucescu era and Jaruzeslski era. During darka communism times.
Ovation please.
And since that everybody would know what kind of movies shoud land on the market.
Click: it was a lesson!
Zbiggy,
Kelsey
I’m sorry this is happening, but we’re all here to support you! We know the truth, I promise!! 😉
Dave
I just sent Jane an email asking for clarification before spoting this post-Apologies.
As a former Israeli soldier, I take issue with Israel being constantly portrayed as the aggressor in the conflict in the ME.
The Palestinians have yet to declare that they want peace with Israel at all. On the contrary, they call for Israel’s complete destruction, and back up their declaration with acts of terror.
Israel may respond harshly, but it is because it is facing constant attack, & threat of terror. When people are killed in a small country like Israel, it is felt by all.
Of course, this is not an excuse for Israeli brutality or banality. Israel must also make a sincere gesture of peace…but the question remains to whom? Hamas doesn’t want peace and has made it clear that it isn’t interested in talking. Fatah doesn’t represent all the Palestinians, and also hasn’t defined what peace means (or that it is seeking co-existence).
It is a tough situation with no clear solution, but demonizing Israel certainly only serves to make Israelis feel even more on the defensive.
Jack
Yigal made some excellent points but you ignored them. It is clear that you are ignorant about what is going on or are intentionally blinding yourself.
Either way your actions are short sighted and foolish. The situation in Gaza took place because of terrorist actions that started there.
Terrorists who took control of Gaza by using mafia style tactics. They terrorized their fellow Palestinians. Beatings, murder and more took place.
They used children as human shields. The intentionally did not wear uniforms in the hope that casualties would be misrepresented as civilians when they were not.
They have held Gilad Shalit captive for three years and refuse to provide proof of life.
Israel has its faults and things to make amends for as does every country, but your comment and criticism is wrong. Just imbalanced and ignorant. You really need to educate yourself.
Eric Zimmerman
I would like to read your response to “Yigal” above.
Therine Key
from John Lennon’s “Imagine”
quote
“Imagine there’s no countries
it isn’t hard to do
nothing to kill or die for
no religion too
imagine all the people
living life in Peace”…..
what if?
John
Jane darling stop worrying and enjoy your sleep.
Hmmm
Tel Aviv is a marvelous city of immense vitality. Progressive, artistic, dynamic, gay-friendly. The best in the Middle East. Throwing a spotlight on Tel Aviv during her 100 year anniversary is a GOOD thing. You need to allow people to show a positive side to Israel as well. If you only criticize, you just bring more negativity into the world. You can stand up for the rights of others without raining on a very important parade.
Aussie Dave
Ms Fonda,
If Israel appears “war-like”, it is because she has constantly been defending herself since her inception in 1948. You are old enough to remember what happened in 1967, including the Arab statements threatening Israel with annihilation. But in case you were too busy protesting the Vietnam War at the time, I suggest you pick up any reputable history book and read for yourself. You may also learn that the Arabs attacked Israel on the eve of her independence, after having rejected the 1947 UN Partition Plan, which would have seen the two-state solution you claim to support.
You stated as fact that 1400 Palestinians were killed in Operation Cast Lead, and these were “mostly civilians.” Where did you get this information? According to an IDF investigation, 1,166 palestinians were killed, with 709 belonging to terrorist organizations. And even if you are not willing to accept these figures, do you not accept the fact that Hamas terrorists were deliberately operating out of from civilian areas?
You mention visiting palestinian refugee camps. Have you even questioned why these camps still exist? Why is it that Israel has absorbed Jewish people from all around the world, yet the Arab world does not take in the palestinians for which they claim to care so much?
If “expansion of the settlements” is really the big issue, why did the Arab states attack Israel prior to the 1967 war, in which Israel captured these lands? Why was the PLO formed in 1964, three years earlier? Have you ever read the Hamas charter? The issue is, and has always been, the Arab refusal to accept Israel’s very existence.
Why is it that you question Israel’s commitment to peace, and not the palestinians, despite the fact the latter have met Israeli peace overtures with terrorism? Why do you question Israel’s commitment to peace and not the palestinians after Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza was met by palestinian rocket fire into Israeli population centers?
Bernadette Piccolomini
You’re right Jane. You are brave to take a stand, especially on this issue. I personally have been branded an “anti-semite” because I questioned the sanity and brutality of Israel’s war against the Palestinians earlier this year.
D Sharavi
Dear Jane,
I have admired you and your audacity for years — even when, sometimes, I disagree.
Here, I disagree with your and Danny Glover’s stand on Tel Aviv, that it was built on the suffering and dispossession of Palestine Arabs. It wasn’t. It was built in 1909 on empty sand dunes purchased by Jews from the legal Arab owners. And it was built by collective labour.
Since you’ve been to Israel so many times, you must know that in the Middle East, you’re dealing with a pepper pot of politics. Don’t let yourself be hoodwinked by typical propaganda – from any side.
Best regards,
Deborah
Elaine Pilshaw
Dear Jane,
I am certain you know some of the figures you quoted reguarding casualties were mistaken. AT all times the Hamas were the intended casualties, not the civilians. Isreal is a humane state, and never intends civilian casualties.
It is really up to the Palestineans to move on some issues. Isreal cannot always be the one to give up more and more. Why not address the Hamas to let go of their dream to destroy Isreal ?
Most Isralis want to live in peace with the Palestineans, their government is protecting them.
Iam so sorry you got into the middle of this, how does it help ?
Elaine Pilshaw
Dali Paul
Sadly, you can not have intelligent discourse with a people that pray for your destruction. Where is your public condemnation of the Palestinians for empowering a terrorist organization that vows to destroy Israel? How can you possibly expect some greater degree of humanitarianism from the nation of Israel for a people that refuse to accept its right to exist? Jane – having spent as much time in Israel as you have, you know that on Friday night, when our families gather for sabbath dinner, we give our thanks and we pray for peace. Sadly, those you feel need your protection and support, they pray for our destruction.
Lets restart the stalled peace process with the most obvious and simple first step – with the Palestinians acceptance of our right to exist! Maybe something real can happen from that moment on. Until then… its all bull. Why not use your influence to rally the Palestinians cry for acceptance of Israel’s right to exist?
Oh – and in regards to using art to move forward a political objective – you have got to be kidding! This is done every day! Music, film, literature…
Finally, my husband asked me to mention that the image of you in Barbarella is still poster worthy!
Ira
Jane,
As a fan of yours, I am disappointed in your signing the letter regarding the City to City theme at the Toronto International Film Festival. Aligning yourself with a self-promoting radical, such as Naomi Klein, whose brand consists of calling for the destruction of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people, as her brand to sell books was, in all due respect, not a well thought out move. In reading the letter, I saw a reference challenging the legitimacy of Tel Aviv itself.
I challenge you to read the Hamas Charter, the continued policy of the Palestinian Authority and every pronouncement from the Arab League regarding peace in the Middle East. In 1947, the UN partitioned the former British Protectorate of Palestine (after most of the territory was used to establish Jordan) between an Arab State and a Jewish State. The Jews accepted their state and the Arabs did not accept that the Jews could have a state and attacked the nascent State of Israel – and have been attacking it since then. I challenge you to read statements issued by Israel’s so-called peace partners in the Palestinian Authority who claim that Jews have no ties to the City of Jerusalem and claim that the “blood libel” alleged in the Swedish newspaper Aftonblundet are true. Why is that Naomi Klein is silent when Palestinian propoganda receives no critical comment whereas anything that is positive regarding Israel is called “propoganda”.
Jane, as a sensitive human being, I ask you to look into your heart and ask yourself how the Nazis had the ability to kill 6 million Jews, largely while the world looked away. Now take a look at the current situation and ask yourself do you want to acquiesce as others are making plans to do away with another six million Jews? Read what the Palestinians and their supporters (such as Iran) are saying. If you want links, I can send them to you. Don’t be part of the Naomi Klein propaganda campaign (did you know her husband works for Al Jazeera?). Read the facts and then make an informed decision.
Dan
Did you actually read the declaration that you signed onto regarding the Toronto film festival? This declaration (I read the text) falsely claims that Tel Aviv was built on the remains of former Palestinian villages that Israel supposedly destroyed in the 1948 War of Independence. In fact, Tel Aviv was developed on empty sand dunes north of Jaffa from 1909 on, during the period when Ottoman Turkey ruled Palestine. No Arabs were displaced by its development and it was an established city during the British Mandate for decades before 1948. Yes, this declaration does attack Tel Aviv’s legitimacy as a city and with it Israel’s right to exist within the pre-1967 borders. Rabbi Hier is correct. Those like you who signed this declaration reject a two-state solution and in essence support a “one-state” solution, i.e., Israel’s destruction.
EminemsRevenge
Completely OFF TOPIC–Here on Labor Day methinks EVERYONE should be watching this movie instead of Glenn Beck and the Fox “news” cabal:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9022016584178907197#
Faye
Jane, thank you for your very humane stand. I have admired you for years for doing what was right in spite of so much negative criticism. There are those supporters of Israel who will condemn any view that does not go along with 100% support of anything Israel does, no matter how inhumane. I live in Atlanta, am a WASP (no axes to grind with either side), am a strong supporter of the Carter Center, and am proud that you have chosen to make my city your home. Please keep speaking up for your beliefs. As for Vietnam, you only expressed the views of much of the American public and history will bear you out.
I’ve loved receiving your blog, wish you a speedy recovery, and have one more question: When are you coming home to Atlanta?
With admiration,
Faye
semsem
MAZEL TOV. You are in the Jerusalem Post.
Jane Fonda, Danny Glover heat up anti-Israel sentiment around Toronto Film Festival
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Some 50 celebrities, artists and filmmakers, including actors Jane Fonda and Danny Glover, musician David Byrne and filmmaker Ken Loach, have accused the Toronto International Film Festival of “complicity with the Israeli propaganda machine” over its spotlight this year on Tel Aviv.
Jane Fonda.
Jane Fonda.
Photo: AP
The 2009 festival will present 10 films by local filmmakers on the Israeli metropolis, for its City to City program, which each year focuses its lens on a different city.
The choice led to protests that the film festival was “staging a propaganda campaign” on Israel’s behalf, given “the absence of Palestinian filmmakers in the program,” said an open letter to festival organizers, AFP reported.
The program “ignores the suffering of thousands of former residents and descendants of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa area who currently live in refugee camps in the Occupied Territories” after a “mass exiling of the Palestinian population” in 1948, according to the letter.
“Looking at modern, sophisticated Tel Aviv without also considering the city’s past and the realities of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, would be like rhapsodizing about the beauty and elegant lifestyles in white-only Cape Town or Johannesburg during apartheid without acknowledging the corresponding black townships of Khayelitsha and Soweto,” AFP reported the letter as saying.
The controversy started on August 28, when Canadian filmmaker John Greyson withdrew his film from the festival in protest.
Danny Glover.
Danny Glover.
Photo: AP
Festival co-director Cameron Bailey reacted on Friday by saying the film festival, which runs from September 10 to 19, was showcasing two films by Palestinian directors.
AFP reported that Bailey was attracted to Tel Aviv because “films being made there explore and critique the city from many different perspectives.”
But “we recognize that Tel Aviv is not a simple choice and the city remains contested ground,” he added.
Among the films being screened are Danny Lerner’s Kirot, Keren Yedaya’s Jaffa, Uri Zohar’s Big Eyes and Eytan Fox’s The Bubble, films which Jerusalem Post film critic Hannah Brown says shows Israel society, warts and all.
“Anyone who would call The Bubble pro-Israeli propaganda, when it focuses on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and has a hero who falls in love with a Palestinian, is so absurd as to defy any logic. It’s quite possible that there is no other city in the world where mainstream (and often government-supported) filmmakers have been so staunchly and relentlessly critical of their government,” Brown wrote in the Post last week.
Don
Thank you once again for sharing your heart and your mind. You show that you care deeply about all people, and wish everyone could live in harmony.
Though it is not ours to judge, I think everyone has to examine their own actions and thoughts. Are you coming from a place of peace and love, or are you acting from fear and anger. For the former, you are “eating” karma, lessening suffering; for the latter, you create karma, increase suffering and perpetuate the problem.
Whatever the possible solutions to Isreal and the palestinians, it must come from them. Each community is inextrically bound up to that land and must acknowledge the humanity of the other.
Similar to Northern Ireland and Yugoslavia, people have to decide for themselves that, yes bad things happened, but we need to “be here now”. Then healing can begin.
Avram Kalisky
Shows just how far afield people can go when they are sanctimoniously self-righteous but actually have their information all wrong. They make a mockery of themselves by having picked Tel Aviv to protest about. For Tel Aviv is THE quintessential Jewish city, built on sand that was properly purchased. No Arabs lived there, and there is no contest in terms of who owns the land the city sits on.
But far be it from these people to miss an opportunity to protest against Israel. I’d like to imagine that they might be influenced by the facts, if they knew them. But the vast odds are that their minds are simply made up. An unhappy sign of the times.
Diana
False rumors? You signed a petition that says:
“Jaffa, Palestine’s main cultural hub until 1948, was annexed to Tel Aviv after the mass exiling of the Palestinian population. This program ignores the suffering of thousands of former residents and descendants of the Tel Aviv/Jaffa area who currently live in refugee camps in the Occupied Territories or who have been dispersed to other countries, including Canada. ”
Every word a lie. Jaffa was not Palestine’s main cultural hub: however you define Palestine. The main port of British Palestine was Haifa, the main cultural center was Jerusalem. Tel Aviv was bought and built by Jewish settlers on empty sand dunes precisely so as not to disrupt Arab settlement. After the 1948 war when Jaffa was annexed to Tel Aviv it was majority Arab.
In signing this declaration, which contains such an odious sentence at its core, you have joined the crowd that denies Israel’s very right to exist, not to its settlements policies.
So please, don’t plead that you are the victim of a smear campaign. You signed what you signed: own up to it and all its implications.
Saad Bitar
Dear Ms.Jane,
In addition of you being a great actress,we discovered that you also have other great sides of your personality.For me i loved u long time ago through your roles and even when i heard what you did in Toronto i admired you 1000 times more.
I admire what you have done in toronto.I was reading cnn news in arabic and was so proud to have someone like you who is obviously not directly involved at the middle east conflict,but felt that she has to do something different and hear he voice all around the world.By this action which some ppl will say that it is a small one,which it is not ,you gave back hope for all palestenians all around the world that YES there are still some people who care.
I just want you,and I Hope you will do one day to visit west bank and especially GAZA strip and see the misery they are living at.What do people expect from a person who had seen his father killed in front of him for no reason or had seen his home destroyed under the tyres of israeli tanks?will he stand doing nothing?he might do so for some time but at end he will hate his life and will try his best to end it in his own way but keeping in mind that this step should take his life and other’s side life who put him in this situation.
The latest war on Gaza revealed how ugly is this state called Israel,they claimed that they were rocketing HAMAS but what about United nations schools which they bombed?!!It is impossible that all arabs and all arabic countries whom are 300 millions are wrong and a bunch of 6 millions of jews are correct in what they are doing and the decisions they are taking,it is just logic.We don;t hate jews,they lived among us hundreds of years ago and we had very good relations,we just hate their leaders.
Finally,I would like to thank you from the bottom of every body’s heart in the middle east and god bless you always
Yvonne Young
I have always admired and respected you and your
positions on controversial issues, and this time
is no exception. You are my idol. I only wish you
would stop letting the gossip and the idiots of
the world get you down. If Rabbi Hier were an honest friend, he would have contacted you, somehow assured you the rumors weren’t true and that his friendship with you was still strong.
Every intelligent being I know is appalled by
the actions of the Israelis toward the Palestinians this past year. They’re just afraid
to say it aloud for fear of being labeled “anti-God” or “anti-Semitic” or “pro-terrorist” and all other titles created by the rigid religious right. You are strong. Keep up the good work,and
try harder to ignore the opposition. I hope we
meet someday.
Susan K.
From what I’ve read here and on the website that has comments by the Rabbi and other people’s comments, I see “layers and layers” of hate, misunderstanding, and mistrust people have supporting either Israel or the Palestinian people. The feelings of people run so deep, I wonder how these two groups can ever come together to have a two-state solution? I pray that peace will find its way to both. The word PEACE is such a simple word….a beautiful word…it’s also a pleasant word to say. The dictionary says the definition of peace is….a state of calm….public security under law…an agreement to END hostilities. If you reread what Miss Fonda said in this blog, you will see that she only wishes good things for both groups.
Ricardo Marchosky
Jane Fonda, u r the best, u r a always so well informed and on the right side of history!!!
Lauren Pril
There will be no two state solution?
Jane,
Get a clue. There will be no two state solution because the Palestinians and the Arab world does not want that. They refuse to recognize Israel. They do not want the 1967 borders. They want pre 1948 borders.
Billions of dollars squandered into the bank accounts of Arafat. For weapons and not books or schools.
How can it be apartheid when Arabs are civilians that live in Israel and would not leave that opportunity if you begged them.
Over 1000 casualties, mostly civilians? Based on what. Propaganda from the Palestinians. Of course there are civilian casualties when the cowards fight among their civilians and give arms and not books to their children. I suppose this was a massacre just like Ramallah which turned out to be a fraud propogated by to Palestinians.
Time to take blame for the suffering of their people and not blame Israel.
Jews are the most persecuted people in the history of the World. Where was and is the World to stand up for them.
Get a clue!
jill
Susan- what a horrific thing to say to anyone. Is this how you react to anyone with whom you disagree? Most people disagree with Jane without even KNOWING how knowledgable she is and how much of an advocate of Peace she is. As an activist myself, she is revered for being one of the pioneers of global citizenship. Being a global citizen means putting the needs of others first no matter where they live. You can be pro-Israel AND pro-Palestine if you fight for justice, peace once for all. I’m so grateful Jane goes wherever she is called to- not just where it’s “popular” and “safe” to “act” like an “activist” and I for one want you around at least another decade or two Jane. There are far too few brave voices such as yours out there speaking and fighting for the rights of women and for all human beings- for Peace.
Kimo Al Quds
Then Dear Jill have the ARABS STOP ATTACKING ISRAEL, HAVE THEM RECOGNIZE THE STATE OF iSRAEL AND THEIR RIGHT TO EXIST. WHEN THE aRABS DO THAT THERE WILL BE THE BEGINNINGS OF PEACE. UNTIL THEY RECOGNIZE ISRAEL, THE CONFLICT STARTED AND PERPETUATED BY ARABS WILL CONTINUE. ISRAEL DOES HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF. IF ISRAEL WAS AN AGGRESSOR THERE WOULD NOT BE A HAMAS OR PLO OR HEZBOLLAH AS THOSE POS WOULD ALL BE DEAD.
jill
Also wanted to mention for you and your blog readers to join in movement of Love & Peace. 9=end in numerology. Wed- 09/09/09—Where ever you are in the world, light a candle and send your energy out to others
Time:9:00AM or 9:00 PM Wednesday, September 9th
jill
kbergen: I pray this END we celebrate energetically on 09/09/09 will END the hatred you and so many Blind beings harbor. Americans, and indeed human beings all over the planet will come to Jane’s grave with candles, flowers, and an outpouring of gratitude for being a tireless advocate of peace. But she has a lot of living to do first, and alot of speaking up for Peace yet to come. Read before you react. Ignorance is equally as ugly as hatred.
silvia
In truth you shouldn’t have to “explain yourself” for sticking to your beliefs. There are always people ready to misread, misunderstand, and second guess everything you (and the rest of us) say or do.
Those who know you and believe in you would continue to do so and trust your motives. Those who don’t are unlikely to be persuaded.
Keep up the good work, and remember that the moment that you “do” (or say) something, there is always going to be someone out there finding wrong in it.
Redbeard
Man, I love it when you get fired up. I’ve been firmly in your corner ever since the wingnuts slimed you off the California Arts Council back in ’79 or ’80. Those setbacks made you stronger, and now you don’t take crap from nobody.
Forgive me if you’ve already done so, but I hope someday you’ll offer your thoughts on the shocking political transformation of Jon Voight. I can’t imagine Hal Ashby would be pleased with him of late. Is it hard to still be friends? I lost so many friends during the Bush 43 years. It was devastating, but ultimately I couldn’t embrace rabid, delusional thinkers. There was no middle ground left.
Finally — it’s great to see you in alliance with Naomi Klein!!
Annie
Oh What to say what to say, I have gone through all of the comments and some of them are just as shocking as the rumor itself and once again I totally agree with Sait Reese
Palestinian Christian
Dear Jane,
As always, you are a symbol of honesty and integrity.
Do not listen to those who attack you. Do what you believe is right and God help you.
The people of Palestine find what you did as an indication that there are still good people in this world.
Tel Aviv is a monster that swallowed the Palestinian communities which once flourished there, and left their peoples scattered as refugees for 61 years now.
Black can never become white, and old sins cast long shadows.
michael hyam
This is a general comment to anyone reading. Unless you have lived in Israel you cannot understand day to day life. These people live in peace, they never take a first strike at anyone nor to they would they care to fight with another culture over anything (unless they dragged into it). I cannot understand why it is the worlds view that they are so bad? Israelis and jews are great people. Why can’t the world see this. I sometimes truly believe that the world is one big anti-semetic gas chamber.
I can understand Ms Fonda taking a stance to help the palestinian because everyone is entitled to equal rights. Unfortunately the media sometimes portrays propaganda to be so real…but thats a whole other comment. But you people that stand against Israel should really reconsider your position. If not for the jewish people i believe we would all be about 1000 years back in the dark ages. They have contributed so much to society. When propaganda like this comes out you should really read the fine print before you go slandering them.
Zanna
I always thought I was an intelligent person until a few years ago when I made an attempt to try to “understand” the Middle East. I found that its complexities were beyond my comprehension and admit defeat.
Shalom Freedman
I have no doubt you mean what you say when you say you support the existence of Israel, and a two- state solution.
But you should perhaps be more aware of the fact that there is an effort to delegitimize Israel as prelude to destroying it. This effort has many sources including Saudi Arabian spreading of the ‘Protocols’ and buying chairs in Middle Eastern studies departments. But it also has its core in the vicious propaganda which comes from the Arab world, including from the Palestinians.
Your action of censuring Tel Aviv, the one – city in the Middle East which has a considerable number of people sympathetic to your general political values simply gives the wrong signal.
It would have been wiser not to join with people who do not have any kind of record of caring about Israel as you do. I would also suggest you consider a bit what the Palestinians themselves have done to create the situation in Gaza you so deplore. Had they accepted the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza with a determination to build their own society there would be no conflict with them now. Occasionally the misfortunate are the ones most to blame.
PS It is not true that most of those killed in the Gaza operation were civilians. It is also not true that Israel has primary responsibility for most of these deaths. ‘Hamas’ hid within the civilian population, and instead of truly fighting Israel fought a propaganda war on the bodies of their own civilians.
The Israeli Army goes out of its way to protect civilian lives. But it cannot guarantee all citizens safe when firing at Israeli soldiers comes from guns which are deliberately implanted in civilian areas.