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Following some violent police actions against peaceful demonstrators, some people may question the validity or justification of demonstrations. They may be right.
The government wanted to prove that they could remove residents of Gush Katif - at any price. They did so, but the way that they acted caused them to lose the support of many people. Subsequently, they put down a demonstration at Amona, but not after inflicting savage wounds on peaceful protesters.
Well, the government certainly showed that it is determined to squelch demonstrations. They have not been able to carry out any positive policies, so they now resort to force. However, many people are now afraid to demonstrate.
Is this policy justified? Should the citizenry be permitted to express its feelings?
And, why, indeed, are the people protesting?
Well, in a country buffeted by wars, ineffective governments headed by the wrong people, poor labor relations, absurd international relationships, an enemy within, and new crises that arise all the time, it should be no surprise that Israelis do specialize in one thing:
Protest.
It's a natural reaction to a government that is frustrated by its inept handling of the state, and a populace that is equally frustrated by an inept government.
The protesters on both sides may not be able to keep track of whom they are protesting against today, and they may not know the facts well enough to form a valid opinion. However, they do know when things hurt - and they do know how to shrei Gevald!
It also means that their screams of agony carry through to their interpersonal relationships, whether in school, in the shopping mall, in a bureaucratic office, with a neighbor, or more.
Everybody is either a friend or an enemy. He's labeled. Nobody is pareve. If you're not on my side, then you're on the enemy side, and you're going to suffer for it.
Yes, perhaps there is a positive way of looking at these crises. We're part of the continuing thread of Jewish history, determining the future of the Jewish nation, and other such lofty phrases. That's nice. However, many of us would rather have a quiet life, and leave the history to others.
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