Who is the focus? - Protest - Articles about Israel

Deciding who is the focus

It may be difficult to tell whether the focus of a demonstration is the government - or whether the people are crying out against Greater Forces. It may be important to analyze and evaluate each situation in a very careful manner.

For example, let us take one situation that occurred during the protests against the destruction of Gush Katif in 2006. A prayer demonstration was planned in a city near Gush Katif. So far it looks like the demonstration is a way to petition G-d rather than a protest against the government. The protesters seem to be asking G-d to change the decision.

However, things are rarely that simple in Israel. At the last minute, the government forbade buses and cars from traveling to that location. Roadblocks and other enforcement measures made it nearly impossible to protest.

Some people chose to protest the government's protest against the protest (You were warned that it would become complicated). They were determined to arrive at that prayer meeting, and they took the steps to get there despite the government decrees. It was an attitude of "I'll show that government."

What was the focus of the protest at that point?

Were they now asking for G-d's intercession?

Is the protest now against the government's new decree?

Is it a prayer meeting or a protest?

Where do you draw the line between the two?

There are no simple answers

Frustrated people do need to speak out. A democratic state must allow their voices to be heard. It will do little good to squelch their need to communicate.

The leaders of the protest argue that it is wrong to remain silent, and that people should cry out when there is a problem.

However, this protest becomes weakened when the focus is less clear. At that point, the demonstrations may become counterproductive. It may be wise to pause for an introspection. The leaders should evaluate whether the demonstrations are moving in the right direction.

A good demonstration must be directed at a clear target. A release of energy might soothe some of the people, but if this palliative is not also a step in the direction of removing the problem, then little has been accomplished.

Demonstrations are usually focused against a senior member of the Israeli government. This reflects a strange behavior on the part of the people.

Despite the demonstrated ineptness of the government, many people continue to feel that their elected officials are all-powerful, and that they control the issues that occur in the country. That approach is clearly wrong. The elected officials have very little power and they are in general controlled by foreign powers or by a Greater Force.

Where do you want to go now?