Commercials are entertaining. They familiarize us with old songs and popularize new ones. They spark catch phrases…I’m thinking about that wassuup one…I’m sure there are others. I don’t think they can spark peace, though.
When I first heard about this commercial, I was immediately sympathetic to the concern that it is making light of the Wall that is illegal and causes misery for so many- it’s not even supposed to be there. I did feel a bit guilty for a split second that maybe my taking sides was unnecessary when the ad voice over was just talking about everyone wanting to have fun and everyone was playing the game. But there are no Palestinians in the ad, which is odd, so whether it is so ingrained in Israeli society or it was an intentional slight, I think it says something. Not only is there a wall (at which peaceful protesters die, people and land are cut off, land is confiscated), but Israelis cannot bear to portray “the enemy” or those with whom they seek peace.
Maybe it was an innocent commercial, but I bet they carefully avoided images that would insult Israeli “sensibilities” that would more adequately describe working beyond barriers - breaking down the wall, jumping over it, parting it, portraying a section that has the wall currently simply without it or with a ghost of it, etc.
So, maybe it’s not so innocent?
That was the commercial. Then there’s the real life attempt. Maybe the residents of Bili’in had a “good idea, bad idea” moment and picked the wrong one. Was it hope, a spirit of nonviolence, pure curiosoity or a desire to provoke that caused them to toss the ball? Or maybe it is an analogy for the conflict.
THE commercial:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theworldnewser/2009/07/israeli-cell-phone-company-in-hot-water-over-ad-featuring-wall.html
The village of Bili’in and the commercial
http://www.bilin-village.org/english/articles/press-and-independent-media/Palestinians-mock-bad-taste-ad
Palestinians mock 'bad taste' ad
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8161004.stm
I posted these 2 questions on a forum- I think in response to hearing this week about the protests at Bil'in where Israel killed several people.
I can see why Israel wants to silence these people. They've got valid points that they're trying to get across peacefully and they are organized with their own conference and village website. Now that's more dangerous that suicide bombers! It should inspire fear in the hearts of those who thrive on oppression and hatred.
Bil’in’s conference on non-violent resistance
http://www.commongroundnews.org/article.php?id=25400&lan=en&sid=0&sp=0
The village's website:
http://www.bilin-village.org/english/
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How much do you know about the history of Palestinian non-violent resistance?
Do you think there is only suicide bombing and rocket launching?
Were you aware of any non-violent protests currently or in the past?
Do you think these non-violent protests have made a difference?
Should they continue?
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article49
http://qumsiyeh.org/palestiniannonviolentresistance/
(scroll down on this one- it is very detailed when you get there)
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Do you know as much about peaceful Palestinian protest as you do about suicide bombers?
My guess is more Palestinians have peacefully protested than suicide bombed, but that's not the impression you get from the media.
What do you think?
Which do you think are actually more prevalent?
If more people indeed have peacefully protested than suicide bombed, why the opposite impression? Maybe violence sells? What does that say about us? Does it put us on the opposite side of peace?
Non-violent protests against West Bank barrier turn increasingly dangerous
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/27/israel-security-barrier-protests
