Broaden the Horizon

[eumelia]

I've always been a bit of a floater when it came to Activism - it has to do that I haven't actually been politically active for that long - I've mainly been active at the Uni and participated in a few things in which I didn't particularly feel I needed to actually be affiliated.

Well, since the operation on Gaza and the marginalization of the Left in these here parts I've felt the need to find a place in which I could be active and have a firm support network.

This past Sunday a general meeting of Hadash - the Party I voted for if you recall - the agenda of which was the establishment of a New Left. Of course, it was more about the broadening of the message Hadash always spoke, but because they aren't "Zionist" have been marginalised.

Thank you human ingenuity for the Interwebs.

Anyway, Hadash (al-Jabha in Arabic) is an acronym for The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality. Like many Leftist organizations, fronts and movements, it is kind of taken for granted that women are included, that women have something to say.
And on Sunday, at the general meeting, every single one of the women who spoke to the large assembly of over 300 people, said that there is not enough women representation.

So this morning, the first meeting of what may turn into the Hadash Feminist Forum met up. It was really interesting, 'cause there were a few older Hadash members, including former (and legendary) MK Tamar Gozansky and a whole lot of newbies like Moi.

I won't get into the whole meeting as minutes were taken and I actually don't remember everything that was said.
I added my own 0.2 about queer women and their position in the Left and society as whole, because we kept talking about women of colour (Jewish and Arab), working class women, mothers etc.
I felt good about at least raising the issue

What really bugged me though, was when an Anarchist man spoke up against affirmative action as an issue and against fighting the prostitution pamphlets that can be picked up at every street corner store.
Why is he against affirmative action?
Because everyone should be judged through their actions and abilities - gender doesn't matter.
Why is he against fighting the prostitution pamphlets (which is the way pimps advertise their prostitutes)?
Because censorship will be used against the Left - only free speech.
Dude.
Shut up.
It was clear he had no idea what he was talking about.

It was a productive meeting and we've already arranged to meet other women's movements that are part of the Front and will most likely start getting things done for International Woman Day - 8th of March FYI.

I'm hoping to find an activism base here, because I'd really like to strengthen the parliamentarian Left in these coming months because of blow it took in these election.
Bibi is Prime Minister.
What is the Agnostic/Atheist cry for help and hope and despair?
Oh, the Humanity!

Comments

[mao4269.livejournal.com]

I'm curious about the make-up of people at the general meeting. Were women a statistical minority? What was the ratio of (non-Jewish) Arabs to Jews, and in which language was it primarily held (or did they have translation)? Thanks for sharing!

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

At the general meet up of Sunday there quite a lot of women, but very much majority men.
There were definitely more Arabs than Jews and the whole thing was conducted in Hebrew - that was to accommodate the huge amount of people in the tiny-tiny space, as far as I'm aware.

[mao4269.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[tinyrevolution.livejournal.com]

I hope you find a good support network there. Rock on, and keep reporting back! :)

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

Thank you :)

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

*sigh* some men (re: anarchist one)

I am heartened to hear about this (and saddened about the small support base for your party and the big supportbase for the evil ones (=Bibi & co))

take care!