Standing Together (movement)

Standing Together
עומדים ביחד (Omdim Beyachad); نقف معًا (Naqif Maʿan)
Formation	2015; 9 years ago
Focus	Socialism; Arab–Jewish equality; Social justice; Progressivism;
Headquarters	Tel Aviv–Jaffa
Location	Israel;
Membership (December 2023)	c. 5000
Official language	Hebrew; Arabic;
Co-Directors	Alon-Lee Green; Rula Daood;
Website	standing-together.org/en (English); standing-together.org (Hebrew/Arabic)

Standing Together (Hebrew: עומדים ביחד, romanized: Omdim Beyachad, lit. 'Standing Together'; Arabic: نقف معًا, Naqif Ma'an) is an Israeli grassroots movement that aims to bring together Arab Israeli and Jewish Israeli communities.^[2] It is the largest Arab-Jewish grassroots movement in the country.^[3] Standing Together first became active in 2015,^[4] and has about 5,300 members as of April 2024.^[5] The movement opposes neoliberalism and the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. It aims to further LGBT rights, women's rights, workers' rights (including disability benefits) and full equality for Palestinian citizens of Israel.^[4]^[6] Since the Israel–Hamas war began in October 2023, the movement has played a leading role in the anti-war and pro-ceasefire protests within Israeli society.

They are known for their purple paraphernalia and branding.^[4] Standing Together has received funding from the New Israel Fund. Alon-Lee Green and Rula Daood are the national co-directors of the movement.

Organization

Standing Together founders have cited Podemos, Momentum, Syriza, and the Democratic Socialists of America as inspirations, but have stated they do not want the movement to become a political party.^[4] The movement's focus on both economic and social justice has been called a strength.^[6]

The movement has nine chapters, called 'circles', across Israel: in the Sharon, the Triangle, and in the Negev, in the major cities of Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem, and in the college campuses of Tel Aviv University, Ben-Gurion University, the University of Haifa, and in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.^[4]

The movement aims to ensure equal treatment for Arab and Jewish-Israelis. The leadership has roughly equal representation of each group, and the movement publishes all material in Hebrew and Arabic.^[6] However, as of 2018, the movement had more Jewish-Israeli members than Arab-Israelis.^[6]

Alon-Lee Green and Rula Daood are the National Co-Directors of the movement, Uri Weltmann is the movement's national field organizer, Sally Abed is the head of the resource development department.^[7] They are all elected leaders with the movement's leadership.

History

Standing Together was founded in late 2015, primarily by individuals who had also been active in Israel's 2011 social justice protests.^[4]^[8] Many of the founders were members of the political party Hadash.^[4]

They have protested political arrests,^[9] evictions in East Jerusalem (including Sheikh Jarrah),^[4]^[9] the Gaza border protests, during which the IDF killed 223 people,^[10] and the planned demolition of Bedouin villages in the Negev.^[4]^[6]

In the summer of 2017, Standing Together protesters blocked several major highways to protest disability benefits being less than minimum wage. They also subsequently helped raise money for protesters who had been fined.^[6]

On December 11, 2017, Standing Together held its first National Assembly, during which they voted on the movement's leaderships and on suggested proposals.^[11]

In 2018, Standing Together worked to spread awareness of, and protest against, Israel’s deportation of African (specifically Eritrean and Sudanese) asylum seekers.^[4]^[6]^[8] The movement was able to organize a 20,000 person strong protest in South Tel Aviv against the planned deportations.^[6] In May 2018, they protested the IDF response to Palestinian protests at the Gazan border, which had resulted in the deaths of more than 60 protesters.^[6]^[12] That month, they also organized protests against the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.^[13]

By 2018, the movement had about 2,000 registered members, and between 20,000 and 30,000 people participated in Standing Together events that year.^[6]

In 2019, a small group of activists from Standing Together protested a policy of Barzilai Medical Center that required Arab bus passengers to be questioned before they could enter the hospital.^[14] Although the policy exempted Arab-Israeli citizens, anecdotal reports had reported Arab-Israeli citizens had also been singled out over the policy.^[15]

In September 2020, the group organized a protest against the Israeli government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic - which the group deemed ineffective - in Tel Aviv.^[16] The group filled Rabin Square with 1,019 empty chairs, each representing an Israeli death from COVID-19.^[16]

In January 2023 Standing Together organized a 20,000-30,000 person strong protest in Tel Aviv against the new government;^[17]^[18] later that year, they participated in the 2023 Israeli judicial reform protests against the 2023 Israeli judicial reform enacted by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.^[19]^[20]

in August 2023, a radio show hosted by the movement's national co-director, Alon-Lee Green, was censured after a right-wing pressure campaign.^[21] A week later, the show was leaked and published online.

In late September 2023, the movement held a protest at Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv to bring attention to the Arabs killed under the policies of security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.^[22]

Work during the Israel-Hamas war

Following the onset of the Israel–Hamas war, Standing Together collected aid for communities affected by the attacks on October 7.^[23] They organized the Solidarity Convention, which spearheaded anti-war and pro-ceasefire rallies in Israel.^[5] They also created a hotline for Arab-Israelis, particularly university students, who were affected by anti-Palestinian sentiments.^[23] Standing Together leadership also traveled to the United States to speak to synagogues and other organizations about their work.^[24]

In January 2024, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel criticized the movement, saying it was a "normalization outfit that seeks to distract from and whitewash Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza".^[25] This characterization received counter-criticism online from academics and activists, including Gazan blogger Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib.^[24]^[26] Arab Israeli members of Standing Together later released a statement in which they denounced PACBI's suggestion that the group be boycotted, saying such calls "serve the interests of Israel’s political establishment, which is also attempting to silence us".^[26]

In March 2024, some activists from the group organized a 30-car convoy in an attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to the Kerem Shalom border crossing into the Gaza Strip. Police forced the convoy to turn around about three kilometers from the crossing.^[27]

In May 2024, the group announced they would be forming a group to protect humanitarian aid trucks bound for the Gaza Strip from attacks by "far-right [Israeli] activists and settlers" while they were moving from Jordan through the West Bank.^[28]^[29] According to Standing Together leadership, the presence of the Standing Together activists allowed all the aid trucks "to pass without the settlers stopping or attacking them".^[29]^[30]

In June 2024, the movement's Humanitarian Guard was active in protecting the Palestinian residents of the Muslim Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem who were attacked by Israeli settlers during the annual Jerusalem Day Flag March.^[31]

References

^ Ahituv, Netta (28 December 2023). "במשך שנים נתפס השמאל כמנותק ותל־אביבי. ברחבי הארץ מסתמנת הזדמנות למפנה" [For years, the left was seen as disconnected and Tel Avivian. Throughout the country, there is an opportunity for a turnaround]. Haaretz (in Hebrew).
^ Green, David B. (12 March 2020). "These Jewish and Arab Israelis Are Creating a New Type of Grassroots Activism". Haaretz. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ McKernan, Bethan (15 October 2023). "'I hope it can endure': examples of Jewish-Arab solidarity offer hope in Israel". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Leifer, Joshua (9 April 2018). "The new Jewish-Arab movement that plans to save the Israeli left". +972 Magazine. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b Wiener, Jon (11 April 2024). "Israeli Jews and Palestinians Standing Together". The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Pollin-Galay, Hannah (18 July 2018). "Can a New Left Movement Shift Israeli Politics?". ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ Weltmann, Uri (14 November 2023). "Grief is fuelling repression and racism in Israel. But our movement for peace is growing". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
^ ^a ^b Fleischacker, Noa (26 March 2020). "Standing Together (Omdim B'Yachad) Against Injustice". Partners For Progressive Israel. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b Green, Alon-Lee. "The Power Of Hope: Standing Together in Israel/palestine". AFSEE. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ "And now for the whitewashing". B'tselem. 24 May 2021.
^ Green, Alon-Lee (19 December 2017). "Standing Together's first National Assembly". New Israel Fund.
^ "Across Israel, hundreds protest Gaza violence". +972 Magazine. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ "Israeli protesters rally against US embassy move to Jerusalem". www.timesofisrael.com. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ Hacohen, Hagay (20 January 2019). "Standing Together activists resist policy to ask Arabs off the bus". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ Konrad, Edo (20 January 2019). "Activists pulled off bus for protesting racial profiling at Israeli hospital". +972 Magazine. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b "1,019 empty chairs express coronavirus deaths in Israel". The Jerusalem Post. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ Matar, Haggai (12 January 2023). "The struggle brewing inside Israel's anti-government movement". +972 Magazine. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ Peleg, Bar; Shimoni, Ran; Hashmonai, Adi (7 January 2023). "Thousands March in Tel Aviv in Protest of Netanyahu's Far-right Gov't, Judicial Overhaul". Haaretz. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ Serhan, Yasmeen (24 July 2023). "Israel Passes Legislation That Will Test Its Democracy". Time. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ Davies, Rhodri (26 April 2023). "Israeli Arabs torn over judicial reforms protest movement". BBC News. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ "Left-wing Activist's Show on Israeli Army Radio Nixed After Right-wing Pressure Campaign". 12 August 2023.
^ Barnea, Yuval (28 September 2023). "Dizengoff Square painted red in memory of 188 murdered in Arab society". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b Webster, Emma Sarran (26 April 2024). "This Jewish-Arab Movement Is 'Standing Together' Against the War In Gaza". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
^ ^a ^b Rosenfeld, Arno (25 January 2024). "BDS movement targets Standing Together over 'normalization'". The Forward. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
^ "Standing Together: Serving Apartheid Israel's Propaganda". BDS Movement. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Israeli peace group Standing Together says calls to boycott its work are 'infuriating'". The Times of Israel. 3 February 2024.
^ "In show of solidarity, left-wing activists attempt to deliver aid to civilians in Gaza". The Times of Israel. Agence France-Presse.
^ Fink, Rachel (18 May 2024). "Arab-Jewish Movement Standing Together Plans to Guard Gaza Aid Convoys From Right-wing Looters". Haaretz.
^ ^a ^b Sharon, Jeremy (19 May 2024). "Peace activists descend on West Bank crossing to thwart extremists blocking aid trucks". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
^ "Gaza war: Israelis attack aid convoys sent for Palestinians". www.bbc.com. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
^ Cordall, Simon Speakman; Jamal, Urooba. "'Standing Together' against far-right Israeli hate in Jerusalem". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 20 June 2024.

External links

Official website

[1] Ahituv, Netta (28 December 2023). "במשך שנים נתפס השמאל כמנותק ותל־אביבי. ברחבי הארץ מסתמנת הזדמנות למפנה" [For years, the left was seen as disconnected and Tel Avivian. Throughout the country, there is an opportunity for a turnaround]. Haaretz (in Hebrew).

[2] Green, David B. (12 March 2020). "These Jewish and Arab Israelis Are Creating a New Type of Grassroots Activism". Haaretz. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[:0-3] McKernan, Bethan (15 October 2023). "'I hope it can endure': examples of Jewish-Arab solidarity offer hope in Israel". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[:1-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Leifer, Joshua (9 April 2018). "The new Jewish-Arab movement that plans to save the Israeli left". +972 Magazine. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[:6-5] Wiener, Jon (11 April 2024). "Israeli Jews and Palestinians Standing Together". The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 22 May 2024.

[:2-6] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Pollin-Galay, Hannah (18 July 2018). "Can a New Left Movement Shift Israeli Politics?". ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[7] Weltmann, Uri (14 November 2023). "Grief is fuelling repression and racism in Israel. But our movement for peace is growing". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 November 2023.

[:3-8] Fleischacker, Noa (26 March 2020). "Standing Together (Omdim B'Yachad) Against Injustice". Partners For Progressive Israel. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[:4-9] Green, Alon-Lee. "The Power Of Hope: Standing Together in Israel/palestine". AFSEE. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[10] "And now for the whitewashing". B'tselem. 24 May 2021.

[11] Green, Alon-Lee (19 December 2017). "Standing Together's first National Assembly". New Israel Fund.

[12] "Across Israel, hundreds protest Gaza violence". +972 Magazine. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[13] "Israeli protesters rally against US embassy move to Jerusalem". www.timesofisrael.com. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[14] Hacohen, Hagay (20 January 2019). "Standing Together activists resist policy to ask Arabs off the bus". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[15] Konrad, Edo (20 January 2019). "Activists pulled off bus for protesting racial profiling at Israeli hospital". +972 Magazine. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[:5-16] "1,019 empty chairs express coronavirus deaths in Israel". The Jerusalem Post. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[17] Matar, Haggai (12 January 2023). "The struggle brewing inside Israel's anti-government movement". +972 Magazine. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[18] Peleg, Bar; Shimoni, Ran; Hashmonai, Adi (7 January 2023). "Thousands March in Tel Aviv in Protest of Netanyahu's Far-right Gov't, Judicial Overhaul". Haaretz. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[19] Serhan, Yasmeen (24 July 2023). "Israel Passes Legislation That Will Test Its Democracy". Time. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[20] Davies, Rhodri (26 April 2023). "Israeli Arabs torn over judicial reforms protest movement". BBC News. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[21] "Left-wing Activist's Show on Israeli Army Radio Nixed After Right-wing Pressure Campaign". 12 August 2023.

[22] Barnea, Yuval (28 September 2023). "Dizengoff Square painted red in memory of 188 murdered in Arab society". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[:7-23] Webster, Emma Sarran (26 April 2024). "This Jewish-Arab Movement Is 'Standing Together' Against the War In Gaza". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 22 May 2024.

[:8-24] Rosenfeld, Arno (25 January 2024). "BDS movement targets Standing Together over 'normalization'". The Forward. Retrieved 22 May 2024.

[25] "Standing Together: Serving Apartheid Israel's Propaganda". BDS Movement. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.

[:9-26] "Israeli peace group Standing Together says calls to boycott its work are 'infuriating'". The Times of Israel. 3 February 2024.

[27] "In show of solidarity, left-wing activists attempt to deliver aid to civilians in Gaza". The Times of Israel. Agence France-Presse.

[28] Fink, Rachel (18 May 2024). "Arab-Jewish Movement Standing Together Plans to Guard Gaza Aid Convoys From Right-wing Looters". Haaretz.

[:10-29] Sharon, Jeremy (19 May 2024). "Peace activists descend on West Bank crossing to thwart extremists blocking aid trucks". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 May 2024.

[30] "Gaza war: Israelis attack aid convoys sent for Palestinians". www.bbc.com. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.

[31] Cordall, Simon Speakman; Jamal, Urooba. "'Standing Together' against far-right Israeli hate in Jerusalem". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 20 June 2024.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

Standing Together (movement)

Organization

History

Work during the Israel-Hamas war

References

External links

Read other articles:

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

San Salvatore Monferrato

ソー (オー＝ド＝セーヌ県)

P-3 Orion

Pieter Cornelis van der Willigen

Grand Prix Hassan II 2009

Державний комітет телебачення і радіомовлення України

Chester

2016年美國總統選舉

哈萨克斯坦总统

Высшее военно-морское инженерное училище имени Ф. Э. Дзержинского

Alpine skiing at the 1968 Winter Olympics – Women's giant slalom

Integral

Unification of Moldova and Romania

Efrizal Ramli

الحشد الشعبي

1925 Northwestern Wildcats football team

Menteri Dalam Negeri Amerika Serikat

Daftar quarter administratif di Paris

The Big Shakedown