Gush Shalom
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Gush Shalom (Hebrew: גוש שלום, "the Peace Bloc") is a left-wing peace activist group which sees itself as the hardcore of Israeli peace movement. Gush Shalom is an extra-parliamentary organization, independent of any party or other political grouping. Some of its activists do belong to political parties, but the Gush is not aligned to any particular party. The Gush is led by Uri Avnery, and to many Gush Shalom and Uri Avnery are synonymous.
The movement was established in 1993, by Uri Avnery, as he was disappointed by other Israeli peace movements such as Peace Now.
Often described as "resolute", "militant", "radical" or "consistent", it is known for its unwavering stand in times of crisis, such as the al-Aqsa Intifada. Some call this "persistence" while other see this as "blindness" and "denial". [citation needed]
Gush Shalom objects what they perceive as the illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and claims Israel is committing War Crimes on a daily basis. The movement supports soldier's refusal to serve in these territories, Palestinian Right of return, and an Israeli withdrawal to the Green Line. Gush Shalom activists regularly confront Israeli security forces in construction sites in settlements in the West Bank and Gaza, and along the Separation Barrier.
Uri Avnery, the Gush Shalom leader and a former journalist, was among the first to meet and negotiate with PLO leader Yasser Arafat. Gush Shalom received the Right Livelihood Award in 2001.
[edit] External links
- Gush Shalom home page.
- "All about gush Shalom" page that details their history.
- Right Livelihood Award recipient 2001
- Controversial articles (in Hebrew):
