Eyes on the prize

The Jewish Daily [English] Forward had an interesting article "Occupation Divides Israeli Protest Movement: Will Efforts To Broaden Focus Lead to Marginalization?" addressing the social protest movement in Israel, which recently renewed its active protest activities from last summer.

Last summer's protest focused principally on affordable housing and lowering the cost of living (food, public transportation, etc.). Tent cities were established throughout the country and thousands--estimated at close to half a million--marched in solidarity. In response, the (national) government established a study commission (Trajeman) to address social welfare issues. With the issuance of its report and government approval, the status quo was returned.

The sense of frustration was reinforced when several other national issues come to the fore; the need to reformulate a draft policy (which currently provides either a long-term deferral or exemption to haredi men, and a total exemption of Arabs by the IDF/military), corporate/economic concentration. And, the proverbial issue of "The Palestinian Territories".

Earlier this month, thousands marched to demand the implementation of a new national service policy--haredim to serve in either (specially designed) military units or a national/civilian service program, Arabs commit to civilian service corp (within or outside their communities)--which was being 'debated' by the cabinet/government.

Others, though are trying to move the social protest movement into a different direction, grafting a call to end the (Israeli) occupation of Judea & Samaria/The West Bank (and some changes in the Gaza policy as well).

As Nir Nader, a leader of the "No Social Justice Without Ending the Occupation" protest rally said:

You can’t have social justice for just 7 million people who are Israeli citizens — you have to take everyone under Israeli rule into consideration

The issue, has served to divide more than united the social protest movement.

Some more centrist protestors are taken aback by talk of the occupation. “It seems to me like an attempt to hijack what we have here for a narrow agenda. I don’t agree with their politics and they shouldn’t bring it in,” said Jonathan Divish, a 29-year-old accounts clerk from Jerusalem, who attended the larger, draft-themed July 7 demonstration. [Idan] Miller (a leader of Common Denominator, which organized the pro-draft/national service rally) believes that the demand to withdraw unilaterally is too simplistic, “when there’s a real fear that if we withdraw from [the West Bank] we will be attacked like from Gaza.”

It's even been divisive for the left-wing political community. Dov Khenin, a representative of the far-left Hadash party and one of the most popular politicians at last year’s demonstrations, argues

[T]hat focusing on the occupation is detrimental to effecting real social change. In his view, parties in Israel lack any impetus to formulate social policies that appeal to the public, because they know that they win or lose elections based on issues related to the conflict. “Israeli governments are elected not on social and economic issues, [but] rather on the dilemma of the territories and peace, and this is why the highly capitalist policies of the last 20 years continued,” 

If the goal of the social protest movement to affect change in the Israeli society, it's imperative to keep the message simple and focused, and, actively avoid splintering the voice and demand for change. The more complicated and multifaceted the message, the easier it'll be to have the government/opinion makers drive a wedge into the movement (and its momentum) as well as moving the movement "off message." If last year's protest which were fairly cohesive produced little real change, all the more so, if the protesters engage in grape-shot this summer.

If the goal is to make socioeconomic issues a real determining factor in the next elections--currently scheduled for mid-2013--it's essential to keep it as the central focus of the protest leaders. Eyes on the prize, otherwise, you'll just be sticks in the mud.