Former Israeli leader’s SF visit draws protests

By Greg Zeman
Staff writer

Protesters greeted former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with loud interruptions at a public forum hosted by the World Affairs Council of Northern California at the Westin St. Francis Hotel on Oct. 22.

Roughly 25 activists, who demanded Olmert’s arrest for war crimes, were charged with disrupting a public assembly and taken to the San Francisco Police Department’s Tenderloin Station where they were booked and released.

“We know that people have very strong views,” said Jane Wales, CEO of the WAC, before introducing Olmert. “We appreciate the fact that you do, and that’s why you’re gathered here to ask questions and to learn more. I would note that we won’t be tolerating any disruptions during the conversation.”

Wendy Kaufmyn, an engineering professor at City College since 1983, stood up and accused Olmert of “crimes against peace, as articulated in article six of the Nuremberg principles, war crimes and crimes against humanity in violation of the requirements arms and export control act.” Kaufmyn, equipped with plastic handcuffs and a “warrant,” tried to place Olmert under citizen’s arrest.

“Not that I had any unrealistic expectations that I’d be able to,” Kaufmyn said. “But that was my objective.”

“I’m Jewish,” Kaufmyn said. “I’ve been an activist most of my life, but I never really got involved in the Middle East because I come from a very pro-Israel, Zionist family and I just never really wanted to deal with it.”

In 2002 Kaufmyn took her first trip to the West Bank and volunteered as a human rights worker. She has been back several times since.

“Our tax money is being used to perpetrate a very oppressive and brutal military occupation in Palestine, which is wildly unjust,” Kaufmyn said. “The people are suffering.”

For the next hour, Olmert and Wales tried to continue their conversation despite numerous interruptions from protesters.

“I must say I’m very impressed by the amount of energy that some of them have, which is quite interesting, particularly when they have no idea,” Olmert said in response to the interruptions. “They know nothing about the facts, they know nothing about Gaza. Eventually, the majority that really want to listen will remain and we’ll have a very nice and pleasant evening.”

“I’ve seen the blood on your hands,” said Ali Glenesk, a Gaza Freedom March student outreach coordinator as she held up her own hands, which  appeared to be covered in blood. “I’ve been in Gaza! I saw! You have blood on your hands! You deserve to be in a prison, not a hotel.”

The interruptions were staggered in two minute intervals to maximize the disruption.

“It was amazing to see that,” said Rae Abileah, an organizer for Code Pink, an activist group that began in late 2002. “To be in a room where every two minutes somebody was going off, you know? They couldn’t get a word in edgewise, and it completely changed the tone of what was said.”

Outside the event, protesters from various organizations waved signs and held banners.

“There’s about 150 officers here tonight,” said Lt. Joe Garrity of the SFPD. “It’s a controversial issue.”

“I have friends in Palestine, and I really hate the life they live because America supports Israel and supports the oppression there,” San Francisco resident John Mark Stratford said. “Olmert is definitely a war criminal if you adhere to international humanitarian law, but it’s really unfortunate that the United States chooses not to.”

Kaufmyn said she thought the World Affairs Council had no business inviting a war criminal to speak, relating Olmert to Frenand Marcos, Charles Taylor, Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler. She said it was objectionable for them to give him a stage.

A counter protest of about 30 individuals gathered across from the anti-Olmert demonstrators, waving U.S and Israeli flags to support Israel and welcoming Olmert to San Francisco.

“When they say ‘end the occupation’ they are referring to all of Israel, they’re referring to Tel Aviv and Haifa as occupied territory that are part of the state of Israel since its independence,” said Mike Harris of Stand With Us/San Francisco Voice for Justice. “They are accusing Israel of war crimes in Gaza when Israel has taken more care to avoid civilian casualties than any military in history that has operated in a civilian area.”

Despite the contentious nature of the event, some observers looked to the future with cautious optimism.

“It doesn’t matter what your religion or creed or ethnicity is. What really matters is how much you’re willing to work for a better future for your children,” said Fadi Quran, a Stanford Student who attended the public forum.

Quran said his vision for a resolution to the Israeli and Palestinian conflict would be “a state that is governed by unity between people instead of certain nationalistic aspects that, on both sides, make people feel like they’re victims who have to defend themselves.”