I was one of the “pro-Palestinian hecklers” that faced off against Alan Dershowitz at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre on February 25.
I heckled because there was no freedom of speech in that United Israel Appeal (UIA) propaganda event. The issues of the stealing of Palestinian land and the killing of Palestinian people were not addressed. I have strong Jewish connections as well as Palestinian friends, some of whom were demonstrating outside, together with the valiant Jews Against the Occupation.
It is time people like Dershowitz faced up to the real injustices created by Zionist colonialism, and the way it has distorted Jewish life. It has been said that Zionism is a prison for Palestinian bodies and for Jewish minds. Thank goodness that Noam Chomsky, Ilan Pappe and others keep the flag flying for Jewish humanity, while, in the rush for a racist state, many others, such as Dershowitz, have abandoned it.
Vivienne Porzsolt of Jews Against the Occupation (JAO) suggested we try to get tickets to the Zionist fund-raising event. As it turned out, I was the only one who got in.
I do not like to interrupt people, even Dershowitz who (to put it kindly) does not enjoy a great reputation for honesty. But I heckled because it is in the interest of free speech to interrupt lies and propaganda. I do not agree with shutting it down, but certainly with interrupting it, and making room for dissent. I wish I had done it more.
I stood up with a banner that read “STOP STEALING PALESTINE”. I shouted “Stop stealing Palestinian land!” A member of the audience ripped the banner from my hands. At that moment I wished I had brought a spare — “STOP STEALING PALESTINE” spray-painted on a cut open pillowcase, compact and light.
Security people came up to me saying I could have my money back if we could talk quietly about it out the back. I refused. I refused a few times. They threatened to remove me forcibly, and I invited them to try it. They did. They prized my hand off the railing and carried me out of the auditorium. For once, being rather overweight was an advantage.
Read the full article written by Stephen Langford at Green Left Weekly.