Gordon writes about the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), which is a Palestinian-led organization that began in summer 2001 to coordinate European and North American volunteers to accompany non-violent Palestinian actions in the occupied territories. The ISM does not identify itself as anarchist, but he argues that "two clear connections to anarchism can nevertheless be made. First, in terms of the personnel, international solidarity activities in Palestine have seen a major and sustained presence of anarchists, who had earlier cut their teeth on anti-capitalist mobilizations and local grassroots organizing in North America and Europe, thus constituting "the foremost vehicle for on-the-ground involvement of international anarchists in Palestine. Second, and more substantially, the ISM prominently displays many features of anarchist political culture: lack of formal membership, policy and leadership; a decentralized organizing model based on autonomous affinity groups, spokescouncils and consensus decision-making; and a strategic focus on short-term campaigns and creative tactics that stress direct action and grassroots empowerment.
In 2003, many of the Israelis that had been working with the ISM "felt the need to give more visibility to their own resistance as Israelis, by creating an autonomous group working together with Palestinians and internationals, writes Gordon. While participating at a protest camp in the village of Mas'ha, this direct-action group soon named itself Anarchists Against the Wall. Since eviction from Mas'ha, these anarchists have participated in several other joint actions, where sometimes "Palestinians and Israelis have managed to tear down or cut through parts of the fence, or to break through gates along it, reports Gordon.
Studying To Win
In the conclusion, written from Kibbutz Samar in Israel, Gordon acknowledges that his book provides "more questions than answers, but this is the most important thing about it. By looking at the anarchist and global anti-capitalist movements self-critically, and asking tough questions, Anarchy Alive is a powerful tool for all activists, so that we can improve our strategies.
Alongside Gordon's self-criticism is his optimistic belief that things can change when people come together and fight. He concludes by arguing that "these days anarchists and their allies are again sensing that the tides are turning. With the defeat, in Iraq and elsewhere, of the US attempt at global hegemony, things are shifting in the global system and a new surge of struggle may be on the horizon"There are new questions for anarchists to face now " questions about winning.
--This article first appeared in the October issue of Z Magazine. Hans Bennett is an anarchist and independent multi-media journalist.(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
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