How much public influence does a pro-Palestinian Israeli have?

All respect, Jonathan. All the way from Gaza..

See what else is going on in the world, Britain, America, China, Russia, (Israel)...etc... These Democratic countries above, are removing rights and liberties from the people they are meant to protect, look at America for example, "Land of the Free..." Yeah not for long, its recognised worldly as the number 3 Police State? (...Home of the Brave") to those who are standing up to protect liberty. Chemtrails over europe and America, and... Palestine?... hmmmmmmm To end, well done Sir, the world needs MORE of you not less!

Imagine if the above misguided gentleman was taking part in a demonstration against Hamas's legal blockade to stop Jewish Jihadists importing arms to attack Palestinians. What do you think his sentence would be if he was apprehended by Hamas? Three months in jail, optional, or would he be last seen live on the net pleading for his live whilst religious nut jobs were trying to saw off his head? The above may be a hero to the eternal students on the left, but with Jews like him who needs jihadists. Meantime, as long as Hamas is at war with Israel then the blockade is entirely legal.

was their killing ever investigated?

He said: “Although Israel marketed the Wall as a security barrier, logic suggests such a barrier would be as short and straight as possible. Instead, it snakes deep inside the West Bank, resulting in a route that is twice as long as the Green Line, the internationally recognized border. Israel chose the Wall’s path in order to dispossess Palestinians of the maximum land and water, to preserve as many Israeli settlements as possible, and to unilaterally determine a border. “In order to build the Wall Israel is uprooting tens of thousands of ancient olive trees that for many Palestinians are also the last resource to provide food for their children. The Palestinian aspiration for an independent state is also threatened by the Wall, as it isolates villages from their mother cities and divides the West Bank into disconnected cantons [bantusans/ghettos]. The Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem conservatively estimates that 500,000 Palestinians are negatively impacted by the Wall. “We believe that, as with Apartheid South Africa, Americans have a vital role to play in ending Israeli occupation - by divesting from companies that support Israeli occupation, boycotting Israeli products, coming to Palestine as witnesses, or standing with Palestinians in nonviolent resistance." Jonathan inspired me to stand up in Bilin 4 times- so far! http://wearewideawake.org/

Your efforts are greatly appreciated, from the bottom of the collective Palestinian heart. We can live in peace but first, we need more common Israelis to wake up and oppose your government policies!

As an israeli it brings me comfort and hope to know that yonatan polack and many others are here as an island of sanity in a sea of rasist madness that we have become. I hope the three months go by fast. I'm sure he is aware of how easy a sentence it is compared to what he would have received had he had been palestinian. Blessings.

a fascist state

Let the judenrat fester or give him to the 'peace loving' Hamas and let them show him how much they love him and his family

Jews of conscience who defy the anti-democratic, jingoistic, criminal elements which float through Israeli society pretending to be the keepers of Israel. A true Jewish soul.

I don't believe left-wing activists never come across reproachable things Palestinians do. If they do and let it be - they are complicit. In any case, when a story is too rosy, and by previous experience, left-wing media is not very objective, I suspect it. Although, so far from what we're being told, it also not impossible that this is a very nice guy who manages to keep its integrity, while walking to the other side. This would be a real success of personal skills from his part. I think the media should give us more info about previous activities he took part in.

Inspirational stuff

Actions by the government like this will only radicalize the people already upset and make more people in the middle of the road side with them. The Left may soon be sailing their own Altalena and it's the short-sighted government to blame.

The Israeli blockade is a collective punishment of the entire civilian population of Gaza - something forbidden by the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law.

A great article about an inspiring, courageous and heroic young man!

Or is it when little girls are daughters of settlers, all cruelty is allowed against them. His friends in demonstrations did trow stones on soldiers. Did you ask him if he did throw stones too? The picture the media shows us is of a very nice guy, supporting Hamas and Hizballa as exemplary human organizations. Either this is false, or the he is very naive. I don't think he is so naive. This guy is not 13, and he uses the judge sentence as a propaganda boost. I saw his interviews on tv., all calculated and supported by the interviewer, not one hard question (like "Do you support Hamas?" "Were you ever acting violently in demonstrations?" " Were you ever part of plans to physically harm Israelis?"). He is surrounded by media friends looking over his notes, or this one sided article. I think something is missing in this story. No good and nice person can support Hamas and Hizballa as exemplars of human societies. I don't buy that. Did the media ever interviewed the settlers girls, 13 year old, who were arrested? No, because they little Jewish girls.

Israel urgently need people like him, otherwise Liebermann and Cö. will destroy the civil society of Israel by their racisism.

I heart Jonathon Pollak.

I am very surprised that free speech or peaceful non violent demonstrations are dealt with in this way.Someone has to be a 'leader' , however in these cases the leader is not acting selfishly,but,(as he sees it) for the unbiased common good. Unfortunately, lots of 'leaders' who are'official' in politics ,are there for selfish agrandisement ,but often not for the good of a country or its people.

It's good to see Israelis who get public exposure while preaching peace and tolerance. He's a hero of our dark, settler-plagued time.

The modest but convicting statements and political stand of Jonathan Pollack are of the sort that justify maintaining a measure of optimism for the future of Israel and all of its citizens. Were this article to be read across the globe I expect that there would be enthusiastic responses not only for Jonathan and his cause, but also the much coveted recognition that the authentic spirit of Judaism lives on in Israel and is actually being lived out day by day by Jewish Israelis.

Larry King was famous for his softball interviews, which is why celebs and politicians loved being on his show. The never had to worry that King would ask them a tough or embaressing question. So when I read this interview it sounded more like Larry King than Amira Hess. If this were a paper for a BA in journalism, you would have gotten an F. But I figured I'd help you out. Here's a few questions that you could've asked Pollack but didn't: Does your activism include demonstrating against Palestinian terrorism? Do you oppose blowing up busses and restaurants in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, etc...? What territory do you consider to be occupied (just the WB, Gaza and Golan) or do you also consider Tel Aviv and Carmiel to be occupied? In your opinion, what is the prevelant Pal view on these issues? Do you really beleive that a complete Israeli withdrawal back to the pre-67 lines would bring peace? Why does Pal terrorism pre-date '67? Are you opposed to the sepreation fence itself or just the route of the fence (i.e. where it's not on the green line)? If you oppose the barrier and not just the route, what do you make of the fact that the fence has clearly reduced the number of terror attacks in Israel? There are many more, but I figure that'll give Amira a few ideas for next time.

This is the kind of compassionate Israeli that will eventually save the country from itself, showing the world not all Israelis are crazy rightists living in illegal settlements and preaching racism to their daughters. He's a

Jonathan lives what he believes is right, harming no one, disturbing in the best of ways. He is a source of hope and inspiration. A short article on his condemnation appears in French here : http://carol.blog.tdg.ch/archive/2010/12/28/manifestation-a-bicyclette-pour-gaza-liberte-d-expression-ba.html. I will shortly publish a translation of this article for which many many thanks.

I think instead of sending him to prison, the police should sent him to live in Gaza/Tul Karem. To learn about `freedom` under Hamas/PLO.

Perhaps this is why we do not hear many voices within Israel, against this unacceptable blockade. The Israeli government seems to be stifling any kind of protest or opposition against their unpopular policies. This is what perhaps the regimes in Iran and North Korea might do.

When you destroy a people's livelihood, and attempt to crush them beneath the boot, It will be hard to ever achieve peace & security.

All respect to Jonathan! By the way, I admire this response: "And had there been 2,000, would you have requested a permit? I personally wouldn't have. Why? Because I don't believe that when you are demonstrating against a regime, the regime is the one that has to approve the demonstration. "

The philosophy behind this fellow is anti.rule anti regime anti givernment and also "hefkerut" - no rule , no one who will tell him what to do. Freedom in his opinion means "hefkerut, to do whatever he wants to do. If he wants to muder tomorrow- no one can tell him otherwise. If he wants to plunder , steal , rape or whatever- he craves freedom to do whatever he wants. He seeks Freedom for Gaza terrorists who murdered Israelis. However , nothing is taken into consideration because his philosophy is based on Freedom , so no is to rule over the terrorists and not allow them to kill and murder. Freedom or "hefkerut"- that is his philosophy. No reasoning behind it. That is why chazal tells us to pray for government , fo if not one person will devour his neighbor. Now, he could be governed ny Tora ethics and principles , however that is certainly not this fellows' agenda. Therefore , he must abide by the Israeli law and rules, and he if he is against that rule- he should go to jail , because he is a threat to Israeli law and society.

We need to strugle on and on to achiev peace for our kids.Long live you and all peace lovers

.The judge should explains how the siege is legal and he,however,should praise Pollak because,at least for a common people the siege is obviously inhuman and the duty of people is not to obey to this kind of inhuman action and to protest against it..

Another day when I wake up questioning the rightist policies of our government. Is the government resorting to arrests and investigations such as those that took place in the US by the House on Un-American Activities in the 50's in order to fulfill its agenda? Very sad state of affairs.

and we are blind, egoistic, nationalistic, lazy etc etc. but in 20 years, when the arab population here is 1/3, then we'll SEE that it is our problem - but then its too late and the disaster starts

These ideological extremists (left or right) are a danger to peace. We should be resolute when dealing with them or they will push us to war (if Gaza can get any weapons without restrictions there will be huge war).

So, this activist wants Israel to be a better place or to be in better place?

Were it not for people like Jonathan Polack one could lose all hope. It is incredible that "the only democracy in the Middle East" puts people away because they exercise their democratic right to express a political opinion. Others are intimidated tby the security services as Haaretz reported a few days ago. Where is Israel heading?

MG the guy is 28, did not manage to study a lot, has no major experience in life, seems to have zero affinity to pubkuc life. All he has got is lots of adrenaline guts, and סברות כרס . He could hardly manage a fashion store or a supermarket. But wants to change society. What allures! And you guys listen to him and publish the outcome of his mouth. .What fools! Don't forget Karl Marx spent years and years at libraries before moves to change society to suit his wishes started.

.. in the only ME Democracy. Wake -up people of Israel.

Interesting that in Israel freedom is characterised as 'bombastic' - what does this say about a State that pretends to be a modern democracy???

Jonathan Pollak, thank you very much.

A brave, apparently non violent guy, who I suspect is about to become an international cause celebre. If I was Netanyahu I'd get him out of jail immediately. But I'm not. Haaretz is fascinating because it shows Israel every single day digging a deeper hole for itself.

there is nothing worse then a self hating Jew. This is so sad to see someone of the chosen people not want to be part of the tribe. he should be ashamed

If the world is fair he should have a future in politics, as a policymaker, which is what he is now.

How is it that someone who wants his/her country to actually be a better place is villified?

What a joke, its sad what the zionist government come out with ... it really is.