went to counter-protest today at an israel rally. they threw bottles at us. police acted as a barrier to keep us safe. It was disgustingly hypocritical and obnoxious to see the pro-israel ralliers shake hands with the police, "thank you, thank you", as if the island of 5 muslims and three kids are such a threat. their threat perception is so distorted, I pity them. it's that kind of insecurity that allows them to excuse themselves for being so abusive. self-defense, they claim. "our existence is threatened" they claim. no one wants to hurt them. no one ever makes a threat from our side. who are they watching amongst us that is so frightening? instead, at the justice for lebanon rally, there were israel supporters who were lost on our side of hte street. we kindly helped them across to "their side". when we tried to get through the crowd of israel supporters to "our side" we were mobbed, threatened, had bottles thrown at us and needed a police escort back to our little island.

"where's your bomb belt? Is it at home with your kids? Are they playing with it?"
"Murderers" "terrorists!"
"take off the [american] flag you're getting it dirty!"
"ISRAEL!" - a ten year old shoving a flag in our face
other pro-israel folks took pictures of us. no doubt their intentions were insidious. i'm sure my face has either been shipped to hte cia or is being mutilated for some sick online post.
"5 4 6 9 There's no such thing as Palestine!"
"3 4 7 8 Israel is a Jewish state!"
"Go home to Lebanon!"
"Death to Islam!"
"Aren't you hot in there?" (why dont you ask the rabbi next to you that's more heavily clad in black than any of us)
"Today We Stand Proud as Angelinos, As Americans, For Israel!"
(how easily they intertwine these identities so that criticism of Israel seems like a betrayal of all things American)

I spoke to Melissa McBride from Channel 7 News, but off camera. She'd just finished reporting that the protest was non-violent and civil. I told her that's not exactly true, they threw bottles at us. She tried to assert that she reports both sides, but that the "other side" always perceives her being more sympathetic to their "opponents" when she listens to their views. Sure, I understand that. But I think journalists need to protect their credibility as much as possible, and the safest stance to take in heated moments like this is to say everyone is equally guilty or equally civil and stay out of it. They're not in it for justice if they care about a career.