VIRTUAL JEWISH MUSEUM

Child stone throwing

Activism.Palestinian summit medal

Arabs in and around the Holy Land began having conferences about Palestine in 1919. The general thrust was to oppose Zionism and to express concern for Moslem holy places. This medal, a souvenir from Cairo in January 1938, is from the "High Parliament for Arab and Islamic countries for Defense of Palestine". It was concerned with the rapid steps being taken to establish a Zionist state and the proposals for partitioning the territory.

Activism.Aid Palestine tax

Tax stamps were issued after the 1948 war by sympathetic countries to support the Palestinian cause. These, from Lebanon and Iraq, are overprinted 'Save Palestine'.

Palestine week/day

Over the years neighboring and sympathetic countries have shown nominal support by declaring a 'Palestine Week' or Palestine Day', also announced on their postage stamps. These are from Egypt, Syria, Kuwait, and Morocco. In 1977, the UN General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. (On that day, in 1947, the same Assembly had adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine.)

Iran's Jerusalem Day

Quds Day is an annual event held on the last Friday of Ramadan that was initiated by the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979 to express support for the Palestinians and oppose Zionism and Israel, as well as Israel's occupation of Jerusalem and Jewish settlements in Israeli-occupied territories. It is in opposition to the Jerusalem Day celebration instituted by Israel in May 1968. Quds (= Kadosh = Holy) is the Islamic name for Jerusalem. These graphic stamps mark the day.

Al Fatah

Earlier Palestinian organizations had dissolved. Institutions of Palestinian nationality emerged slowly among Palestinian refugees. In 1954, active members of Palestinian student unions in Cairo and Beirut, including Yasser Arafat, founded the Fatah ('conquest') organization - the Palestinian National Liberation Movement. They were dedicated to liberating Palestine by their own actions. It became the dominant force in Palestinian politics after the 1967 war.

Fatah Medal

A medal of the Fatah organization. The left side shows a map of 'Palestine' between to Palestinian flags. Below 'Fatah' and below that 'Palestine Liberation Organization'. The right side shows the map within a wreath with Fatah written over it. Below it reads 'Revolution Until Victory'.

Fatah pins

These pins show affiliation to the Fatah movement. The yellow one states below 'Palestine National Liberation Movement'. Above in red 'The Storm' which was the name for their military arm. Behind is the country map, shown in the Islamic color green. The silver pin was for para-military youth and declares 'Revolution until Victory'.

Fatah.The Storm

This Fatah postcard announces 'Revolution Until Victory'. A fighter carrying the Palestine flag , and a weapon, runs from the squalor of refugee tents to the Israel octopus. 'The Storm' legend is the name of the armed wing of the al-Fatah movement.

Yasser Arafat.1929-2004

Chairman of the PLO from 1969 to 2004 & President of the Palestinian National Authority from 1994 to 2004, Arafat was born to Palestinian parents in Cairo. He fought in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. He co-founded Fatah which launched attacks on Israeli from neighboring states. In 1988, he acknowledged Israel's right to exist & sought a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. 1994 Arafat received the Nobel Peace Prize, together with Rabin & Peres, for the negotiations at Oslo.

PLO

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was founded in 1964 at a conference in East Jerusalem, attended by the neighboring countries and Qatar, Libya, Kuwait and Iraq. They sought to 'Prohibit the existence and activity of Zionism'. Ahmad Shukeiri, a lawyer and diplomat, was elected its first chairman. The 400 delegates wore badges showing a map of Palestine inscribed 'We Shall Return".

Palestine medal

This medal declares on one side "We shall return", the founding slogan of the PLO. On the other side we read "The High committee nourishing youth - General Governor Administration, Palestine".

Button Slogans

'Self-determination for the Palestinian' people is one of the founding ideals of the PLO. The slogan 'Restore Palestine to the Arab people' on the other hand, shows the real essence of this conflict: Arabs regard this as their land (ever since conquering it from the Byzantine Christian empire) and simply cannot accept rulership by non-Arabs. It has changed rulers many times - and which ARAB government rules it at any moment is merely a detail.

'Free Palestine' Buttons

Sympathizers in the West wear buttons that proclaim their support for the Palestinian cause.

Anti-Palestine buttons

And there are opponents who advertise their point of view.

Activism.Deir Yassin stamps

Stamps can help perpetuate old grievances and attract sympathy. Deir Yassin was the site of a complicated wartime action in 1948. Jewish fighters evacuated many Arab residents but others were killed in the fighting. The Arab narrative inflated it to a massacre, and that story gained traction even in some Jewish circles. Many countries have issued graphic stamps commemorating the event and implying worse for the future.

Activism.Burning Mosque Accusation

On August 21, 1969, a fire engulfed the southeastern wing of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem known to Muslims as Haram-al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary). Dennis Michael Rohan, an Australian tourist was found responsible. Rohan was a Protestant follower of the Church of God, an evangelical sect. He was later found to be mentally ill & was hospitalized in a mental institution. This did not stop the Arab propaganda machine from identifying him as a Jew & a Zionist, acting on behalf of Israel.

Activism.Jordan.Sabra and Shatila

The Sabra & Shatila massacre was the killing of many hundreds of Palestinian & Shiite civilians by a Lebanese Christian militia, in the Sabra neighborhood & the adjacent Shatila refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon. It was 1982 and Israelis controlled the area as part of the Lebanese war. Although it was instigated by prior feuding between local groups, in which 150,000 Lebanese had been killed, Israel was blamed for not stopping it, by the UN, an IDF commission, and these graphic Jordanian stamps.

Activism.Stamps of actual events

Israel bombed Iraqi nuclear reactor June 1981. In early 1970, the Israeli air force accidentally bombed an industrial plant in Abu Za`abal, killing 80 workers. In Feb. 1973 a Libyan airplane flying from Tripoli to Cairo got lost over the Sinai Peninsula. When it didn't respond to Israeli signals to land it was shot down and crashed. Every response to terrorism from Gaza is framed as 'aggression' against refugee camps.

Activism.Rights of Palestine people

Indonesia issued this stamp and illustrated envelope to support the 'Rights of the Palestine People'. The graphic shows a mother and child, perhaps representing refugees. The dominant religion in Indonesia is Islam.

Activism.Freedom of Palestine

Malaysia issued these stamps proclaiming 'Freedom for Palestine'. Illustrated is the Dome of the Rock, the well-known shrine on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It has served as a rallying cry for Arabs for a hundred years. The official state religion of Malaysia is Islam.

Activism.Refugee Newsletter

"The Palestine Arab Refugee" is a 1957 newsletter stating the Arab case for Palestine. It starts with the dealings of the British in World War I. In a fairly accurate review, it describes the promises British made to Arab leaders, in order to gain support for the war against the Ottomans. Also mentioned are the promises to France through the Sykes-Picot agreement and the promises to Jews in the Balfour Declaration. All of the killing and misery of 1948 is blamed on Israel.

Activism.No Jewish Stars

In 1974, Iran issued a banknote with a background of a six-pointed star. Over the next few years some leaders found this objectionable, as it seemed to remind them of the star on Israel's flag. A few years later the note was re--issued. It had been re-engraved to add six more points, now showing a much less offensive 12 pointed star. Ironically, this star was a mostly Moslem symbol up until the 20th century, and had appeared on countless Islamic coins.

Activism.Land Day

March 30th is Palestinian 'Land Day', to commemorate what happened in 1976. Israel decided to appropriate lands that had been abandoned by Arab refugees or displaced owners, to build several communities in the Gallilee. Both demographic and security issues were of concern. A curfew was imposed on March 29th. Arabs responded into the next day with marches, strikes, riots, rock throwing and fire bombs, leading to loss of life. The event served to galvanize Arab civil expression.

Activism.Economic Boycott

Arab boycott of Israel began early in the Mandate period and has repeatedly been invoked ever since, in order to damage Israel's economy. This document from Muscat, Oman is a letter of credit for a New York business. Among the necessary documents to submit is item F which reads: Certificate issued in the name of the manufacturer or exporter showing that goods are not of Israeli origin, have not been exported from Israel and do not contain any Israeli materials.

Incitement Among Students

Continual incitement among students ensures future belligerence toward Israel. The University of Damascus published this magazine titled "The People's Army" in January 1967. The graphic cover tells the whole message: Drive Israel into the Sea. At the bottom is the caption 'To Hell With Zion'. Schools continue to demonize Israel which leads to countless acts of terror.

PFLP.stickers

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine is a secular Marxist revolutionary organization founded in 1967 by George Habash. It is 2nd largest group in the PLO. It developed ties with China, the Soviet Union and with Syria, South Yemen, Libya and Iraq, as also left-wing groups around the world, including the Japanese Red Army. They believe in a one-Arab-state solution and don't recognize Israel. They pioneered aircraft hijacking. These labels picture scenes in Palestine.

Terror.Hijack labels

PFLP is considered a terrorist organization by the Western world. They hijacked 8 airplanes between 1968 - 1977. 3 were blown up in front of the media, represented by the label here. Other labels show classic anti-semitic cartoon themes, adapted here for anti-Israel expression. In 150 armed attacks they have killed over 800 civilians and wounded another 1000.

Terror.Taysir Quba

Quba was a lifelong organizer and instigator of Palestinian resistance for the PFLP. He entered Israel after 1967 and for his activities was imprisoned by Israel for 3 years. This post card was part of a mail campaign in 1968 to enlist the UNs help in freeing him from the 'unhuman torture and unfair trial by the Fascist Israeli Authorities'.

Democratic PFLP

This group split from the Popular Front in 1968, for Ideological reasons. They were considered more intellectual, although still engaged in some deadly attacks, such as the 1974 Ma'alot massacre in which 25 elementary schoolchildren & teachers were killed. They did claim to support a 2 state solution.

Hilarion Capucci Archbishop Smuggler

Born in Syria and educated in Old Jerusalem, this Greek Catholic became a priest and eventually archbishop. He opposed the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and aligned himself with the Palestinian cause. In 1974 he was convicted of smuggling weapons and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was released 4 years later due to intervention by the Vatican. These stamps from Sudan, Kuwait & Syria mark his arrest! Israel has become suspicious of diplomats and even ambulances.

Terror.Letter Bombs

Black September refers to the fighting between a threatening Palestinian presence in Jordan and local forces, who expelled the PLO from its country. The "Black September' group of the PLO carried out some reprisals, but then turned its efforts towards Israel. In September, October & November of 1972, hundreds of letter bombs were sent to Israeli and Jewish institutions across Europe, in Africa & in the US. This label reads: Do you know the sender? If the letter is suspicious Don't open it!

Terror: Letter Bombs

The letter bombs actually killed and maimed a number of Israeli diplomats and workers. These envelopes are addressed to 'The President of the Country'. They are stamped "Checked" to show that they have been examined before being delivered to the President.

Terror.Munich Olympic Massacre

In September 1972, 8 members of the 'Black September' faction of the PLO attacked the Israeli team's headquarters at the Munich Olympics. They wanted to obtain the release of 234 terrorists held in Israeli jails. A rescue attempt by German police failed and altogether 11 Israeli athletes were killed. Although most of the terrorists died, & those in jail were not released, Palestinians felt they succeeded in bringing their cause to the attention of the world. Here the athletes are memorialized.

Munich Olympic Stadium

In 1972 Germany issued this 10 mark coin picturing the Olympic stadium in Munich. Silver 32 mm.

Entebbe.5.combined

PFLP terrorists hijacked an Air France plane on 27 June 1976 and landed in Uganda with the cooperation of its president Idi Amin. They retained 94 Jewish passengers & the crew, hoping to exchange them for jailed Palestinian terrorists. In a bold mission called 'Operation Thunderbolt', Israel sent planes & commandos to the Entebbe airport and were able to eliminate the terrorists. 3 hostages were killed, & the commando leader Yonatan Netanyahu. These medals & some movies commemorate the affair.

Entebbe.Jonathan Netanyahu

thiss medal specifically honors the fallen commander of the operation. He was the brother of later Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ('Bibi').

Terror.Idi Amin

Ugandan president Idi Amin had previous economic ties with Israel. He had also undergone paratrooper training with them and proudly wore their wings, shown here on his uniform, on this Ugandan banknote. Israeli firms built his airport and were able to use those plans in devising the daring raid. But Libyan cash persuaded him to support the terrorists this time. Afterwards he angrily killed many locals whom he blamed for Israel's success.

Coastal Road Massacre

On 11 March 1978, 11 Fatah men sailed from Lebanon & landed near Haifa. They reached the Coastal Highway, hijacked a bus, & headed south firing out the windows as they went. Some hostages resisted but a grenade exploded, which set the bus on fire, killing 35 Israelis and wounding 71, plus 9 terrorists. Their goal had been to disrupt the Israel/Egypt peace talks. Instead it launched an Israeli invasion of south Lebanon, named Operation Litani. This button commemorates the massacre.

Terror.Abu Jihad

Abu Jihad (Kalil Ibrahim al-Wazir) was a co-founder of Fatah and top aide to Arafat in the PLO. After being banished from Jordan, he planned attacks on Israeli targets from Lebanon, including the Coastal Road massacre. After being expelled from Lebanon he operated from a base in Tunis, promoting youth uprising in the territories that led to the First Intifada. Reportedly, an Israeli commando team assassinated him in 1988. Here is his portrait and a quote "We die for our people to live".

Terror.Intifada

From 1987 - 91 and again in 2000 - 05, the PLO orchestrated youth insurgency, called Intifada (= uprising). It including civil disobedience, boycotts, refusal to cooperate with the Israeli government, & widespread throwing of stones & Molotov cocktails. Over 160 Israelis died & 3000 injured, while 1200 Palestinians were killed and child participants were given beatings. It strengthened the Palestinian movement and led to the idea of a "Two State Solution". Stamps illustrate these activities.

Child Stone Throwing

Stone throwing has a long history in the Middle East. It symbolized rejection and degradation. In particular, Moslem children were taught to throw stones at Jews, and are praised for it in poem and song. It invokes the David and Goliath story, with the Palestinians now in the role of David. It is deadly and has killed many Israeli citizens. Iran issued this stamp in 1991 with a child dressed in nationalist colors throwing stones at a Jewish window.

Terror.Palestine Liberation Front

This is the membership card of Mabruk alWahidi, a member of the PLF which split from the PFLP. They hijacked the Italian ship Achille Lauro in 1985 at Alexandria and demanded the release of 50 imprisoned Palestinians. They killed disabled Jewish-American passenger Leon Klinghoffer and then threw his body overboard.

Random Acts of Terror

Random acts of terror have continued throughout the decades. Stabbings, shootings, car rammings, suicide bombings etc. continue up to the present. They have made Israelis more watchful, but not less patriotic. Shalhevet Pas was killed in her stroller by a deliberate sniper's bullet as the family walked from the parking lot to their home in Hevron, in March 2001. She became a symbol for the relentless violence against civilians by Arab terrorists.

Sbarro Suicide Bombing

On 9 August 2001, a suicide bomber entered the popular Sbarro restaurant in downtown Jerusalem and detonated his vest. 15 men women and children were killed and another 130 were wounded, many maimed for life. Hamas and Islamic Jihad both proudly claimed responsibility. The bomber was a 22 year old from an affluent family. This is a folder from that restaurant, providing the text for 'Birkat Hamazon' (Grace after Meals).

Stamp Support Palestinians

Moslem countries support the Palestinian cause: Tunisia, Yemen, Kuwait, Emirates, Libya, Jordan, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Soviet.

activism terrorism.buttons

Palestine Pin

'Peace or Shahadah'.

Palestine Pin.Al Aksa

1981. Design a Medal

Entebbe.5.combined