They said that the youth is indifferent. They spoke with nostalgia about the 400 thousand protest in the 80’s. They predicted it wouldn't happen again. And yet, hundreds of thousands have been taking to the streets, proving that demonstrations are so 21st century
It’s likely that most of the judicial reform that the Israeli right has prepared will soon be on its way, but it will not be without a fight. And that fight has already achieved some landmarks that are worth mentioning, namely, the international attention and perhaps more importantly: the attention of big investors and corporation owners to the current unrest in Israel.
How did the government’s opposition succeed in grabbing international attention? By marching, chanting and waving banners. The past few weeks have been proof to us all that protesting in the streets is still one of the best tools out there. A creative protest sign, a flag and a pair of feet that are willing to walk a few blocks and stand out in the cold and in the rain is an ancient technique that is arguably completely unoriginal. But behold! There is nothing more powerful than thousands joining together en masse, to demand transparency, equality and justice.
And if you’re looking beyond the politics of it all: Digital means alone don’t do the job. They don’t carry enough weight. Social media is a tool to disseminate information, distribute materials and organize action – in the real world. The digital realm is of course crucial for a public protest, but mainstream media and physical presence on the streets already kind of do the job. So come on now, start marching!