Calling citizens who seek justice "radicals" or equating them with extremism is an insult to civil society, the Movement for Solidarity with Palestine Montenegro announced today.
The Solidarity Movement with Palestine Montenegro reacted to the statement of the Israeli Ambassador to Montenegro, Avivit Bar-Ilan, at yesterday's press conference.
She said, among other things, that "radical groups are trying to disrupt cultural cooperation between Israel and Montenegro - and this is not the Montenegro we know and love. I am deeply disappointed by the attempt to sabotage a peaceful cultural event through fear and aggression."
The Solidarity Movement with Palestine Montenegro emphasized that the peaceful protest of the citizens of Montenegro was an act of conscience, not a threat.
"Contrary to attempts to present challenging someone's politics as our radicalism, these are responsible citizens who reacted out of respect for human rights and the universal values of peace," the statement said.
As stated by the Movement of Solidarity with Palestine Montenegro, the symbolic performance in red is not an act of aggression, but an artistic response to the suffering in Gaza - a call for compassion and responsibility.
"Real blood is already flowing – and we cannot remain silent in the face of it.
We are aware that the official narrative is often distorted, but every person, as a free and thinking being, is a media for himself - obliged to recognize and convey the truth. According to available data, we know that over 56 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip, of which almost 000 percent are civilians, while over 80 percent of the victims are children. Calling citizens who seek justice "radicals" or equating them with extremism is an insult to civil society. The slogans that were shouted were not hateful slogans, but calls to stop the bombing and respect for all life. We remind the ambassador that the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for her Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant. Therefore, we consider it inappropriate to attempt to present her country as a victim in these circumstances. She also forgets that the leaders of her country speak of the ethnic cleansing of Gaza as inevitable, and of stopping food convoys as a necessity. "If anything can be considered extremism, then it is precisely the actions of the state of Israel - moreover, that is perhaps too mild a term," the statement emphasizes.
They added that Montenegro is not a country of fear – but of freedom, and that its institutions and society inherit anti-fascist and libertarian values.
As they said, the performance "What would Budo Tomović say?" poses a question to all of us - will we remain silent in the face of injustice, or will we speak out?
"Cultural cooperation must not be a cover for silencing violence. Guests are welcome in Montenegro, but Montenegro must remain a host to the truth. The protest was not against the film - but for life, for humanity, for freedom of expression. Fear does not come from citizens seeking justice. Fear comes from attempts to silence the truth. We invite all wonderful people to join us tonight. Your voice and conscience matter more than ever," the statement from the Solidarity Movement with Palestine Montenegro concludes.
Bonus video:
