US Civil Rights movement

Last week, six courageous Palestinians attempted to defy racism, segregation and apartheid by boarding Jewish settler-only buses in the hopes of reaching Jerusalem, a city off limits to Palestinians in the West Bank. However, the symbolic, media-friendly act — and its debatable relevance to the average Palestinian — begs some important questions.

This week, with the Palestinian Freedom Riders taking a page from the US civil rights movement and defying Israel’s segregated road system, my histories and my homes merged in a new way.

Several activists were arrested by Israeli forces today while attempting to ride segregated buses serving illegal Israeli settlements.

Celebrated American author and poet Alice Walker will be aboard the Audacity of Hope, part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, set sail this month. Ali Abunimah interviews for The Electronic Intifada.