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{{Short description|American activist and documentary filmmaker}}
⚫ '''Adam Shapiro''' (born ]) is an American co-founder of the ] (ISM), a pro-] organization, the stated mission of which is to bring civilians from around the world to resist nonviolently the Israeli occupation of ] and previously the ]. He became famous for visiting ] in his ] (government center) in ] while it was besieged during the March 2002 ].
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⚫ '''Adam Shapiro''' (born 1972) is an American co-founder of the ] (ISM), a pro-] organization, the stated mission of which is to bring civilians from around the world to resist nonviolently the ] and the ]. He became famous for visiting ] in his ] (government palace) in ] while it was besieged during the March 2002 ].


==Early life and family== ==Early life and family==
⚫ Shapiro was born and raised in ], and brought up in a Jewish home, but he doesn't "identify as Jewish. I see it as a religion rather than an ethnicity and, as I have no religious feelings, I don't regard myself as Jewish."<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221052922/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/may/31/israelandthepalestinians.weekend7 |date=December 21, 2016 }}</ref>


⚫ Shapiro received his B.A. in political science and history from ] in 1993. He subsequently spent a year studying ] in ] after receiving his M.A. in Arab studies at ]. He received his M.A. in politics from ]. He was a doctoral candidate at ].{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}
⚫ Shapiro was born in ] and brought up in a ]ish home, but he doesn't "identify as Jewish. I see it as a religion rather than an ethnicity and, as I have no religious feelings, I don't regard myself as Jewish."<ref></ref> Both his parents are retired New York City public school teachers, and his brother and family spokesman is an attorney.

⚫ Shapiro received his ] in political science and history from ] in St. Louis in 1993. He subsequently spent a year studying ] in ] after receiving his M.A. in Arab studies at ] in ]. He received his M.A. in political science from ]. Shapiro is currently pursuing a doctorate at ] in Washington.


==Activism== ==Activism==
{{Main|International Solidarity Movement}}


His interest in the ] started with his involvement with "]," an organization that sought to foster dialogue between Jewish and Palestinian youth. There he met ], a ] ], whom he married in 2002. In 2001 they co-founded the International Solidarity Movement.<ref name="Guardian">, ], May 31 2003.</ref> Shapiro worked with "]," an organization seeks to foster dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian youth. In 2001, he was co-director of the Center for Coexistence in Jerusalem. There he met ], a ] ], whom he married in 2002. In 2001 they, along with other Palestinian activists, co-founded the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).<ref name="Guardian">{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, '']'', May 31, 2003</ref>


During the 2002 Israeli incursions into the West Bank and Gaza, ISM members would ride in ambulances in the hope of expediting their passage through checkpoints. Shapiro, who was living in Ramallah, volunteered with ] activist ] to ride in ambulances. He recounts hearing there were wounded in the headquarters of ], ] of the ], and "several members of the movement marched by Israeli tanks into the Palestinian leader's office."<ref name = "greenberg"/> Trapped inside by Israeli fire towards the compound,<ref name="Guardian"/><ref name="guardian1"/> they remained overnight and Shapiro had breakfast with Arafat. Shapiro was allowed to leave when a doctor took his place.<ref name="Guardian"/> By this time, the compound was virtually empty except for Arafat and a small entourage, including, "three advisers, his doctor, the head of the presidential guard and his official photographer."<ref name = "guardian1">Ed Vulliamy in New York and Graham Usher in Ramallah, , ], March 31 2002.</ref> During the 2002 Israeli incursions into the West Bank and Gaza, ISM members would ride in ambulances in the hope of expediting their passage through checkpoints. Shapiro, who was living in Ramallah, volunteered with Irish activist ] to ride in ambulances. He recounts hearing that there were wounded people at the headquarters of ], ] of the ], and he took an ambulance there to negotiate humanitarian access for the injured. Trapped inside by Israeli troops who refused to let them leave after reaching the injured,<ref name="Guardian"/><ref name="guardian1">Ed Vulliamy in New York and Graham Usher in Ramallah, {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306020306/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/mar/31/israel8 |date=March 6, 2016 }}, '']'', March 31, 2002</ref> they were forced to remain overnight. Shapiro was allowed to leave when a doctor took his place.<ref name="Guardian"/> At the time he left the compound, over 300 people were inside, mostly policemen, though also civilian employees at the headquarters.


Shapiro's visit to Arafat's headquarters was reported in the American press. A ] columnist labeled him "the Jewish Taliban", after ], "the American Taliban" who was captured serving in the ] army in Afghanistan. Shapiro alleges that his life was threatened, supposedly by local chapters of ] and the ]. He alleges that his parents were temporarily forced by their homes by threats.<ref name="Guardian"/> Shapiro's visit to Arafat's headquarters was reported in the American press. A '']'' columnist labeled him "the Jewish Taliban", after ], "the American Taliban" who was captured serving in the ] army in Afghanistan. Shapiro's life was threatened, as well as that of his family, credit for which was taken by local chapters of ] and the ] that marched on his home. His parents were temporarily forced out of their home because of the threats.<ref name="Guardian"/>


Shapiro explained his actions to the ]: "I think there's an incorrect supposition that someone who is Jewish necessarily has to stand with Israel, or that someone who is Arab or Muslim has to stand with everything the Palestinians or the Arab countries do. My philosophy is that we're all human beings, and I don't buy into ethnicity and sectarianism. I do what I think is right, and there are plenty of Israelis out there standing with me. Allowing the Palestinians to live in freedom is good for Israel and good for the Jews." Shapiro told the ] that some Israeli actions remind him of ]. Such comparisons outrage his critics, but Shapiro argues that the comparisons are valid and chooses them specifically to resonate with Israelis and Jews.<ref name = "greenberg">Joel Greenberg, , ], April 18, 2002.</ref> Shapiro explained his actions to '']'':<blockquote>"I think there's an incorrect supposition that someone who is Jewish necessarily has to stand with Israel, or that someone who is Arab or Muslim has to stand with everything the Palestinians or the Arab countries do. My philosophy is that we're all human beings, and I don't buy into ethnicity and sectarianism. I do what I think is right, and there are plenty of Israelis out there standing with me. Allowing the Palestinians to live in freedom is good for Israel and good for the Jews."<ref name="greenberg">Joel Greenberg, , ''The New York Times'', April 18, 2002.</ref> In actuality, nonviolence is not enough. Rather, what is needed is nonviolent direct action against the occupation."<ref>Adam Shapiro and Huwaida Arraf, ''The Palestine Chronicle'', January 29, 2002</ref></blockquote>


⚫ On a subsequent trip to Israel, Shapiro was arrested, jailed, and ordered deported after he was arrested near Huwwara checkpoint when Palestinians from the nearby village protested over 3 weeks of strict curfew. Shapiro was filming the protest and targeted because his was the only camera documenting the suppression of the protest by Israeli forces. Shapiro stated that he left Israel of his own accord, and vowed to appeal, though he stated he was starting a doctoral program at ].<ref>Marc Santora, , ''The New York Times'', August 13, 2002</ref> According to Shapiro's Israeli lawyer, little can be done to stop the deportation as Israeli law gives the Minister of the Interior broad discretion to issue deportation orders.<ref>Deborah Blachor in Jerusalem and Corky Siemaszko in New York, {{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, '']'', August 9, 2002</ref> Israeli government spokesman Capt. Joseph Dallal stated, "It's unfortunate that time has to be spent on removing people who are there just to cause provocation."<ref>Danielle Haas, {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030510051702/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2002%2F08%2F12%2FMN134882.DTL |date=May 10, 2003 }}, '']'', August 12, 2002</ref>
In a May 2002 ] interview ] asked Shapiro about an article in which he wrote: "Palestinian resistance must take on a variety of characteristics, both violent and nonviolent. But most importantly, it must develop a strategy involving both aspects. Nonviolent resistance is no less noble than carrying out a suicide operation." According to Zahn, Shapiro's writings could bring some people "to the conclusion that you were promoting suicide bombing." Shaprio responded: "You have to deal with the reality on the ground. The reality on the ground is that Palestinians are living in a context of extreme violence. The occupation itself is violence."<ref>American Morning with Paula Zahn, , May 10, 2002.</ref>

⚫ On a subsequent trip to Israel, Shapiro was arrested, jailed, and ordered deported after he and others chained themselves to a checkpoint. Shapiro stated that he left Israel of his own accord, and vowed to appeal, though he stated he was starting a doctoral program at ].<ref>Marc Santora, , ], August 13, 2002.</ref> According to Shapiro's Israeli lawyer, little can be done to stop the deportation as Israeli law gives the Minister of the Interior broad discretion to issue deportation orders.<ref>Deborah Blachor in Jerusalem and Corky Siemaszko in New York, , ], August 9th 2002.</ref> Israeli government spokesman Capt. Joseph Dallal stated, "It's unfortunate that time has to be spent on removing people who are there just to cause provocation."<ref>Danielle Haas, , ], August 12, 2002.</ref>


==Documentaries== ==Documentaries==
⚫ In 2004 Shapiro was part of a collective that released '']'', the first documentary after the ]. It features the return to Baghdad of the poet ]. In a '']'' interview Shapiro said: "I think it's hard to compare although what we’re seeing today in Iraq, unfortunately, and really tragically, is very reminiscent and of the tactics of the occupying forces that we find among Israeli forces."<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104122304/http://www.aboutbaghdad.com/ |date=November 4, 2016 }}</ref><ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914161027/http://www.democracynow.org/2004/5/25/about_baghdad_an_exiled_iraqi_poet |date=September 14, 2016 }}, '']'', May 25, 2004</ref>


⚫ In 2006 Shapiro, with Aisha Bain and Jen Marlowe, released ''Darfur Diaries''. Filmmakers explored the history of the conflict in ] and interviewed refugees and displaced persons, particularly victimized women and children.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915122657/http://darfurdiaries.org/?page_id=37 |date=September 15, 2008 }}</ref> Shapiro explained his interest in a ] interview, saying: "ust looking around and seeing what I had been doing in the Occupied Territories, the recent film I had done in Iraq, I realized that if nobody else was going to do it, then it's incumbent upon us as individuals to try to do whatever we could."<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218152727/http://www.democracynow.org/2006/11/13/darfur_diaries_filmmakers_return_from_sudan |date=December 18, 2016 }}, '']'', November 13, 2006</ref>
⚫ In 2004 Shapiro was part of a collective that released ], the first documentary after the ]. It features the return to Baghdad of the poet Sinan Antoon. In a ] interview Shapiro said: "I think it’s hard to compare although what we’re seeing today in Iraq, unfortunately, and really tragically, is very reminiscent and of the tactics of the occupying forces that we find among Israeli forces."<ref></ref><ref>, ], May 25, 2004.</ref>


⚫ Shapiro's next documentary, ''Chronicles of a Refugee'', was a six-part documentary series about the experiences of Palestinian refugees worldwide. Shapiro conducted over 250 interviews in 18 countries. It was aimed primarily for Palestinian and Arab audiences, as it represents a form of oral history of the refugee experience.
⚫ In 2006 Shapiro, with Aisha Bain and Jen Marlowe, released "Darfur Diaries." Filmmakers explored the history of the conflict in ] and interviewed refugees and displaced persons, particularly victimized women and children.<ref> homepage.</ref> Shapiro explained his interest in a ] interview, saying: "ust looking around and seeing what I had been doing in the Occupied Territories, the recent film I had done in Iraq, I realized that if nobody else was going to do it, then it’s incumbent upon us as individuals to try to do whatever we could."<ref>, ], November 13, 2006.</ref>
⚫ He was inspired by his experiences trying to find homes for Palestinian refugees fleeing Iraq and having trouble finding countries to offer asylum and resettlement.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180831/http://www.filmstew.com/showArticle.aspx?ContentID=17302 |date=March 3, 2016 }} at {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207045809/http://filmstew.com/ |date=December 7, 2016 }} (May 30, 2008)</ref>

⚫ Shapiro's next documentary, "Chronicles of the Refugee," is a six-part Arab language documentary series about the experiences of Palestinians worldwide. Shapiro conducted 250 interviews in 16 countries. It was filmed for Palestinian and Arab audiences.
⚫ He was inspired by his experiences with the International Solidarity Movement trying to find homes for Palestinians escaping Iraq and having troubles finding new homes.<ref>,
, Friday, May 30, 2008.</ref>


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
* (official) * (official)

* Advocacy group with links to many articles on Adam Shapiro.
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Latest revision as of 06:23, 21 December 2024

American activist and documentary filmmaker

Adam Shapiro (born 1972) is an American co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a pro-Palestinian organization, the stated mission of which is to bring civilians from around the world to resist nonviolently the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. He became famous for visiting Yasser Arafat in his Mukataa (government palace) in Ramallah while it was besieged during the March 2002 Israeli military operation in the West Bank and Gaza.

Early life and family

Shapiro was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and brought up in a Jewish home, but he doesn't "identify as Jewish. I see it as a religion rather than an ethnicity and, as I have no religious feelings, I don't regard myself as Jewish."

Shapiro received his B.A. in political science and history from Washington University in St. Louis in 1993. He subsequently spent a year studying Arabic in Yemen after receiving his M.A. in Arab studies at Georgetown University. He received his M.A. in politics from New York University. He was a doctoral candidate at American University.

Activism

Main article: International Solidarity Movement

Shapiro worked with "Seeds of Peace," an organization seeks to foster dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian youth. In 2001, he was co-director of the Center for Coexistence in Jerusalem. There he met Huwaida Arraf, a Christian Palestinian American, whom he married in 2002. In 2001 they, along with other Palestinian activists, co-founded the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).

During the 2002 Israeli incursions into the West Bank and Gaza, ISM members would ride in ambulances in the hope of expediting their passage through checkpoints. Shapiro, who was living in Ramallah, volunteered with Irish activist Caoimhe Butterly to ride in ambulances. He recounts hearing that there were wounded people at the headquarters of Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian National Authority, and he took an ambulance there to negotiate humanitarian access for the injured. Trapped inside by Israeli troops who refused to let them leave after reaching the injured, they were forced to remain overnight. Shapiro was allowed to leave when a doctor took his place. At the time he left the compound, over 300 people were inside, mostly policemen, though also civilian employees at the headquarters.

Shapiro's visit to Arafat's headquarters was reported in the American press. A New York Post columnist labeled him "the Jewish Taliban", after John Walker Lindh, "the American Taliban" who was captured serving in the Taliban army in Afghanistan. Shapiro's life was threatened, as well as that of his family, credit for which was taken by local chapters of Betar and the Jewish Defense Organization that marched on his home. His parents were temporarily forced out of their home because of the threats.

Shapiro explained his actions to The New York Times:

"I think there's an incorrect supposition that someone who is Jewish necessarily has to stand with Israel, or that someone who is Arab or Muslim has to stand with everything the Palestinians or the Arab countries do. My philosophy is that we're all human beings, and I don't buy into ethnicity and sectarianism. I do what I think is right, and there are plenty of Israelis out there standing with me. Allowing the Palestinians to live in freedom is good for Israel and good for the Jews." In actuality, nonviolence is not enough. Rather, what is needed is nonviolent direct action against the occupation."

On a subsequent trip to Israel, Shapiro was arrested, jailed, and ordered deported after he was arrested near Huwwara checkpoint when Palestinians from the nearby village protested over 3 weeks of strict curfew. Shapiro was filming the protest and targeted because his was the only camera documenting the suppression of the protest by Israeli forces. Shapiro stated that he left Israel of his own accord, and vowed to appeal, though he stated he was starting a doctoral program at American University. According to Shapiro's Israeli lawyer, little can be done to stop the deportation as Israeli law gives the Minister of the Interior broad discretion to issue deportation orders. Israeli government spokesman Capt. Joseph Dallal stated, "It's unfortunate that time has to be spent on removing people who are there just to cause provocation."

Documentaries

In 2004 Shapiro was part of a collective that released About Baghdad, the first documentary after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It features the return to Baghdad of the poet Sinan Antoon. In a Democracy Now interview Shapiro said: "I think it's hard to compare although what we’re seeing today in Iraq, unfortunately, and really tragically, is very reminiscent and of the tactics of the occupying forces that we find among Israeli forces."

In 2006 Shapiro, with Aisha Bain and Jen Marlowe, released Darfur Diaries. Filmmakers explored the history of the conflict in Darfur and interviewed refugees and displaced persons, particularly victimized women and children. Shapiro explained his interest in a Democracy Now interview, saying: "ust looking around and seeing what I had been doing in the Occupied Territories, the recent film I had done in Iraq, I realized that if nobody else was going to do it, then it's incumbent upon us as individuals to try to do whatever we could."

Shapiro's next documentary, Chronicles of a Refugee, was a six-part documentary series about the experiences of Palestinian refugees worldwide. Shapiro conducted over 250 interviews in 18 countries. It was aimed primarily for Palestinian and Arab audiences, as it represents a form of oral history of the refugee experience. He was inspired by his experiences trying to find homes for Palestinian refugees fleeing Iraq and having trouble finding countries to offer asylum and resettlement.

References

  1. The Guardian interview with Adam Shapiro Archived December 21, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "A Love Under Fire", The Guardian, May 31, 2003
  3. Ed Vulliamy in New York and Graham Usher in Ramallah, "Arafat's last stand as Israel prepares to take stronghold" Archived March 6, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Guardian, March 31, 2002
  4. Joel Greenberg, "Mideast Turmoil: Protesters; Only Label for American in Ramallah Is 'Human Being", The New York Times, April 18, 2002.
  5. Adam Shapiro and Huwaida Arraf, The Palestine Chronicle, January 29, 2002
  6. Marc Santora, "Brooklyn Man Who Met Arafat Returns Home", The New York Times, August 13, 2002
  7. Deborah Blachor in Jerusalem and Corky Siemaszko in New York, "Israel to Kick Out Peacenik", New York Daily News, August 9, 2002
  8. Danielle Haas, "Foreign protesters given fast trip home by Israel; 'Human shields' deemed troublemakers" Archived May 10, 2003, at the Wayback Machine, San Francisco Chronicle, August 12, 2002
  9. "About Baghdad" Official site Archived November 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  10. "About Baghdad: An Exiled Iraqi Poet Returns Home To Witness the Effects of War, Sanctions and Occupation" Archived September 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Democracy Now, May 25, 2004
  11. Darfur Diaries: Message from Home webpage Archived September 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  12. "Darfur Diaries: Filmmakers Return From Sudan to Bring Stories of Oppression and Survival" Archived December 18, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Democracy Now, November 13, 2006
  13. "The 106-Year-Old Refugee: The time it took Adam Shapiro to make his latest documentary (10 months) corresponds to a fraction of the lifespan of his oldest interview subject" Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine at FilmStew.Com News page Archived December 7, 2016, at the Wayback Machine (May 30, 2008)

External links

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