The Danger of Neutrality | Anna Baltzer | TEDxOcala

Staying neutral in controversial situations is the moral high ground, right? Wrong. It's the exact opposite. Author and inspirational speaker Anna Baltzer explains how neutrality is a dangerous trap -- and an illusion. Taking a side, not impartiality, is what really helps resolve conflicts. You will be surprised as Baltzer shares how taking a side is the best thing that can happen to you, helping you find what you'd been looking for all along. Not only is it the right thing to do, but your own liberation depends on it. Anna Baltzer is an award-winning lecturer, author, and organizer for freedom, justice, and equality for the Palestinian people. She is Director of Organizing & Advocacy at the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) and has appeared on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Kelly File, and at the Oxford Union, and been quoted in the New York Times, Associated Press, Washington Post, LA Times, Guardian, Al Jazeera, Business Insider, Australian, Huffington Post, Jewish Daily Forward, Ha’aretz, Jerusalem Post, and beyond. Baltzer has lectured at more than 500 universities, churches, parliaments, and policy institutes on five continents with her presentation and film, Life in Occupied Palestine: Eyewitness Stories & Photos and book "Witness in Palestine: A Jewish American Woman in the Occupied Territories." At USCPR, Baltzer specializes in organizing boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) campaigns targeting institutions complicit in Israel's violations of international law, as well as connecting the dots between oppression of communities from the U.S. to Palestine, and beyond. Learn more about Baltzer at www.AnnaInTheMiddleEast.com. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@melisapelin4038]

This is intelligence and humanity. You didn’t get dragged in and get brainwashed and grew up hateful. Thanks for speaking up

[@muslimconvert1122334]

"Not co existence... co resistance against injustice" what a hero! Anyone could see she's not for Palestinians or Israelis, she's for justice! You're a champion Anna!

[@kungfufreak360]

Or she's for both. You can be pro Palestine and pro Israel

[@SimonGoodmen]

@@kungfufreak360How!? Being one means you’re putting the other under the bus

[@shirufaanrushdhee5241]

I'd love to see co existence but there's a problem with including palastinians as part of Israel the jews would become a minority instantly and under dimocracy this will give the power to the palastinians so after opressing them all this time of palastinians get the majority in Israel, Israelis know what would happen so they won't allow it to happen.. next problem is Israel doesn't want to give up any land they have already taken which means palastinians won't agree to give up those lands it's a mess

[@Swiftie3forever]

​@kungfufreak360 you clearly haven't listened to her speech, there's no such thing as choosing both. There is only one side that is experiencing injustice and that's the one we should be siding with. If you're siding with both you're not taking a stand at all.

[@fluffy_1542]

That's the direct opposite of this message Did you listen at all???

[@hannekevis4476]

I listened to every single word of this and drank it in. This is exactly what I feel and want to say!!! ❤️

[@devonrobinson5718]

I remember watching this years ago when researching the BDS movement. The world could use more perspective from people like Anna

[@elijahallison4347]

She did an amazing job! I had the honor and privilege of being the audience at this event. She had a few people in their feelings, but overall I hope that they received the message of what she saying.

[@ssarim]

She is brave and lady who was able to differentiate between right and wrong. My prayers and support is with her 100%. Anna Baltzer you are a true human being. May God bless you forever.

[@Chris-dc6su]

What does a true human being differentiates to other human beings?

[@ssarim]

@@Chris-dc6su how old are you? That's a very childish question, find your own answer.

[@Chris-dc6su]

@@ssarim I like the way she describes one has to first find neutrality in oneself to form an opinion, for me its a key part. Emotional decision making is not the best choise with best possible outcomes. Shes right when talking about equality, it makes sense to point out and push minoritys, also in an not eaqual way eg. BlackLivesMatter.

[@ssarim]

@@Chris-dc6su my wife is on death bed I am not in mood for these conversations now.

[@Chris-dc6su]

@@ssarim i would shut my media down, im sorry!

[@wmc79]

The whole world needs to hear this. Thank you Anna! ❤🌍

[@mokiana1]

fantastic speech! Thank you Anna Baltzer

[@azzaandersson8931]

I got chills listening to her

[@fjordhellas4077]

Dear Anna, what a decent and humanist person you are! You are in the league of remarkable Daniel Barenboim, Edward Said, Noam Chomsky, Ilan Pappe, Shlomo Sand, Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter. Thank you for your cultural and humanist intelligence and empathy that makes sense! I came to Lebanon to study Arabic and learn about the Near East, and I encountered most incredible people even when they found out that my mother was Jewish. What was incredible, some of these people had to go through the Israeli invasion and occupation of Southern Lebanon. They treated me with respect and they held high regards for my country Norway for not being a belligerent and murderous country like the United States and Israel.

[@alexschwartzman2135]

Thank you for making clear your true colours. פשוט אתה משווק את אי ידיעתך משלך

[@zhengtingjiu9954]

Anyone with a sense of justice will stand by Palestine 🙏

[@denandvon9809]

Free Palestine 🇵🇸🙏🏻

[@frauleinschlaukopf2307]

if you stand with hamas or isis you support terror and genocide.

[@FromTheHealingWellSomatics]

Thank you for doing this Ted Talk.

[@johnsnowman6170]

Loud and Clear! What a Lecture! What a wonderful Jewish Woman!

[@gili41]

actually quiet and bunch of lies this is what it is

[@omarfaraj6723]

@@gili41 just kol hara

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

@Planck M. It's anti-Semitic

[@shakomako1997]

Only 32,214 views since Dec 8, 2017, and now Jan 3, 2020, for this wonderful speech? and just 129 comments! that shows that people not only afraid to take aside, they are afraid to click on the video to see it.

[@blesetb8863]

Why do you feel so interested in telling people what to do? This is wrong! What if someone take aside against you? Will you accept it? of course not!!

[@pjz2007]

This is a powerful message today than ever

[@laurachiar6086]

❤🙏

[@leoblaougrana289]

I'm honestly happy to see that people are starting to wake up and see the true world. Thank you.

[@laurachiar6086]

❤🙏

[@samielkhayri9272]

Articulate, concise, informative, and persuasive. Just perfect.

[@jsedmonds256]

She calls for polarization and conflict.

[@samielkhayri9272]

@@jsedmonds256 Neutrality is never moral. If you stay neutral, you have chosen to support the victimizer.

[@pacem96]

Compelling and Anna 's messaging is so on point and should motivate all of us. Thank you Anna and Ted Talk.

[@DjJoeKhoury]

Thank you Anna. I feel enlightened listening to you. Such a positive delivery.

[@laceycurrens1249]

“if you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything “

[@jamalcharif7150]

SubhanAllah beautifull quote with a lot of wisdom i am a muslim and i choose Allah (god) and i automaticaly get humanity with for the same price

[@EagleSlightlyBetter]

I admire this person so deeply. What an incredible human being.

[@ghadaalshahrouri3590]

Great speech

[@majdmoadi7731]

thank you for your courage .... hope this talk go viral so everyone can think wisely according to real facts

[@ZailaniAsralSG]

How did I miss this video for 6 years! Thank you Anna for your insights and for delivering in the calmest manner.

[@fir5578]

Life in occupied Palestine by Anna Baltzer. That was first video she make 17years ago..thats explain everything.

[@peasant7214]

Algorithm did its work. I came from other comments this vid wasn't even suggested

[@aaraviii]

​@@peasant7214yep. I really don't like the way govt is manipulating what we should see and we should not.

[@mamunyusuf836]

Only justice can bring peace. Thank you for your inspiring speech.

[@georgeharizanov6094]

I have been following the Palestinian conflict for years. But I found out about Anna Baltzer today by accident (watched her documentary "Life in Occupied Palestine"). So why did it take me so long to find about this amazing human being? Well, you tell me.

[@JasonBechtelTeaches]

Fantastic! You covered everything, and using examples that I'm sure a lot of Americans will easily identify with. And you delivered your message in a way that I think will allow a lot of people to receive it who might otherwise be unreceptive to appeals for solidarity. This is a message that has been sorely needed. Thank you for realizing it so masterfully!

[@cysteme]

This Ted talk has changed my life, it still resonates in me 6 months After watching it. Since then I changed into a totally different person who's not afraid to pick a side anymore. It's so important and it helps to move forward on all levels instead of staying numbed by neutrality

[@laurachiar6086]

❤🙏

[@user-xp3vd9ux5t]

Neutrality- Depends who defines it. Thank you for sharing

[@crimsonwolf9099]

Articulate, concise, accurate, powerful and brave! This young woman "knocks it outta the park"!!! BRAVO!

[@ZhanaraEnglish]

Thank you Anna Baltzar!

[@ocalatoastmastersclubs3038]

Great talk. More people need to hear this talk.

[@kylecan2273]

Well done Anna!

[@thomasassadi8215]

excellent advice

[@kavehjypsy]

Bright minded and brave hearted woman. This world needs people like you.

[@laurachiar6086]

❤🙏

[@mostafafarouk5322]

Watch her video named "life in occupied Palestine " to get more real information about this conflict between Palestine and Israel , thank you anna ❤

[@fatensalama5308]

What a wonderful and brave .may God protect you .

[@Hussein_Nur]

What an amazing speech. What an amazing woman.

[@webb3806]

Anna Baltzer Video "Life in Occupied Palestine" was an eye opener for me.

[@mohamedleminelimam]

great speech !!

[@priond49]

It really feels good to know there are people who care, who think for themselves, who speak out and not hide, who take sides whatever the cost, who are compassionate and who work for their own liberation because all of us carry with us a bit of darkness that others, or our own life experience, have placed in to our hearts. Thank you, Anna!

[@ruthmunoz1677]

Proud of her courage and heart ❤

[@rainsound7385]

This!

[@Tobiastoba]

Bravo!!!

[@mementomori5374]

Justice freedom fighters blown away great speech

[@anthonylinton4358]

Knowing the truth and the truth shall set you free

[@marwaamri4842]

A compelling talk! ❣Watching this now after the killing of more than +15000 Palestninans makes me happy that more and more people are seeing the truth and standing up for the right cause: Palestinians deserve freedom as much as any other human being.

[@anaraerkinbaeva5775]

Thank you so much for sharing this information. I hope everybody learn some thing. God save Palestine

[@noobthattrys5314]

I hope that one day we can have his it’s and actually peace. Great speech by the way amazing. I’m actually compelled

[@nathanielduncan4692]

Eh in my view that’s never going to happen.

[@ashaybansod3236]

Every era every century has to fight for justice thier is no peace in this world

[@shabeerahmed2160]

Simply thought provoking...

[@kellyn2140]

Wow thank you!

[@mariamjarouch3839]

This is amazing! Thank youuu soo muchh for sharing this

[@siddiquashahnawaz9433]

Thank you!

[@paquetehabana7457]

Great Anna

[@cair-missouri1971]

Truly an inspiring presentation by my inspiration Ann Baltzer

[@1luarluar1]

wonderful speech..I totally agree.

[@mac4peace]

I will take a side... change is difficult but it must happen.

[@TheLibrarycop]

Powerful and timely. Great job!

[@isramiraj]

Thank you Ana alot of courage and inner reflection

[@abdulwakilbahand4862]

Amazing job keep going sister

[@edstar83]

Now this is a TED talk.

[@laurachiar6086]

🙏

[@albukhairy7118]

Great talk...tq standing with Palestine people

[@MrVHI123]

This aged really well.

[@rabiarabia7298]

THIS NEEDS MORE VIEWS

[@masoodkhan3347]

Excellent post

[@christiansanchez770]

This is going to be Viral soon…..

[@zeidabu-odeh5808]

Amazing! bravo !

[@fanc.5711]

Bless you! ❤

[@adtyananda5157]

Praised for Anna.❤

[@gogettalorri]

Thanks

[@godfunk]

Blessed are the peacemakers ☮️ you’re a 🕊️ anna

[@clarkblomquist5937]

A well spoken and convincing presentation. I have her first book and met her in person. Well worth listening to.

[@ASHIRAF-ky3fo]

Now they tell us it began on 7th october

[@thisismyloooveeeyy8014]

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Support your brother unjustly or wrongly." A man said, "O Messenger of Allaah, support him if he is oppressed. I do not see if he is unjust, how can I support him?" He said: "Arrest him, or prevent him from injustice, that is his victory." Thank you Anna

[@manalbarakatfakhoury]

Excellent talk. Thank you Anna. Inspirational.

[@travelinganna]

You made it happen and you inspire me too.

[@randam3006]

Thank you Anna for the amazing talk. But I haven't been able to find any videos of you in the last 2 years. I hope you are still active and vocal.

[@Nana-ht4cx]

"Neutrality is a convenient illusion"

[@Nana-ht4cx]

"taking a side of justice"

[@donjesus3146]

You're a hero Anna, keep up the great work!

[@marounkhalloul7244]

Thank you Anna. extremely inspiring.

[@gristly_knuckle]

I am neutral on the issue of death. For if to do the right thing, I must die, then die I must. And that's the truth about moral neutrality.

[@ashaybansod3236]

Yes Ultimate peace is death we have to die if we have to be neutral

[@GunnarVagerstam]

Powerful lecture!

[@Abdullah-mt9ns]

Great Vid

[@santasa8888]

in love here ;-)

[@lorraineleblanc5460]

An inspiring talk--clear, spoken from experience, and pierces to the heart of the matter, i.e. Only by having the courage to take a stand can we create meaningful change. I especially appreciate her articulation of the truth that standing up for the rights of the vulnerable does not negate the freedoms of others, but rather seeks to bring everyone up to the standards of rights and dignity that all people deserve.

[@laurachiar6086]

❤🙏

[@shzarmai]

Interesting video

[@msaafmostapha2140]

الارض تعود لاصحابها و هي مفتوحة امام الجميع دون عنصرية و لا ظلم

[@kmartinpa]

Great job, Anna! "You can't be neutral on a moving train." -- Howard Zinn

[@moaziz23]

Imagine that, a Jewish woman who is not afraid of telling the truth.

[@Salman-sc8gr]

Bravo! Anna,nice memories of meeting you in Melbourne when you brought out 'Witness in Palestine'.Bless your every breath and step.

[@Hail2GOD]

Awesome 🫰

[@ShannonMarie_aguafiestasvlogs]

Woah.

[@zeadnws4444]

excellent....thank you Anna!!

[@Illoinen27]

Thank you! Chapeau!

[@derpscythe]

I'm often neutral because I disagree with both sides

[@wesseavey]

Thanks so much Anna, ...great American and world class hero. Loving you forever...

[@marievelenski667]

You made me cry and you gave me hopeX

[@babarzaman1995]

Her voice is calming, serene, tranquil, and makes one to pay 💯 heed to what she is saying

[@mahmoudnawajaa5145]

Far beyond AMAZING

[@travelinganna]

The feeling is mutual!

[@omarfaraj6723]

@@travelinganna thank you so much

[@ahmedabdi8025]

The art of government is neutrality.

[@saadm756]

well said, we need people like you.

[@nadiamohammad5272]

When we stand together on the same side, not in co-existence but co-resistance to injustice, we reclaim our own humanity. Take a side!