But it is also, alas, a powerful lie.Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza has continued for 23 years against the wishes of their inhabitants, and should end.
The presence and behavior of foreign troops is expected to be a major issue among contenders attempting to appeal to Afghans' powerful aversion to occupation and Western domination.
What actually happened was a march in which settlers stared in wonderment and a certain anxiety at a large and unified force of Jews and Arabs taking a powerful stand against occupation.
"That's what makes an occupation such a powerful statement," she said.
"Occupations are politically powerful," says economist Kleiner.
The models of Gandhi and King can be a powerful tool to peacefully oppose the occupation, while not opposing Israel itself.
The workforce is large, diverse, and comprises separate occupations often represented by powerful professional associations or trade unions.
"City Hall and the occupation of City Hall was a potent and powerful symbol," said Mario Brito, an Occupy protester who was among the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed Monday in an attempt to stop the city's action.
But characterising the situation of the Palestinians living under occupation as intolerable was a powerful message too.
In the Soviet occupation, the weather was a powerful foe, with tank and truck convoys paralyzed by mountain snowdrifts.
