Today marks the beginning of the month of Ramadan. I want to wish all of my good friends around the world who are Muslims — Ramadan Kareem!
When I think of Ramadan, I think of Cairo in August 2011. Hot – very hot. Noisy – very noisy. And a unity of purpose. Everyone around me was fasting and praying.
There was an energy in the air that I associated with high expectations from the recent overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, but maybe some of that energy was also related to Ramadan.
The streets were festive and decorated with lights and ornaments.
Cairo – July 30, 2011
Although I was unsuccessful getting into Gaza on that first trip to Egypt, I didn’t realize how fortunate I was to be in Cairo at that time. Today, I’m thinking of my friends there —- missing them and worried. So much has changed in three years.
I’m not a Muslim, but when I think of Ramadan, I think of peace and tranquility. I hear the Call to Prayer.
صلاة
And best of all, I remember the generosity of spirit. The love and kindness that was shown to strangers, whether Muslim or not.
Tables spread out between buildings in downtown Cairo waiting to serve everyone after the fast is broken at sunset.
This week I referred to the missing Israeli teenagers as *diamonds* — very valuable in the eyes of their parents, family, friends and the tribe of Jews all over the world. A Jewish friend in the United States thought that was a very appropriate description.
Those Palestinian children detained and kidnapped by Israeli soldiers (many sitting in Israeli jails or, worse, shot and killed) are also *diamonds* to their parents, family, friends and the tribe of Palestinians all over the world.
My Jewish friend admitted that she has a difficult time thinking of those Palestinian children as *diamonds*.
The same day, a Palestinian friend from Gaza chastised anyone who sympathized with the three missing Israeli teenagers and also considered themselves solidarity activists for the Palestinian cause. She probably felt such sympathy was a betrayal and certainly couldn’t think of those three Israeli teenagers as *diamonds*.
Harry Fear, a British filmmaker, has spent a considerable amount of time in Gaza and speaks about a love jihad for Gaza, a viral love for Gaza. A love for human life. A love for universal human rights, for the sanctity of human life.
He shares the story of Denny from Santa Fe, New Mexico who recently moved to Gaza, and Rachel Corrie, an American teenager who was killed in Gaza in 2004 by an Israeli bulldozer. Activism is about fighting for a world that loves because what Palestine is missing is justice.
Love as a human force has the power to change the world.
I agree with everything Harry says in his TEDx talk, but he fails to mention that the human heart is big enough to love everyone, both Palestinians and Israelis. In fact, just like athletes build muscles in preparing for their marathons, activists can build their hearts, strengthening them and growing large enough to encompass all of humanity.
I read this very thoughtful blog post today written by a Palestinian (I think) about the do’s and don’ts for international activists who want to stand in solidarity with Palestine. It’s long but worth the time to read and digest it, available here. Based on the author’s concept of solidarity, I have decided that I do not qualify as a solidarity activist. Here’s why:
I agree with many of the points raised.
don’t be patronizing and don’t treat Palestine or Palestinians as a charity case.
don’t speak for the Palestinians; they have their own voice.
don’t view Palestinians as exotic creatures or objects to be admired.
do know the history; do your homework before you come to Palestine.
But I vehemently disagree with the notion that I must give up my ideas of right and wrong, my beliefs and values, and adopt whatever means or strategies the Palestinians…
“This tragedy, the kidnapping of three teenagers is only different from the countless tragedies that occur every day in many places all around the world because it is being used by a large group of people to play out their human dramas. Whether we use this to attack Hamas or ponder the mindset of a sleazy politician (Netanyahu) we are using this tragedy to tell our story. Bibi has his story, you have yours and I have mine. What story am I telling and is it the story I want to live?”
What story am I telling?
I’m trying to share my concern and compassion for the three Israeli teenagers who have been missing five days now. Their parents, friends and family — indeed, their Jewish tribe around the world — must be very worried about their well-being. I hope they are returned safe and sound very soon.
I’m trying to share my frustration about the Western media’s failure to understand (and report) that there are many parents, friends and a whole tribe of Palestinians very concerned about their missing children detained (another word for kidnapped?) by Israeli authorities, many sitting in jail without charge, a despicable practice known as administrative detention.
I’m trying to share the Golden Rule. When I was living in Gaza, people would ask me “What is your religion?” and they seemed perplex when I said that I don’t follow any single religion (Christianity, Judaism, Islam). I believe in the Golden Rule — “Treat your neighbor as you wish to be treated” — which is found in all three monotheistic religions.
I’m trying to share that we can transcend our tribes and have love and compassion for everyone, even those who are not a member of our tribe.
I’m trying to share my belief that if we spread hate, fear and ignorance, we sow more violence. Those three boys may be the victim of violence. We need to find a path that leads away from violence.
The news these days from the Middle East is focused on the three Israeli teenagers who disappeared Thursday night when they were hitchhiking near their yeshiva in Gush Etzion, south of Jerusalem. This is a part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the West Bank known as Area C. By agreement, Area C is under complete control of the Israel Defense Forces.
I deleted my first blog post about this news because, after reading and re-reading it, I realized it sounded too dry and matter-of-fact. I was trying to discern the facts (which are few and far between) and wanted to discard the speculation. Almost everything I found online from sources on all sides was filled with speculation and innuendo.
So I’ll stick to my personal observations.
Netanyahu is playing a familiar role, casting blame on everyone – Abbas, Hamas, and even President Obama. Netanyahu has been warning the world of the terrible consequences of the Fatah-Hamas unity government, and lo and behold, the unity government is to blame for the abduction!
In the process, he appears to be inciting fear and hatred. That’s his modus operandi.
Twitter and Facebook are amplifying the fear and hatred. People on both sides (Israelis and Palestinians) are jumping to conclusions based on no facts at all, but everyone trusts the almighty hash tags. Check out #BringOurBoysHome
The page was launched as the Israeli army continued violent raids, curfews and closures across the occupied West Bank and shot dead Ahmad Sabarin, a Palestinian youth.
The Palestinians are (again) paying the price in blood. Palestinian legislators in the West Bank have been rounded up, and there are reports that 120 Palestinians have been “kidnapped” by the IDF.
My friends in Gaza have been posting eyewitness accounts of Israel’s latest bombardment. Netanyahu’s strategy of collective punishment isn’t new and remains just as illegal under international law today as it did in 2008-09 (Operation Cast Lead) and in November 2012 (Operation Pillar of Defense).
I would like to see the following happen:
The three Israeli teenagers returned to their families safe and sound.
The dead Palestinian youth resurrected and returned to his family.
Netanyahu exposed for the hatemonger, fearmonger and warmonger that he is, and shunned by world leaders.
A new hashtag adopted by everyone around the world #WeWillHateNoMore or #EveryChildReturnHome or #NoFearNoHate or #TreatOthersAsYouWishToBeTreated
The Fatah-Hamas unity government go to the International Criminal Court.
And above all, THE END OF THE OCCUPATION.
The kidnapping of the three Israeli teenagers is merely a symptom of a much more dangerous condition that infects all of Israeli society. End the Occupation now!
“The recent formation of a Palestinian Authority unity government supported by Hamas, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization that has never publicly accepted the Quartet principles, represents a serious setback to efforts to achieve peace,”the Senators wrote. “By its actions and inaction, Hamas has demonstrated it is not a partner for peace.”
The letter conforms to AIPAC’s position on the unity government (see here and here) and was undoubtedly drafted and circulated by AIPAC for Senators’ signatures. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when those discussions occurred between AIPAC lobbyists and my two US Senators, Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich. I’m very disappointed that they signed.
Senator Tom Udall
Senator Martin Heinrich
The Palestinian unity government (Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza) threatens Israel’s strategy to divide and conquer the Palestinians.
Israel wants to divide Palestinian Christians from Palestinian Muslims.Why? Israel wants to frame the conflict as Muslims vs. Jews, rather than the occupation of Palestine. “Occupation” has legal consequences; a religious conflict sounds righteous.
Israel wants to divide the Palestinians in the West Bank from the Palestinians in Gaza. Why? Israel wants Palestinians to focus on infighting among themselves; a unified leadership is more challenging for Israeli negotiators. A fractured Palestinian leadership can be more easily manipulated.
Israel wants to divide Palestinian communities in the West Bank from each other. Why? Israel prefers many disconnected bantustans in the West Bank, divided by Israel settlements, so there will never be a viable State of Palestine.
My government is complicit in this “divide and conquer” strategy as evidenced by its support for the suffocating 7-year siege of the Gaza Strip.
Either my U.S. Senators don’t understand the complexity of the ‘divide and conquer’ strategy, or they believe their chances of reelection might be endangered if they don’t follow AIPAC’s wishes, or they sincerely believe that Hamas is a foreign terrorist organization which threatens US interests in the Middle East.
If they don’t understand the complexity of the ‘divide and conquer’ strategy, then constituents need to educate them, because Palestinians don’t have paid lobbyists in Washington, DC like Israel.
If they’re fearful about their reelection chances, not sure there’s much ordinary Americans can do. We certainly don’t have the $$ to throw around like AIPAC does.
If they sincerely believe that Hamas is a terrorist organization (which many Americans believe too), then they need to be consistent and designate the current government of Israel as a foreign terrorist organization subject to the same restrictions they’re asking President Obama to impose on Palestinians. The hypocrisy of labeling Hamas an FTO and not recognizing Israel’s tactics and actions as terrorism is beyond the pale.
Scientists are issuing report after report after report after report warning us about the climatic tipping points which will very likely result in abrupt changes to the world we live in. Think . . .
The complete disappearance of Arctic sea ice during the summer months could dramatically change ocean currents in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The melting of permafrost could lead to a massive release of methane gas, thus greatly accelerating climate change.
A longer dry season, precipitated by a temperature increase of just 5-7 degrees Fahrenheit, could cause a rapid die-off of the Amazon rainforest.
Some believe we’ve already crossed tipping points, while others hope we can take swift action to prevent us from reaching them. With the exception of climate change deniers, every rational person believes we are living in momentous times!
These are momentous times in Palestine too. I wonder if we can identify any tipping points there (an irreversible change of state). I’m thinking of three specifically.
Political tipping point?
Violence tipping point?
International tipping point?
With this new unity government, and elections promised later this year, Palestinians could have a peaceful transition to a new democratically-elected government if Israel and the United States cooperated. The Central Elections Commission in Palestine certainly provides the necessary infrastructure for a fair and transparent election. But let’s not forget what happened the last time Palestinians went to the polls. The Israelis and Americans didn’t like the voters’ choice (Hamas) and almost immediately penalized the Palestinians in Gaza with a suffocating siege which continues seven years later. I wonder how many Americans would be inclined to go to the polls to cast their vote if they had suffered under the same conditions as a consequence of their last election.
Palestinians desperately need a political tipping point. As an outside observer, it appears to me that the next generation of Palestinians are waiting for the opportunity to lead but they are stuck between old leaders who have long overstayed their welcome and no longer enjoy any political legitimacy — and the ideologues who are more keen in representing their small, limited base rather than rising to the challenge of being leaders for all Palestinians (ie. sorta like the American Tea Party folks) — and the corrupt politicians who only think of themselves.
I hope Palestinians will thumb their nose at the Israelis and Americans, and show the world how a REAL democracy in the Middle East holds elections. Not like el-Sisi’s military coup cum election in Egypt; and not like al-Assad’s mockery in Syria. The Palestinians will create a political tipping point if the next generation of young and educated leaders take the reins and I predict there will be no turning back.
If there is no political tipping point in Palestine, then there will surely be a violence tipping point. Contrary to the Israeli hasbara (media spin), Palestinians have been waging a campaign of nonviolence for more than a decade.
In the West, we only hear about the rockets from Gaza (not the missiles from Israel), and the suicide bombers from the Second Intifada (not Israel’s targeted assassinations of Palestinians which continue to this day). We have this very odd notion that only one side is provoking the violence (Palestinians) while the other side is defending itself from violence (Israel). Nothing could be further from the truth.
The low level violence that persists week after week is unsustainable (an odd term but that’s how Netanyahu and Obama talk about it). I suspect there will come a tipping point in the not too distant future when the young people rise up and decide enough is enough. A perfect storm is brewing with population growth, unemployment, and rising indignation in the West Bank and Gaza. “What do we have to lose?”
I shudder to think what full-scale violence will look like in the Middle East when one side has the sophisticated weaponry bought and paid for by American taxpayers, while the other side has rocks, some rockets, and ingenuity.
This morning I told an American friend about Israel’s attack on the USS Liberty in international waters in the Mediterranean on June 8, 1967. She was incredulous.
I don’t blame her. It’s difficult for me to believe that Israel would deliberately attack an ally’s well-marked ship by air and sea for several hours. In fact, I would chalk such allegations up to anti-Israel-bashers if the USS Liberty survivors weren’t coming forward and sharing their eye-witness accounts.
At the time, there was very little information about the attack published in the US mainstream media. It’s safe to say that most Americans were hearing about Israel’s military superiority in the Six Day War (June 5 – 10, 1967), but not a peep about the death of 34 US Navy personnel on the USS Liberty. The National Review was the only American press to include a piece.
As far as I can tell, the New York Times never covered the story in 1967 or after. No mention of the USS Liberty in the New York Times pops up until 1988. A letter to the Editor in the NYT in August of that year said justice still waits for the survivors of the USS Liberty.
A few days later, Abe Foxman, the National Director of the Anti-Defamation League, wrote a letter defending Israel and calling the “unfortunate facts” a “tragedy” that cost lives. Unfortunately, Foxman’s facts don’t square with the eyewitness accounts.
The chronology of events before, during and after the attack are spelled out here …. and leave only one question unanswered. When is the U.S. Government going to come clean with Americans? We deserve the truth.
Professor Chomsky spoke at MIT on May 6, 2014 about the collapse of the ‘peace talks’ and much more. Even if you don’t have time to listen to the entire 1 hour and 9 minutes, you’ll get the gist of the absurdity of the ‘peace talks’ in the first 10-15 minutes.
Today is the primary in many communities in the U.S. when eligible voters go to the polls to narrow the field of candidates for federal, state and local political offices. The general election will be held in November, and that’s when we’ll make our final selection.
Americans like to pat themselves on the back and tell the world about our great democracy and system of elections. The fact of the matter is that we’re in deep doo-doo.
Less than 50% of eligible voters in the U.S. take the time to vote — and in many communities the turnout is far less.
Why do Americans stay home on election day? One commentator suggests: (1) absence of trust in government, (2) the degree of partisanship among the population, (3) lack of general interest in politics, (4) institutional barriers to voting, (5) convenience, and (6) a failure of faith in the true effect of voting.
Another serious problem in our elections is the obscene amounts of money it takes to get elected.
Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing to consider a constitutional amendment proposed by Senator Tom Udall to explicitly authorize Congress and the states to regulate the raising and spending of money for political campaigns, including independent expenditures. Last month, Vermont became the first state to call for a constitutional convention to reverse the infamous Citizens United decision which allowed a flood of $$ into our elections.
If all goes well, Palestinians will be holding Presidential and Parliamentary elections later this year. Clearly, Netanyahu isn’t a happy camper with this latest development of a unity government that includes Hamas. He vows to impede Hamas’ participation in the elections and won’t let the Palestinians hold elections in East Jerusalem. Shame on him!
I hope I’m back in Gaza by the time these elections occur. I’d really like to observe the voting process.
Are women allowed to vote?
If they are, do they vote independently or follow the lead of the man in the family?
Is there voter coercion?
Do voters use machines or paper ballots?
Who is responsible for counting the votes?
How are candidates selected to run for office?
How do they campaign for office? Are there political ads in the papers and television? Campaign rallies?
Is it expensive to run for office?
If anyone can share information about how the last election in 2006 went, I’d really appreciate it.
لماذا غزة؟ Why Gaza? 