My letter to the Washington Post RE Palestinian premier speaks at Israeli conference

A Palestinian school girl walks by a mural at the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

RE: Palestinian premier speaks at Israeli conference
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/02/AR2010020202854.html

Dear Editor,

Excellent to see these efforts at building a real Palestinian state publicized and empowered by people who take Palestine and peace and progress seriously.

In PAVING THE WAY FOR PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD Ziad Asali, president & founder, American Task Force on Palestine wisely states: "I think in general, the Palestinian and Israeli political leadership have to be convinced, regardless of the package that needs to be put together, of this: don’t do anybody any favors, do your own country a favor, it is in your interest to negotiate"

The Arab Peace Initiative is an amazing and unprecedented opportunity for all to move forward in a more positive and progressive direction... for everyone's sake.

The children of historic Palestine need freedom- and a future: "Part of a line of generations experiencing the largest and longest-standing case of forced displacement in the world, Palestinian refugee youth play in the leftovers of ineffectual UN Resolutions. Resolution 194 affirms that, “refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date.” This was stated in 1948. It’s been 62 years, and the “earliest practicable date” for people to rightfully return to their homes has not been determined" Refugee Youth: Living in Israel’s Punch Line by Hajr Al-Ali for MIFTAH

Left unresolved the Israel/Palestine conflict is already on its way to becoming a cruel "religious struggle between bearded fanatics on both sides about the will of God and holy places" Hussein Ibish on the Fantasy World of One-Staters

Naysayers, cynics, hate mongers and useful idiots on both sides seek to sabotage the idea of Palestine and peace.

I'd rather notice and celebrate the beautiful voices for Palestine, honest voices and poetic voices- and visionaries & realists who understand the crucial importance of ending the Israel/Palestine conflict.... people with open minds and open hearts and the ability to see the big picture- and the importance of work: "When I came to America, I realized that there was a big picture, and I needed to study it, so I studied journalism and focused on the Middle East. I kept reading until I finally could see things from a much larger perspective. That was so freeing, and suddenly things started to make sense. A more whole and meaningful picture emerged about the situation of the Palestinians and what was happening to us. And then I could see what had happened to the Jews and how that led to the situation in Palestine. " 'Tasting the Sky': An Interview With Ibtisam Barakat

"We have suffered a lot and have been forced to leave with no document in hand after living 60 years in Iraq. We just want a place that welcomes us and recognizes us as human beings."" Abu Mohanned, a Palestinian refugee quoted in End of long ordeal for Palestinian refugees as desert camp closes

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

A Palestinian school girl walks by a Mural at the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. Arabic script reads 'Palestine' (AP Photo/Adel Hana)