One of many paintings by exiled Palestinian artist, Ismail Shammout 1930- 2006
RE: PLO envoy: Israel is playing politics
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2010-10-14-column14_ST_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
Dear Editor
DELIGHTED to see the informative and interesting USAToday interview with the PLO envoy (Maen Rashid Areikat, Palestine Liberation Organization representative to the United States) explaining the secular nature of the Palestinians quest for freedom.
I adore how Areikat answered that last question about the concern many Israelis have- that Palestinians are negotiating for a two-state solution "is a way to get to a two-stage solution — and that the second stage is the rest of the land." His answer was surprising- and very uplifting. It really is too easy to be mired in the worst aspects of what has been, and to lose sight of what might be- our pessimism and negativity becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. His call to change that paradigm is invigorating.
Looks to me like today's Palestine is very much heading towards establishing a Golden Rule peace for the region by ending the Israel/Palestine conflict in line with international law and full respect for basic human rights. I hope that Israelis also find the courage and compassion to think clearly and do what needs to be done so that a real Palestine PLUS a just and lasting peace can flourish- for everyone's sake.
Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
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RE: A cycle of retribution, For both Israelis and Palestinians, the violence is not arbitrary
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/10/14/a_cycle_of_retribution/
Dear Editor,
Thank you for publishing "A cycle of retribution, For both Israelis and Palestinians, the violence is not arbitrary". However, since Israel is one of the most powerful military machines on earth, and Palestinians have been harshly oppressed and impoverished (and displaced) for generations I think it would have been much more accurate and telling had the first line and reference been about Israeli violence towards the Palestinians.
Perhaps the authors felt that more Zionists would be willing to read the op-ed to the end if the op-ed began with crimes by Hamas and it was illustrated with a beautiful young Israeli woman in obvious grief. Tragically religious extremists, radicals, and hate mongers on both sides are thriving on the continuation of the conflict itself, and having a captive audience to take advantage of... This situation is bound to go from bad to worse if left unchecked. I very much agree with the assessment that "To make progress, both sides must stop attributing the conflict to the fundamental and immutable character of the other side, and focus instead on aspects of its own behavior that perpetuate the conflict."
For everyone's sake it really it is crucially important to understand that "ending the occupation of Palestinian land is not a painful concession that Israel should make in exchange for something else, but a step that is in Israel’s own narrow self interest."
Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
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RE: An End to Israel’s Invisibility
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/opinion/14oren.html?ref=opinion
Dear Editor,
Knowing that Israel's ongoing crimes against the Palestinians are barely noticed- thus rendering them essentially invisible in our mainstream newspapers, on first reading the headline "An End to Israel’s Invisibility " my first thought was EXCELLENT- finally the full and total truth about Israel's pernicious violations of international law and the Palestinians basic human rights will be brought to light here in the USA by our mainstream media- and our Congress will better understand just exactly what it is they are favoring by favoring modern man made Israel. But alas and alack- no such luck. Instead we have yet another Zionist propaganda piece headlined and sure to be fawned over by religious extremists and hate mongers on both sides, each in their own way.
I wonder how many reasonable people just throw up their hands in disgust rather than reaching out to argue for the umpteenth time on obvious points. For instance regarding Israel's "DNA": Surely both people and countries should be judged by the content of their character and by their actions- not by the color of their skin or any other DNA related aspect. Furthermore American taxpayers are not forced to fund prayers in our own pubic schools- why then are American taxpayers being forced to help fund Israel's generously subsidized 'religious scholars' ( and Israel's illegal settlement practices AND institutionalized bigotry on both sides of that monstrous Israeli made Apartheid-Security wall) and Israel's supposed Jewishnesses?
The core of the Israel/Palestine conflict is not all about how Palestinians feel about Jewish people- the core is the ongoing and punitive Nakba as Israel cruelly persecutes, impoverishes and displaces the native-non-Jewish population of the Holy Land.... AND as far as the Palestinian refugees right of return goes, it is the right to return: RETURN not more forced transfer. The PLO has already made it quite clear that Palestinian refugees are more than welcome to relocate as in "resettlement in a newly independent Palestine". Please note that the PLO has also wisely pointed out that "What is important is that individual refugees decide for themselves which option they prefer – a decision must not be imposed upon them." Hmmmm individual freedom- what a concept!!!
Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
NOTES:
Palestinians have recognized Israel on 78% of historic Palestine while accepting to create a state on the remaining 22%. The PLO’s position is consistent with international law which forbids Israel from acquiring territory by force.PLO on the Refugees and the Right of Return "Palestinian refugees must be given the option to exercise their right of return (as well as receive compensation for their losses arising from their dispossession and displacement) though refugees may prefer other options such as: (i) resettlement in third countries, (ii) resettlement in a newly independent Palestine (even though they originate from that part of Palestine which became Israel) or (iii) normalization of their legal status in the host country where they currently reside. What is important is that individual refugees decide for themselves which option they prefer – a decision must not be imposed upon them." http://www.plomission.us/index.php?page=core-issues-3
"Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."Eleanor RooseveltTHE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
The Golden Rule... Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
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