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Saturday, March 27, 2010

Dimitri Diliani: Holy land churches slam Israel's policy in Jerusalem

http://palestinenote.com/cs/blogs/blogs/archive/2010/03/27/holy-land-churches-slam-israel-s-policy-in-jerusalem.aspx

27 Mar 2010 12:21 PM By Dimitri Diliani


In a press conference organized in Jerusalem this morning by The National Christian Coalition in the Holy Land, Representatives of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Latin Patriarchate, Armenian Patriarchate, Episcopal Church slammed Israel's policies in Occupied East Jerusalem.

President of the National Christian Coalition in the Holy Land, Dimitri Diliani, assured local Christian popular support of the Churches' position rejecting Israeli unilateral colonial settlement building in the Palestinian Territory Occupied in 1967, especially in Jerusalem, in addition to the churches condemnation of violations committed by the State of Israel against the Palestinian People's national, religious and cultural rights.

"As we approach Easter Holidays," Diliani added, "Israeli discrimination appears clearly when we compare the treatment of Jews celebrating Passover on one hand, and Christians celebrating Easter on the other."

Diliani said, "if what Israel practices against Christians is practiced anywhere in the world against Jews, that place would be boycotted by the International community at once." He wondered, 'Are the Holy Land Christians less worthy than other human beings around the world?'

Bishop Aris Shirverian of the Armenian Patriarchate expressed his church's dismay at Israeli policies in Jerusalem, especially during the holidays where thousands of pilgrims are prohibited from visiting the Church of Holy Sepulcher.

Father Dr. Peter Madrous of Latin Patriarchate assured that one who plants injustice will harvest animosity 'and that is the reason for the Israeli paranoia, Israel has planted injustice for years'. Father Madrous stated that Palestinian Christians are peaceful people who have the right to practice their religion without Israeli armed interference.

Rev. Zahi Nasser of the Episcopal Church criticized Israeli claims to Democracy given reality on the ground. He said that Israeli building an Apartheid Wall and violating Palestinian people's rights directly contradict its claims to being a Democracy. Rev. Nasser said that Jerusalem is suffering just like Jesus suffered at the hands of his capturers.

Father Issa Misleh, Spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, said that his church attempted to negotiate with the Israeli security forces over the arrangements for the Holy Week, he added that these negotiations faced major inflexibility by Israeli officials who insisted on imposing their view of what should be taking place on our holiday. Father Misleh rejected the Israelis excuse of security saying that all throughout history Christians were not prohibited from entering the same facilities under the same circumstances until Israel decided that it should down play any Christian character of the holy city of Jerusalem. He said that Christian and Muslim Palestinians suffer from the same Israeli policies.


My letter to the Washington Post RE Linda Gradstein's Book review: 'A Wall in Palestine' by Rene Backmann

RE: Linda Gradstein's Book review: 'A Wall in Palestine' by Rene Backmann
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/26/AR2010032602527.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/26/AR2010032602527_Comments.html


Dear Editor,

Grateful for crumbs, I was very glad to see
Linda Gradstein's book review... but I cannot help but wonder how someone else a tad less beguiled by Israel might have reviewed the book 'A Wall in Palestine' by Rene Backmann:

Missing from Gradstein's analysis was reference to the highly relevant fact that the wall is illegal according to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).... and missing from her analysis is reference to at least some of all the many ways that sovereign Israel has been been systematically usurping land, rights, freedom, and peace from the native non-Jewish Palestinians- on both sides of that monstrous Israeli made Apartheid wall.

Full disclosure has to be part of the process of heading towards a just and lasting peace for Israel and Palestine- and for everyone's sake we need to be conscientiously and compassionately advocating full respect for international law and basic human rights across the board. That includes doing all we can to support formal diplomatic negotiations and a two state solution to once and for all end the contentious Israel/Palestine conflict.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
Growing Gardens for Palestine

Putting the Arab Peace Initiative Into Action

My letter to The Tampa Tribune regarding their editorial "Israel's arrogance on display once again"


RE: Israel's arrogance on display once again
http://suncoastpasco.tbo.com/content/2010/mar/27/pi-israels-arrogance-on-display-once-again/
http://suncoastpasco.tbo.com/content/2010/mar/27/pi-israels-arrogance-on-display-once-again/#comments

Dear Editor,

It is never too late to do the right thing, or as Martin Luther King Jr. said "The time is always right to do what is right."


Thank you for the exceptionally revealing and honest editorial "Israel's arrogance on display once again "

The "
s...storm" as your anonymous correspondent called it has indeed been a huge factor in stifling and distorting the conversation in many ways.

Tragically for all involved, a mainstream silence hands Israeli bigots the power to do even more harm to the native non-Jewish Palestinians- and very much helps fuel cynicism and extremism, hate mongering and violence on every side.... with world wide negative ramifications.

I think Israel is totally wrong to be so horrible to and about the Palestinians- and I think Palestinians in Gaza are totally wrong to think that Islamic groups, militancy and armed resistance will free Palestine. Sovereign Israel is not going to disappear, it is not going to be boycotted or bombed or bullied off the map. It can however be diplomatically forced to respect international law and basic human rights. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you... That really has to be the goal- we need to be empowering a golden rule peace in and for the Holy Land: A golden rule process and progress and a golden rule future illuminated by
a fair and just negotiated, secular two state solution- for everyone's sake.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
Growing Gardens for Palestine

Friday, March 26, 2010

Call for Recognition of Palestine Sounded as United Nations Seminar on Assistance to the Palestinian People Concludes

Call for Recognition of Palestine Sounded as United Nations Seminar on Assistance to the Palestinian People Concludes


GA/PAL/1159

(Received from a UN Information Officer)

VIENNA, 25 March -- At the conclusion of the United Nations Seminar on Assistance to the Palestinian People today, the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations called for recognition of the State of Palestine now that an ambitious programme to end the occupation in two years had been introduced.

Riyad Mansour said in closing remarks directed at Government representatives: "It is unacceptable to say all the right things while Israel continues to do the wrong things." Governments supporting a two-State solution should find practical ways to bring Israel into compliance, he said, adding that, while Palestinians were willing to participate in proximity talks, "we are not going to wait until they fail". Governments that had not yet done so should recognize the State of Palestine, and the Security Council should give Palestine its "birth certificate". After that, Palestine would apply for United Nations membership so that in 2011 it could raise its flag as the 193rd Member State.

The two-day Seminar, held under the theme "Building institutions and moving forward with establishing the State of Palestine", was organized by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

Zahir Tanin, Head of that Committee's delegation, noted in three plenary meetings, experts had analysed the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and made specific recommendations for the success of the ambitious new Palestinian Authority Programme -- "Palestine: Ending the occupation, establishing the State".

He also expressed appreciation for the previous day's presentation by Palestinian Authority Minister Ali Al-Jarbawi, outlining the Programme's main points. "We shall keep the focus of the international community on achieving the long-term goals for Palestinian economic and social development and, above all, achieving Palestinian statehood, in accordance with international legitimacy," he said.

During the third plenary meeting, which preceded the closing session, four experts discussed the role of the United Nations in mobilizing and coordinating international assistance to the Palestinian people.

Maxwell Gaylard, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, explained how some 20 of the Organization's agencies were working in the field. Matthias Burchard of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) highlighted that body's many accomplishments, as well as the numerous constraints it faced, in its work for refugees...READ MORE


Emergency Map

Poetry Friday: Naomi Shihab Nye

Poetry Friday: Naomi Shihab Nye

Posted using ShareThis

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Land Day... Palestine 2010

The Land and Love by Ismail Shammout

********************************************

Land Day (Arabic: يوم الأرض‎, Yom al-Ard; Hebrew: יוֹם הַאֲדָמָה‎, Yom HaAdama), March 30, is an annual day of commemoration for Palestinians of the events of that date in 1976. In response to the Israeli government's announcement of a plan to expropriate thousands of dunams of land for "security and settlement purposes", a general strike and marches were organized in Arab towns from the Galilee to the Negev.[1][2] In the ensuing confrontations with the Israeli army and police, six Arab citizens were killed, about one hundred were wounded, and hundreds of others arrested.[2][3][4][5]

Scholarship on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict recognizes Land Day as a pivotal event in the struggle over land and in the relationship of Arab citizens to the Israeli state and body politic. It is significant in that it was the first time since 1948 that Arabs in Israel organized a response to Israeli policies as a Palestinian national collective.[1] An important annual day of commemoration in the Palestinian national political calendar ever since, it is marked not only by Arab citizens of Israel, but by Palestinians all over the world.[6]

********************************************
Growing Gardens for Palestine

A GOLDEN OPPURTUNITY... Obama versus Netanyahu: this IS a big f---g deal!

"... the Palestinians are in a very advantageous, but also very delicate situation themselves. They have a golden opportunity, indeed a very rare one, to deal with a politically difficult Israeli cabinet in a very effective manner with American and international support, and to advance the position considerably and get closer to the United States. But they need to know that following this confrontation with Israel, the administration will be more than willing to take on the Palestinians and the other Arabs as well. If they are prepared to confront Netanyahu, there won't be much holding them back in confronting the PLO leadership or the Arab states. It's therefore strategically wise on multiple registers for the Palestinians and the other Arabs to be as constructive and forthcoming as possible. If the United States does not believe you're going around with the ball, they will not pass it to you, and there is a grave danger that having encountered a recalcitrant, obdurate and belligerent Netanyahu and faced him down, if they feel they are going to encounter similar resistance on the Arab side, they may with great reluctance choose to walk away.

The depth of the opportunity is only emphasized by Sec. Gates repeating today recent statements by Gen. Petraeus and Adm. Mullen that emphasize Israel's policies and, more importantly, the lack of a two state peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians and negatively affects US strategic interests, and, either explicitly or implicitly, the safety of US forces in the Arab and Islamic world. There is a reconsideration of American strategic interests, with Palestine and an end to the occupation at its very center, in the present world view dominating Washington discourse and administration policy. To not take advantage of this would be utter madness. Extremely unhelpful statements from some PLO officials and bizarre, almost insane, ideas floating around the Arab League about rescinding the Arab Peace Initiative, or any suggestion of not returning to proximity talks or putting up unworkable objections at this stage after all that has been done by the administration would be an unthinkable blunder. Through Netanyahu's gross miscalculations and the administration's firmness, determination and new level of authority, the Palestinians and the Arabs have a golden opportunity in the present circumstance that they must take advantage of or accept their share of the blame for the probably dire consequences."

Ibishblog
The weblog of Hussein Ibish


A Palestinian man stands on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the Dome of the Rock Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City, Thursday, March 25, 2010. Following a seemingly chilly reception at the White House, Benjamin Netanyahu is learning the hard way that he can't have it all. The Israeli leader will not likely be able to settle east Jerusalem with Jews and maintain strong relations with the Obama administration. He will be hard pressed to please his far-right coalition partners and still negotiate credibly with the Palestinians. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

A section of the controversial Israeli barrier is seen between the Shuafat refugee camp (R), in the West Bank near Jerusalem, and Pisgat Zeev (rear), in an area Israel annexed to Jerusalem after capturing it in the 1967 Middle East war, March 24, 2010. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

Map of Jerusalem locating new and existing Jewish settlements. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu huddled in his Washington hotel with US envoy George Mitchell, but there was no sign of progress in a row threatening Middle East peace talks. (AFP graphic)


A Palestinian man rides his donkey past schoolchildren coloring in the street, in the northern West Bank village of Salfit Thursday, March 25, 2010. (AP Photo/Nasser Ishtayeh)

Palestinian children paint on a giant banner during a rally marking Land Day in the West Bank town of Salfit near Nablus March 25, 2010. March 30th marks Land Day, the annual commemoration of protests in 1976 against Israel's appropriation of Arab-owned land in the Galilee. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS)

Palestinian children paint on a giant banner during a rally marking Land Day in the West Bank town of Salfit near Nablus March 25, 2010. March 30th marks Land Day, the annual commemoration of protests in 1976 against Israel's appropriation of Arab-owned land in the Galilee. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS)

Seize the opportunity at hand now, Jordan's King tells Israeli people

Seize the opportunity at hand now, King tells Israeli people

Following is the official translation of His Majesty King Abdullah’s interview with chief editors of The Jordan Times, Al Rai, Ad Dustour, Al Arab Al Yawm and Al Ghad on Wednesday:

25 March 2010

The peace process is at a crossroads now. People are tired of an open-ended process that does not lead to results. I think that the entire world is facing a moment of truth: either we achieve real, tangible and quick progress to resolve the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution within a comprehensive regional context which the Arab Peace Initiative offers; or we enter a new cycle of conflict and violence, and the whole world will pay the price.

There is no room for wasting more time. The peace process continues to lose its credibility and unilateral Israeli actions, especially settlement building, jeopardise the possibility of a viable Palestinian state. As I said before, we are getting to a point where Israel is creating realities on the ground that make it impossible to establish an independent and viable Palestinian state. This means loss of hope which in turn will inevitably lead to an explosive situation.

Israel has to decide whether it wants conflict or peace. If it really wants peace, then it has to prove that with tangible actions by ending all practices that prevent progress towards peace, initiating practical steps to end the occupation, and showing commitment and seriousness towards peace efforts that lead to a two-state solution. The path to peace is clear: an independent Palestinian state on land that was occupied in 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital, through serious and effective negotiations governed by a specific timeline and based on agreed references. Or continue to live as a fortress that is isolated from its neighbourhood and rejected in a region that faces the possibility of sinking into more violence and conflict.

The Arab Peace Initiative provides an unprecedented opportunity to achieve comprehensive peace between Israel and all Arab and Muslim states that support the initiative and have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to it. All Arab states are committed to a peace that restores Arab rights and provides security and acceptance to Israel. The entire world agrees on the need to achieve peace and that the establishment of the Palestinian state is at the core of this peace. But the problem is with Israel. What Israel needs to know is that its security will not be achieved through continued occupation, building walls, and exerting military force. Israel’s true security is attained through ending occupation, achieving peace, and building normal ties with its region and neighbours.

Here, I would like to say to the Israeli people that the chance to achieve true peace, true security, and to live peacefully with your neighbours is possible now. So, seize this opportunity in order to secure a better future for yourselves and the people of the region through ending the occupation and reaching a peace treaty that secures the Palestinians their right to a state and independence and gives you security assurances that are stronger than all armies and walls, for time is not in anyone’s interest.

We have to read the situation accurately. There is increased international pressure on the Israeli government and rejection of its positions and policies that jeopardise peace efforts. What the Israeli government wants is to remove this pressure by provoking the Palestinians and Arabs into taking a decision to withdraw from peace efforts and to tell the world that the Arabs do not want peace and there are no Palestinian and Arab negotiating partners. We must not allow Israel to achieve this goal. We have to hold on to the peace option according to the principles and references that restore all Arab rights, particularly the right of the Palestinians to establish their independent state on their national soil.

Q: But Your Majesty, some say that Israel is betting on a Jordan option and on Jordan playing a security role in the West Bank, hence, it does not have to accept the two-state solution.

A: These are illusions. I have repeatedly affirmed, and I shall repeat now, there is no such thing as a “Jordan option”. No one can enforce such a solution and whoever speaks of such illusions is talking about an impossible scenario. Palestinians want their independent state on their national soil; and Jordanians stand with their full power behind this Palestinian right. We totally reject any role in the West Bank except to help our Palestinian brothers in building their independent state. As I have said, we will not agree to replace Israeli tanks in the West Bank with Jordanian tanks and we will not allow Israel to solve the problems of its occupation of the West Bank and the resulting suffering and injustice at Jordan’s expense. This is not even subject to discussion.

Let’s speak in more details here. You tell me how anyone can enforce this illusion! I know there are irrational voices that claim that the so-called Jordan option will be imposed through exerting economic pressure on us and halting aid, among other things. OK, but the halt in aid will result in economic problems, whereas accepting what you call the Jordan option - and I do not see it as an option - means suicide to this country. So, do we bear the challenges - something that we have done successfully many times in the past - or agree to commit the country to suicide? So, I don’t think the subject needs further discussion.

There are also those who say that Israel is going to expel Palestinians to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, and impose a solution. OK, the question is how will Israel do that? This will mean war and destruction for the entire region. Let’s assume - for the sake of argument - that by some miracle Israel managed to pull this through. Will this solve the problem? Of course not. This will only deepen the conflict and force the region into a new wave of violence and war.

There is no logic in all these views, and our position is unequivocal and there is no need to waste time and effort in discussing illusions that will never be achieved. We in Jordan should not allow those who promote such illusions in order to serve their own narrow interests which are totally disconnected from Jordan’s interest to succeed.

The two-state solution is the only solution. The alternative - as many see it now - is a one-state solution where Palestinians gain citizenship rights and full political rights in Israel. In this case, Israel would have to give Palestinians who will be a majority these rights, or apply an apartheid system and live with all the consequences and the potential threats.

Q: Your Majesty, do you think the United States is close to losing its credibility in playing a constructive role in the peace process?

A: To begin, I am certain that American President Barack Obama is committed to solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict according to the two-state solution. The US president announced that solving the conflict is in the United States’ national security interests. The truth is that a solution cannot be reached without a leading and effective US role in negotiations. We hope that the United States will give the necessary attention to peace efforts in order to achieve the required progress that is based on clear criteria, plan and timeline. An impasse in negotiations will surely undermine the credibility of the United States and that of all countries that promote a peaceful solution through negotiations.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

My letter to The Guardian RE Netanyahu's reluctant gift to Palestine by Hussein Ibish

comment i posted online
RE: Netanyahu's reluctant gift to Palestine US pressure on Binyamin Netanyahu has not achieved a settlement freeze, but it has delivered real gains to Palestinians by Hussein Ibish

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/24/binyamin-netanyahu-palestine-us

Dear Sir,

Delighted to see ATFP's Hussein Ibish pop up in your pages. I have great admiration for the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) because of their tireless efforts to take Palestine seriously- and their proven ability to think carefully and intelligently about recent events. They address crucial issues and time and time again come to very sound and reasonable conclusions.

Ibish's analysis is correct- and I hope that Palestine and its many supporters do not squander this opportunity to get on with the negotiations necessary to create a real Palestinian state.


Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab


Hanan Ashrawi, Speaker at UK outlines Palestine solution, Tells audience she is still hopeful

Speaker at UK outlines Palestine solution

Tells audience she is still hopeful

- ralessi@herald-leader.com

Hanan Ashrawi, a Palestinian activist, told more than 400 people at the University of Kentucky on Tuesday she's among the dwindling number of Palestinians who believe a two-state solution in the Middle East still can be achieved.

It will take international attention, concessions from Israel and evidence that Palestinians can set up a healthy democracy, she said.

Until Palestinians can live freely in a homeland along with Israelis, the Middle East will remain combustible, she added.

"Palestine is the key to regional stability," she said. "It shapes attitudes. It shapes perceptions. It's like an aging wound that's been allowed to fester."

Ashrawi's hour-long speech follows former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's remarks at UK in October. The two speeches are part of the foundation being laid at UK for a living-learning community called the Peace House, in which a dorm will be reserved for students interested in exploring social justice and peace issues.

Unlike Olmert, whose speech was interrupted by hecklers at several points and drew a protest outside UK's Singletary Center, Ashrawi was received to a standing ovation and received applause throughout her remarks.

She said she's among a dying breed who believe "a two-state solution may yet be possible."

But she said too much of officials' focus has been on a peace process, rather than deciding what the solution should be.

In the meantime, Israelis have exerted more power over Palestinians to the point of "ethnic cleansing" in Jerusalem by forcing them out of the city and building a segregation wall.

"Walls do not work," she said, before calling the current Israeli leadership "one of the most extremist, hard-line governments" Israel has had.

Ashrawi, a Ramallah native who has a doctorate from the University of Virginia, has long been a prominent advocate for the formation of two sovereign states — a Palestine alongside Israel. She gained international prominence while serving as spokeswoman for the Palestinian delegation during peace talks in the early 1990s.

Despite numerous failed negotiations and repeated cycles of violence — most recently in December 2008 in Gaza — Ashrawi said she clings to hope.

"No conflict on earth, no situation on earth is beyond solution," she said.

Monday, March 22, 2010

My letter to the Washington Post RE A familiar obstacle to Mideast peace: Mahmoud Abbas By Jackson Diehl

RE: A familiar obstacle to Mideast peace: Mahmoud Abbas By Jackson Diehl
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/21/AR2010032101708.html

Dear Editor,

Israel flagrantly and intentionally sabotages peace and Palestine- and Washington Post columnists want to put the blame on Abbas! Do you honestly believe that you are enlightening readers as well as defending your own credibility and the peace process itself with such ridiculous coverage of the peace process.

The United States and our fourth estate should be sending the clear message that we take Palestine and peace seriously- that we expect full respect for international law and basic human rights across the board, and that we really do honestly support a fair and just two state solution to end the Israel/Palestine conflict.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab


March 19, 2010 - 5:00pm
ATFP Backgrounder on Jerusalem in International Relations

The Palestinian State and Institution Building Program
Documents detailing the state and institution building program of the 13th Palestinian Government, including the overall plan and priority interventions for 2010.



My leter to the LATimes RE "A warrior poet 'Here, Bullet' a soldier's view, in verse, of the war in Iraq." & your letters regarding Israel


RE: "A warrior poet 'Here, Bullet' is a soldier's view, in verse, of the war in Iraq." & your letters regarding Israel, terrorism and settlements & “Stumbling over settlements,” Editorial, March 16
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-turner21-2010mar21,0,2602143,full.story
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/letters/


Dear Editor,

I was fascinated by the startling poems by Brian Turner in your article "A warrior poet 'Here, Bullet' is a soldier's view, in verse, of the war in Iraq." However technically his riveting poems are not "in verse" they are free verse. And speaking of freedom- all your letters today regarding Israel, terrorism and settlements & “Stumbling over settlements,” are by people mainly focused in on protecting and promoting Israel in one way or another.... I am not sure if I should be wishing that more people felt free to write letters in support of Palestine and peace- or wishing that the LATimes felt more free to publish letters (& poetry) in support of Palestine and peace.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

My letter to the Boston Glove RE letter by Michael Burkin " Abbas, Hamas dig in, getting them nowhere"

RE: letter by Michael Burkin " Abbas, Hamas dig in, getting them nowhere"
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2010/03/22/abbas_hamas_dig_in_getting_them_nowhere/

Dear Editor,

Intentionally ignoring UN Resolution 194 from 1948 which clearly affirms the Palestinian refugees very real right to return to original homes and lands, letter writer Burkin argues that "More settlements are unfortunate, but are not a tipping point in the peace process" because he wants Americans to believe that the Palestinian refugees right of return is the real impediment to peace.

He is wrong on all counts... Fact is every day, 24/7 (all year round, decade after decade) people world wide freely enjoy the right to leave and the right to return as we go about the business of life.
Negotiations for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East must not contradict international law or undermine basic human rights.

Negotiations need to be focused in on how to quickly, efficiently and compassionately create a secular two state solution to end the Israel/Palestine conflict once and for all in line with international law and all relevant UN resolutions: Israel should not be allowed to use its own illegal acts, intransigence and investments in institutionalized bigotry as bargaining chips in order to gain power or as yet another way to sabotage Palestine and peace.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

Growing Gardens for Palestine

We need a Golden Rule Peace for Israel and Palestine

NOTES
"Continued settlement activity, confrontations in East Jerusalem, excavations near holy sites, evictions of Palestinian families, travel and visa restrictions, belligerent conduct by extremist settlers, and sporadic violence by individual and organized Palestinian extremists all undermine the viability and credibility of negotiators and negotiations. " Washington is the indispensible partner for a settlement by Ziad Asali

"Historically, secular values have been a major feature of the Palestinian national movement" Palestine must be a secular state by Hussein Ibish

Need the facts on Palestine?


Sunday, March 21, 2010

Catherine Ashton: Lessons From a Gaza Trip

"We need to move from conflict management to conflict resolution, involving the whole region. Peace is urgent and it is achievable. I look forward to the day when I can meet the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and when those Palestinians who are held without trial are released. For the sake of the little deaf boy who stood and held my hand and for the girls who want to be able to do something with that good education, we have to move from process to peace." Catherine Ashton- high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and vice president of the European Commission.

I.H.T. Op-Ed Contributor

Lessons From a Gaza Trip

My letter to the Washington Post RE Eric R. Carey's EXCELLENT letter "Obama hasn't failed at Mideast peace"

RE: Obama hasn't failed at Mideast peace
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/20/AR2010032002726.html

Dear Editor,

Thank you for publishing Eric R. Carey's EXCELLENT letter "Obama hasn't failed at Mideast peace". Both peace and Palestine deserve all the sympathy and support we can muster.... and so do leaders worldwide who dare believe that a negotiated non-violent two state settlement to end the Israel/Palestine conflict is well worth our time and attention- and all our best efforts to make it so.

Worst comes to worse, with Israel continuing to usurp Palestinian land, rights and life, the peace process will prove once and for all, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Israel really is the problem.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
MARCH FORTH! Celebrating Women's History Month by celebrating some GREAT Palestinian-American Artists, Writers & Poets

Growing Gardens for Palestine

We need a Golden Rule Peace for Israel and Palestine

NOTES
"Continued settlement activity, confrontations in East Jerusalem, excavations near holy sites, evictions of Palestinian families, travel and visa restrictions, belligerent conduct by extremist settlers, and sporadic violence by individual and organized Palestinian extremists all undermine the viability and credibility of negotiators and negotiations. " Washington is the indispensible partner for a settlement by Ziad Asali

"Historically, secular values have been a major feature of the Palestinian national movement" Palestine must be a secular state by Hussein Ibish

Need the facts on Palestine?

*******************






Obama hasn't failed at Mideast peace

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/20/AR2010032002726.html
Sunday, March 21, 2010

The March 16 editorial on President Obama and the Israeli-Palestinian dispute stated that Middle East diplomacy "failed" in Mr. Obama's first year "in part because he chose to engage in an unnecessary and unwinnable public confrontation with Israel over Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem." Is one to conclude that presidential leadership in a noble but thankless task is a fault and that non-cooperation on the part of our partner in peace is not?

It has been obvious since the establishment of the modern state of Israel that significant players on both sides of the issue do not want peace. Others, however, who advocate for peace, should be grateful for presidential leadership that includes praise as well as criticism when deserved. The inflammatory announcement regarding East Jerusalem housing is clearly not helpful in the search for peace. One would hope that The Post would be part of the solution and support a president working for a fair settlement and lasting peace.

Eric R. Carey, Arlington

What One Can Do

1


What One Can Do

Just say NO...

Just say NO
NO to peace- no to hope-
no to progress

no to possibility

no to the hard work
the good intentions
and careful research
of those willing to work

nothing changes

except
you just said no
to peace...

no to hope
no to progress

no to restraint-

calmly cast your ballot
electing scorn

and another round
of escalating terror

ad infinitum


poem by Anne Selden Annab


poem copyright ©2010 Anne Selden Annab