My letter to CSM RE A Palestinian’s journey from stone-throwing to conflict resolution

Stop the Wall

RE:  A Palestinian’s journey from stone-throwing to conflict resolution
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/Olive-Press/2014/1218/A-Palestinian-s-journey-from-stone-throwing-to-conflict-resolution

Dear Editor,

Thank you.  Once again for the umpteenth time since I've began reading CSM many years ago, I very much appreciate your ongoing coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict...  Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah's story is enlightening: “I wrote with anger and bitterness, and used my pain to spread hatred against the other side,” he reflected in a 2009 account. “However, the more I wrote, the more empty and angry I became.”  

Abu Sarah is wise to then point out that "“The problem with reaction is it’s not done to make a change. It is not a strategy. The only thing you’re doing is getting your anger out.”

Right now the anger and the hate mongering, religious extremism, and terrorism generated by some on both sides of the ongoing Israel-Palestine is making the plight of the Palestinians worse, as well as undermining serious state building efforts for Palestine. 

I very much hope that Palestine is able to become a sovereign state living in peace and security alongside Israel, and that the people of Israel and the people of Palestine (and all their neighbors individually and collectively) will be able to find the strength and inspiration to seek out compassionate, intelligent, and peaceful ways to break through walls of anger, fear, and ignorance... for everyone's sake. 

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

NOTES
“The United States casts its lot with the problem solvers, the healers, and the builders,”  US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman in a September speech, quoted by CSM in their recent editorial

Kerry heads to talks on Palestinian statehood bid: "There are a lot of different folks pushing in different directions out there, and the question is can we all pull in the same direction," Kerry said Friday, when asked about his meeting with Netanyahu."

STAY CONNECTED... Given the U.S. commitment to religious freedom, and to the international covenants that guarantee it as the inalienable right of every human being, the United States seeks to: Promote freedom of religion and conscience throughout the world as a fundamental human right and as a source of stability for all countries

"Where, after all, do universal human rights begin?

The Golden Rule... Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

To honor a tragic history, we must work for peace : "The only way to honor our tragic histories is to create a future for our children free of man-made tragedy. This means making peace fully, completely and without reservation, between Israel and Palestine." Ziad Asali

Tala Haikal: Empathy Is Essential to Humanity

Hussein Ibish: Non-violent resistance is Palestine’s most powerful weapon

Jordan's King: World must stand up to radicals

ATFP Calls for De-Escalation between Israel and the Palestinians
 
Palestinian Refugees (1948-NOW) refused their right to return... and their right to live in peace free from religious bigotry and injustice.

"There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies" Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 – 1968)

 “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.” Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), born in Lebanon, immigrated to the United States in 1895 where he grew up to become a beloved poet and respected writer.