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| Christmas Magi Forever® stamp |
http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21636779-how-far-will-mahmoud-abbas-push-resolution-end-israeli-occupation-another
Dear Sir,
Rage, self righteousness, religious extremism, hate mongering and bad advice on all sides exasperate the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the very real plight and suffering of the Palestinians.
Diplomatic efforts based on FULL respect for international law and universal human rights (including but not limited to the Palestinian refugees right to return to original homes and lands) are the only way to actually end the conflict.
Hussein Ibish, senior fellow at the American Task Force on Palestine, quite reasonably concludes in a recent column Agreement on UN text is in everyone’s interest that "All parties have a clear interest in reaching an agreement over a text that can advance the prospects for peace, and reiterate the international community’s commitment to a two-state outcome between Israel and the Palestinians" http://www.thenational.ae/opinion/comment/agreement-on-un-text-is-in-everyones-interest
The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) "supports Palestinian institution-building, good governance, anti-corruption measures, economic development, and improved living standards. ATFP holds that these same values are relevant to the broader Arab world, and that the question of Palestine is inextricably linked to regional realities and developments." ... Abbas & the PLO would be wise to follow ATFP's attentive lead rather than rushing forward with a badly worded self defeating draft.
Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
NOTES
An Open Door Beckons in the West Bank
Why Muslims Love Jesus Too: The virgin birth is mentioned in the...what...gasp...Koran?! It is indeed. So have yourself a merry Muslim Christmas.
A Christmas poem... in Growing Gardens for Palestine: Star Street Bethlehem Palestine 2014
US general rebrands Isis 'Daesh' after requests from regional partners
What Do Palestinians Want for Christmas
A Palestinian’s journey from stone-throwing to conflict resolution
What Will Israel Become?
“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
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
"Where,
after all, do universal human rights begin?
The Golden Rule... Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
The Golden Rule... Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
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
Five Reasons to Walk the Holy Land
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.