Smaller than a Mouse- a poem by Naomi Shihab Nye published in her most recent book "Sidekick" 2026

                   Smaller than a Mouse

We demonstrated on a steaming day,

carrying signs,

five hundred thousand people 

in the streets of New York

saying no to war,

gathering crowds for blocks and miles,

crush and press of world's religions

and secular codes, multi-flavored

WE SHALL NOT KILL

and the next day our story,

the story of saying no to war,

was written up in a three-sentence news item

on the back of the front section of the New York Times

smaller than the story of a mouse found

in a chain restaurant soup.

This is the truth.
 

    Poem by award winning Palestinian American poet Naomi Shihab Nye published in her most recent book "Sidekick" 2026  

 https://boaeditions.org/book/sidekick/

Praise for Naomi Shihab Nye

“On every page, Shihab Nye's insistent call is the same: people, all people, deserve to live safe and healthy lives, free from fear and violence. She mourns, rages, takes politicians to task, but always lands on the side of compassion.” —Shelf Awareness

 

Naomi Shihab Nye is the author and/or editor of more than thirty volumes including six collections of poetry from BOA Editions: Sidekick (2026), Red Suitcase (1994), Fuel (1998), You & Yours (2005), Transfer (2011), and The Tiny Journalist (2019). She has been a Lannan Fellow, a Guggenheim Fellow and a Witter Bynner Fellow. Her numerous awards include a Lavan Award from the Academy of American Poets, the Isabella Gardner Poetry Award from BOA, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, the Patterson Poetry Prize, four Pushcart Prizes, the Robert Creeley Prize the Betty Prize from Poets House for her service to poetry, and the Lon Tinkle Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Texas Institute of Letters. She served on the Board of Chancellors of the Academy of American Poets from 2010–2015, and in May 2019 she was named the 2019–2021 Young People's Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation. 

[AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes or watch videos) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine]

Dear America, I know for a fact that there are good and decent Jewish people on planet earth, there are good and decent Jewish groups on earth... but Israel is bad.

STAGE ONE so far: Map of Greater Israel overlaying Google map.

Dear America,

So as the years roll by and Israel becomes more obviously cruel to the men, women, and children of historic Palestine, I cannot help but think that most Israelis are sadists who find pleasure in Palestinian suffering and pain.

I know for a fact that there are good and decent Jewish people on planet earth, there are good and decent Jewish groups on earth... but Israel is bad. 

Modern man-made Israel's influence and advice is very very bad:  Israel stands in long term and egregious violation of multiple international laws. But our politicians idolize a fantasy they have of Israel, and our mainstream media has spent decades reinforcing Zionist lies and misinformation by shaping most every story to diminish, denigrate, vilify, dismiss, and destroy Palestinians and those that care for them.

Israel used the United Nations to become a sovereign nation state in 1948, and now in 2026, having taken every inch of historic Palestine it can capture and occupy, Jews-preferred Israel seeks to destroy the United Nations starting with UNRWA (The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) one of many United Nations relief and human development agencies.

Building a land grabbing Apartheid wall PLUS multiple checkpoints to choke Palestinian roads intersected by Israeli-only express highways that serve Jews-only settlement projects is bad- but that is just the tip of the iceberg.  For decades now, Israel has been deploying bulldozers, bombs, lawfare, injustice, "settlers" and savage brutality to destroy Palestinian individuals, communities, commerce, and to steal vital Palestinian resources like water.  That is just a few of many monstrously heinous actions that Zionist Israel has taken so far, in Israel's gruesome quest to torture and destroy "others."

Right now, the "others" targeted and tortured by Israel are Palestinians and those that care for them. Arab Christians and Muslims, neighboring countries.... Israel creates a huge refugee crisis, and now freely bombs refugee camps.  

An Israeli sniper intentionally targets and kills a baby in his mother's arms.

I object. 

This situation is not healthy or wise.

Israel is a very bad investment.

Sincerely,

Anne Selden Annab

NOTES https://anniesnewletters.blogspot.com/search/label/Notes

"It should not have taken mass slaughter and apocalyptic destruction. But the daily stream of horror from Gaza is what finally broke through the overwhelming propaganda machine and media ecosystem that perpetuates the narrative of Israel’s “right to self-defence,” while castigating any form of resistance by occupied and oppressed Palestinians. Americans were not only shocked by the disturbing images from Gaza—parents carrying the remains of their children in plastic bags, children amputated without anaesthetic, entire neighbourhoods flattened, and so much more—they were also seeing the blatant hypocrisy of Western governments and media playing out in real time. What they were being told directly contradicted what they were seeing with their own eyes." Assal Rad

Gaza’s archaeological heritage was destroyed in Israel’s genocide. These volunteers are trying to salvage it from the rubble: Israeli forces systematically and deliberately targeted many of Gaza’s archaeological sites, including ancient churches. Before the war, Gaza was home to archaeological sites and artifacts from periods spanning more than 5,000 years of continuous human civilization. Some looted artifacts have quietly resurfaced in a Paris exhibition

New Maps Show How Israel Has Thwarted Hopes for a Palestinian State

Israeli forces repeatedly stop aid and goods truck drivers at military checkpoints and inside the Kerem Shalom crossing, forcing them to strip, beating them, and humiliating them, even after they have received prior security approval to work and access these areas.

Palestinian woman and NBC News team attacked by masked Israeli settlers in West Bank. The woman and crew were treated for injuries..... Between Jan. 1 and July 24, Israeli forces [IDF] or settlers [Zionists] killed 76 Palestinians, according to the latest data available from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Three Israelis were killed over the same period, the data shows.

The rebranding of ‘Lake America’ is Trump’s desperate attempt to distract us. Ignore Iran, the Epstein files, and your wallet – not to mention Trump’s plummeting approval ratings

Life in Gaza next to Israel's 'Yellow Line' : This is life in Gaza near Israel's advancing ‘Yellow Line’, where two million people are now crammed into just 36 per cent of the Strip marked out by the Israeli military amid continued airstrikes, despite the ceasefire with Hamas.

"In Gaza, Palestinian journalists filming on their phones have provided an indispensable record of a war foreign reporters have largely been prevented from entering. There, picking up a camera is an act of extraordinary courage." Phoebe Greenwood

The Guardian: Smoke rises after an Israeli attack in Gaza. A witness said the strike targeted the Asqalan prayer hall, which is home to many Gaza residents displaced during the Israeli incursion. More than 100 French and British former diplomats have said Palestine is being erased in front of the world’s eyes and called for urgent action including trade and arms sales bans to press Israel to accept a Palestinian state.

UNESCO pays tribute to the memory of Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour, laureate, in recognition of his commitment to art education and his efforts to create platforms for younger generations of artists.

Why Israeli Authorities Are Encouraging Settler Violence Against Palestinians: The retired I.D.F. colonel Doron Meiner, who was arrested while trying to protect a Palestinian community from settlers in the West Bank, discusses Israel’s strategy

Israeli settlers targeting Palestinian factories to force workers off land: Rising Israeli settler violence targets Palestinian industrial facilities across the occupied West Bank, aiming to paralyse the local economy and force mass displacement.

Israeli court acquits Jewish settler who kicked Catholic nun in the head. The ruling comes amid growing attacks by extremist settlers against Christians in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank

Fake US thinktank set up and funded by Israel sought to game AI for propaganda: In effort to prime chatbots to make pro-Israel arguments the site published 124 reports, over 560,000 words in nine days, Guardian analysis shows

"Well, Core 5 is going ahead with the demolition of my Great Great Grandparents' farmhouse. While this lack of respect for our local history makes me sad, it pales in comparison to the losses experianced daily by Palestinians who are being systematically forced off their land by the illegal and immoral actions of the Likud government and its settler proxies." David Dietz of York, Pennsylvania, USA

United Nations rejects Israel’s threat to expel Gaza residents over kite-flying. United Nations rights office spokesperson slams Israeli threat of forced evacuations from Gaza communities over kite flying.

Suleiman Mansour 1947-2026... "Palestine has lost one of its most iconic painters, Sliman Mansour, who passed away today in Jerusalem. Mansour immortalised Palestine’s memory and steadfastness in his art, rendering eternal the struggle of a people living under the grip of the dystopian military occupation by Israel. Rest in peace."

"Because, after all, how do you explain to a 12-year-old that one of the world’s most powerful militaries is designating paper kites as “weapons of war” in a completely devastated area?" Maha Hussaini of Palestine

The Guardian cartoonist Ella Baron on AI (artificial intelligence) and the drought

AMERICAN DOCTOR: ‘Can we accept what we have done or not done?’: harrowing film follows doctors in Gaza. American Doctor follows three volunteer doctors as they try to save lives on the frontline and then return to the US to become advocates in congress

"... But the moral weight of American Doctor lies not just in its depiction of Gaza but its unflinching examination of the political and media machinery that enables it."

"Insane how little media coverage the occupied West Bank gets while Israel steals more land and terrorizes Palestinians every, single, day." Assal Rad

Assal Rad

@AssalRad

If you’re an Israeli occupier, you can terrorize Palestinians, steal their land, burn their trees, kill their animals, shoot, paralyze and kill them, and you’re called a “settler.” If you’re Palestinian and try to defend yourself against any of this, you’re called a “terrorist.” https://x.com/AssalRad/status/2091277430535451116

Calculated deception: How Israel uses diplomacy to buy time for Gaza’s destruction

Francesca Albanese says that what’s happening in West Bank is a continuation of Israel’s [1948] Nakba

How much is your support for Israel worth? Try $1 billion [that we know of]... Israel is spending wads of cash on public diplomacy in a desperate attempt to reverse waning American support for the country after it stands accused of genocide in Gaza and pushing the U.S. into the Iran war.

Dear America, American taxpayers are being forced to fund the cruel destruction of Palestine, international law AND our own country's future... This is crazy and wrong- oh so wrong!

DEAR AMERICA

WE THE PEOPLE are being forced to fund weapons, escalating war, hate, and hypocrisy everywhere.

ICE and Israel should both be de-funded and de-fanged.

Jobs created by the weapons industry bring temporary economic relief to some- while inflicting immense pain and suffering on many many many more.

Pushing all commerce online to "Save A Tree" ends up decimating numerous forests and fields for energy and water hungry Data Centers. CEOs and our elected leaders take huge profits while taxpayers are left with escalating losses, including the surging loss of land and water for hyperscale Data Centers.

Anti-immigrant legislation and excessive funding for ICE are more about protecting wealthy people and corporations, who can hire illegals knowing that the workers and their families will be too afraid to complain about dangerous working conditions, low pay, long hours, and slum landlord housing.

You can't win a modern war. You can destroy homes & families, you can usurp land & resources from the rightful owners, and you can undermine & destroy a free press and the fourth estate- but people worldwide have memories, as well as a sense of right and wrong that cannot be bombed into oblivion.

STOP THE BOMBS and the bigotry, and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stop accepting bribes & propaganda & bad advice from a very foreign country that seeks to destroy support for UNIVERSAL human rights and the rule of fair and just laws.

Along the way we learned that slavery is wrong. We learned that domestic violence is wrong. We learned that racist hate is wrong. SO WHY are we funding Israel and why are we bombing Iran for Israel!!!

Violence is a problem- not the answer

The power of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the power of ideas to change the world. It inspires us to continue working to ensure all people can gain freedom, equality and dignity...

In 1945, 50 nations came together in San Francisco to create a new organization for peace, prosperity & human rights- the United Nations

"The United Nations is the only place on Earth where all the world's nations come together to discuss common problems and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity. This intergovernmental organization born out of the ashes of the Second World War remains indispensable to the pursuit of world peace, justice, equality and sustainable development" https://www.un.org/en/

The right of refugees to return to homes and lands they were expelled from is an individual right and cannot be unilaterally abrogated by third parties.  https://imeu.org/resources/resources/fact-sheet-palestinian-refugees-the-right-of-return-under-international-law/441

"Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world..."   https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

The real refugee crisis is the failure to make peace. Refugees flee war, conflict and persecution. End the wars that force people to run for their lives.

"Because, after all, how do you explain to a 12-year-old that one of the world’s most powerful militaries is designating paper kites as “weapons of war” in a completely devastated area?" Maha Hussaini of Palestine

 Maha Hussaini

@MahaGaza

 

Two weeks ago, Nazeeh, my first nephew, flew a kite for the first time in his life. 

 

He is 12, however, and he should have learned how to fly kites years ago. But when he was old enough to learn, the genocide began. For the next three years, the things he learned were how to cut firewood with his father for cooking, collect water, and move from one shelter to another. 

 

Earlier this month, we went to the beach together as a family. 

 

In every break he took from swimming, I noticed him watching boys flying kites. 

 

“Nazeeh,” I called. “Look around. If you see anyone selling kites, let’s get you one.” 

 

His eyes lit up. He jumped up and started asking around. 

 

We couldn’t find anyone selling one. And just as he came back disappointed, I called over a boy flying a black-and-white kite. 

 

“Where did you buy it?” I asked. 

 

“Do you want one?” he asked back. 

 

He told us he made the kites himself from nylon and sticks and sold them to earn a little pocket money. He offered us the kite for very little. So we got it. 

 

For the next few hours, I had to reach back into my own childhood to teach Nazeeh how to fly it. 

 

Every time I let out more string and the kite climbed higher, he would jump and shout: “Higher! Higher!” 

 

I hadn’t seen my little genius this excited in a long time. 

 

Nazeeh isn’t easily impressed by ordinary children’s toys. He is the kind of kid who would rather take things apart and fix them, especially electronics, or sit watching “how-to” videos. 

 

At one point, laughing, he said: “Wow, how beautiful it is to drive something in the sky.”  He knew “drive” wasn’t quite the right word. But I knew exactly what he meant. 

 

As I expected, the kite didn’t stay the way he had bought it. The next day, he asked his mother to show him YouTube videos on how to make kites. Then he rebuilt his own. 

 

He used different nylon. He glued a Palestinian flag onto it. And he wrote “Gaza” on every side, preparing it for our next trip to the beach. 

 

But yesterday, his parents told him he couldn’t fly it outside the house. 

 

“Why?” he asked. 

 

I’m not sure what they told him, but I’m sure they couldn’t put into words how Israel’s Prime Minister and Defense Minister have themselves threatened intensified bombing and forced evacuations of areas in Gaza where children are spotted flying kites. 

 

Because, after all, how do you explain to a 12-year-old that one of the world’s most powerful militaries is designating paper kites as “weapons of war” in a completely devastated area? 

https://x.com/MahaGaza/status/2091823635409346902

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Ali Louis Bourzgui dedicates Tony award to immigrants and Palestine ...Accepting the award, the 26-year-old dedicated it to "the people of Palestine who deserve to live a fruitful life, a free life, a full life without occupation", drawing applause from the audience...

 

Ali Louis Bourzgui was born to a Moroccan-American father and an Italian-Irish mother [Getty/file photo]

Tony winner Ali Louis Bourzgui dedicates award to Palestinians

Tony winner Ali Louis Bourzgui dedicated his award to Palestinians and called for greater Arab representation in the arts.

Moroccan-American actor Ali Louis Bourzgui used his acceptance speech at the Tony Awards on Sunday night to speak out in support of Palestinians, immigrant communities and LGBTQ people after winning Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role in Broadway's The Lost Boys.

Accepting the award, the 26-year-old dedicated it to "the people of Palestine who deserve to live a fruitful life, a free life, a full life without occupation", drawing applause from the audience.

His remarks come as Palestinians in Gaza continue to endure Israel's devastating military campaign, while Palestinians in the occupied West Bank face escalating attacks by Israeli settlers and military forces, alongside ongoing displacement linked to settlement expansion.

Bourzgui also paid tribute to immigrant families and LGBTQ communities in the United States, telling them they should not have to "audition for the empathy" they deserve.

Speaking about immigrant communities, he said the "beautiful tapestry" they create is what makes the United States special.

"May you one day not have to audition for the empathy that should be freely given by this country that benefits from your beauty," he said.

The actor also used the moment to celebrate Arab artists and theatre makers, calling for greater visibility and representation.

Addressing underrepresented Arab creatives, he said he hoped they would continue telling their stories and showing their faces so that "our humanity becomes undeniable, and our families can no longer be written off as merely collateral damage."

"May they know the beauty of our kisses upon each cheek and the romance of a language rooted in passion for love and life itself," he added in his speech. 

 https://www.newarab.com/news/tony-winner-ali-louis-bourzgui-dedicates-award-palestinians

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To see humanity in everyone and want everyone to thrive is a beautiful way to live... Ms. Rachel

Fan Ms Rachel At Songs

@msrachelforlitt

Fan account

 

To see humanity in everyone and want everyone to thrive is a beautiful way to live.    https://x.com/msrachelforlitt/status/2000641931504754821/photo/1

#LetAidIntoGaza

https://anniesnewletters.blogspot.com/search?q=Ms+Rachel

“I never thought I’d go on TV and beg for children not to be intentionally starved and that would be controversial.” Ms Rachel 

GLAMOUR: Ms. Rachel’s Dress at the Glamour Women of the Year 2025 Awards Has a Special Meaning

"I want my taxes to help children, not kill them. I want my taxes to feed children, not starve them. I want to build a better world, not bomb it." Ms Rachel 

"Admirers from UNICEF leaders to Hollywood actors have praised her for saying what many politicians won’t. Critics, meanwhile, accuse her of politicizing childhood. She doesn’t flinch. “I have to just remind myself that kids’ lives are more important than my reputation,”" Ms Rachel, Glamour magazine's Women of the Year

"Imagine slashing SNAP, the program that helps children in the U.S. not go hungry- while sending billions in weapons to another country to kill other children" Ms Rachel for Littles

YouTube Star Ms Rachel Sings with 3 Year Old Double Amputee From Gaza

“What does it say about these times that the world trusts Ms. Rachel more than the New York Times?” Mo Amer in The New Yorker

Dear America- "ISRAEL SAYS" is not God talking.

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We Defend Our Right To Protest

Solidarity for Palestine from Edinburgh!