Annie's New Letters (& notes)

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

My letter to the NYTimes RE Overreacting to Terrorism? by Nicholas Kristof

A red rose, symbol of love- Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository

RE: Overreacting to Terrorism?
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/24/opinion/terrorists-bathtubs-and-snakes.html?ref=international

Dear Editor,

Nicholas Kristof astutely asks if we are "Overreacting to Terrorism?"... YES- I totally agree! But while his point about climate change is indeed quite important, I am more concerned about the current social and political ramifications of overreacting to terrorism. A crime is not more criminal based on the perpetrator's worldview or religion. Paraphrasing Gertrude Stein's 1913 poem: A crime is a crime is a crime!

Kristoff pulls up cogent statistics verifying Obama's belief that "Americans more likely to die from falls in tubs than from attacks by terrorists", but Kristoff does not look at equally telling statistics showing escalating insults and hate crimes against Muslims here in America. Nor does Kristoff look at statistics concerning domestic violence, or child abuse, or rape which he is much more aware of than most people... Fact is good people do good things, and horrible people do horrible things. A crime is a crime is a crime, a hate crime is a hate crime is a hate crime, and murder is murder is murder.

The Middle East scourge ISIS/Daesh is quite happy to take credit for, and be empowered by violent crimes perpetrated in the West by lone wolf copy cat criminals. Don't hand criminals, thugs, murderers, and religious tyrants an ego trip narrative to recruit more lone wolf copy cat criminals.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

NOTES
Cruz wants to patrol Muslim neighborhoods. What happened when N.Y. tried it? (+video) http://fw.to/y71PWFd

AIPAC Brings Donald Trump’s Anti-Semitic Fans Out of the Woodwork @Deanofcomedy http://thebea.st/1LCOllZ via @thedailybeast

‏@NickKristof

New Islamic State video celebrates Brussels attacks by quoting Donald Trump http://wpo.st/ka4P1

‏@Doylech

People thought 21% of UK were Muslims actual figure just 5% - fear-mongers succeeding

‏@jordantimes

More media training required to prevent spread of rumours, experts say http://ow.ly/ZV3qP

‏@unfoundation

On #ShareHumanity trip Ban Ki-moon visits Lebanon where 1/3 of population are #refugees from Syria or Palestine.

‏@UN

"Let us renew our resolve to #fightracism" - Ban Ki-moon on @RememberSlavery Day http://j.mp/1RBU2TH

‏@nadplo

From our occupied capital #Jerusalem, we send our best wishes to everyone celebrating #GoodFriday #Palestine

‏@EcoPeaceME

Environment and Climate in the Middle East - Gaza pollution flows to Israel due to power... http://fb.me/7jjCiunkp " ... "Gaza’s water treatment facility not yet online due to electricity shortages, causing wastewater to flow north into Israel; major desalinization plant in Ashkelon shut down as result."

‏@AAIUSA

Clinton attacked #BDS: http://buff.ly/1q4fJ2r Stand 4 free speech w @jvplive & #AAI http://buff.ly/1q4fHrl ..."“Clinton is unashamedly showing that she has embraced Israel advocacy groups’ talking points wholeheartedly,” Dima Khalidi, the director of Palestine Legal, told Shadowproof. “She is broadcasting her opposition to a broad popular nonviolent movement for Palestinian human rights, and promising to throw her weight behind the concerted suppression of First Amendment-protected human rights advocacy in the U.S.”"

‏@theIMEU

University of California Adopts Policy Linking Anti-Zionism to Anti-Semitism http://bit.ly/1PtwxnX [Robert Mackey] ... "As Omar Zahzah, a Palestinian-American graduate student at UCLA who spoke against the proposed policy before the regents voted on Wednesday, observed later:

We all agree that anti-Semitism and racism must be combated on campus. Where we disagree is in the claim that anti-Zionism is bigotry. Palestinian and Jewish students alike should have the right to say that the ethnic cleansing of Palestine in 1948 was morally wrong and that Palestinian refugees should have the right to return home to a state where Palestinians and Jews live in equality rather than in a discriminatory Jewish state. '

‏@PalStudies

UN database will list businesses operating in settlements in occupied territories https://goo.gl/qYpZKK

‏@theIMEU

The Palestinian ‘Arab Idol’ winner, now a megastar, has a life story worthy of a biopic http://on.ft.com/1XQj53B ... "Assaf’s family remain in Gaza and he regularly returns to visit them. I suggest that he is now a Palestinian icon but he firmly rejects this. “I don’t consider myself an icon. There are more deserving people among the Palestinians who merit that. Hanan Al Hroub, the Palestinian teacher who recently won the Global Teacher Prize, is an icon."

‏@jstreetdotorg

.@NPR lifts up the story of how Bassam Aramin became a voice for peace in the Middle East http://n.pr/1UMIOL1

‏@theIMEU

Israeli settlers use Ibrahimi Mosque loudspeaker to sing racist songs and call for expulsion of ‘Arabs’ from Hebron http://bit.ly/1Udbkqs

‏@theIMEU

Survey: 85% of Palestinian citizens of Israel fear rising levels of racism http://bit.ly/1T7Seks

My letter to the NYTimes RE Art of the Anecdote: Presidential Candidates’ Speeches to AIPAC

Photoshopped meme (depicting an image that evokes a creepy image from a wellknown horror movie coupled with two names from a well known nursery rhyme & Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking Glass) found flying around on Facebook & Twitter March 2016: "Tweedledee and Tweedledum to headline #AIPAC conference"

RE Art of the Anecdote: Presidential Candidates’ Speeches to AIPAC
http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/03/22/art-of-the-anecdote-presidential-candidates-speeches-to-aipac/?ref=international&_r=0

Dear Editor,

Presidential candidates speaking at AIPAC wanted free media coverage and more campaign funds... and the New York Times helps hand them exactly that, completing a trifecta of complicity that further empowers Israel's punitively cruel anti-Palestinian apartheid policies by perpetuating a warped "pro-Israel" narrative that totally ignores sovereign Israel's ongoing flagrant violations of international law and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Shedding light on personality? I'd say it is more like shedding light on a lack of character and integrity- and a lack of understanding American ideals of real freedom, justice, equality and democracy... plus a distinct lack of interest in being an honest broker for peace and the rule of fair and just laws in the Middle East.

Israel clearly wants the land but not the native non-Jewish population of that land. How would you feel if tonight, you were denied your right to return to your family home because the powers that be decided you were the "wrong" religion?!!!

We live in a global world with the internet giving every one the ability to ferret out news and opinion worldwide: How would you feel about negotiations to end the Israel-Palestine conflict knowing that Palestinian men, women and children continue to be harshly oppressed, impoverished, pushed into forced exile, and cruelly demonized by the so-called "Jewish State" while America's presidential candidates tell AIPAC exactly what Israel's state subsidized settlers and religious extremists want to hear. Not what they need to hear, but what they want to hear.

And hey- lets not forget about real terrorists, those criminals of ISIS/Daesh following Israel's lead by arming religion with lethal weaponry and a desire to impoverish and/or kill "others" ... What message does America want to send them?

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

NOTES

‏@daoudkuttab

PLO's Hanan Ashrawi's strong condemnation of the events in Brussels بيان صادر عن منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية حول بروكسل http://ln.is/dci.plo.ps/EN/XsjIt …

‏@nadplo

Erekat met US Senate Delegation: Security & peace won't be achieved without justice for the Palestinian people.

‏@nadplo

Erekat to @ThomasOppermann: To defeat Daesh,is mandatory to end the occupation & establish an independent #Palestine

‏@Deanofcomedy

Ted Cruz wants to "secure Muslim neighborhoods." How many shawarma restaurants does it take to make it officially a "Muslim neighborhood"?

‏@Ibishblog

Trump truly spreading #hate and #violence My #Trump Tweets Earned Me So Many Anti-Semitic Haters That I Bought a Gun http://forward.com/opinion/336159/my-trump-tweets-earned-me-so-many-anti-semitic-haters-that-i-bought-a-gun/#ixzz43XqKlSY5 …

Hussein Ibish Retweeted

‏@jstreetdotorg

If values have any meaning at all, they should disqualify Trump from becoming President. http://huff.to/22pMtRB

‏@Deanofcomedy

Please let's stand together against anti-semitism of Trump supporters same way we denounce racism. My @thedailybeast http://thebea.st/1XKzF52

‏@ShibleyTelhami

In the cartoonish world of the Simpsons, a #Trump presidency was predicted 16 years ago. Fitting.

‏@csmonitor

How does Trump get so much air time? Media ethics under fire. http://trib.al/HM2uOvE

‏@csmonitor

Islamic State: How Iraqi widow's resistance became a symbol of hope http://trib.al/dtA6iBG @janearraf

‏@ChrisGunness

Prize-winning Palestinian teacher: I create a safe, peaceful, loving environment https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/prize-winning-palestinian-teacher-theyve-seen-death/2016/03/21/78aad396-ec80-11e5-a9ce-681055c7a05f_story.html … #OurCulture

‏@NPR

He hated Israel but became a voice for peace--even after Israeli police killed his child. http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/03/22/467689134/a-palestinian-takes-a-different-road-in-his-fight?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20160322 …

‏@UN

The time is now to prevent & end conflict. @WHSummit info is here: http://bit.ly/core_1 #ShareHumanity

‏@csmonitor

Bending the curve toward peace http://trib.al/Q6RrmpX @johnyemma

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

My letter to CSM RE Bending the curve toward peace #Peace #Palestine #Israel #HumanRights #HOPE #freedom #equality #justice #security #democracy.

RE: Bending the curve toward peace: From Southeast Asia to Latin America, past conflicts -- conflicts that once consumed the world's attention -- have been overcome. Today's will be as well.
& Media ethics under fire.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/upfront-blog/2016/0320/Bending-the-curve-toward-peace
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2016/0321/How-does-Trump-get-so-much-air-time-Media-ethics-under-fire.

Dear Editor,

( Media ethics under fire: "Last week, an analysis in The New York Times found that Trump had amassed nearly $1.9 billion worth of free media coverage over the course of the campaign, even as his campaign spends less by far than most every other candidate... Hillary Clinton, the Democratic front-runner, received $746 million " CSM 3-21-2016)

This week politicians like Republican Trump and Democrat Clinton have been energetically seeking campaign funds and free media exposure by pandering to the Israel lobby. Their "pro-Israel" talking points published and quoted by many media outlets worldwide, promote a totally misleading narrative about security, the Middle East, and who exactly objects to and is best able and equipped to defeat terrorism and ISIS/Daesh.

It has been a huge relief to me to have free online access (and also a snail mail subscription) to CSM where revealing stories like the recent one about heroic Um Qusay, the Iraqi widow's resistance which has became a symbol of hope provide a much more compassionate, intelligent, optimistic and helpful understanding of the situation in the Middle East than can found at an AIPAC event.

I have also been delighted to see multiple CSM mentions of Dean Obeidallah and Negin Farsad and their delightful documentary "The Muslims are Coming", most recently illustrating "Lifting the stigma on American Muslims"

CSM stories like Why these New York millionaires want to raise their own taxes ("to help address poverty and rebuild failing infrastructure") and many other stories on many various topics break down negative stereotypes about various categories of people, offering up real hope (and realistic ideas), and wisely reminding us all of the real meaning of words like freedom, equality, justice, security ... and democracy.

Two days ago I read CSM's 3-20-2016 Bending the curve toward peace:
From Southeast Asia to Latin America, past conflicts -- conflicts that once consumed the world's attention -- have been overcome. Today's will be as well. by John Yemma... and that column haunts me - in a good way... "The point is that many of yesterday’s conflicts – so difficult when living through them, so vexing when thinking about how to solve them – have been overcome. Today’s? A small group claiming to speak for more than a billion Muslims is using terror to oppress parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Unlike the recent conflicts in Southeast Asia, Central America, and the Balkans, virtually the entire world is united against these jihadists – Muslims and non-Muslims, Americans, Russians, Chinese. This war will be won sooner or later."

That is quite frankly an astounding thought, and an enlightening idea.

I also applaud last week's article highlighting the very admirable Palestinian Hanan al-Hroub (How a Palestinian teacher from Bethlehem just won $1 million) including this telling- and inspiring, enlightening- quote: “I tell all the teachers,” says Hroub in her acceptance speech, “whether they are Palestinian or around the world: ‘Our job is humane, its goals are noble. We must teach our children that our only weapon is knowledge and education.”

Please keep up the good work.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

NOTES
"The future is up to us. As we support justice, tolerance, and equality, we quietly bend the curve of history, and the future aligns with the deep, powerful, eternal peace that surpasses understanding." John Yemma CSM 3-20-2016 Bending the curve toward peace:
From Southeast Asia to Latin America, past conflicts -- conflicts that once consumed the world's attention -- have been overcome. Today's will be as well.

"Ms. Hroub was recognized for using games and playful activities to help local children learn in their violent environments – a program she calls "No to Violence." Hroub was chosen as the winner Sunday from a group of 10 finalists, which included teachers across all disciplines from Australia, Africa, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom." How a Palestinian teacher from Bethlehem just won $1 million ... “I tell all the teachers, whether they are Palestinian or around the world: ‘Our job is humane, its goals are noble. We must teach our children that our only weapon is knowledge and education.”

Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "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"

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

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

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Prize Winning Palestinian Teacher Returning To A Hero's Welcome In The West Bank Says "It's Time For All Kinds Of Violence To Stop."

Palestinian teacher Hanan al-Hroub, left is kissed by her father Hamed Obeidallah during a welcome ceremony upon her arrival back home, in the West Bank city Jericho, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Officials, family members and friends celebrated the teacher upon her return to the country after attending the One Million Dollar Global Teacher Prize nnouncement ceremony at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai last Sunday, March 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Palestinian teacher Hanan al-Hroub, right, holds her One Million Dollar Global Teacher Prize at a welcome ceremony upon her return to the West Bank city Jericho, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Hanan al-Hroub, 43, a primary school teacher in el-Bireh near Ramallah, spoke to a jubilant crowd Wednesday as she crossed the Jordanian border into the West Bank.

Judges with the Varkey Foundation's Global Teacher Prize on Sunday recognized her work in teaching non-violence via her book "We Play and Learn.".... READ MORE

Palestinian teacher Hanan al-Hroub, left, holds her trophy along with the Palestinian Education Minister Dr. Sabri Saidam during a welcome ceremony in the West Bank city Jericho, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Officials, family members and friends celebrated the teacher upon her return to the country after attending the One Million Dollar Global Teacher Prize announcement ceremony at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai last Sunday, March 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Palestinian teacher Hanan al-Hroub, holds her trophy while attending a welcome ceremony upon her arrival back home, in the West Bank city Jericho, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Officials, family members and friends celebrated the teacher upon her return to the country after attending the prize announcement ceremony at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai last Sunday, March 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

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

Monday, March 14, 2016

My letter to the NYTimes RE Mr. Netanyahu’s Lost Opportunities

Palestinian Springtime 1 by Ismail Shammout 1930-2006.

This "famous Palestinian artist [Ismail Shammout] was born on 2.3.1930 in the town of Lydda in Palestine. At the age of 18 he was among hundreds of thousands of Palestinians that witnessed the tragedy of being forced out of their homes and towns by Jewish forces in order to create Israel... This dramatic experience was reflected in many of his paintings and influenced his entire career. His hopes and dreams to return one day to his beloved Palestine tied him to the struggle and fight of the Palestinians for their just cause; their own State."

RE: Mr. Netanyahu’s Lost Opportunities
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/14/opinion/mr-netanyahus-lost-opportunities.html?ref=international

Dear Editor,

Netanyahu's lost opportunities are merely the most recent in a long list that includes many different people and many different policies. The ongoing Israel/Palestine conflict is not best summed up as today's Netanyahu VS Abbas, or even Jews VS Arabs: It is Israel VS The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

There have been lost opportunities and dangerous obfuscations since 1948 when newly sovereign Israel elected to refuse to respect the Palestinian refugees inalienable legal and natural right to return to their original homes and lands.

There have been lost opportunities and dangerous obfuscations plus a plethora of poisonous propaganda playing people everywhere away from doing all they can to help empower a just and lasting peace to end the angst of Israelis and the very real plight and suffering of the native non-Jewish population of what many call The Holy Land.

I hope Obama makes it a priority to do all he can to calmly and intelligently help end the Israel-Palestine conflict before he leaves office.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

NOTES
Take note of the beautiful and inspiring voices that don't go viral on the internet, but do help make this world a better more compassionate place, such as the video interviews clipped from "Yann Arthus-Bertrand's new feature movie: a sensitive and loved portrait of the Earth and its people. Follow #WhatMakesUsHUMAN " In french with subtitles, the lovely and bright Francine Christophe, tells of her childhood in a Nazi concentration camp, taking a terrible time and weaving a beautiful story of human dignity and decency. She asks "If the survivors of concentration camps had had counseling in 1947 what would have happened?" https://www.facebook.com/humanthemovie/videos/474883142683549/?pnref=story

Take note that this week this year's Global Teacher Prize went to Hanan Al Hroub, a Palestinian refugee who "went into primary education after her children were left deeply traumatised by a shooting incident they witnessed on their way home from school. Her experiences in meetings and consultations to discuss her children’s behaviour, development and academic performance in the years that followed led Hanan to try to help others who, having grown up in similar circumstances, require special handling at school."... Hanan "encourages her students to work together, pays close attention to individual needs and rewards positive behaviour. Her approach has led to a decline in violent behaviour in schools where this is usually a frequent occurrence; she has inspired her colleagues to review the way they teach, their classroom management strategies and the sanctions they use." http://www.globalteacherprize.org/winner-2016

Take note of the Charter for Compassion network: "In February 2008 the TED prize was awarded to Karen Armstrong for her wish to create, launch, and propagate a global compassion movement based on the Golden Rule." .... "Thanks to the efforts of a broad range of people in all walks of life and on every continent, compassion has touched the lives of thousands of people in countries, cities, schools, business and other organizations, and faith communities around the world. " http://www.charterforcompassion.org/index.php/about1

Take note of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative "Emanating from the conviction of the Arab countries that a military solution to the conflict will not achieve peace or provide security for the parties" http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/mar/28/israel7

Take note of 1948's Universal Declaration of Human Rights "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" http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/

Sunday, March 13, 2016

My letter to CSM RE "How others see it... Donald Trump said Wednesday: 'I think Islam hates us.' Some Muslims think that's laughable. Literally."

THE MUSLIMS ARE COMING! follows a band of Muslim-American comedians as they visit big cities, small towns, rural villages, and everything in between to combat Islamophobia! These Muzzies not only perform standup at each tour stop but create ridiculous interventions in unsuspecting town squares, like the ol' classic, "Ask a Muslim Booth." [….]

RE How others see it... Donald Trump said Wednesday: 'I think Islam hates us.' Some Muslims think that's laughable. Literally. http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2016/0310/An-unusual-Muslim-response-to-Donald-Trump-s-comments

Dear Editor,

Thank you for featuring the wonderfully good humored and wise comedians Negin Farsad and Dean Obeidallah and their delightful documentary "The Muslims are Coming!" in response to Trump.

I think Dean Obeidallah would make a much better president than Donald Trump. So would Negin Farsad. Both Obeidallah and Farsad were born in America, both are very bright, both have dedicated serious energy into making this world a kinder, more compassionate, intelligent, and enlightened place... and both have a much better grasp of what it means to be an American empowering full and equal rights and respect for all people. Well, all people except hate mongers and the idiots and terrorists who fortify ISIS/Daesh.

Additionally, Obeidallah and Farsad both have much nicer, more natural looking hair than Trump. Bernie Sanders also has much nicer hair than Trump- and Clinton. Ms not Mr: Mr Clinton has very nice hair. So does Obama. And so did Reagan and the Bushes. We need a future president with nice hair, and diplomatic skills.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

My letter to the Guardian RE Mira Awad's enlightening and courageous column "Palestinian Israelis are often dismissed. Yet our voice is key to peace"

‘When I represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009 together with the Jewish-Israeli singer Noa, the pressure from my Palestinian compatriots to withdraw was overwhelming.’ Mira Awad, right, and Noa Photograph: Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images

RE Palestinian Israelis are often dismissed. Yet our voice is key to peace
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/10/palestinian-israelis-dismissed-but-key-to-peace

Dear Sir,

I was delighted to read Mira Awad's enlightening and courageous column "Palestinian Israelis are often dismissed. Yet our voice is key to peace"... and it was wonderful to be able to hear her exquisite award winning voice singing Bahlawan. It is indeed time to recognize and appreciate "the acrobats"... and the many magnificently talented hard working people and good role models who practice and perfect peace as they make the most of their gifts and opportunities.

Shibley Telhami, a brilliant forward thinking scholar born into an Arab family in Israel (who currently teaches at the University of Maryland ) in a recent Washington Post column "How Israel’s Jewishness is overtaking its democracy"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/03/08/how-israels-jewishness-is-overtaking-its-democracy/?postshare=7211457441647491&tid=ss_tw
explains the importance of Arab-Jewish relations within Israel- and the broader Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He points out that the "loss of hope for a two-state solution, and the rise of social media that has displayed extremist attitudes that used to be limited to private space. In the era of Facebook and Twitter, Arab and Jewish citizens post attitudes that deeply offend the other: An Arab expresses joy at death of Israeli soldiers killed by Palestinians, while a Jew posts a sign reading “death to Arabs.” Hardly the stuff of co-existence. Leave it to opportunist politicians, extremists and incitement to do the rest."

Echo chamber thinking empowered by the internet and the entertainment driven nature of many news reports and forwards pushes many misguided people away from seeing the big picture, and away from understanding the importance of basics such true respect for universal human rights and Golden Rule thinking.

Music might be, but ethics and the rule of fair and just laws are not based on popularity polls: Ethics (and fair and just laws ) are a consensus of what generations of humankind's best and brightest have concluded is most likely right and what is most likely wrong. The test of time is the only way to know what works and what doesn't work. We know from the Nazi Holocaust that discrimination and bigotry can quickly grow monstrously evil and cruel.

We also know from Monty Python's Flying Circus that "No One Expects The Spanish Inquisition!" It is easy to look back at witch hunts and condemn the participants, but at the time things weren't quite so clear.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

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

Thursday, March 10, 2016

My letter to the Washington Post RE Shibley Telhami's EXCELLENT op-ed "How Israel’s Jewishness is overtaking its democracy"

Discrimination is treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing is perceived to belong to rather than on individual merit.

RE How Israel’s Jewishness is overtaking its democracy By Shibley Telhami
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/03/08/how-israels-jewishness-is-overtaking-its-democracy/?postshare=7211457441647491&tid=ss_tw

Dear Editor,

Kudos to Shibley Telhami for writing such a frankly honest, well researched, carefully thought out, sensible and compassionate op-ed "How Israel’s Jewishness is overtaking its democracy" ... and Kudos to the Washington Post for publishing it.

We are warned by Telhami that right now in Israel "79 percent of all Jews, including 69 percent of Hilonim (secular Jews) say that Jews deserve “preferential treatment” in Israel — so much for the notion of democracy with full equal rights for all citizens."

From afar, preferential treatment might sound and seem relatively harmless at first glance, but please look at the horrific ramifications and the very real plight and suffering of countless Palestinian men, women, and children as numerous "pro-Israel" pundits, politicians, religious leaders, propagandists, and apologists worldwide camouflage Israel's misguided quest to oppress and impoverish the native non-Jewish population of the Holy Land as a struggle for "Jewish" freedom and security.

The ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict has been galvanizing bigotry, extremism, escalating violence and despair- making the entire region much less safe, much less secure, and much less free as Islamists follow Israel's myopic lead of scorning respect for universal human rights and the rule of fair and just laws.

In 1946, horrified by the Nazi Holocaust, " world leaders decided to complement the UN Charter with a road map to guarantee the rights of every individual everywhere." This carefully thought out international Bill of Rights became The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Article 27 of the universal declaration wisely states with visionary hope that " Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits."

Communities and countries that value peace and progress value every child (regardless of supposed race or religion), investing emotionally, intellectually and financially in providing opportunities for all to flourish. Religion should be a personal private matter: Every individual has their own personal idea of what God is and/or isn't. We might employ prayers, rituals and traditions shared by others, but to be Jewish, or Muslim, or Christian, or Buddhist, or Hindu, or whatever is to be a unique individual with a unique life story still unfolding.

A just and lasting peace and security for all people, regardless of their supposed race or religion, is in every one's best interest: Ending the Israel-Palestine conflict with a fully secular two state solution based on FULL respect for international law and universal human rights to free both Israel and Palestine from the chaos and cruelty of the current situation is the best way forward.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

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

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

My letter to the NYTimes RE An Anti-Semitism of the Left by Roger Cohen

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (10 December 1948) sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.

RE: An Anti-Semitism of the Left
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/08/opinion/an-anti-semitism-of-the-left.html?ref=international&_r=0

Dear Editor,

It is totally tragic that your columnist, Roger Cohen, is so quick to make excuses for and help perpetuate modern Israel's deluded obsession with being "Jewish", a misguided and dangerously myopic obsession that has motivated Israel to cruelly oppress, impoverish, displace and push into forced exile countless native non-Jewish men, women and children. It is also totally tragic that some very misguided and dangerously myopic people have decided to support Hamas and Hezbollah.

Yes there is most definitely "the fundamental link between murderous European anti-Semitism and the decision of surviving Jews to embrace Zionism in the conviction that only a Jewish homeland could keep them safe" as Cohen says... But the world was very different in the 1930s in many many ways. Most people then simply did not understand the perils of racism, and the scientific inaccuracies that shaped racist thought.

Take into account the fact that in 1948, when Israel declared itself "The Jewish State", America had yet to hear Martin Luther King's inspiring 1963 speech "I have a dream", which points out and objects to "the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination."

In today's more enlightened world, it is international law and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights that helps keep Jewish men, women and children safe. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights should also help keep Palestinians safe, but Israel refuses to be a Golden Rule thinker when it comes to the native non-Jewish men, women and children of the Holy Land.

The crucial importance of ending bigotry and injustice is a universal need, a universal need that is not and never should be limited to one particle race, religion, or gender.

Rather than being mired in blame games and paranoia about "The Left" or Jews, or Arabs and Palestinians, or blacks or whites or what ever let us keep in mind what President John F. Kennedy wisely pointed out in 1958: "Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future."

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

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

Monday, March 7, 2016

My letter to the NYTimes RE "New Proposal to Divide Jerusalem Unites People Against It"

James Madison 1751-1836, fourth President of the United States (1809–17) & founding father known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

RE: New Proposal to Divide Jerusalem Unites People Against It
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/07/world/middleeast/new-proposal-to-divide-jerusalem-unites-people-against-it.html?emc=edit_th_20160307&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=22789767

Dear Editor,

Imagine if an American city decided it wanted to be "Christian", and as such required that all ID cards and license plates feature a person's supposed religion, enabling the powers that be and countless pencil pushers as well as strangers on the street to easily discriminate in many many different ways against those deemed to be the "wrong" religion and a demographic threat. Put aside the fact that in America today, due to our laws and our Bill of Rights, this can't happen- yet... Just imagine the consequences for countless innocent people. Imagine the ramifications and cumulative damage over decades of such a policy. That is Israel today.

Article 1. of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights quite rightly points out that " 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."

Jerusalem is a world treasure. It behooves us all, regardless of our religion or lack thereof, to compassionately refuse to buy into and empower the institutionalized bigotry, injustice, and escalating violence imposed by an Israel obsessed with displacing and destroying the native non-Jewish population of the Holy Land.

Expecting and insisting on a fully secular two state solution based on FULL respect for international law and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights to once and for all end the Israel-Palestine conflict, for everyone's sake, is the right thing to do and the best way forward.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

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

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, was the result of the experience of the Second World War.

My letter to the NYTimes RE Only Separation Can Lead to a Two-State Solution

RE: Only Separation Can Lead to a Two-State Solution
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/29/opinion/international/only-separation-can-lead-to-a-two-state-solution.html?ref=international&_r=3

Dear Editor,

When Israel was established in 1948, it's "Jewishness" was self proclaimed- but has Israel ever really been Jewish? Or has Israel's "Jewishness" been a myopically dangerous myth incentivizing an ongoing quest to build a modern religion based nation state that uses taxpayers' money and world wide donations to empower Jewish citizens while impoverishing and pushing the native non-Jewish population of the region into poverty, forced exile and despair...

Is this really the example the civilized world wants to set for the future of all countries- and all individuals and groups who are struggling for freedom, justice, and security?

Yes there should be peace between Israel and Palestine, but for the rule of fair and just laws to win a lasting peace, progress, and security for all the people, it must be a fully secular two state solution whereby two separate nation states, one called Israel and one called Palestine, are fully sovereign and fully democratic. International law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are key to ending the Israel-Palestine conflict once and for all.

Interim plans based on Israeli laws that reinforce institutionalized bigotry and placate myopic Israeli thinkers are obviously appealing to Israelis who have been raised to believe that Israel's supposed Jewishness and "security zones" are more important than the rule of fair and just laws.

Real friends don't let friends drive drunk: Religion should be a personal, private matter. America's founders and freedom fighters were not perfect, but they were wise enough to research and learn from history, separating church from state and laying the groundwork whereby in time slaves were free and Jim Crow laws were dismantled. Violence did not create American freedom- good ideas and enlightened people did... and still do.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

NOTES
THE GOLDEN RULE: Do until others as you would have them do unto you.

Israel demolishes West Bank homes, displacing 36 Palestinians: "Nickolay Mladenov, UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said last month the number of such demolitions has tripled on average since the start of the year. "Since the beginning of 2016, Israel has demolished, on average, 29 Palestinian-owned structures per week, three times the weekly average for 2015,""

Arab Israeli professor breaks barriers at home and abroad: "Despite the realities of life as an Arab in Israel, [Hossam] Haick says he wouldn't want to be anywhere else... "Escaping from reality is easy," said Haick, surrounded by beakers and tubes. "By staying, maybe we can contribute to the society from which we came.""

Roger Waters: Pink Floyd star on why his fellow musicians are terrified to speak out against Israel

Roots of the Recent Violence Between Israelis and Palestinians

Brief on Israeli excavations & latest settlement activities

"Israeli educators and academics are alleging that right-wing religious political appointees have meddled in a revision of a high school civics textbook to water down discussion of democracy."

Jewish or democratic? A textbook battle for Israel's soul.

"We have decided to immediately work together on a report, which will include recommendations for relaunching the two-State perspective. We will do this in coordination with the UN Security Council and with the main regional actors: Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia – on the basis of the Arab Peace Initiative. And we will do this in strong coordination with the parties. This is why yesterday I called Benjamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas, who assured to me their willingness to engage in this new process." : A report to relaunch the two-State perspective

"The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries." James Madison 1751-1836, fourth President of the United States (1809–17) & founding father known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

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