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)

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3495714/Palestinian-teacher-returns-home-winning-1M-prize.html#ixzz439cU9ggr 

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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/

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

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 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

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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

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

[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...)]

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

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

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."  Federica Mogherini: 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.

My letter to the NYTimes RE “The Many Mideast Solutions,” by Thomas L. Friedman & the letter by J Street's President Jeremy Ben Ami "The Only Mideast Solution: Two States"

Dove of Peace, presented by Pope John Paul II, on the occasion of his visit to the United Nations, 2 October 1979. The mosaic is a copy of one that was executed in the Constantinian Basilica during the pontificate of Pope Innocent III (1198-1216). The enamels were made in 1727, the frame, made in 1796, is of gilt bronze.

RE “The Many Mideast Solutions,” Thomas L. Friedman & the letter by J Street's President Jeremy Ben Ami "The Only Mideast Solution: Two States"

Dear Editor,

Ban Ki-Moon wrote an excellent op-ed "Don't shoot the Messenger, Israel" that the New York Times published 1-31-16. It is certainly not as titillating as Friedman's recent 2-11-16 column, but unlike Friedman with his zingy cliches, Ban Ki Moon's focus is totally on the men, women and children suffering horribly and endlessly because of the Israel/Palestine conflict... and his focus is on finding a way to stop the suffering.  Thus Ban Ki Moon rightly points out the crucial fact: "Keeping another people under indefinite occupation undermines the security and the future of both Israelis and Palestinians."

I hope and I pray, for everyone's sake, that the Israel/Palestine conflict ends soon. How to get from here to there is quite a quandary. It is all too easy for both insiders and outsiders to stoke the conflict, to incentivize cynicism, extremism, hate mongering and despair on every side.  I have to wonder if America's civil war would have been able to end in today's world with our internet connected globe full of social media activists and myopic opinionators eager to galvanize outrage and scorn. 

 J Street's recent letter calling for support for a two state solution is clearly motivated by a desire for Israel to be Jewish.  I can't admire that motivation for several reasons, but I can respect and totally agree with their call for support for a two state solution.  I believe with every fiber of my being that a fully secular two state solution where religion is officially a personal private matter is the best way forward.  No human being should be persecuted, oppressed and/or displaced because of their religion, or because of their lack of religion, and tax payers should not be funding (and empowering) religious scholars and schemes.

Golden Rule thinking helped write The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the wake of the horrors of the Holocaust. Golden Rule thinking is needed to help end the Israel/Palestine conflict.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

Notes

Palestinian heritage

Global Message from Bethlehem: Bethlehem is a beacon for humanity

Symbols of peace, love, and honor were sent out after a Sunday mass held for victims of terrorism and occupation.

[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...)]

http://thisweekinpalestine.com/global-message-from-bethlehem-bethlehem-is-a-beacon-for-humanity/

Christmas Message
By Vera Baboun, Mayor of Bethlehem

In Palestine, the land which yearns for peace and justice, I live the realities of my Palestinian nation; realities of hegemonic occupation, systematic land confiscation, brutal wars, and an Apartheid Wall. This has been the national saga that my ancestors have lived, we are living, and our grandsons will seemingly have to live. In Bethlehem, the City of the Cradle and the Capitol of the Nativity, we live a life that unceasingly oscillates between reassurance and anxiety, tranquility and panic, gain and loss, and mostly between hope and despair – in fact, that is true for all of us in Palestine. However, and despite all, the hope that there will be better moments, better days, and a better future has always dominated my heart and mind. This hope stems from the intrinsic and holy message of my city, Bethlehem. Every year, since I became the mayor of Bethlehem in 2012, I have sent out Christmas messages that celebrate the birth of our Lord and thus the rebirth of hope, love, and peace. It is purely paradoxical: I send messages of peace from the city of peace that has to live without peace.

Bethlehem is besieged with ever-growing settlements and a horrendous Wall that not only walls in the city, but also its spirit, its faithful, and the message of peace itself. Our youth are leaving to seek better lives outside their walled city, our elders are still living the dream of peace and justice, and pilgrims come to the city to pray in its Holy Grotto – but we can only speculate whether they remember to pray for Bethlehem. In the midst of these realities, I wonder whether I should be hopeful, desperate, hopefully desperate, or desperately hopeful. As a faithful, I have to to remain hopeful and lead my life as a woman, a mother, or a mayor with adamant hope and resilience.
From my mayoral office that faces the Nativity Church and its Grotto, I look at Bethlehem from a steadfast angle. I look at the Bethlehem of yesterday, today, and tomorrow and aim at challenging all obstacles in order to achieve sustainable development for the city that is located in a governorate whose area includes eighty-two percent of what is called Area C, a zone that is fully under Israeli administrative and security jurisdiction and control. Bethlehem city and governorate are witnessing a natural demographic growth that adamantly needs infrastructure facilities such as water supply, waste water plants, and other services. Unfortunately, Area C stands like a concrete block in the face of natural growth, of development, and of dignified living.

In the last three years, my vision in leading the city has evolved around efficient use of land, better services, infrastructure projects, an urban master plan, a strategic seven-year plan for the city and the municipality, youth empowerment, touristic development, revitalization of our connection with our citizens who live in the Diaspora, Bethlehem as a World Heritage Site, and mostly Bethlehem as a global holy city. This global holy entity of Bethlehem is the nucleus of my vision: a city that is open for all, with all, to all. All who respect and appreciate Bethlehem and its message. When peace was brought into the world through the birth of our Lord in Bethlehem, it was not brought for Bethlehemites only, but for all of humanity. It is a grace that we need to cherish and preserve. True peace can never prevail in the world as long as the city of peace does not live in peace. However, the un-walling of Bethlehem and all that it represents need a serious reflection on the true meaning of Bethlehem and its global and human significance. We remain hopeful that the star of Bethlehem will be forever sparkling, Bethlehem’s bells ringing, and its faithful forever singing Glory to the Lord, Glory to justice, hope, love, and PEACE.

Issue: 212, Dec 2015

Bethlehem Follow the Star

• Article: A Vision for Progress: | By: Mazen Karam
• Article: Bethlehem Conference for the Diaspora: Nation-building from abroad | By: Paola Handal-Michael
• Article: Bethlehem in Good Hands | By: Sani P. Meo
• Article: Bethlehem in the Nineteenth Century | By: Khalil Shokeh
• Article: Bethlehem’s Municipality Plans for a Successful Future
• Article: Bethlehem… Off the Beaten Track | By: Sami Khoury
• Article: Capital of Christmas Club | By: Courtesy of John Paul II Football Academy and Children Without Borders
• Article: Christmas Spirit in Bethlehem | By: Muna Nassar
• Article: Cremisan | By: Dalia Qumsieh
• Article: Cultivation, Culture, Tradition, and Heritage: Festivals in and around Bethlehem | By: Mays Yatim-Salsa and Tamara Hodali
• Artist of the Month: Dalal Troupe for Popular Arts
• Article: Editor Message | By: Bettina Ezbidi
• Article: Five Projects That Are Leading Bethlehem Into a Brighter Future | By: Natalie Morcos
• Article: Global Message from Bethlehem: Bethlehem is a beacon for humanity | By: Vera Baboun
• Article: In Spite of All, We Still Bring Christmas to the World | By: Juliana Hodali
• Personality of the Month: Mariam Baouardy and Marie Alphonsine Ghattas, Two Saints from Palestine
• Exhibition Review: Silent Screen: New paintings by Bashar Alhroub
• Article: Spatial Development of Bethlehem and East Jerusalem: A bleak future? | By: Ahmad El-Atrash
• Article: Star Street | By: Enas Shraideh Marzouqa
• Book of the Month: The Case for Humanity: An Extraordinary Session
• Article: The Northern Entrance of Bethlehem: The devastated area near Rachel’s tomb | By: Issam Juha
• Article: The Restoration of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
• Where to Go?: The Visit Palestine Center 

Bethlehem… Off the Beaten Track
Photo courtesy of CCHP.

Christmas Spirit

Star Street, Bethlehem. Photo courtesy of IMEU.

My letter to the NYTimes RE Let Israel Fight ISIS by Shmuel Rosner

RE Let Israel Fight ISIS by Shmuel Rosner
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/11/opinion/let-israel-fight-isis.html?ref=international&_r=0

Dear Editor,

ISIS/Daesh sees quite clearly how successful modern Israel has been as a Jews-preferred nation state that actively oppresses, impoverishes and displaces the native non-Jewish Palestinians.  

Israel could indeed not only help fight, but actually help end ISIS/Daesh's reign of terror- but not by deploying more violence, bullets, bombs and escalating bigotry. 

"The Jewish State" VS  "The Islamic State" both armed with lethal weaponry and hate filled rhetoric (plus plenty of graphic videos depicting the very real plight and suffering of the Palestinians) would only make a very bad situation much much worse, everywhere.

Religion should be a personal private matter, not a state funded enterprise with freedom, jobs, housing, special privileges and positive PR reserved for those deemed to be the right religion. Respecting the spirit and the letter of international law and universal human rights, including but not limited to the refugees inalienable right to return to original homes and lands, would send a powerfully compelling message about real justice and peace.

Building peace and universal prosperity by establishing and sustaining the rule of fair and just laws will always an ongoing process, but it is the right road to be on, for everyone's sake.  Israel needs to evacuate all of its illegal occupation of the West Bank and its crippling stranglehold on Gaza immediately OR give full Israeli citizenship with equal rights and freedoms to all Palestinians everywhere ASAP.  

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

NOTES
UN: Despite Human Rights Day, 'Many Challenges Remain'

Weeks of violence dampen Christmas spirit at Bethlehem hotel

Crucifixion: Nathalie Handal on being Palestinian, writing and enduring love

What is the Israel/Palestine conflict? ...Imagine a SEGREGATED road system where the color of your license plate dictates which roads you can drive on.

Strangling Jerusalem: "In reality, the roots of the violence in Jerusalem are deeper and far more complex. For decades now, Israel has been strangling East Jerusalem denying its Palestinian inhabitants freedom, opportunity, dignity, and hope, with devastating impact. Before Israel closed Jerusalem off from the rest of the West Bank in 1994, the city had served as the hub of Palestinian life. Not only was the city important for its religious role, all of the major Palestinian economic, social, cultural, educational, medical, and service institutions were located in the city. " James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute & author of 'Arab Voices'

"Israel's unmistakable message is: "You are defeated and subjugated, now accept your lot." Palestinian political leaders are all seen as essentially saying: "We are your champions, but we have absolutely no idea about how to advance your interests, promote your cause or gain your independence." The West, and the international community generally, seems to be saying: "We'll get back to you as soon as Israel seems to be interested in peace again, now in the meanwhile here are some kind words and limited aid." " IBISH: The Tragedy of the Palestinians

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"What is so special about the Journal of Palestine Studies is our commitment to academically rigorous content that is also accessible to non-academics, to anyone interested in Palestine. I want to make sure Palestinian non-academics who crave this information and history can enjoy the Journal as much as a scholar in Middle East studies." Nehad Khader, managing editor of The Journal of Palestine Studies

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A Curious Land: Stories from Home... "A superb collection and a perfect selection for public libraries"

US State Department: "And as you know, we do not consider settlements to be part of Israel. We do not view labeling the origin of products as being from the settlements as a boycott of Israel."

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

Unclench your fist... Live by the Golden Rule...

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Words to Honor: The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article 1.

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.