SO TELL ME ARAB WHATS THE ARABS ACHIEVEMENT TODAY I AM LISTEN!"
On 12 May, 18:28, Aviroce <dudaras...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On May 12, 6:47 am, YhauWa <lechina3...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> By Ben White
> S=E3o Paulo, Brazil
> As Israel celebrates 60 years of statehood this month, Palestinians
> are taking the op****tunity to remember the catastrophic shattering of
> their society in 1948. It is not simply a question of recalling the
> past; they continue to struggle for self-determination and to have
> their rights recognized under international law.
>
> Yet it is a mistake to consider the past 60 years as simply a story
> of
> unmitigated disaster for the Palestinian people. There have also been
> significant successes and achievements =96 and it is a story worth
> telling. This is all the more remarkable, given the extent to which
> the society was devastated in 1948: Israel destroyed some 400
> villages
> as 85 percent of Palestinians in what became Israel were
> dispossessed.
>
> In spite of everything, Palestinians have not only survived but won
> international recognition for Palestinian statehood thanks to
> unflagging persistence. Often bereft of allies, they have struggled
> to
> make substantive political gains. But Palestinians inside Israel, the
> Occupied Territories, and the dias****a have resisted Israeli
> domination =96 and refused to just "go away."
>
> This Palestinian resolution is embodied in the Nassars, a Christian
> family I have come to know over the years. Owners of a beautiful
> piece
> of land overlooking Nahalin village to the west of Bethlehem, they
> have seen illegal settlements spring up on the hillsides around them
> and thus far survived attempts by the occupying Israeli military to
> confiscate their property.
>
> Whether blocking the path of trespassing settlers, pursuing their
> case
> in the courts, or connecting with sup****ters around the world, the
> Nassars have mobilized the resources of their family and community.
> Most inspiringly, they have developed their land to host children's
> camps, intercultural exchange, and foreign guests, knowing that they
> have to fight to remain on their own land.
>
> Theirs is a victory that resonates with the historical Palestinian
> refusal to simply accept their lot and =96 especially since the 1960s
=96
> the parallel determination to organize grass-roots resistance.
> Perhaps
> the most significant achievement was the first intifada, a popular
> uprising in the late 1980s that showed the Israelis that their
> occupation came with a price, as well as displaying to the world the
> oppressive reality of Israeli policy.
>
> A further profound achievement of the past few decades has been the
> flouri****ng of Palestinian civil society. Emphasizing democratic
> participation and education, these refugee camp community centers,
> dance troupes, media organizations, and human rights groups have
> offered vital strength to a besieged society. It was in part due to
> this deeply rooted culture of active citizen****p that the
> Palestinians
> were able to hold elections that in their professionalism and
> transparency were the envy of the Arab world.
>
> Building on a vibrant tradition of intellectual life, Palestinian
> scholars and academics have risen to global prominence in recent
> decades, not only as advocates of their people's struggle, but also
> as
> figures of repute in their own disciplines.
>
> Meanwhile, drawing on their rich cultural and religious heritage, as
> well as the experience of exile and struggle, Palestinian writers,
> poets, artists, filmmakers, and even hip-hop artists have contributed
> much, not only to their own people, but to the whole world.
>
> Historically, one obstacle to peace has been the fact that Israel
> felt
> able to pursue its policies of dispossession and occupation without
> much international attention. This was closely related to the fact
> that the Zionist mythologized version of what had happened in 1948
> went unchallenged in the West =96 and within Israel =96 for a long time.
>
> Now, however, through such factors as the Israeli "New Historians,"
> the tireless efforts of campaigners, and new media technology that
> enables wide dissemination of "on the ground" information," the
> Palestinians have been able to force cracks in the Israeli propaganda
> facade.
>
> Meanwhile, international solidarity with the Palestinian cause has
> increased substantially. The question of Palestine is now loud and
> persistent, despite attempts to drown it out.
>
> Still, formidable obstacles remain. Israel continues to enjoy the
> whole-hearted sup****t of the so-called international community,
> albeit
> with occasional wrist-slapping. Much of the discussion in the West is
> still shaped by Zionist assumptions and an Israeli-centric
> perspective. Palestinians are treated as natives who must "earn" the
> right to self-determination, dignity, security, and freedom.
>
> Some Palestinians have also unwittingly created barriers to further
> progress. The first intifada's positive energy got channeled into the
> bureaucratic institutions of the Palestinian Authority, while bitter
> divisions were often created between groups like Hamas and Fatah.
>
> Meanwhile, Palestinian political unity and a strategic, principled
> resistance have often been in short supply. Score-settling,
> corruption, and the interference of third parties remain major
> obstacles.
>
> The Palestinians would also gain by a collective agreement to halt
> attacks on Israeli civilians. As well as the moral dimension, it's
> good politics, too. It could even form part of a broader ****ft toward
> less "elitist" resistance strategies based on mass, popular
> participation. But it should not be confused with the hypocrisy of
> simultaneously demanding Palestinian pacifism while acquiescing to
> Israeli military attacks.
>
> Sixty years is a long time. So this anniversary, it's most
> appropriate
> to recognize Palestinian sumud, or steadfastness. It is the Nassars
> struggling through roadblocks and checkpoints with their children and
> farm tools, planting olive trees in the shadow of Israeli
> settlements,
> determined and dignified.
>
> Against all odds, millions of Palestinians have remained =96 working
> the
> land, starting businesses, marrying, having children, mourning the
> dead. In the face of determined efforts to marginalize, even erase,
> their homeland and society, they have continued to live life in all
> its fullness, the best possible foundation for greater victories
> still
> in the next 60 years.
>
> =95 Ben White is a freelance journalist specializing in the Middle
> East.
>
> Full HTML version of this story which may include photos, graphics,
> and related links
> (Monitor opinion editor Josh Burek speaks with journalist Ben White
> about Palestinians, 60 years after the birth of Israel
>
>
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*=AD************************
> RESPONSE BY AVIROCE:
>
> =A0 THIS ARTICLE SPEAKS WELL OF THE ISSUES FACING THE PEOPLE OF
> PALESTINE.
>
> PALESTINIANS ARE NOT GOING TO BE EFACED. =A0BACK IN 1973, I DECLARED IN
> TIME MAGAZINE "PALESTINE AND THE PALESTINIANS ARE INDESTRUCTIBLE" AND
> I BELIEVE WHAT I WROTE AND WHAT I WROTE IS COMING TO FRUITION.
>
> BUT "The Palestinians would also gain by a collective agreement to
> halt
> attacks on Israeli civilians. As well as the moral dimension, it's
> good politics, too. It could even form part of a broader ****ft toward
> less "elitist" resistance strategies based on mass, popular
> participation. But it should not be confused with the hypocrisy of
> simultaneously demanding Palestinian pacifism while acquiescing to
> Israeli military attacks." IS PROBLEMATIC.
>
> IT IS TERROR AND MILITARY RESISTANCE THAT PUT THE PALESTINIAN ISSUES
> ON THE FRONT BURNER. =A0TO STOP SUCH ACTIVITIES WILL NULLIFY THEIR
> EFFECTIVENESS. =A0ISRAEL AND JEWS IN GENERAL ARE NOT EASY NEGOTIATORS.
> THEY PLAY HARD BALL. =A0WITH MOST OF THE POWER IN THEIR HANDS,
> PALESTINIANS WILL GET NOTHING. =A0MILITARY RESISTANCE IS THE ONLY WAY.
> CIVILIANS ARE BENEFICIARIES OF ISRAELI INSTRANSIGENCE AND THEREFORE
> ARE LEGITIMATE TARGETS. =A0THESE BENEFICIARIES CAN CHANGE THEIR
> LEADER****PS' POLICIES AS THEY SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCE OF POLICIES OF
> PALESTINIAN ANNIHILATION BY ISRAEL AND EXPROPRIATION OF PALESTINIAN
> LAND BY JEWS.
TELL ME ARAB WHY THE ARABS KILL EACH OTHER EVERYDAY?
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