On Mon, 12 May 2008 10:52:07 -0700 (PDT), xxarag@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
>SO TELL ME ARAB WHATS THE ARABS ACHIEVEMENT TODAY I AM LISTEN!"
YOU ARE LISTEN? WHAT IS YOUR ACHIEVMENT TODAY? THE BROKEN ENGLISH?
BWAHAHAHAHAH
ELI
>
>
>On 12 May, 18:28, Aviroce <dudaras...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> On May 12, 6:47 am, YhauWa <lechina3...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>
>> By Ben White
>> São 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 – 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 – 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 – especially since the 1960s –
>> 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 – and within Israel – 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 – 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.
>>
>> • 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
>>
>>
***************************************************************************************************
>> RESPONSE BY AVIROCE:
>>
>> THIS ARTICLE SPEAKS WELL OF THE ISSUES FACING THE PEOPLE OF
>> PALESTINE.
>>
>> PALESTINIANS ARE NOT GOING TO BE EFACED. BACK 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. TO STOP SUCH ACTIVITIES WILL NULLIFY THEIR
>> EFFECTIVENESS. ISRAEL AND JEWS IN GENERAL ARE NOT EASY NEGOTIATORS.
>> THEY PLAY HARD BALL. WITH MOST OF THE POWER IN THEIR HANDS,
>> PALESTINIANS WILL GET NOTHING. MILITARY RESISTANCE IS THE ONLY WAY.
>> CIVILIANS ARE BENEFICIARIES OF ISRAELI INSTRANSIGENCE AND THEREFORE
>> ARE LEGITIMATE TARGETS. THESE 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?
|
