Yes We Should
December 13, 2005We should defend ourselves when attacked, even animals do. We should always seek the truth and hold on tight to our morals. Right is relative and so is wrong, but evil is always wrong.
Zionism is wrong, racism is wrong, looking at things from one angle only is wrong, and definitely is listening to a story from one side only.
We cry over loved ones like all humans do, we take non-violent actions everyday, we will not be silenced until justic prevail.
Regularly, we hear the same complaint and critique come from many would-be friends of the Palestinian people that, if only the Palestinians would embrace non-violence and abandon armed struggle, their demands would be met. But is that necessarily so? [Read article]
When it comes to the Palestine-Israel conflict I see only the injustice done to Palestinians by Israelis. I dare anyone to show me how is it possible for the occupied to be unjust with the occupier unless you think we should as well leave the remaining scattered spots of land we live on for the chosen people who were promised the land?
According to Judaism (Talmud - Sanhedrin 58b), any person can achieve a place in the World to Come by faithfully observing the seven basic laws of humanity. These seven laws are named the “Laws of Noah,” since all humans are descended from Noah:
1) Do not murder.
2) Do not steal.
3) Do not worship false gods.
4) Do not be sexually immoral.
5) Do not eat the limb of an animal before it is killed.
6) Do not curse God.
7) Set up courts and bring offenders to justice.
Do we not know what is right and what is wrong or we’re just bleeding ignorance in the name of peace? are we not sugar-coating things and living in denial when we refuse to see things in the eyes of the sufferers? you can always tell me how you saw Israelis with your naked eye evacuating Gaza, and I will believe you, but when you turn a blind eye on the air raids, the supersonic booms, the assassinations, the human sheilds and the Wall (and gates and electronic gates and x-ray and checkpoints and…) are you advocating peace or are you one sorry excuse of a humanbeing?. Do we realize that the peace we claim we want is nothing but a false sense of safety that can be easily achieved by building walls and hiding behind forts? (Whoops, forgive my bad constant memory, they’ve alraedy done that, never mind) Do we not realize that peace is not selfish? have we not learned our lesson yet? in Palestine, only Israelis are safe, even worse, only pro-zionism and passive Israelis are safe, other than that nobody’s blood is reserved. Solution? we become all passive Israelis who should not talk of the bad things happening but rather of seeing IOF evacuating Gaza, talk about Rafah Crossing and the absence of the Israeli physical presence but not the surveillance and their preserved right of not allowing whoever they deem a suspect, even though the UN is taking care of everything. OK ok I’m sorry! I shouldn’t talk politics, politics is bad, we want peace, we love peace, leave us alone!
We are intolerant of murderers, theives, racists, war criminals, oil drinkers and blood suckers. We are Palestinians, Jews, Chrisitians and Muslims dream of living in one country called Palestine. We condemn the acts of those who seek division in the name of security, those who bring down houses when they come and bring them down again when they leave. We hate those who kick people out of their houses to replace them, those who survived the holocaust and sought their own peace through war and their own justice by being unjust to others.
Time has changed, we are aware of that. We no longer justify targetting Israelis living in Tel Aviv, even though, they do not own the land nor do they pay for rental by the way. BUT we believe every settler who steals the house of a Palestinian in the occupied territories, making him homeless overnight, probably killing one of his family after bringing down his house on the living bodies of its inhibitants, deserves what he gets.
We want peace, we want co-existence too but we want just a little bit of dignity is that too much to ask for? co-existence means to recognize the existence of the other first, are we seeking that or are we seeking safety at any cost even if that means living in our own country as second or third citizens because of our race, and being discriminated against by the foreign government that rules us?
We are mercifull and full of hope, what else do you want more than donating our dead son’s organs to the occupiers who needed them?
What is that we are asked to leave behind, yesterday, today or tomorrow?
Today, I resisted crying after reading Haitham’s post, struggled harder after reading his comments in disbelief. I also resisted cursing every man alive, for men are the reason we all suffer, they are born important because they are males. And what one of them is capable to do -if decided to - always amazes me, not because it is so great and hard to achieve but because no matter how small or trivial it might seem, the World takes him dead serious, which makes me sometimes wish they’ve done nothing at all and stuck to talking politics inside their homes.
And finally, I’d like to thank Blogsome for giving me the opportunity to talk without interruption and most importantly for free…
Update: thecutter took the time to explain why the Israeli narrative is not equal to the Palestinian one. Her post is definitely worth reading!
I could have started a conversation on most of what you wrote, but when I came to the last paragraph, I was shocked. While I don’t see what does gender has to do with all this, you are saying “for men are the reason we all suffer.”
hmmm….
No comments. I don’t want to hurt you anymore. Period!
Comment by Haitham — December 13, 2005 @ 8:40 PM
Haitham, skip the last paragraph as it adds nothing to the subject even though its true, but then some evil in this world is necessary
Don’t worry about hurting me, I can take it as long as you don’t mean to.
Comment by SugarCubes — December 13, 2005 @ 8:46 PM
SC, Thank you for that important post. This situation has been very unhappy for a few of us, and that is basically the feeling that while a stepping up of activism, (militant Solidarity, is what it’s called by a social sciences professor I wrote about on my blog a while ago) is required, that the general public, finally seeing some effectiveness of grass root protests and the voice of the people defying the power and greed (Cindy Sheehan is but one example, the campaign for Tookie Williams another, and many more could be named) may be ready for it, to engage in a manner that rejects the Israeli narravive, beause it is based on all the things you mention and more,… it is being considered the “reasonable approach” to put those messages on a par.
What really strikes me, is that (especially for us one staters) there has been a search for co-existence, a search for dialogue, and a belief that there can’t be any life for anyone if there is not sharing. But this actually calls for the Israelis to renounce, and for them to radicalise their positions in favour of the Palestinians, not the other way around.
We are only in a little internet world in these posts which seemed to have begun with some zionist badmouthing Haitham, then me criticising a post on a zionist blog and getting thoroughly drawn and quartered for it, to the recent attitude of Haitham saying that he will treat the two narratives as equal, because only this, (he says) will make people find peace. I believe that this is a serious error, and yet, it is just an internet thing, stuff that beyond activism, makes no waves.
The compromise seems one directional. When I see a post on a zionist board asking for recognition of the Palestinian narrative and respect for Palestinian activists, maybe I will see things differently, but they are determined to “win”, we are an “enemy” and the ugliness of zionist arrogance is second to nothing.
Again, thanks for this well researched, rich and sane post. It is a needed antidote.
Comment by thecutter — December 13, 2005 @ 9:04 PM
Haitham, I beg you to speak, if not here then on your blog or maybe in a private email, don’t you think we’ve been always on the right side? we make mistakes, but that doesn’t make us all wrong.
You said replace “we” with “I”, i first felt better that you recognized the fact that labeling everyone of us by being such and such is unfair, but then i replaced it with “I” and i became more shocked than before. it is up to you to think of yourself as whatever, but it was sad.
Comment by SugarCubes — December 13, 2005 @ 9:24 PM
Dear Shaden,
Although I don’t regard myself as a Palestinian, my mother is Palestinian, and I’m an Arab who grew up on the same hopes and dreams of almost all Arab children of seeing Palestine liberated and the Arab honor restored. As a child I was filled with rage when we visited the occupied territories and my mother would be strip-searched by an Israeli soldier at “the bridge” within a set of “procedures” that were DELIBERATELY designed to humiliate the Arabs entering the occupied territories and remind them “whose the boss” and who won in this “game”. Even at that young age I seriously considered reaching for one of the machine guns hanging on the shoulders of the Israeli soldiers prancing in front of us as we waited, bare-foot, for our papers to be approved for entry to a land that is rightly ours.
There is no question in my mind that the creation of the state of Israel and what accompanied it was a historic injustice. I know very well that that state and its agents have done many barbaric things. Those views and facts stand independent of what good or bad the Arabs may have done over all these years.
But there are other views that I also hold to strongly. I believe in the sanctity of all human life. I believe in the humanity of all people. If the Jews of Israel wake up tomorrow and realize the pain and injustice they have caused the Palestinians and decide to pack up and leave Palestine, I’ll dance from happiness and not miss Israel at all! BUT, if I wake up tomorrow and find myself in command of an army that can end the existence of Israel by a process that will involve the slaughter of thousands of Jews, I will NOT do it! Sorry! but I’ve grown out of the blind rage of my childhood, and am no longer willing to accept the slaughter of people -”even Jews”- to achieve this just end.
So where does this leave me? Israel is there. I accept this; not the justice of its creation, but that the injustice has been done and to reverse it would involve mass slaughter on both sides. The Jews of Israel didn’t have the right to displace the Palestinians out of their land, but they are there now, and I will not dehumanize them! I no longer rejoice at news of their killing. I now hate killing equally on both sides! I want to reach out. I don’t want to see the hate pass from one generation to another; NOT because we don’t have the right to hate, but because we should let go of that right to be able to live with hope and love. I don’t turn a blind eye to what the Israeli army is doing daily in the occupied territories; I speak out against it among those I know in the U.S. But I refuse to allow that to transform into hate of all Jews or Israelis.
What do I want? I want to see a political settlement on the lines of the Geneva accords. That doesn’t reverse the historical injustice, but it saves the lives of men, women and children on both sides, and that makes it worth the sacrifice as far as I’m concerned!
I have always respected you dear SC, and continue to do so; and for some strange reason I also tend to feel somewhat protective towards you as towards a younger sister
(I apologize if you find this offensive). So I hope that you accept my comment as a strongly felt view, not as an attack on what you believe or what you wrote; even though it’s coming from one of those evil MALES 
Comment by Ziad — December 14, 2005 @ 3:07 AM
thecutter, the problem is that we no longer trust ourselves and our people, we’ve lost ourselves and our beliefs probably due to continous disappointments and failures. instead of finding our way, we’re denouncing our land and people!
the only israelis i’m willing to die for are the anti-zionists, the pro-palestinian, because they are pro-justice, they show solidarity and they reach out to us.they defend the right and most importantly, they were ready to listen.
Comment by SugarCubes — December 14, 2005 @ 4:45 AM
Yes, we should … we must … and we will …
Working together should not be a problem nor an obstacle to sustaining the truth … and the truth is Palestine is an occupied land … and despite the brutal occupation and the daily struggles, the truth is Palestinians want to reach an agreement and lead normal lives …
Shaden, like you I am very disappointed in Haitham’s approach. And Haitham, I am sure you’re reading this … While I respect your hard work and dedication, it is extremely unfortunate to see you letting go of some basic principles!
Comment by iman — December 14, 2005 @ 5:28 AM
Ziad, we agree on many things, except that I realize that reality does not give any space for hatred to stop, I too do not hate Jews, I too love all the people, I really do and I do not wish to see anyone killed but if someone attacked a beloved one I hope I’ll have the courage to defend that one.
The injustice hadn’t stopped yet to be reversed, give me one example of injustice done by Palestinians to settlers, and please emphasize on settlers! the whole turning the other cheek concept sounds so loving and everything but when it comes to the house you live in, to your sons and daughters, when it comes to killing people either with one shot or slowly, morality says you should defend all of that, morality says we should not compromise.
and hadn’t they have enough yet?!! I want co-existence, but i don’t see it coming by forgetting our people, please somebody understands me, when you alienate yourself and detatch yourself from them they’re lost, cause the average israeli does not give a damn, he/she will look for the bright side!!!! and you will join them…
love and peace are not selfish, we should not sacrifice a nation and and a land to have the peace of mind we so wrongly think it is all what matters.
i don’t know if i make sense anymore…
P.S what you said in the end was too sweet, thanks
Comment by SugarCubes — December 14, 2005 @ 10:20 AM
SC: I admire the passion and the research that you put into your post. We must maintain own discourse to tell our story and not use terms dictated by others. The indigenous people have an inalienable right to return to their homes. When Jews from every country in the world may emigrate from their countries to Palestine, how can we deny the same for our people and maintain our dignity? Right now, a Jewish young man or woman living in New York, Canada, Europe, is contemplating “aliyah” to Israel. Exclusion based upon religion denies human and civil rights to those who aren’t the right religion. By denying the inalienable right of return for the indigenous population, we give tacit approval for discrimination based on one’s religion. Dr. Salman Abu Sitta, through meticulous research, has shown that it is feasible for those Palestinians wishing to return to their homes to do so.
Comment by umkahlil — December 14, 2005 @ 10:47 AM
A land where a defacto death sentence may be levied, for selling land the a Jew, is not one where most would want to live. Having neighbors who believe it is okay to kill someone for selling land to Jews is not something most westerners would want. So they build a wall. And they do not give the right of residency to those who would kill for selling land to Jews. You may call that racism, but you’d be wrong.
The Jews are not denying the Palestinians any rights, just as they are not offerring the Palestinians any rights. The Jews have no authority whatsoever over the Palestinians. Whatever rights the Palestinians have, come from them. Obviously they have few rights other than the right to breathe. And the right to be mistreated by their brothers.
Comment by ibraham av — December 14, 2005 @ 10:23 PM
Ibraham av, isn’t it really weird that although many “westerners” wouldn’t love to live in a country that gives the right to kill those who sell land to Jews, but still immigration is increasing and more settlements are being built in the Palestinians territories ILLEGALLY!
Isn’t it weird that you find it so bad to kill someone selling land to Jews, but you don’t find it strange for Israelis to kill Palestinian children playing football on their own land?
Just for the record, Palestinians, before there even was an Israel, lived in peace with Jews, they’ve never been against Jews themselves, they’re against extremists who decided to kick out Palestinians from their country and take their own homes. That’s when it became a crime to sell land to “Israelis”.
I wonder what would settlers do if an Israeli suddenly decides to sell his piece of land to a Palestinian!
Anyway I’m not asking all this for an answer, it’s just to show that Israelis are no angels as you’re trying to show, problems don’t come from Palestinians alone.
Let me explain one thing before you jump into conclusions, I’m 100% pro-Palestine, and I’m 100% anti-Zionism, nothing in the world will ever change that, but I’m not against Israelis who are open for a constructive discussion, who are willing to help do something for a better future for both sides.
But when someone comes and claims that “Jews are not denying the Palestinians any rights, just as they are not offering the Palestinians any rights”, then no sir I have to reply, because as neutral as that may sound, but it’s WRONG! Israelis are controlling Palestinians and their territories, they’re denying them the right to access to the most basic needs, and not only are they not offering them rights, but also stealing away the rights they’re given by international forces!
When someone tries to justify the WALL, no way on earth I’ll ever say: yeah right, you’ve got a point there! There are things one can’t simply compromise, if you’re willing to discuss respectfully with an open mind that’s fine, but to just point out how aggressive and violent Palestinians are with no aim but humiliation and sarcasm, then we’re sorry, but that doesn’t work with us!
And a tip: if you believe in your cause, there’s really no need to waste your time and effort attacking Palestinians and dedicating a whole blog just to attack Um Khalil and her writings.
Comment by Eman — December 15, 2005 @ 11:00 AM