I don't always write in joy, but today I'm writing in joy. Below are two very important emails from Arab correspondents, half a world away from one another, but offering the same important message: Modern communications are building bridges between Arabs and Jews in ways none of us could have imagined. The first note is from Amir, an Egyptian-American married to a Palestinian-American in the Chicago area. The second note is from an anonymous Saudi friend of a secular disposition. (Phil Weiss)
1. A short anecdote: A few Sundays ago I was at my in-laws. They're from small villages outside Ramallah, came here ~30 years ago. A large group of us were watching an Arab news station that runs a program covering news stories running on Israeli TV. It followed updates on the carnage in Gaza.
In their house there is a tendency to, when referring to Israelis and the Israeli army,
to use the term "yahood" - Jew. I understand that folks do this - in
conversations with Jews and Israelis I've heard some use the term "the
Arabs" in a similar context - but it still distresses me because I don't
like the blurring of the lines.
Anyway, during this program, an interview with Gideon Levy
came on TV. Before he was even identified, multiple folks blurted out
his name... my father in-law then shushed the room so we could all hear
what he had to say. And of course we were not disappointed.
I write this just to say that although the fault lines between Arab/Muslim and Jewish communities may seem like yawning chasms during these times... there is still much that ties us together. People of good conscience recognize other people of good conscience, regardless of background.
Our communities (Arab and Muslim) also need to make sure we recognize our allies in this struggle and temper our messages accordingly. The binary response (good vs evil, Jew vs Arab, even Israelis vs Palestinians) doesn't reflect the reality of the situation.
2. I might be wrong, but it appears to me that one of the hidden benefits of the Internet and especially Youtube and other on-line video news sources is that it has lessened anti-Jewish feelings in the Muslim world, despite the Gaza massacre and other Israeli atrocities. The reason this is happening is that the faces and voices of Jews who are opposed to Israel or to Zionism in general are finally being seen and heard denouncing the Israelis, even by non-English speaking Muslims.
Just a few years ago, before on-line video news sources became
available, it was common to hear ordinary Saudis in social situations
and/or their Friday preachers denouncing Jews and Zionists
as cruel and evil people who deserve no mercy. This was especially
true after an Israeli attack that left numerous Palestinian civilians,
including children dead. These attacks, which are rarely mentioned in
the US Mainstream media, have been happening several times a year for the last ten
years.
Now for religious Muslims in particular, the situation has become
confusing. How can they denounce Jews in general when they see brave
Jewish volunteers breaking bread with Palestinians during the Israeli
assault on Gaza,
then coming out on televisions around the world to denounce the Zionist
members of their tribe? Even more confusing is the sight of Neturei
Karta Rabbis calling the creation of Israel itself illegal, and
Holocaust survivors' children like Finkelstein comparing Israel with Nazi Germany.
I can just see them scurrying back to their religious texts looking for a phrase here and there that they can use to differentiate between the "good Jews" and the "bad Jews".
oh, no: this is turning into a 'charm offensive'.
same, same as name
Interesting post. But actually, the fact that Jews publicly disagree, argue, debate etc is so well known overall. I am glad that others are seeing this, too. But what I miss is seeing the variety in opinions among Muslims. Where does one find this? For example, Muslims who don't hate Zionists, or who openly criticize Hamas tactics. It would be great to tap into the variety in the Muslim world, too!
Phil and Co. still don't understand how to engage Israel. There is a huge part of the Jewish Israeli and Jewish American population which is willing to help the Palestinians. But you guys speak in a whole different language.
Here is an article in the times explaining how Jews and Arabs/anti-israel activists speak differently:
link to nytimes.com
Here is a sermon from a Rabbi in Baltimore from the synagogue which has the most Israel Bonds speaking against the settlers:
link to bethtfiloh.com
And that Rabbi is a proud Zionist! The school associated with this synagogue has an official Zionist view. And here is criticizing the Kassams of Israel – the settlers. Phil and his "followers" wouldn't criticize Hamas because they don't care about the Palestinians. This rabbi loves Israel and as a good friend criticizes it to make it better. Where are those that protest against Israel and love the Palestinians criticizing Hamas? You won't find them in the Arab media. You won't find them on this blog.
So what does this conclude? That Phil is more interested in the destruction of Israel and Jewishness from this Earth rather than help the Palestinians live a healthy dignified life. If you show a real concern to the Palestinians you would reach out to the Richard Witty's and Amos Oz's of this world. You would reach out to the Israeli youth that are proud of their country but are critical of it at the same time. You could reach out to the liberal Zionists that don't care about "Greater Israel". But that is not going to happen. Many of Phil's followers are anti-Jewish and want to severe US ties with the State of Israel.
Michael W: So, Phil's followers are anti-Jewish and want to severe US ties with Israel? Now, that's a broad blanket. Since that's is your firm opinion, what can anyone on this blog with a tendency to agree with Phil's articles say to you? Nothing. You do qualify by the word "many" of Phil's followers. How many is many? I could say, "many American Jews are Israel-Firsters." Same question.
Perhaps you should reach out to the non-Jewish Americans, who pay Israel's bills in both blood and money. reach out to the non-Jewish Americans who don't think "my country, right or wrong."
They are precisely those Americans who also think don't think
"Israel, right or wrong."
You betray the usual idea of a goy as a goyishekopf. You dress it up with the word "many" as a piece of PR.
Ready? Let's start talking truth.
Who knows, it may set you free.
@citizen,
I'm talking about the likes of Ed, Joachim and Co. He has Joachim's blog on his blog roll. And Phil said many things that shows that he is ashamed by cultural Judaism.
I'm just pointing to the lack of Phil's understanding of the actors at play in this tragedy he calls "The Issue" – the Israeli Palestinian conflict. He dismisses many anti-settler Jewish Israeli voices such as Livni's. I could reach out to Palestinians but there is no organization which is firmly anti-Hamas – anti-antisemetic "face" of the current Palestinian cause.
Michael W.:
In International Law: Right to Defense?, I point out:
Proverbs 20:21 is equivalent to the first statement.
נַחֲלָה [כ מְבֻחֶלֶת] [ק מְבֹהֶלֶת] בָּרִאשֹׁנָה וְאַחֲרִיתָהּ לֹא תְבֹרָךְ׃
If you disagree, you would be taking the position that Jews have the right to plunder and to kill non-Jews with impunity, and there really is not much value in holding a discussion with you.
I have worked within Israel and the Occupied Territories for a long time. Relatives of mine were quite prominent in the Second and Third Aliyot. I have many Palestinian friends. I can be quite objective on the subject of Zionism.
Zionism is evil and a threat to the USA and the world.
In contrast Hamas is an organization of proven probity and courage. The USA should give up on Quisling Arab dictators and Zionist genocidaires.
The USA could only benefit from an alliance with Hamas, and I would certainly prefer members of Hamas to Zionists as neighbors.
Wow…those email writers sound a hell of a lot more rational (and a lot less paranoid) than some of the obsessed-with-Israel-and-the-Worldwide-Jewish-Conspiracy- Theorists on this blog.
Their definition of Zionism is narrow and ill-defined–but that's not unusual in a climate where two peoples are unequivocally at war with each other.
I long for the day when moderate Arabs are allowed to express themselves without fear of being ostracized or put to death (or have their livers eaten by their foes).
On that day, peace will be on the horizon!
Martillo, dude: Ever hear the term "as dumb as a box of hammers?"
This sentiment shows not a shred of interest in peace or compassion for anybody–except your own bloodlust: "A rape victim certainly has the right to kill her rapist while he is raping her, and effectively the Zionist invaders have never let up for a moment in their effort to ravage the Palestinian population since they first began to arrive in the 1880s. See the Time Line of Zionist Crimes. It is only a brief summary and is far from complete."
And this: "Hamas is an organization of proven probity and courage. The USA should give up on Quisling Arab dictators and Zionist genocidaires.
The USA could only benefit from an alliance with Hamas, and I would certainly prefer members of Hamas to Zionists as neighbors."
I suspect you misplaced your brains somewhere back in the Spanish Inquisition.
Get a grip. And pleeeasssseeee….stop hyperventilating.