The following was written by Rae Abileah, a young American Jew of Israeli and Dutch descent. Abileah was one of the members of CODEPINK who disrupted Israeli President Shimon Peres's speech during the AIPAC Policy Conference (she is third from the left in the photo below, the photo was taken after the protest). She is a national organizer with CODEPINK Women for Peace and you can contact her at rae@codepinkalert.org. You can also visit www.codepinkalert.org/gaza for more info on CODEPINK's upcoming trips to Gaza via Egypt and Israel.
Where was Tikkun Olam at the AIPAC Conference in DC?
by Rae Abileah
This past Monday morning as I walked briskly with a mass of well-dressed, mostly Jewish people headed into a huge auditorium room, I felt as if I could have been one of a horde of Jews rushing to get into our synagogue to pray on Rosh Hashanah. On any other day, I may in fact have seen the same people at synagogue, but on Monday, we were headed somewhere very different: The 2009 AIPAC (American Israeli Public Affairs Committee) Policy Conference at the Washington Convention Center. Once inside the big room the synagogue-going feeling disintegrated. Here, humble prayer was replaced with hubristic preaching, the kind of gospel you might see on a televangelical TV show deterring worshipers from choosing the "unholy" paths of homosexuality, interracial marriage, or abortion. Only here at AIPAC, the sinful acts we were to abstain from included diplomacy, trust, and turning a critical eye towards a particular government's use of military force. Instead, we were instructed to advocate for weapons, sanctions, and unwavering nationalism.
Putting aside weapons and sanctions--whether it is possible to bomb someone into being peaceful, or starve their children until they are peaceful, or cut off their access to energy and water until they are peaceful--there seems to be something fundamentally undemocratic about the idea of unwavering nationalism. This idea leads to rigidity, the position that if one critiques any policy of a government, she is being unpatriotic; she is becoming an enemy of the state; she is a traitor and, if that nation ascribes to a particular religious or ethnic background, may also be labeled as being a bigot against that group of people. I have seen this kind of nationalist fervor directed at anti-war activists by big men in leather on Harleys who shout, "Why don’t you leave if you hate America so much?" and at McCain rallies, where people chanted "USA! USA!" But it pains me more to see this behavior in the people I call kin, in the American Jewish community.
Just questioning the most recent Israeli offensive attack on Gaza, which killed 1,300 civilians, seems to be a crime among the AIPAC crowd, never mind questioning the use of white phosphorous in Gaza, so evident recently that children are painting the chemical explosions into artwork showing their neighborhood environment. The inability to question Israeli policy reaches so far that when the global human rights organization, Human Rights Watch, called for a broader UN investigation, Israel said it will not let this group in (http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/05/06/un-support-goldstone-investigation-gaza-war-violations). A recent UN report commissioned by Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, said the Israeli military intentionally fired at UN facilities and civilians hiding in them during the war and used disproportionate force, citing Israel to blame for specific targeted attacks on UN-run schools and hospitals. (http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/05/200955143232389149.html) But in the eyes of AIPAC, UN reports, international human rights reports (like the recent studies by Amnesty International and the National Lawyers Guild), mass demonstrations and community organizing efforts around the world all amount not to a recognition of reality in occupied Palestine, but instead to an anti-Israel threat that is trying to sabotage the tiny country’s right to exist. AIPAC’s well-funded operation seems to be unable to question, understand, or even hear an alternative viewpoint, though it did acknowledge just how big that alternative voice is growing.
That’s why I felt moved to bring another point of view to the AIPAC policy conference—to question the policies of Israel that lead to the death of so many innocent neighbors, too many of whom are children, their only “crime” the side of the line they were born on. I slipped into that mass of people converging into the convention center hall and, along with CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin, secured a seat at a table up front next to the stage to watch Israeli President Shimon Peres speak to the AIPAC delegates. Peres stated in his opening speech that "Science.. enables us to live up to the value of Tikkun Olam (repair/heal the world) in providing people with life-saving medical solutions, innovative water technologies, solar energy and scientific agricultural advances, new to the world." How is it, I found myself wondering, that while there is a total lock down on crucial medical supplies getting into Gaza, President Peres can dare speak of Israel embodying the value of tikkun olam when it comes to utilizing science to save human lives? Just last week I heard a first-hand devastating account from a Palestinian young man about my age whose two brothers were shot by the IDF during cease-fire daylight hours, one with 18 bullets in the back, and left for 24 hours without access to an ambulance, until they both bled to death, while the soldiers looked on, two of them medics with supplies (American Friends Service Committee Citizen Hearings at the Department of Health in San Francisco, April, 2009). Where was tikkun olam during that long night?
Shortly after Peres made a statement about tikkun olam, I knew that I had to stand. Medea and I arose and unfurled banners that read “What about Gaza?” and “Want peace? End the Occupation.” I managed to stand on my chair for a brief moment with my "Want peace? End the Occupation" banner before it was yanked out of my hands. As we were forcibly removed from the room and muzzled, I was shouting, in response to Peres' comment, "Tikkun olam for Gaza too!", and asking "What about the children?" as Medea asked loudly, "What about Gaza?" Four other CODEPINK activist also took a stand with banners and their voices. Security dragged us past the long line of AIPAC participants still waiting to get into the room, and the look on their faces as we asked these questions was one of disbelief, shock, horror, and at times anger.
Once outside, when the crowd emerged, some of the young men had questions for us. One wanted to know if we would stand vigil for the Israelis killed by rockets. I replied that yes, I mourn the loss of innocent life everywhere and want the killing and violence to stop. It still amazes me how taking a stand against the illegal war crimes that happen in Gaza equates to being against Israel. In fact, it is my love for the land that compels me to speak out. And I am not alone as an American Jew feeling this way. While AIPAC claims to represent the U.S. Jewish community, its wholesale support of the Israel government goes against the majority opinions of the Jewish Americans. According to a recent survey by the Jewish lobby group J Street, 76 percent of American Jews support a two-state solution, 69 percent support negotiating with a Fatah-Hamas unity government, and 59 percent felt the Gaza invasion did not improve Israel's security.
Medea Benjamin, who recently led a 60-person delegation to Gaza, said after the action that “The brutal invasion of Gaza was a breaking point for me and many American Jews. I was appalled by the devastation and the suffering I saw, particularly among the children. As a mother, I feel compelled to speak out against Israel's bombing of civilians and the ongoing siege that is so devastating to the lives of Gaza's 1.5 million people-most of whom are under 18.”
Through our action on Monday, we wanted to draw attention to widespread opposition to AIPAC's policies lobbied to Congress that include unconditional support and financing for Israel's militaristic policies. These policies have resulted in the recent devastating invasion of Gaza, building of illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the separation wall, refusal to negotiate with the Palestinians' democratically elected representatives, and threats to attack Iran. We wanted the world's people, through the media, and our legislators and vice president, to know that AIPAC does not represent American Jewish views on Israel and Palestine.
Like most American Jews, I grew up with a deep appreciation for the state of Israel. After witnessing the attack of Gaza on TV and hearing the calls for crippling sanctions on Iran, I can no longer avert my eyes to the other side of the story most rabbis still aren't talking about. I am now joining the dozens of Jewish organizations, and the growing global movement, advocating a change in the Israeli policies of occupation and aggressive violence. It's high time to drop the victim narrative so that we may all survive, and one day thrive as neighbors.
AIPAC’s theme this year was every organizer’s mantra: Relationships Matter. Except they missed the point of what it’s all about—building trust and friendships with people who stand on the other side of the line, finding points of connection with the very people you see as the “enemy”. The most important relationships for Israel to cultivate are not with U.S. Congressional allies but with the Palestinian people. AIPAC's lobbying of Congress has not made Israel more secure and has hurt American efforts to improve relations in the Arab world. As the Magnes Zionist blog noted, “We orthodox Jews would say, ‘Elu ve-Elu,’ 'these and those'. The AIPAC folks foster fear, hate, and Islamophobia; the other (activist groups like Jewish Voice for Peace and CODEPINK) foster hope, love, and respect for all peoples.” (http://themagneszionist.blogspot.com/2009/05/jewish-voice-for-peace-billboard-truck.html)
On any other day I may be walking into a synagogue to pray with many of the Jews attending the AIPAC conference, but on Monday there was an ocean between us. And I am aching for the song that will part that sea of fear, that will allow us to step into our narrow place and dare to question what is being done with our American tax dollars, in our name as Jews, and for our alleged “safety”. And I am committed to transforming this aching into action that will bring us all closer to freedom from the bondage of fear, freedom from the threat of attack, freedom to celebrate our faith as we choose in the promised land (or anywhere). I am committed to keep asking the questions. Are you?
what happened to all the comments on this thread?
http://jewish-politics-ny.com/2009/05/05/notes-fr... Was this your impression alos? If so, what should we take from this younger generation now wanting to use the propaganda depicting Iran as being the same as Germany in the 1930's etc.? Also, I thought J-Street was attracting this demographic? Plus, is there anywhere we can get a copy of that roll-call?
There is something deeply sick when people can go to a synagogue, church, or mosque and pray to God and then gather with other congregants outside the religious service to self-righteously support the slaughter of children. The people who have this sickness are the ones warring with each other.
Adam, that took courage and principle. Plus, you take pains to report it clearly, down to the anger on some of the faces. I admire you for that. It is an alternative world they live in, and challenging dialogue is essential to break through their delusions. On a side note, if you have any information on what was said by Congressman Dan Lungren, that would be of interest to Democrats in his district who are considering a challenge.
"A recent UN report commissioned by Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, said the Israeli military intentionally … used disproportionate force" Exactly what International Law prohibits 'disproportionate force'.
This is Adam. I'm going to post something soon on the age of folks in the crowd. Some people there did mention it and I think has some political significance. More coming soon.
Just to be clear, the post was written by Rae Abileah. I agree it took great courage. You can reach Rae at rae@codepinkalert.org if you want to pass along your admiration. I don't know anything about Rep. Lungren, sorry.
"……prayer was replaced with hubristic preaching, the kind of gospel you might see on a televangelical TV show deterring worshipers from choosing the "unholy" paths of homosexuality, interracial marriage, or abortion. Only here at AIPAC, the sinful acts we were to abstain from included diplomacy, trust, and turning a critical eye towards a particular government's use of military force. Instead, we were instructed to advocate for weapons, sanctions, and unwavering nationalism. " Exactly. The evangelicals are crazy and simple-minded people who mainly want to bend the government and the country's domestic policy to their religious rules.. The zionist jews are also crazy ,but more mentally sick and more dangerous to the country than the evangelicals because their agenda involves using the US for Israel 24/7 in every way ,all the time for Israel, including going to war for Israel.. Got to hand it to Code Pink for putting this issue up and putting themselves out there.
"big men in leather on Harleys who shout," Gosh, I thought she was talking about me, but I wouldn't be caught dead on a Harley. They're not motorcycles, they're two-wheeled garden tractors. Good Jews ride sport bikes.
Hey Mooser, Your partisan whining on the antiwar blog was pathetic. http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/01/ada... You see that italicized name under the nays? i'll give you one guess who that is smart guy. Or is it just part of the 25% he is right about? A partisan like you wouldn't support him for that but will support the Democratic party which disagrees with him on that 25%. In fact, not only that, but you'll even mock one of five men in the house that voted against the Gaza slaughter. That's really smart. Your wisdom is showing, no wonder you rely on UT for ideological cliff notes.
"Exactly what International Law prohibits 'disproportionate force'" What international law prevented Hitler from seeking a final solution to the alien and subversive Jewish nation in Germany's midst? Listen Jacob, you believe in disproportionate force, go apply it yourself, until then, just shut up. Go pack your bags and be ready when Biden kicks us all out of the US. Say, Jacob, you won't tell on me, right? I mean, you won't say anything which might keep me from getting in to eretz Yisroel. If I was just about to enter the Stolen Land, and you pointed and said "That one, he's no Jew, look, he's holding a bacon-cheesburger, and look at the pork fat on his lips!" they might kick me out!
However, if the brave and excellent young lady who wrote this article wants to posit "Harleys" as the choice of right-wing bullies, I have no objection. She's probably right.
Who cares? Just blame the Libertarians. It's the Jebbie thing to do.
"Exactly what International Law prohibits 'disproportionate force'" Oh I don't know, maybe the one which keeps Israel from being crushed like a bug?
No answer? No law? You don't know what International law prevented Hitler from commiting Genocide? Is there a list of the incredible number of things you've just intimated are beyond your ken?
"Oh I don't know," most honest answer you've ever given.
Exactly who, other than Islamists, is supporting the slaughter of children?
I once went to a local AIPAC meeting for congressional interns—they were not happy I was there. I guess not many Muslim interns come by their meetings but I was sent by my supervisor because he thought it was a good idea. (It did turn out to be a good idea, but in a different sort of way). Anyway, this was one year ago and they were huffing and puffing and sweating about the Iranians threat and told us to go back and do what we can do to convince those around of us of the dangers of Iran.
One thing they kept repeating over and over and over again: AIPAC is the most powerful group out there. If you become part of AIPAC, many doors will open up for you. They also stressed that they are not ashamed of that power. They also stressed that they are an American organization. They also said that anyone who wants to come to the big student conference, they will pay for the trip and all. So yeah, they make a very concerted effort to reach out to the young people. Can you imgaine, being young and ambitious, and being told that if you join such and such group you will have the doors to power open up to you? Even if you don't join for ideological reasons, you will do so to get ahead.
Your nasty zionists in Israel who supported the slaughter of Gaza in the 96% (it was high up like that in the 90s i believe.)
Rae: Great job. It strikes the fear into people when they witness protests like that. Their hearts start pumping. /// much neeedeed. Resppect!!!
Do your own homework. There are laws of war. Anyway, if not according to that, then according to most people their moral compass tells them so. I guess some Zionists are devoid of it. What does God teach you?
I think younger American born-and-raised left-liberal Jews have a completely different comprehension of what organized Judaism really is than do Israeli Jews and hard-core Jewish-American Zionists. American left-liberal Jews really believe the Tikkun Olam hasbara talking points issued primarily to throw gentiles off the scent of organized Judaism's true nationalist-racist nature, and off the scent of its subversive Bolshevik modus-operandi. I think most left-liberal Jews apprehend and embrace the subversive Bolshevik part, but many haven't quite put it together with the racist-nationalist component, and maybe are unable to. Or are at least unable to overlook the contradiction and hypocrisy. "You idiots!" the Jewish Zionists might cry. "All that Tikkun Olam talk was issued to soften up the dumb goy for infiltration and exploitation, as was the diaspora liberalism. It was never intended to be applied to the Chosen, especially not the Chosen in Israel, you fools!" Why anyone would want to salvage a racist-nationalist belief system that elevates subversion, supremacy and hypocrisy to an art form is beyond me. But maybe each ugly component has appeal to a different Jewish personality type.
Thank you Rae for your contribution to AIPAC. Your purchase of a ticket to the AIPAC Policy conference helps us with our vital work on behalf of the American Israeli relationship. We have freedom of speech in America so you have the opportunity to share your views. I hope you enjoyed your moment to raise your flag. I enjoyed the entire conference and feel very empowered to make a difference through my work with AIPAC. Good luck to you.
I see Rae is using the new line that Israeli-bashers spout : " I love Israel, but…..". " I am a ZIonist, but….", It isn't going to work. Rae is anti-Israel and that is the end of it. I also note the phony claim that "1300 civilians were killed" which is nonsense. I see we can't believe anything she says. I also note 9 people in her group. A real Phil-Weiss-type "groundswell' in the Jewish community towards anti-Israel activity. All you need is a million more and they you will really have something.
Report from Israeli Human Rights groups: link to gazaeng.blogspot.com
** Israel wouldn't allow journalists into Gaza.
"Just to be clear, the post was written by Rae Abileah. I agree it took great courage." It's simply self promotion. This is what she does for a living. She puts her name out on the anti Israel circuit and she gets more bookings and makes more money. No courage involved. I particularly liked: "Here, humble prayer was replaced with hubristic preaching, the kind of gospel you might see on a televangelical TV show deterring worshipers from choosing the "unholy" paths of homosexuality, interracial marriage, or abortion. " Nice touch. Demonize Aipac and make it sound like it's a bunch of far right bigots, when in reality most of the people there are probably pretty liberal.
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="link to youtube.com name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="link to youtube.com; type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>
Sorry: Watch here: Inside Story – Israeli war crimes in Gaza – 22 Mar – Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M402YJFf78&fe...
The idea of proportionality (with regards to war) has been with us since the 4th century. It is part of International Humanitarian Law and the Rome Statue (which surprise, surprise, Israel didn't sign)
If by criticising a country you're anti- that country, then I'm anti- every single country in the world
No Moral compass dictates proportional force. Based on the stats, islamic fascists are devoid of ethics. But their morals demand murdering women and children. And Hamas is very moral.
Post the law. Just as Israel is not bound by the laws of Islamic fascist nations, it is not bound by agreements between other nations of which it is not a part.
According to the data gathered by the Research Department of the Israel Defense Intelligence, there were 1166 names of Palestinians killed during Operation Cast Lead. 709 of them are identified as Hamas terror operatives, amongst them several from various other terror organizations. Furthermore, it has been found that 295 uninvolved Palestinians were killed during the operation, 89 of them under the age of 16, and 49 of them women. In addition, there are 162 names of men that have not yet been attributed to any organization.
It does seeing as the law of proportionality is in Protocol 1 of the Geneva conventions, which is seen as obligatory on all parties (including non-signatories like Israel and the US). Israel follows international humanitarian law if it doesn't want to be a Pariah state
Shafiq is correct, the concept of proportionality has a long international law history. Post- Nuremberg international law explicitly covers disproportionality, however the applicability of any portion of it to the Gaza conflict depends on what model should apply to the facts on the ground. For starters, the Gaza scenario does not involve armed conflict between two officially recognized states, yet neither is it technically a civil war because Gaza is not officially recognized as a part of Israel. The spirit of the legal concept of proportionality aims to protect civilians. Is an armed settler a civilian? Militiaman. How about a stone throwing Palestinian age 12? Jacobwolfen flatly states "No Moral compass dictates proportional force." Anyway you look at it this is simply an ignorant statement. Jacobwolfen's effort to explain it simply expresses a double standard of morality; ironically, Jacobwolfen says look to the stats–when one does that, say the death ratio of dead women and children after the Gaza "war" last, it's clear using this standard, no? link to crimesofwar.org
I basically agree with Code Pink's POV, and I nearly puke when I accidentally hit on such a show while channel-surfing; I quickly pass on down the channel list. So, in my ignorance I ask, what televangelical TV show preaches against interracial marriage?
With trainer wheels.
Actually Hitler indeed had a morality; he reaffirmed it in his last political testament. Whether one accepts that morality or not, I doubt he cared. Sound familiar, Jacobwolfen?
I never cared about motorcycles. But I have relatives who ride Harleys and none of them are right-wing bullies. Just my personal experience.
You have to forgive bar_kochba132–check out his handle. He's a John-Wayne Jew. Pathetic. More like a Barbi-Grl, living in a Barbi World. He should actually look in the mirror.
Right, all full of PEP they are.
Who will censor the censor?
Did you watch Eric Cantor speak?
Jacobwolfen: "According to the data gathered by the Research Department of the Israel Defense Intelligence, there were 1166 names of Palestinians killed during Operation Cast Lead. 709 of them are identified as Hamas terror operatives, amongst them several from various other terror organizations. Furthermore, it has been found that 295 uninvolved Palestinians were killed during the operation, 89 of them under the age of 16, and 49 of them women. In addition, there are 162 names of men that have not yet been attributed to any organization." The media usually accepts Hamas propaganda as the truth. Remember the "massacre" at Jenin where the media ran with the story that thousands were killed and buried, only to find out it was more like 60. It is so bad at the BBC that they refuse to release a report on anti Israel bias at the BBC and the BBC Trust grudgingly admitted that one of their big stars Jeremy Bowen made biased reports against Israel.
You don't remember it very well. At Jenin there were rumors that hundreds were killed, not thousands, but nobody knew for a week or two what the truth was, and that's how it was reported in much of the liberal press. And an Israeli general is one of the people who said hundreds were killed, which lent credence to the initial claims. Within a few weeks the true death toll was known and Human Rights Watch did a detailed study–about 50 people were killed , nearly half of them civilians, some of them as a result of war crimes. Fairly normal for Israel. I'm not replying for your benefit, of course. No one who calls himself "thedhimmi" is likely to read Human Rights Watch or go back and look at what was actually said–you've got your storyline and you will stick to it because it's convenient for you. This is just for the record. Anyone who wants to can go back and read what was said and see that the initial reports were quickly corrected.
Do you always believe the reports of governments that exonerate themselves of war crimes? This absurd. There have been investigations by Human Rights Watch which show that Israel lied about its use of white phosphorus–there's no reason to believe anything a government says in such circumstances. Nobody would believe it if, say, the Syrian government put out a report stating that its prison system was run humanely, or if the Russians claimed that they fought the war in Chechnya with great care in order to spare civilians, but when it's Israel the Israel defenders throw common sense out the window.
sure, AIPAC is really controlled from behind the scenes by subversive Jewish Bolsheviks. There speaks the real Nazi, as usual.
I'm interested in the way she references the synagogue. My current feeling is that irrespective of what one thinks the content of the Jewish religion actually is, as things are, there is a mutual exclusion between people who worship God as Jews and people who worship God as non-Jews. I am looking at a way of overcoming this.
Ho-hum, more Nazi accusations from a Leftist. Incredible how much you people have in common with the Zionists. I guess that's why they call it Racist/Marxist Israel. Hitler was a big Socialist, too. You all really ought to form a club of mass murderers.
Israel's actions under the Fouth Geneva Convention qualify as war crimes: from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Geneva_Conven... Fourth Geneva Convention The Fourth Geneva Convention (or GCIV) relates to the protection of civilians during times of war "in the hands" of an enemy and under any military occupation by a foreign power. [snip] Part I. General Provisions This sets out the overall parameters for GCIV: Article 2 states that signatories are bound by the convention both in war, armed conflicts where war has not been declared and in an occupation of another country's territory. . [cont]
[cont] Article 3 states that even where there is not a conflict of international character the parties must as a minimum adhere to minimal protections described as: noncombatants, members of armed forces who have laid down their arms, and combatants who are hors de combat (out of the fight) due to wounds, detention, or any other cause shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, with the following prohibitions: (a) violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture; (b) taking of hostages; (c) outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment (d) the passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples. [cont]
[cont]Article 4 defines who is a Protected person: Persons protected by the Convention are those who, at a given moment and in any manner whatsoever, find themselves, in case of a conflict or occupation, in the hands of a Party to the conflict or Occupying Power of which they are not nationals. But it explicitly excludes Nationals of a State which is not bound by the Convention and the citizens of a neutral state or an allied state if that state has normal diplomatic relations with in the State in whose hands they are. A number of articles specify how Protecting Powers, ICRC and other humanitarian organizations may aid Protected persons. Protected person is the most important definition in this section because many of the articles in the rest of GCIV only apply to Protected persons. [cont]
[cont]Article 5 is currently one of the most controversial articles of GCIV, because it forms, (along with Article 5 of the GCIII and parts of GCIV Article 4,) the interpretation of "unlawful combatants" currently in use by the out-going government of the United States. Part II. General Protection of Populations Against Certain Consequences of War Article 13. The provisions of Part II cover the whole of the populations of the countries in conflict, without any adverse distinction based, in particular, on race, nationality, religion or political opinion, and are intended to alleviate the sufferings caused by war. [cont]
[cont]Part III. Status and Treatment of Protected Persons Section I. Provisions common to the territories of the parties to the conflict and to occupied territories Article 32. A protected person/s shall not have anything done to them of such a character as to cause physical suffering or extermination … the physical suffering or extermination of protected persons in their hands. This prohibition applies not only to murder, torture, corporal punishments, mutilation and medical or scientific experiments not necessitated by the medical treatment' While popular debate remains on what constitutes a legal definition of torture (see discussion on the Torture page), the ban on corporal punishment simplifies the matter; even the most mundane physical abuse is thereby forbidden by Article 32, as a precaution against alternate definitions of torture. The prohibition on scientific experiments was added, in part, in response to experiments by German and Japanese doctors during World War II, of whom Josef Mengele was the most infamous. [cont]
[cont]Collective punishments Article 33. No protected person may be punished for an offense he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited. Pillage is prohibited. Reprisals against protected persons and their property are prohibited. [cont]
[cont]Right of return Article 49. The second paragraph of Article 49 provides that persons displaced during armed conflict must be transferred back to their homes as soon as hostilities in the area in question have ceased. This right of displaced persons is often referred to as the "right of return" and has been reaffirmed in later international treaties and conventions. State Practice also establishes this rule as a norm of customary international law, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. [end excerpt] Ignorance of the law is no excuse, JW.
History shows that Israel generally is telling the truth and the facts are generally rtue/ On the other hand Palestinians are a proven liers. In 2002 operation in Jenin Palestinians claimed 500 and more massacared but Israel claimed 56. Gess what Israel was right and Palestinians and others are proven wrong.
Good luck: http://www.a-zone.org/palestine/gradzette_04-94.h... After reading this, let us know what you think.
I don't want to fill up Rae's inbox but I do want to comment on her beautiful essay. I join in her hopes for the Israel of our dreams.
it's this kind of hubris, so reminiscent of Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann's accusations that people are "anti-American" that is driving people away from any sympathy at all for the AIPAC/Likud/Neocon position. Pride goeth before the fall…
GREAT essay.
It doesn't address the religious question as such, at all. My current thinking on this is that there should be a way of getting behind the mutual exclusion of the three 'Abrahamic' faiths. I don't mean merely 'inter-faith' activity — I mean a positive attempt at a shared 'Abrahamic' faith. Consider this: under the current system of mutual exclusion of faiths, a couple only one of whom is Jewish cannot marry unless one or other changes their religion, or they settle for a purely secular, which is to say, anti-religious, ceremony. I propose to surmount this by discovering an 'Abrahamic' shared faith, with social, multi–generational support. I was thinking about Subud in this connection, but their book of rules says "A marriage ceremony can be performed only in accordance with religious and civil laws. Subud has no right to meddle in such matters."
Would you provide a link for your source, please?
Those numbers were given to use by the IDF. When the UN went to investigate, they were denied access to some of the places, so please excuse us when we think the IDF numbers are lies
That's an interesting idea, Rowan. But wouldn't it be simpler to adopt international libertarianism, modeled on the US Constitution, wherein a minimum of civil rights are guaranteed for all and backed fiercely by a small, efficient government, and everything else is left to the marketplace of ideas? Of course, this can only work if this group or that isn't granted preferential treatment based on supposed historical persecution, or this group or that collaborates to extract as many resources as possible from the collective via the government, or via lobbying the government. Also, let's say a Muslim female in a polygamous marriage invokes here civil rights and wants a divorce. The government has to be willing to force the Islamic male to abide by her wishes. Muslims won't like that, but that is why the civil rights must be kept to a practical minimum — to be there and available when they are invoked, but not be preemptively forced upon different groups at gunpoint, which is the current Western "liberal" statist status-quo.
I actually believe in God, Ed — the God of Abraham, if not necessarily of Isaac & Jacob — and I consider it important that God bless the unions of their descendants. It creates, or provides a supernatural sanction for, inter-generational support. This is why Rae goes to synagogue, I dare say. I can’t help thinking that the lost & confused condition of many second- & third-generation Subudniks is due to the fact that their parents & grandparents were Subud members but were unable to marry as such, being forced to marry under the aegis of their respective religions of origin. And this divides them again, into the mutually exclusive communities of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, with their distinct, supernaturally-sanctioned inter-generational support networks. This is sort of an anthropological point; it has little to do with governments.
When you get down to it, Israel should just disappear. What good is Israel to the rest of the world? If they disappeared tomorrow, they would not be missed. If all Israelis were killed, who would care and what difference would it make to the world? Who is going to care? Would the world not be better off without Israel? The best thing we can do is to criticize Israel whenever they try to defend themselves from attacks regardless of the attacker or their tactics. We as a world should do whatever we can to prevent Israel from being able to defend themselves against attacks from Iran or any other state.
When you get down to it, Israel should just disappear. What good is Israel to the rest of the world? If they disappeared tomorrow, they would not be missed. If all Israelis were killed, who would care and what difference would it make to the world? Who is going to care? Would the world not be better off without Israel? The best thing we can do is to criticize Israel whenever they try to defend themselves from attacks regardless of the attacker or their tactics. We as a world should do whatever we can to prevent Israel from being able to defend themselves against attacks from Iran or any other state.
Courage?! Courage is not going along with the masses and supporting terror with falsified facts and blanket statements… courage is not putting on a pink shirt and flashing a peace sign and then returning home to your fancy place at night and blogging about your greatness.. COURAGE is remaining the only true democracy and sacrificing on a daily basis to try and protect your country and freedom against the blood thirsty animals that surround you and seek your annihilation. Courage is remaining to do the right thing even when a world of mass media bias and brainwashing continuously point fingers and make up lies about your actions. Courage is standing up to do the right thing, simply because you know its right. Israel is courageous, Israel remains true, Israel continues to do the right thing- it is cowards like Rae who stand behind the "underdog" who think they are being courageous, but are simply misinformed. If you want to be courageous Rae, I suggest you come over to this side of the world and live side by side with terror on a daily basis. Send your child to school in the Negev and send them off to school daily knowing that rockets rain in the air… say goodbye to your child as they enter the DEFENSE force for a cause you believe in, better yet- allow your child to wrap themselves with explosives, since that is clearly the "right thing", right? Courage… ha. Want to be courageous ladies?.. How about you go stand in the middle of the streets in Riyadh and protest the fact that its 2009 and women have no rights to drive, show their faces or hair, work in most places, or do anything without the consent and accompaniment of men. Or take a ride to Gaza and protest their weekly honor killings. Mid east report stated recently that "70 percent of all murders in Gaza and the West Bank are honor killings." How can Israel be held accountable for the death of Palestinians in while simply defending themselves while they [Arab world] themselves aren't even held accountable for their own choice to honor kill, suicide bomb, use children shields, and corrupt self starvation? If you want to be blind and just go with the liberal flow, continue on your un-educated ways.. but if you actually believe in anything and feel that your little group can make a difference, maybe you should start to really look into what you are protesting and give yourself a little perspective. … And to reply to Pete's lovely little Hitler-esque thought process- your ethnocentric little idea's seem real great coming from your boxers and cereal eating at your computer at home, but "prevent Israel from being able to defend themselves against attacks from Iran…" and what do you think will happen? … bye bye miss American pie. Enjoy your blogging, because soon after a gd forbid distruction of Israel by Iran, you know who's second on their list!
I don't know why I'm bothering to reply to this, but here goes: supporting terror – Where exactly did they support terror? blanket statements – Like 'Want Peace? Stop the Occupation' ? Anyone with half a brain knows that the occupation is a major obstacle to peace. the only true democracy – Please stop with the hyperbole. Israel can barely call itself a democracy, never mind a true democracy (whatever that means). As long as it carries on excluding the Arabs from their state, segregating them, discriminating against them, Israel can not call itself a democracy. sacrificing on a daily basis to try and protect your country and freedom against the blood thirsty animals that surround you and seek your annihilation – More hyperbole. Israel is not threatened by anyone. world of mass media bias – lol. If you bothered to read this blog, you'd know who's side (most of ) the media is on. Send your child to school in the Negev and send them off to school daily knowing that rockets rain in the air – Oh God, even more. Try sending your child to a school in Gaza. He/She will have a 50% of surviving Israel's next fit of rage. How about you go stand in the middle of the streets in Riyadh and protest the fact that its 2009 and women have no rights to drive, show their faces or hair, work in most places, or do anything without the consent and accompaniment of men. – This is getting painful to read now. As if you really care about Saudi Women. As far as you care, they're all potential terrorists, right? If YOU really cared about them, then YOU'D be protesting against their treatment (See how I twisted that around?) Or take a ride to Gaza and protest their weekly honor killings. – If you're concerned, why not join the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, which is trying its utmost to protect these women, as well as protect Palestinians in general from Human Rights abuses by Israel. (I'm pretty sure these killings aren't weekly) corrupt self starvation – Oh, so the fact that Israel only allows enough food in to feed half of Gaza's population has nothing to do with it? Or the fact that simple food items such as Pasta aren't allowed in, meaning that Gazans have to eat the same food over and over again? ethnocentric – Israel's (and your's) attitudes towards Arabs and Palestinians is the epiphany of ethnocentrism. because soon after a gd forbid distruction of Israel by Iran, you know who's second on their list – Back to the hyperbole I see. Where do you get all this stuff from? Do you copy and paste it from a website? As far as I know, Israel has nuclear weapons and has invaded a couple of countries over the past 40 years, whereas Iran doesn't have nuclear weapons and hasn't invaded a country in 240 years.
supporting terror – I could go on forever on this, but I'll leave it at the fact that the "innocent people" they are fighting for chose to elect a terrorist organization as their goverment. blanket statements – "Israel only allows enough food in to feed half of Gaza's population " – blanket statement example one. Are you aware of the fact that Hamas seized the truckloads of food and ration sent in to help its people and stopped it THEMSELVES from entering to their citizens?? Auctioning off food that was meant to aid their people to make money, allowing some people to not even receive their minimal amount deserved? the only true democracy – Israel IS the only true standing democracy in its region. Free elections, right to vote (without being beaten at the polls; ie. Egypt 2006), civil rights, human rights, fair law and ARABS IN OFFICE. An Arab-Israeli citizen has full rights. Those in Gaza and West Bank are not EXCLUDED from their state, they want their own state where they live, they aren't interested in becoming a part of Israel's state. "Israel is not threatened by anyone."- HYPERBOLE ALERT. Good use of word. Maybe you should check into the meaning. Israel is one of, if not the most threatened state in existence. Hamas charter is based on the destruction of it, the PLO was formed to "drive it into the sea" and Iran threatens the existence of Israel every chance it gets. You can argue away Shafiq, but this hyperbole simply makes a joke out of your legitimacy. Try sending your child to a school in Gaza. He/She will have a 50% of surviving Israel's next fit of rage. – fit of rage? if thats what you want to call defense then go for it, I dont even mind the term. You're right rage is going to come after attacks of terror, raining rockets and unreasonably dangerous neighbors. As if you really care about Saudi Women. As far as you care, they're all potential terrorists, right? If YOU really cared about them, then YOU'D be protesting against their treatment (See how I twisted that around?) – Not that I dont even care to legitimize myself to you, but I actually work for civil liberties in Arab countries and for women in the middle east, and have lived in multiple Arab states. So while you are just a raging anti-semite and ant-Israel bigot, and remain un-educated and un-interested in the rest of the world and only concentrate on fighting your little battle, believe it or not, there are people who truly believe in world freedom and democracy for all people alike, which is why I believe in Israel as a true and democratic state. r
Oh, so the fact that Israel only allows enough food in to feed half of Gaza's population has nothing to do with it? Or the fact that simple food items such as Pasta aren't allowed in, meaning that Gazans have to eat the same food over and over again? -addressed above. Their own goverment starves and strangles them from ever being able to be successful- stealing their money, smothering their education system, and training 18 year olds to blow themselves up. Sidenote: Check out the language used at pro-Israel events vs. pro Palestinian. Ideas of peace and cries for hope come out of the AIPAC conference, while pro-Palestinian rallys consist of hate and bigotry, chants of "jews to the gas chambers" doesn't sound like a desire for any kind of peace to me…. And if you don't believe that Iran is out to destroy the US… you have a strong surprise headed your way in the near future. If the president of Iran himself saying he seeks the destruction of democracy and the western world isn't enough, I don't know what kind of proof you want. It's truly been lovely, but I'm going to end here. I prefer to use my time productively and arguing with a bunch of bigots on some blog clearly isn't going to be. I hope for your sake and the sake of the will of our world that you, and all of your like-minded peers wake up and remove yourself from your bias ideologies, take some responsibility for the actions of the people you so strongly support, and do some further research and investigation in the reality of the whole situation. It's not as simple as you like to make it out to be. Israel is not perfect, but if you like to make comparisons and would like to, go on and compare it to its neighboring countries.. blind to it or not, you will see that it tries its hardest to be as just and right as possible in all of its actions. Do you know another country which as a response to an attack in defense would flier and let people know in advance before it attacks to save the lives of its "enemies"? Israel is not perfect, but I can say I truly believe that through its history, its tried its best to defend its people and be just to all those around them- its given up its land for peace that was not followed through on, its removed and displaced its own people for peace- which was not followed through on by the other side either. When a country can stand up and honestly admit its mistakes and talk about its goals, you can see their truth. But I suppose you could always be right… its not suspicious at all to side with a nation who won't admit or acknowledge that is has any faults. "Peace will come to the Middle East when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us … " -Golda Mei
I'll leave it at the fact that the "innocent people" they are fighting for chose to elect a terrorist organization as their goverment. No, they chose a political party that happened to care about the Palestinians and not corrupt to the core (like Fatah). Their military wing, is a terrorist organisation – subtle but important difference. "Israel only allows enough food in to feed half of Gaza's population " I got this from the UNRWA – I suppose they're anti-Semitic trash too? Hamas seized the truckloads of food and ration sent in to help its people Once again, you're wrong. Hamas seized so they could give it to Palestinians (so that they get support and not the UN). After international outrage, they gave it back and apologised. (The last time I checked, Israel has never apologised for any of its crimes) Free elections, right to vote (without being beaten at the polls; ie. Egypt 2006) I'm glad that you compare Israel to and Arab dictatorship that is one of Israel's only allies in the region. Why not compare Israel to Europe or the US, which is what it claims to be part of. civil rights, human rights, fair law and ARABS IN OFFICE The only one that is true here is ARABS IN OFFICE. The rest are lies (ask any Israeli-Arab). Israeli-Arabs are continuously excluded, segregated and discriminated against. Them not being allowed to build houses in East-Jerusalem is just the tip of the iceberg. It's nice that you turn a blind-eye to such abuses. Israel is one of, if not the most threatened state in existence. Hamas charter is based on the destruction of it, the PLO was formed to "drive it into the sea" and Iran threatens the existence of Israel every chance it gets. Hamas (armed with home-made rockets) and the PLO (who has made peace with Israel) threaten Israel's existence? You really do make me laugh. Find me one quote where Iran has threatened Israel (and please don't use the discredited 'wipe Israel off the Map' one). Now lets talk about Israel's recent sabre-rattling against Iran. if thats what you want to call defense then go for it, I dont even mind the term. You're right rage is going to come after attacks of terror, raining rockets and unreasonably dangerous neighbors. Defence? Killing a couple of hundred women and children is defence? Building shelters is defence. I don't remember my government going into Northern Ireland and killing hundreds of civilians in retaliation against a bomb-attack. Why don't you mention the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, which was broken by Israel? So while you are just a raging anti-semite and ant-Israel bigot, and remain un-educated Not many people can claim to be a raging anti-Semite and a Jew-lover within the same day. I am indeed educated and everything I've learnt flies in the face of what you say. but I actually work for civil liberties in Arab countries and for women in the middle east, and have lived in multiple Arab states I find that hard to believe when you show complete disregard for Arabs and Palestinians (and their choice of government, which somehow legitimises their death) and claim that Israeli-Arabs have full rights in Israel. there are people who truly believe in world freedom and democracy for all people alike Unless they're Palestinian and they choose Hamas.
stealing their money, smothering their education system, and training 18 year olds to blow themselves up. I think you've mistaken Hamas for Fatah (and Israel who love to withhold Palestinian tax-revenues). "training 18 year olds to blow themselves up" – I love this one – ever heard of the IDF? Yes, I'm sure killing Palestinians is honourable. Ideas of peace and cries for hope come out of the AIPAC conference, Oh my God I prefer to use my time productively and arguing with a bunch of bigots on some blog clearly isn't going to be. Yes, because everyone who doesn't agree with you and your ethnocentrism must be a bigot. Israel is not perfect, but if you like to make comparisons Yes, making comparisons with modern Europe/US would be nice. Do you know another country which as a response to an attack in defense would flier and let people know in advance before it attacks to save the lives of its "enemies"? Hah! You really are clueless. its given up its land for peace that was not followed through on, its removed and displaced its own people for peace- which was not followed through on by the other side either. It's land? Israel displaced an entire people for its existence. When a country can stand up and honestly admit its mistakes and talk about its goals, you can see their truth. Please give me an example of Israel apologising, I can't seem to remember any. Maybe they should start with apologising for the Nakba. "Peace will come to the Middle East when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us … " -Golda Meir I love this quote. So cute and fuzzy.
And here goes that "defending one's self" trope again. Not everything Israel does to the Palestinians can remotely qualify as self-defense.
This kind of hateful speech only gives AIPAC more power and lends creedence to the Israeli belief that the world is out to get them.