With Liberty and Justice for All!
Like thousands of others, I too, received Jeremy Ben-Ami’s Independence Day email blast admonishing those who are not expressing optimism about Secretary John Kerry’s “efforts aimed at jumpstarting diplomacy” between Israel and Palestine.
I understand why Jeremy is looking for something to feel optimistic about. He is not the Lone Ranger here. Many of us who work on this issue and care deeply about the people who live in Palestine and Israel, constantly look for things to feel optimistic about. We leave buckets out to catch water, just to keep our cups half full. I get it!
I for one, am feeling optimistic about Jeremy’s letter itself. He asked, ”What would they have said to the Martin Luther Kings, to the Nelson Mandelas, to the Gandhis? Don’t bother; the forces you’re up against are too powerful? Don’t waste your time?”
I was thrilled to hear him praising the efforts of my heroes! Of course, all of them achieved their goals in large part by using the tools of nonviolent resistance and collective legal action against those who oppressed them (using violent means)– Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions.
“What we need from those who recognize the importance of the Secretary’s work isn’t a recounting of the reasons why this may not work but their help in building momentum and pressing the leaders on all sides to make it a success.”
I agree with him that we need to build momentum and press leaders, but pressing them with words and wishes hasn’t changed the situation, which as we all know, worsens by the (settlement and infrastructure) day.
Maybe all the stories about our founding fathers seeking independence from their colonizers has gotten to me, but I hope that my heroes will continue to fill the thoughts of Jeremy Ben-Ami and the imaginations of those who work for peace between Israel and Palestine but draw the line at urging the Israeli government to change it’s policies squarely between the carrot and the stick. Those who believe it is wise to keep offering carrots but reserve their sticks for negotiating with the powerless Palestinian Authority.
I do believe that my heroes are the clear examples of how We the People can and will create change, not with the words which have failed to move those who continue to expand Israel and block attempts to hold them accountable for their actions; but with tools of nonviolent, democratic action that have turned tides and broken institutional injustice, suppression, and subjugation historically.
While we celebrate America’s independence we still dream and work to make it a reality for all the people between the river and the sea, equally, with liberty and justice for all.
”While we celebrate America’s independence we still dream and work to make it a reality for all the people between the river and the sea, equally, with liberty and justice for all.”
That is not America anymore. If it was we wouldnt be here talking about I/P…..there would be no I/P.
RE: “What would they have said to the Martin Luther Kings, to the Nelson Mandelas, to the Gandhis? Don’t bother; the forces you’re up against are too powerful? Don’t waste your time?” ~ Jeremy Ben-Ami (from Chandler’s post above)
EXAMPLES OF WHAT “THEY” DID SAY TO KING, FROM WIKIPEDIA [Letter from Birmingham Jail]:
SOURCE – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_from_Birmingham_Jail
RE: “I hope that my heroes will continue to fill the thoughts of Jeremy Ben-Ami and the imaginations of those who work for peace between Israel and Palestine but draw the line at urging the Israeli government to change it’s policies squarely between the carrot and the stick. Those who believe it is wise to keep offering carrots but reserve their sticks for negotiating with the powerless Palestinian Authority. . .” ~ Estee Chandler
MY COMMENT: Offering more and more carrots to Israel just allows them to make more and more “carrot stew” to consume!
● MAGGIE THATCHER’S “FEARS” AS TO APARTHEID-ERA SOUTH AFRICA :
SOURCE – https://mondoweiss.mystagingwebsite.com/2013/04/supposed-democracy-dictator.html
● FROM WIKIPEDIA [Constructive engagement]:
SOURCE – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_engagement
● FROM foreignaffairs.com: “South Africa: Why Constructive Engagement Failed”, By Sanford J. Ungar and Peter Vale, Winter 1985/86
SOURCE – http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/40525/sanford-j-ungar-and-peter-vale/south-africa-why-constructive-engagement-failed
Hero Alert
Venezuela Offers Asylum to Snowden, Nicaragua Also Hints at Possibility
France Rejected Bid, But Snowden May Have Options
by Jason Ditz, July 05, 2013
This US whistleblower Edward Snowden has continued to apply for asylum around the world in an effort to get out of the Moscow Airport. Those requests appear to have finally borne fruit, as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro became the first to officially offer him asylum.
France was the latest nation to turn down an asylum bid, and Iceland’s parliament also rejected an effort to grant him citizenship, but for the first time since fleeing Hong Kong, Snowden finally seems to have options other than staying in the airport.
Venezuela may just be the first of many options, as well, as Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega also said he was willing to offer asylum “if circumstances allow,” though he didn’t specify what those circumstances would be.
Snowden has sought asylum in at least 26 different nations worldwide, though many of those nations have simply been unable to process a request unless Snowden is able to get to their embassy, which so far he has been unable to do.
Getting to Venezuela, or elsewhere, may be a big challenge in itself, as even the rumor that Snowden might be on the plane of Bolivia’s President Evo Morales was enough for EU nations, at the behest of the US, to force Morales’ plane to land and submit to a full search.
If Snowden can’t overfly the EU in a trip, it may be awfully hard to get a plane from Moscow to anywhere in Venezuela without a layover anyplace.”
If this offer is solid I am sure some of Putins old buddies in the KGB can get Snowden to Venezuela.
Estee, may your dream of equal rights for all people between the river and the sea come true.
But haven’t you heard? Advocating equal rights regardless of creed is the same thing as advocating the destruction of Israel. At least, that’s what some people say.