Total number of comments: 12 (since 2010-05-09 13:41:14)
Pat Carmeli
Pat Carmeli lived in Israel 12 years and is married to a sabra. She lives in Cazenovia, N.Y. and is very involved in conflict resolution and the movement for freedom for Palestinians. She is a founding member of CNY Working for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel
I'm not new to activism for Palestinian Rights. What I find so disturbing is the internal attacks one sect of activists wages on another they don't totally agree with. Norman Finkelstein has my respect, as does Ali Abunimah. Why can't we remain focused on one main objective: ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian State? One State, two states? How long can the Palestinians continue to live in hell while we argue what would be best for THEM. There's no one opinion on that issue even from the Palestinians. Why should activists on their behalves have to agree on every tactic? Even in my own local Israel/Palestine peace group, sides are forming. How can we expect to defeat the racism and hatred bred from the power that Israel lauds over the occupied, when we spend so much time tearing each other apart - like children fighting in the playground? Grow up and get back to the important business at hand: alerting our neighbors to the truth of the Occupation and imploring them to do everything possible to make it stop - whether that is BDS - or - adherence to the rule of law, as Finkelstein suggests.
My sister called me from the airport to urge me to turn on CSNBC. Hey, this was exciting stuff for so many reasons. I loved the way Chris Hayes allowed Bargouti the time to finish his full statements and especially was thrilled that they showed the map detailing Israeli settlements. We should all comment favorably on the show's website.
I have often challenged speakers at Jewish events and while I'm sure many were convinced of my "chutzpah", I've always been approached by a few thanking me for my statements. And those who obviously took umbrage at my comments have never confronted me in a threatening or disparaging way. This signals to me that the facts we dispense are not nearly as untenable to those audiences as we might presume. Only by speaking out and raising consciousness which causes people to rethink their long-held beliefs, can we make progress. Thanks to Vilkomerson for sharing her knowledge with those less knowledgable.
COMMENTS begin by bothering to dialogue with hackneyed arguments about '47/'48 when we all KNOW why most Palestinians became refugees. Then the Commenters commiserate over our common agreement over the atrocities of AIPAC. Comments then morph into a tirade of activist against activist, who is purer, and who is abandoning the Mondo-ship. Frankly, dissension does nothing to further the cause of justice.
If you're outraged about the AIPAC folks dictating to our easily bought politicians, then PLEASE take a stand and come to DC this weekend and make your presence known. All the banter back and forth here does little to awaken the American people to the quagmire of control by a foreign entity that we are indeed in. And by the way, last year at MOVE OVER AIPAC my daughters interviewed Pamela Geller who admitted to them (Geller thought they were on HER side), that these "crowds get bigger and bigger every year and its quite disturbing". Hey, I'm taking the drive down from Syracuse NY to "disturb" Pamela Geller. Come down and join us!
How about finding out where these 100 Israeli propagandists will be and then plan on attending the event/lecture closest to you? In front of their audience (most likely at a college or synagogue) challenge them! We can debate this thing until we're blue in the face - but let's take the fight out where it belongs!
All the banter back and forth regarding this video and the tired old charges of anti-semitism every time someone says something critical of Israel! We've heard this before, time and time again. It's the "other-side's" tactic to silence voices speaking on behalf of the oppressed and in favor of justice. The thing to do is to fight fire with fire. All those commenting their outrage (on the Mondo site) should stop right now and send a letter to the university supporting Pappe's speaking tour. Then comment here on how our own democracy and freedom of speech is threatened by such claims of anti-semitism designed to silence us.
Finkelstein contends that Israel "as is" is not ideal. He means to be pragmatic and seeks a solution that will fly with the international community. Anyone who knows of Finkelstein's work over the past many years, has no doubt about his morality and dedication to the cause of a resolution to the conflict and an end to Palestinian suffering. To say that NF is "determined to preserve" Israel "as is", is being disingenuous. Let's not seek to destroy ourselves when we have differing opinions.
Lillian - thanks for traveling to Gaza to bring more of the story to those of us unable to show our solidarity personally. You've done a tremendous amount of good by reaching out to the Palestinians locked in the hell of an imprisoned Gaza, and letting them know that they have supporters outside their dismal existence. Don't take the hateful words of some commenters to heart. They refuse to learn or see the truth - just too weak to do so. You, on the other hand, are able to face the demons and speak the truth, and stand for justice and humanity. A while back we were in touch about you coming to Syracuse to address a group who would welcome hearing of your experiences. Please consider it. I'll be in touch.
Earlier this year I attended an event in Syracuse NY featuring Ido Aharoni, Israeli Consul General NY, speaking of the exciting take-off of "Brand Israel". I hope Wexler has it right and that the "Brand" is leaving a bad taste is people's mouths.
Everyone's comments are impressive. But what we need is to contact Alan Duncan and let him know he has our support for telling the truth.
Alas, my hometown of Caesarea. I lived there for 12 years and it wasn't until I'd returned to the US and read Ilan Pappe's THE ETHIC CLEANSING OF PALESTINE that I learned of the three Arab villages located in Caesarea cleansed in three successive days in 1947. I used to run through the dunes and remnants of old villages and marvel "How neat...Roman ruins". And Freedman is opposed to taking Jewish land and giving it to an Arab. Hey Freedman, hasn't it always been the other way around?
@beebo
I never said I couldn't stomach J Street's tactical approach to a resolution. I simply said I was surprised and disheartened by the fact that Harris hadn't expressed any feeling of remorse on the side of the Palestinians. I'd hate to think that their tactical approach would deny Palestinian human rights.