Moving forward

Call to Stop "construction" in Jersusalem

2007-02-07T20:20:00.000-08:00

PCHR, 29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip. E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org, Webpage http://www.pchrgaza.org
Ref: 082007
Date: 7 February 2007
Time: 12:00 GMT

PCHR Calls for Immediate Intervention to Stop the Destruction of Islamic Holy Sites in Occupied Jerusalem

PCHR calls upon the international community represented by governments and international organizations, specifically UNESCO, to intervene immediately to put an immediate end to Israeli destruction of Islamic holy sites in occupied Jerusalem, especially around Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Centre appeals to these bodies to take immediate action to stop Israeli excavations, and to provide protection for Palestinians and their rights, especially their cultural and religious rights; and provide protection for Islamic holy sites, which are an important part of human culture and civilization. The destruction of Islamic holy sites constitutes a flagrant violation of International Humanitarian Law and International Law, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949), which prohibits the destruction of civilian properties.

It is noted that Israeli bulldozers started to demolish a hill, a wooden bridge, and two rooms at the foot of the hill, which are property of the Islamic Waqf. The properties lead to the Magharba Gate, one of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque that constitutes an integral part of the mosque. The demolition activities directly threaten Al-Aqsa Mosque and its surroundings. It is noted that the Israeli archeological authority announced that it started the destruction activities to establish a bridge connecting Al-Buraq area with Al-Aqsa Mosque. The destruction is a prelude to erecting support pillars for the bridge on the road leading to Magharba gate. At the same time, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) prevented the Islamic Waqf, which supervises Islamic holy sites in occupied Jerusalem, from conducting any renovation activities on the hill, which is a component of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

PCHR warns against the consequences of IOF attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem. These attacks include passing legislation to annex the city, ethnic cleansing of the city’s Palestinian population, confiscation of Palestinian property, establishing and expanding Jewish settlements, and transgressions against holy sites through demolitions and excavations in Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Centre reminds the international community that similar attacks on the civil, political, and cultural rights led to the eruption of a mass popular uprising in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) at the end of September 2000.
PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949), which prohibits the destruction of civilian properties including religious and archeological sites that are a component of human culture, to pressure Israeli occupation authorities to immediately stop all actions that threaten Islamic holy sites in occupied Jerusalem. The Centre calls upon UNESCO to fulfill its legal obligation towards the protection of Islamic holy sites from IOF crimes, and to work to stop all forms of demolition and excavations by the Israeli archeological authority.

Public Document

It's not who you are, it's what you do...

2006-03-02T15:58:00.000-08:00

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (LETTER)
Moving toward peace
Saffiya Shillo
Published February 28, 2006 Chicago -- Thank you for "Sanctions and the peace process; Don't blame only the Palestinians" (Commentary, Feb. 24), by Saree Makdisi. It is the only practical piece I have ever seen on the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. It addresses both sides by showing where each stands and what needs to be acknowledged, recognized and acted upon to really move forward for peace.
Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0602240259feb24,1,2100399.story
Sanctions and the peace process
Don't blame only the Palestinians
By Saree Makdisi, professor of English and comparative literature atUCLA
Published February 24, 2006
Last weekend Israel and the U.S. took the first steps towardimposing sanctions on the Palestinians following Hamas' recentelectoral victory. As Israel tightened the flow of money--beginning with tax funds thatit collects on behalf of the Palestinians, who don't control theirown territory, much less their own water, airspace or borders--it continued to insist that it will not negotiate with a Hamas-dominated Palestinian leadership.

The imposition of sanctions will certainly hurt the Palestinian population; but the suspension of negotiations between Israel andthe Palestinians is almost completely irrelevant, because there'shardly anything left to negotiate anyway. Long before the Palestinian elections--by about a year ago, in fact--Israel had effectively annexed the Jordan Valley, an area comprisingabout a third of the West Bank. And for almost two years now, Israelhas repeatedly announced its intention to annex much of the rest ofthe territory, as well as all of East Jerusalem, a positionreiterated by the interim Israeli prime minister only a few days ago.

In fact, Israel's unilateralism predates the Hamas victory bydecades, not just years. Israel first expressed its intention to permanently retain controlof most of the West Bank and all of Jerusalem in a plan formulatedshortly after its conquest of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalemin 1967 by former Foreign Minister Yigal Allon. A single glance atthe map of the Allon plan shows that what Israel is talking abouttoday is more or less what it was talking about almost 40 years ago. Other than in terms of window dressing, hardly anything has made much of a difference in Israel's execution of its ambitions.

What is needed now is not further peace-process negotiations but, finally, a genuine, peaceful resolution of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. If it is to be just and lasting, such a resolution must involve not merely an end to the horrifying and morally unacceptable Palestinian attacks on Israeli civilians, and not just a halt to Israel'sequally unacceptable--albeit much more devastating--provocations and escalations, but also something much more substantial.

For what all the hullabaloo following the Hamas electoral victory has covered up is the essential fact that it is not the Palestinians who are occupying Israeli land, bulldozing Israeli homes, uprooting Israeli olive groves, rounding up Israeli teenagers, imposing curfews on Israeli cities, assassinating Israeli activists, building barriers on Israeli land, demanding Israelis' papers every time they step outside their houses, stifling the Israeli economy, expropriating Israeli property, and illegally settling Israeli territory. It's the other way around. The simple fact of the matter is that Israel continues to occupy Palestinian territory, in violation of international law, inviolation of the principles of the UN Charter, in violation of the Geneva Conventions, and in violation of the most basic codes ofdecent human behavior. The most effective way to address this reality is not to threaten sanctions against the victims of this illegal military occupation (who, after all, never chose to be thus occupied), but instead to impose such sanctions--immediately--on the perpetrators themselves.

Until the Israelis learn, the hard way, that the occupation that they have chosen to impose on another people for four decades is not worth the cost to themselves, hardly anything else matters.
Copyright 2006 Chicago Tribune

Vision for Palestine

2006-02-27T08:20:00.000-08:00

http://www.americantaskforce.org/vision.htm

Please take a look at the "Vision for Palestine" that was formulated by the American Task Force on Palestine. It was published in the New York Times as well as major Arabic language papers in the Middle East.

Thank you Secretary of State Rice!

2005-11-17T11:38:00.000-08:00

I share the sentiments of the American Task Force on Palestine...

ATFP CONGRATULATES SECRETARY RICE ON GAZA ACCORD, URGES CONTINUED U.S. ENGAGEMENTWashington, DC, November 15, 2005 - The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) congratulated today U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Quartet envoy James Wolfensohn, European Union High Representative Javier Solana, Israel and the Palestinian Authority for reaching agreement on Gaza's border crossings, as part of a six-point accord dealing with Gaza's access to the outside world by land, sea and air. The accord reached was only made possible by intensive and sustained U.S. engagement, spearheaded by Secretary Rice's personal involvement in negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.The implementation of this important agreement will be a critical first step in the rehabilitation of Gaza's economy and the providing of much-needed relief for the Palestinian people. It will also establish a vital link between Gaza and the West Bank, all issues crucial to paving the way for future progress between Israel and the Palestinians."The indispensable role of a sustained and active U.S. engagement was confirmed today," said ATFP president Dr. Ziad Asali. "What is most critical now is that U.S. engagement remain at its current level through the implementation of the agreement and leading up to the establishment of a viable and contiguous Palestinian state alongside Israel as laid out in the Roadmap." Dr. Asali also called on both sides to live up to their respective responsibilities in ensuring the agreement's success. "An ending of the closure of Gaza and the resulting improvement in Gaza's economic situation is in the interests of both Israelis and Palestinians and will reflect positively on both the security and political fronts."

www.americantaskforce.org--- for more.

All Eyes on Gaza

2005-08-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

What will history say for this moment? Was it the beginning of a two-state solution or was it the beginning of the never-ending, never honest, Israeli policies and ploys that continue to evade peace and keep a steady cycle of death and despair for all the people of the region?

I hope it is the beginning of a real two-state solution. If it is, it will happen because all eyes ARE on Gaza. I believe, as many other Palestinians, that this unilateral move was not meant to promote long-term peace. However, I do have hope in the people and governments all over the world watching. It will definitely prompt them to learn more about the real situation in the Holy Land. Questions will and have already come about how this came to be; who is paying the cost; and, why has this gone on.

As all eyes are riveted on settlers being pulled forcibly from their homes, images and soundbites of extremism are left for people to decipher. The homes they have built on stolen land go against international laws. The incentives the settlers were given to knowingly break international law and live on stolen land is mindboggling. The funds they are now being given to resettle is equally mindboggling.

Gaza land and the land in the West bank was stolen in front of its rightful Palestinian owners. Owners that were forced to live yards away and able to see and feel everyday the pain and hurt of being uprooted. There was no compensation for the Palestinians forced into refugee camps and, funds to help them resettle in Gaza do not come near that of funding for settlers. Israel needs to find parallels in the current situation. Israel needs to right the wrongs of the founding of their state. Acknowledging their part and compensating for land and homes lost is first. The sense of moving forward after that through good-faith negotiations can lead to closure and a future with peace for both sides.

The entire settlement movement required military protection, unnecessary homelessness, unnecessary deaths, unnecessary violence, hunger, fear, hate and an overwhelming sense of no hope for peace.

There are no winners in Gaza so far. The next step and absence of that next step have planted that seed of pending doom. This modern day era of mass communication (print and visual) can change that.

What this withdrawal means, if it continues throughout the West Bank, is PEACE! There will be no turning back after that. So, Gaza must not fail! Both sides need to make sure that there are no losers in Gaza. The Palestinians need to step up to the plate and demand and outline the necessary measures and funding it will take to keep order and rule of law in the immediate post-Gaza withdrawal. And, that will not happen without strong U.S. intervention. Extremists groups cannot win over democracy and rule of law.

It's sad to watch any people being removed from their homes... even knowing the history behind it. The worse thing about this whole situation to me, as a parent, is seeing children led by their parents to be exposed to hurt and hate. It teaches children to fight against peace. No matter what the ideology these parents espouse, confusion and rage will overcome and rob those children of their innocence. I cannot believe the images of children, crying, convulsing, and being put in a position to bear the brunt of pain without explanation and hope for a better life. What type of parent does that to their child?

What type of parent puts ideologies before their child? I can not understand that. I see it manifest itself in many different ways on the Palestinian side too.

Surely, the children of Abraham were not meant to kill one another for land, most especially in the case of Gaza, when they are both Jewish.

For both sides, what's done is done, and, Gaza can help us to move on or stay stuck in the past forever.

As long as all eyes are on Gaza, we can make our voices heard to keep not only the vision of peace moving but the actions towards peace constant.

Silence enables Violence.

2005-07-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

It's very clear that violence is the root cause of this conflict. Violence begets violence. In this theater there are two parties that dictate the fate of all the people in that region. Israeli policymakers that use violence as an excuse for security and Palestinian militants that use violence to be heard. Unfortunately, violence is the only language understood by both parties and they have successfully drowned out the voice of reason. I'm so tired of the term "moderate." There is an elected Palestinian leadership that has spoken, in Arabic and English to the people--violence is not the way.

The Palestinian people are being misunderstood and misled by violence. The violence that engulfs their daily lives misleads them to think that violence is the only way. They are misunderstood as a people that espouse violence as a means of resistance when just surviving day to day under occupation is resistance. I know, I lived there.

It's becoming harder and harder to speak out, organize and effect change when violence continues to rule. So many children being killed, so many children being orphaned, so many parents burying children... more lives being wrought with hate. The whole world is watching, and, blood is all the camera wants. The voices and images of reason and peace are silenced to the eyes of the world. It's very frustrating. Seems like it's futile to keep trying to be heard... but we have to keep trying.

We have to raise our voices against violence no matter who is responsible for it.

Palestinian Blinders

2005-03-01T06:22:00.000-08:00

We all wear blinders sometimes. They filter out what you don't want to see or hear. I am on a number of Palestinian listserves and organize in Chicago. I see the blinders and watch the effects cripple us.

When I engage in dialogue with fellow Palestinians, I am attacked verbally. I am accused of being a spy or conspirator of of some kind becasue I express myself and the reasons for my views. Peace, coexistence, compensation, reconciliation... those are my views. I have to "prove myself a real Palestinian" upon being attacked. I seem to create total shock expressing my view. After explaining why I feel the way I do, and my vision of what the end to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict would look like, the attacks diminish. I am, however, more dismissed and tolerated than accepted.

The young people have embraced me and look to me for direction. They share my views but see no place to express themselves in a way that can flourish in order to really advocate for Palestinian rights. So I continue to organize and argue... for them. I feel the weight of being a role model and I feel like I'm winning on some levels but failing on others. People are still dying back home, children are still dying.

I observe the hatemongering that goes on. The lack of real discussion, real conclusions. Just a game of points on who responded to what article in the paper. It's so futile sometimes to even try to have discussion. It's all about being a media critic... that wins points... at least so far as I can see. It's about how loud you can scream for Palestine... like so many groups out there funded in social justice do. Are they really there to help Palestinians and their just cause or scream and collect money for it?

And thus you have it, no real healing, helping or looking to move forward in the Palestinian diaspora.

I recently saw a quote at the end of someone's post on a Palestinian listserve. Some people put quotes and other sayings in their closings. This one really struck me... especially because Palestinians in the diaspora are so angry that they justify suicide bombing--including the person that uses the quote. When they denounce it they still justify it. I can denounce it but I can't justify it. I can explain why it happens... but I can't justify it. They can. The quote is:

“The ink of the scholar is holier more than the blood of the martyr"- Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Does anyone really pay attention to what that means. When I spoke out against suicide bombing, I was attacked. When I speak out against people who think that it's a legitimate way to defend a just cause, I'm attacked. When I dismantled a group in Chicago claiming to be a "Coalition of Justice for Palestine" (the umbrella organization for all Palestinian groups) because the spokesperson glorfies the leaders of the suicide bombing movement, they are puzzled. Do they not see or know what Jesus and Mohammed taught?

The Palestinians in the diaspora are missing the boat. They are continually on the defense and can't see a way out. Their blinders are focused on defense and they have no room for the future. They cry about the past and the present... that's it. Any new vision or methods used by up&coming leaders here and back home are dissected and analyzed with a predetermination to denounce them.

They denounce any new ways of opening the doors for a better life for the people on the land--the ones that are really living a nightmare. They can't see it because they are so afraid of change and compromise. They feel belittled enough. There is a sense of holding out--all or nothing--that keeps them going. Even though they are not suffering in refugee camps and in Arab countries that don't allow them to vote or become citizens with basic human rights.

Sometimes just watching this becomes too much. It's generational and the Arabs have suffered and continue to suffer from these types of blinders. We, the Arabs, used to be the innovators, the cradle of civilization, as it's said, started in our world... why do we hold ourselves back.

I try to understand the "why." I think it has to do with a lack of role models, lack of democracy, interpretation of religion, cultural gender bias and other ills. Other communities suffer from the same. Some have found a way to prosper and some completely languish in it.

There are those that can make a difference and lead the Palestinians in the diaspora, but they don't. They are the Palestinians sick and tired of our people's inability to remove the blinders. What they're not understanding is that, perhaps, a real possiblity to create a grassroots network that is second to none is missed. Unfortunatley, they just don't want to deal with the likes of what is out there in the coffee houses, the lecture halls, the demonstrations, listserves, etc. They find it hard to channel all that negativity into proactivity. I don't blame them but I implore them to try as I do.

I spend my days writing and reaching out to some of the most influential Arab and Palestinian leaders. Some are not Arab or Palestinian. I do it because I know they understand that it takes resources, time, dedication and a few close confidants to move ahead. I understand why they hesitate, but, more now than ever, we need to tackle this monster. We, the people that want peace based on justice, based on compromise, based on reality, need each other to do this.

Because we don't have a grassroots effort to make 100 phone calls in one hour from people nationally, or 25,000 letters to a Congressperson in a week, we will not be able to create real change from our elected officials. Real success will come when the blinders come off and leadership emerges to offer focus, instructions and direction to the Palestinians in the diaspora.

I hope I succeed in convincing those that can make a difference do so... for the young people that don't want to cry for Palestine another 50 plus years. I know I'll keep organizing and speaking out.

Jewish American peace group invites Palestinians to speak

2005-02-22T07:07:00.000-08:00

I just returned from the Brit Tzedek v Shalom (Jewish Peace Alliance) annual conference. I am encouraged and burdened with the task of how to do something similar in my community. Offer the vehicle for expression and growth in the Palestinian American community. And, offer legitimate ways to contribute and work with others interested in the self-determination of Palestinians and the creation of a Palestinian state.

The Jewish Americans of Brit Tzedek v Shalom love Israel but don't love it so blindly that they forget about or negate the basic human rights for the Palestinians. They are the silent majority of Jews that are speaking up, organizing, enabling proactivity in their community and opening the door to our community to work together.

They want to challenge the status quo because it does not reflect what they represent. They understand that criticizm of Isreali government policy does not mean the "end of Israel" when they do it. They need to understand that the same holds true for our community too. We should be able to criticize and not be attacked and we need to stand together here in the U.S. where WE really CAN make a difference. Brit Tzedek v Shalom provided the voice for that message.

Note: The actual presentation may have been slightly different as I ad-libbed and cut short pieces in the interest of time.

Presentation to Brit Tzedek v Shalom
2/20/05 and 2/21/05 - New York City, New York
by Saffiya Shillo

I want to thank BtvS for having me and the opportunity to address you. I know how difficult it is to organize around peace work and open the door for the “other” to be heard.

Putting together a conference that includes listening to our voices—the voices of the Palestinian community is so critical. And, I commend you all for being here to listen. I too put together events and conferences bringing together our voices and I understand the challenges in doing so.

One of the main issues I want to stress here today to a predominantly Jewish audience is a Palestinian perspective on the status of the struggle for my community to be heard.

This lends to our organizational capabilities and our ability to be acknowledged.

When I was trying to describe how Palestinians organize, live and what we need, I realized that there are several overlapping challenges that bind my community and that muffle the voices of the moderates who are the majority and who seek peace based on a compromise that is just and fair.

Palestinians have lived a life based on a dream. We dream about a time when Palestine will be re-established. We dream about a time when there will be no conflict; when we can visit our homeland without fear. We dream about a time when our people can live normal lives on a land that we can call our own without someone else wanting to come and control it, occupy it, settle it or take it.

Occupation “the buzz word” It is both loaded for your community and mine.

Palestinians live in a multi-layered occupation. We are occupied … that’s not in dispute. We are and have been occupied from time immemorial by someone. But, we are also occupied not only by foreign nations and armies and people, but also by ourselves.

The people. Peer pressure. Social pressure. We live in a society where people are afraid to speak their minds, where one extremist can damage the freedom of thousands of people.

I do not support suicide bombings. I don’t even believe in the use of violence to defeat an enemy and I believe instead in the proven power of non-violence that can defeat the mightiest of armies.

But we are not allowed to speak because our people are occupied by emotion, anger, suffering and the hurt of the continued military occupation. There is a rage that comes from this that is illogical and unbending and uncompromising. And this rage is not only driven by emotion and the pain of seeing a friend, relative, child or parent killed in this conflict, but it is exploited by those who oppose freedom and Democracy and who use it to control others. This rage speaks louder than reason. And because of that, the moderates, who are the majority, find it hard to break through.

And now, here in the U.S, Palestinian Americans find themselves struggling to be invisible and yet at the same struggling to be heard. All this under the burden of so many conflicting emotions. Many Palestinians directly support their families and extended families back home. I don’t know of one family that doesn’t send money to relatives two, three, four or five times removed. In Chicago’s Palestinian community and I would guess other areas a large majority are small business owners that work up to 70 hours a week. Children don’t see their fathers, mothers are single parenting. All this to put food on the table here and there. They are consumed with trying to make a better life that they fear being vocal may jeopardize that. It really doesn’t matter what type of job they have or what class level they are, they are perplexed at how to manage their stresses. The stress of not speaking out at injustices on both sides. Watching television is a nightmare. Everyone basically talks back to the television… cursing and responding.

We find ourselves frustrated with no outlet for expression, afraid, lonely confused, with our situation. We desperately want an end to all of the suffering.

We live in a communications world where we are not able to communicate. Communications freely bash us, surround us, suffocate us, deny us, provoke us, undermine us, and yet prevent us from communicating.

On other levels we have had successes… our women’s group in Chicago held daily peaceful demonstration against the SunTimes for its derogatory portrayal of Palestinians. We made a concerted effort to get the Arab men business owners to stop selling the paper. It worked and they gave in to more positive stories for a while. I can only imagine what a difference we would have made if we were American Jews and Palestinians standing together.

The women are continually working to show the humanity of our people to the world and to our children who are bombarded with negative examples. Here in the U.S. and back home. We bring in speakers and role models to say the things that need to be said. Violence is not the way. We are better than that and we can succeed—that’s our message. As women we see ourselves as responsible for the next generation’s mental health and well being. I work in social services in the Arab community. I deal with immigrants who come here and are devastated from the lives they had in Gaza and the West Bank. The most recent immigrants of two to four years are suffering on so many levels—no one can even begin to explain the effects of occupation, restriction of movement, daily witnessing of death, homelessness and chaos—I will not try, but I can say that the remedy will be generational. I understand that and don’t want to see it continue… so we organize and keep active to keep the humanity of ourselves and our children safe. We are up against a world that continues to portray us as barbaric, it’s not fair. We are not able to define ourselves in the communication world.

The media not only amplifies the voices of extremism, they mute the voices of moderates. The newspapers do not want moderate proclamations or views. They do not want moderate Palestinians voices. When Palestinians are given a voice, they are imprisoned in a system that dictates that they speak as extremists, always responding to attacks rather then seeking to educate the audience and open eyes of reason.

There are only one or two Palestinian American nationally syndicated columnists that I am aware that write about the Palestinian/Israeli conflect and one I know very well that writes from and in Chicago, Ray Hanania, They are forced to be “respondents,” required to always provide the “other side” … and the media expects the otherside to fit a certain pattern of thought and they demand that those voices meet that criteria.

What we need to do and what we can do is write in to support these people to show a demand for their writings, to show them support too. That’s something we can do collectively.

We can’t explore a future of peace if we are constantly forced to defend ourselves or respond to the other side.

Organizing in my community…

Organizing is a difficult topic to address and difficult to explain. In many of our organizations, we are asked to follow, not participate, not lead, not challenge.

After September 11, people do not want to write checks to an Arab organization or be seen at an Arab event. It is absolutely impossible to raise funds in this environment.

Our problem is not the structure, our problem is the environment in which we operate.

We are constantly on the defensive. We are forced to respond, so we cannot explore the future vision of peace and compromise.

We have a great pool of talented leaders, writers and voices who support peace based on justice, fairness AND non-violence. But instead of being seen as people supporting justice, fairness AND non-violence, we are treated by all sides as unwanted orphans of a system that does nothing to support, encourage or reinforce.

Partnering

The answer is on our shoulders to break free from this challenge, Palestinians need to stand up and speak out against unjustified violence, and do a better job of speaking, not being inhibited by emotion. We need to speak with strategic voices, not emotional voices. We need to speak with reason.

Yet, as we struggle, we also need partners in the society where we need the most to stand up and be heard. Here in America. Our strongest opposition comes from the very community that would benefit from our success, the very community that needs strong, moderate voices.

You. The pro-Israel community. The moderate Jewish American community.

I understand your challenges. They are different from our own. You need to balance off your own moderation against a force of extremism that exists around you in your own community, too. You watch your words and your actions and are strategic.

But you have voices and you need to raise the volume.

If this conflict has damaged you, it has made you insensitive and too sensitive, maybe, of criticism. You fear that any criticism of Israel that does not come from your organizations is a criticism that will lead to the destruction of Israel. When a Palestinian criticizes Israeli government policy, that Palestinian is doing so from a very unique stance: they are criticizing with moderation and they are criticizing in an environment that pushes them emotionally.

As a result, instead of hearing the good that is in that criticism, you fear the excess that is the result of a difficult environment that is constricting.

We have to protect ourselves not only from your critical responses and sometimes attacks from the extremists in your ranks who will denounce us as anti-Semitic, but we also have to fight the challenges from within. The extremists among us who can stand up and attack us and denounce us and undermine us to such an extent that our leaders and our organizations would rather appease their extremism than standup for moderation.

It is so much easier to not fight back those behind us, because we are already consumed and overwhelmed with the struggle in front of us.

We are fighting two battles and the extremists behind us have more influence over us than those with which we seek to make peace in front of us.

That is the balance that has to be changed. We need to be strong enough to turn away from those who seek to undermine us for saying what needs to be said, and instead focus on the challenge in front of us and say what needs to be said.

I believe we both seek the same thing. An end to the conflict. And end to the violence. And end to the suffering. Two-states, side by side that are free and that are safe and secure. The growth of freedom.

I even believe that you also support sharing Jerusalem, in an environment where sharing is not a threat. Two states mean separation. Sharing means coexistence. You must accept the fate of sharing as the natural consequence of two-states. Jerusalem must be shared.

Supporting your rights will not undermine my rights if we both work together. Supporting my rights will not undermine your rights if we both work together.

What we need to do is act and set an example and change the way this conflict progresses in a real, balanced manner that allows us both to move forward.

Most importantly, in this fight here in the U.S., what we’re losing that is most valuable is the ability for us Jews and Palestinians here to come together and stand together against policies that are killing our people and creating ongoing struggle that will see others like me standing in a room like this, speaking to crowd like this, saying the same thing because nothing changed… nothing moved forward. It doesn’t have to be that way.

This conflict is not about Jews and Israelis versus Palestinians and Arabs. Instead, there is a new equation we have to recognize. It is a battle between extremists and moderates. The dividing line is not between our two communities but amongst our two communities. We have to define that line clearly for both of ourselves, and then decide for ourselves which side we want to be on.

But, if we do not draw the line, and clearly define which side is which, our communities which are caught up in a heated, emotional and very complex fight will not be able to see the path to moderation, even though they are moderates. The moderates are lost in a maze and it is up to us, as Palestinians, Jews, Israelis and Arabs to work together to define that path and lead them to the promised land.

Thank you

Jewish American group rises to the challenge

2005-01-27T17:17:00.000-08:00

The link below will allow you to register you concern to President Bush. This link will take you to the work of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom. The only Jewish organization that I know of actively looking to end this conflict with reasonable goals for both sides. This is exactly what the Palestinian community needs to mirror. However, coming from the Jewish community, it means much more. I believe it will take this type of activity to make a difference. Knowing that we can all (Jew, Arab, Americans, people all over the world) read it and agree with it, is encouraging.

So, send your message through this link. You don't have to be Jewish. Aliza Becker, Executive Director of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, I commend you!!!

http://message.btvshalom.org/t-home2

Saffiya Shillo

Thou Shalt Not Steal

2005-01-24T21:32:00.000-08:00

Thou Shalt Not Steal
Surely, everyone can understand the eighth of the Ten Commandments relayed to Moses by God to the people on Mount Sinai after they were delivered from slavery in Egypt.

“And God spoke all these words, saying: ‘I am the Lord your God…’

“Thou Shalt not Steal.”

What we are witnessing today, not far from the Sinai is blatant theft of land by the Israeli government. Palestinians now living 20 miles from their homes and properties have been forced out by Israel. The Palestinians are unable to get to their land due to the Wall built by Israel. A Wall built on Palestinian land, not on proper borders.

As reported in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, “The Sharon government implemented the Absentee Property Law in East Jerusalem last July, contrary to Israeli government policy… The decision was presented to the prime minister and attorney general and met with their approval, but the decision was not publicized until now and is not listed on the Web site of the Prime Minister's Office.”

This law allows for illegal and immoral theft of property from the rightful and present owners.
The article went on to say, “When East Jerusalem came under Israeli law, then-attorney general Meir Shamgar directed that the law not be applied to West Bank residents who have property in the parts of East Jerusalem that became part of the State of Israel. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin reissued that directive in 1993.”

Palestinians are watching their land being stolen right from under them. Via this unlawful law, Israel matter-of-factly steals the land. It’s just absolute theft!

People often wonder why those people in the Middle East have been fighting over land for over 50 years now. Well, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. The Israeli’s are stealing land owned by Palestinians, and have done so for before. What this creates are more Palestinian refugees. You can cast blame where you want but, ultimately, it is the Israeli's that are stealing land. Right NOW they are displacing Palestinians. Not just by theft but by home demolition as well. You don't have to go back 50 years this time.

These acts are immoral and against all religions and conventions. The silence is deafening.

In America today we take the simple-one message approach. Things are either good or bad; you're either on the side of good or evil. Well, this issue forces us to choose sides and be accountable for the consequences. Why? Because, we sit by and watch our ally, one we support monetarily, a supposed democracy, arrogantly thumb its nose at morality with our help. Security is no excuse.

Palestinians have been owners of the land for thousands of years. Palestinians and Jews have lived as neighbors side by side in peace for thousands of years before the inception of Israel. They are all "people of the book."

The land in East Jerusalem is being stolen NOW. Don’t support it and don’t be a party to it. The result is only more conflict with more children dying on both sides.

The onus is on America to act swiftly and on principle. And, more importantly, Jewish Americans, the Israeli public and Jews all over the world should be outraged and vocal. How can they sit by and allow this to happen. Their image has and will continue to be tarnished worldwide. Their children will continue to live in conflict for years to come because of this. It is the root of evil in this whole conflict.

You cannot steal a person's home and property while they are on it, erase their history and deny them a future. It won’t work. You should not turn a blind eye to it either. No matter how strong your army, your lobby, your influence in mass media… the ugliness and ill-effects will present themselves. The quest for freedom and justice and the will of the Palestinian people cannot be deterred.

We can all register our indignation on this.

Another simple understandable piece to this--the last of the Ten Commandments:
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house… or his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your
neighbors.”

It has to stop now--for the love of God.

Saffiya Shillo

24/7 without resolution...

2005-01-15T19:12:00.000-08:00

Some days I check my email a little too often than I want.

I am involved in discussion with so many people, American, European, Palestinian, Israeli, Jewish, you name it. I feel so wiped out at the end of the day from trying to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I organize events for the Arab community where I live and nine times out of ten I am so beaten up by the community before, during and after the event that I wonder why I even bother.

I just can't give up on my people. I see where we need work and I forgive them but it erks me how they behave. Someone didn't get the spotlight; someone else doesn't like my politics and tells others not to come; someone else doesn't like my friends; others boycott the event because I talk to Jews; some don't like any one of the listed organizers, some organizations won't align with an event because they have class issues or political differences, some don't want to appear involved in any politics, some are afraid of undercover FBI or law enforcement presence; someone else expects a free ride; others want their name all over the event and then don't even show up and/or support it... the list goes on and on.

The problem the Palestinian community faces is their inability to agree or agree to disagree amicably. They are so divided on so many issues that they can't even unite under one message... ending the occupation, justice for the Palestinians. They attack.

Some groups have criteria you have to accept before they can stand together with you or you with them. Some groups require a resume to get in; some a B.A. a Masters, Ph.D. or ; others require you to be rich (with or without the smarts). Almost none require accountability to the people they represent because they don't go grassroots. They have the money and the influence but they don't use it in a manner that can result in success. Oh they have successes here and there, but they tend to be more for the person not the people. Some are understandably afraid to go grassroots. They don't want to invite discourse or the end of all they've worked for. The time to stand up is now. We need role models, mentors, leaders that will stand up for what's right, educate our own on how to move forward and move. All this dialog and never ending anxiety can channel into proactivity through a grassroots movement that speaks for everyone. The elements are already there for the making... it just hasn't clicked yet. We see injustice and we can speak to it but we don't see the damage we do to ourselves and our brethren by not mobilizing together.

Yet, still our children are dying, people are suffering, my Uncle in the West Bank can't get to the doctor for his medicine, my cousin wastes away in prison for trying to get to work while his baby is born without a doctor under curfew... horrific loss of life and homelessness abounds the people--my people. As I go on from the comfort of my home feeling bad about not being able to do more and being able to live my life in freedom, I feel an overwhelming sense of guilt. Where can I do more, why am I not taken seriously, why can't I get people to listen? Why can't WE do more, why can't WE come together, why don't WE use our affluence and influence to the betterment not detriment of our people? Why? Why has it taken so long to get where we are and we still need to go so much further?

Saffiya Shillo

Palestinians Moving Forward

2005-01-11T17:25:00.000-08:00

The Palestinian people have elected a new President. That tells the world that under the duress of a brutal occupation and against all odds, the Palestinian people's will to prosper cannot be defeated.

If you live in the U.S. you will never get a fair account of their story and daily struggles.

I know, the Palestinian people want a better life; they want peace; they want an end to the death and destruction of their lives and future. They voted for a candidate whose message was no violence. Resistance and violence are two separte issues that have been blurred by hate. Security is also no excuse to use inhumane violence against anyone.

As I see it, the Palestinians are under a brutal occupation and ordinary day to day life is difficult so they are reluctant to say anything against supporters of violence. They did speak up at the ballot box. I don't believe there was any corruption within the voting system that took place... nothing that would have rendered a different outcome.

I am Palestinian and have family there that I am in contact with. One way to help remedy the situation should involve a trusted Palestinian leadership connected globally that educates their own first about how to be vocal, organize and defend their just cause. This movement requires a strong base in Palestine and U.S.--where changing the way things are done to effect change can effect results. The movement will not exclude Palestinians all over the world. It requires unification under a strong, clear and solid message. How that message is delivered from within and to the outside world is key.

People need to allow good leadership to lead and recognize that peace with justice requires a willingness to compromise for a better life. What is, is. We cannot change the past. We can make a better life and prosper. It's not enough to express regret and condemnation among ourselves when things go wrong. We have to work to change things.

The violence over the past several years has taken away the essence of our just cause. No matter what your feelings about the violence--it has been instrumental in skewing the facts, blurring the cause and creating strife from within but most of all it results in the homelessness and killing of more of our children. We suffer more. There is no excuse for killing innocent people no matter who they are Israeli or Palestinian--no more children should die. NO MORE CHILDREN SHOULD DIE! What does it take to move a people to effectively make change happen?

As Palestinians, we need to work on ourselves first in order to be effective and create a movement globally with one message. I meet and talk with Palestinians, young and old, all over the world. They are all looking to shed the fear of speaking out but have no vehicle to do so.

In addition, I have been in contact with many Palestinian leaders and organizations that have what it takes. However, something is always holding them back. It saddens and frustrates me. I know exactly what it is that holds us back and I'll write more about it in my next piece. v

Saffiya Shillo