|
October 14, 2002 Opinion Editorials |
|||||
|
Human Price of the Israeli Occupation of Palestine Mission and meaning of Al-Jazeerah
|
An Open Letter to the President of the US, Politicians, and the Media By Mohamed Khodr* October 10, 2002
The Honorable President of the United States Mr. George Bush
The Honorable Senators The Honorable Secretary of State Members of the American, British, and Arab Media
"When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by
conquest or treaty, and there is nothing to fear from them, then he is
always stirring up some war or other, in order that the people may
require a leader."
PLATO: "The Republic"
"Justice without Strength is helpless; strength without
justice is TYRANNY,....Unable to make what is just strong; we have made
what is strong JUST."
PASCAL: "Lettres Provinciales" No. 4 (1656-1657)
Peace Be With You All:
Throughout history humankind has always struggled between the passion
for living and the passion for killing, the passion of might or right,
the passion for justice or tyranny, the passion for love or hate, the
passion to do good or evil, and the passion to follow God or Satan.
Today with the passage of a War Resolution in the House and a certain
passage in the Senate despite all reason, rationality, lack of evidence
for war, the luxury of time and intellectual debate in the
constitutionally mandated body for deliberation, and a nation weary of
war whose voices against a manufactured war is ignored by our compliant
media, dismissed by our Representatives and the powers supportive of
American HegeMONEY, massive world opposition, and the final death blow
to the United Nations first contemplated by Woodrow Wilson to
bring peace and end all wars made irrelevant by the Son of Bush, the
first American Presidential Tyrant determined to fight damn our
democracy, freedoms,civilization, and morality of justice---values Osama
Bin Laden and the "Muslim" world hate us for our adherence and
respect for such "civilized" values---AMERICA IS DETERMINED TO
LAUNCH A "PRE-EMPTIVE" WAR, FIRST ON IRAQ, THEN ON OTHER
MIDEAST NATIONS, THEN ON ANY NATION NOT SUFFICIENTLY SUBMISSIVE TO THE
U.S., PERHAPS ONLY ENDING TO THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT'S DREAM OF ARMAGEDDON.
All this while our economy recedes, people are losing jobs, children
don't have enough vaccines, the elderly are without prescription drugs,
and Medicare and social security may collapse in a few years. It's
obviously easier to kill FOREIGNERS than deal with America's domestic
issues. It's good for the polls, campaign contributions,
re-election, and a rich future.
President Bush in his Inaugural Address comforted the world with an
inclusiveness of all Americans, graciously including Muslims and Mosques
for the first time, and proclaimed a foreign policy of "compassion
and humility". The world felt a sense of strength, purpose,
and respect for principles in the voice of our President. However,
as with all things domestic and foreign in America's historical journey
there was a disconnect from reality and perception when the President
invited Reverend Franklin Graham to offer the benediction, a man who
ignored America's multiple faiths by only praying to Jesus, peace be
upon him, and a man with a long history of being an disrespectful
exclusivist to other faiths, none more so than to Islam "a religion
of evil whose God is a false and different God." Hence, the
world was on notice that this Administration will pursue the values of
its strongly supportive Religious Extremists---followers of the
"Prince of Peace" yet proclaiming hate, active conversion, and
a zeal for Armageddon.
"Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when
they do it from religious conviction: PASCAL: ibid
Such men in our time include Osama Bin Laden, the Taliban, IRA, Kach,
Falwell, Robertson, Graham, John Aschroft, Tom Delay, Cal Thomas, and
other members of the House and Senate.
Dear Senators.
You are being rushed, intimidated, probably bribed, scared of upcoming elections, guilty of your 1991 vote, perhaps out of prejudice toward Arabs and Muslims; are being asked to vote on the "FAST TRACK TO WAR". Akin to our "civilization" you're not asked to think, not asked to deliberate, not asked to question or analyze. What you are asked to do is what our national psyche is always indoctrinated with: BELIEVE IN THE ADVERTISING, DON'T THINK, ABSORB THE SOUND BYTE, REGURGITATE IT, AND BUY IT. Later on you'll find out if the product was worth the price, if it's still under national security warranty, but in this case you CAN'T TAKE IT BACK, EXCHANGE IT, OR RETURN THE DEAD TO LIFE.
Dear Senators:
America's strong opposition to this war is deliberately absent from our editorial pages, our network news, our radio news, or cable coverage. Not a single protest across this country or in Europe, including the 1.5 million Italian protest was ever written about or discussed. What can possibly be the media's reason to ignore the will of the American people? Perhaps it's the same reason the media provides extensive coverage of Israeli victims of a suicide bombing but give either scant or no reporting at all of Palestinian victims. The American people who will die for this "hijacking of our democracy" don't have powerful rich lobbyists urging your favor and attention, even of those lobbyists and think tanks "who do the thinking for you and provide you with catchy sound bytes to justify murder, oppression, and occupation" while serving the interests of foreign governments and not our national interests.
You are in the dark of the massive national opposition to this war, the
hundreds of thousands of Americans who've protested against this war,
the 1.5 million Italians protesting this war, the 300,000 Brits, the
250,000 Spaniards, the Greeks, the Germans, the Japanese, the French,
the Latin Americans, Pakistanis, Malaysians, Indonesians, Egyptians, and
the list goes on. Only Israel's Sharon, the "Man of
Peace" who calls murdering Palestinians with American Apaches and
F-16s a "success" and who's embarrassed our timid Pro-Israeli
President and humiliated Sect. Colin Powell, and Tony Blair "the
poodle".
A massive number of Americans have vowed to punish any Senator voting
for this Resolution and especially every Democrat. Americans who
are not convinced of the need for war will ensure that this
Administration and any supportive member of Congress will serve only one
term. Perhaps that will be too late to save a single American life
or thousands of Iraqi's. You must wonder today how many of these
men, women, children alive today will be buried tomorrow by our
"smart bombs" and "dumb politicians."
Our nation is caught up in a perceived unstoppable momentum toward war
and murder. The purpose of the "Rush to War" is not to
allow thought or opposition. Tragically with enormous blame, our
media is "silent" about this war almost, as if the 5 media
conglomerate corporations are in bed with the war machine.
The contrast with the horrific murder of Daniel Pearl or of the trial of
13 Jews in Iran where our entire government put Iran on notice (later
Israel admitted they were spies), or the campaign that Palestinians
killed are "terrorists" while Israeli's killed are
"innocent civilians". The mantra that there is no
"moral equivalency" between dying from a suicide bomb or an
F-16 rocket, both aimed at innocent civilians is despicable.
Israel's intelligent, massive, and effective public relations, spin,
wordsmiths, immediate media support, ignoring of U.N. Resolutions,
dismissive of all international organizations and treaties, describing
all offensive wars as "defensive", hyperbole of its
existential threat, labeling all criticism as "Anti-Semitic",
having "experts" on T.V. (ironically they are the same
"experts" supporting this "war in search of a
cause")-------are all LESSONS LEARNED AND BEING IMPLEMENTED BY OUR
GOVERNMENT.
Saddam Hussein is a psychopathic killer, yet for a long time he was our
killer. We supplied him with the gas to kill the Kurds and never
objected to it at the time. What's the difference between him and
Marcos, Suharto, Somoza, Zia Al Huq, Pinochet and every Latin American
dictator, and all Arab/Muslim Dictators? The difference is OIL,
he's still there, and controlling his OIL will allow our military bases
to dominate the politics and economics of oil while choking Europe and
Japan, and enrich the military-industrial-oil corporations (perhaps
that's why President Bush raised $100 million for his Presidential
campaign so quickly), to check Russian influence, build a pipeline from
Iraq through Jordan to Israel, allow Sharon's implementation of his
"final solution" by expelling the "Palestinian
Problem" to Jordan, much akin to Europe's solution to the
"Jewish Problem" and so much more.
There is NO logical reason on earth why after 12 years of deadly
sanctions and constant American/British bombing that has inflicted the
severest of consequences that WE don't allow tough U.N. Inspections as
Iraq has now totally accepted without conditions and unfettered access
to all palaces. Throughout the history of this conflict whenever
an inspection agreement was reached the U.S. deliberately sabotaged the
agreement to entice a military showdown. Richard Butler was
an American stooge sabotaging his own inspectors to allow America's
bombing as stated by Scott Ritter who received such orders from Richard
Butler directly.
What difference does it make if we annihilate Iraq after the failure of
the new Inspections or now? All the evidence presented by
Blair and Bush are entire circumstantial or totally fabricated such as
Bush's claim that Iraq's unmanned planes can attack the U.S. Even
our own Intelligence and Military laugh at such absurd assertions.
What will the Arab/Muslim leaders do? Nothing, they're already
planning for a niche in the Post-Saddam era.
What will the Muslim world do in time? Create a million Bin Laden's and never give Americans and Brits a moment of peace or security around the world.
Only the Senate can stop this insanity and work through the United
Nations and the Arab League for total disarmament instead of the
speeches of 'LIES, PHOTOS, AND VIDEOS". America will lose any
and all good will around the world. Bush will win this war but
will lose the long term battle costing many American lives while he
basks in the riches of his oil and corporate buddies, after all
"this is the many who tried to kill my daddy." Bush,
Rumsfeld, Rice, Powell, and Tony Blair have all said "there is no
smoking gun" and "we don't need evidence to bomb".
Is this a hallmark of a "civilized humble nation".
Is Saddam Hussein worth such a future? This is not a rational
civilized way to "foster democracy by force" and liberate
Muslims from Muslim dictators to be ruled by Israel, Christian
Evangelist, and the U.S. military. Very few of you have seen
the fear, anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse of our young marines in
nations such as Lebanon in 1982-1983 (I was there to save many of them)
or in Yemen living among Muslims who are perceived as hostile.
I URGE YOU TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, OUR CONSTITUTION,
OUR WORLD STANDING, OUR FUTURE. BUT ABOVE ALL PLEASE PREVENT
THE DEATH AND DYING OF AMERICANS AND IRAQI'S AS WELL AS MANY AMERICANS
WHO WILL BECOME TARGETS IN MUSLIM NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD.
AMERICAN LIVES, OUR ECONOMY, AND OUR VERY EXISTENCE IS AT STAKE.
LOOK AT THE FEAR AND ANXIETY AROUND WASHINGTON D.C. WHERE YOU WORK WHEN
ONE OR MORE SNIPERS HAVE KILLED 7 AMERICANS. MULTIPLY THAT IMAGE
BY 1.3 BILLION MUSLIMS WHO RESENT OUR BLESSING OF ISRAEL'S WAR, ISRAEL'S
CONQUEST OF JERUSALEM (THANKS TO YOU), WILL RESENT OUR DECIMATION AND
OCCUPATION OF IRAQ, AND OUR EVENTUAL PERMANENT BASIS IN SAUDI ARABIA,
THE HYPOCRITICAL MINIATURE GULF STATES, AND OTHER MUSLIM LANDS.
NEITHER ISRAEL BY OVERWHELMING FORCE HAS SUBDUED THE PALESTINIANS NOR
HAVE WE SECURED EVEN KABUL.
THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. LIVES AND YOUR FUTURE DEPEND ON IT.
GOD BLESS YOU AND BLESS THIS NATION, ITS PEOPLE, AND ALL OF HUMANITY
FROM THE ADVENTURES OF THE FEW WITH MALICE IN THEIR HEARTS.
------------------------------------------------
* MOHAMED KHODR M.D., M.P.H.
VIRGINIA, USA
A staring contestAzmi Bishara*Al-Ahram Weekly, 10/10/02
Those who have tried to reduce the Palestinian issue to a question of terrorism have failed because the Palestinians' cause is a just one. Theirs is a clear case of occupation, and it is the last remaining colonial set-up in modern times. Palestine is the Arabs' open wound, and it hurts other nations too, for it evokes bad memories. Even those who do not view the creation of Israel as a matter of colonialism concede that the 1967 occupation, with its continued settlers' activity and the apartheid it generates, bears the hallmarks of colonialism. There is no two ways about it. This moral, widely recognised aspect of the Palestinian issue has given it the strength to survive accusations of terrorism. It is the wind that makes the Palestinian flag fly high, even when the flags of other Arab countries are nowhere to be seen, and even in demonstrations concerning other causes. The Palestinian flag is the flag of a just cause, even by European standards, and even in countries that are allied with Israel. Neither the United Kingdom, nor France, nor any other country with a colonialist past can deny that. And the peoples of there sympathise with those forced to live under occupation. The Palestinian issue has become a byword for oppression and injustice. This did not happen overnight, nor was it easily accepted by the Western left, with its sympathy towards the Jews. However, since the first Intifada erupted the Palestinian cause has increasingly become a symbol of injustice. And it has ceded none of the moral ground it gained. The Palestinian struggle is not about secession. Palestine is not Kurdistan, Chechnya, Kashmir or the Basque country. While we may have different views on those cases and debate the appropriateness and intricacies of self-determination in each situation, none of them are instance of colonialism. The national aspirations and cultural identity of the communities in the above cases need to be addressed, but there is always room for compromise. The Palestinians have no such room, for theirs is not a matter of separatism. Israel is not offering citizenship to the Palestinians of the West Bank -- it is not even offering a second-class status. The structure of relations between those Palestinians and Israel is relentlessly colonial. No one can claim otherwise, not even the Americans. The United States will not suggest that the Palestinians be slaughtered, or even assimilated in the state that was built upon the ruins of their own, as was the case, for example, with the Native Americans. Even Washington has to deal with the Palestinian issue in terms of colonialism, liberation and independence. Wars may break out, battles may be won or lost, but nothing will change this. Currently, the conflict is about the conditions for ending colonialism. The West, the United States, and even Israel have endorsed the Palestinian state in principle. Consequently, the conflict is now about the conditions for establishing that state. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, as he prepares for war against Iraq despite overwhelming domestic opposition, has recently felt obliged to call for the speedy creation of a Palestinian state. Forget it, Tony. There is no conflict over the creation of such a state, to start with. And the "speedy" part does not impress anyone, not to mention that Britain is in no position to do anything about it. The Guardian, on 5 October, reported that Bush was angry with Blair over his remarks on a Palestinian state on the basis that priority should be given to the war against Iraq and the US president's view that there is no need to apologise constantly about Palestine. This is the Israeli position, verbatim. Yet, before some Palestinians welcome Blair's comments, it bears mentioning that the quarrel during and since Camp David is not about the Palestinian state as such, but about its borders, about Jerusalem being its capital and about the settlements. The issue of the refugees also remains unresolved. Whatever happens, one should not welcome statements that are designed to placate the public and divert attention from the war against Iraq, a war that has nothing to do with the suffering of the Iraqis at Saddam Hussein's hands. Even if Blair made the comments in another context, they would still be irrelevant. What the United Kingdom and other influential countries should do is define their position on the borders of the Palestinian state, on settlements, on Jerusalem and on refugees. This is where the action is. Anything else is a waste of time. The Palestinians have to keep this in mind, for they are likely to be told, exactly as during the Gulf War, that after America finishes with Iraq, it will pay more attention to them and hopefully give them a state. The fact is the weaker the Arabs are, the weaker the Palestinians are. This equation is at the heart of US policy. If the war against Iraq is successful, the American camp will find its voice. 'The Intifada is wreaking havoc on us', you'll hear them say. 'We should have accepted what we were offered at Camp David', they are likely to add. But the Palestinian people, who, through action and not words, have turned the state into a definite prospect, would continue to struggle for better terms. The American camp would harp on fears of transfer. Some people would try to scare the Palestinians, including Israel's Arabs, with the prospect of transfer. If you deny that Israel could take such an action, you appear to be defending Israel. If, alternatively, you admit the theoretical possibility, the conclusion some may draw is that the Palestinians have to accept what is on offer. How low can one stoop for personal gains -- could this extend to ending the resistance or capitulating to US conditions, which is just what some Arabs want. Forget about the resistance, the United States, and the haggling involved. Israel cannot do anything it wants. And the Palestinian people are not sheep bound for the slaughter. The Palestinian cause is solid and fair, so much so that it lends its mantle to others who need support. Remember when Jewish militants entered Khan Yunis to terrorise its people, they had to commit a massacre. Now think, what would happen if they enter Palestinian areas to force its residents out? Would the Palestinian people, with memories of previous exoduses so bitterly vivid, turn tail? Transfer is not a word to be spoken lightly. We have come to the end of the conflict over Palestinian rights. We are at the point of defining the terms for a lasting solution. And, hard as Sharon may stare into our eyes, we cannot afford to blink. Do not forget that the Israelis are also in a dilemma. They too are fighting for terms that suit them. They too are racing against time. * Dr. Azmi Bishara is a leading Palestinian political activist and member of the Israeli Knesset.
Opinions expressed in various sections are the sole responsibility of their authors and they may not represent Al-Jazeerah's. |
At a sizable demonstration recently held in London to protest against a
war on Iraq, the Palestinian flag stood out amidst the sea of banners.
Curiously enough, it attracted little attention, as though it were
entirely normal for the Palestinian symbol to assume prominence at such an
event. But such an occurrence is not commonplace -- not in Europe at least
-- considering that Israel has gone out of its way since 11 September to
associate the Palestinian cause with terror, and considering that US
President George W Bush claims that the Palestinian leadership is the main
obstacle to peace in the Middle East. Yet, here we are: a demonstration in
London, about Iraq, and the Palestinian flag is the most visible symbol.
