The folks at kersplebedeb.com write, "We are the first to admit that we are in no way experts on the history of the Middle East and are largely ignorant of of the different factions within the Israeli and Palestinian societies.
But while a lack of detailed knowledge certainly does limit the contribution we can make, one does not need to know the ins and outs of the situation to know that colonialism and its bedmate genocide (always deniable but always around) are never acceptable, that the oppressed will resist.
It is in standing in solidarity with this resistance that we too can work towards our own liberation, while at the same time remembering that support need not be uncritical in order to be valid or worthwhile."
I could not have said it better myself.
Here is still another opportunity, to quote columnist Leonard Pitts, to "earn our opinions" about what we are neatly told vs. what is the reality.
Occupation 101
(Here is a a history of the occupation of Palestine.
This piece includes a minimal number of images of the deceased.
Note, there is no evidence that conditions in Apartheid South Africa were more amenable than in Palestine, as mentioned herein.
This was a subjective statement to be sure.)
"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance . . . it is the illusion of knowledge"
Occupied Palestine, With Love
"The only clear indication that Israel is willing to enter such a serious process would be a total freeze on Israeli settlement construction in all occupied territory."
"At present, bombers are primarily Muslim, but this was not always so.
Nor does indoctrination play a strong role in growing today's selfselected global jihad networks. Rather, militants and bombers are propelled by social ties.
And even when jihadis use the Qur'an and Sunna to frame their struggle, their justifications for violence are primarily secular and grievance-based."
"And in paragraph 5 of its 19 October 2000 Resolution, the U.N. Human Rights Commission:
"Also affirms that the deliberate and systematic killing of civilians and children by the Israeli occupying authorities constitutes a flagrant and grave violation of the right to life and also constitutes a crime against humanity;..."
As Another Palestinian Suicide Bomber Kills Himself, Switzerland Opens an International Conference on Israel Violations of Geneva Conventions on Warfare By Occupying Palestine
"As a Palestinian director, Hany Abu-Assad fully recognized he was stepping into a political minefield. By making a feature film about two young Palestinians who volunteer to become suicide bombers, he risked being accused either of glorifying terrorism or of betraying resistance to the Israeli occupation."
Note: These important videos can sometimes have difficulties. They are well worth the wait or a return visit.
"Clash of Worlds"
(Someone visiting this page overnight writes to say this is the most "informative documentary on this subject" he has "ever seen." The history and cinematic quality of this piece is wonderful. There is certainly more to be told, but this is a good start from which one can develop some relevant understanding. Each part is approximately one hour long.)
Part 1
India
Part 2
Sudan
Part 3
Palestine
Deliberate Destruction or "Collateral Damage?"
A Report by Amnesty International
"It was a modest house but it was the house in which I was born and brought up [some70 years ago]; it was where all my childhood memories were.
I am very saddened to think that it has been destroyed."
"The damaged and destroyed water facilities include four wells at Fakr al-Din, as well as the pipes between the Fakr al-Din station and Wadi al-Rashid.
Storage tanks in Sidon district, Bint Jbeil and al-Wazani were damaged or destroyed.
Two pumping stations were destroyed in the Baalbak-al-Asseera region, as well as the water line between Sebaat and al-Dulbi.
In the al-Litani area, the al-Qasimiyya channel, Channel 900 and the line from Joun to al-Awwali were hit.
Such extensive damage to water facilities carries a grave risk of disease."
A Call For Investigation into Killing of Cameraman and Other Civilians
"Yesterday’s strikes, which the Israeli army launched after the killing of three soldiers in combat, appear to have been carried out with disregard for civilian life,” said Amnesty International.
'There seems to be a culture of impunity within the Israeli forces which is contributing to routine use of reckless and disproportionate force.'"
"The title is designed to provoke discussion, debate - analysis - which is almost completely absent in my country.
There's practically no debate or discussion of any subject that might bring criticism on any policy of the Israeli government - and I saw this as a major obstacle to the promotion of peace . . . "
Palestine Hip Hop Artist "Belly" Raps About His Warn Torn Homeland
"History of Violence"
"The song is a powerful and vivid look at the hypocrisy and devastation of the war in Iraq and other Middle Eastern territories.
Shot in the 'hoods of Ottawa's southside and West Montreal, "History of Violence" drew hip-hop heads from cultures around the world to participate, including Palestinians, Lebanese, Iraqis, Ghanaians, Haitians, Jamaicans, Somalis, Canadians, French Canadians and Americans, some bringing flags from their mother countries."
(A non-violent, direct action group originally established to oppose and resist Israeli demolition of Palestinian houses in the Occupied Territories)
"As Israelis, we believe that the only chance for a genuine peace is one that enables the Palestinians to establish what we have, a viable and truly sovereign state of their own.
A just peace will also provide all the peoples of our region with the security, dignity, freedom and economic opportunities they deserve.
The future may witness the emergence of a regional confederation enhancing the viability of each of our societies to cope with a global reality."
"A recent report by a clinical psychologist Nufan Yishai Katrim at the Hebrew University speaks of how Israeli soldiers were gratuitously cruel and carried out acts of brutality to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
When you uphold an unjust dispensation it corrodes your humanity.
In South Africa a former Cabinet Minister showed this. When told of the death of Steve Biko in detention, he said it left him cold."
How Hollywood humanises Israel and vilifies Palestinians
"What we are to believe by watching this film is that if everyone would just stop "hating" (which Israelis are depicted as clearly willing to do, while Palestinians resist it vehemently) Israelis and Palestinians could live together in harmony.
But "hate" has little to do with a conflict rooted in a people's desire for basic human rights and an end to oppression."
Malcolm Evans' work really confirms this writer's constant confusion with US "negotiator, peacekeeping" stance against the backdrop of rhetoric that almost entirely embraces Israel's every move.
Forget not comprehending the politics of that, but more importantly how could one ever condone such a subjective helpmate in the struggle for human rights. How could Palestine possibly believe in the goodwill of an enterprise that continually and openly expresses its prejudice toward the other side.
It does not make sense.
Thank you to DJ Pine for this thought provoking post.
Ex-Communicated
Enclosure Landscapes in Palestine
Israel Unleashes Devastation
"The attacks just keep coming"
(Some images of injured and the deceased shown here)
Israelis Against Palestine Occupation
"That's Why I'm a Conscientious Objector"
"Contrary to Israeli war party propaganda in the US, not all Jews and not all Israelis support Israel's Nazi-like conduct in the Occupied Territories.
This simple fact is probably the single most censored piece of news in the United States.
Here are some young people heading to prison because they won't join the genocide.
The Shministim are Israeli high school students who have been imprisoned for refusing to serve in an army that occupies the Palestinian Territories. Support these brave young people here.
The Link Between Palestinians and Native Americans
"The state of Israel sets on land that was originally Palestinian but Zionist movements in Europe and the United States claimed that the "land was given to them by God" and their belief that their race possessed some "natural superiority".
Israel's Bombs Are Only the Latest Variation in the Killing of Palestinians
"In recent months they died mostly silent deaths, the elderly and sick especially, deprived of food, cancer treatments and other medicines by an Israeli blockade that targeted 1.5 million people - mostly refugees and children -- caged into the Gaza Strip."
Young Woman Defends Palestinian Children Throwing Rocks From Armed Israeli Gunman
UN General Assembly President: Israel's Polices Like Apartheid
"We must not be afraid to call something what it is.
Brockmann stressed that it was important for the United Nations to use the heavily-charged term since it was the institution itself that had passed the International Convention against the crime of apartheid."
Time is Running Out For Two State Solution, Part 1
60 Minutes, 2009
Part 2
Imperative Concerning the Palestinian Holocaust
Pan-Africanism and Palestine Solidarity - A History of Anti-Imperialist Struggle
"Yet it is quite obvious that the long-range bombing of a densely-populated area like Gaza would automatically result in large-scale civilian casualties.
The complicity of the Western-based multinational media outlets reminded many of the roles of the same firms in the invasion of Iraq.
The notion of 'embedded journalism' was not discussed in the latest IDF attacks on Gaza, but the same method applied."
"The Arab states are consistently portrayed by Israel as the unreasonable parties, and any efforts on the parts of Arab countries to obey the will of the majority of their people and stand up to Israel's daily theft of Palestinian land and slaughter of Palestinian people is portrayed by Israeli leaders as proof that they want to “wipe Israel off the map.”
Yet when the Israeli government is asked the very simple question, where are your borders, no answer is forthcoming.
Like Nazi Germany, the neighboring countries are expected to acquiesce to all Israeli demands or be portrayed as the aggressors."
(If the conference and Barack Obama would boycott and walk out in protest against statements enumerating conduct of Israel, then they would also walk out on the preeminent Bishop Desmond Tutu).
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