Saturday, June 13, 2009
Pre-Israeli terror
When the British mandate was still in effect, there were groups of Jewish terror groups. They were called Hagana, Etzel, and Lechi. These groups ranged from passive resistance and strictly defense, to violent attacks on individuals and army outposts. How does this terrorism differ from the modern Arab terror? Where do we draw the line between fighting for a homeland, and outright barbarism? One thing I've noticed here is that many Jews and Israelis are quick to condemn the Palestinians and the Arabs. Again, in order to really understand the conflict, we have to turn the mirror on ourselves.
Maps
First, let me point out that these posts are somewhat out of order, so I'll try to make it as coherent as possible.
Yesterday in class, Sharona made a great point about the recognition that Arab countries give to Israel. We were discussing whether or not we should return the Golan Heights to Syria, and a student was arguing that we shouldn't trust the Arabs because they don't recognize the existence of Israel. She said that their maps don't say "Israel", they say "Palestina". Sharona dropped this diamond of knowledge, saying that maps made in Israel label the borders of Israel as extending all the way to the Jordan river, but aren't the West Bank, Gaza Strip and the Golan occupied territories? Can we really complain of the unfairness without holding a mirror to ourselves?
Yesterday in class, Sharona made a great point about the recognition that Arab countries give to Israel. We were discussing whether or not we should return the Golan Heights to Syria, and a student was arguing that we shouldn't trust the Arabs because they don't recognize the existence of Israel. She said that their maps don't say "Israel", they say "Palestina". Sharona dropped this diamond of knowledge, saying that maps made in Israel label the borders of Israel as extending all the way to the Jordan river, but aren't the West Bank, Gaza Strip and the Golan occupied territories? Can we really complain of the unfairness without holding a mirror to ourselves?
Monday, June 1, 2009
Ziad's answers
Again, reproduced exactly as he wrote them.
Dear Peter
Here are my responces:
1. I have been interested in politics since i became sixteen years old. The situation of the place which i live in and the situation of my people made me become interested in politics. Therefore, i started to learn more and ask more about the conflict and the political situation of the area.
2. I study international relations in the hebrew university and i am active in student movements inside the university. However, i am not a part of any political organization but i do have my own beliefs and write about what i believe in regarding the political situation of my people.
3. My cousin was killed, another one lost his eye, and me myself have been imprisoned because of a demonstration which i participated in against the separation wall.
4. Yes, there MUST be a Palestinian state if both sides of the conflict want real peace. As a Palestinian, i believe that Israel should agree on the existence of a Palestinian state on the 1967 occupied lands with East jerusalem as a capital. Beside this the refugees case should be solved fairly, the settlements in the West bank and jerusalem must be removed. This will assure peace and security between israel and more than 28 Arab countries. Beside this, the Arabs and the Palestinians will declare the end a historical conflcit with Israel.
5. The Security fence is the worse solution which Israel chose for obtaining security for its people. The International Law declines with this wall and even decided in an international court that it is unlawful. It is forbiden to punish people in groups because of the actions of few others. Beside this real peace and security can never be achieved by the use of force. Force will result in more violence. Only agreements and negotiations can solve conflcits and bring real security.
6. This question is complicated and cannot be replied easily. First of all i cannot answer you regarding Hezballah since they represent people who i am not one of them. however, regarding Hamas...although i may disagree with their system and beliefs, I am telling you again that Israel should stop the siege on Gaza, reach a real solution with Arabs and only by doing this, Hamas will have to stop any kind of hostilities against Israel.
7. This is an internal issue which concerns the lebanese people. If Israel is ready to comrpomise a little more concerning the Arabs right since the latter was ready to sacrifice its right in the 1948 lands, then a solution can be made.
8. Instead of telling you information from my sources, and asking you questions such as the mother land of the majority of the Jews who were brought to this land in order to make a state on the lands of people who were living in Palestine before them...i suggest that you look forward and at the current situation...there are two peoples living on this land and the old claim about the non existence of the Palestinian identity sounds rediculous. Therefore, the whole world is convinced now in the importance of makign a Palestinian state and ending the last biggest occupation, This people has the right to rule himself and contorl its lands with no occupier in the middle. Before 1948 there was no state called Israel and the majority of the population in Palestine was Arabs.However, the arranged immigration to the land, and the 1948 war on the citizens of lands made them run away or get killed. Therefore, and since Arabs are ready to admit Israel's existence on the 1948 lands of Palestine, Israel should make its move and make peace with them because this opportunity wont last for ever especially with the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East.
Yours
Ziad
Dear Peter
Here are my responces:
1. I have been interested in politics since i became sixteen years old. The situation of the place which i live in and the situation of my people made me become interested in politics. Therefore, i started to learn more and ask more about the conflict and the political situation of the area.
2. I study international relations in the hebrew university and i am active in student movements inside the university. However, i am not a part of any political organization but i do have my own beliefs and write about what i believe in regarding the political situation of my people.
3. My cousin was killed, another one lost his eye, and me myself have been imprisoned because of a demonstration which i participated in against the separation wall.
4. Yes, there MUST be a Palestinian state if both sides of the conflict want real peace. As a Palestinian, i believe that Israel should agree on the existence of a Palestinian state on the 1967 occupied lands with East jerusalem as a capital. Beside this the refugees case should be solved fairly, the settlements in the West bank and jerusalem must be removed. This will assure peace and security between israel and more than 28 Arab countries. Beside this, the Arabs and the Palestinians will declare the end a historical conflcit with Israel.
5. The Security fence is the worse solution which Israel chose for obtaining security for its people. The International Law declines with this wall and even decided in an international court that it is unlawful. It is forbiden to punish people in groups because of the actions of few others. Beside this real peace and security can never be achieved by the use of force. Force will result in more violence. Only agreements and negotiations can solve conflcits and bring real security.
6. This question is complicated and cannot be replied easily. First of all i cannot answer you regarding Hezballah since they represent people who i am not one of them. however, regarding Hamas...although i may disagree with their system and beliefs, I am telling you again that Israel should stop the siege on Gaza, reach a real solution with Arabs and only by doing this, Hamas will have to stop any kind of hostilities against Israel.
7. This is an internal issue which concerns the lebanese people. If Israel is ready to comrpomise a little more concerning the Arabs right since the latter was ready to sacrifice its right in the 1948 lands, then a solution can be made.
8. Instead of telling you information from my sources, and asking you questions such as the mother land of the majority of the Jews who were brought to this land in order to make a state on the lands of people who were living in Palestine before them...i suggest that you look forward and at the current situation...there are two peoples living on this land and the old claim about the non existence of the Palestinian identity sounds rediculous. Therefore, the whole world is convinced now in the importance of makign a Palestinian state and ending the last biggest occupation, This people has the right to rule himself and contorl its lands with no occupier in the middle. Before 1948 there was no state called Israel and the majority of the population in Palestine was Arabs.However, the arranged immigration to the land, and the 1948 war on the citizens of lands made them run away or get killed. Therefore, and since Arabs are ready to admit Israel's existence on the 1948 lands of Palestine, Israel should make its move and make peace with them because this opportunity wont last for ever especially with the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East.
Yours
Ziad
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