Speak clearly please.

Well, I am confused as to what the Obama administration is trying to do with the peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. This article, like the stories from Le Monde, BBC and other news sites explains that the Obama administration has given up trying to convince Israel to freeze their settlement activities.

The phrase of explanation from Philip Crowly the State Department spokesperson is as follows: "After a considerable effort, we have concluded that this does not create a firm basis to work towards our shared goal of a framework agreement"

I am surprised that they did not choose a sentence that at least made sense so it was easier to swallow! "After a considerable effort" meaning, after offering everything possible under the sun to Israel (including never asking for a settlement freeze again, EVER), Israel's government still wouldn't agree to freeze settlements.

"...this does not create a firm basis to work towards our shared goal of a framework agreement" What I think makes this outrageous is that the sentence is made to sound as if the US has been trying to determine whether it is good or bad to freeze settlements. BUT that is not at all what has been happening for the last few weeks - the US has been lobbying Israel to continue the freeze because it is obvious even to Israel's biggest supporter that their settlement activity cannot lead to peace. I'm not one to argue for the moral character of governments but let me just say this flat out: Obama administration, have the guts to say you are backing down on settlements if that is what you're doing. Don't talk in the "we" about a decision that you had no part it, say it like it is, Israel didn't budge, we're trying something else. I sure hope that something else is worth while.

I would love your comments on this, other explanations of this? anyone?

Young Jewish and Proud Nonviolent protest

This non violent protest took place this week in New Orleans interrupting a speech given by Benjamin Netanyau - I think the response of the crowd is stunning. They are protesting occupation, an activity that is recognized as illegal by the entire international community (except Israel of course). And the crowd goes crazy. What courage this must have taken - to stand up for justice IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY. There is some comfort in being dragged out of a room for protesting against the actions of another group, but being screamed at, booed and forcefully dragged out of a room by the people who are called your brothers in faith. That takes incredible courage.

After watching the video up top read this explanation from one of the members of the protest. It is thought provoking and impressive. Great work.

Farheen Hakeem and the US Green Party

I ran across this program put on by Al Jazeera about a very interesting and inspiring Muslim American women. I applaud Farheen Hakeem for what she is doing and look forward to watching her as she continues running for office!

the simple truth.

It's good to read this in the BBC. Today they are reporting what many people have known to be the truth for a long time: Israel's colonies have been eating away at Palestinian land. This is a basic fact and the truth of it is that while there is talk of peace negotiations the situation on the ground is the division and isolation of the Palestinian people into thousands of enclaves. Check out this short article and the map I have included. This is one very big reason why daily life in Palestine is anything but normal.

You can also listen to this 30 minute press conference with Richard Falk the rapporteur for the UN talking in more detail about this situation.

Jewish Voice for Peace, reaction to "anti-semitic" accusation

Once again and important message coming from Jewish Voice for Peace. I don't agree with everything they say and do but I think they are an outstanding example of the Jewish American community grappling with the reality of Israel's policies and human rights of Palestinians. It is an email that was sent out today regarding the Anti Defamation League's list of Top Ten anit- Israel groups in the US...read on:

Also, check out the JVP website where there are lots of great resources and information.

"My family survived the pogroms of Eastern Europe and came to the US before the outbreak of WWII only to see many close relatives killed in the Holocaust. My grandparents took their profound grief and channeled it into creating a state they hoped would be safe for Jews and a light unto nations.

It is because of their story that I was brought up to remember the past and to create a world that refuses to remain silent in the face of such persecution.

And it is because of their story that I’ve dedicated myself, like so many of you, to doing everything I can to push for a truly just peace for both Israelis and Palestinians that recognizes the full humanity of all peoples.

But to be told by the Anti-Defamation League, as we were last week when they named us one of the top-ten "anti-Israel" groups in the US, that this dream makes me anti-Israel and somehow less Jewish is beyond repugnant.

To the Anti-Defamation League: you do not speak for me, for my family, for our community.

For all of us who support the work of Jewish Voice for Peace, our belief in the universal value of human life is essential, not negotiable. Our work for human rights is based on a vision of possibilities for all of us.

The story about the ADL’s top ten list has made the news across Israel – in Haaretz, and the Jerusalem Post, and Ynet . But it’s also triggering quite a reaction here in the United States, revealing yet one more way the Anti-Defamation League’s Abe Foxman has a broken moral compass when it comes to Israel.

Below is JVP’s official response to being named on the ADL’s Top Ten list.

I’ve also included links to various media reports and analyses.

Finally, if you are as offended as I am by the assertion that the work we do to support universal human rights is in any way anti-Israel, I invite you to join the many others who have made a gift to JVP in honor of Abe Foxman himself by CLICKING HERE NOW.

Shabbat Shalom,
Cecilie Surasky, Jewish Voice for Peace

Jewish Voice for Peace statement on making it on the
Anti-Defamation League's list of top ten "anti-Israel" groups

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is at it again. They just came up with a list of the top ten most influential anti-Israel Groups in America, and Jewish Voice for Peace makes the list. We appreciate the honor, except that the ADL--as usual--got a few things wrong in describing us.

TOP 5 THINGS ABOUT JVP THE ADL GOT FLATLY WRONG

(1) JVP IS NEITHER ANTI-ISRAEL NOR ANTI-ZIONIST.

We do not hold Zionism as a litmus test for membership. Some of our members are Zionists, some are anti-Zionists, and some are non-Zionists. We believe you can define yourself in any of these ways as long as you support an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank -- including East Jerusalem -- and Gaza, and you advocate for human rights, which naturally apply equally to Israelis and Palestinians.

We stand by Israelis that hold these views, such as Israeli conscientious objectors and Israeli actors refusing to play in illegal settlements in the West Bank.

We stand by Palestinians that hold these views, such as Palestinian activists protesting the Israeli confiscation of land in the West Bank town of Bil'in.

We stand by internationals that hold these views, such as students pressing for divestment from occupation and war crimes or activists trying to break the siege of Gaza.

What unites us is our belief in human rights and equality.

(2) WE DO NOT 'USE' OUR JEWISH IDENTITY TO PROTECT ANTI-SEMITES.

We are Jews and allies who strongly oppose anti-Jewish hatred, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab racism.

We do understand that as Jews we have a special role to play in bringing about a change in American and Israeli policy. Israel claims to be acting in the name of the Jewish people. Some American Jewish organizations defend Israel right or wrong, claiming to be representing all American Jews. It is up to us to set the record straight.

We strongly reject the misleading accusations of anti-Semitism that the ADL and others have used in other to protect Israel's policies. For example, when the ADL accuses Archbishop Desmond Tutu of anti-Semitism, it is not only wrong, but it also makes all Jews less safe when facing a real case of anti-Jewish hatred.

(3) ACKNOWLEDGING THE NAKBA IS NOT OPPOSING ISRAEL'S EXISTENCE.

Would the ADL call those that acknowledge the genocide of Native-Americans in this land anti-American?

We believe that in order to reach a just and comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians, the Nakba must be addressed. Without acknowledging the events of 1947-9, there will be no truth and reconciliation. JVP adheres to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that "everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and return to his country." Israelis should acknowledge the Palestinian refugees' right of return and negotiate a mutually agreed just solution based on principles established in international law, including return, compensation, and/or resettlement.

We acknowledge our own legacy of suffering and the horrors of the Holocaust, but we do not allow these to blind us to the suffering of others. Quite the opposite, we have learned from our own history and from our own tradition not to stand silent when others are suffering. The ADL, on the other hand, fights Holocaust-deniers and denies full recognition of the Armenian genocide at the same time.

(4) THE ADL IMPOSES ON PALESTINIANS A BURDEN IT DOES NOT IMPOSE ON ITSELF.

Jews in America constitute fewer than 2% of the population. We would be rightfully upset if we had to recognize the United States as a "Christian state." And yet, he ADL expects Palestinians -- 20% of Israel's population -- to recognize Israel as a "Jewish state." The ADL apparently has learned little from Hillel: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn."

(5) STARVING PALESTINIANS IS NOT OUR JUDAISM.

The ADL protests the fact that JVP members hold signs stating "Starving Palestinians Is Not My Judaism." This one they got right, and they have the picture to prove it. Our question to the ADL is: what is your Judaism?



Want to read more?
Salon:Anti-Defamation League beclowns itself, again
Daily Beast on ADL's "desperation."
New York's Jewish Week
Bay Area's Jweekly
CAIR reply in the Huffington Post.
Rabbinical Council co-chair Brant Rosen.

water and land rights- Israel and Palestine

I've been doing some surface reading of the issues regarding water rights in the Middle East and more particularly in Israel and Palestine. This article from Aljazeera brings up some interesting and important points regarding water restriction and use as an arm, within the context of the disputed Negev region in the south if Israel and the Bedouin populations that live there. I'll try to post more on water rights soon as they are an important dimension of this conflict.

Rebirth of the Blog

I am starting up again, and perhaps moving in a bit of a new direction. I commit to posting more regularly. My current goal is to create a place where I can post articles and other work that I think are important for U.S. citizens to be aware of. Feel free to write me! I would love to hear your comments and engage in honest and respectful debate (even better when backed up by sources!)

Here are a few articles to start us off:

This one is odd and interesting. It's the response of two french college students towards the French law that has recently been passed on the banning of the burka. Here is a short explination taken from my facebook posting that I put up about the same article:

The French article written by the girls that appear in the video is more detailed, thoughtful and political. I liked that!

Here is an interesting... quote:

'L'aspect du débat qui nous a le plus interpellé, au-delà de l'injustice qui se dégage de cette loi, c'est l'hypocrisie des hommes politiques français qui agitent le sacro-saint drapeau féministe sous prétexte de défendre ces pauvres femmes voilées de force par leurs sauvages de maris.

C'est très sympa pour elles hein, merci ! Mais a-t-on réellement besoin d'une loi spéciale burqa pour nous rappeler qu'il est interdit de forcer un individu à faire quoi que ce soit contre son gré ? Nous dicter notre façon de nous habiller serait donc devenu le rôle de l'Etat (comme s'ils n'avaient pas d'autres chats à fouetter…)'

Rough Translation: "The aspect of the debate that interested us the most, outside of the injustice that this reaks of, it he hipocracy of french male politicians who wave the sacro-sanct femminist flag under the pretext of defending these poor veiled women, forced by their savage husbands to cover up.

It's very nice of them, thanks! But do we really need a special law burqa to remind us that it is forbidden/illegal to force an individual to do anything against their own will? Apparently telling us how to dress has become the role of the state (as if they didn't have better fish to fry)."

Here is another posting from a group that I very much appreciate called Jewish Voice for Peace. This is one way that people of influence (musicians and other artists in this case) are usuing their influence to demonstrate that they do not support the occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel.

That is all for now. More to come soon.

A big one coming

To my faithful readers - I am sorry it has been so long since I wrote a real entry. I promise a good one is coming in the next week or so - I am in the process of editing it. Until then check out Helena Cobban's blog Just World News, she is daily putting up important and thought provoking posts about Israel and Palestine in these important and tense weeks.

see you soon