Why do they hate us? Part 2.

"Why do they hate us" would be a more appropriate question to be asked by everyday Palestinians. They are frequently on the receiving end of right wing hate. How many times have we seen or heard the words "Palestinian terrorist"? It is almost as if the words are coupled together.

Yes, there have been individual acts of Palestinian terrorism as there have been by individuals from pretty near all countries. For example American Timothy McVeigh or Israeli Baruch Goldstein. Yet Americans and Israelis are not tarred with this broadrush terrorist label.

In reality the Palestinian population has been remarkably peaceful and patient in the face of repeated violence and attacks.

Today throughout the Occupied territories Palestinians are facing the ongoing theft of their land and way of life. Three years ago they argued their case against the Israeli Wall before the International Court. They won the case but Israel has ignored the ruling and continues construction of Wall.

Every day this week, like last week and the week before, Israeli soldiers invade West Bank and Gaza cities and towns to kidnap and kill. The daily reporting of invasions and mayhem inflicted by Israeli military on Palestinians is reported at www.imemc.org. In July there were 33 deaths as a result of these invasions. There is lots of violence. In the vast majority of cases Palestinians are the VICTIMS of it.

Meanwhile, in many villages throughout the Occupied Territories, Palestinians with support from progressive Israelis and Internationals are practicing peaceful non-violent demonstrations against the Wall and Occupation. These are happening each Friday in different villages north and south in the West Bank - for example Artas, Um Salamun, Bilin. Yet the majority of Americans have never heard of these demonstrations.

Palestinians are the ones who should rightfully be asking "Why do they hate us?".

Why do they hate us? Part 1.

"Why do they hate us" is a question that frequently appears in American media. "They" is usually the third world or some variation. "Us" is usually Americans.

In my experience the question is easily answered. First, "they" do not hate us. People in poor countries are usually astute politically. They know first hand that governments are not the same as people. They don't hate Americans as individuals and are generally friendly.

What many people around the world dislike is not "us"; it is our government's policy, interference and domination in their affairs.

These dislikes are based on US actions which have negative consequences for them. Our government supports unpopular dictatorships, supplies guns and armaments which are used to repress local populations, encourages governments to terminate subsidies of basic foods, encourages governments to privatize or terminate social services, promotes a narrow version of "democracy" and then ignores or sabotages the results when they are disliked by US corporate interests.

The confusion of the American people with American foreign policy makes all the difference. Instead of 'why do they hate us?" the question should be 'why do they hate our foreign policy?' The latter quickly leads to "What is our policy?" which in turn leads to "What are the consequences of our policy?" These are questions which need to be asked and considered.

"Why do they hate us?" The assumption is wrong and the question is a diversion from what needs to be considered.

Erez Crossing, Gaza

Israel is waging a slow strangulation of 1.5 million residents of Gaza Strip.

Checkpoints that should be transferring food, supplies and people in and out of Gaza have been closed off for over five weeks. The weeds in the Erez parking lot show Israel's attitude for toward international law which outlaws collective punishment of civilians.

I hope all people who care about peace with Justice in the Middle East will speak or act out against this outrageous collective punishment.

What I Learned ......

I recently got home for my visit to Palestine-Israel. Here are some of the things I learned or experienced:

1) Many Palestinian activists think that armed confrontation used in the 2nd Intifada was counterproductive and unsuccessful. In that confrontation a small group of armed fighters put the struggle on Israeli terms and sidelined mass participation. These activists believe that a better long term strategy is non-violent civil disobedience and resistance. This form of struggle can include great numbers of Palestinians plus Israelis and Internationals in joint action.

2) Within the Occupied Territories there are signs of a sectarian (Fatah) PA. There is sometimes an unwillingness to engage in open political debate. In the business world this can be caused by fear of offending the existing authorities and what they can do in response. For example, authorities might not renew a business or operating license.

3) An important feature of the new strategy is that it promotes discussion, debate and democracy. These are essential since it is not just a question of getting rid of the Occupation; the question is what will follow.

4) Conditions in the West Bank are generally safe for visitors. The big majority of people are friendly even when they know you are American. It helps to say "Bush Very Bad". This almost always breaks the ice and promotes a big smile or handshake!

5) There no saints. A few taxi drivers will try to cheat you in Bethlehem as well as New York or Vancouver.

6) Old city Jerusalem is one of the wonders of the world. But be prepared for some very hard sell tactics in the markets.

7) Israelis are joining Palestinians at the front lines of the mass non violent resistance. At Umm Salamun I saw three get arrested (along with three Palestinians). At Bilin I was worried for the safety of one brave Israeli.

8) At the demonstrations Muslim Palestinians join together with Christian Palestinians and internationals with ease.

9) Its the policy, stupid! I met a Canadian Israeli woman who lives in Maale Adummim. She would prefer to live in joint Arab-Jewish community. However now she is a 'settler'. Why? She has new condo for $200K that would cost $1 Million in Jerusalem. There are parks and public facilities all over. Property taxes are a fraction what they would be elsewhere. Israeli policy is to take over more and more land using economic incentives where the religious or ethnic zealotry does not work.

10) On the surface Bethlehem looks pretty comfortable. Below that it is struggling badly. The economic infrastructure throughout the West Bank is in dire straits. Despite taking HIGHER taxes from the Palestinians Israel invested almost nothing into West Bank or Gaza infrastructure.

11) All Palestinians are upset at the Fatah-Hamas infighting. Fatah supporters are in denial over evidence of Israeli-US support for Fatah 'Executive Force' and aggression.

12) The extent and pervasiveness of Israeli settlements, checkpoints, restricted roads and overall Occupation is disturbing. How would YOU like to be prevented from travelling outside your town (or across town)?

13) The conflict is over land and resources not religion.

14) It will take robust INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE to bring peace to this conflict. The Palestinians do not have enough people or resources to challenge Israel militarily. Try as hard as it can, Israel cannot vanquish the Palestinians. The balance of forces are such that international intervention is essential. That means it is essential for progressives in the US to bring about a change in US policy.

15) Palestine Summer Encounter is a good program. We met with many terrific individuals and organizations.

Hate Mail

I sent a letter to the editor of my home town newspaper from Bethlehem. The letter is here.

In response, a reader sent the following letter. This letter illustrates the extent of ignorance and hate among a certain segment of the North American population.

How did the author get these prejudices? Misinformation such as described in the previous posting surely contributes.

Misinformation and Bias

Misinformation or disinformation on the Mideast conflict are common in North America. The following article is a good example. It ran in my local paper recently.

The story title is "Palestinians attack Israeli hospitals treating Arabs" and readers are led to believe that Israel shows a "rare compassion" only to be foiled by the violence of their opponents.

The article consists of a few anecdotes and second or third hand information and some very large "conclusions".

The author ignores the violence, death and suffering caused by Israeli actions and policies. You would never know from this article about Palestinians who have died BECAUSE of Israeli actions and restrictions. Just in the past month many have died because Israel has prevented them from getting to their homes in Gaza.

The author blames all Palestinians for the attempted suicide bombing at the hospital in Beer Sheva two years ago. He neglects to inform readers that the same doctor whom he quotes made an informal survey of people in Gaza and found they OPPOSED the suicide bombing at the hospital.

The article essentially stands truth on its head. The clear implication is that the occupiers are benevolent. The victims are violent.

Following are disinformation tactics commonly used in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and illustrated by this article.

1. Substitute a few anecdotes for overall facts.

2. Repeat negative anecdotes and their conclusions. No problem if it is years old. Repeat it over and over.

3. All Palestinians are responsible for the bad actions of any one Palestinian.

4. Good actions by Palestinians are to be ignored. They do not count. For example, how many Americans know about the widespread mass non-violent demonstrations by Palestinians which have been occurring WEEKLY for the past two years in the Occupied Territories?

5. Negative actions by Israel are to be ignored or forgotten. They don't count. Witness this article which ignores a mountain of information documenting Israeli violations of human rights and crimes.

6. Good actions by an individual Israeli organization or person go to the credit of Israel overall. Witness the implication that Israeli hospitals and doctors normally treat injured Palestinians.

The result of this media bias and double standard is readers who are badly misinformed and highly prejudiced.

Witness the thoughts of the person who sends the hate mail in the next posting.

Poem at Neve Shalom / Wahat al-Salam

At the entrance to the "Oasis of Peace" village there is an olive tree and plaque with the following poem printed in Hebrew, English and Arabic.

Olive Tree

Shafted, stuck among three coconut palms
in a layer of gravel from the Home Depot
in the middle of a junction turned overnight
into a square.

Motorists hurrying home
see it perhaps
through clay pots tilting over,
but they have no time for the twisted story
that rises from its trunk or the flat top of the tree,
trimmed with a building contractor's sense of humor.

Nor can they fathom their roots groping
in foreign soil
clutching mother earth
like provisions from home
since the soldiers cut them down.

The olives, offered and unwanted, blacken
my face
and no miniature roses will divert my heart
from the shame.


- Agi Mishol
(Translation Lisa Katz)