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.