Tag: palestine

No More Excuses

A dear high school friend had the words “No More Excuses” on his Facebook page. One of the last things he said to me before he took leave of the earth was, “Keep writing”. I remember him as I write. I remember him against great odds that anyone will hear or read what I have written, or even care. I write and speak because I must. His encouragement adds a spark; his early departure reminds me that time is always on the move, and so I must be.

As the Palestinian slaughter continues, and we knowingly supply weaponry to Israel; as masked men snatch human beings from their lives; as real bullets replace rubber ones and Trump attempts to militarize our nation, I can only say, No More Excuses.

People were surprised that I dare call out those who remain silent or cause dissent. I was told I was a lessor human being. I appreciate that; and I prefer that. Why? We have designated human beings as lessor throughout our history. And then we displace them, slaughter them, and carry on with our “worthy” lives. If lessor means I care enough to be weary of the silence and discord, then so be it. If talking nice and quoting statistics doesn’t get people to respond, then a heartfelt “shove off” might be the next best thing.

So, to those offended by my response to your silence or trivial argumentation on the most critical issues of our time, I will share what another dear friend told me when I asked what else could I do. She simply said, telling people to shove off is actually a kindness both to them and to yourself. And I realized she was right. No more excuses for inhumanity. No tolerance for ignorance.

And in case you are hiding your head in the sand:

With profound sorrow and heartbreak, we mourn our martyrs — Moath Abu Taha, Mohammed Salama, Mariam Abu Duqqa, Hossam Al-Masri, and Ahmad Abu Aziz، who were martyred inside Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis while fulfilling their sacred mission of conveying the truth and documenting the crime.

This is a heavy and painful loss for us all. Each of them carried a story, a stance, and a legacy that will forever remain in our memory.

May God have mercy on their pure souls, make their blood a light that exposes injustice, and their voices an eternal flame in humanity’s conscience.

The word will remain a trust, the truth a will, and the martyrs a beacon illuminating the path for us and for generations to come. – Ahmed Khaled al Najjar

Palestinian journalist Mariam Abu Daqqa was killed on Monday in a deliberate, live-broadcasted Israeli attack on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, along with four of her colleagues and 15 others.

In a letter to her son Ghaith, shared on social media by her colleagues, Mariam wrote: “You are my love, my strength, my pride, and my joy. Always carry yourself with dignity, and let your actions honor my memory.” – Ahmed Khaled al Najjar

Finding One Another

As luck would have it, our well went out this week. Not a good thing anytime. This was a particularly bad time. We called a reliable friend who recommended a reliable friend. The recommended reliable friend came and not only set the well right, he explained that the well had been dug too deep. We had paid for that “too deep” nearly ten years ago. And of course, there is no warranty on a well from those who put it in.

This gentle man explained a lot of things about the water table, the well, the pump, and the electricity. He was happy to do it. I was happy to learn. He shared valuable information that will help direct our course here. When we parted, we parted as friends and the appreciation for one another was genuine.

It is getting clear to me that there are two types of people on the earth right now. 

There are human beings who have dignity and respect for other human beings. And there are others who are not fully human. Not a judgment, just an observation. And that’s why we are in the pickle we are in. Another observation. The government of Israel is starving Palestinians.

It’s now a full blown, openly discussed genocide. 

There are two types of people: human beings who care and are trying to help and the others who are not fully human. Right now, non-humans are winning.

We’ve handed the reins to the not fully human. And unless and until we take back those reins, we’re in for quite a ride.

For those who believe we are here to suffer, please rethink this. And if you choose suffering, perhaps you could leave the rest of us to the peace we know is possible.

*******************

Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha has won the Pulitzer Prize. “I can’t celebrate while Gaza is starving.”

You can listen to my conversation with Mosab Abu Toha on Changing the Narrative.

Until Humanity Wins

Cori Booker spoke for twenty-five hours on the Senate floor in a speech that outlasted the now second longest speech by Strom Thurmon in 1957. Thurmond, a segregationist, spoke against the Civil Rights Act. His speech proved useless and President Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Bill into law two weeks later. Booker spoke against Trump policies. He covered social security and Medicare, education, immigration, public safety, national security and foreign policy, housing, the environment and farmers’ issues. He spoke at length about defending Democracy. But nowhere have I found that Senator Booker mentioned the slaughter of Palestinians or the Israeli theft of land that the United States government supports.

If I missed it, please let me know, but it seems the Democratic Party is still intent on the ill-conceived dedication to Netanyahu’s Israel that President Biden so devotedly upheld. 

I don’t get it. We’re still supplying weapons to Israel. Some accounts say we are supplying even more deadly weapons. Through the entire month of Ramadan, we watched as Israeli forces prohibited food distribution to starving people. We learned of bombed tents and more children murdered. Any thinking person, any feeling person knows this is a genocide, but we allow that debate to rage on. Our empathy and compassion have been dismantled by outrageous remarks of ignorance and inhumanity streaming from the White House and the rest of the crusaders. 

The Christian Right’s belief of “End Times” – of how it is foretold that Israel will triumph and everyone will be whisked to the pearly gates – bolsters a president hell bent on creating a resort from a genocide. How long will Christian Nationalists be pawns in this power grab? 

Me? I prefer peace now to pie in the sky. And I’m holding out for Humanity to win.

Only 15 Senators Back Sanders Bid to Block Arms to Israel

I didn’t know this when I wrote this. Booker was not one of them. And Tammy Baldwin again abstained.

The democrats are failing miserably. We need a new direction.

He’s Counting On You

Welcome Spring. Walk in Beauty and Fight like Hell the injustice and ignorance. Uplift Humanity.

ODE TO THOSE WHO HANDED OVER THE REINS

Do you so want a Savior that any savior will do? He said you’d love him even if he killed a man on Fifth Avenue and you said, “Yes”. He talked of grabbing women and you said, “OK”. He said reporters who challenged him were evil and so are all democrats and you said, “Yep”. 

He said he would clear the swamp and you said “By all means”. He freed 1500 mostly violent offenders of the insurrection and you said, “Well, OK”. With his unelected sidekick, he began destroying the federal government, eliminating jobs that keep you safe – like park rangers, NOAH, air traffic controllers, etc. and you said, “Right on chief, let ’em have it.” He started to deport your friends, neighbors and co-workers and you said, “Hmmm, yes”. He tells you it will be a bumpy financial ride as he jolts the economic world with tariffs – on allies and enemies alike – and you say, “Trusted you so far.” 

He obliterates the history of Black and Queer soldiers that fought alongside many in combat and you say, “It’s a white man’s world, isn’t it?”

He sends green card holders to be imprisoned in foreign lands – without trials – breaking fundamental laws of our country and you say… nothing. He continues Biden’s genocidal campaign in Gaza to heartless applause…and he cozies up to Putin in your silence.

In less than two months he has shown you how right he was from the very beginning.  He’s still counting on you – to ignore everything he warned you about – and to keep you buying his merch. And that includes electing his mouthpieces, however rude, arrogant, hateful and inhuman they may be. He’s counting on you… to be just like him. 

Here the translated words of new flyers dropped in Gaza (see flyer below): To the people of Gaza, after what happened and the end of the temporary ceasefire and before we start Trump’s compulsory plan which we will proceed with whether you liked it or not, this is the last call for anyone who may share information with us in return for financial support…
Reconsider this. The world map will not change if Gaza’s people disappear. No one will notice you. No one will ask about you..

Neither America nor Europe cares about Gaza. Even the Arab states. They are our allies. They provide us with money, oil, and arms. They only send you shrouds. The game will end soon

Let us prove them wrong. Call your Senators and Reps today, everyday. #FreePalestine

Change Course

There’s no doubt we’re in for a ride as the chaotic upheaval of the government continues. Certainly, there’ll be people in need and hopefully we’ll find a way around failing systems to help. If you’re still falling in line with Republican or Democrat talking points, it may be time to consider the talking point that suffered the most in both parties’ rhetoric: our humanity.

When a government abdicates its responsibility to protect the welfare of its people by choosing instead to build wealth through military industry and resource theft, that government is not worthy of its people’s allegiance. Since October 2023, we have witnessed a government unyielding in its support of genocide. The hand off from Biden to Trump was seamless and now we are expected to complete the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians by a single decree of our president / king. 

And just as South Africa and others accused Israel of genocide, there is now a request for the International Criminal Court to investigate Biden, Blinken and Lloyd for their complicity in genocide by “aiding and abetting” Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

European nations are uniting in fierce opposition to Trump’s erroneous statements on Ukraine. And we must reckon with what appears to be another US resource grab in disregard for the sovereignty of Ukrainians – and what it could mean for other nations if Putin’s aggression continues with US approval.

As the United States wealth gap increases and countless marginalized people face the terror of hatred unleashed and run amuck, we shouldn’t ask, “How did we get here?” In a country whose entire history has been one of attempted genocide of Indigenous people, cruelty of enslaved people and the scapegoating of anyone who challenged the normalcy of the “divine right of kings” – the question should be: “How do we emerge from this horror?” 

It’s beyond time for us to acknowledge, challenge and change the storyline of empire that has been our history. Yes, we have been led by high ideals but time and again we have surrendered those ideals. Whether out of fear of the powerful or the desire to climb the ladder, we have squandered beloved community. We have sacrificed our humanity, our individuality and our human family and for what? Changing course is still an option. It will require a commitment toward peace and peace building. It will require a truth telling and courage to face the backlash that will surely, is surely, coming. It will require a restoration of each individual’s humanity and the reinvigoring of community. It is possible and it is happening for some of us. We can remain frozen in the fear of this moment of violence and repression or rekindle and support the ideals of liberty and equity for all. Choose. 

Send Aid Not Arms

Growing up in a Christian household, I took the benevolent teachings of Jesus Christ to heart. “Love they neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:39) was instilled in me. Fortunately, there were models of kindness and people of faith to counter the hypocrisy that too often accompanies religion.  

Today the stark divisions of faith versus belief have brought us to a grotesque masquerade of power which has nothing to do with “Love thy neighbor.” If that basic teaching were understood and practiced, those of Christian faith would be rallying behind an end to the Palestinian genocide, not remaining silent. Or even worse, there are those who champion the slaughter as the forerunner that beckons the “next coming”.

Zionism, the belief of the divine right to kill and displace people, has no place in humanity. Whether Christian Zionism or Jewish Zionism, those who harbor ill will and use God as their excuse to plunder and murder are not in keeping with the great possibility of being human.

Love thy neighbor as thyself. If we have not discovered our rich essence as human beings, we cannot love. We must know, not simply believe, that we are sparks of the divine clothed in temporary bodies and given this one opportunity to love.

It’s been over one year. People are being starved. The United Nations has denounced the Israeli tactics as violations of human rights and on December 12, 2024 passed a resolution demanding immediate ceasefire and expressed support of UNRWA. South Africa and most nations of the world have declared that Israeli leadership is conducting genocide. We, in the United States, are complicit in war crimes as our dollars, weaponry and intelligence continues to support the inhuman slaughter of Palestinians. And once again, the US and Israel voted against the resolution, which passed with 158 votes of the 193 member assembly. Nine votes against and 13 abstentions

Read more: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/12/un-general-assembly-demands-immediate-ceasefire-in-gaza-supports-unrwa#ixzz8uA7lIMYF

Soon we will be led by Christian Zionists chosen by Donald Trump.

The silence of Christians who are not Zionist must end. We need your voice to end this madness. Let us chose to send aid not arms. Let love of humanity win.

Support of UNRWA. Support of Human Rights.

photo of child – “Growing up in Gaza” – from Al Jazerra.

Two Wings, Same Bird

If you have not realized that the United States is completely backing Israel’s crimes against humanity that began with Gaza, moved to the West Bank and now extends to Lebanon, then I ask you to wake from slumber.

The United Nations has been consistent in its condemnation of Israel and the Biden administration has continued to use “defense” as a cover for Israel’s brutal destruction of communities and all-out murders. It has been nearly one year that we have been witness to this genocide. It has been nearly one year that the United States has given diplomatic cover and billions of dollars to the terrorist nation which Israel has become.

As we remain divided between the two wings of the same bird, we are unable to stand united against crimes against humanity. In this case, the two wings are the GOP and the Dems, and the bird is militarism. The winds that keep the wings afloat are the lobbying dollars of the war industry and of the nations who benefit from the wars of resource and land theft.

Our politicians are bought and sold while our humanity wallows in moral decay.

The political arena is a circus with celebrated clowns, including the so – called third parties that emerge every four years adding confusion to an already broken system. And if you look closely, you can see that international players choose our election cycles to wreak havoc on innocent human beings – as we willingly comply by ignoring the essential for the macabre.

And what is the essential? Essential is the recognition of the primary needs of every human being: clean food, water, air, shelter and the possibility of peace. 

Polls show the majority of us want a ceasefire. It’s time we demand it.

Let us fly on the wings of peace.

The United Nations has repeatedly called for Ceasefire which the US has blocked. Now as we witness Israel’s unchecked bombing of Lebanon, the US and “allies” are calling for a three week ceasefire. We must ensure that Biden does not tell us again how “tirelessly” he is working for ceasefire. We must demand it.

“Lebanese Civilians Are Paying the Price” https://www.democracynow.org/2024/9/25/lebanon_aya_majzoub

Restore Human Dignity

For decades, we allowed the narrative regarding Israel to dominate our thinking and our choices. In doing so, we allowed the humanity of Palestinians to be diminished. We have turned our eyes as Israel developed a system of control that included water rationing, check points, blocked access, settler theft of Palestinian land, homes and sovereignty, bogus arrests and mistreatment of children and so much more. Israel is and has been an apartheid state.

For the past ten months we continued our path of complicity during the inhuman and illegal crimes against humanity that Israel has waged on the Palestinian people since the horrific attack by Hamas.

The more I learn, the more painful the reality. Biden has given more military aid to Israel than any president before him. Supporting Israel’s right to defend itself does not extend to mass slaughter of civilians. As the nations of the world have increasingly moved towards censoring and boycotting Israel because of its crimes against humanity, the United States alone has declared unwavering support for the roque nation. In doing so, we condone genocide. In doing so we prolong the human misery and relinquish any path towards peace.

I am not going to quote numbers of dead, missing, or injured (but you can read it here). I have done that weekly since October. It does not seem to move our hearts, nor do we act to end the madness.

Last week far too many Congress members applauded the war criminal Netanyahu in a joint session of Congress. It seems our citizens are more concerned with bashing the Olympic opener then ending our relationship with the butcher Netanyahu.  This self proclaimed “Christian nation” is awash in hypocrisy.

VP Harris has distanced herself from Biden’s lock step with Israel. It is up to us to make sure that distance widens. The U.S. military aid to Israel must end quickly as Netanyahu seems determined to drive the Mideast into a regional war. 

Keep applying pressure on Biden and Harris to recognize a free Palestine and to restore human dignity and independence – for all of us.

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/not-another-bomb-sign-on-letter/
NOT ANOTHER BOMB sign on letter.

Kissing a War Criminal’s Ass

The brag on Capitol Hill is that Netanyahu has now addressed the joint session of Congress more times than Winston Churchill. For nearly ten months, the extremist right-wing prime minister has extracted civilian punishment on the people of Gaza for the attack by Hamas that killed 1200 and took 240 hostages. The Palestinian death toll nears 40,000 with many believing it’s closer to 186,000. 

The indiscriminate slaughter of innocents, predominantly women and children, and the very targeted murders of journalists, professors, and medical personnel along with the total destruction of infrastructure has led to the accusations of crimes against humanity.

Recently the head prosecutor of the International Court of Justice applied for an arrest warrant for Netanyahu. The process could take months. But the starvation, dehydration and epidemics ravaging displaced Palestinians means the people are running out of time.

Biden has been in lock step with Netanyahu while the majority of our citizens have demanded immediate ceasefire and are now calling for an arms embargo. Yet the joint session of Congress invited this war criminal to speak. Bibi didn’t offer anything new. He didn’t accept Biden’s offer to secure a ceasefire and his cabinet last week rejected the suggestion of a two-state solution.

Kudos to the over 100 legislators who boycotted the speech. Their refusal to stand and applaud a war criminal was patriotic and human. Bravo to the thousands of humans, including the hundreds pepper sprayed and arrested, for daring to expose the depravity of genocide and our complicity with it.*

Biden still has time to rectify his inhuman support of an unhinged prime minister. He has the capacity to pressure Israel to end this madness. It’s up to each of us to demand he do so. 

  • Since the initial writing of this piece, the main stream media news has shifted to condemn all Pro-Palestinian protesters, who stood up against our Joint Session of Congress welcoming a war criminal, and who have for the past 10 months demanded a ceasefire on innocent civilians and an end to US military support of Israel – as agents of Hamas and Iran.
  • These are blatant lies demonizing college students, rabbis and all people of conscience who have from the beginning challenged US complicity in this genocide – because of a few.
  • My writings since the horrific attack by Hamas on Oct 7, have never supported Hamas. Not will I ever support the actions of the right-wing Netanyahu and the illegal settlers that are displacing and killing Palestinian people.
  • We must rise to our humanity and stop allowing intentional media driven storylines to destroy the anti-violence, and anti-war – for all peoples’ sake. Palestinians, Israelis and us. We must STOP aiding Israeli military. NO MORE BOMBS for GENOCIDE.

Weary of War

The United States will again hinder the course of international justice and challenge universal standards of morality. Biden has denounced the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for top Israeli officials and Hamas leaders. 

Since its inception, the International Criminal Court has strived to establish rules of engagement for war and peace – a monumental undertaking given the diversity of thought that exists in the world.  Driven by a desire for human dignity to prevail, the court seeks to create a system of justice that would offer solace to victims and direct the course of human interactions towards peace.

The United States is a non-member of the ICC, and has supported the International Court when the Court has sought to employ justice against its foes, but has balked when the same Court has attempted to enact jurisdiction over the United States or its allies. Perhaps it’s time we evaluate our relationship to power and militarism and attempt peace keeping through diplomacy.  

The United Nation’s effort to establish peace among nations is repeatedly hindered by the United States. We’re often the first to veto efforts to rein in aggression. This we have seen throughout Israel’s inhuman assault on Gaza. Even our allies are turning toward peacebuilding and away from supporting arms sales to Israel.

And in a major turn of events, Norway, Ireland and Spain have begun to recognize the statehood of Palestine. As the three countries united in this action, they expressed it as a step towards peace – for both sides of the conflict. 

Many of us are weary of the normalization of war and the devastation of human life and the environment. Polls are bearing this out. 

Those fearing Biden will lose the election would do well to push him towards peace. 

Countries that recognize the statehood of Palestine.