palestine – RI Future

June 9, 2016

Protecting freedom to boycott oppression

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In February 2016, Representative Mia Ackerman introduced a bill H7736 “An Act Relating to Anti-Discrimination in State Contracts.” On its surface, this legislation seems to be an attempt to prevent the State of Rhode Island from entering into contracts with businesses that engage in discrimination based on “race, color, religion, gender, or nationality” —a position that appears respectable and moral.

But in reality, it is eminently clear that this bill is an effort to thwart the legitimate and constitutional rights of individuals and private companies to use the historic, legal, and non-violent practice of boycotts. There is a growing movement of conscience to use boycotts as a peaceful strategy against the human rights violations imposed by Israel against the Palestinian people. This House Bill as proposed would itself discriminate against those have taken a principled stance for justice and international principles of human rights. The negative chilling effect this legislation would have on the free and just expression of conscience runs counter to the very spirit, practice and legacy of the State of Rhode Island and its founder Roger Williams.

Boycotts have long played a significant role in U.S. history as evidenced prominently by the civil-rights movement and the anti-apartheid South African divestment movement. The Supreme Court itself has ruled that boycotts “to effect political, social, and economic change” are protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. There is a growing movement to use boycotts as a strategy against the human rights violations imposed by Israel against Palestinians in Israel and the occupied Palestine territories.

Detractors claim that calls for the “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions” (BDS) of companies that are involved in human-rights violations in Israel and the occupied West Bank are anti-Semitic and aimed at bringing about the eradication of Israel. BDS is not a challenge to Judaism or Jewish people, it is a non-violent tactic targeting Israeli policy of occupation of the West Bank and Gaza; thousands of Jewish citizens in the United States support BDS. Importantly, the BDS movement does not target individuals based on their Israeli nationality; it targets Israeli institutions and other companies doing business in Israel and within the illegal West Bank settlements—strictly because of their complicity in human-rights violations. Such calls for boycott are based on deep concerns for human dignity, human rights and international law and are indeed intended to effect peaceful and positive “social and political change.”

As the Rhode Island chapter of the national organization Jewish Voice for Peace, we strongly oppose this bill in our state house. Jewish Voice for Peace membership includes both Jewish and allied members that are inspired by Jewish tradition to work together for peace, social justice, and human rights.

As an organization of Jews and allied friends, Jewish Voice for Peace Rhode Island supports BDS as a non-violent and legal means to apply economic and political pressure on the Israeli government to end the unjust system of occupation and to comply with international law, giving due rights to Palestinians and to Arab citizens of Israel. We believe that these tactics need to be protected from attempts to curtail them through legislative measures like H7736 and strongly urge House Speaker Mattiello and other members of the legislature to prevent passage of this bill.

April 5, 2016

Don’t give up on two-state Israel Palestine solution

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Those writing about the Israel-Palestine conflict often demonize one side or the other, not that hard to do as both have done, and are doing, bad things. But neither Israelis nor Palestinians can make the other side surrender, go away, or disappear, so conflict continues and the demonization doesn’t get either side anywhere. Indeed, this is one element of the destabilization of the Middle East which is putting the whole world at risk.

However, it is possible to be both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian, not by spreading hate one way or another, but by working for a two state solution where Israelis and Palestinians each have their own state. This will require efforts at reconciliation, mutual understanding, and compromise on all sides.

Indeed there is a local RI effort to this end. On April 7, 8, 9 an Israeli settler and a Palestinian activist now working for peace will be talking about “Seeing the Humanity in Your Enemy” at Brown, a synagogue, and a mosque.

The outlines of a two-state solution have long been evident. The Israelis will have to give up the dream of incorporating most of the West Bank, stop the settlement expansion and withdraw from some of them, allow East Jerusalem to be the Palestinian capital, share resources more equitably, end their Gaza blockade, allow freer passage between Gaza, the West Bank, and the rest of the world. Palestinians will have to give up the dream of “right of return” for refugees and descendants to go to Israel, call off boycotts, stop the digging of attack tunnels, accumulating rockets and their occasional firing from Gaza, stop the incitement to kill Jews and the celebration of those who do, accept some temporary security arrangements Israel will insist on, and possibly, allow some Jews to live in their Palestine state. Both sides will have to genuinely accept the national aspirations of the other.

Failure to do these things means the conflict continues. Israelis will live under threat of terrorism, their internal democracy and world standing erodes, and desperate Palestinians will smuggle in even more powerful weapons. Palestinians will continue to suffer under occupation, their area of control will be eroded further, there will be occasional hurtful Israeli reprisals, and the Israeli extremists will grow and do more depredations. This serves neither those who think they are pro-Israel nor those that think they are pro-Palestinian, nor the US whose interests are best served by a resolution to this conflict.

So even though there are no current negotiations, we cannot afford to give up on a two state solution. There is some basis for hope. Despite the extremists, significant numbers of Israelis and Palestinians understand that a two-state solution is in their interest. While it won’t be easy, the United States with our vast power and influence, is uniquely positioned to help jump-start a process to bring this about.

President Obama, before he leaves office, could still help by formally outlining what a reasonable two-state solution would look like with regard to boundaries, trade rules, security arrangements, and religious accommodations. I believe he will find support for this initiative within in the American Jewish and Muslim communities. Any success would be a great legacy for him, a boost to US interests, and greatly benefit both Israelis and Palestinians. After all, with its climate, Mediterranean shoreline, wealth of history, and most of all, the talent of the people of the region, Israel-Palestine can have a wonderful future if only peace can be achieved.

July 17, 2015July 19, 2015

Pinwheels for Gaza

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Dexter Field in Providence was the site of an emotive, almost overpowering memorial to the 522 children who lost their lives in the senseless war between Israel and Gaza which began one year ago on July 7. One black pinwheel was created for all of the 521 Palestinian children and the one Israeli child who lost their lives. Each pinwheel was then labeled with the name of the child and planted in the grass near the corner of the park by Martha Yager of the American Friends Service Committee.

Passersby asked questions, explained the memorial to their children, or sat in quiet contemplation.

Today marks the one year anniversary of the death of the 4 young Palestinian cousins who were killed while playing soccer in front of a stunned international press corp.

“The story is no more horrific than any of the others,” said Yager in her release for the event, “but it put a human face on the random carnage of war.”

I wrote quite a bit about the local reaction to last year’s devastating war in Gaza. Interested readers might check out:

Emergency Solidarity Rally in support of Israel

Two communities, two rallies, one war

Rally in Providence stands with peace

As the ceasefire fizzles: A rally for peace in PVD

Forum: Understanding the Israel-Gaza Crisis

Video: Common ground found at Israel/Gaza forum

Solidarity, from Ferguson to Palestine

Here is a complete list of names and ages of all 522 children being remembered:

Ahmad Nae’l Mahdi, 16, Hussein Yousef Kawari’, 12, Basil Salem Kawari’, 9, Abdullah Mohammed Kawari’, 12, Qasim Jabr Odeh, 11, Seraj Iyad Abdel ‘Al, 8, Mohammed Ali Kawari’, 15, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Masri, 14, Aseel Ibrahim Al Masri, 15, Yasmin Mohammed Al Mutawaq, 3, Mohammed Mustafa Malaka, 2, Ameer Iyad Areef, 12, Mohammed Iyad Areef, 10, Nidal Khalaf Al Nawasra, 4, Mohammed Khalaf Al Nawasra, 2, Raneem Jawdat Abdel Ghafoor, 1, Sulaiman Saleem Al Astal, 17, Musa Mohammed Al Astal, 15, Meryam Atiyyeh Al ‘Arja, 9, Abdullah Ramadan Abu Ghazal, 4, Abdel Rahman Bassam Khattab, 6, Saad Mahmoud Al Haj, 17, Fatima Mahmoud Al Haj, 14, Ismail Hasan Abu Jame’, 17, Saher Salman Abu Namous, 2, Anas Yousef Qandeel, 17, Nour Marwan Al Najdi, 10, Safa Mustafa Malaka, 6, Anas Alaa’ Al Batsh, 7, Manar Majid Al Batsh, 13, Marwa Majid Al Batsh, 7, Amal Bahaa’ Al Batsh, 1.5, Qusai Issam Al Batsh, 12, Mohammed Issam Al Batsh, 17, Hossam Ibrahim An-Najjar, 15, Mu’ayyad Khalid Al A’raj, 2.5, Ziyad Maher An Najjar, 17, Sara Jehad Sheikh Al Eid, 4, Hamza Ra’ed Thary, 5, Ahed Attaf Bakr, 10, Zakariya ‘Ahed Bakr, 10, Mohammed Ramiz Bakr, 11, Ismail Mohammed Bakr, 10, Ibrahim Ramadan Abu Daqqa, 10, Yasmeen Mahmoud Al Astal, 5, Hosam Mahmoud Al Astal, 8, Afnan Wesam Shuheebar, 8, Jehad Issam Shuheebar, 11, Waseem Issam Shuheebar, 8, Mohammed Ibrahim Intaiz, 13, Mohammed Salem Intaiz, 13, Yamin Riyad Al Hamidi, 4, Rahaf Khalil Al Jbour, 4, Mohammed Ismail Abu Msallam, 15, Ahmad Ismail Abu Msallam, 11, Walaa’ Ismail Abu Msallam, 14, Mousa Abdel Rahman Abu Jarad, 8 months, Haniya Abdel Rahman Abu Jarad, 2, Sameeh Na’eem Abu Jarad, 1.5, Ahlam Mosa Abu Jarad, 17, Samar Na’eem Abu Jarad, 14, Qasim Hamed Ulwan, 4, Emad Hamed Ulwan, 7, Rezeq Ahmad Al Hayik, 1.5, Sara Mohammed Bostan, 10, Abdallah Jamal Al Smeeri, 17, Amjad Salim Shaath, 15, Faris Jom’a Al Tarabeen, 3 months, Omar Eed Al Mahmoum, 17, Seham Ahmad Zourob, 11, Mohammed Ziyad Al Rahl, 5, Mohammed Rafeeq Al Rahl, 17, Omar Jameel Hamouda, 10, Nagham Mahmoud Al Zweedi, 12, Ru’ya Mahmoud Al Zweedi, 6, Waseem Rida Salhiyeh, 15, Mohammed Bassam Al Sorri, 17, Mahmoud Anwar Abu Shabab, 16, Dina Omar Azeez, 5, Aya Bahjat Abu Sultan, 17, Khalil Usama Al Hayya, 5, Hamza Usama Al Hayya, 4, Amama Usama Al Hayya, 6, Marwa Suleiman Al Sirsawi, 12, Dina Adel Isleem, 3, Heba Hamed Al Shiekh Khalil, 14, Tala Ahmed Al I’tiwi, 10, Dina Rushdi Hamada, 16, Saji Hassan Al Hallaq, 4, Kenan Hasan Al Hallaq, 6, Mohammed Hani Al Hallaq, 2, Ibrahim Khalil Ammar, 13, Iman Khalil Ammar, 9, Asem Khalil Ammar, 4, Rahaf Akram Abu Jom’a, 4, Abdel Rahman Al Iskafi, 12, Marah Shakir Al Jammal, 10, Ahmed Sofyan Al Jammal, 9, Samia Ahmed Al Sheikh Khalil, 2, Shadi Ziyad Isleem, 16, Fadi Ziyad Isleem, 10, Ali Ziyad Isleem, 11, Mohammed Rami Ayyad, 3, Mohammed Ashraf Ayyad, 3, Najiyeh Jehad Al Helou, 15, Maram Ahmed Al Helou, 2, Kareem Ahmed Al Helou, 5 months, Karam Ahmed Al Helou, 5 months, Nirmeen Majid Daher, 10, Othman Raed Al Jammal, 11, Ghada Subhi Ayyad, 13, Azmi Khalid Badwan, 16, Sha’ban Jamil Ziyada, 12, Mohammed Ayman Al Sha’ir, 6, Heba Akram Al Sha’ir, 7, Razan Tawfeeq Abu Jame’, 14, Jawdat Tawfeeq Abu Jame’, 13, Aya Tawfeeq Abu Jame’, 12, Haifaa’ Tawfeeq Abu Jame’, 9, Tawfeeq Tawfeeq Abu Jame’, 4, Ahmed Tawfeeq Abu Jame’, 8, Nour Eddin Tawfeeq Abu Jame’, 4, Ayyoub Tayseer Abu Jame’, 10, Nujoud Tayseer Abu Jame’, 6 months, Fatima Tayseer Abu Jame’, 8, Rayan Tayseer Abu Jame’, 2, Rinad Tayseer Abu Jame’, 1.5, Batoul Bassam Abu Jame’, 4, Suheila Bassam Abu Jame’, 2, Bisan Bassam Abu Jame’, 1, Sajed Yasser Abu Jame’, 7, Seraj Yasser Abu Jame’, 4, Sarraa’ Yasser Abu Jame’, 3, Hosam Hosam Abu Qeenas, 7, Anas Mahmoud Mu’ammar, 17, Abdallah Yousef Daraji – Al Moghrabi, 2, Mohammed Rajaa’ Handam, 15, Yasmin Nayif Al Yazji, 4, Hatem Nayif Al Yazji, 3, Arwa Yasser Al Qassas, 4, Samar Yasser Al Qassas, 3, Israa’ Yasser Al Qassas, 7, Yasmeen Yasser Al Qassas, 10, Nesma Iyad Al Qassas, 10, Lamya Iyad Al Qassas, 13, Yasin Ibrahim Al Kilani, 9, Yasser Ibrahim Al Kilani, 7, Sawsan Ibrahim Al Kilani, 11, Reem Ibrahim Al Kilani, 12, Ilyas Ibrahim Al Kilani, 4, Dana Mohammed Daher, 1, Abdallah Abu Hjayyir, 16, Alaa’ Abdel Majeed Abu Dahrouj, 17, Othman Salim Bree’im, 17, Fadi Azmi Bree’im, 17, Abedl Rahman Awad Al Qarra, 17, Ghaidaa’ Nabil Siyam, 7, Mustafa Nabil Siyam, 9, Abdel Rahman Nabil Siyam, 6, Dalal Nabil Siyam, 9 months, Ahmed Ayman Siyam, 15, Ameen Ayman Siyam, 17, Iyad Mohamemd Sabbah, 17, Fatima Ahmad Al Arja, 16, Mona Rami Ikhriwat, 1.5, Shahd Mu’een Qishta, 9, Mohammed Ahmad Al Baddi, 3 months, Mahmoud Ahmad Al Qassas, 10, Abdel Nasser Sa’di Meslih, 17, Nour Ra’ed Abu Hwishil, 6, Obaida Fadel Abu Hwishil, 9, Ibtihal Ibrahim Al Rmahi, 3, Iman Ibrahim Al Rmahi, 15, Wesam Alaa’ Al Najjar, 17, Mu’een Mohammed Siyam, 5, Khalaf Atiyeh Abu Snaimeh, 16, Rabee’ Qasim Abu Ras, 9, Salma Rajab Al Radee’, 6, Ayman Adham ElHaj Ahmad, 16, Hazem Na’eem Aqil, 15, Rawan Ayman Sweedan, 7, Jana Rami Al Maqat’a, 3, Mohammed Mansour Al Bashiti, 7, Zeinab Safwat Abu Teer, 4, Mohammed Akram Abu Shaqra, 17, Mohammed Na’eem Abu T’eema, 12, Adham Ahmad Abu Eeta, 4, Hadi Abdel Hameed Rab El-Nabi, 3, Abdel Rahman Mahmoud Rab El-Nabi, 1, Mohammed Jehad Matar, 12, Amna Jehad Matar, 11, Do’aa Ra’ed Abu Odeh, 17, Meryam Shayboub Al Shinbari, 11, Abed-Rabbo Shayboub Al Shinbari, 16, Ali Shayboub Al Shinbari, 9, Abed-Rabbo Jamal Al Shinbari, 17, Soha Abed-Rabbo Meslih, 2, Mohammed Akram Al Kafarneh, 15, Mahmoud Ismail Al Astal, 17, Nada Tha’ir Al Astal, 5, Ameen Tha’ir Al Astal, 4, Anas Hatim Qdeeh, 7, Mahmoud Sulaiman Al Astal, 17, Ahmad Mohammed Al Najjar, 17, Mahmoud Jehad Abdeen, 12, Nabil Mahmoud Al Astal, 13, Ameer Adel Siyam, 12, Mohammed Ahmad Siyam, 7, Ibrahim Abdel Rahman Al Sama’neh, 17, Waleed Sa’ad Al Harazeen, 8, Abdel Kareem Anwar Al Darazeen, 5, Mohammed Anwar Al Darazeen, 3, Nour Mohammed Abu Dbagh, 12, Ahmad Ramzi Abu Qadous, 13, Walaa’ Mohammed Al Qabid, 15, Ahmed Mohammed Al Qabid, 11, Ahmed Waleed Sammour, 9, Hadi Salah Abu Hasanein, 12, Abdel Azeez Salah Abu Hasanein, 14, Do’aa Sami Sa’ada, 11, Anwar Abdel Qader Younis, 2, Ameer Hamoudeh Abu Shahla, 2, Islam Hamoudeh Abu Shahla, 3, Ameera Hamoudeh Abu Shahla, 1, Samir Hussein Al Najjar, 1.5, Mutaz Hussein Al Najjar, 6, Ghaliya Mohammed Al Najjar, 1.5, Bara’a Salah Al Riqib, 11, Rawan Khalid Al Najjar, 17, Ahmad Khalid Al Najjar, 14, Hadi Suleiman Al Najjar, 7, Yousef Jamil Hamouda, 15, Fadi Salim Baraka, 14, Sameeh Jibreel Jneed, 5, Yousef Emad Qadoura, 11, Hind Emad Qadoura, 10, Mohammed Mousa Olwan, 9, Yousef Abdel Rahman Hassouna, 11, Mahmoud Hazim Shbeer, 12, Ahmed Hazim Shbeer, 10, Jamal Salih I’lyan, 8, Bara’ Akram Meqdad, 7, Mohammed Nahidh Meqdad, 13, Ahmed Jaber Washah, 10, Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Shaqfeh, 7, Mohammed Emad Baroud, 10, Mansour Rami Hajjaj, 9, Abdel Samad Mahmoud Ramadan, 16, Hanan Salem Al Far, 15, Ali Hasan Al Howari, 11, Rami Khalid Al Riqib, 16, Hussein Yasser Abu Saqer, 16, Dalia Nader Al Agha, 17, Dina Nader Al Agha, 14, Iyad Nader Al Agha, 17, Fadel Nader Al Agha, 11, Tamer Ahmed Al Najjar, 16, Israa’ Naeem Balata, 13, Alaa’ Naeem Balata, 14, Yehia Na’eem Balata, 8, Hadeel Adbel Kareem Balata, 17, Mohammed Abdel Nasser Al Ghandour, 15, Jood Yousif Abu Eedeh, 8 months, Halima Mohammed Suleiman, 1.5, Baraa’ Mohammed Suleiman, 6, Haneen Hosam Hamouda, 13, Rahaf Alaa’ Abed-Rabbo, 2, Jamal Mohammed Abed-Rabbo, 1.5, Ali Ahmed Shaheen, 16, Aya Ismail Al Batsh, 12, Mohammed Taleb Asaaf, 8, Osama Ahmed Al Helu, 5, Rahaf Mohammed Farahat, 1 month, Nada Izzo Al Ja’al, 2, Mohammed Raed Abu Jabr, 3, Sama Raed Abu Jabr, 1.5, Toqa Salah Abu Jabr, 1, Leen Anwar Abu Jabr, 2.5, Salma Anwar Abu Jabr, 1.5, Hala Ahmed Abu Jabr, 6, Reeham Taysir Abu Mashi, 14, Sara Ahmed Abdel Ghafour, 1, Samaa’ Mohammed Al Najjar, 15, Mohammed Atta Al Najjar, 1, Rafeef Atta Al Najjar, 3, Mona Jehad Al Najjar, 1, Omar Waddah Abu ‘Amer, 12, Abdel Ghani Waddah Abu ‘Amer, 11, Emad Waddah Abu ‘Amer, 10, Issa Waddah Abu ‘Amer, 8, Ez Eddin Waddah Abu ‘Amer, 4, Mohammed Ahmed Abu ‘Amer, 12, Marah Ahmed Abu ‘Amer, 10, Yasser Ahmed Abu ‘Amer, 9, Marwa Ahmed Abu ‘Amer, 5, Suleiman Ahmed Abu ‘Amer, 2, Mohammed Jamil Al Najjar, 12, Layali Wael Al Najjar, 2, Jana Fayiz Breeka, 3, Lama Fayiz Breeka, 1, Osama Fayiz Breeka, 16, ‘Hala Ahmed Mu’ammar, 2, Yazan Ahmed Mu’ammar, 3, Aya Sami Al Ramlawi, 9, Mos’ab Ahmed Islaih, 17, Mohammed Mustafa Abu Hammad, 14, Mohannad Ashraf Al Qarra, 17, Zaher Mahmoud Al Najjar, 7, Abdallah Nidal Abu Zaid, 4, Shama Wael Abu Zaid, 16, Bisan Iyad Abu Zaid, 12, Mohammed Omar Dheer, 10, Maria Omar Dheer, 12, Tasneem Mohamed Dheer, 8, Mu’min Omar Dheer, 9, Ghaidaa’ Omar Dheer, 7, Salama Mahmoud Dheer, 12, Mohammed Mahmoud Dheer, 7, Arwa Mahmoud Dheer, 16, Yamin Omar Dheer, 5, Ibrahim Ahmed Al Hashash, 15, Bilal Ahmed Al Hashash, 16, Alaa’ Bahaa’ Al Ghareeb, 16, Alaa’ Ramadan Khader Salman, 17, Osama Mohammed Sihweel, 17, Sujoid Abdel Hakim Olwan, 11, Lama Ahmed Al Khalili, 5, Deema Ashraf Al Khalili, 4, Ziyad Ashraf Al Khalili, 3, Leena Alaa’ Al Silik, 9, Omniya Mohammed Al Silik, 8, Malak Jalal Al Silik, 7, Abdel Azeez Mohammed Al Silik, 3, Abdel Haleem Mohammed Al Silik, 5, Abed Wael Al Shamali, 16, Shaimaa’ Ibrahim Al Sheikh Ali, 1 week, Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Khousa, 1, Shahd Ibrahim Abu Khousa, 10, Yazan Emad Abu Khousa, 3, Retal Basheer Abu Khousa, 1, Mohammed Mohammed Abu Shamala, 9, Ibrahim Mu’tasim Kalloub, 4, Mohammed Akram Al Smiri, 14, Ibrahim Akram Al Smiri, 10, Asmaa’ Abdel Haleem Abu Al Kas, 15, Mayar Jamal Abu Msabeh, 10, Salah Mousa Hejazi, 8, Layan Nael Al Silik, 3, Ola Jalal Al Silik, 15, Nour Ezz Al Ja’al, 5, Hosam Ra’fat N’eem, 16, Mahmoud Ashraf Al Khalili, 7, Hadeel Amer Al Bayoumi, 14, Aseel Amer Al Bayoumi, 16, Hasan Mohammed Al Bayoumi, 14, Rinad Ashraf Al Assar, 1.5, Lama Ra’fat Al Assar, 7, Malak Shakir Abu Shouqa, 2, Mohammed Ammar Shalat, 10, Faris Mohammed Siyam, 11, Othman Fawzi Abdeen, 17, Ahmed Saleem Abdeen, 17, Sama Nael Al Birrawi, 10 months, Fayiz Tareq Yaseen, 16, Mohammed Ahmed Al Neirab, 14, Mu’men Ahmed Al Neirab, 8, Mahmoud Ahmed Al Neirab, 10, Lujayn Basim Al Farra, 4, Abdel Rahman Basim Al Farra, 8, Nadeen Mahmoud Al Farra, 16, Mohammed Mahmoud Al Farra, 12, Yara Mahmoud Al Farra, 8, Maysoun Ra’fat Al Breem, 7, Haytham Ahmed Al Smeeri, 12, Raneen Ali Al Qarra, 15, Fadi Nasser Al Qawasmeh, 17, Omar Shakir Barbakh, 15, Mu’tasim Mohammed Al Najjar, 12, Nagham Shareef Al Namla, 10, Jehad Suleiman Abu Omran, 12, Khalil Ibrahim Sheikh El Eid, 4, Aya Ibrahim Sheikh El Eid, 5, Abdel Kareem Ibrahim Sheikh El Eid, 2, Hala Bassm Madi, 3, Jana Bassm Madi, 2, Yousef Ahmed Madi, 3, Ibrahim Anwar Al Sha’er, 16, Emad Ahmed Ahmed, 17, Yehia Salim Al Tarabin – Al Mahmoum, 13, Do’aa Mustafa Al Mahmoum, 4, Bisan Mustafa Al Mahmoum, 12, Heba Mustafa Al Mahmoum, 9, Obada Mustafa Al Mahmoum, 2, Asmaa’ Salim Al Tarabin – Al Mahmoum, 16, Ibrahim Suleiman Al Masri, 5, Khalid Suleiman Al Masri, 4, Mohammed Ahmed Abu Sha’ar, 17, Anas Ibrahim Hammad, 4, Mohammed Anas Arafat, 5 months, Ameer Ra’fat Zorob, 15, Odai Ra’fat Zorob, 13, Shahd Ra’fat Zorob, 10, Khalid Ra’fat Zorob, 8, Ahmed Mustafa Zorob, 15, Mohammed Musrafa Zorob, 12, Waleed Mustafa Zorob, 6, Mu’tasim Musrafa Zorob, 2, Rawan Nash’at Siyam, 8, Rami Nash’at Siyam, 15, Ameen Yousef Abu Madi, 8, Yousef Shadi abu Madi, 7, ‘Hala Shadi Abu Madi, 10 days, Aseel Sofyan Ghaith, 3, Nour Mohammed Abu ‘Assi, 1 month, Haitham Yasser Abedl Wahab, 15, Ayman Yasser Abedl Wahab, 13, Lama Yasser Abedl Wahab, 9, Mohammed Yasser Abedl Wahab, 2, Ibrahim Fathi Eeeta, 13, Ahmed Fathi Eeeta, 7, Mohammed Fathi Eeeta, 5, Ibtisam Bassam Al Neirab, 12, Doha Bassam Al Neirab, 15, Ola Bassam Al Neirab, 3, Mohammed Omar Salih, 17, Rana Raed Abu Suleiman, 10, Ahmed Rami Abu Suleiman, 2, Lama Rami Abu Suleiman, 3, Mohammed Rami Abu Suleiman, 11, Jana Rami Abu Suleiman, 3, Emad Naseem Saidam, 17, Mohammed Nidal Abu Mehsin -Al Nims, 17, Yousef Mahmoud Abu Taha, 16, Riziq Ismail Abu Taha, 1, Somoud Ahmed Al Roumi, 5, Ameen Ahmed Al Roumi, 15, Mohammed Shu’aib Al Bahabsa, 17, Rajab Abdel Rahman Al Shrafi, 9, Abdallah Abdel Hadi Al Majdalawi, 13, Rawan Ahmed Al Majdalawi, 9, Mahmoud Ahmed Al Majdalawi, 8, Ahmed Mohammed Abu Nijm-Al Masri, 17, Raghad Mohammed Nijm-Al Masri, 3, Shaimaa’ Wael Qasim, 14, Remas Salem Khattab, 5, Tareq Eid Abu Mashi, 12, Dalia Atwa Khattab, 13, Ismail Wael Al Ghoul, 14, Mustafa Wael Al Ghoul, 1 month, Malak Wael Al Ghoul, 6, Mahmoud Mohammed ‘Okal – Hejazi, 9, Mohammed As’ad ‘Okal – Hejazi, 10, Aya Mohammed Abu Rijl, 3, Monthir Mohammed Abu Rijl, 6, Saqr Bassam Al Kashif, 7, Tareq Ziyad Abu Khatleh, 15, Amr Tareq Abu Al Roos, 15, Ahmed Khalid Abu Harba, 14, Yousef Akram Al Iskafi, 16, Ismail Sameer Shallouf, 17, Muneer Khalil Abu Dbaa’, 14, Maria Mohammed Abu Jazar, 2, Firas Mohammed Abu Jazar, 2, Nour Bahjat Wahdan, 2, Ghena Younis Saqr, 2, Ahmed Hatim Wahdan, 13, Hussein Hatim Wahdan, 9, Aseel Mohammed Al Bakri, 4, Asmaa’ Mohammed Al Bakri, 4 months, Mohammed Amjad Uwaida, 13, Amal Amjad Uwaida, 5, Hammam Mohammed Abu Suheeban, 11, Kamal Ahmed Al Bakri, 4, Khalid Ziyad Al Hindi, 15, Osama Hussein Lafi, 11, Ibrahim Ahmed Al Najjar, 16, Ibrahim Zuheer Dawawsa, 10, Bilal Bassam Mish’al, 15, Mahmoud Maher Hassan, 14, Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Haddaf, 8, Mahmoud Khalid Abu Haddaf, 15, Aya Anwar Al Sha’er, 13, Ez Eddin Saleem Abu Sneima, 12, Ahmed Mohammed Al Masri, 14, Maidaa’ Mohammed Aslan, 1.5 month, Ali Mohammed Daif, 7 months, Mustafa Rabah Al Dalu, 14, Sara Mohammed Daif, 2, Nour Mahmoud Abu Haseera, 2, Maysara Ra’fat Al Louh, 10, Farah Ra’fat Al Louh, 7, Mustafa Ra’fat Al Louh, 6, Saher Mohammed Al ‘Abeet, 11, Mohammed Emad Al ‘Abeet, 15, Iman Younis Al Louh, 17, Hassan Srour Tamboura, 13, Abdallah Tareq Al Reefi, 6, Ziyad Tareq Al Reefi, 13, Omar Nasser Al Reefi, 4, Raed Ahmed Khdair, 5, Mohammed Hamdi Salim – Abu Nahl, 17, Mahmoud Tal’at Abu Shreetih, 13, Ahmed Nasser Kellab, 17, Yousef Nasser Kellab, 15, Abdallah Nasser Kellab, 9, Seba Rami Younis, 4, Abdallah Shehda Abu Dahrouj, 3, Abdel Hadi Shehda Abu Dahrouj, 2, Badr-Eddin Hashim Abu Mnee’, 17, Mohammed Wael Al Khodari, 16, Zeinab Bilal Abu Taqiya, 1, Hussein Khalid Ahmed, 8, Tasneem Issam Joudeh, 14, Raghad Issam Joudeh, 12, Mohammed Issam Joudeh, 8, Osama Issam Joudeh, 6, Ahmed Radad Tanboura, 15, Amna Radad Tanboura, 13, Lama Khader Al Nabeeh, 4, Omar Hosam Al Breem, 16, Mohammed Hosam Al Breem, 13, Daniel Tragerman, 4

July 28, 2014July 28, 2014

Two communities, two rallies, one war

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Last Saturday afternoon I attended a “” rally in downtown Providence and on the following Wednesday evening I attended an “Emergency Solidarity Rally” for Israel at the Jewish Community Center on the East Side of Providence, near where I live. As one of the few people to have attended both events, I think my observations may be of some value.

It would be easy, and deceiving, to talk about the similarities between the two events. I could talk about how both sides want peace, how both sides have families and friends in very real danger and how both the Jewish and the Palestinian communities here in Rhode Island feel isolated and targeted.

It is more difficult, and I believe more instructive, to contrast the two rallies. How do the differences in venue, political support and money affect public perception of the current conflict? How is the reaction to the conflict shaping communities here in Rhode Island?

I will admit upfront that my sympathies almost always align with the oppressed. I believe strongly in human rights. I think Israel and Palestine must start working together towards a two state solution and a lasting peace. Israel must stop the building and begin the deconstruction of illegal settlements. I think the United Nations Rights Council is wise to investigate Israel for war crimes. As the occupying military power, it is Israel’s responsibility to defend the lives of Gazan civilians, a responsibility Israel has not only repeatedly failed to uphold, but seems to flaunt as unimportant.

***

Burnside Park in downtown Providence is located between City Hall and the Federal Building, next to Kennedy Plaza. It was here that Occupy Providence made camp in 2012, and I saw several members of Occupy at the “Stand with Gaza” rally. I parked a short distance away, and noticed two young Muslim women dressed in brightly colored hijabs heading the same direction I was. As we waited for the light to change for the crosswalk, a man began to mutter something at the women. I didn’t quite hear what he said but it was clear that he did not like the fact that two Muslim women were walking through Providence. The man oozed prejudice and hate.

The light changed, and the women walked away from the man and towards the rally, pretending not to hear him. Here was an example of the prejudice Arab and Muslim people experience in our country every day, the kind of prejudice I never face. It galls me that such a thing could happen in Rhode Island, where religious freedom was first enshrined into law. The women seem unaffected, but I silently seethed.

At the corner of Burnside Park the rally organizers were handing out signs to early arrivals when officers from the Providence Police Department arrived. About half the people assembled for the rally so far were persons of color or dressed in traditional ethnic or religious garments. It was not automatically assumed by those attending that the police were on hand to ensure the safety of the participants.

Rick, the friend who had invited me to cover this event, asked me if I thought the police would try to shut the rally down.

“Of course not,” I replied, like the knuckle-headed white guy with press credentials that I am, “It’s your First and Fourth Amendment right to peaceably assemble and protest.”

Rick did not seem so sure, so I held up my camera and said, “I have my camera. They won’t do anything on camera.”

Later, Rick told me that he had never been at a protest rally where it had occurred to him that the police were there for the protection of the participants. Rick does not see the First and Fourth Amendments as a guarantee of rights for people like him.

The Providence Police did not shut down the protest or interfere, but I did feel as though the police were more interested in monitoring the behavior of the rally participants than in protecting the participants from those who might wish them harm. This rally was outside, on a street corner near a public park, with cars, bikes and pedestrians passing by. Prejudice, as I had just witnessed, is ubiquitous. It takes courage for an American Muslim or Arab to publicly support Gaza. This is not a politically popular position.

Four days later, at the Emergency Solidarity Rally for Israel, the police were unquestionably there to protect the attendees of the rally from outsiders who might wish them harm. The police were positioned inside and outside the Jewish Community Center, located on the East Side of Providence, the wealthiest area of the city. I was told by an officer to have my identification ready or I would not be allowed into the auditorium. Security and safety were very important, and this was reflected in the attendance. More than 400 people crowded into the safety of the Community Center auditorium, three times the number who came out in support of Palestine on Saturday.

***

The most moving part of the Stand with Palestine Rally was the reading of the names of those killed in the war. For over half an hour speakers read the names of the 336 killed in the war so far. As the reading of the names became too emotionally taxing, the list would be handed off to another speaker. The ages of those killed ranged from one to 80 years. Way too many of the dead were children. It was exhausting. Overwhelming.

The last three names read were of the three Israelis who had lost their lives in the conflict. Those in attendance were ask to keep all those killed in their thoughts or prayers.

By the time of the Emergency Solidarity rally four days later, the number of Palestinian dead had more than tripled and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had launched a ground invasion. At the Emergency Solidarity rally, Rabbi Elan Babchuck, with all due solemnity, read the names of the now twenty-seven Israelis killed in Gaza so far. It took under five minutes. As I write this I have just heard a news report estimate that 40 Israeli soldiers and three Israeli citizens have died in this confrontation. The Palestinian dead are approaching 800 in number. By the time you read this the number will be higher still, but you can rest assured that the dead Palestinian children will far outnumber the dead Israeli soldiers.

The death of young Israeli soldiers is a tragedy. No life should be cut so short. In the audience gathered inside the Community Center were parents of men and women who are in the IDF. Is there a devil’s calculus for the loss of children? Is there a way to measure the loss of a Palestinian child versus the loss of an Israeli soldier? Is there a ratio of death that seems proper and fair? What is the calculation I should use to value my own son or daughter?

***

A well-planned political rally always has a political ask. The protesters at Burnside Park charged that Israel is an apartheid state, and that the citizens of Gaza live in a virtual prison, without hope for a future. Those organizing for Palestine called upon Rhode Island’s congressional delegation to curtail their support for Israel until the Israeli government lifts sanctions and starts negotiating in good faith with Palestine. In today’s political climate though, no matter how much mail and email Rhode Island’s congressional delegation receive, it unlikely that any of them will change their position on Israel. Representatives Cicilline and Langevin, and Senators Reed and Whitehouse, have all been vocal in their support of Israel, and conventional wisdom is that it is political suicide to support Palestine over Israel.

At the Emergency Solidarity rally, Marty Cooper, director of Community Relations for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, asked those in attendance to send letters and emails thanking the representatives and senators for their continued support of Israel. He asked that those in attendance write letters to the Providence Journal, praising the paper’s recent inclusion of an editorial and an op-ed in support of Israel. In essence, Cooper asked that those in attendance celebrate the political and journalistic support Israel continues to receive.

Supporting Israel is a smart campaign move. That’s why Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin attended Wednesday night’s rally, along with three Democratic candidates in the race for mayor of Providence, including City Council President Michael Solomon, Jorge Elorza and Brett Smiley. Ken Block, who is seeking the Republican nomination for Governor, played the crowd, shaking hands. I noticed progressive State Senators Josh Miller and Gayle Goldin in the crowd. There may well have been other politicians that I missed.

There were no candidates glad-handing the crowd at the Stand with Gaza rally on Saturday.

***

At Saturday’s rally I saw a Muslim woman holding a red, white and blue sign that read, ZIONISM IS RACISM. On Wednesday night I saw a woman waving an Israeli flag and wearing a pin that stated, simply, I AM A ZIONIST.

To the Palestinian woman with the sign, Zionism represents the theft of her homeland and the annihilation of her people and culture. To the Jewish woman wearing her pin Zionism is the culmination of the efforts of generations of people working towards a return to the Jewish homeland. The entirety of that promised homeland, however, can only be reclaimed if the Palestinians vacate it or accept their lot as second-class citizens within it, something I suspect most Palestinians see as tantamount to genocide.

Though there were people at the Emergency Solidarity Rally comfortable with identifying as Zionists, positioning themselves with the more extreme right-wing politics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, there was no one at the pro-Palestinian rally identifying themselves as being aligned with the more extreme elements of Palestine, like Hamas.

Those attending the Stand with Gaza rally were united in their calls for peace, for an end to the violence and for an end to the occupation of Gaza. Together they asked for support, understanding, effective humanitarian aid and human rights. They wanted their children to stop dying.

Those at the pro-Israel rally were less united. They also wanted peace and an end to the violence. But as a group they were divided on the occupation of Gaza. They were divided on whether or not the situation in Gaza amounts to self-defense, occupation, apartheid or genocide.

During the solidarity rally Rabbi Michelle Dardashti, a chaplain at Brown University, read a poem to those in attendance that explored the suffering of first the Israeli and then the Gazan people. Dardashti said, “It’s easier for us to hear the first part of [the poem] about our people suffering, and it’s very scary and hard for us to look at the images of the Gazans crying and bleeding and suffering. We do have a right and an obligation to defend ourselves, and we also have an obligation, I believe, to defend our hearts from hardening.”

In response, a few members of the audience, their hearts hardened, cried “No!” as in “No, I will not allow myself to feel empathy for those who have lost children on the other side of this conflict.”

The term “Emergency Solidarity Rally” takes on a new meaning in this context. The death of Gazan children is a moral outrage that threatens Israeli solidarity. As right wing politicians in Israel utilize ever more hyperbolic rhetoric to defend their attack on Gaza, reasonable people are given pause. What is the ultimate cost, in terms of dead Gazans, for a free and peaceful Israel? Is any amount of death, up to and including genocide, worth paying?

Even as Palestinians find greater solidarity under the duress of being occupied, Israel finds itself fracturing under the moral stress of being occupiers. Such is the difference, it seems to me, between “Standing with Gaza” and the need for “Emergency Solidarity.”

July 21, 2014July 21, 2014

Pro-Palestine rally and vigil in Burnside Park

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About 125 people gathered in Burnside Park on Saturday “in protest of the massacre in Gaza” and to “stand in solidarity with Palestine in the face of civilian murders and generations of systematic oppression.” It is hoped that intensifying public pressure on Israel will “end the occupation.” The description of the event continued:

As of late Tuesday, over 200 Palestinians have been killed and 1500 Palestinians have been wounded, the majority of whom are women and children. Without pressure, the Israeli regime has proven time and time again that it will continue such massacres as we see in Gaza now, and continue the decades of systematic ethnic cleansing, military occupation and apartheid policies.

Take to the streets to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and to demand an end to our Rhode Island officials’ silence on the violence, a condemnation of attacks on civilians, and the cessation of military aid to Israel.

Perhaps the most emotional part of the rally was a reading of the names of those who have died in Palestine as Israel continues to pursue military solutions to the crisis.

February 3, 2013February 4, 2013

Super Bowl Ad Nixed, But For Wrong Reasons

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SodaStream manufactures devices to make carbonated beverages at home and the company intended to run an ad for their contraption during the Super Bowl. But apparently CBS turned them down because Coke-a-Cola and Pepsi objected to the competition.

(Update: A Sodastream ad did air during the game)

But SodaStream is not only a threat to Big Cola, it’s also made by an Israeli company in Mishor Adumim, part of an Israeli settlement on stolen Palestinian land in the West Bank. The international community (except perhaps the U.S. and Israel) recognizes these settlements as illegal.

Companies that operate in the settlements exploit Palestinian land, resources and labor. They enjoy government support including tax incentives and lenient enforcement of regulations, while the taxes and profits go to support the Israeli economy.

You can learn more here.

American organizations asking people to boycott their products include Jewish Voice for Peace, United Methodist Kairos Response, CodePink, the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation and many others.

January 8, 2013January 8, 2013

A Palestinian in the Knesset

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Haneen Zoabi is a Palestinian who was elected to the Israeli Knesset in 2009. Israel often reminds us of the rights it grants to “Arab Israelis,” avoiding the word “Palestinian.”

In 2010 Ms. Zoabi was on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara in the international flotilla carrying humanitarian supplies for Gaza. She witnessed the assault on that ship (in international waters) by Israeli commandos. And she was there when those Israeli pirates boarded the ship and killed nine unarmed civilians including an American citizen.

On her return, when Ms. Zoabi rose to tell of this in the Knesset, some members shouted out calling her a “terrorist” or a “traitor.” Others supported her right to speak. Ms. Zoabi also received hundreds of threatening letters and phone calls including death threats.

Here’s a fascinating view inside the parliament of “the only democracy in the Middle East.”