Netanyahu's Speech to the American Congress

As some of you have heard about the Israeli prime minister's visit to the American congress.
In his speech, he just declared himself and the Israeli government views to the world. 


"Jerusalem will never be divided"
"will not return to the indefensible borders of 1967."
"The right of return is not to be discussed"


This is a very interesting article on Haaretz, the Israeli main newspaper about Netanyahu's speech


http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-has-declared-himself-ready-to-challenge-obama-1.363887

Publications

http://maan-ctr.org/FactSheets.php

The link above is for Ma'an Development Center, a Palestinian Non Governmental Organization. If you are interested you can find several publications regarding the community development in Palestine as well as the Apartheid wall (Means of Displacement) and (By-Pass Roads).

BBC Censorship

The link below is about a very interesting article. BBC radio station tried to increase the sound effect when an American rapper was singing a song entitled as "Free Palestine".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/may/13/bbc-palestine-lyric-mic-righteous

Obama demolished Palestinian chances for statehood

"Benjamin Netanyahu may as well have canceled his trip to Washington: Barack Obama did the work for him, or most of it."


http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/obama-demolished-palestinian-chances-for-statehood-1.362895


This is a recent article by the Israeli Jewish writer Gideon Levi commenting on President Obama's speech and its promise to the Israeli government. An article that is worth reading.


"The 1,500 new apartments in Jerusalem will be built, speech or no speech. The real test for that speech, as for any other, is what happens next, and the suspicion is that nothing will happen at all."

Architecture and Pyalara

Pyalara is a well known organization/group of youths from Palestine that is known to the Palestinian community. Unfortunately i did not have the chance to join and engage in Pyalara while i was living in Palestine, although my parents always wanted me to join.
"PYALARA is an independent Palestinian youth organization that seeks to create young Palestinian leaders who are aware of their rights and duties as equal citizens, capable of incurring social and political change, and effectively participate in building a democratic society through specialized media, lobbying and advocacy.". This is Pyalara's mission, a valuable mission and an important one that will empower the Palestinian youth.
Questions:
Q1) What are the activities planned for this summer? 
Q2) Can anyone join the Pyalara's activities and what is the process of doing so?
Q3) Did Pyalara's visual and artistic media plans and projects had the chance to be delivered in any other country beside Palestine? Are there any activities or plans for the organization to grow globally? 


While reading the article "Seizing locality in Jerusalem", i passed by a line that says "the traditions in the culture and professional formation of the generation of architects, which was entrusted with the national mandate of israelizing Jerusalem", this made me wonder how the Israeli architectures and the Israeli architects were able to Israelize Jerusalem? Because political wise, it is one of the top priorities for the ISraeli government to Israelize Jerusalem. Reading this article shows how some Jewish or Israeli architecture tried and is still trying to "Israelize" Jerusalem, a mission that contradicts the Pyalara mission for example, as Payalra's mission of architecture is not to "Palestinize" Palestine, but to empower a leadership sense within the community based on respect and education. I also wonder about the plan of the Israeli government in "remodeling"  one of the oldest gates to the Old City in Jerusalem, Demascus Gate, which is a plan that is intended to "Israelize" the city more and more than it is really intended to remodel or re build the gate. 
In the "West Bank", the Palestinian government with other youth organizations are working more and more in remodeling the old houses/institutes and the architecture in the area, in order to keep the old tradition and to maintain the sense of belonging to the land. One of the recent projects were in Ramallah, to remodel yet maintain the old appearance of the Hamrra Palace, as well as the re-opening of the Hamra cinema in East Jerusalem. 

Women's Testimonies of the Nakba סיפורן של נשים על הנ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRFk1iF8QWc&feature=player_embedded#at=37

The link above is a 10 minute video about testimonies of Palestinian womens who were displaced and expelled from their lands and houses 63 years ago. Today, May 15th, marks the 63 years of the Palestinian greatest catastrophe, one of the oldest and biggest refugee problem in recent history. 63 years ago, there were 1.4 million Palestinian living in the land of Palestine, in May 15th 1948, 84% were annexed by force and move out to neighboring countries. More than 70 massacres took place by the Zionist groups as the Haganah. More than 15,000 Palestinians were killed. More than 517 Palestinian villages were ethnically cleansed. More than 840,000 Palestinians became refugees outside their lands.

Isn't it time for the international community and humanity to wake up? If 63 years of destruction, apartheid, uprooting, ethnic cleansing, occupation, denial of freedom, justice and equality are not enough, when is it then?

Graffiti on Walls

I was not able to open or view the content of the article entitled “Old and New walls in Jerusalem”.

Regarding the Julie Peteet article, “The writing on the Walls: The Graffiti of the Intifada” is a very interesting article. As a Palestinian youth born and raised in Palestine and the occupied territories, this is not a new thing for us. As Peteet said, almost every inch of the walls of the stores, houses, etc have something written on them. It is a way to let others see and remember what is going on, or what have happened. Some of the writings could be statements about the conflict, names of martyrs who were killed by the Israeli occupation forces, or a name of a political party, etc. Although it might not look “nice” for some people, including me personally, but the writings have served during the past periods of the two Intifadas in 1987 and 2000. As some times writing on the walls will deliver some kind of messages to either the Palestinians themselves or the occupation forces when they invade the city/village.

One can also find not only writings or statements or names, but drawings. For example, after Mahmoud Darwish the Palestinian well known poet died, many people went after his funeral and start drawing his pictures and writings under it on walls. Another example is after the death of Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader, pictures of him, and his sayings were all over the place. Drawings of the map of Palestine with the Palestinian flag, etc can also be found on the walls. And now, after the eruption of the Apartheid Wall within the West Bank, Palestinians, Israeli peace activists and American activists started writing and drawing on the wall with statements as “the wall will fall”, or “ we need bridges not walls”, etc.

Peteet mentioned the relationship between graffiti and resistance. And I think this is very interesting and true to a great extent. Graffiti on the walls are now seen as part of the Palestinian struggle and resistance against the occupation, also a sign of international solidarity by non-Arabs who come to the oPT that draw and write on the wall as a sign of sympathy and solidarity with the Palestinian people.  Looking at the web site, one can see some examples of drawings and writings on the walls in Palestine. The videos in the site explain the exact message behind writing on walls.

It might look somehow “not civilized” or “not accepted” to draw on walls. Imagine going on campus and drawing on some walls, that does not sound a good or something to be done. But for the Palestinian conflict, it served its context, it delivered a message and now it is a sign or international solidarity against the occupation.

 This quote is written on the apartheid wall between The city of Ramallah, all the way to the wall at East Jerusalem, cutting through the main road that used to connect Ramallah with Jerusalem. This quote was said to be the longest quote on a wall ever, taken from some speech of Nelson Mandela at the time of apartheid.

This is another graffiti writing on the apartheid wall on Qalandia checkpoint, that separates Ramallah from Jerusalem. Many of the drawings are funny as this one. 

Right to Return

Below is a link to a 2 minute plus video about the Palestinian right to return.
Maybe you have heard about the planned global demonstrations that are taking place in NY, DC, Montreal, Canada, Boston, Europe, Palestine, and the Arab countries in May 15th, the day that marks the 63 year of the Palestinian Catastrophe, The Nakba. You might not have heard about the deletion of the Facebook groups that had more than 355,000 member, or have not herd about the Israeli government pressure on Facebook admins to delete the groups of the May 15th demonstration, that were and are planned to be NON-VIOLENT. This is how power works, it is in one world, censorship of the weak.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEIbUoSSiV4&feature=player_embedded
"You (the occupation) deny me my rights, you colonize my land, you steal my home, you murder my loved ones, then ask me to surrender, to forgive, and forget, dont you realize that for every action there is a reaction? This is how thing are, this is how our world works, it is only natural to be, to exist, to resist, it is only humane to feel, to act, to fight,, for justice in Palestine. Join the resistance."

Items that talk for itself

My final project will be about the history of the Israeli conflict since 1948, the first point where the problem of refugees was created, going until our recent day of the conflict. I will introduce what is the Nakba (Palestinian Catastrophe that in May 15^th marks its 63^rd year), the Naksa or the 6 day war of 1967, the first Intifada in 1987, the second Intifada in 2000, the eruption of the apartheid Wall within the West Bank lands (1967) with a focus on East Jerusalem, from an economic perspective to a humanitarian one including the house demolishing in East Jerusalem. I will end up in the possible solutions to the Palestinian – Israeli conflict and the International law responses to the conflict. I will include facts, pictures, maps and statistics and data about the conflict.

Regarding the things that represent who am I as Palestinian, I will choose two things, the Kuffyeh or the Palestinian traditional scarf and an image that represent any loyal Palestinian and the culture, which is Handalah, the kid that in 1948 was 10 years old, and till now did not turned his face to the public and is still 10 years, who did not grow, and wont until he returns to his home in Palestine. I will talk more about Handalah as a symbolic image of Palestine and the refugees.

For this week’s assignment, about LGBT rights and movements in Israel and Palestine, I stand in support for any human being regardless race, sexual orientation, ethnicity or nationality that is fighting non-violently for a decent recognition of his/her identity. I have nothing against LGBT movement no matter where it is, but if the movement is being used politically against one nation, then I will stand against it. As I mentioned earlier in class, some Israeli journalists are using this phenomenon against the Palestinians, and are saying that Palestinians non-straight people are being discriminated against within the Palestinian society. We have to understand the culture of the Arab countries and Palestine included, in the United States for instance, gays/lesbians were not accepted easily within the American society, and it took few years for them to be “accepted” yet, are still feeling kind off isolated from the rest of the public. In Palestine or the Arab countries, this issue is so sensitive and not yet accepted within most of the Arab societies. Although there are organizations that ask for the right of gays in Palestine as Al-Qaws, but it is still not accepted as a “new movement” in Palestine. I do respect the culture and do understand as well the point behind not yet accepting the LGBT movement, as there are still other more important issues and topics to be focused upon by the Palestinians within their own society.

http://www.pinkwatchingisrael.com/israels-gay-propaganda-war/
this article is entitled as Israel’s Gay Propaganda War by Jasbir Puar, an American queer theorist.

Alqaws for sexual and gender diversity in the Palestinian society is an organization that work collaboratively to break down gendered barriers. It seeks to create an open space for all its members so that they may be engaged in the struggle for equality and inclusion. It is a new organization within the Palestinian society, that is still growing, and I believe is still facing problems of being accepted within the Palestinian society.

This is Handalah, the Palestinian symbol of resistance yet hope and belief of returning to the land one day. This is the image i am choosing that represent me personally. 

Questions to Yonatan Gher:
Q1) To what extent is the LGBT movement is accepted in Israel?
Q2) What do you think about the Israeli war propaganda of “pinkwashing” ?
Q3) Do you think that the members of JOH are also interested in the violations of Israel to the human rights and international laws, since such organization is calling for equality and acceptance of the other?

Monday Readings

“Not the Mother of All cities” is an interesting feminist perspective of Jerusalem, the holy city. In the article by Hsan-Rokem, she Is saying how Jerusalem should not be seen as a female figure. In my own perspective, I see Jerusalem as a mother and a beautiful female, what is better than seeing Jerusalem as a mother, as a women who is facing all kinds of division and discrimination, destruction and apartheid. We all pray for a just peace in Jerusalem based on human rights, international laws and equality. I can understand the view of Hasan-Rokem as feminist and how she views Jerusalem, after all, Jerusalem is the beloved, whether it is viewed as male or female.

Questions to Miss Hasan-Rokem:
Q1) Does it really matter if Jerusalem is seen as female or male? Isn’t it of best interest for everyone to view it as a city that is deprived from equality, freedom, peace and justice?

Q2) Regarding the Jerusalem Link project, where is it now? And what are its contribution to the just peace between Israel and Palestine?

Q3) From a feminist perspective, how do you see the future of Jerusalem, the city?

“Sharon and My Mother in Law” by Suad Amiry is a story from Palestinian real lives. Although Amiry is mentioning the brutality of the curfew, but you can sense the laughs of the people. من رحم الاوجاع تلد الضحكه meaning in English that from the suffering, laugher is born, this is how Palestinians are, we have been facing harsh situations, but the sense of fun and laugh never left our stories. I remember once I asked my mother about all the duct tapes surrounding the holes of the doors of our house in Ramallah, she told me that they were afraid of chemicals getting into our house, at the times of the gulf war. When reading the first chapter about the Gas Masks, I thought for a while that she is telling the story of the 40 day curfew to the West Bank in 2003. And curfew for those who haven’t witnessed it means, that no person is allowed to leave his/her house under no circumstance, until the Israeli soldiers remove it. Meaning, no one is allowed to leave the house to neighbors, markets, schools, hospitals or work, otherwise he/she are putting their lives at risk of being killed.

The “Dog’s Life” chapter is a humorous one. The difference between me and Amiry, is that although my family and I can go into Jerusalem, but we preferred to have Dr. Hisham himself to seek our 4 dogs back in 2005! How small the world is!!! In this chapter, if you look beneath the lines, you can see how much Palestinians who have the Jerusalem ID which differs than the Israeli passport are facing. My family and I have the Jerusalem IDs, and for that we had to buy a house in Jerusalem to keep an address so the ID wont be taken from us, and although we have had the American Greencard since 1996, but if we dare and took the American passport, then the ID will be taken from us by the Israeli Interior ministry. This is how we as Palestinians of Jerusalem are discriminated against by the Israeli policies and regimes. 

Empower your knowledge

As we are moving towards May 15th, a day that shaped the future of millions and millions of Palestinians, and a day that created the problem of Palestinian refugees. 63 years later, in 2011, Palestinians did not lose hope, and are certain more than ever, that one day, they Will Return to their lands and country.

These two videos are done by Benny Brunner, who have produced and directed documentary films internationally since mi n 1980s. The two movies below are about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

http://vimeo.com/3714871   A documentary that presents the historical event that lead to the creation of Palestinian refugees around the world.
http://vimeo.com/8080908  Israeli activists that are against the brutality of the Israeli occupation to the Palestinian lands, where their voices are rarely heard outside Israel, are talking and standing with humanity and justice.

Music, can it really unite opponents?

Music is a universal language that unites all people under one umbrella, the umbrella of university, socialization and peace. As Palestinian, music plays an important role in our culture; music is not only a form of rest or joy, but also resistance. Palestinians uses their tradition and culture and impede it within the music and songs. Sabreen for example is a well known Palestinian musical group that was formed in Jerusalem 30 plus years ago. Sabreen as a name means “to stay patient”, meaning that we as Palestinian will stay patient regarding every oppression and injustice that we have been through.

The Jerusalem Music Center is a center to provide the excellence of music and talents within the Israeli community and society. The Heartbeat – Jerusalem project is another kind of projects that have Palestinians and Israeli youth involved. The idea behind the project is to empower both side’s youth to hear and understand each other. I personally is a bit conservative regarding such projects and programs that involve Palestinians and Israelis under the name of music. I will not give my opinion regarding because I am not sure of who is behind such ideas.

Hip hop on the other side is another form of music. In Palestine Hip Hop is increasing and growing, but most of the Hip Hop singers from Palestine write and sing their songs about Palestine, the culture, the conflict and daily stories under occupation. We can see how music in Palestine is imbedded within the conflict and the beliefs that we as Palestinian youth have and were raised upon.

Regarding the Oud Festival, Link 1 – Confederation House, under the Who We Are, it says how Jerusalem is populated by people from different backgrounds and religions, ignoring the fact that there are Christians in Jerusalem as well, they were enough by saying “ver 100 ethnic groups and communities live side by side in Jerusalem: Jews and Muslims, secular and orthodox, members of all religions from every continent.”

Music does play an important role in any conflict in this world, and music is also a mirror of one’s culture. And regarding the Palestinian Israeli conflict, musical centers that combine both youth from the two sides is in my opinion “Okay”, and I  would rather stay conservative regarding my personal opinion about such projects. Because again, our conflict will never be solved through music or talks or violence, but through international laws, human rights, justice, equality and freedom.

History of Palestine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm_aH6q02sc&feature=player_embedded#at=20

This is a 9 minute video about the History of Palestine told by some american and Jewish activists, writers and historians.

Week Five

This week’s readings are focused all on music and the love and passionate to the art. Many important names were mentioned, who years ago practiced and taught others about the love of music. And today, in Palestine, these people are still remembered especially Khalil Al-Sakakini’s Institute/ Center in Ramallah that still hosts musical festivals and artistic plays.

While reading this week’s articles, I found the most interesting part about “Sultana and Khalil” and their romantic love. Although I have been many time to Khalil Sakakini’s institute in Ramallah, but I never knew about the love story between Khalil and Sultana. Another interesting fact is that he was displaced from the Katamon, a Palestinian neighborhood that was taken by the Israelis in the 1948 war, and the interesting thing, is that my own grandfather’s house was also in the Katamon, where he bought it in 1945.

Another part of the article I found really interesting is Chapter 9, “Ishaq Shami and the Predicament of the Arab Jew in Palestine”, as it goes in describing the difference between the Jews who were at the “middle East location” at that time, including, Palestine, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. The article talks about how everyone was living peacefully with the ‘other’, up to a point where the idea of Zionism was moving inwards toward the Palestinian community at that time, and to the Ashkenazim Jews who were living in Palestine, under the British Mandate.

The other part of this week’s assignment is writing few questions to address to Dr. Tamari. Dr. Tamari has a PhD in sociology and for that I thought of a question about the sociological changes that happened and is taking place within the Palestinian society.

Q1- How do you view the sociological the main social changes in the Palestinian society in the last decade?

Q2- Do you think that the two state solution is still reliable with the presence of more than 400 thousand settler in the West Bank? Is the idea of two state solution is acceptable after the Israeli government decides to isolate the Palestinian villages who are mostly the holders of the Jerusalem IDs outside of the Jerusalem area?

Q3- How do you view as a sociologist the development in the Palestinian society, especially in the rural areas taking into consideration the settlements and area C? 

Ideas for Project

I have two ideas for a project. the first one is to do a presentation about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict starting from 1948 till our recent days from a Palestinian perspective, focusing on the situation in East Jerusalem today.
The other idea is to do a presentation about the possible solutions to the conflict.

No Justice -----> No Peace

I believe the hardest thing in the whole conflict beside the grief is finding solutions. A solution that will give the Palestinians their freedom, justice, equality and sovereignty, and safety to the Israelis. The possible solutions for the Arab-Israeli conflict is first and for most a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The solutions and obstacles available from a Palestinian and humanitarian point of view are as follows:

1)      One – State solution:  meaning everyone regardless their religion, color, nationality or background will live in one democratic country. A country that each person is represented equally and gets the full rights as human beings and citizens of Palestine/Israel. Simply think of it as The United States of America, where there are two major parties, Democratic and Republicans, although they will never reach an agreement, but they live peacefully side by side together as one nation.
Obstacles: One state solution means no state to be established over the land that belongs to one religion or nationality, something that the Israeli side will never accept due to the belief of making a Jewish Homeland.
Comments: there is no country in the world that is exclusive for one religion, why should we as human beings support an idea that will bring more sensitivity and conflict among different religions.

2)      Two – State Solution: according to the UN resolutions 292 and 194 that states, a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders ( including West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem as capital), with the full right of return to the Palestinian refugees that compromise the majority of the Palestinian population. An Israeli state within the 1948 borders with West Jerusalem as its capital. The Christian and Muslim holy sites under the Palestinian state control and the Jewish holy sites under the Israeli control. Refugees according to human rights organization, international law, refugees are protected and they should be given their full right of return to their land and paid for their losses. And freedom to political prisoners by Israel.
Obstacles: the only apartheid wall in modern history is erupted on the most fertile lands of the occupied Palestinian territories. More than 200 Israeli checkpoints are located between and within the Palestinian cities. Restrictions of movements of goods and people from outside the “Palestinian State”. The holy city of Jerusalem is being ethnically cleansed by the Israeli occupation forces, destroying more houses and properties that belong to Palestinians and building new settlement units to host Jews from around the world. Israel says that the “future Palestinian State” should be unarmed and its borders to be watched by International third party. Can a Palestinian economy succeed without having control over the borders of a possible state? Would the Palestinian state have its own currency or use the currency of the Israeli state? Israel refuses the so called “division” of Jerusalem, as well as refuses the Full Right of Return to the cities they were evacuated from 63 years ago under the threat of force and killing. Israel claims that Palestinian refugees should only return to the Palestinian State and not to the cities that have been annexed and cleansed in 1948 inside Israel. Another claim is that there is no space to let the 7+ million refugees to return to the land.
Comments: Palestinian might negotiate the borders, east Jerusalem, prisoners, etc but will never negotiate the Right of Return, as it is the bottom line for any peace treaty between the Palestinians and the Israelis. What will happen to those Palestinians who live in East Jerusalem that have been forced to leave their houses, and some forced to destroy them by their own hands? What should happen to them? Who will pay them back the humiliation that they passed through? Who will stand for their rights, beside the 500 shekels ($130) and a tent from the Red Cross? If a peace treaty happens and Palestinians get back a state of their own, why should an international foreign party control its borders? Why a state should ever be unarmed, beside the Vatican for its religious control? If a state is to be unarmed, it should be Israel or the Jewish Homeland, since it is going to be based on religion. Israel claims there is no land space for possible return of refugees, well the Israeli population lives on less than 40% of the land of Israel, meaning that 60% is unpopulated. Can a possible sovereign country or state be divided into two pieces? The West Bank and the Gaza Strip, how should the land be connected? What will happen to 1.5+ million Palestinians living inside the “Jewish Homeland”? Aren’t they part of the Palestinian population?

3)      If none of these are going to happen, if no side is accepting the idea of negotiating, if this long lasting occupation and oppression in modern history continues, if the eruption of the wall of hate is still in sight, if 7000+ prisoners are still jailed violating all prisoner rights conventions, if the violence continues, if the feel of unsafe will dominate, then what is the other option? What will people do? To what ways they will direct their anger and madness? VIOLENCE, WAR, KILLING and the cycle continues.

A current movement of non-violence is growing in Palestine and within the international solidarity groups, which is the BDS campaign. Some you guys might never heard of it, briefly it is to Boycott, Divest and put Sanctions on Israel until it meets the international laws, UN resolutions and stop violating human rights. It is basically to boycott supporting an Israeli company, especially if this company is located within the occupied Palestinian lands, in the settlements. It worked before in South Africa in 1985, in Montgomery, Alabama in 1995, in Delano, California in 1965, it will work in Palestine. This campaign asks any organization, country or nation to boycott and divest from companies that support the Israeli military oppression, colonization and occupation to Palestine. http://www.bdsmovement.net

These are the possible options available for the Palestinian side, the Israeli and the International community. Every possibility have its own obstacles, but if one as a human being, putting everything aside for a minute and stand for human rights, human dignity and human freedom can look at the possible solutions, we can reach to a point where justice, equality and peace will in. Usually the oppressed population calls for freedom, equality and justice and anything that gives them the privilege to live in peaceful and safety environment, given back their rights as human beings, will satisfy them.

I will leave you with few words to think off: Equality, Freedom, Peace, Safety, Oppression, Apartheid, Ethnical Cleansing, Destruction, Violence, and Human Rights. Think of what these words brings to you. Think of them as a human beings who will one day stand up for humanity, to save the children of the future, to give hope, to deliver peace. 

What possible peace could ever happen when the reality on the ground is as complicated as the picture to the side?! Can a reliable Palestinian State could ever take place when land is daily taken? Can a sovereign Palestinian State be established one day with what is left for the Palestinians to live in? 

Chapter 14-18

Here we are reading and summarizing the last few chapters in Armstrong’s book. It is clear that the history of Jerusalem since thousands of years was full with conflicts, struggles, fighting, power ruling, destruction, etc. The history of the land that contains the three monotheistic religions is so complicated and intense. The last few chapters talk about the recent history of Jerusalem, since it was ruled by the Islamic law, to the Zionist movement into Palestine in late 1890, to the establishment of today’s Israel. It is interesting for those who are not familiar with the Israeli-Palestinian roots of the conflict, to learn how the British mandate and occupation to Palestine promised the Arabs their independence, but suddenly make a generous offer to the Jews around the globe to take the land of Palestine and establish a Jewish homeland in. In the chapter entitled “Israel” it goes into some of the details behind the establishment of the world’s biggest catastrophe or in Arabic the Nakba, and the establishment of today’s Israel. One point I wanted to mention is regarding the comment on the picture of Hajj Amin al-Hussieni, who was the grand Mufti of Jerusalem at that time, the picture says how he was “close in relationship” to Hitler. It is important to take into consideration, that at the time Hitler was a leader, although he was racist and Nazi, but he was a powerful leader that many other leaders have somehow connections to. What I disliked about the comment is that it mentioned how Hajj Amin al-Hussieni “might be discredited” due to his relation or overtures to Hitler, and it was not mentioned why he should be credited for all his positive and good things he did to the Palestinians and Arabs at that time. From here we can see how the wording of the words, and the way a book is written might affect the credibility or reputation of a person or a nation.

Throughout my reading to Armstrong’s book, I learned to critic what is mentioned more than support it, as when one critics and questions about things in any book, one learns more and better, and develop a greater and wider image of the topic. It also helps me when I read other’s blogs to see what questions they drew from their readings, rather whether they agree or disagree with the issue. 

Chapters 11-13

A new era of the history of Jerusalem started with the start and spread of Islam throughout the city and the region. Bayt Al-Maqdes is the other name for Jerusalem, or Al-Quds. In these chapters, it talks about the Islam religion and the pilgrimage that was done and the fights that happened to conquer some of the areas to be under the Islamic rule. Since I was born and raised within an Islamic society, I do know most of this information, about when Umar wanted to pray and refused to do so in any of the Christian or Jewish holy sites, concerned that later on, Muslims might convert these places into a Muslim holy place. Regarding the Jizyah or the tax that non-Muslims used to pay, although I do not support the idea of making the homeowners pay money to stay protected at their places, but since a new power took place, usually this is a common thing to happen for minorities, throughout history. One thing regarding the dhimmi or the minorities under the Islamic rule and control of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas that in my personal opinion should not happen, that they had to give up all means of self defense, could not bear arms, and the ‘humiliating legislations’ like minorities were not allowed to build without permissions, they had to bow when they presented the jizyah, were forbidden to ride horseback, and had to wear distinctive clothing, all these rules do not help in a peaceful living within the surroundings. As stated in the book, the system provided religion freedom but not equality or justice. Problems rose between and within the Muslims after the death of Muawyah, and there were many rebellions between the Omayyads and the Yazid. Jerusalem, or Bayt Al-Maqdis became an important city for Muslims as it was for Jews and Christians before, making Jerusalem the only city probably in the region or the lobe were the three monotheistic religions share a belief towards.

Although the city of Jerusalem contained within its boundaries the three religions, but problems stayed between Christians, Jews and Muslims, each believing that their belief is the most righteous one. One very interesting point mentioned in the book is about the Holy Fire in the Anastasis on the evening before Easter Sunday, where people till today gathers to wait for this flame to appear out of nowhere, something that is really interesting to witness and see, as I was within the people who goes to the church there before Easter and wait for the Holy Fire, whether true or false, no one can ever know I guess. The so called Christian Crusaders entered the holy city and a new period of history starts. I said the so called crusaders, because I personally do not agree with the term Crusaders, people from different region invading another in the name of the Christ and the Cross. It is like when Bin Laden declared the war on the States in the name of Islamic religion, something that many Muslims do not accept or respect. History repeats itself, now the crusaders when they took power over Jerusalem banned Muslims and Jews from the holy city. Here comes the injustice where people from outside the region come declaring war on the inhabitants and deny them their freedom of religion and movement, something that we are witnessing in our recent day in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Destruction comes back to the holy city. 

Suad Amiry - Worth watching

Funny and inspiring speech by the Palestinian author of "Sharon and My Mother in Law", Suad Amiry


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r2DPCzgx68&feature=player_embedded#at=185

Parallels-Homeland-Music

“Parallels and Paradoxes” is an interesting piece of knowledge. The name itself is valuable; once a person can understand the parallels, connections and paradoxes in one’s life, conflict or problem, then that person can reach satisfaction. Edward Said and Daniel Barenboim’s both share some background similarities, and both share the understandings of social injustices, literature and culture. When talking about Palestine, one can think of few names that perfectly fit the idea of being the identity of Palestinians and Palestine, one of them obviously is Edward Said. He was a “fighter” and a “defender” at the same time, he was a person with clear future vision, compassionate belief and had a great spirit that even after the body is gone, and his spirit still floats within the Palestinian culture and society.

Interestingly when watching one of the videos, the first Palestinian girl who is part of the Barenboim-Said Foundation is my classmate from back home, Tyme. She mentioned how hard was it for her as Palestinian to be part and participate in this wonderful concert. Another thing she mentioned is that music might be a way to weaken the barriers between Palestinians or Arabs and Israelis, but will not be the solution of such an intense conflict.

One of the question regarding the “knowledge is the beginning” project, is that can music really give those who are detained their basic human rights in living, education, health, movement, etc, back their right of living a simple humane life? Can music really overcome the political differences and overcome the cultural barriers between Palestinians and Israelis in specific?

What was Edward Said’s vision and thoughts of creating such a diverse musical band would effect and contribute to the Palestinian- Israeli conflict? And some people might say that such a project could be a way of normalization between the Palestinians and the Israelis, what do you think regarding the issue of normalization?

In the “Homeland Redefined” thesis, it is clear how both the Palestinians and the Israelis are fighting over a common issue; which is the physical borders of the land. I think this thesis article make things clearer especially to those who are not familiar with the history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It is really interesting seeing how home and homeland are defined. The article summarizes the concept of defining a homeland, as well as the roots of the Israeli- Palestinian conflict.

One last thing to mention, although the project and the Barenboim-Said Foundation is a great and outstanding event that might unite both Palestinians, Arabs and Israeli youth together promoting for peace through music, but in my opinion, the conflict is deeper and more intense than one to be solved through music or workshops, such a conflict could only be solved through international laws, human rights laws, and through justice and equality for those who were detained their basic right of living over a property. Our conflict is based on land theft, identity destruction, culture deletion, and music might break the barriers and make things less intense, but this conflict could only be solved by real justice. 

East Jerusalem, Key Humanitarian Concerns

http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_jerusalem_report_2011_03_23_web_english.pdf

The link above is a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories. It is about 118 page long, focused on the history of Jerusalem since the partition plan in 1947 till our recent days, with special focus on the Palestinians of East Jerusalem rights in the city and how the occupation violates it.

Chapter 8-10

Chapter 8 continues talking about the destruction that Jerusalem was going through; it talks about the discrimination and persecution of Jews at the Roman times. Roman occupation to that land years ago, not only destroyed the city and its holy places, but also persecuted the Christians that came after. It is interesting when we see all these similarities between the Christians and Jews, from the way living, to the religious aspects, both were not happy with one another. This chapter also mentions the importance of Jerusalem to Christians at that time, and how they felt towards it. It goes in more details about the Christian faith and Jerusalem. I liked the statement that said how Jews and Romans should put history behind and start over, meaning to remove tens of years of destruction and continue in peace, something that is really hard to achieve. It is unfortunate to see how the results of the war and the way the Jews fought were the only way that the Romans and Rome realized their respect to the Jews. It is really interesting to see how Christians did not only visit Jerusalem, the city, but other cities that Christianity was founded within, as the Jordan Valley. I did not know that Christianity was only considered as official religion until more than 300 years after the birth of Jesus.

“The New Jerusalem” chapter talks about Christianity and how fast it spread. It also talks about fights and problems that rose between different Bishops. It is clear how personal ego and benefits (probably) since early history brought problems between nations and faiths. It goes into the details of Helena’s visit to Palestine, other scholars, the discovery of part of the cross, the tomb, etc. I am not sure why Armstrong skipped important dates of Jesus in Jerusalem, but focused more on the findings and discoveries aftermath. It is fascinating that when Jews were living in Jerusalem, it was called Palestine, while when Christians took power, they called it Israel.

Christians considered the earthquake that happened to Jerusalem as “miracle” while for Jews and for their efforts in rebuilding the temple was a disaster; this shows how each one see things from a different view than another. And we go back to destruction, when the Persians invaded Jerusalem, massacred its Christian inhabitants and destroyed their holy places. 

Anglican Bishop refused VISA renew

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/anglican-bishop-appeals-deportation-order-over-sale-of-land-to-palestinians-1.345375

Suheil Dawani, a Palestinian Christian who took the position of the Anglican Bishop in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Israel in 2007, ranking as the highest position for Anglicans in the Middle East, has been facing the threat of being deported from Jerusalem, using the excuse that he sold lands that belonged once to Jews to Palestinians, although, all the lands belonging to the Anglican church in the Middle East is controlled by the United Kingdom, and the Anglican cathedral there. He has been refused the VISA renewal, and despite the international pressure from the US, EU, United Kingdom and the Palestinian support to him, his VISA is still canceled, and the Interior Ministry of Israel still want him to be deported from the country.

This is one of the many examples of how Israel is discriminating against Palestinian presence in East Jerusalem. This act is another violation to international laws, and religious laws that any religious figure has the right to stay in his country and practice the freedom of his religion without limitation or restriction.

Chapter 5-7

This week’s chapters (5-7) continue with the very deep and rich history of Jerusalem and that area thousands of years ago. It talks about how that area was never settled in history, from early development till our recent day. It talks about how Jerusalem at one time became more like a desert with no living life in it. One sentence that was mentioned in chapter 6 “those who refused to convert were expelled from the country” reminds me in today’s situations, not religiously wise, but political. The difference is that whoever was expelled had the chance to return home. As we read more, we can obviously see that destruction was a great deal thousands of years ago, and unfortunately till now. Jewish temples and religious sites were destroyed continuously at that period of time. One point that took my attention is the use of exact dates, like 28^th of August, (thousands of years ago), which proves how exact might the history of Jerusalem be.

The conflict over Jerusalem, is more than one about religion, it is also a battle over the history of that holy city. As we continue reading the Armstrong book, it becomes more interesting to learn about the history and incidents that happened in Jerusalem.  

Chapter 1-4

Armstrong in the beginning of her book, mentioned how different and plural Jerusalem as a city is. She talks about how each eye can view and see Jerusalem from a different point of view, and that was clear for her, when her Israeli colleagues showed her different parts and aspects of Jerusalem than her Palestinian colleagues. I liked how Armstrong goes over the word ‘holy’, as she says that although both the Palestinians and Israelis agree that Jerusalem is a holy city, but each define holiness differently, which make it more complex. One interesting point Armstrong mentions in her book is that the Palestinians (whether Christians or Muslims) see the claim of the presence of Solomon’s temple as myth, and how the Jews or Israelis, might look at the story of prophet Mohammad as a myth, I have saw few documentary videos from Israeli and Jewish archeologists that are saying after the years that have been spent in digging under the Old City of Jerusalem trying to look for any tie for the Solomon’s temple, nothing have been found yet. Something that is really interested to focus on. History is different than facts, no one is sure about history, no one knows if the religious stories we hear off are right and exact, they might be changed a bit, and words might have been different hundreds or thousands of years ago than today. In my own humble opinion, I think that we have to put history on the side, because Christians, Muslims and Jews all believe to have ties to this city.

Chapter one talks deeply on the very early history of Jerusalem, what is really clear and obvious is that even historians have no exclusive and absolute fact about who was living in the hills of Jerusalem thousands of years ago. In the second chapter, about Zion and Israel, it is clear that even history is not absolute of what was going on hundreds of years BC. One other misconception that is used now and I have been faced with, is that some people think that the land of Israel, thousands years ago is the same as the “state of Israel” nowadays. This is a misconception, and none is connected to the other. Chapter three talks about the city of David, Judah, the approximate time when they moved into “the promised land”, etc. While I am reading, although I have a few backgrounds about the history of Jerusalem, but I am overwhelmed about this deep and detailed history provided, I am somehow lost between the Jebusites, Cannanites, Israelits, Solomon, etc. It is clear that the history of Jerusalem is one of the richest and oldest in modern history, but at the same time, I do also believe that history stays history, and in any possible talks or negotiations, history should be put on the side, because we are living the present, and the acts on the ground are killing the history of such a city. Also another point is that what was mentioned as the land of Israel or the ‘Promised Land’, thousands years ago was not over the exact land of Israel today, or Palestine now. And it was clear that the Land of Israel was not over the whole land of Palestine/Israel now, but was spread around the areas there. From the first readings of this week, it is clear that violence was there in the City of Jerusalem long time ago. 

Week Two Response

“Jerusalem: The Holy City through the Ages” article is a historical detailed article about the different and consequences occupations to that land. It talks about the history of Jerusalem, a history that is thousands of years of age. One thing that took my attention while reading this article, beside its rick history, it was mentioned that “Jerusalem was reunited during the Six Day War” and in reality Jerusalem was occupied and that’s why we see the whole division between Palestinians and Israelis today.

“Jerusalem Then and Now” article goes deeper in the religious importance of Jerusalem to the three religions. It has been and still is a restless city. I liked the graphs in this article as they summarize the words. By the end of the article, the writer states the problem of Jerusalem, where Palestinians believe that it is a holiest city, and should be included (East Jerusalem) according to the UN resolutions and International Laws under the Palestinian control, while the Israeli leaders and figure consider the question of Jerusalem, unquestionable, undivided city as a capital for the state of Israel, something, that Palestinians no matter when or where will never agree upon.

“The History of Jerusalem, from an Arab Perspective” by Dr. Al-Khalidi is another article that talks about the history of the city. We can see the similarities between the articles in the early old history up to the point in 1917. In this year, the land of Palestine was given as a gift for the Jewish people around the globe, “A country with no people for people with no country”, the first of this statement is not true at any level, because as history states, Jerusalem and Palestine was populated by Arabs (Christians and Muslims) as well as Jews. In this article Khalidi also mentions the status of Jerusalem within the international law eyes, as an occupied land (East Jerusalem) and “the status of Jerusalem remains unresolved to this day”.

The article about the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict summarizes the whole conflict. Few things to elaborate on, the word militia was mentioned more than once, Palestinians do not consider those who founded and fought for the Palestinian deprived and lost rights as militants, but freedom fighters. The report in 1947 by the United Nations was rejected by the Arabs and Palestinians, because of a simple belief, which is to think of simply as “if someone took over your house would you negotiate that with him”? “The “earliest predictable date” that was mentioned in the 194 resolution for Palestinian refugees till now, 63 years after the dispossession, this date did not come! One word that really grabbed my attention is “terrorism” when it was given to those lawful Palestinians that fought against occupation and land theft and for their rights. How can a deprived person fighting for his/her basic rights considered as terrorist? Armed struggle is way different from all aspects than terrorism. Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian president was blamed by Israel and its best ally in history the US because simply he did not agree on what Israel offered, best agricultural parts of the West Bank stays with Israel, East Jerusalem not to be under the Palestinian control, and NO to the right of return, which is the bottom line for any peace treaty with Israel. I am not sure why when Palestinians fight against occupation is considered bloodshed and they are considered as militia, while when state sponsor destruction and apartheid is used, is not considered so! One more thing to point out is that Arafat was stuck in his quarter in Ramallah, not just stuck, but surrounded by Israeli tanks, with daily shootings and bombings to his office and quarter, something that no leader in the world faced.

My response is too long I believe, but if I want to be satisfied with myself, I would have written 10 pages long response to the history of the conflict. Few last comments to address, “A hero in one’s eyes might be a terrorist in others”, and “violence brings violence, it is a circle with no end”. 

Week One Readings

Hello, my name is Amer Khader, senior student at OSU, majoring in Human Nutrition and Community Health. I was born and raised in Jerusalem, Palestine for 18 years, I have lived during the hardest times the city of Jerusalem was passing through. The main reason that I took this class is because it talks about my hometown, it talks about the holiest city in the world, yet the most divided and displaced city in modern history. I am expecting to learn about the history of the city, to learn about Jerusalem or Al-Quds from a perspective that might be a bit different that politics. I am expecting to see some different perspectives and opinions by my classmates that will stay parallel to my perspectives, beliefs and opinions, this is not new to me, as I am used to hear and listen to opposing opinions and beliefs, they are difficult to admit sometimes, but are realities, that I usually face by respect and discussion.

The first reading about the “The Folk Festival that Was Not” is an interesting reading. My first thought regarding the participation of “Jerusalem” in the Washington Festival was that of happiness, to be honest, because whenever Jerusalem as a city of identity is represented in an American festival, it is represented from one side, which is the Israeli side, and as Rokem mentioned in the article:” possibility for the Palestinians to fully express their cultural, political, economic and human rights IN Jerusalem has been questioned and denied by the Israeli governments”, and in here he is talking about expressing their beliefs and thoughts as citizens in the city, so imagine expressing their culture or political views in a place like the US! In this article, it was obvious that no matter how things might go around, but the question of Jerusalem is always the circle and base of the cause. The question of Jerusalem could never be solved even at the level of representation UNLESS a just and equal peace is spread and find light within the Palestinian – Israeli conflict.

The second article, “Researching East Jerusalem” is a very interesting article, while I was reading it I went back in time, remembering the Sabt Al Noor, the Sundays I used to go pray, the Fridays where I witnessed young Muslims denied access to the Dome of the Rock to pray, the Palestinian ladies and farmers trying to sell their things at Damascus Gate, I felt that it was me who is narrating this story. Two comments I wanted to add is that as Al-Amiry mentioned “Palestinians do not recognize the Jerusalem municipality”, and this is because Palestinians have no presence in such a municipality and have no representations. The other point, which I always hate to see or read, is the phrase “Arabs East Jerusalem and Israeli West Jerusalem”, It is Palestinian East Jerusalem and Israeli West Jerusalem, this is a matter of identity, and yes we are Arabs as ethnicities but Palestinians in origins.

The paper written by Amy Horowitz explains the difficulties in representing both the Palestinian and Israeli cultures within different communities in the Festival in DC. She mentions that beside the difficulties, the budget was also limited. What I liked most in the article is that she mentioned about the women role in the program and peace process, she also mentioned some of the most known and important cultural aspects of the Palestinian and Israeli culture. In the interview with Suad Al-Amiry, she mentioned the problems they as Palestinian team faced, the rich cultures that the Palestinians have, and main goal of the festival in DC. I think that she made it clear by responding to the questions directed to her how hard is it to fairly and equally representing the Palestinian side in such a festival. One thing to add is that all we saw in these articles was in the 1990s. Today, Jerusalem is facing harder times especially for the Palestinians living there, from restriction in house permits, to depletion of the Arab and Palestinian culture in East Jerusalem by the Israeli government, to restriction in the access for schools, health, hospitals, etc. Jerusalem has not been divided as today.