This letter was my response to a Jewish friend (supporter of
Palestine), who got upset upon hearing severe criticism, disdain and
sarcasm against “Israel” and “Israelis”
Palestine), who got upset upon hearing severe criticism, disdain and
sarcasm against “Israel” and “Israelis”
He felt that people as they criticise “Israel” should not forget
the “humanity” of “Israelis”, he also felt that this was a typical
behaviour of anti Semitism which caused him to feel angry and frightened
the “humanity” of “Israelis”, he also felt that this was a typical
behaviour of anti Semitism which caused him to feel angry and frightened
About
anti Semitism
anti Semitism
Talking about
anti-Semitism, and the accusation of anti-Semitism, is to many people a
very sensitive issue, nevertheless, I feel the need to highlight some
points:
anti-Semitism, and the accusation of anti-Semitism, is to many people a
very sensitive issue, nevertheless, I feel the need to highlight some
points:
As a Palestinian
and as a Muslim, with first hand experience of racism, whether here in
UK or in occupied Palestine, I do understand what it means to be
subjugated to it; thus, I deeply empathise with those who suffer from
the menace of racism and discrimination, those who are abused verbally,
physically, emotionally, or otherwise for no other reason than the fact
that they are “different”
and as a Muslim, with first hand experience of racism, whether here in
UK or in occupied Palestine, I do understand what it means to be
subjugated to it; thus, I deeply empathise with those who suffer from
the menace of racism and discrimination, those who are abused verbally,
physically, emotionally, or otherwise for no other reason than the fact
that they are “different”
And I also do
understand the awful feeling and dreadful sensation of being subjugated
to subtle racist looks or remarks, only felt by you and not the people
around you
understand the awful feeling and dreadful sensation of being subjugated
to subtle racist looks or remarks, only felt by you and not the people
around you
However, I do see a
huge difference between a racist remark directed at a person or a group
for their beliefs, race, or whatever that which makes them different,
and between a snarl, a sneer or sarcasm against an occupying criminal
entity called “Israel” and its people, for their CRIMES
huge difference between a racist remark directed at a person or a group
for their beliefs, race, or whatever that which makes them different,
and between a snarl, a sneer or sarcasm against an occupying criminal
entity called “Israel” and its people, for their CRIMES
One must not fail
to distinguish between the rage and fury caused by watching helplessly
for decades the grim unstoppable crimes go unpunished year after year,
and the racist blind hatred that might still exist among a tiny minority
who, by nature, would be hating anything and anyone who is different
anyway
to distinguish between the rage and fury caused by watching helplessly
for decades the grim unstoppable crimes go unpunished year after year,
and the racist blind hatred that might still exist among a tiny minority
who, by nature, would be hating anything and anyone who is different
anyway
Furthermore, this
occupying entity called “Israel” (a word that I myself detest to even
pronounce and generally avoid to use) is not a theoretical being, nor
does it operate in a vacuum; it’s neither an abstract concept nor a
conjectural void
occupying entity called “Israel” (a word that I myself detest to even
pronounce and generally avoid to use) is not a theoretical being, nor
does it operate in a vacuum; it’s neither an abstract concept nor a
conjectural void
It’s an entity run
by PEOPLE
by PEOPLE
PEOPLE who make
decisions,
decisions,
PEOPLE who elect
politicians
politicians
PEOPLE who ALL
serve in a barbaric army
serve in a barbaric army
PEOPLE who foster
racist beliefs, attitudes and actions
racist beliefs, attitudes and actions
PEOPLE who invaded
others’ land, dispossessed them, and forcibly occupied it
others’ land, dispossessed them, and forcibly occupied it
PEOPLE who imprison
children and shoot babies hearts
children and shoot babies hearts
PEOPLE who
destroy world heritage
destroy world heritage
PEOPLE who steal water, land,
sea and sky
sea and sky
PEOPLE who kill
hope, life, beauty and smiles
hope, life, beauty and smiles
PEOPLE who build
their colonies on the blood and ruins of another people
their colonies on the blood and ruins of another people
It is an entity of
PEOPLE, 94% of whom voted for the attack on Gaza
PEOPLE, 94% of whom voted for the attack on Gaza
It is an entity of
PEOPLE who violated and assaulted ALL neighbouring countries
PEOPLE who violated and assaulted ALL neighbouring countries
It is an entity of
PEOPLE who live on a STOLEN land for over six decades, with no
signs of shame, remorse, awakening of conscience, or willingness to
neither admit nor right the wrongs they’ve committed
PEOPLE who live on a STOLEN land for over six decades, with no
signs of shame, remorse, awakening of conscience, or willingness to
neither admit nor right the wrongs they’ve committed
Every normal person
with some compassion, would make a grimace of disgust and revulsion
when hearing about such an entity or such a people who
commit such despicable horrors
with some compassion, would make a grimace of disgust and revulsion
when hearing about such an entity or such a people who
commit such despicable horrors
Now, I find it
difficult to be persuaded that such a reaction to such horrific crimes
-when hearing the name “Israel” or “Israeli”- is an act of racism
(anti-Semitism)
difficult to be persuaded that such a reaction to such horrific crimes
-when hearing the name “Israel” or “Israeli”- is an act of racism
(anti-Semitism)
On another note; we
– Palestinians- do not have any responsibility whatsoever for the crime
of the holocaust, nor do we carry the burden of European racism against
Jewish people
– Palestinians- do not have any responsibility whatsoever for the crime
of the holocaust, nor do we carry the burden of European racism against
Jewish people
Furthermore, I do
not see a difference between any kind of racism including racism
directed against Jewish people known as anti-Semitism. If we accept
racism against Jewish people as being different, then it implies that we
accept the racist absurdity of “Jewish exceptionalism”. Racism is
racism, many causes same consequences
not see a difference between any kind of racism including racism
directed against Jewish people known as anti-Semitism. If we accept
racism against Jewish people as being different, then it implies that we
accept the racist absurdity of “Jewish exceptionalism”. Racism is
racism, many causes same consequences
Thus, I do not see
the suffering of Jewish people (horrible as it was) as a unique kind of
suffering which must be revered and viewed as essentially and
fundamentally different from other human suffering; the same way that I
do not see our suffering as Palestinians as unique or different from any
other
the suffering of Jewish people (horrible as it was) as a unique kind of
suffering which must be revered and viewed as essentially and
fundamentally different from other human suffering; the same way that I
do not see our suffering as Palestinians as unique or different from any
other
Questions come
pounding:
pounding:
Why is it that we
–Palestinians- are constantly reminded of the horrors of the holocaust,
when we had nothing to do with it?
–Palestinians- are constantly reminded of the horrors of the holocaust,
when we had nothing to do with it?
Why is it that we
Palestinians, are to suffer the same fate as the victims of the
holocaust by the hands of those who brag worldwide to act for “never
again”?
Palestinians, are to suffer the same fate as the victims of the
holocaust by the hands of those who brag worldwide to act for “never
again”?
Why would the UN
want to enforce the study of the history of our oppressors and occupiers
-holocaust- upon our children who are languishing in refugee camps –who
themselves along with their parents, and grandparents were victims of ethnic
cleansing, planed and executed by those whom they are supposed to
feel sympathy with?
want to enforce the study of the history of our oppressors and occupiers
-holocaust- upon our children who are languishing in refugee camps –who
themselves along with their parents, and grandparents were victims of ethnic
cleansing, planed and executed by those whom they are supposed to
feel sympathy with?
Why is it that we
are persistently bogged down by the fixation on anti-Semitism, while for
sixty years (a century rather), we are the ones who are
relentlessly suffering from a most vile evil racism (ethnic cleansing
gradually becoming a form of “final solution”) perpetrated by a whole
population of racist zionists?
are persistently bogged down by the fixation on anti-Semitism, while for
sixty years (a century rather), we are the ones who are
relentlessly suffering from a most vile evil racism (ethnic cleansing
gradually becoming a form of “final solution”) perpetrated by a whole
population of racist zionists?
(with all honesty, I
must tell you that some times I imagine it would’ve been easier and
less painful to us to be gassed and killed immediately rather than this
policy of excruciating slow death that we have been going through for
over a century)
must tell you that some times I imagine it would’ve been easier and
less painful to us to be gassed and killed immediately rather than this
policy of excruciating slow death that we have been going through for
over a century)
How could the world
keep asking us to recognise the “humanity” of a settler, who comes with
his wife and children armed to his teeth, and at gun point evicts a
Palestinian family, throws their entire belongings out, and moves in?
keep asking us to recognise the “humanity” of a settler, who comes with
his wife and children armed to his teeth, and at gun point evicts a
Palestinian family, throws their entire belongings out, and moves in?
What kind of
“humanity” is this?
“humanity” is this?
And most
importantly, why is it that we are continuously been asked to feel
compassion towards our tormenters who relentlessly murder and humiliate
us, who attempt to annihilate us and our history and why, to what
purpose, are we asked to feel their “humanity”, while
their knife still piercing deep in our hearts?
importantly, why is it that we are continuously been asked to feel
compassion towards our tormenters who relentlessly murder and humiliate
us, who attempt to annihilate us and our history and why, to what
purpose, are we asked to feel their “humanity”, while
their knife still piercing deep in our hearts?
Finally, I cannot
speak on behalf of all the Palestinians, but as for myself, I must
admit, the recent assault on Gaza was the last straw that broke the
camel’s back; before that, I used to think that there is hope, those
PEOPLE would wake up to their “humanity” one day, and regret the evil
that they’ve done, unfortunately, the more I see of them, the more I
realise that this hope and dream was an illusion
speak on behalf of all the Palestinians, but as for myself, I must
admit, the recent assault on Gaza was the last straw that broke the
camel’s back; before that, I used to think that there is hope, those
PEOPLE would wake up to their “humanity” one day, and regret the evil
that they’ve done, unfortunately, the more I see of them, the more I
realise that this hope and dream was an illusion
Over the past few
years, I have been reading and debating with many of those “soft”
zionists in the so called “peace camps”, all I found is an extremely
arrogant groups of people, who are incapable of recognising, admitting,
or willing to rectify the crimes they’ve done.
years, I have been reading and debating with many of those “soft”
zionists in the so called “peace camps”, all I found is an extremely
arrogant groups of people, who are incapable of recognising, admitting,
or willing to rectify the crimes they’ve done.
They are only
interested in “peace” to protect their interests and to further
secure their grip hold on the stolen land
interested in “peace” to protect their interests and to further
secure their grip hold on the stolen land
Moreover, very
recently, and by sheer accident, I stumbled upon some honorific
information that reveals the severity of decay of morality and lack of
humanity amongst those RACIST zionists – whose ideological
bigotry and chauvinism surpasses all other- that left me in a
state of shock for days; crying, shaking, suffocating with palpitations
and suffering from severe panic attacks.
recently, and by sheer accident, I stumbled upon some honorific
information that reveals the severity of decay of morality and lack of
humanity amongst those RACIST zionists – whose ideological
bigotry and chauvinism surpasses all other- that left me in a
state of shock for days; crying, shaking, suffocating with palpitations
and suffering from severe panic attacks.
Undoubtedly, the
world community should leave it to the victims to decide how to deal
with those criminals in the future. Only the victims can investigate the
fragile alleys of forgiveness or punishment. The victims should have
the last say irrespective of what their judgment might be, they should
not be vilified, indicted or moralized with, for they have suffered more
than enough
world community should leave it to the victims to decide how to deal
with those criminals in the future. Only the victims can investigate the
fragile alleys of forgiveness or punishment. The victims should have
the last say irrespective of what their judgment might be, they should
not be vilified, indicted or moralized with, for they have suffered more
than enough
The emergence of
forgiveness and reconciliation requires certain conditions:
forgiveness and reconciliation requires certain conditions:
1) Stopping the crime
2) Admitting of guilt
3) Asking for pardon
4) And rectifying the wrong
None of these conditions are
ever considered as an option amongst that mighty sick racist zionist
society
ever considered as an option amongst that mighty sick racist zionist
society
As for me, I have
no authority to talk in the name of all Palestinians, but I can state
with all honesty, I DO NOT wish the zionist murderers, those of whom
were directly or indirectly involved in massacres, theft of land,
subjugation and oppression, to remain in Palestine after its liberation
from the occupier. –except of course for the very few good people
amongst them, as no soul should carry the liability of another- I do not
wish the invader, occupier and criminal racists to stay in Palestine,
the land that they incessantly raped, destroyed and disfigured, nor do I
desire them to be my neighbours
no authority to talk in the name of all Palestinians, but I can state
with all honesty, I DO NOT wish the zionist murderers, those of whom
were directly or indirectly involved in massacres, theft of land,
subjugation and oppression, to remain in Palestine after its liberation
from the occupier. –except of course for the very few good people
amongst them, as no soul should carry the liability of another- I do not
wish the invader, occupier and criminal racists to stay in Palestine,
the land that they incessantly raped, destroyed and disfigured, nor do I
desire them to be my neighbours
They have shown no
respect, no appreciation, and no love to this land or to her people
respect, no appreciation, and no love to this land or to her people
They do not deserve
to live there
to live there
But these are only
my own feelings, and I know that the decision is not mine.
my own feelings, and I know that the decision is not mine.
More
on anti Semitism
on anti Semitism
There are some more
points that I would like to draw attention to:
points that I would like to draw attention to:
1) “Israel” calls
itself a Jewish state, and claims to be acting for all Jewish
people, by Jewish people. It is still enjoying the moral and financial
support of the majority of Jewish communities world wide. The absence of
a huge uproar of denunciation and disassociation by the majority
of world Jewry, makes it hard for people not to blame zionist Jews who
live outside occupied Palestine for their guilt of complicity, active
alliance or passive complacency by either silence or aiding and
sustaining the criminals
itself a Jewish state, and claims to be acting for all Jewish
people, by Jewish people. It is still enjoying the moral and financial
support of the majority of Jewish communities world wide. The absence of
a huge uproar of denunciation and disassociation by the majority
of world Jewry, makes it hard for people not to blame zionist Jews who
live outside occupied Palestine for their guilt of complicity, active
alliance or passive complacency by either silence or aiding and
sustaining the criminals
2) “Israel” still
enjoys the protection of the “Security Council” with its US vetoes on
any UN resolution sanctioning “Israel’s” endless list of ongoing crimes
and infractions of international law, and the "Israeli" criminals still
roam with impunity, free from prosecution by any jurisdiction . This
intolerable situation inevitably foments further rage and fury against
the double standard and special treatment granted to the “Jewish” state
enjoys the protection of the “Security Council” with its US vetoes on
any UN resolution sanctioning “Israel’s” endless list of ongoing crimes
and infractions of international law, and the "Israeli" criminals still
roam with impunity, free from prosecution by any jurisdiction . This
intolerable situation inevitably foments further rage and fury against
the double standard and special treatment granted to the “Jewish” state
3) The excessive
use of the term “anti Semitism”:
use of the term “anti Semitism”:
a) by zionist Jews,
accusing all non zionist
accusing all non zionist
b) by soft zionists
Jews, accusing anti zionists Jews
Jews, accusing anti zionists Jews
c) by anti zionists
Jews, accusing fellow anti zionists Jews and also non Jews of
anti-Semitism as soon as they dare to examine Judaism with critical eye,
criticising some aspects of it, some beliefs, attitudes or behaviours
Jews, accusing fellow anti zionists Jews and also non Jews of
anti-Semitism as soon as they dare to examine Judaism with critical eye,
criticising some aspects of it, some beliefs, attitudes or behaviours
All this has participated in
creating a sense of repression of freedom of expression, and undoubtedly
also a sense of being subjected to what feels like intimidation and
thought control
creating a sense of repression of freedom of expression, and undoubtedly
also a sense of being subjected to what feels like intimidation and
thought control
It has also diluted
the meaning of the word Anti-Semitism, making it practically devoid of
any signification. It is now used ad nauseam, ad absurdum, reduced to a
simple rhetorical trick, slapped in the face of anything and anyone, as
soon as there is the slightest inspection of facts. The word has lost
its effectiveness to expose a form of racism, I am afraid. The more we
hear it used inappropriately, the more indifference its further future
usage will raise. Worse, it may even -God forbid- contribute to a form
of blow-back …the story of the boy who cried wolf is only too familiar
the meaning of the word Anti-Semitism, making it practically devoid of
any signification. It is now used ad nauseam, ad absurdum, reduced to a
simple rhetorical trick, slapped in the face of anything and anyone, as
soon as there is the slightest inspection of facts. The word has lost
its effectiveness to expose a form of racism, I am afraid. The more we
hear it used inappropriately, the more indifference its further future
usage will raise. Worse, it may even -God forbid- contribute to a form
of blow-back …the story of the boy who cried wolf is only too familiar
So, a sincere
advice from a heart that cares, to all my Jewish friends who are really
interested in preventing the re-emergence of real “anti Semitism”, and
to those “Israelis” with some humanity left; I would say:
advice from a heart that cares, to all my Jewish friends who are really
interested in preventing the re-emergence of real “anti Semitism”, and
to those “Israelis” with some humanity left; I would say:
1) Instead of
wasting time searching for the "humanity" within "Israeli" criminals,
focus your energy on fighting and revealing “Israeli” crimes and exposing
its inhumanity
wasting time searching for the "humanity" within "Israeli" criminals,
focus your energy on fighting and revealing “Israeli” crimes and exposing
its inhumanity
2) Disassociate
your selves completely from such an entity and proclaim this
annulment loud and clear
your selves completely from such an entity and proclaim this
annulment loud and clear
3) Let go of the
idea that anti Semitism is a “special” case of racism; treat all racism
with the same degree of unambiguous condemnation
idea that anti Semitism is a “special” case of racism; treat all racism
with the same degree of unambiguous condemnation
4) Try to look at
the situation from the standpoint of non Jewish people, who will not
accept or understand the insistence on the uniqueness of the
Jewish suffering, whereas the world has seen since the end of WW2 the
massacres of millions and millions of non Jews. The world is now
inflamed by hatred against Muslims, not against Jews.
the situation from the standpoint of non Jewish people, who will not
accept or understand the insistence on the uniqueness of the
Jewish suffering, whereas the world has seen since the end of WW2 the
massacres of millions and millions of non Jews. The world is now
inflamed by hatred against Muslims, not against Jews.
5) With love in my
heart, with sincere and pure feelings, I would appeal to you to look
inwards and search for reasons, as to why you feel that the world
should accept racism against you as somehow worse or different, and as
to why you feel that your suffering is unique and unlike others’ ,
because this is not how the world sees it. All suffering has the same
value to those who go through it, and all racism has the same
consequences and must be ostracized with the same ferociousness
heart, with sincere and pure feelings, I would appeal to you to look
inwards and search for reasons, as to why you feel that the world
should accept racism against you as somehow worse or different, and as
to why you feel that your suffering is unique and unlike others’ ,
because this is not how the world sees it. All suffering has the same
value to those who go through it, and all racism has the same
consequences and must be ostracized with the same ferociousness
6) Those of us who
are involved in the support of Palestinian cause are inevitably going to
be accused of anti Semitism, that does not make us in any shape or form
anti-Semites, for we know very
well that we are not; hence, false labels, and bogus allegations should
not frighten or deter us, distract us or hinder our determination of
doing what we think is right
are involved in the support of Palestinian cause are inevitably going to
be accused of anti Semitism, that does not make us in any shape or form
anti-Semites, for we know very
well that we are not; hence, false labels, and bogus allegations should
not frighten or deter us, distract us or hinder our determination of
doing what we think is right
7) And finally,
please, do not freak out when people point out to certain aspects of
Judaism and the Jewish culture that they might not like or find
incompatible with humanity, equality, or fairness, after all assessment
and criticism have always been accepted by other religions,
belief-systems and cultures, and this is what freedom of thought and
freedom of speech are all about, people have the right to look at
different ideologies, scrutinize them, criticise them and sieve out what
appears to be hindering the human moral development, as long as all
this is done in a non offensive manner, without slander or abuse, but
rather in a respectful, academic, genuine and good-intentional search
for truth
please, do not freak out when people point out to certain aspects of
Judaism and the Jewish culture that they might not like or find
incompatible with humanity, equality, or fairness, after all assessment
and criticism have always been accepted by other religions,
belief-systems and cultures, and this is what freedom of thought and
freedom of speech are all about, people have the right to look at
different ideologies, scrutinize them, criticise them and sieve out what
appears to be hindering the human moral development, as long as all
this is done in a non offensive manner, without slander or abuse, but
rather in a respectful, academic, genuine and good-intentional search
for truth
PS:
I know that what I have said
might appear too strong, unfamiliar, or painful to hear, but I can only
speak of what’s in my heart, as I believe that only through openness and
honesty that trust can be built
might appear too strong, unfamiliar, or painful to hear, but I can only
speak of what’s in my heart, as I believe that only through openness and
honesty that trust can be built
We have a saying in Arabic;
“sadeequka man sadaqak, wassaddaqak”
“sadeequka man sadaqak, wassaddaqak”
صديقك
من صدَقك و صدّقك
من صدَقك و صدّقك
“Your true friend is that
who is honest with you and who believes you”
who is honest with you and who believes you”
Arabic word for honesty: sidq
And for friend: sadeeq
Both friend and honesty
share the same root: sa-da-qa= told the truth
share the same root: sa-da-qa= told the truth
My love as
always
always
nahida
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Poetry for Palestine 