What are you doing for ME Peace?

[Peter Vander Meulen]

Peggy Vander Meulen has become a tireless advocate - to ayone who will listen and even some who won't - for a just and fair approach to peace for Palestinians and Israelis. Below is her quick note to a small group she recently met with. I post it because it contains links to a mesmerizing 3 minute video showing what happens day in and day out to palestinian houses and those Israelis who dare to protest. The attached documents contain an incredible letter from the attorny generals of 10 states - including Michigan's Michael Cox and a response from other legal practitioners.

It is worth a few minutes to have a look...

Peter VM
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The similarities between historical legalized racism in the US, South African Apartheid and what is happening in Palestine today are striking. If you'd like to get involved and do something concrete, I'm attaching two things. One is a link to a very short (3 minute) video: http://www.supportezra.net/. Just watch it - this takes place near the area I was working in last year, and is similar to the many home demolitions that took place while I was there. Then, if you feel it would be appropriate, go to http://www.FreeEzra.org and add your name to the letter (very simple process - takes 2 mintues).

The other is a copy of a letter writen by Michigan's very own Attorney General (Michael Cox) to Hillary Clinton, along with nine other AGs, expressing his "strong support for Israeli actions in Gaza," referring to the killing of 1,400 people, the destruction of 4,000 buildings and the on-going humanitarian blockade. The attachment includes a response from international lawyers, talking points, Michael Cox' address and hints on how to write letters. Yes, it's long, but is a good example of how badly the facts are distorted and how our officials have been "bought" by the Israeli lobby; plus, this involves Michigan's Attorney General, and as a Michigan resident I don't want him suppprting Israel's war crimes on my behalf. So, if you feel moved to write to Michael Cox and / or the GR Press editor, please do so.

Either way, thanks for listening to me, and I'm glad we were able to get together tonight! Sally - I hope you and your family are enjoying your time away and feeling restored.

Peggy

[Marc Peterson]

From the widow of Andrei Sakharov;

"THROUGHOUT THE YEARS of Israel's existence there has been war. Victorious wars, and also wars which Israel was not allowed to win. Each and every day - literally every day - there is the expectation of a terrorist act or a new war. We have seen the Oslo peace initiatives and the Camp David handshake and the road map and land for peace (there is not much land - from one side of Israel on a clear day you can see the other side with your naked eye).

Now, a new motif is fashionable (in fact it's an old one): "Two states for two peoples." It sounds good. And there is no controversy in the peacemaking Quartet, made up of the US, the UN, the EU and Russia (some great peacemaker, with its Chechen war and its Abkhazian-Ossetian provocation). The Quartet, and the Arab countries, and the Palestinian leaders (both Hamas and Fatah) put additional demands to Israel. I will speak only of one demand: that Israel accept back the Palestinian refugees. And here a little history and demography are needed.

According to the UN's official definition, refugees are considered those who fled from violence and wars, but not their descendants who are born in another land. At one time the Palestinian refugees and the Jewish refugees from Arab countries were about equal in number - about 700,000-800,000. The newly-created state Israel took in Jews (about 600,000). They were officially recognized as refugees by UN Resolution 242, but not provided with any UN assistance. Palestinians, however, are considered refugees not only in the first generation, but in the second, third and now even in the fourth generation. According to the UN Works and Relief Agency's report, the number of registered Palestinian refugees has grown from 914,000 in 1950 to more than 4.6 million in 2008, and continues to rise due to natural population growth. All these people have the rights of Palestinian refugees and are eligible to receive humanitarian aid. With all the money that has been invested in the problem of Palestinians, it would have been possible long ago to resettle them and provide them with good lives in Arab countries.

The entire population of Israel is about 7.5 million, of which there are about 2.5 million ethnic Arabs who call themselves Palestinians. Imagine Israel then, if another 5 million Arabs flood into it; Arabs would substantially outnumber the Jewish population. Thus created next to Israel will be a Palestinian state cleansed of Jews, because in addition to the demand that Palestinian refugees return to Israel, there is also the demand that Judea and Samaria are cleansed of Jews and turned over to Palestinians - while in Gaza today there is not a single Jew already.

[VDB]

Peggy and Peter -

As Christians concerned with justice, I am sure you want to be be honest and balanced here. Do you also have a video of Israeli sites being bombed by the numerous (beyond count) rockets shot off from from inside Gaza? Could we have the two videos posted or linked side by side, please? Then, we may draw our conclusions as we read the letter from Michigan's Attorney General. It would add to your credibility if you were to post such a video link.

And now, as I return to breaking news from Iran - people seeking freedom and justice dying in the streets, and, thanks to current technology, right before our eyes, I feel compelled to state this:

Justice, yes, we are all for justice. We all want justice. And let us open our eyes and listen to the pleas from all of God's children - all of God's children. All. Justice for all.

Finally, I am a bit startled to hear you use the phrase, "the Israeli lobby," as though you are privy to some inner deliberations of this "group." I am wondering, by the "Israeli lobby", are you referring to the same folks sited recently by Rev. Wright? The "Jews" controlling our President? The Jews who "bought" ...

My sister and brother, Peggy and Peter, I find this post to be anti-Semitic and I am offended by it's insinuations and its distortion. I plead with you both to present a more honest and balanced view.

[VDB]

By "sited" I meant, of course, "cited" and actually a better word would be "mentioned" ... I was not able to edit my remark in time, yet, the thrust of my remark is quite sincere ...

[Marc Peterson]

I for one, will promise not to call someone "anti-Semitic" if they have reasoned arguments stating where they believe Israel has done wrong and I would hope you could do the same, namely not saying that someone is "bought off by the Israeli lobby" simply because they support Israel. I, for one, could use one of the checks they are apparently sending around but I've never received one.

[VDB]

Marc, I did not call anyone anti-Semitic. I called the post - i.e. the rhetoric - anti-Semitic - i.e. using standard Anti-Semitic language right from the infamous literature, well known. "Israeli lobby" and "bought" are code words for Jews who actually want to hold and defend their homeland as a Jewish State (i.e "Zionists"). A more balanced argument would have acknowledged that every country and interest group - even Albania and nursing homes - have advocates, lobbyists, and PACS and spend money to persuade decision makers. This is free speech and democracy and it is as old as our country. The Saudis, for example, spend an enormous amount of money in Washington DC and in the entertainment media - also transporting folks around for Middle East tours or sending choirs to sing at Christian colleges. Other interest groups use money to exert political influence and win new friends as well - on behalf of various interests - including Hamas and Hezbolla (i.e. the current Iranian Administration). To single out the "Israeli lobby" and state accuse that senior members of the Obama Administration of being "bought" off is simply simplistic, unfair, unsubstantiated, and - yes, the code words "Israeli lobby" and "bought" (without acknowleging the full scope of political influence regarding the Middle East) are - in my view - in its effect if not by intention, anti-Semitic. My reply to that post appealed to the author(s) to adopt a more use honest and balanced view - and, by implication, more honest and balanced language. Justice is for all - and that was my central point. And by all, I include Palestinians, Iranians, all the people of Israel and Jews worldwide. By all, I mean everyone, with no exceptions.

[Marc Peterson]

I understand, VDB. I replied to the wrong message, sorry. I was referring to how quickly the "Israel Lobby" slur is pulled out to blunt any argument and that I would try to be more careful with my own language. I agree that is is offensive to assume that our AG was "bought" (is it less offensive to put it in quotes?) just because he disagrees with someone.

[Micah Schuurman]

Arabs are Semites too. Does that make Israelis just as anti-semitic as the Arabs?

The reason that I raise this point is broader than it may seem. I don't think that we should single out anti-Jewish sentiments as being worse than other forms of racism. All racism is equally bad. If the racist actions taken against Jews are particularly evil, we should single out those actions and work with particular vigor to eliminate those things.

All types of racism are awful. But, anti-Jewish sentiments are not inherently worse than the others racist tendencies.

This being said, being critical of Israel does not equal being anti-Jewish. People were fiercely angry at South Africa during apartheid. That did not make them racist against white South Africans.

Finally, regarding the pro-Israel lobby: you seem to be making an argument along the lines of the famous "reductio ad Hitlarum." The basics of the argument is that you prove that something is bad by showing that Hitler liked it. "Hitler liked carrots, therefore carrots are bad." If you are not attempting to make such an argument, I am not sure why you would introduce Rev. Wright to this topic.

A few years ago, Forbes ranked the most powerful lobbying organizations. AIPAC (The American Israel Public Affairs Committee) came in third behind AARP and the Farm Lobby. AIPAC is an organization devoted to supporting legislation that is devoted to a foreign country. It would be unthinkable if it we weren't so used to it. And, while AIPAC has historically had little control over the President himself, it has a vice-like influence over congress. If you don't want to take my word for it (or the words of other people who have taken a judicious look at AIPAC), just remember Forbes didn't put AIPAC in #3 without reason.

[Marc Peterson]

What is happening in the West Bank and could happen in Gaza if the haters don't win out over those who want better for their people
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From Ha'aretz-
-" The skies lit up over Jenin last month, set off to mark the occasion of the opening of Hirbawi Home Center, a new luxury establishment on the city's outskirts.

The five-story building near the Jalame checkpoint cost $5 million to build, says its owner, and it is filled with deluxe, foreign-made products seen mostly in the pages of newspaper supplements.

This shopping opportunity is intended to interest the upper crust of Jenin, and while some might think the proposition suggests financial suicide, the profit forecasts for the project have been so favorable the owner plans to open four more shops in the West Bank and one in Jordan.

The next city to enjoy a Hirbawi Home Center is Ramallah, where one is already in partial operation; then Hebron, Tul Karem and Nablus.

"It may sound mad to outsiders," says the chain's CEO, Ziad Turabi, "but to us it makes perfect sense. We believe we can make a very handsome profit. Many people in the occupied territories have money but they have nowhere to spend it if they're after quality. We offer them the best quality there is."

This may not sound like the familiar description of the occupied territories - the impoverished Palestinian village or the overcrowded refugee camp, a population sustaining itself on international aid. But it turns out that quite a few Palestinians consider a plasma screen, a surround sound stereo and comfortable chairs to be fairly essential items.

Here, on the fifth floor of the Jenin operation, overlooking the fields separating Israel from Jenin, are the in-demand electric gadgets: enormous TV screens, vacuum cleaners, espresso machines, and the list goes on and on.

"We've been working for a few months now and every day had been like opening day. We are very pleased, and the profits have been very satisfying so far. Don't worry, we're not going to lose, and we truly believe that. "

Part of the reason for the success of a venture like this is that the PA - together with American Lieutenant-General Keith Dayton and Israel - have worked together to stop terror from what used to be a haven for terrorists:

"Abu Tarek," the Jenin area commander, seemed pleased. He and his predecessor, "Abu Hadid," have turned "terrorism capital" into the quietest, safest city in the West Bank. Jenin, the flagship project of the American administration and the U.S. security coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Lieutenant-General Keith Dayton, has become the success story of the new PA. "What brings Hirbawi and others is the security situation", Abu Tarek says. "We solved quite a few issues and, Inshallah (God willing,) we will see many more investments. Even the refugee camp is quiet now. There are no militants and we react very quickly to any incident. The residents believed in the security apparatus. They trust us and assist us.

"And you can see it on the street. Shops are open until late, women can go around fearlessly.

"It's been over two years since the last attack from Jenin against Israel. We went to great length to prevent terror attacks, and your people know that."

A third factor which makes the change in the West Bank possible is the Israel Defense Forces. Abu Tarek says the Israeli army was still carrying out operations in the West Bank but became "a lot less violent." And one of the Palestinians present, who witnessed his brothers' arrest recently, chuckles: "They're very gentle nowadays. They come quietly, knock on the door and say politely: Army, please open up."

This goes to show what is possible - when Palestinian Arabs take responsibility for terrorism, Israel has no need to bother them and no need to stop them from succeeding. In fact, Israel has every incentive to turn it into a win-win, a mindset that most Arabs unfortunately have not yet embraced.