The Violence Stops Here

The PLO's executive committee announced Sunday "that the Palestinians are ready to carry out their obligations to stop violence against Israelis anywhere," committee member Saeb Erakat told CNN, adding that the committee hopes "the Israeli side would reciprocate by stopping violence against Palestinians everywhere."

I have never been an advocate of violence. I think that the second Intifada in its brutality only further puts off the inevitable, a peaceful solution. I do believe that Palestinians and Israelis will coexist one day, similar to the people of South Africa. However I do not condone the cowardice of the PLO and the timid approach it has used since the election of Abu Mazen. Ariel Sharon and his administration have tossed aside ideas of peace, refused to abide by laws of humanity or reasonability, and continue to thwart the possibility of a "window of opportunity" since the passing of Arafat. The Palestinians in return should only be as willing to curb the violence inflicted on the occupying force (innocent civilians aside) as the Israelis are. However the contrary has occurred. While Abbas and the PLO have openly denounced all violence that has taken place, Israel has decided that it can continue its killing spree of Palestinians, including direct assassinations, and more importantly the killing of innocent civilians.

Since the start of the current intifada there has been no more a period of quiet on the side of the Palestinian militants in targeting Israeli civilians. Yet the demands of the Sharon administration have never been so strong. And in light of more moderate words coming from groups such as Hamas in the Occupied Territories, one would think that the government of Israel would be doing cartwheels. Yet the reality remains that the Sharon government is disinterested in peace, and has ceased looking for a partner some time ago. Furthering the plan of disengagement from Gaza while appropriating more of West Bank territory is really what's on Sharon's mind. These squabbles over solutions for peace are sadly of no concern to Mr. Sharon.

So the quagmire continues. How does one find a just solution to peace when at every corner the government of Israel is looking to sidetrack any effort? At some point the "doves" of Israel must speak up, and they must speak up loudly. If not in the name of humanity, then surely in the name of the security of Israel.

Abu Mazen: The Ticking Time Bomb (Jan 11th)

Ding dong the witch is dead. So one would rightly assume that the happy ending is just around the corner. Unfortunately not. While Arafat has departed from his current existence and entered the boogey man hall of fame, the generous offer rejecter wasn't the major obstacle to peace most had painted and hoped him to be. And with the ending of the elections, the Western candidate Mahmood Abbas easily slid into the top spot on campus. Whether this semi-backing was because of desperation, fear of radicalization, visions of insurmountable future struggle, or the plain fact that Israel had jailed any credible opposition, Abbas remained the victor.

So now that democracy is shining, roaring proudly and beautifully from Ramallah to the borders of the Jordan Valley, one would think that this historic day would actually be historic. Again we are wrong. This fallacy that democratization was implemented on January 9th is one of the concerns.

Nearly half of the Palestinian population lives as refugees outside the Occupied Territories; this includes Palestinians living inside Israel and tens of countries around the world they were forced to flee to. And while the international community is acting more giddy than a fourteen year old schoolgirl preparing for her semiformal, the reality remains that this smoke screen hides the roots of problem, and the reason inroads to peace haven't occurred over the last 56 years.

American conjecture and olive branch gestures will sadly affect the Bush legacy
about as much as their intriguing policy in Iraq. The second that Abbas turns one degree from impeccable American/Israeli lackey, the olive branch will quickly be rescinded. And discussion of the roots of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict will be brushed aside yet another time. These roots clearly being Israel's lack of acknowledgement of Al Nakba, the continuing occupation of the last 37 years, and the disproportionate force used against the Palestinian people on a daily basis.

Until there is an understanding and acceptance of the Palestinian's right to self determination, the right to a homeland, and the right to continue to live as an indigenous population, moves towards peace will be a long journey away. So as we count down the days for the explosion of the ticking time bomb, the imminent clash of Abu Mazen and it's cranky Goliath, we continue to express our struggle to the deaf ears and the blind eyes. But even more so, we fear that the ticking time bomb never goes off, and Abu Mazen, the beacon of democracy, makes the role of Western lackey permanent. And sadly, one can only cringe at the thought of a third intifada.

Welcome to my blog

Hello Everyone,

Here at poeticiblog we will be discussing fun topics such as land appropriation, home demolitions, curfews and assassinations. And that's just with the Israeli/Palestinian conflict alone. We will venture into the mind of George W. Bush and his wonderful administration. Tackle hot button issues such as social security, stem cell research, and gay marriage. And who can forget about the war in Iraq. The elections are coming, that means freedom is around the corner, so I'm sure we'll have to address a word or two for the celebration. And lastly I want everyone to have a great inauguration day. I'm sure our president is, I hear 40 million tax payers dollars and additional 20 million for security can throw one hell of a party. Welcome to my blog, I hope you enjoy your stay.

test

just testing right now.