Comments on: War comes home to my small town

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 19:36:51 +0000

There are genocide deniers, just like there are holocaust deniers. The situation in Palestine did not begin on Oct. 7. It is a matter of historical record that after World Wars I and II the big western powers like the U.S., Britain, and France did not want Jewish refugees from eastern Europe and Russia so they supported the displacement of 700,000 Palestinians to establish Israel. Anyone who wants to understand the history from both the Palestinian and Jewish perspectives could benefit from three books. The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan. A book originally published in 2006 follows two families – one family of Palestinians who were driven from their house in 1948 and the other a family of Bulgarian Jewish refugees who took over that home. The Palestinian family goes from believing their displacement is only temporary, to believing that the surrounding Arab nations will insist on their right to return, to ultimately believing that armed resistance is the only path left. The Jewish family goes from believing their new home was abandoned, to understanding that it was stolen, to ultimately believing they now have a right to it although Palestinians are owed reparations. Members of the two families meet but never resolve their differences. Apeirogon by Colum McCann. This is the dramatic true story of a Palestinian family and Israeli family who each lost a child to the endless violence in that region. The children’s fathers have joined forces to campaign for an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza as a first step toward a peaceful and just solution for all. As members of Combatants for Peace and The Parents Circle they have given multiple presentations in the U.S., whose tax dollars fund the Israeli military. Palestine: Peace, Not Apartheid by Jimmy Carter. Drawing on his direct experience as an international negotiator, the former president wrote in 2006 that negotiated solutions had been acceptable to Hamas and other Palestinian groups on multiple occasions but that “Israel’s continued control and colonization of Palestinian land have been the primary obstacles to a comprehensive peace agreement.” Illegal Israeli actions are condoned by “a submissive White House and U.S. Congress,” “voices from Jerusalem dominate in our media,” and “most American citizens are unaware of circumstances in the occupied territories,” he wrote.

By: John

John — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 04:50:21 +0000

In reply to Alan. The old dogma that Palestinians left in a huff has been now been debunked. Most were forcibly removed, their homes and lands appropriated. The daily Palestinian death toll in Gaza is now at 250 and climbing. These are uncomfortable facts. Combine the violence with starvation and disease, and the lack of water. It's a humanitarian crisis not seen in this century. The Israeli army wields weapons paid for with American taxpayer money. Now tell me what Yassir Arafat did. Spell it out. Did he kill 250 people per day. Order civilians to evacuate to the south only to bomb them in their last refuge.

By: George

George — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 01:09:10 +0000

Hamas is prolonging this war in Gaza and calling for more bloodshed. The terror group has rejected the latest hostage deal terms agreed to by Israel and negotiated with the United States, Egypt and Qatar. Israel agreed to pause the fighting, send more aid into Gaza, and free hundreds of imprisoned Palestinian terrorists, but Hamas has so far refused to free the hostages. Notably, those leading the calls in Congress for an immediate ceasefire have failed to condemn Hamas. Rep. Ritchie Torres further exposed how these members are quick to criticize Israel but fail to unequivocally condemn Hamas, and Rep. Jared Moskowitz called out Hamas' sick strategy.

By: Alan

Alan — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:41:30 +0000

In reply to Andrew Seles.

I am just wondering if any of you know or heard of Yassar Arafat?
Do any of you know what he did and what he didn’t do?
That statement that Matt made about 700,000 people being displaced is so wrong.
Why has Matt not discussed what Hamas has done and not done for the Palestinian people?

By: Pauline

Pauline — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:45:31 +0000

Well said! This lays it out so clearly.

By: Linelle Diggs

Linelle Diggs — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 19:48:27 +0000

Matt, you said it well: concisely and to the point!

By: Diana Roome

Diana Roome — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 17:47:21 +0000

Thank you for reflecting on local views about this important and highly sensitive topic. It is tragic that the historic and present suffering of Jews has somehow been used to justify unconscionable violence against innocent people in Palestine. I’m grateful that Jewish Voice for Peace is helping people here to understand the crucial difference between the actions of a far-right Israeli government and the opinions of many Jewish people in Israel and elsewhere who are as horrified as anyone about the destruction in Gaza. The fact that the US is inadvertently furthering this conflict with military aid while sincerely trying to end it through diplomacy is a sad contradiction.

By: Andrew Seles

Andrew Seles — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 07:07:21 +0000

Nicely done, Matt. Our local Jackson County Democratic Party also approved a resolution asking for a permanent ceasefire. It went out to all city councils in Jackson County and to our state and federal legislators. Raising our voices in objection to violations of human rights and international law does not make us anti-semitic or pro-Palestinian…it makes us conscientious objectors.

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 00:11:06 +0000

I do not get the 2.5 star rating. I find it clear,
true, and inspiring. Looking forward to another.

By: Lee

Lee — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 22:45:03 +0000

110% agree. Ceasefire poster in my front yard.