Factional clashes in Palestine, whatever their justification, ultimately serve to minimise the Zionists' role in its continuing Occupation of the homeland. The international media is filled with reports of the clashes between elements of Hamas and Fatah, while the Zionist plan to rob Palestinians of more land in the West Bank in its construction of its infamous Wall is virtually ignored.
Recently, the Zionist government has made a proposal to move its 'separation barrier' deeper into the West Bank, leaving about 20,000 Palestinians on the Zionist side of the Wall and incorporating two more illegal Jewish settlements. Notwithstanding the fact that every inch of Palestine occupied by the Zionist entity is illegally occupied, its 'Wall' makes the lives of ordinary Palestinians impossible. The Wall often serves to separate Palestinians from their land, their jobs and their families and is a more pernicious and permanent obstacle than the ever-present Zionist 'chequepoints' that prevent the ordinary Palestinians from one location to another.
When complete, the massive complex of concrete walls, barbed wire and electronic sensors will be about 680km long. The Wall has been declared illegal under international law, yet the Zionists as usual ignore all considerations apart from their own interests.
The Wall serves as another excuse for demolishing Palestinians homes. In the past year, over 400 Palestinian homes have been demolished because of spurious building permit issues or because they were 'too close to the Wall'.
This continuing erosion of the Palestinian presence in Palestine itself goes on unabated but international media chooses to focus on the internal Palestinian struggles between factions.
The Zionists rejoice to see Palestinians kill Palestinians and are particularly delighted when leaders of either faction are killed. In the circumstances, would it not be far better to concentrate all Palestinian energies on the destruction of the Zionist entity and only after this is achieved, sort out internal political issues?
Of course, that would require that BOTH sides be uncompromising in a determination never to accept the existence of the Zionist entity, nor to be persuaded by foreign bribes or threats of intimidation on the part of the U.S. or any one else.
This internal power struggle is destroying the lives of ordinary Palestinians while allowing the Zionists to freely pursue their goals. While Palestinian confronts Palestinian, the Zionists continue to demolish more homes and appropriate more land and their actions either are ignored or considered less newsworthy than any conflict between elements in Fatah and Hamas. Obviously, media coverage is designed for the most part to advance Zionist goals as well, and any internal Palestinian conflicts will be greatly publicised.
Palestinians, like the Iraqi people, find themselves in an impossible situation. What is the solution? I submit that Unity in Resistance against the foreign Occupiers is the only answer here. Get rid of the foreign Occupation first. Only then will there be ANY viable future for any political group or political agenda for the Arab Nation.
03 February 2007
01 February 2007
Blind Hatred and Violence
This morning, as I struggled to place my walker (zimmerframe) in the boot of my old car, an old man came up to me. I mistakenly supposed that he would offer to help me, but I could not have been more wrong about that. Instead, he shouted at me: 'I hope some one bombs your car and blows you up!' Evidently this did not suffice to express his hatred, as he then shouted: 'I should get a bomb and blow you up!'
Evidently, this outburst was prompted by a sticker on the back of the car that said nothing more than: 'Got Freedom? Iraqis and Palestinians don't.'
What is interesting about this man's response is the fact that most negative responses to a political message of this kind are extremely violent in nature. He was absolutely incandescent with hatred and rage. I had done nothing but paste a sticker on the back of a car. I had not behaved provocatively or forced him to react to anything.
In like manner, an old Jewish woman upon seeing an anti-Zionist sticker once screamed at me: 'I wish we could put YOU in a gas oven!'
Why should a simple phrase or sentence prompt such hatred and expressions of violence? I would understand if some one engaged me in dialogue in an attempt to persuade me of the 'error of my ways'. That seldom occurs, however.
In fact, it is precisely because there is no logic whatsoever to their responses that they are so violent in nature. Evidently the truth threatens people like this.
After telling me that he was going to find an explosive to blow me to kingdom come, the old man proceeded to call me a 'whore'. As I was clothed very modestly from head to toe with only my face and hands exposed to the world, it could not have been my physical appearance that inspired this assessment. He then told me he was going to do everything in his power to make certain that I would 'get to those 72 virgins you can't wait to have for yourself in Heaven'.
This, of course, was totally bizarre. The entire outburst was peculiar, to say the least, but it is not the first time that I have taken abuse because of my political stance. What distinguished this particular confrontation from others was the fact that, despite the fact that I was a woman and a disabled woman at that, his first impulse was to call me a 'whore' and then to rant about '72 virgins'.
The man apparently believes all Arabs are Muslims and terrorists and that jihad consists only of a simple compelling desire for death in the interest of a future existence surrounded by '72 virgins' irrespective of gender.
None of this would be worth recounting except for one fact that is rather frightening: the man never looked at ME.
He knew nothing whatsoever about me, nor did he take even a moment to acquire any knowledge based on simple observation. This demonstrates the ultimate dehumanisation of the 'Enemy' through propaganda. The old man was so consumed by ignorance and hatred engendered by media and/or social propaganda that he did not see me as an individual. His remark about the virgins, so completely irrelevant in the circumstances, made that perfectly clear.
I was not intimidated by his pathetic performance but there are people who are victimised every day by ignorant individuals like him. Moreover, it is from individuals like this that support for the spurious 'war against terror' is derived and sustained.
People like this do not know that Muslims and Christians worship the same God, nor do they know that Muslims are not all Arabs nor are all Arabs Muslims. They tell Palestinians to 'go home', not realising that the very crux of the problem is that Palestine is occupied by a foreign invader. The Zionist entity will not allow the Palestinian people to 'go home' and furthermore continue to drive those who remain in Palestine into exile.
In this modern age, when technology makes it possible for people to become aware of news instantaneously anywhere in the world, people continue to live in abysmal and inexcusable ignorance. How can any one be unaware of the simple facts about Islam and Palestine that I have enumerated here? How indeed?
Media propaganda is partly to blame, but there are other factors involved in this situation as well. Personal selfishness and the greed born of consumerism cause people to focus on their own desires and 'needs' to the point where they are blinded to anything else. If the government lowers a tax or offers a rebate of some kind, however trivial it may be when compared to all the increased costs levied on society, that is all that matters to most people. They are too involved with their quest for a bigger house or a better car to question the reports of the government or media. When those reports are challenged or even proven false by any one, few take the time or trouble to give the matter any attention at all.
This is true of government representatives as well as individuals. Corruption in government would not exist in any substantial way were it not for greed and the promise or hope of gain. Government officials make political and moral compromises daily for the sake of profit, whether for themselves or their consituencies.
Beyond that, however, ignorance is possible on a grand scale only because of general indifference to anything that does not appear to affect an individual personally.
For example, there are quite a few who believe that Saddam Hussein was involved somehow with the attacks on the Twin Towers without any evidence whatsoever, and who continue to believe that Iraq had 'weapons of mass destruction', despite all evidence to the contrary. It would be laughable, were it not for the fact that it is from ignorance and misinformation like this that support for the spurious 'war against terror' is derived and sustained.
I was not intimidated by the man's pathetic performance today but there are people who are victimised every day by individuals like him. After the attacks of 11 September, Muslims in the West had to endure many terrorist threats based on nothing more than ignorance. It was hardest perhaps for the children who had to suffer through many nasty encounters very similar to the one I experienced this morning. Their innocence was lost the first time they were insulted or terrorised simply because they wore hijab. Instead of being seen as the symbol of modesty and purity that it actually represents, hijab was perceived as the badge of a terrorist.
Furthermore, it is this sort of ignorance and dehumanisation that encourages rapes, torture and murders by American soldiers in Iraq as well as the inhumane and despicable treatment of prisoners by Americans and their allies throughout the world. It is said that every serial or thrill killer is able to kill because he/she first dehumanises his/her victims.
And yet, if we fall into the same error, there will be no hope for the future. Rather than spitting hatred back at that horrible little man, I told myself that if only one person sees that sticker and begins to question the American government's policy towards the Arab Nation, it is worth every insult or threat that I may be forced to experience from others.
Even so, how can any one truly wonder why people in the streets in the Arab Nation celebrated when they saw the Twin Towers crumble? When faced day after day with the sort of blind arrogance and unreasoning hatred this old man exhibited, is it any wonder that there were those who did not mourn when they witnessed a symbol of that arrogance fall into dust? When the deaths of thousands of Arabs as 'collateral damage' in acts of terror committed by the U.S. and its allies meet with indifference or violent glee from individuals like this old man, is it any wonder that Americans sometimes are perceived as ignorant and selfish?
Whose duty is it to change that perception? I submit that Americans and members of other Western nations have a responsibility and duty to prevent men like this from speaking or acting in their name. I would like to believe that there are enough people out there who would be humiliated, embarrassed or even outraged enough by this sort of behaviour to do something to change American foreign policy rather than allowing this appalling state of affairs to continue. Of course, I never have been entirely cured of my idealistic principles...
Evidently, this outburst was prompted by a sticker on the back of the car that said nothing more than: 'Got Freedom? Iraqis and Palestinians don't.'
What is interesting about this man's response is the fact that most negative responses to a political message of this kind are extremely violent in nature. He was absolutely incandescent with hatred and rage. I had done nothing but paste a sticker on the back of a car. I had not behaved provocatively or forced him to react to anything.
In like manner, an old Jewish woman upon seeing an anti-Zionist sticker once screamed at me: 'I wish we could put YOU in a gas oven!'
Why should a simple phrase or sentence prompt such hatred and expressions of violence? I would understand if some one engaged me in dialogue in an attempt to persuade me of the 'error of my ways'. That seldom occurs, however.
In fact, it is precisely because there is no logic whatsoever to their responses that they are so violent in nature. Evidently the truth threatens people like this.
After telling me that he was going to find an explosive to blow me to kingdom come, the old man proceeded to call me a 'whore'. As I was clothed very modestly from head to toe with only my face and hands exposed to the world, it could not have been my physical appearance that inspired this assessment. He then told me he was going to do everything in his power to make certain that I would 'get to those 72 virgins you can't wait to have for yourself in Heaven'.
This, of course, was totally bizarre. The entire outburst was peculiar, to say the least, but it is not the first time that I have taken abuse because of my political stance. What distinguished this particular confrontation from others was the fact that, despite the fact that I was a woman and a disabled woman at that, his first impulse was to call me a 'whore' and then to rant about '72 virgins'.
The man apparently believes all Arabs are Muslims and terrorists and that jihad consists only of a simple compelling desire for death in the interest of a future existence surrounded by '72 virgins' irrespective of gender.
None of this would be worth recounting except for one fact that is rather frightening: the man never looked at ME.
He knew nothing whatsoever about me, nor did he take even a moment to acquire any knowledge based on simple observation. This demonstrates the ultimate dehumanisation of the 'Enemy' through propaganda. The old man was so consumed by ignorance and hatred engendered by media and/or social propaganda that he did not see me as an individual. His remark about the virgins, so completely irrelevant in the circumstances, made that perfectly clear.
I was not intimidated by his pathetic performance but there are people who are victimised every day by ignorant individuals like him. Moreover, it is from individuals like this that support for the spurious 'war against terror' is derived and sustained.
People like this do not know that Muslims and Christians worship the same God, nor do they know that Muslims are not all Arabs nor are all Arabs Muslims. They tell Palestinians to 'go home', not realising that the very crux of the problem is that Palestine is occupied by a foreign invader. The Zionist entity will not allow the Palestinian people to 'go home' and furthermore continue to drive those who remain in Palestine into exile.
In this modern age, when technology makes it possible for people to become aware of news instantaneously anywhere in the world, people continue to live in abysmal and inexcusable ignorance. How can any one be unaware of the simple facts about Islam and Palestine that I have enumerated here? How indeed?
Media propaganda is partly to blame, but there are other factors involved in this situation as well. Personal selfishness and the greed born of consumerism cause people to focus on their own desires and 'needs' to the point where they are blinded to anything else. If the government lowers a tax or offers a rebate of some kind, however trivial it may be when compared to all the increased costs levied on society, that is all that matters to most people. They are too involved with their quest for a bigger house or a better car to question the reports of the government or media. When those reports are challenged or even proven false by any one, few take the time or trouble to give the matter any attention at all.
This is true of government representatives as well as individuals. Corruption in government would not exist in any substantial way were it not for greed and the promise or hope of gain. Government officials make political and moral compromises daily for the sake of profit, whether for themselves or their consituencies.
Beyond that, however, ignorance is possible on a grand scale only because of general indifference to anything that does not appear to affect an individual personally.
For example, there are quite a few who believe that Saddam Hussein was involved somehow with the attacks on the Twin Towers without any evidence whatsoever, and who continue to believe that Iraq had 'weapons of mass destruction', despite all evidence to the contrary. It would be laughable, were it not for the fact that it is from ignorance and misinformation like this that support for the spurious 'war against terror' is derived and sustained.
I was not intimidated by the man's pathetic performance today but there are people who are victimised every day by individuals like him. After the attacks of 11 September, Muslims in the West had to endure many terrorist threats based on nothing more than ignorance. It was hardest perhaps for the children who had to suffer through many nasty encounters very similar to the one I experienced this morning. Their innocence was lost the first time they were insulted or terrorised simply because they wore hijab. Instead of being seen as the symbol of modesty and purity that it actually represents, hijab was perceived as the badge of a terrorist.
Furthermore, it is this sort of ignorance and dehumanisation that encourages rapes, torture and murders by American soldiers in Iraq as well as the inhumane and despicable treatment of prisoners by Americans and their allies throughout the world. It is said that every serial or thrill killer is able to kill because he/she first dehumanises his/her victims.
And yet, if we fall into the same error, there will be no hope for the future. Rather than spitting hatred back at that horrible little man, I told myself that if only one person sees that sticker and begins to question the American government's policy towards the Arab Nation, it is worth every insult or threat that I may be forced to experience from others.
Even so, how can any one truly wonder why people in the streets in the Arab Nation celebrated when they saw the Twin Towers crumble? When faced day after day with the sort of blind arrogance and unreasoning hatred this old man exhibited, is it any wonder that there were those who did not mourn when they witnessed a symbol of that arrogance fall into dust? When the deaths of thousands of Arabs as 'collateral damage' in acts of terror committed by the U.S. and its allies meet with indifference or violent glee from individuals like this old man, is it any wonder that Americans sometimes are perceived as ignorant and selfish?
Whose duty is it to change that perception? I submit that Americans and members of other Western nations have a responsibility and duty to prevent men like this from speaking or acting in their name. I would like to believe that there are enough people out there who would be humiliated, embarrassed or even outraged enough by this sort of behaviour to do something to change American foreign policy rather than allowing this appalling state of affairs to continue. Of course, I never have been entirely cured of my idealistic principles...
29 January 2007
Ashura and the Arab Nation
A few years ago, I wrote an article entitled 'Ashura, A Call to Action' for the Free Arab Voice, urging the world to oppose the U.S. plans to invade Iraq in the interests of justice. Unfortunately, the world stood aside for the most part as Iraq was invaded, its government, social and economic infrastructure demolished, and a new era of anarchy under a puppet government was brought into being under the auspices of the U.S. and its allies.
Meanwhile, the world has seen another invasion of Lebanon by the Zionists and the heroic stuggle of the Resistance under Hizb'allah. Rather than supporting the Resistance uncompromisingly, there have been the usual petty divisive movements even within the Arab Nation among leaders and other organisations to distance themselves from anything that threatens their precarious standing with the U.S. and its allies.
The lesson of Husayn at Karbala is one that transcends any religion. Husayn is a hero of the Arab Nation. His refusal to compromise with a corrupt government, even in order to save his life and the lives of his family and friends, should be an example for the entire world. Husayn is the ultimate example of the pure martyr. In his death, he bore witness to Honour and Truth. This story does not belong to the Shi'a alone. It belongs to the entire Arab Nation and in fact, to all of humanity.
'Ashura is here again and yet, instead of unity against the U.S. and the puppet government it has installed in Iraq, we see Shi'a and Sunni at one another's throats. We see corruption and unrestrained greed for power and money on both sides. Iran, rather than supporting the Resistance unconditionally, is making a bid for power for itself and its own agents in Iraq. The President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein has been hanged like a common criminal while his enemies rejoice, obviously ignorant of the full significance of this infamous act.
Sect against sect, family against family, and above it all, the pernicious influence of the policy of the U.S. and its allies, which is dedicated to the proposition that a weakened Arab Nation is the best possible result.
There is neither excuse nor justification for this and no one is entirely blameless. Sunni and Shi'a alike co-existed in the Arab Nation as well as in the rest of the world, both members of a single Ummah. Before the Western media began its propaganda campaign to create enmity between Shi'a and Sunni, few non-Muslims even were aware of the distinction between the two. In truth, there is no more distinction than there is between Roman Catholic and Anglican in Christianity. 'La ilaha ilallah wa Muhammadan rasulullah' is the common belief that binds all Muslims in a single Ummah. ('There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his Prophet.)
It is not only Shi'a and Sunni who are guilty of allowing these divisions to widen. Now Christians, Muslims and secularists all must unite under the banner of Arab Nationalism to defeat a common enemy.
Saddam Hussein's last words reportedly were 'Palestine is Arab'. He was a secularist and yet he was a Muslim as well. He was President of Iraq and yet the Palestinian people were in his heart always. As long as people pursue their own small selfish interests rather than uniting under the banner of Arab Nationalism, this will lead lead only to the defeat of ALL ultimately.
Shame on the heads of those Shi'a who support the puppet government and corrupt leaders like the criminal Chelabi. Shame on the heads of those Sunni who do not consider Shi'a as their brothers, not only within the Ummah but in the Arab Nation as well. Shame on all those who foment this secularism, whatever their motivations.
Husayn at Karbala stood for justice and the refusal to compromise. Heavily outnumbered, he still choose to fight with honour and to die with honour. A Western writer wrote: 'Husayn marched with his little company not to glory, not to power or wealth, but to a supreme sacrifice and every member of that gallant band, male and female, knew that the foes were implacable, were not only ready to fight but to kill. Denied even water for the children, they remained parched under a burning sun, amid scorching sands yet no one faltered for a moment and bravely faced the greatest odds without flinching.'
With this example before us, how can any one choose personal gain or petty persecution over steadfastness to the noble cause of the Arab Nation? It is not only in Iraq that this poison can be seen at work, but in the Lebanon as well. Sisters and brothers, we must refuse to compromise, whether motivated from fear or by promise of gain. To work for or to support the puppet government that the U.S. has installed in Iraq is to be a traitor. To turn one's back on the Resistance movement in Lebanon would be a betrayal. The strength of the Arab Nation can be found only in Unity. To use the anarchy in Iraq or the political situation in Lebanon at this time in order to build a personal sphere of political, military or social influence is to be a traitor to the people. We must have resistance until death, but there must be Unity in this Resistance or it becomes nothing better than the squabbling of petty chieftains over war trophies that ultimately only will bleed the Nation dry.
There is no distinction between Iraq, Lebanon or Palestine. All are vital parts of a single Arab Nation and to focus on divisions instead of promoting unity is to be blind to the reality of the immense danger that threatens to overwhelm any hope of strength for the future. Strength is found only in a categorical refusal to bow to any foreign pressure whether in the form of intimidation or bribery. It is time for every one to support the cause of liberation. This liberation cannot be achieved at the hands of any foreign intervention or false pretense of 'democracy'. The Arab Nation must be steadfast in Resistance until Victory.
Meanwhile, the world has seen another invasion of Lebanon by the Zionists and the heroic stuggle of the Resistance under Hizb'allah. Rather than supporting the Resistance uncompromisingly, there have been the usual petty divisive movements even within the Arab Nation among leaders and other organisations to distance themselves from anything that threatens their precarious standing with the U.S. and its allies.
The lesson of Husayn at Karbala is one that transcends any religion. Husayn is a hero of the Arab Nation. His refusal to compromise with a corrupt government, even in order to save his life and the lives of his family and friends, should be an example for the entire world. Husayn is the ultimate example of the pure martyr. In his death, he bore witness to Honour and Truth. This story does not belong to the Shi'a alone. It belongs to the entire Arab Nation and in fact, to all of humanity.
'Ashura is here again and yet, instead of unity against the U.S. and the puppet government it has installed in Iraq, we see Shi'a and Sunni at one another's throats. We see corruption and unrestrained greed for power and money on both sides. Iran, rather than supporting the Resistance unconditionally, is making a bid for power for itself and its own agents in Iraq. The President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein has been hanged like a common criminal while his enemies rejoice, obviously ignorant of the full significance of this infamous act.
Sect against sect, family against family, and above it all, the pernicious influence of the policy of the U.S. and its allies, which is dedicated to the proposition that a weakened Arab Nation is the best possible result.
There is neither excuse nor justification for this and no one is entirely blameless. Sunni and Shi'a alike co-existed in the Arab Nation as well as in the rest of the world, both members of a single Ummah. Before the Western media began its propaganda campaign to create enmity between Shi'a and Sunni, few non-Muslims even were aware of the distinction between the two. In truth, there is no more distinction than there is between Roman Catholic and Anglican in Christianity. 'La ilaha ilallah wa Muhammadan rasulullah' is the common belief that binds all Muslims in a single Ummah. ('There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his Prophet.)
It is not only Shi'a and Sunni who are guilty of allowing these divisions to widen. Now Christians, Muslims and secularists all must unite under the banner of Arab Nationalism to defeat a common enemy.
Saddam Hussein's last words reportedly were 'Palestine is Arab'. He was a secularist and yet he was a Muslim as well. He was President of Iraq and yet the Palestinian people were in his heart always. As long as people pursue their own small selfish interests rather than uniting under the banner of Arab Nationalism, this will lead lead only to the defeat of ALL ultimately.
Shame on the heads of those Shi'a who support the puppet government and corrupt leaders like the criminal Chelabi. Shame on the heads of those Sunni who do not consider Shi'a as their brothers, not only within the Ummah but in the Arab Nation as well. Shame on all those who foment this secularism, whatever their motivations.
Husayn at Karbala stood for justice and the refusal to compromise. Heavily outnumbered, he still choose to fight with honour and to die with honour. A Western writer wrote: 'Husayn marched with his little company not to glory, not to power or wealth, but to a supreme sacrifice and every member of that gallant band, male and female, knew that the foes were implacable, were not only ready to fight but to kill. Denied even water for the children, they remained parched under a burning sun, amid scorching sands yet no one faltered for a moment and bravely faced the greatest odds without flinching.'
With this example before us, how can any one choose personal gain or petty persecution over steadfastness to the noble cause of the Arab Nation? It is not only in Iraq that this poison can be seen at work, but in the Lebanon as well. Sisters and brothers, we must refuse to compromise, whether motivated from fear or by promise of gain. To work for or to support the puppet government that the U.S. has installed in Iraq is to be a traitor. To turn one's back on the Resistance movement in Lebanon would be a betrayal. The strength of the Arab Nation can be found only in Unity. To use the anarchy in Iraq or the political situation in Lebanon at this time in order to build a personal sphere of political, military or social influence is to be a traitor to the people. We must have resistance until death, but there must be Unity in this Resistance or it becomes nothing better than the squabbling of petty chieftains over war trophies that ultimately only will bleed the Nation dry.
There is no distinction between Iraq, Lebanon or Palestine. All are vital parts of a single Arab Nation and to focus on divisions instead of promoting unity is to be blind to the reality of the immense danger that threatens to overwhelm any hope of strength for the future. Strength is found only in a categorical refusal to bow to any foreign pressure whether in the form of intimidation or bribery. It is time for every one to support the cause of liberation. This liberation cannot be achieved at the hands of any foreign intervention or false pretense of 'democracy'. The Arab Nation must be steadfast in Resistance until Victory.
12 January 2007
Resistance through Music
Music can provide a powerful rallying point for Resistance movements. This post reviews ''Ila Mataa?' by Rima Tarazi and Tania Tamari Nasir, a collection of songs dedicated to the Palestinian Resistance against the Zionist Occupation.
In 1986, Rima Tarazi and Tania Tamari Nasir recorded a number of extraordinarily powerful songs about Palestine. The songs were written by Rima Tarazi and sung by Tania primarily to the accompaniment of piano. Although both artists were born and raised in Palestine, the music represents a synthesis of East and West through its use of piano as well as Western operatic influence, yet firmly rooted in the realities of Palestinian culture and tradition.
Rima Tarazi evidently played and loved the piano from early childhood. Her use of the piano as accompanying instrument is a distinguishing feature of her music. The quality of the singer's voice is operatic and her musical background basically is a classical one. The choral accompaniment in some of her songs is characteristic of her compositions as well. Often listeners familiar only with Western classical music who listen to these songs without knowing their provenance mistakenly identify them as arias from Western classical opera. That does not make this music less genuinely Palestinian, but adds another element to its power, as the songs resonate with every one who appreciates classical music while maintaining their unique Palestinian roots and voice. The opera 'Ahmad al Arabi' by Marcel Khalife has the same effect. Music that transcends cultural boundaries yet remains true to its own cultural heritage possesses a potency that gives it a timeless universal quality.
I bought the cassette of 'Songs of Palestine' shortly after it was produced in the 1980s. Listening to it again and again through the years, it never has failed to move me.
In 1992, Jabra Ibrahim Jabra listened to the same cassette and wrote from Baghdad: 'I have to tell you that as I listened to the songs, I could not hold back my tears and my tears only flow whenever I come face to face with wondrous beauty! ... May this creativity be a constant source of inspiration to all of us as we reunite with our people in our Palestinian towns and villages so that this creative grief may be transformed into the creative joy we are forever awaiting...'
Now, two decades later, a CD has been produced that combines the songs on that cassette with new songs. Under the title of ''Ila Mataa?' ('Until When?') this incredible music is made available to a new generation.
One of the earliest songs, 'Song of the Bird' was written for the Society of Al Inash al Usra and dedicated and performed during the International Year of the Child in 1979.
The songs for the most part eulogise actual martyrs of Palestine. From a song for Hania, a 14 year old girl shot by the Zionists to songs dedicated to famous artists, writers and political leaders assassinated through the years, the songs remind us of the sea of blood on which the Zionist entity floats. They speak eloquently of Palestinian courage, determination and hope as well, inspiring our hearts to soar with pride and hope while allowing us to weep.
From Hania:
'I'm only a child, dear mother,
Why would they shoot me, dear mother?...
Hania, Hania, Hania,
Your injuries sing praises to the free,
They are the hymns of victory...
Our little ones, our dear ones, beloved ones,
Your blood shall always light our troubled earth,
It shall bring forth our renewed birth.'
The invasion of 1967 was followed by the Zionist invasion of Lebanon... The First Intifada was followed by the Second. We have witnessed another invasion of Lebanon by the Zionists and Palestine remains under Occupation even now.
Knowing this, a song dedicated to Al Quds must find an echo in the soul of every Palestinian:
Because I was born Palestinian,
Because my roots are deeply imprinted in history,
Because I was born Arab and in Jerusalem have lived since the dawn of time,
I die every day.
Al Quds has always been ours.
In our hearts it lives and will never die.
Every alley and every home bears my name,
My dreams and memories ae engraved in its walls,
Reminding us all Al Quds is Arab, it shall never die.
Because I dream of light and right,
Because I refuse to be a false witness and suppress the truth,
Because I am steadfast, as solid as a rock,
I die every day...
Al Quds is Arab,
Al Quds will never die.'
Nor will the spirit and actions of Resistance die.
Songs like these may carry with them the sorrow of loss but at the same time they bear the scent of the oranges and thyme of Palestine and the hope of a future that will not be denied. Steadfastness and memory are the twin pillars that support the strength of the Palestinian people. The identity of Palestine cannot be destroyed by bullet or bulldozer, by force or intimidation, by foreign declarations or by false propaganda. Palestine endures.
I urge every one to experience the magnificent talents of Rima Tarazi and Tania Tamari Nasir for themselves. The CD is available from the Palestine Online Store. No doubt other sources exist as well, but a link to the Palestine Online Store can be found in the Links section of this page.
N.B. If any one wishes to send me links to other sites that advance the cause of Palestine by offering items from Palestine, please feel free to do so.
In 1986, Rima Tarazi and Tania Tamari Nasir recorded a number of extraordinarily powerful songs about Palestine. The songs were written by Rima Tarazi and sung by Tania primarily to the accompaniment of piano. Although both artists were born and raised in Palestine, the music represents a synthesis of East and West through its use of piano as well as Western operatic influence, yet firmly rooted in the realities of Palestinian culture and tradition.
Rima Tarazi evidently played and loved the piano from early childhood. Her use of the piano as accompanying instrument is a distinguishing feature of her music. The quality of the singer's voice is operatic and her musical background basically is a classical one. The choral accompaniment in some of her songs is characteristic of her compositions as well. Often listeners familiar only with Western classical music who listen to these songs without knowing their provenance mistakenly identify them as arias from Western classical opera. That does not make this music less genuinely Palestinian, but adds another element to its power, as the songs resonate with every one who appreciates classical music while maintaining their unique Palestinian roots and voice. The opera 'Ahmad al Arabi' by Marcel Khalife has the same effect. Music that transcends cultural boundaries yet remains true to its own cultural heritage possesses a potency that gives it a timeless universal quality.
I bought the cassette of 'Songs of Palestine' shortly after it was produced in the 1980s. Listening to it again and again through the years, it never has failed to move me.
In 1992, Jabra Ibrahim Jabra listened to the same cassette and wrote from Baghdad: 'I have to tell you that as I listened to the songs, I could not hold back my tears and my tears only flow whenever I come face to face with wondrous beauty! ... May this creativity be a constant source of inspiration to all of us as we reunite with our people in our Palestinian towns and villages so that this creative grief may be transformed into the creative joy we are forever awaiting...'
Now, two decades later, a CD has been produced that combines the songs on that cassette with new songs. Under the title of ''Ila Mataa?' ('Until When?') this incredible music is made available to a new generation.
One of the earliest songs, 'Song of the Bird' was written for the Society of Al Inash al Usra and dedicated and performed during the International Year of the Child in 1979.
The songs for the most part eulogise actual martyrs of Palestine. From a song for Hania, a 14 year old girl shot by the Zionists to songs dedicated to famous artists, writers and political leaders assassinated through the years, the songs remind us of the sea of blood on which the Zionist entity floats. They speak eloquently of Palestinian courage, determination and hope as well, inspiring our hearts to soar with pride and hope while allowing us to weep.
From Hania:
'I'm only a child, dear mother,
Why would they shoot me, dear mother?...
Hania, Hania, Hania,
Your injuries sing praises to the free,
They are the hymns of victory...
Our little ones, our dear ones, beloved ones,
Your blood shall always light our troubled earth,
It shall bring forth our renewed birth.'
The invasion of 1967 was followed by the Zionist invasion of Lebanon... The First Intifada was followed by the Second. We have witnessed another invasion of Lebanon by the Zionists and Palestine remains under Occupation even now.
Knowing this, a song dedicated to Al Quds must find an echo in the soul of every Palestinian:
Because I was born Palestinian,
Because my roots are deeply imprinted in history,
Because I was born Arab and in Jerusalem have lived since the dawn of time,
I die every day.
Al Quds has always been ours.
In our hearts it lives and will never die.
Every alley and every home bears my name,
My dreams and memories ae engraved in its walls,
Reminding us all Al Quds is Arab, it shall never die.
Because I dream of light and right,
Because I refuse to be a false witness and suppress the truth,
Because I am steadfast, as solid as a rock,
I die every day...
Al Quds is Arab,
Al Quds will never die.'
Nor will the spirit and actions of Resistance die.
Songs like these may carry with them the sorrow of loss but at the same time they bear the scent of the oranges and thyme of Palestine and the hope of a future that will not be denied. Steadfastness and memory are the twin pillars that support the strength of the Palestinian people. The identity of Palestine cannot be destroyed by bullet or bulldozer, by force or intimidation, by foreign declarations or by false propaganda. Palestine endures.
I urge every one to experience the magnificent talents of Rima Tarazi and Tania Tamari Nasir for themselves. The CD is available from the Palestine Online Store. No doubt other sources exist as well, but a link to the Palestine Online Store can be found in the Links section of this page.
N.B. If any one wishes to send me links to other sites that advance the cause of Palestine by offering items from Palestine, please feel free to do so.
09 January 2007
Traditional arts and identity of Palestine
I intended to write about a current political situation today but decided to work on another aspect of Palestinian heritage that is dear to my heart. I was going to combine all aspects of Palestinian culture and affairs on a single site, but now have decided to create a separate page for folktales and traditional Palestinian arts. The new page, 'Symbols of Palestine' can be found in a link at the right of this page.
08 January 2007
Facts about Palestine
It is easy to be swept by emotion when dealing with the Zionist Occupation of the Palestinian homeland, and indeed some of the most powerful denunciations of this genocidal regime have been created in the form of poems or songs. On the other hand, it is only through hard facts that the intense Zionist media propaganda can be countered, especially when one wishes to educate those who primarily focus on their own private lives, blissfully unaware of Zionist machinations and how they affect every one, whether directly or obliquely.
In recommending a factual source of information, there is nothing really to equal the incredible work of Issa Nakhleh's 'Encyclopedia of the Palestine Problem'. As a member of the Bar, educated at London University to become an honourable member of Lincoln's Temple, Issa Nakhleh, although a passionate Palestinian patriot, approached the 'problem' of justice for Palestine in a strictly legal fashion. His work comprises 41 chapters with over a thousand pages of text, accompanied by extensive footnotes and photographic evidence. In his work, Issa Nakhleh provides a narrative of the history of Palestine from ancient to contemporary times. Beyond that, he manages to address every argument propounded by the Zionists and their supporters and to defeat every false theory, cutting at the very root of Zionism to utterly destroy any vestige of legitimacy either of the philosophy of Zionism or of its realisation in Palestine.
It has been difficult to find a copy of this book in recent years, but I was delighted to find that it has been published online. A link to the entire work is given in the link section dealing with the History of Palestine.
For those who wish to purchase books on the history of Palestine as well as current aspects of the situation, the Institute of Palestine Studies continues to offer academic works both in English and Arabic. Among them are the books by Walid Khalidi that have influenced more than one generation in making certain that neither Palestine nor the crimes of the Zionists ever would be forgotten. 'All that Remains' was one of the first efforts to create a precise catalogue that would make the world see how the Zionists had 'made the desert bloom' by soaking the land in Palestinian blood, destroying Palestinian villages and massacring or driving the inhabitants into exile.
This work inspired others and many projects now exist that are dedicated to the preservation of the memory of every Palestinian family and village. In terms of photography and photo-journalism, there are other excellent and inspiring works such as Edward Said's 'After the Last Sky' and the works of Azar on the Zionist invasion of Lebanon and the Intifada. Despite Edward Said's undoubted brilliance, I personally always have had a problem with 'After the Last Sky', finding its attitude nostalgic and defeatist rather than offering an aggressive promise of hope to the Palestinian people.
There are Jewish writers like Pappe, Benny Morris and Noam Chomsky who have made some contributions to history, and demonstrated some courage in discrediting Zionism. Unfortunately, when 'push comes to shove', most of them retreat into the fortress of racism that distinguishes the entire premise of a 'chosen people'. Even Noam Chomsky ultimately supports the racist Zionist state in limited form, choosing fantasy over reality rather than confronting the fundamental basis of Zionism as intrinsically racist and genocidal. These writers represent a group who are willing at least to debunk some of the Zionist propaganda but who will not support an unequivocal end to the Zionist entity. In failing to do so, they show themselves to be less than entirely trustworthy. Ilan Pappe, for example, attempts to argue that Zionist 'ethnic cleansing' of the Palestinian people, however criminal, is quite different in nature from genocide and he persists in supporting the special sanctity of the Jewish Hollowcause.
In fact, many of these writers will try to argue that their willingness to uncover the Zionist machinations that led to the Nakba as well as the continuing Occupation of the Palestinian homeland only proves that Jews somehow are the guardians of some higher standard of ethics and morality. Their work is rather like plea-bargaining in court: they will admit to some crimes in order to be exonerated of others. By admitting the facts of the Nakba, they appear to believe that the Palestinian people should be bound to compromise with respect to the continuing existence of the racist Zionist entity. In fact, the entire concept of the two-state solution, with its acceptance of a racist Zionist regime in part of the Palestinian homeland, fails to recognise the total lack of justification for the very existence of a political entity of this nature anywhere in this world.
In terms of the history of Palestine, however, original Jewish sources in the form of documents such as Moshe Sharett's diary are extremely important, as they provide unassailable evidence as to the truth of Zionism and its historical programme of destruction with respect to the Arab Nation as well as its aims with respect to the international community and nations throughout the world. If one examines the facts and the facts alone, one will be incapable of arguing in favour of the continuing existence of this 'rogue state' that threatens not only the Arab Nation but the entire world.
In recommending a factual source of information, there is nothing really to equal the incredible work of Issa Nakhleh's 'Encyclopedia of the Palestine Problem'. As a member of the Bar, educated at London University to become an honourable member of Lincoln's Temple, Issa Nakhleh, although a passionate Palestinian patriot, approached the 'problem' of justice for Palestine in a strictly legal fashion. His work comprises 41 chapters with over a thousand pages of text, accompanied by extensive footnotes and photographic evidence. In his work, Issa Nakhleh provides a narrative of the history of Palestine from ancient to contemporary times. Beyond that, he manages to address every argument propounded by the Zionists and their supporters and to defeat every false theory, cutting at the very root of Zionism to utterly destroy any vestige of legitimacy either of the philosophy of Zionism or of its realisation in Palestine.
It has been difficult to find a copy of this book in recent years, but I was delighted to find that it has been published online. A link to the entire work is given in the link section dealing with the History of Palestine.
For those who wish to purchase books on the history of Palestine as well as current aspects of the situation, the Institute of Palestine Studies continues to offer academic works both in English and Arabic. Among them are the books by Walid Khalidi that have influenced more than one generation in making certain that neither Palestine nor the crimes of the Zionists ever would be forgotten. 'All that Remains' was one of the first efforts to create a precise catalogue that would make the world see how the Zionists had 'made the desert bloom' by soaking the land in Palestinian blood, destroying Palestinian villages and massacring or driving the inhabitants into exile.
This work inspired others and many projects now exist that are dedicated to the preservation of the memory of every Palestinian family and village. In terms of photography and photo-journalism, there are other excellent and inspiring works such as Edward Said's 'After the Last Sky' and the works of Azar on the Zionist invasion of Lebanon and the Intifada. Despite Edward Said's undoubted brilliance, I personally always have had a problem with 'After the Last Sky', finding its attitude nostalgic and defeatist rather than offering an aggressive promise of hope to the Palestinian people.
There are Jewish writers like Pappe, Benny Morris and Noam Chomsky who have made some contributions to history, and demonstrated some courage in discrediting Zionism. Unfortunately, when 'push comes to shove', most of them retreat into the fortress of racism that distinguishes the entire premise of a 'chosen people'. Even Noam Chomsky ultimately supports the racist Zionist state in limited form, choosing fantasy over reality rather than confronting the fundamental basis of Zionism as intrinsically racist and genocidal. These writers represent a group who are willing at least to debunk some of the Zionist propaganda but who will not support an unequivocal end to the Zionist entity. In failing to do so, they show themselves to be less than entirely trustworthy. Ilan Pappe, for example, attempts to argue that Zionist 'ethnic cleansing' of the Palestinian people, however criminal, is quite different in nature from genocide and he persists in supporting the special sanctity of the Jewish Hollowcause.
In fact, many of these writers will try to argue that their willingness to uncover the Zionist machinations that led to the Nakba as well as the continuing Occupation of the Palestinian homeland only proves that Jews somehow are the guardians of some higher standard of ethics and morality. Their work is rather like plea-bargaining in court: they will admit to some crimes in order to be exonerated of others. By admitting the facts of the Nakba, they appear to believe that the Palestinian people should be bound to compromise with respect to the continuing existence of the racist Zionist entity. In fact, the entire concept of the two-state solution, with its acceptance of a racist Zionist regime in part of the Palestinian homeland, fails to recognise the total lack of justification for the very existence of a political entity of this nature anywhere in this world.
In terms of the history of Palestine, however, original Jewish sources in the form of documents such as Moshe Sharett's diary are extremely important, as they provide unassailable evidence as to the truth of Zionism and its historical programme of destruction with respect to the Arab Nation as well as its aims with respect to the international community and nations throughout the world. If one examines the facts and the facts alone, one will be incapable of arguing in favour of the continuing existence of this 'rogue state' that threatens not only the Arab Nation but the entire world.
06 January 2007
The Purpose of an Online Journal
As this online journal known as a 'blog' joins others on the internet, I wonder why it is that we feel compelled to raise our voices or type out our words, joining a seemingly endless stream or procession of others who walk the same path. 'I Blog for Palestine' in itself deserves some explanation...
Many write in order to express the reality of a homeland denied, a culture that has survived the onslaught of over a century of Zionist propaganda designed to promote the lie of 'A Land without People for a People without a Homeland'. The Zionist propaganda that depicted Palestine as an unoccupied 'desert' which they would cause to 'bloom' while its proponents worked tirelessly to destroy Palestinian villages and create a permanent foreign occupation of the Palestinian homeland.
Every Palestinian bears witness to the reality that Palestine is Arab and that truth cannot be bulldozed out of existence no matter how many villages are razed, or how many Palestinian children are murdered by Zionist bullets.
Nostalgia may motivate some writers but beyond that, there is the duty to preserve Palestinian history, art and culture for posterity. One day, the Zionist entity will crumble into dust and Palestine will reclaim its land and its heritage. The idea that a fragment of the West Bank or a piece of Gaza can serve as the Palestinian homeland is absurd. The idea that a foreign Jewish invasion could dispossess the Palestinian people from their homes on a permanent basis is one that must be proven false, and is being proven false on a daily basis by every refugee who carries the memory as well as evidence of his/her right to return wherever he/she may be in this world. The time when the Zionists may have hoped to wipe out an entire people has passed. The entire world now bears witness to each Zionist murder and each new crime committed by this foreign Occupation.
This is the other motivation that drives writers: the duty to bear witness. The word for martyr in Arabic comes from the verb 'to bear witness'. The death of every martyr bears witness not only to the cause for which he or she died/was murdered but bears witness to the crime that set the martyrdom into motion. For the human bomb, that crime is the foreign Occupation of the Arab homeland. For the martyr slain by a Zionist bullet, his/her death bears witness to the inherently murderous nature of that Occupation.
Many write about Palestine in order to bring the plight of the Palestinian people to the attention of the world. One therefore must attempt to conquer prejudice and ignorance as well as delineating facts. Do we write only to proclaim known truths to those who share our knowledge or do we write to bring the truth to those whose eyes are blinded to it by Western/Zionist media propaganda? Often the sheer weight of the ignorance and prejudice proclaiming all Arabs or all Muslims to be 'terrorists' and all Jews to be 'innocent victims' threatens to overwhelm many of us. How long can human beings remain ignorant to the facts? How many murders and demolitions must the Palestinian people endure before the world finally demonstrates any willingness to put Zionism on trial?
In every false protestation by the Zionists as to their desire for 'peace', there is a renewed Zionist campaign to appropriate more Palestinian land, as well as an effort to further reduce the Palestinian population either with bullets or exile in the cause of creating a wholly Jewish presence in Palestine. When will the world assume responsibility for its criminal negligence and even recklessness in allowing the Zionist entity to maintain its stranglehold over Palestine? At the heart of any call for 'Peace' must be a call for Justice. Until the Zionist entity is totally dismantled, there can be no true justice not only for Palestine but for humanity itself.
Meanwhile, make no mistake about it: silence cannot be imposed by any means whatsoever on the cause of justice for Palestine and the Arab Nation. If one voice is silenced, another will take its place. The blood of every martyr creates its own resounding message and its own presence in history. The death of every hero and martyr is an example to future generations as well as a rallying point here and now for those who will not accept the vision that the Zionists and their morally bankrupt allies seek to impose upon the world.
The path of Resistance only becomes wider and deeper as time goes on. It is through Resistance rather than compromise that this war will be won. Compromise only allows lies and half-lies to prevail and in the end, those lies will not serve the cause of justice. Resistance until Victory!
Many write in order to express the reality of a homeland denied, a culture that has survived the onslaught of over a century of Zionist propaganda designed to promote the lie of 'A Land without People for a People without a Homeland'. The Zionist propaganda that depicted Palestine as an unoccupied 'desert' which they would cause to 'bloom' while its proponents worked tirelessly to destroy Palestinian villages and create a permanent foreign occupation of the Palestinian homeland.
Every Palestinian bears witness to the reality that Palestine is Arab and that truth cannot be bulldozed out of existence no matter how many villages are razed, or how many Palestinian children are murdered by Zionist bullets.
Nostalgia may motivate some writers but beyond that, there is the duty to preserve Palestinian history, art and culture for posterity. One day, the Zionist entity will crumble into dust and Palestine will reclaim its land and its heritage. The idea that a fragment of the West Bank or a piece of Gaza can serve as the Palestinian homeland is absurd. The idea that a foreign Jewish invasion could dispossess the Palestinian people from their homes on a permanent basis is one that must be proven false, and is being proven false on a daily basis by every refugee who carries the memory as well as evidence of his/her right to return wherever he/she may be in this world. The time when the Zionists may have hoped to wipe out an entire people has passed. The entire world now bears witness to each Zionist murder and each new crime committed by this foreign Occupation.
This is the other motivation that drives writers: the duty to bear witness. The word for martyr in Arabic comes from the verb 'to bear witness'. The death of every martyr bears witness not only to the cause for which he or she died/was murdered but bears witness to the crime that set the martyrdom into motion. For the human bomb, that crime is the foreign Occupation of the Arab homeland. For the martyr slain by a Zionist bullet, his/her death bears witness to the inherently murderous nature of that Occupation.
Many write about Palestine in order to bring the plight of the Palestinian people to the attention of the world. One therefore must attempt to conquer prejudice and ignorance as well as delineating facts. Do we write only to proclaim known truths to those who share our knowledge or do we write to bring the truth to those whose eyes are blinded to it by Western/Zionist media propaganda? Often the sheer weight of the ignorance and prejudice proclaiming all Arabs or all Muslims to be 'terrorists' and all Jews to be 'innocent victims' threatens to overwhelm many of us. How long can human beings remain ignorant to the facts? How many murders and demolitions must the Palestinian people endure before the world finally demonstrates any willingness to put Zionism on trial?
In every false protestation by the Zionists as to their desire for 'peace', there is a renewed Zionist campaign to appropriate more Palestinian land, as well as an effort to further reduce the Palestinian population either with bullets or exile in the cause of creating a wholly Jewish presence in Palestine. When will the world assume responsibility for its criminal negligence and even recklessness in allowing the Zionist entity to maintain its stranglehold over Palestine? At the heart of any call for 'Peace' must be a call for Justice. Until the Zionist entity is totally dismantled, there can be no true justice not only for Palestine but for humanity itself.
Meanwhile, make no mistake about it: silence cannot be imposed by any means whatsoever on the cause of justice for Palestine and the Arab Nation. If one voice is silenced, another will take its place. The blood of every martyr creates its own resounding message and its own presence in history. The death of every hero and martyr is an example to future generations as well as a rallying point here and now for those who will not accept the vision that the Zionists and their morally bankrupt allies seek to impose upon the world.
The path of Resistance only becomes wider and deeper as time goes on. It is through Resistance rather than compromise that this war will be won. Compromise only allows lies and half-lies to prevail and in the end, those lies will not serve the cause of justice. Resistance until Victory!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
