On May 12, 6:47 am, YhauWa <lechina3...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
By Ben White
S=E3o Paulo, Brazil
As Israel celebrates 60 years of statehood this month, Palestinians
are taking the op****tunity to remember the catastrophic shattering of
their society in 1948. It is not simply a question of recalling the
past; they continue to struggle for self-determination and to have
their rights recognized under international law.
Yet it is a mistake to consider the past 60 years as simply a story
of
unmitigated disaster for the Palestinian people. There have also been
significant successes and achievements =96 and it is a story worth
telling. This is all the more remarkable, given the extent to which
the society was devastated in 1948: Israel destroyed some 400
villages
as 85 percent of Palestinians in what became Israel were
dispossessed.
In spite of everything, Palestinians have not only survived but won
international recognition for Palestinian statehood thanks to
unflagging persistence. Often bereft of allies, they have struggled
to
make substantive political gains. But Palestinians inside Israel, the
Occupied Territories, and the dias****a have resisted Israeli
domination =96 and refused to just "go away."
This Palestinian resolution is embodied in the Nassars, a Christian
family I have come to know over the years. Owners of a beautiful
piece
of land overlooking Nahalin village to the west of Bethlehem, they
have seen illegal settlements spring up on the hillsides around them
and thus far survived attempts by the occupying Israeli military to
confiscate their property.
Whether blocking the path of trespassing settlers, pursuing their
case
in the courts, or connecting with sup****ters around the world, the
Nassars have mobilized the resources of their family and community.
Most inspiringly, they have developed their land to host children's
camps, intercultural exchange, and foreign guests, knowing that they
have to fight to remain on their own land.
Theirs is a victory that resonates with the historical Palestinian
refusal to simply accept their lot and =96 especially since the 1960s =96
the parallel determination to organize grass-roots resistance.
Perhaps
the most significant achievement was the first intifada, a popular
uprising in the late 1980s that showed the Israelis that their
occupation came with a price, as well as displaying to the world the
oppressive reality of Israeli policy.
A further profound achievement of the past few decades has been the
flouri****ng of Palestinian civil society. Emphasizing democratic
participation and education, these refugee camp community centers,
dance troupes, media organizations, and human rights groups have
offered vital strength to a besieged society. It was in part due to
this deeply rooted culture of active citizen****p that the
Palestinians
were able to hold elections that in their professionalism and
transparency were the envy of the Arab world.
Building on a vibrant tradition of intellectual life, Palestinian
scholars and academics have risen to global prominence in recent
decades, not only as advocates of their people's struggle, but also
as
figures of repute in their own disciplines.
Meanwhile, drawing on their rich cultural and religious heritage, as
well as the experience of exile and struggle, Palestinian writers,
poets, artists, filmmakers, and even hip-hop artists have contributed
much, not only to their own people, but to the whole world.
Historically, one obstacle to peace has been the fact that Israel
felt
able to pursue its policies of dispossession and occupation without
much international attention. This was closely related to the fact
that the Zionist mythologized version of what had happened in 1948
went unchallenged in the West =96 and within Israel =96 for a long time.
Now, however, through such factors as the Israeli "New Historians,"
the tireless efforts of campaigners, and new media technology that
enables wide dissemination of "on the ground" information," the
Palestinians have been able to force cracks in the Israeli propaganda
facade.
Meanwhile, international solidarity with the Palestinian cause has
increased substantially. The question of Palestine is now loud and
persistent, despite attempts to drown it out.
Still, formidable obstacles remain. Israel continues to enjoy the
whole-hearted sup****t of the so-called international community,
albeit
with occasional wrist-slapping. Much of the discussion in the West is
still shaped by Zionist assumptions and an Israeli-centric
perspective. Palestinians are treated as natives who must "earn" the
right to self-determination, dignity, security, and freedom.
Some Palestinians have also unwittingly created barriers to further
progress. The first intifada's positive energy got channeled into the
bureaucratic institutions of the Palestinian Authority, while bitter
divisions were often created between groups like Hamas and Fatah.
Meanwhile, Palestinian political unity and a strategic, principled
resistance have often been in short supply. Score-settling,
corruption, and the interference of third parties remain major
obstacles.
The Palestinians would also gain by a collective agreement to halt
attacks on Israeli civilians. As well as the moral dimension, it's
good politics, too. It could even form part of a broader ****ft toward
less "elitist" resistance strategies based on mass, popular
participation. But it should not be confused with the hypocrisy of
simultaneously demanding Palestinian pacifism while acquiescing to
Israeli military attacks.
Sixty years is a long time. So this anniversary, it's most
appropriate
to recognize Palestinian sumud, or steadfastness. It is the Nassars
struggling through roadblocks and checkpoints with their children and
farm tools, planting olive trees in the shadow of Israeli
settlements,
determined and dignified.
Against all odds, millions of Palestinians have remained =96 working
the
land, starting businesses, marrying, having children, mourning the
dead. In the face of determined efforts to marginalize, even erase,
their homeland and society, they have continued to live life in all
its fullness, the best possible foundation for greater victories
still
in the next 60 years.
=95 Ben White is a freelance journalist specializing in the Middle
East.
Full HTML version of this story which may include photos, graphics,
and related links
(Monitor opinion editor Josh Burek speaks with journalist Ben White
about Palestinians, 60 years after the birth of Israel
****************************************************************************=
***********************
RESPONSE BY AVIROCE:
THIS ARTICLE SPEAKS WELL OF THE ISSUES FACING THE PEOPLE OF
PALESTINE.
PALESTINIANS ARE NOT GOING TO BE EFACED. BACK IN 1973, I DECLARED IN
TIME MAGAZINE "PALESTINE AND THE PALESTINIANS ARE INDESTRUCTIBLE" AND
I BELIEVE WHAT I WROTE AND WHAT I WROTE IS COMING TO FRUITION.
BUT "The Palestinians would also gain by a collective agreement to
halt
attacks on Israeli civilians. As well as the moral dimension, it's
good politics, too. It could even form part of a broader ****ft toward
less "elitist" resistance strategies based on mass, popular
participation. But it should not be confused with the hypocrisy of
simultaneously demanding Palestinian pacifism while acquiescing to
Israeli military attacks." IS PROBLEMATIC.
IT IS TERROR AND MILITARY RESISTANCE THAT PUT THE PALESTINIAN ISSUES
ON THE FRONT BURNER. TO STOP SUCH ACTIVITIES WILL NULLIFY THEIR
EFFECTIVENESS. ISRAEL AND JEWS IN GENERAL ARE NOT EASY NEGOTIATORS.
THEY PLAY HARD BALL. WITH MOST OF THE POWER IN THEIR HANDS,
PALESTINIANS WILL GET NOTHING. MILITARY RESISTANCE IS THE ONLY WAY.
CIVILIANS ARE BENEFICIARIES OF ISRAELI INSTRANSIGENCE AND THEREFORE
ARE LEGITIMATE TARGETS. THESE BENEFICIARIES CAN CHANGE THEIR
LEADER****PS' POLICIES AS THEY SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCE OF POLICIES OF
PALESTINIAN ANNIHILATION BY ISRAEL AND EXPROPRIATION OF PALESTINIAN
LAND BY JEWS.
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