If you want to be notified the next time we publish something, sign up for FREE email alerts or subscribe to the RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
The Palestinian/Israeli walk and talk was more than emotional conversation, was more than difficult and cathartic. Maybe there were few tears that night, but to me, tonight is my third sleepless night because of that talk.
Where are we going?
What are we doing?
And why are we doing that?
Palestinians and Israelis… Jews, Muslims and Christians, friends and brothers (and enemies so far):
So, what is next? Should we continue attacks and counter attacks? Should we continue looking at things with one eye? Should we continue saying you are wrong, I am right? Should we continue calling each other names? Should we continue crying over what we think is unjust for us, overlooking what is unjust for others? Should we continue calling a militant as terrorist, and calling the occupation solider as defender? Should we continue condemning victim for crime s/he did not commit? Should we continue killing innocents for things they are not responsible for? Should we continue hiding our cons and magnify the others? Should we continue…?
Should we continue counting each others victims? Should we continue blaming the super power? Should we continue relying on others help? Should we continue justifying and then dignifying our mistakes? Should we continue denying others right to live? Should we continue criticizing right to left and left to right? Should we continue to pour oil on fire? Should we continue telling our kids, "see, these are your enemies?" Should we continue teaching hate while claiming we don't? Should we continue to imagine the other side as monster? Should we?
Should we claim that we are tolerant while we know we are not? Should we keep carrying torchlight in one hand and a sword in the other hand? Should we keep labeling each other? Should we express our pain and dehumanize others? Should we keep the invitation open for evil and close the door form mercy? Should we keep putting barriers for coexistence? Should we keep acting antics? Should we stay intolerance and antagonism? Should we maintain a permanent state of mistrust? Should we continue to pretend to care about others while the smell of atrocities filling the place? Do I have the right to call you racist? Do you have the right to call me racist? Do you have the right to judge me? Do I have the right to judge you?
If your answer to any of the above is YES, please stop here, don't continue, you don't fit here anymore!
I'm not sure exactly what was the point of all what was said on both side? Me as anti-Semitic, you as criminal. You as Zionist, I as terrorist. Me victim, you butcher. You victim, I'm butcher. And the loop goes on and on! Where are we all? Lost!!!
More walks, more talks. We both are wrong, we both are right. Which road we want to take? Which road you want to take?
Please, save me (and yourself) your defense. Look ahead. Do you want to keep fighting the winds? Do you want to continue killing each other, Muslim, Jews and Christians? Do you want to see more bloodshed? More pain, more massacres? Don't tell me you are not responsible for that, damn you are part of the society you are crying over. Your words count, even if they are read by one reader. Who knows, he might be a sick reader. So do you want to continue spreading hate? Intentionally or unintentionally, read what you are writing. Ask yourself, why? What is the point? If you decide to keep claiming that you are reflecting your pain, your experience, you are denying the other side pain as well. It’s not them who committed all that, it is you now and me who will be pushing them to continue doing that and more, while we claim we don't.
We can not agree on everything, that’s normal, but we should not dehumanize each other. Why can't we say: "Listen, I don't agree with you, and this is why?" Why do we have to drag the history behind every line we write? Are you justifying the crimes by saying, "see, they are not humans, so why should I be?"
Having said all this, I'm not retrieving anything I said or posted before. Not because I don't care, but because I think we all did mistakes and we should not feel ashamed of it, but learn from and teach others. Now, don't try to pinpoint and ask me "what I regret and what I don't" from what I said before, I'm not going to answer any of these, simply because I decided to look forward, learn, act and teach my kids how to build bridges, not who to destroy them.
If you don't agree, please don't care to respond, and keep doing what you think is right. I don't need your lessons. If you agree, my hands are open, and would be more than happy to work with you.
I'm sure I'll sleep well tonight!!!
Update: If you wanna comment on the above and you are going to say YES to any of the above, please save your time as well mine and don’t impairs yourself, as I’m going to delete your comment, no matter what justification you have.
Read: "The River of Madness", a followup to this post.
{ 65 } Comments
This brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you.
One of the bravest things a man can do is change his mind and admit he made mistakes. This post makes me very proud to be your friend.
That's a very powerful post dear Haitham. You have all my respect.
I think the most important part is "teach my kids how to build bridges, not who to destroy them". I feel very strongly that we are doing the kids of our nation a great disservice by instilling in them the sense that their entire futures are hostage to the continued existence of the state of Israel. We should allow the kids to bypass the hurt and injustice of the past, and give them the right to seek and dream about a better future for themselves without the burden of obligation to undo all the defeats and the losses their people have suffered.
Now if we can just get our world leaders to read and agree with the points you talk about, that would be something.
Well said.
Rich—
I had to stop in the middle, my answer to a couple of the questions was yes.
Salam,
I see that the London trip was worth it :-)
Alot of times you have to get out of the box to see things clearly. It takes a real man to confess the truth.
Compromising do wonders.
"It doesn't matter whois cake is it,but boys you have to learn how to share, I don;t care who made it and I don't care who is it for, from now on we are sharing things. Grow up!"
That was my conversation to my 2 kids this afternoon.
Salam,Shalom,Peace :-)
That was very sad … I am truly disappointed …
Wow! I did not try to start a conversation with you, but to say that you will not tolerate "this kind of conversatoin in your blog anymore" is truely disappointing. what was in my comment that was intolerable Haitham? I've always thought of you as someone to look up to, someone who is worthy of admiration. all of a sudden you can not tolerate disagreement, isn't that exactly what you opposed in your first post?
i didn't give or try to give you any lessons. like i said, nobody wants to hear anybody thats the truth.
if you delete my first comment plz delete yours too. as i find it offending and uncalled for.
So much for making a statement!
Good luck :)
SC, constructive conversation, welcome. Destructive one, out of space, sorry. (Update: Your deleted comment is back) It is wasted energy!
If anyone has an idea to help in building bridges for our kids (hopefully for us too), you are more than welcome to share it. In fact we beg you to do so. But negative arguments will take us to square one, which I don't intend to do.
I knew that this will upset some and will make other happy. In spite of that, I'm ready to compromise and take the risk. On the other hand, I'm starting to see exactly what happened to Lisa the other day. She was attacked by Zionists and pro-Zionist. Now, I can see the disappointment coming from Arab/Palestinians and pro-Palestine (Update: only few).
Please don't repeat the same mistakes. Sooner or later you will come to agree with what I said. So until then, wish you best of luck.
the bulk of my feelings I have expressed in the letter sent privately, since dissenting views will no longer gain public space in your blog.
I wish to join my voice to the others who have expressed disappointment and wish you luck on your new road of compromise.
I think you will need to study the Geneva Accords and the Roadmap very well, because these are your new arguing points of advocacy.
I leave this blog with a thought. There will always be a Palestine.
gvo says, Palestinian born and Israeli…
why not say, a Dubaian, and an Israeli or a Palestinian born and a Canadian.
This is the very inconsistency that seeks to confound the narratives and keep things in perpetual stalemate. If justice is to prevail, truth must prevail.
Haitham, I think your strong stance regarding these issues that you presented is an example of the same attitude that caused us to fail in building bridges with the other in the fist place. (Ok, calm down now, put the mouse down and step away from the keyboard, don't yank this message just yet :p)
What you're realy looking for Haitham, and this I take from what you said in this very same blog entry, is the right attitude in people, not the right answers to your set of questions.
Let me give you a simple example. You asked "Do I have the right to call you racist? Do you have the right to call me racist?". My answer to these two questions was "yes". Anybody in this world should have the right to call me a racist, and I will reserve the right to show the whole world why that person is very wrong.
But don't think of me as a person who doesn't fit within your world because I gave the wrong answer to a couple of rhetorical questions that you asked just yet. Think of me as a person who happens to disagree with you on something and who is trying, as a matter of fact, to build a bridge you both could use to make something good come out of your coexistance in this world together.
Think of it this way. If everybody in the world had the same answers to the same set of questions, there would be no need to build any bridges. We would all be standing in the same spot, wouldn't we?
Haitham, very well said!
I believe many people -while in a conversation- are taken powerfully by emotions, and so, even if they don't wish to harm, they actually do, which results in making things worse and them being thought of as shallow, racist and intolerant, even if they weren’t.
This is why people need to think a bit before they talk.
When it comes to sensitive issues such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, one should try to be as tolerant as possible.
I have to admit that every time I talk to an Israeli I have a flashback of horrible memories and I picture my killed loved ones, but still I try to listen, and remind myself, that regardless of who's the actual criminal, we're all human in the end of the day, and we all hurt, we all lost someone and we all suffered and still suffer.
And when I feel that my anger will overcome my tolerance, I try to avoid any conversations rather than engaging in dead-end ones that will only lead to more enemies.
Conversation is the first step on the way to having peace with one's self and with others.
That doesn’t mean we can’t speak up, or condemn, or show objection, because we can do all this and still be tolerant and open to fruitful and respectful discussion. And this will open the door for a better future.
To all the ones disappointed with Haitham’s entry, especially our dear SC :)
I understand your feelings, but I think you misunderstood Haitham. Haitham is always open to discussion as long as it’s positive. He just doesn’t want us all to keep pointing fingers and end it there, he wants us to discuss and work towards improving things.
I hope no one will take his entry personally and try to realize Haitham’s call for constructive debate.
Of course there will always be a Palestine; of course we must talk about the wrongs; of course we will still write about human rights violations and crimes; but we should avoid dealing with issues the way we criticize others for using, and most important of all, we need to avoid destructive conversations and pointless arguments and we should maintain respect and hold on to our hope in improvement.
Eman, I did not misunderstand Haitham. He indicated his policy very clearly.
and so it is clear as well that on this blog, (not on others, thank goodness) one must agree with the compromising position of the editor if one is to express themselves. I dissent, and therefore, realise that this space is not suitable for expression of my ideas. Fine, this is his policy.
If he seeks to compromise, he is following his political (as in policy) agenda, and it differs totally from mine. I spoke with some friends about this and they said, you do not compromise with one who seeks your destruction. Period. If he feels that the mutual recognition of the Israeli and the Palestinian narratives is the way to go, this is his opinion, and not a diktat. I believe it is allowing the Palestinans to open themselves up for defeat. A very good friend of mine, a Palestinan said, it is time for Palestinians to wake up. The Wall has been judged as illegal. We have a legal right to knock it down. This is the sort of idea that I personally endorse. It is not, let's see why the wall might be justified. International court of Justice said it cannot be justified. What are we still arguing about it for, trying to accept reasons for it?
This will of course be deleted, but for the one or two who may catch it, it is my view, and even if Haitham hands me the gag in delicate packaging for the moment, the time will come when the gag is forced upon those who speak out, and we can't say it wasn't our own doing in some way, for bowing down to injustice out of netiquette or some bizarre reading of political correctness.
Haitham I know what courage it took you to say what you said, and more importantly that you came to the correct realisation that violence and hate are not solutions to any problem, even if you or your community feels that the only way to go is fight fire with fire and bombs with more bombs.
I respect your position and fully support you in it, because what you have recognised as true IS true.
From reading some of the comments already entered, I think it would have been easier for you to have declared yourself a kafir than say what you did!
My hat is firmly off to you my friend.
Understanding will concur all.
Mahmood
Thanks all.
You are all right, in your opinion. I respect that, and that is your right. Forget the word "we" in all of the above and replace it with "I", so no one feels offended.
And you know what? I'm not going to delete any comment, if that is what you are afraid of, don't worry, say what you want but within the "policy." i.e., if you have strong feeling against all said above, please use your space to blog it, and leave us a link to that or a trackback, and I'll be happy to read it.
Thank you so much, Mahmood!
I could not expect better support and understanding than from friends like you Eman, Ethan, et al… I appreciate it.
what is right and what is wrong is dependent but to each individual there is what is right and what is wrong, the question should be, to what extent can we and should we defend what we believe is right? probably as much as we can provided we don’t kill each other and deprive others the right to exist and live in peace.
Yes, you need both.
Yes, we should do that everyday if we want the truth :)
Yes
Yes
Yes until they prove worthy of trust, what is wrong about that? better safe than sorry.
Yes, if you are one.
Nobody needs nobody’s lessons these days, so I’ll just thank you for allowing me to comment!
P.S I’ll innocently assume your post was directed at humanity and secretly pray I’m right.
Just so that people won't judge me based on a deleted comment, what i said was merely answering some questions by "yes". i'm not sure i want to comment on this blog anymore, deleting a comment just for disagreeing partially with the way things were said and seeing things from a different perspective shows zero tolerance for anything rather than what one has in mind! that's precisely eliminating the other.
Emotional? just read his post again and tell me who was being emotional while writing this. he gave himself the right to judge anyone who says "yes"! just say yes and he will judge you by being intolerant, seeking destruction…etc and hence you're not welcome on this blog, just bcoz you answered yes.
i found myself replying again after i've read Eman's comment, i by no means take this personal, if it was personal i would have replied differently and cared less but the problem is way bigger than that.
you should know that i still respect Haitham and I hope that we're still friends (at least thats what i used to think we are) but maybe not on this blog.
Regards.
manual trackback I'm afraid:
Courage is facing adversity with dignity, and no situation best describes it as opting for peace, rather than war.
SC,
I will not go into arguments, and wish others not do so. But to make things clear again, if your answer is yes, it is not my business. I don't judge you by saying that. All what I'm asking is to say it elsewhere coz I don't want to waste my time on such arguments. Period! So where does eliminating and judging come from?
"Simple question/answer-yes/go-away." Where is judgment? And what does tolerance have to do with all of this? I said I don't want to argue, so why do you insist that I should?
On the other hand, someone does not like to seek compromise that is his business, why should I be forced not to compromise? Is that "tolerance"?
Do it the way you like, I do it the way I like my kids to live. I just left you questions to ask yourself, and you don't have to answer me! But keep in mind, if you are saying 'yes', will that bring you back Palestine?
SC, your deleted comment is back, and I look forward to maintain all friendships and build new ones.
Why do we have to drag the history behind every line we write? you wrote this… maybe because your history is who you are, and if you let someone else tell you how to narrate it, and actually WHAT it is, you have handed him your life, and don't think he is looking for your interests. If that were the case, there would have been a long time ago some justice.
It appears this may be my last comment here, because I am not in the league of the compromisers. If you deign to respond to my private letter, seeing as you had initiated this diatribe, I would appreciate it. Otherwise, I think our roads will part and each one will persist in their own manner. This is not stubbornness. It would take a lot more than one blogger to say, the way to get Palestine back is to treat your narrative just like that of the Israel's, and I will never, never do that.
bye
Thank you, thecutter.
As I said, I'm not going to enter into arguments coz I know where that will lead.
As for your email, rest sure that you will hear back from me later today when I get home and get time to read carefully and reply.
With all my respect.
PS. Everyone, I just have to remind you that, said what I said, that does not mean I will not be writing anymore about Palestine and my people. However, as thecutter said, my narrative will be just like that of the Israelis. But guess what? They are so many Israelis who are like me. Peace!
Dear Cutter and SC, you took the time to reply to Haitham and me and tell us what you think rather than simply ignoring the whole entry or my comment, this is what I call a positive and constructive conversation.
SC, dear, I didn’t mean you when I said that some people can get emotional, and I didn’t say you took it personally, I was speaking generally and I apologize if you thought I meant you.
Anyway, as they say in Arabic, al ikhtilaf birra2y la yofsido lil woddi qadeyyah :)
Disagreeing doesn’t mean we should hate or disrespect each other, that’s why I don’t worry about the friendship and respect between you and Haitham.
Cutter, you are right, principal issues must never be compromised, but listening to others and discussing with them doesn’t mean giving up your own beliefs. We don’t have to agree on things for us to enjoy a fruitful conversation. Like your perfect example on the wall. Whether we like it or not, the wall is there, we can either watch or we can do something about it. We need to reach out to those who are open to discussion, and together we can make a difference.
There’s always someone to listen to you, getting that single one to work with you hand in hand, is, at least to me, better than having millions listening to you just to prove you wrong or to fight you.
Anyway, wont take more of your space Haitham, just thought to clear up my earlier comment…
One final comment, I believe, having reread Haitham's comments here. He looks forward to building new friendships, and I want to put his mind at ease. He will become the most popular Palestine activist on the block, because he is the wetdream of all the "light Zionists" who are looking for "someone to talk to". I do hope Haitham that this new role suits you, and that at any rate, you will maintain somewhere within you your right to dissent from "them" once they start making their demands on you and conditioning your thinking with this policy of recognising their argumentation as equal and worthy.
I have no doubt they are very pleased and gloating, that a Palestinian is doing this kind of wrist slapping to those who dedicate their energies to airing the Palestinian narrative and grievances and letting no one ever forget the history of Palestine, and the rights of its people, which are not placed on a mobile moral compass.
orry but this whole thing has gotten me very saddened.
thecutter,
Look at the light at the end of the tunnel. Can you see it? Let's not assume that all are like you described. Will I find one? Just one who is truly, faithfully put hand in hand? I guess I will. And I guess it is worth it. One for one, that's all what I'm asking for. I might not change the world, but might save my kid from being shot by the son of that 'one' when they both grow up, or visa versa. Is that worth it? I bet it is.
Remember, one on one, just as simple as that. He is being what he wants, that is his right, as far as we don't hurt each other.
I hope I made myself clear. And please don't stop the conversation, I see it worthy. Do you think I'm not sad seeing you all disappointed and sad? I am, but I am sad coz you don't see it the way I do. I wish you all see it the way I do.
Love.
PS. I swear by God and all my loving kids that you brought tears into my eyes. Please… this is becoming so emotional to me.
I read the post and just skimmed through the comments breifly
Suffice to say the following.
I believe that Palestinians can achieve peace, because without that hope then I believe everything is already lost. I believe in this concept for one reason and one reason only, the fact that today a 15 year old boy or girl living in Palestine is not given a choice of life but rather only choices which reflect death. They know no other life.
Haitham you pointed out many factors that come from both sides with the clear intention that no side is better than the other and they both carry faults.
Though despite the fact I hate many things that Arabs do, such as making the other side to be such a grand monster, I have to stop and ask myself my father constantly asks…
which came first…the chicken or the egg?
And i know this seems like im living in the past and should be moving towards a future, I am merely drawing on the past to explain the present…the timeframe in which most of your questions were set.
If Israel had not sprung to life in 1948 would your list of questions still be around. Or your "recently found photo" on the sidebar for that matter? I'm guessing the answer is no.
Hence are not many of our faults and most of our problems elements of design that have been created in an atmosphere that is post-1948 in the same way that many of the elements around today are derived from a post-911 world?
in moving forward we sometimes need to answer for the present and many of the questions asked in the present find themselves well embedded in the past.
while i do not offer 1948 as an excuse…it is a reason.
Well said, Nas. Thank you. Now what do I do? Keep watching these kids getting killed, on both sides? Or attempt to answer which came first, chicken or egg?
I believe 48 and 67 are gone. Just like all the leaders of that time. Unfortunately many still think and believe in what Gamal Abdel Nasser said: “What was taken by force, can only be restored by force.” Bullshit, that never happened and will never happen. So, what do I do? Wait the corrupted politicians on both sides to restore me peace?
Yes, we both carry faults, and we have to admit it. Today a Palestinian was killed, prior to that an Israeli was killed, prior to that more Palestinians and Israelis were killed, so, do we keep retaliating? Until when? And who is supporting who? You are left alone. You the poor human being on both sides are facing your deadly faith daily for something you didn’t commit, or forced to commit.
Now, who came first does not matter anymore. It is who will stay to live. Either both or none.
What is the point of saying "If they did not do that…" What is the point of saying "most of the faults are theirs…" Will that solve anything? I guess not!
Haitham, as I said, it is not an excuse nor does it attempt to solve anything. it does however answer many of those questions you posed. We cannot merely brush aside 57 years of history here with such ease for a future cannot be built on such faulty ground.
I do agree that we need to move forward, how this is done is a different story.
I assure you the peace I envision is not that of palestinians and Israelies holding hands and singing kumbaya under the sun. That is something that will never happen, because of the past, and I will bet my life on it.
I envision a peace that offers some sort of benefits for the Palestinians to survive and thrive. This is what advocates of peace are looking for. I care not for the other side as this fight is more like jordan vs. brazil in football, you cheer for jordan knowing they are already defeated but hope they can get just one goal so they can come out of this with some dignity. Palestinians have discovered there is no way to win this militarily and fight now only for their dignity. Israel on the other hand has discovered there is no way they can exterminate the Palestinians as they will never stop resisting an occupation
But the past is important, the past is precedence.
And we should not be so casual about the truth.
The history does not answer my "Should we…" question, it answers "Why did we…" question, and that was not my question.
Thanks for sharing your envision, Nas. I hope for more, and trust that we will get there.
I can understand the mistrust, but the history holds me for ages. I don't want these chains of the past to hold me anymore.
Don't complicate it guys. I want to save my kids life, as well my neighbor's kids. Is that a crime? We are not in a football match here. We are talking about lives. So, yes, I will cheer for coexistence and peace, this is not a game.
Good post. I have always maintained that those really interested in peace and justice in Palestine should adopt the Nelson Mandela/Martin Luther King approach. Complete NON-VIOLENCE and civil disobedience. It is easy for peoples to vilify each other whilst people are dying. When you have to look a completely non violent populace in the face and still deny them their rights it becomes much harder.
A non-violent movement, besides being the right and moral thing to do, would also do more to promote the Palestinian cause in 5 years than 50 years of bombs and bullets have done. The world would rise in support of Palestinians and Israel would be forced to grant a just and viable Palestinian state. As long as the bombings and the shootings continue the world will not pressure the Israelis, and as long as they continue, Israelis will not give way.
My prediction, if the Palestinians take up a civil rights, non violent "one person one vote" struggle, they will have a viable state in 10 years. Problem is, that just like in many other similar type struggles (ie Ireland) there are too many groups in both side that have a vested interest in maintaining the violence. Hope remains as long as one person at a time can change their ideas.
Hats off to you Haitham.
Haitham – I wish I had seen your post earlier. Nonetheless, I would like to say that I understand and feel with you. Looking back, I can honestly say I have changed the way I approach the Israeli/Palestinian debate almost to the point where I wouldn't have recognized myself 5 years ago if I had the chance to look into the future and see who I am now. Naivete and the hope for peace that is based on the image of Israelis and Palestinians holding hands are not a part of my mindset anymore. This world seems to be built on pragmatism, practicality, cost-benefit analyses, and dirty politics. The cost so far has been human lives and the freedom of a people that deserve the right to LIVE, freely and with self-determination. The generations of leaders that have preceded ours have failed us (on both sides), and that is why we need people who are willing to play a different game. One where people and humanity matter, one where 'destroy or be destroyed' is not the motto.
I will admit I am still trying to find my voice. I am still trying to find the "right" way to voice my opinions and work towards a solution. In the past I may have gotten into the emotional, verbal brawls that left me vulnerable to the attacks of cool-headed counterparts that felt justified in occupying a land that was taken by force. I always left those debates defeated (emotionally), spent, and light-headed with fury.
In sum, I join with you in this path of finding the way, and hope you accept my solidarity.
Dear Lulu, it is honor to me to have your solidarity.
I'm happy to start to see more support than disappointment, which is relaxing.
Thank you all for the healthy conversation; and keep it up.
Lulu, one last thing. Can you please do me and all your readers a favor and fix the RSS link of your blog :-)
Haitham -
I respect your courage in looking at the "other" instead of the mirror. If we can learn and teach in our schools the two narratives of this land and its people, our children will have true respect for themselves and others. Otherwise their future will be the same as our past. Or worse.
Listen! The answer is so simple, and yet irresponsible people have made it impossible. The answer is that the land between from the Euphrates River and the Mediterranian Sea was given to Abraham and his descendants – well, aren't you all his descendants? wether from Ishmael or from Isaac it makes no difference, the promise was given to Abraham, not saved later for one of His sons in particular. what is impossible for man though, is possible for God, and I beleive in a future that God will make this hope you have on this blog page a hope for all people.
Please stop blaming the superpowers, who was it that enabled them to have power? Was it not your own God? Surely He could have stopped them, so just trust that God is using them, every nation is without fault, so who really could lead the world perfectly? Instead pray for them, pray that God will use them to bless you!I'm from Australia and I join with you in this hope you have.
Honestly,at the end of the day, it will boil down to one thing, no matter how much we talk or discuss, its reall as simple as : "No Justice No Peace"
We, the lucky ones can sit down and type in our cozy little rooms on our cute little keyboards about what should be done, while the kids in the camps of Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan and every other corner of the earth can continue to aspire for a homeland that is rightfully theirs. Calling a spade a club will not change reality.
In any argument there will always be those who will cross the line, thats natural course of the history of the big picture, that of the Truth and Justice, that stands unshaken even if history itself is re-written and manipulated. Best of Luck
Hate was born with man, its as natural as love, sadness and any other feeling we might experience. While it is not the most productive of feelings, you would probably be a saint or a prophet not to experience it….
Naaah. I think Haitham is just trying to pull our legs, that was funny dude, but come on we miss the old Haitham already. good one….seriously….your just kidding right?
Markus, no, I'm not kidding.
I dont agree, but I'll answer anyhow. If I may:p
I wont give any lessons either
What I might be saying now might be something everyone knows and might be so so so sick of hearing but reading what you wrote provoked me somehow and I really need to get out of my system.
There's no negotiation about something thats yours, thats how things work last time I checked.There's no egg, no chicken in the this matter. History clearly speaks for itself. Negotiation will never be an option, to me at least.
Oslo was a fatal diseaster that speaks for itself.
Ive been so many times to Palestine on regular basis. I had my two months "Intership" In jerusalem. I had to go through 3 checkpoints each morning to reach there. It took me 1.3o hours instead of 30 minuits. The last two weeks of Internship I couldnt take it anymore,I felt choked, I didnt need anyone to check my bag everyday! go through the metal detector each single day, through this barbed wire, the bumpy roads. the emotions were so intense.
I felt im evovling into a potential suicide bomber, I was thinking that what im going through is nothing imagine all of that in addition to that the killing of my family members, there you go best recipe of the day. I knew how they felt, I knew what they go through that makes them resort to that choice!!
I know I must be talking emotional crap to most of you, but experiencing all of that and being locked up a whole 3 months in Nablus,seeing each day a martyr passing by my grandma's house has made me look at things so differently. The dream named "Peace" started fading away slowly.
Media,newpapers arent the mirror to what a whole folk is going through. It needs more than a picture and a few words in a neat article.
Peace is not an option and never will be…
Reading the comments of people like "thecutter", I am reminded that one of the driving forces behind the conflict is the motley crew of Western extremists who specialize in being more Catholic than the Pope when it comes to the conflicts of other people. We certainly have our share of them in the US on the Zionist side, particularly amongst the Christian fundamentalists.
What arrogance it takes for someone like her, as a purported supporter of your cause, to respond to you in the way that she did.
haitham, I hope you see that now Michael Brenner is very pleased with you, and is enjoying the poisoning of the well between Palestinian activists. He had abused me many times on my own blog, and now he continues here. This is what you will have to learn to expect with your new alignment. I wish it didn't sound sarcastic, but Thanks, you handed it to them on a plate.
What a shame. Read my latest item on my blog about the narrative, to see what you are now going to give space to.
As far as I'm concerned, there are still others, many others who will not relent, and that is where any positive change will come about, not signing a blank check to those who care nothing for you.
the problem is that peace should be an option that we have to take. So far it has been an obligation. It's difficult for nations to accept something that was forced upon them even if they believed it was the right thing.
I'm a little late, but well said Haitham. Kudos to you.
Haitham, you are a brave man.
I say that "Death Does Not Justify Death".
I hope more people will say that too, in Hebrew, English and Arabic.
All the best,
Hanan Cohen – Israel
On another side note:
While mentioning hate and forgetting the past. How about forgetting the holocaust? how about the yearly dept that germany has to pay. each single year??
And Miss conan you can do a brave thing in packing your bag and getting out of a land that isnt yours. That would be called brave
Peace and Israel are two words that dont fit in one sentence.
Cutter's mother is Jewish which certainly does not make her an outsider, but one's ethnicity certainly shouldn't factor into this anyway although Brenner evidently finds it convenient for his ad hominem attack. Zionists don't seem to mind the billions of US dollars that they receive annually from the US, which certainly gives any US citizen a right to speak out on this issue. The dead on account of Zionism and in Brenner's words the "driving force behind this conflict" is dealt with plainly by Professor Oren Ben Dor, who grew up in Israel. I suggest everyone on this comment thread read it:
http://www.counterpunch.com/bendor12152005.html
Brenner,
thecutter and others are all old friends, and I hope to keep these relations as is if not better. On the other hand, people like you tend to use event such as this one to fan flames hoping to see people attracted to a noble cause, break apart. Planting seeds of sorrows and hate will not work with me.
People like thecutter, umkahlil, SC, promises, hareega, etc… or anyone else who is disappointed with me now, are still on the top of my friends list. Unlike my experience with most Zionists so far, or do I have to remind you what you did a while back?
These people (thecutter, umkahlil, SC, promises, hareega, etc…), in spite that we might disagree, but that does not make us hate each others or become enemies. Unlike all but one, experience with a Zionists so far.
On the other hand, people like you, Brenner have provided nothing yet to prove good intentions. Except stirring disturbed waters. I doubt the intentions, and will always be careful with people who proved to present untrue stories and claiming civilized conversation, while they don’t.
Bottom line, I received numerous numbers of emails from all sides. While few were supportive, majority are from coward people from the "Israeli right wing." Endless hate speech and threats. I challenge them to show up here in comments section, but I'm sure they will not coz people like them fish only in the dark.
For those close minded people, those who only care about their own agendas, you will never succeed to crack my relation with the people I love. Again, these people are all those who supported me or are disappointed with me. I love them all. They are my people, and I will always respect what they have to say, no matter how they say it, I love them, and trust them. Yes they work in a different way, we may disagree, but we will never be enemies. Not in your dreams.
Haitham, I don't know what to say, I'm more than happy and really touched. Thanks for speaking up.
Yes, Haitham, I'm relieved you spoke up. I think it is always right to challenge lies, to debunk the false and instrumental narrative. In this line of "activism", you're always going to make friends and enemies. Sympathy will always be where the affinities lie, because there is nothing worse than trusting someone and then realising that the trust was misplaced, or the ideals were not shared.
I know you are really concerned about the Palestinian people, but seeing you so willing to adopt the equal voicing of the Israeli narrative was totally out of anything I could imagine helping the Palestinians or promoting their interests, based on facts and the truth of this reality.
You will learn that while Palestinians have always bent over backwards to make a bridge, Zionists refuse to do so. Only full capitulation is enough for them, and in time, this will be clear to you. I hope you don't get hurt in the process.
There ARE many Jews, several Israelis who can be part of what you aim for, but you have to distinguish them from those who are relieved that there are some "good" activists, (ie, ones who start to accept the -literally- God-given right to a Jewish State in Palestine) and those who reject that as racism. I side with the second part, and you know that (after the lovely Umka) my closest friend is Gilad, and he abandoned Israel because he realised that even if he was born there, he was complicit in the racist entity with his very presence. His love for your people is beyond description. These are the people who can build bridges. These are the sort of people that CAN be part of our movement.
Anyway, thanks for this, Haitham. I had lost faith, but glad to see that you recognise that our unity and commitment to the Palestinian cause is the only thing that can help it. The enemies of the Palestinian people (remember sheep's clothing?) want that division and I feared you had handed it to them on a plate.
I may be intransigent on this, but I grew up hearing the Israeli narrative, and know it to be one gigantic lie, one horrible nightmare that MUST be dismantled… that's almost a full time job.
Hi Haitham,
I really don't know what to say except thank you, both for your original post and the way you've facilitated the follow-up comments. It's the most moving post I've seen in a long, long time. I'm truly sorry I didn't come to London last week.
peace,
andy
Thank you, Andy.
I'm very glad that almost everyone now is moved by the discussion on this post.
Was not easy at the beginning, but now peace is floating. Hope the same spreads around, and I'm sure it will.
You missed the fun in London. Yallah, maybe soon elsewhere we can meet.
All the best.
Haitham … it was great meeting you in London. And this post makes me feel really honoured to be able to say you're a friend. We have similar issues in India between Hindus and Muslims — and I'd urge all those with polarised opinions on conflicts based in ethnicity to read your post and learn. It is sheer grace and constructive in its vision. Thank you!
Thank you, Dina!
It is honor meeting you too.
I know what you mean about similar issues in India. I've done my B.E. in BIT's, and lived in India from 1986 to 1990. I lived through the conflicts you are talking about, seen riots and killing in the streets, witnessed attempts to destroy temples and mosques, saw how dividend India is because of all the ethnic issues. It is really sad and heart breaking.
Who knows, maybe one day we'll read all this in history books. If not us, maybe our kids.
Amen!
Thank you Robin. Glad to see that you made here to this post. I'm sure you learned more now about me and my perspectives and where my writing comes from.
Cheers!
It is easier to hate because then you don't have to discuss anything. As a non-believer I find this site more understanding than any I have ever visited. I want to understand religion so I can make a desicion as to who is right. Both Christianity and Islam have made great arguments. GWB's religion was on a website and it scared me. Islam is scaring me because some radicals are killing innocent people.
Who is right? I have no idea!
Obviously God will decide.
Reading the Qu'ran and the Bible has left me wondering what the parables are telling me. Talking to Muslims in Canada has left me wondering what is the truth. With a Christian brother-in-law in the US has left me wondering the truth. He hates the Muslims.
I don't hate anyone. Can't we live together in understanding?
Can't we talk and accept each other?
As long as Bush is in power we cannot talk because he won't allow it. I will not appologise for Bush. He is a radical Christian.
Your website is an eyeopener and a great insight into Islam.
Haitham, thank you for the post, I must admit that I was wrong about you, and for that I apologize…the questions you raise are some which I've often asked.
I find it default to believe that some people are upset with you for raising these questions…I guess they missed the point…
Now the question is how do we get others to ask these questions?
Mougly, my friend, I'm glad you made it to this old post.
The words in this post is what I'm trying to live by since then. I lost many friends because of what I said here, but gained a lot more.
I know it is not an easy job to get people ask these questions, but more important is how we answer them. This is what I'm try to do in this blog, and I hope commenters can help in building bridges rather than fighting with no objective but spreading hate.
I'm trying my best to be tolerant as much as I can, and wish that all do same. This is the only way we can keep the dialogue going on and understanding from both sides grow to an instant that won't be shacked by the daily bad news.
There is a question I always ask, when will our so called leaders finally realize that the way they have been trying to solve the Palestinian issue for the past 50+ years is not working nor will it ever work? When will they begin to try a new idea?
Peace
Haitham,
Recently, former US president Jimmy Carter made the following observation of the Palestinian election in January under the title: Colonisation of Palestine hinders peace…3 key points were made in the article. What's your take?
"….we need not give up hope for permanent peace for Israelis and freedom and justice for Palestinians if three basic premises are honoured:
1. Israel's right to exist…and to live in peace..must be recognised and accepted by Palestinians and all other neighbours
2. The killing of innocent people by suicide bombs or other acts of violence cannot be condoned, and;
3. Palestinians must live in peace and dignity, and permanent Israelis settlements on their land are a major obstacle to this goal
I never heard those comments but I think he is right on all counts, although he should have also mentioned that the Israeli forces should stop killing civilians and demolishing homes regardless of who they are trying to get.
You know many people thought and still think that Egypt was wrong to sign a peace treaty with Israel, I would like them to think about this…it was the only country in the Middle East to recover the land it lost during the 67 war (Siena), not to forget the economical gain from tourism. At least until the fanatics started to attack tour buses.
And back in 94 when Jordan signed the treaty just think how much money started to flow into it's economy just from the tourists entering through Israel….By the way I was there during that time and had the pleasure of visiting Jordan where I spent a month traveling through it, something that was not possible before.
The last point I would like to make is, we both know that Israel regardless of how it was established in going away, nor can we expect all the Israelis to just pack up and leave…it just will not happen….we also know and agree that the Palestinians have the right to live on their ancestral land, in peace and with dignity… asking the new Palestinian government to recognize the right for Israel to exist it not unreasonable, and trying a new more peaceful approach to the problem may prove to be the best way to solve it.
blackfeline,
I have no take on what he said. All peace loving mankind would not argue anything of what he said. However, he remembered to mention the killing of the innocents by the suicide bombers, but he missed to mention the killing of the innocents by the Israeli Occupation Forces.
Anyway, what he said counts for nothing. He is just an ex., and no body listens to such people. Leaders should have the juts to say all this and more when they are in office, not when they are out!
Haitham,
so u are suggesting he should stick to picking his peanuts? lol..just kidding:)
{ 7 } Trackbacks
force. And until my enemy asks for peace, to hell with all of those asking me to LOVE my enemy. I embrace resistance against occupation, all kind of resistance, since this is the only option I’m left with. Few months ago, I risked many friends enable to make new friends, Zionist friends, but guess what; they (Zionists) can’t understand what we go through, I thought I can make them understand. I don’t know if I should blame them or blame myself, but they cannot possibly understand, they don
[...] nteract with one another, powerful things happen. Like a soul-searching dialogue between a Palestinian-born and Israeli blogger. These are two very influential voices in their communit [...]
Courage
Courage is facing adversity with dignity, and no situation best describes it as opting for peace, rather than war.
[...] or tomorrow? Today, I resisted crying after reading Haitham's post, struggled harder after reading his comments in disbelief. I also resist [...]
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
Some interesting and controversial social topics are being discussed in the Jordanian blogosphere this week.
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of speech is not a given commodity in the Arab world, but are there winds of change? Naseem Tarawneh reports abou…
[...] on, all kind of resistance, since this is the only option I?m left with. Few months ago, I risked many friends enable to make new friends, Zionist friends, but guess what; they (Zion [...]
[...] A followup to "Should we?" [...]