Our words have a way of echoing out into either war or peace....

 Letters to the Editor

PUBLISHED LETTERS

The original Palestinian refugees have little time left

Comment No. 492389

March 23 19:18

Laila- I so admire you ! Another totally perfect column... so honest & right... My prayers are for both you and the BBC's Alan Johnston- and all the many other good and decent people who, despite huge restraints, have worked so tirelessly to do all they can to help gently, with grace and honor, tell the story to help free Palestine.

Click here to submit a letter to the editor

Date published: 3/18/2007

Political Zionism has incited bigotry

Thank you for publishing "It's Israel that incites hate" by Caroline Borden [March 11]. It is crucial that the world wake up to the horrific injustices, large and small, wrought by political Zionism, not so that we can incite more bigotry, violence, terror, and cruelty by investing in even more of the same, but so that we can empower peace, true freedom, and relief for the many people trapped, tormented, and harmed by the misnamed "Jewish state."

Israel's blatantly racist war on the people of Palestine is a barbaric situation and a brutal reality that simply should not be.

Date published: 3/18/2007

Thank you for using Congress.org Mail System

Message sent to the following recipients:
Senator Casey
Senator Specter
Representative Platts
Mr. President
Message text follows:


March 1, 2007

[recipient address was inserted here]


 [recipient name was inserted here],

And I am sending a copy of this letter to my Congressmen and my current 
President, because I very much believe in American ideals- and I believe 
for everyone's sake, in order to end this war on and of terror, we all 
need to be saying firmly, with compassion- Palestine: Peace not Apartheid.

Dear Jimmy Carter,

I must thank you for standing up to, as Paul Findley might say, Dare Speak Out... about Palestine !

I know how horrible the hate mongers are on every side of this issue and I applaud you for standing up to do the right thing. I know it is hard-
and I know it hurts when people say cruel and thoughtless things, because you dare speak out for Palestine.

Right now it seems that every one I know is busy busy busy being angrily 'anti-war' ...
but not really building peace... not really Building the Dream (I lift that phrase from the new memorial to be built on the National Mall in
Washington DC in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. & America's battle for civil rights).

Right now there seems to be a whole huge and sophisticated EMPIRE of "peace
groups" condemning "American Imperialism" with slick campaigns. And in everyone's rush to complain about war and "American Imperialism", every
one seems to be forgetting basic human rights and dignity- real democracy... and most importantly- dear to my heart- Palestine...
specifically the vital importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from 1948;
including but not limited to the refugees inalienable legal, moral and sacred individual and collective right to leave- and the right to
return.

The people of Palestine are in danger- and they are in pain. As I am sure your are aware religious hate arming violence &
terror is everywhere in Israel on both sides of that awful apartheid wall and it is in Iraq with Iraqis right now killing each other as well
as harassing and killing Palestinian refugees. 

In addition Jordan and Syria and Lebanon are very much overwhelmed with refugees in
a humanitarian crisis that began 60 years ago when Israel foolishly refused to respect the native non-Jewish Palestinians as the rightful
owners of their ancestral homes, land and property. Israel still refuses to grant the token Palestinians known as "Israeli Arabs"
remaining in "Israeli-proper" full and equal rights, refuses to respect the Palestinians as citizens entitled to peace and security, entitled
to respect, entitled to true dignity... There are now over 5 million Palestinian refugees, with Israel making more and more every day. Plus
the Lebanese refugees internally displaced by last summer's war. Plus all the refugees trying to escape from the violence and chaos in Iraq.

I don't think any religion should make families homeless. I don't think any religion should be armed with lethal weaponry and the will to kill
"others" however that "other" might be defined. And I don't think any one religion should own the Holy Land- or righteous indignation... I
think Palestine needs to be free in every possible way, including free to celebrate all of historic Palestine past, present and future...
everywhere.

We just got our tax refund back this week before it all gets spent I made a donation to BuildtheDream.org that is creating
an amazing and beautiful and totally inspiring Memorial on the National Mall in Washington DC to honor Martin Luther King Jr. I like that it is
not honoring war or death or politicians- but it is honoring life and a civil rights victory.... and a noble man of peace and justice- a man of
words... a man with a deep love for all of humanity: Let Freedom Ring!

And now I am making a donation to your The Carter Center which is according to the website "committed
to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering.  Join us in creating a world in which every man, woman, and child has
the opportunity to enjoy good health and live in peace."

I make my donation in honor of  Palestine: Peace not Apartheid ... and in honor of all those who dare speak out with courage and
honesty to do what they can to help build a better future for all our children.

And I am sending a copy of this letter to my Congressmen and my current President, because I very much believe in
American ideals- and I believe for everyone's sake, in order to end this war on and of terror, we all need to be saying firmly, with
compassion- Palestine: Peace not Apartheid.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

Three Steps Emory Can Take to End Israel's 'Occupation' of the Palestinian People

By: Claude Sitton

posted 2/21/07 @ 6:37 AM EST

• Displaying 1 - 3 of 3

Worldstage: Bush has left it far too late to broker peace in Israel

http://time-blog.com/middle_east/2007/02/dennis_rosss_mythology_4.html

February 16, 2007 7:23

Dennis Ross's Mythology (4)

Reader Comments

Comment No. 438758

February 19 20:26

Christian Science Monitor

Letters

Even Mideast pessimists find hope in the Abraham peace plan

Regarding the Feb. 13 article, "Tracing Abraham's path to Mideast peace": Most of the time I am wary and weary of insincere peace efforts undertaken by trapped Israelis and Palestinians seeking to merely tweak a very toxic status quo.

But this project sounds sincere and good. It is humble yet amazing, relying on one path to peace, going simply step by step, in honor of one shared heritage; walking, not bickering about who is best – or who is the biggest victim.

I can't think of a better way to honor a patriarch and all of humanity's history.
Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg, Pa.

TIME Magazine Blogs

Reader Comments

February 14, 2007 9:04

Hebron Blues

20.

The pen is mightier than the sword

13:40

|

Anne Selden Annab

14/02/07

A mother's resistance

By Ofri Ilani

Laila El-Haddad's blog took shape in a very unusual way. Her son, Yousuf, was less than a year old when she returned to her Gaza home from a visit to the United States, where her husband, Yassine, lives. The blog, "Raising Yousuf" (a-mother-from-gaza.blogspot.com), had just begun, and it dealt with common child-raising experiences, mainly first syllables and words.

USA Today

The danger of a 'chosen' nation

By Oliver "Buzz" Thomas : Israel holds a sacred place in the words of the Old Testament. But does Christian doctrine give that country a free pass at the expense of peace in the Middle East?

Thank you USA Today, and thank you Oliver "Buzz" Thomas for opening up a more honest and compassionate conversation about Israel/Palestine.

posted 2/12/07 @ 4:04 PM EST

Comments

Thank you for publishing Paul Findley's "Carter enters lions’ den; Despite criticism, his book is work of a true patriot" (Commentary, Feb. 7) and then following up with the letters basically in response on Carter’s book "Palestine: Peace not Apartheid,"

I am very grateful to all the many intrepid Americans bothering to listen to and compassionately understand the people of Palestine, for everyone's sake, with more and more concerned citizens noticing the stateless Palestinian refugees and the largest, longest running refugee crisis in the world today:

It is not always easy as our 'friend' Zionist Israel has a way of inspiring hate and division and religious extremism everywhere.

Seems to me that modern man made Israel as the supposed "Jewish State", has been investing heavily in bigotry, segregation, and war with Judaism armed and empowered by heavy weaponry and a whole bunch of angst; shaping a clash of civilizations to both hide and justify political Zionism's many crimes against the people of Palestine... and an Israeli made clash of civilizations is becoming more and more true.

Swapping armed Judaism for armed Islam in the Holy Land is not going to make the world a better place for anyone. I think all Israel/Palestine should be demilitarized and secularized for everyone's sake. One state or two does not matter as much as disarm the conflict. Stop the violence, stop the hate.

One child at a time, one home at a time, one country at a time- start with ourselves and what we can personally change to rebuild a decent world where all our children are safe and able to realize their own unique individual preciousness and potential as respected citizens of one world united for justice, peace and prosperity.

Jewish Inroads in Muslim Quarter

Refugees are an overlooked casualty of Iraq war

Comments

Dear President Bush: Trusting Israel's Promises

World must help Jordan, Syria assist Iraqi refugees: UN

Pastor: Israel, blacks are allies

posted 2/08/07 @ 8:28 AM EST

World must help Jordan, Syria assist Iraqi refugees: UN

posted 2/05/07 @ 10:06 AM EST

Please remember full respect....

BBS News

Reader Letter: Iraq's Palestinian Refugees

Friday, February 02 2007 @ 11:48 AM EST UN Resolution 194 should be followed and Palestinians allowed back into Palestine Dear Editor, I very much appreciate seeing actual mention of the Palestinian refugees in the news US and Other Countries Should Help Resettle Palestinian Refugees, which is subtitled "Syria: Give Refuge to Palestinians Fleeing Threats in Iraq." However a brief, for the most part buried and very limited glance at Israel's obligation to, as the article states "respect requests by the UNHCR to allow those Palestinian refugees from Iraq with origins in Gaza to return to the Gaza Strip" simply is not enough ! Full focus please on full respect for basic human rights, international law, UN Resolution 194 from 1948 and the huge humanitarian, economic and spiritual crisis made by Israel's creation and the continued Zionist persecution and impoverishment of Palestinians. There are Palestinians who have been made refugees more than twice ... and there are also many vulnerable Palestinian families and children forced into exile right now for the first time by Zionist Israel's constant quest to ethnically cleanse the supposed Holy Land to make way for the misnamed "Jewish State." In addition to obvious official Palestinian refugees there are also multiple Palestinian families and communities being methodically fragmented and undermined right now by Israeli violence which is perpetrated by both the formal Israeli military known as the IDF and Israel's informal but generously subsidized army of religious extremists and fools known as the "settlers." There is also the extensive damage being done by that monstrously ugly land and rights grabbing concrete segregation wall. The one that wanders every where, working in tandem with the network of Israeli only roads all through out the illegally occupied territories to strangle Palestinian life and freedom in every way possible. Plus in "Israel-proper" there are official and unofficial Zionist policies that impoverish, divide and destroy Palestinian families using various tactics including imprisonment, deportations and marriage acts meant to keep Palestinian out of their own ancestral homeland. This situation is absolutely insane- and utterly wrong...! Yes please do all you can for the Palestinian refugees -- start with full respect for the Palestinian refugees inalienable, legal and sacred right to return to original homes and land. Otherwise you are only rewarding racist Israel the home wrecking war machine for committing obvious crimes against humanity and you are only encouraging more to come, ensuring that Israel cannot help but "elect" to become more and more anti-Palestinian and unjust. Sincerely, Anne Selden Annab

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freep.com Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Posts: 26 Location: Detroit	Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 9:34 am    Post subject: College players charged with attacking Palestinian Reader comments and feedback for the College players charged with attacking Palestinian students article.
anneselden Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 3	Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 9:36 am    Post subject: College players charged with attacking Palestinian students Is the idea that alcohol might have been the reason behind a muscular, physically fit and trained to tackle mob aggressively beating up three Palestinian students supposed to help excuse the attack... If so such twisted thinking is just as disgusting as the attack itself. As are any rumors that the Palestinians started it. Multiple witness mention racist slurs- concussions followed... This was a hate crime and there is no excuse. Bigotry makes even decent people do despicable things. And lets face the fact these kids at a Quaker school were not taught hate there. This attack on three Palestinian students in America has been a long time in the making with many seeds of hate planted by "every side". And our "friend" Israel with its many enthusiastically anti-Palestinian propagandists really does share a large portion of the blame. A shame they too won't be on trial. But thank heavens we have a more real democracy and at least the possibility of true justice here in America, as well as an apparent willingness not to endorse public lynchings.

 New York Times

1-27-2007

Touching a Nerve: Carter at Brandeis

Published: January 27, 2007

To the Editor:

Jimmy Carter just proved that one can challenge Israel and speak out for the oppressed because one dares care about a whole nation of people who have been wrongly evicted from full and equal rights in the land of their birth.

Any variation of “Free Palestine” is simply a plea for real justice and a lasting peace, as is the reminder that the Palestinian refugees have always had the inalienable, legal and sacred right to return to their original homes and lands.

anneselden Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 3

Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 9:36 am    Post subject: College players charged with attacking Palestinian students Is the idea that alcohol might have been the reason behind a muscular, physically fit and trained to tackle mob aggressively beating up three Palestinian students supposed to help excuse the attack... If so such twisted thinking is just as disgusting as the attack itself. As are any rumors that the Palestinians started it. Multiple witness mention racist slurs- concussions followed... This was a hate crime and there is no excuse. Bigotry makes even decent people do despicable things. And lets face the fact these kids at a Quaker school were not taught hate there. This attack on three Palestinian students in America has been a long time in the making with many seeds of hate planted by "every side". And our "friend" Israel with its many enthusiastically anti-Palestinian propagandists really does share a large portion of the blame. A shame they too won't be on trial. But thank heavens we have a more real democracy and at least the possibility of true justice here in America, as well as an apparent willingness not to endorse public lynchings.

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Comment on article: “Students pray, debate as attack leaves cloud”
I agree with Suzanne P.

sorry Bubba

Anne Selden Annab Joined: 25 Jan 2007 04:04 pm Posts: 1

Posted: 25 Jan 2007 04:08 pm Post Subject: I agree with Suzanne P Read Article I agree with Suzanne P- this conflict has nothing to to with Liberal / Conservative any more than it has to do with Republican / Democrat.... really does sound like a hate crime and shame on the college for not standing up for real justice and decency- and full disclosure. Meanwhile over in Iraq, Palestinian refugees there are being harassed- kidnapped- killed... must all the world descend into this ugly bigotry of targeting, harassing, hating and hurting Palestinians no matter where they might go.

Baltimore Sun

Letters to the Editor

Apartheid Israel receives the lion's share of America's foreign aid, plus many a private donation and investment by American individuals, businesses, charities and religious organizations that have all been played by the agents for a foreign country and ideology. Thus, ironically, our money and resources have been used to stifle free speech and undermine real democracy, justice and peace both here and abroad.

online comments

Controversy Dogs Carter To Brandeis

Pre-Selected Questions Cause Students To Question Open Dialogue

online comments

6 hrs ago | The Indianapolis Star

Former President Jimmy Carter has been taking heat over his courageous new book, "Palestine -- Peace Not Apartheid." I shouldn't need to use the adjective "courageous" for someone writing a thoughtful book ...

'Courageous' book should spur objective discussion

Should the U.S. step up efforts to make room for Iraq refugees?

Reading Kassem Dakhlallah's excellent Editorial Rebuttal "Keep pro-Israeli outsiders out of college hiring", I truly felt like I was finally celebrating today- in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and his inspiring dream for a more real American democracy.

The content of character really is more important than the color of skin, and as King once said succinctly: "It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important. " Martin Luther King, Jr. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html

Israeli laws and policies regularly lynch and impoverish Palestinians. Millions of Palestinian refugees have every right to return to their original homes and lands but rather than respect his basic human right racist Israel demonizes the Palestinians and bombs Palestinian refugee camps- this situation is absolutely insane and wrong!

I believe that all advocates of Israel are in fact outsiders, focused on promoting a very foreign country and toxic ideology that is the antithesis of true democracy with full and equal rights for all. The content of Israel's character is not very nice. Political Zionism methodically empowers and arms a chosen few at the expense of a harshly persecuted many... Israel today is a total fusion of "church and state" arming religion, imposing injustice, encouraging bigotry, state sponsored terror and inspiring anger and violence on both sides of that monstrously ugly Israeli built apartheid wall.

That in and of itself is bad enough, but to make it even worse Israeli outsiders corrupt American institutions and organizations and every conversation they can with aggressive albeit polished propaganda campaigns meant to stifle any real examination of Israel's many ongoing crimes against the people of Palestine.

Newsday

• The Right to Return has a solid legal basis:

1. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 13 affirms: "Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and return to his country."
2. The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination [Article 5 (d)(ii)], states: "State parties undertake to prohibit and to eliminate racial discrimination on all its forms and to guarantee the right of everyone, without distinction as to race, color, or national or ethnic origin, to equality before the law, notably in the enjoyment of ... the right to leave any country, including one's own, and to return to one's country."
3. The International Convention on Civil and Political Rights [Article 12(4)], states: "No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter his own country."

Lincoln Journal Star

Anne Selden Annab wrote on January 04, 2007 1:51 PM:

 Thank you for publishing "Hope flickers still in gloom of Bethlehem".

It flickers here too as long as people are willing to publish such truths remembering what really matters...and in many ways what really matters are ALL our children, including the Palestinians.

We need to take care that our words and our actions do not harm the past, the present and the future of human kind.

And I find great hope in your conclusion pointing out the story of Bethlehem today with the two Bethlehem residents stringing "more than two miles of Christmas lights despite the gloom and tension and despite the possibility they would not be paid.Samaan Shaheen is a Christian. His coworker, Kahlil, is a Muslim. But they were still able to work together, day after day."

Yes indeed, their example really does inspire...as true goodness and decency always does.

Israel's Apartheid is a despicable crime: My thoughts and prayers are for Palestine, and all the many oppressed and impoverished people who refuse to succumb to hate and despair... for all the many who have kept the beauty of Palestine alive simply be being. They are the living links to many precious and beloved symbols and stories embraced by the Abrahamic faiths. "

Christians AND Palestinian refugees both Muslim and Christian are the most targeted people in Iraq. They are also targeted by our friend Israel........ The Archbishop of Canterbury, writing from Bethlehem, where the number of Christians has plummeted to a quarter of what they were, condemns the British Government for failing to put in place a strategy to help Christians....... Israel as the so-called Jewish State has created and exasperated the largest longest running refugee crisis in the world, impoverishing and tormenting millions of innocent and vulnerable people- both Muslim and Christian. This state sponsored terror and bigotry has had many negative ramifications through out the whole region........ The key to peace- a just and lasting peace - remains full respect for basic human rights and dignity, including but not limited to reparations and full respect for the Palestinian refugees inalienable natural, legal and historical individual and collective right of return. Real return to original homes and lands, not more forced transfer and segregation........ Stop the clash of civilizations right where it starts- free us all from the many perils of political Zionism.

Comments

Thank you for publishing "Haunting occupation", the letter by Jules Law reminding us that the Palestinians have lived in the "social, moral, and political limbo of military occupation" for the past 40 years.

In fact it is more like 60 years as every inch of "Israel-proper" is in many ways an insult and an act of war on the native non-Jewish population of the Holy Land. Zionists used to say there was no such thing as a Palestinian. Now Zionists want us to believe that the Palestinians are a bunch of crazed terrorists. In both cases Israel's actions have remained the same- impoverish, oppress, displace and destroy the Palestinians in every way possible.

Israel never has had good intentions- although it certainly does have good PR campaigns, making it the charity of choice for many fools (including America's Congress) who have been charmed, bullied, bamboozled and bribed into investing in institutionalized bigotry and injustice abroad.

This Christmas Bethlehem itself is being strangled and destroyed by an Israeli built wall and a punitive network of Israeli-only roads and countless checkpoints. It's a world where Jewish immigrants worldwide have rights, freedoms and opportunities in multiple countries while the persecuted, oppressed and demonized Palestinians really have none anywhere.... That's not just limbo- it's hell.

Detriot Free Press

Wall is a barrier to peace

December 10, 2006

Crumbling propaganda

It is a huge relief to see that the walls of misinformation promoted by Zionist propaganda are starting to crumble and be pushed aside. The very informative "Living with the wall in Jerusalem" is a crucial step toward helping shape a just and lasting peace. Thank you for daring to tell the truth. This Advent, my prayers are for the Christian and Muslim Palestinians so harshly oppressed, impoverished, tormented, displaced and imprisoned by the misnamed Jewish state.

Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg, Pa.

So all these many years of Israelis accusing the dispossessed and displaced Palestinians of textbook crimes- sovereign Israel itself, the one with the money and the power, is the one that has been manipulating many minds with myopically misleading propaganda. It is a definite theme we should notice more.............. We should also seriously focus in on the fact that while popular Israeli leaders Zionist immigrants, both religious and political, insist that all the land belongs to Israel, Israelis refuse to respect the basic human rights and dignity of the indigenous non-Jewish Palestinians both in Israel-proper and through out the illegally occupied territories............. For all of its history, modern man made heavily armed Israel has controlled all the land and various shifting borders, while refusing to give ANY Palestinians full and equal rights in the land of their birth....... Thats closing in on 60 years of sovereign Israeli apartheid set up to invest in Jewish privileges, freedoms, a plethora of economic opportunities, security, plus a whole bunch of positive and persuasive PR, while methodically fragmenting and destroying Palestinian people and property and vilifying Palestinian resistance to such blatant and long running injustice.

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Detriot Free Press online comments

anneselden Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 2

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:10 am    Post subject: Prayers for Palestine Apartheid Israel the home and community wrecker has made a huge mess of the Holy Land, and its many propagandists and supporters have made sure that mainstream America (and our AIPAC addled Congress) simply can not see and understand the horrible crimes perpetrated by bigoted proponents of political Zionism. It is a huge relief to see that the walls of misinformation promoted by Zionist propaganda are started to crumble and be pushed aside. Your very informative "Living with the wall in Jerusalem" is a crucial step towards helping shape a just and lasting peace... thank you for daring to tell the truth. This Advent my prayers are for the Christian and Muslim Palestinians so harshly oppressed, impoverished, tormented, displaced and imprisoned by the misnamed Jewish State.

anneselden Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 1

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:20 am    Post subject: the beautiful letter by Annette Thomas "Don't Shop, ref I was very much moved by the beautiful letter by Annette Thomas "Don't Shop, reflect on blessing", mentioning her deep gratitude for her own family here in America and for being able to fully understand and empathize with Palestinians families in the Holy Land who are being fractured and harmed by racist Israeli policies, apartheid and that awful Israeli built wall. Our world is truly enriched by good and decent people who care, people like Ms, Thomas who take the time to visit and understand Palestine- and return to write a gentle letter explaining what really is... Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God ( Matthew 5:9). Sincerely, Anne Selden Annab

Careful phrasing

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_opinion_letters/2006/11/mideast_peace.html#comments

I am thrilled to see Bea Dewing's excellent honest letter published in response to Ali Abunimah's equally excellent "South Africa seen as model for Palestine". I agree, totally agree with them both- one democratic state in Israel-Palestine is an idea whose time has come.

And I think true peace needs to start with full respect for reparations and the Palestinian refugees Right of Return... One of my favorite Palestinian writers is the brilliantly honest Khalid Amayreh. A shame that his bi-line is not not be found in American newspapers as he really is a great writer and thinker. Today his latest article http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/cgi-bin/blogs/voices.php/2006/11/23/right_of_return_is_the_heart_and_soul_of_1
"Right of return is the heart and soul of the Palestinian problem" is making the rounds.

And the heart and soul of his argument is "Sixty years of homelessness, pain and dispersion should be enough for these miserable people who had inherited misery and suffering generation after generation after generation. Ending this most obscene and sinister scandal would not be an act of charity to the Palestinians. It would be a belated application of UN resolution 194 which calls for the repatriation and indemnification for these refugees."

Rather than vilifying the Palestinians, both Christian and Muslim, because they value home and family and the rule of fair and just laws we should honor them and respect them as the true heirs of the Holy Land.

Comments

Delighted to see the letter headlined "King's memorial", detailing this wonderful monument and closely examine many aspects of this highly significant investment in honoring civil rights, social justice and an amazing inspiring man.

Every American will walk into the memorial to see and feel it in their own way, with our own personal stories and knowledge flavoring our response. But we will be united in knowing that it is possible to rise above dismal circumstances, to build a better world and a better future for humankind.

I like that rather than honoring war and conquest this modern American memorial honors a brilliant man who fought valiantly and tirelessly using words... and compassion. This memorial is not about being black- it is about honor and dignity and being a human being. We should not segregate suffering- or triumph. We are all in this together and together, regardless of our perceived race, religion and/or gender... etc, and when one heroically rises above the rest to embody the ideals we cherish and embrace, we the people are free to celebrate equally- albeit each in our own way.

""I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

May many ( regardless of their perceived race, religion and/or gender ... etc) pause to find inspiration in the words and example of a truly great man who fully understood the importance of hard work, character and hope... "Let freedom ring" !

  Somerville Journal

Letter: Right of return not a ballot issue

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US vetoes 'biased' UN resolution attacking Israel's Gaza bloodbath

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University of Wisconsin Badger Herald

Al-awda urges UW divestment from Israel

November 11, 2006 @ 8:35pm):

It makes good moral sense- and financial sense. Divestment is a gentle and compassionate way to confront a very real crime against humanity.

And I think it is very very creepy that Hillel centers- youth camps for Israeli propagandists in training- are on so many American college campuses. Imagine if Germany had had such a network for advocating toxic Nazi ideologies. The world would have been a very different place indeed with Hitler and his heirs still in power.

A foreign country should not be interfering with America's educational systems and fourth estate- and our Congress. And yet one foreign country has been given free reign to do exactly that !

Our "friend" Israel is not a democracy at all. It is a bastion of Jewish Supremacism and a blatantly racist war on the native non-Jewish population of the Holy Land. Political Zionism is an investment in institutionalized bigotry and apartheid with immigrant bigots given rights, freedoms, land and resources stolen from the persecuted, impoverished and imprisoned Palestinians.

America has already realized that segregation- and genocide- is utterly evil and wrong... so why are we so willing to help fund, empower and excuse racist Israel's insane quest to divide and destroy Palestine!

French Forces Almost Fired On Israeli Jets

Protecting Palestinian females: HRW misses the mark by Helena Cobban

Regarding your letters on "Middle East blame gets spread around" .... So many wonderful letter writers ! And so many sincerely compassionate people concerned about the Middle East. Does give one great hope to see these brave souls speaking out in hopes of helping shape a better world by shaping a better understanding of what is going on in the middle East.

And what a relief to see that some of your letter writers are obviously very much aware of Zionist crimes and bully tactics, and yet they are still willing to set the record straight concerning our war mongering, apartheid making, monstrous home wrecking "friend" Israel . The way I see it is those speaking out for Palestine (and Arabs and Muslims) perceive the importance of respecting basic human rights and dignity, while those speaking up for Israel really have a screw loose.

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Washington Post online line comments

RE: Tracing a Jewish Heritage Dear Editor, Using the Zionist letter writers line of reasoning, all citizens of the world really should immediately get a DNA test to determine where they fit on the family tree. And following Israels lead about who gets to be a citizen, every country can then issue rights, privileges, freedoms, benefits, generous subsidies and passports depending on what the DNA test says about who you are. As Israel insists on being the Jewish State all citizens of the world who genetically can be most closed tied to ancient bones in that place so many call the Holy land, should then be given full and equal rights to help determine the future of the Middle East. Likewise every country on earth can dig up its ancient bones and claim its citizens wherever they might currently reside. Following modern Israels example let us also assume that this will lead to many home demolitions and land grabs, widespread economic injustice plus a whole bunch of armed bigotry... and countless refugees. Sincerely, Anne Selden Annab

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Congress.org

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USA Today Opinon Forum

Dear USA Today,

I was confused- but then delighted to see your new web friendly format for letters- opinions- and responses complete with a comment form for those crazy enough to air their views in public.

And heavens with so much hate mongering out there it really is hard to stand up and speak out. But speak out we must. Disturbing Delusions seemed a very appropriate forum to jump into ! Indeed there are many distracting conspiracy theories out there, but even more troubling is that there are many truths - solids facts- documented proofs- that most of America never gets to see about our "friend" and main adviser Israel.

Imagine if all the many people eagerly spreading rumors, facts and innuendos about conspiracy theories concerning past collective traumas and highly politicized events simply focused on really looking at political Zionism and what modern man made Israel really is and does today.

We have have been bamboozled by Zionists- agitators for a toxic ideology and the agents for a foreign country, and we have foolishly helped arm a horrible crime against humanity... "MK Effi Eitam of the rightist National Union - National Religious Party said in remarks broadcast on Monday that the great majority of Palestinians in the West Bank should be expelled, and that Arabs should be ousted from Israeli politics as a fifth column and "a league of traitors." " Eitam: Expel Arabs from West Bank, Israeli politics http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/761308.html

This is the true face of our "friend" that pretends to be a democracy!

The children of Palestine, many of them hopelessly trapped by racist Israel in impoverished refugee camps, are being intentionally starved and tortured by Israel's economic siege. They are also being attacked by Israeli troops. No where is safe. And their parents are demonized because they dare object to such horrific injustices. But rather than seeing and fully understanding the very real plight of the Palestinians our country has been convinced that Israel has a "right to defend itself".

What is Israel defending but the "right" to keep wrecking Palestinian homes and stealing Palestinian land ! Israeli "security" is quite simply an investment in institutionalized bigotry and escalating brutality. Racist Israel is clearly wrong !

Israel itself is the most Disturbing Delusion ... that place should be Palestine with full and equal rights and freedoms for ALL !

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Telegraph

Congress.org

LA Times

Broaden the discussion of criticism of Israel

Congress.org

Detriot News  newstalk (online web letters)

RE: Different Marches

Dear Editor,

Sadly the "peace" camp has been very much been hijacked by some loud mouthed fools who want to send the message that those who abhor racist Israeli injustice also hate America. But how many Arabs and Muslims in America did not march that day for fear their protest would be maliciously misconstrued- and how many did march anyway with their hearts full of gratitude for American ideals ? I promise you many... and those are the numbers that really count and those are the numbers are being ignored.

In the end the protest signs and the spin that hate mongering Zionist propagandists put on everything simply does not matter as much as the ideals we Americans wish to promote and protect : Please do not demonize Arabs and Muslims- and peaceful protest.

Detriot News  newstalk (online web letters)

Dear Editor,

So used to a plethora of pervasively poisonous Zionist propaganda in our newspapers, I was utterly dumbfounded to read M. Kay Siblani 's EXCELLENT and totally refreshingly honest and truthful- and invigorating "Israel must be part of Arab-Jewish dialogue".

She really hit the nail on the head with "But no one revealed that a pro-Israeli driver at the biggest such rally actually tried to run down a group of Arab demonstrators with his car. This is Israeli-type behavior: Talk peace but make war:"

For 58 years there has been a whole bunch of Israel talking peace while actually making war. It really is time for America to catch onto to this rather obvious pattern of deceit ! It is also time for America to catch on to the fact the the Palestinians always did and always will have an inalienable legal and moral right to return to their original homes and lands- with full and equal rights... to help rebuild a just and lasting peace for ALL god's children.

Sincerely, Anne Selden Annab PS Loved the photo Judaism rejects Zionism !!!!

Israeli racism

I was delighted to see Riad Elsolh Hamad’s excellent letter “What they didn’t say” (July 28) concerning the crazy news coverage created by Israeli spin. I specifically appreciate that he mentioned the Palestinians’ legal and moral right to return — it really is the core of the conflict.

Israel is the displacer, free to keep making refugees, Palestinian and now Lebanese — millions of people displaced and pushed into poverty. It is not just a physical crime, it is an economic one, made even worse because political Zionism only invests in Jews. This is a very racist war.

Some one sent me photos of a protest march in New York objecting to Israeli crimes, and my favorite photo is of two gentle women in traditional Muslim dress (perhaps aware of the anti-war group Women in Pink, as they are both wearing delicate pink head scarves). The two women hold one sign that says “Free Palestinian children from Israeli Jails (Al Awda Right to Return Coalition).”

All of Palestine is a contorted series of Israeli-made prisons right now, some more punitively obvious than others. And all of Palestine’s children suffer, some more obviously, including those many children physically maimed for life by Israeli weaponry.

I used to think that making peace with Israel made sense, but now I am quite convinced that one simply should not negotiate with such cruelty, institutionalized bigotry, and blatant injustice. The Arabs of 1948 were right all along: Israel has no right to exist. I agree with Hamad: Racist Israel is doomed to fail.
Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg, PA

No Israel

Letter to the Editor -

Washington Post online line comments

RE: Tracing a Jewish Heritage Dear Editor, Using the Zionist letter writers line of reasoning, all citizens of the world really should immediately get a DNA test to determine where they fit on the family tree. And following Israels lead about who gets to be a citizen, every country can then issue rights, privileges, freedoms, benefits, generous subsidies and passports depending on what the DNA test says about who you are. As Israel insists on being the Jewish State all citizens of the world who genetically can be most closed tied to ancient bones in that place so many call the Holy land, should then be given full and equal rights to help determine the future of the Middle East. Likewise every country on earth can dig up its ancient bones and claim its citizens wherever they might currently reside. Following modern Israels example let us also assume that this will lead to many home demolitions and land grabs, widespread economic injustice plus a whole bunch of armed bigotry... and countless refugees. Sincerely, Anne Selden Annab

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Congress.org

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USA Today Opinon Forum

Dear USA Today,

I was confused- but then delighted to see your new web friendly format for letters- opinions- and responses complete with a comment form for those crazy enough to air their views in public.

And heavens with so much hate mongering out there it really is hard to stand up and speak out. But speak out we must. Disturbing Delusions seemed a very appropriate forum to jump into ! Indeed there are many distracting conspiracy theories out there, but even more troubling is that there are many truths - solids facts- documented proofs- that most of America never gets to see about our "friend" and main adviser Israel.

Imagine if all the many people eagerly spreading rumors, facts and innuendos about conspiracy theories concerning past collective traumas and highly politicized events simply focused on really looking at political Zionism and what modern man made Israel really is and does today.

We have have been bamboozled by Zionists- agitators for a toxic ideology and the agents for a foreign country, and we have foolishly helped arm a horrible crime against humanity... "MK Effi Eitam of the rightist National Union - National Religious Party said in remarks broadcast on Monday that the great majority of Palestinians in the West Bank should be expelled, and that Arabs should be ousted from Israeli politics as a fifth column and "a league of traitors." " Eitam: Expel Arabs from West Bank, Israeli politics http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/761308.html

This is the true face of our "friend" that pretends to be a democracy!

The children of Palestine, many of them hopelessly trapped by racist Israel in impoverished refugee camps, are being intentionally starved and tortured by Israel's economic siege. They are also being attacked by Israeli troops. No where is safe. And their parents are demonized because they dare object to such horrific injustices. But rather than seeing and fully understanding the very real plight of the Palestinians our country has been convinced that Israel has a "right to defend itself".

What is Israel defending but the "right" to keep wrecking Palestinian homes and stealing Palestinian land ! Israeli "security" is quite simply an investment in institutionalized bigotry and escalating brutality. Racist Israel is clearly wrong !

Israel itself is the most Disturbing Delusion ... that place should be Palestine with full and equal rights and freedoms for ALL !

******************************************************************************************************

Telegraph

Congress.org

LA Times

Broaden the discussion of criticism of Israel

Congress.org

Detriot News  newstalk (online web letters)

RE: Different Marches

Dear Editor,

Sadly the "peace" camp has been very much been hijacked by some loud mouthed fools who want to send the message that those who abhor racist Israeli injustice also hate America. But how many Arabs and Muslims in America did not march that day for fear their protest would be maliciously misconstrued- and how many did march anyway with their hearts full of gratitude for American ideals ? I promise you many... and those are the numbers that really count and those are the numbers are being ignored.

In the end the protest signs and the spin that hate mongering Zionist propagandists put on everything simply does not matter as much as the ideals we Americans wish to promote and protect : Please do not demonize Arabs and Muslims- and peaceful protest.

Let's side with children in Mideast fight

RE: Paul W. Smith: "Let's side with children in Mideast fight"

Dear Editor,

Yes indeed let us side with the children in the Mideast fight... and in doing so let us start realizing that Israel- our well funded "friend" racist Israel as the so called Jewish state is the epicenter of bigotry in the Middle East and thatPalestinian refugees represent the longest suffering and largest refugee population in the world today.

Political Zionism is a totally toxic ideology that invests in Jewish privileges and pride while the native non-Jewish children of the land suffer and starve in prison camps shaped by racist Israeli laws and walls.

Read this news and ponder on it: "Despite meager resources, the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Helweh, once wiped out during the 1982 Israeli invasion, opened its doors to local villagers escaping Israel's return to Lebanon http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060722/lf_afp/mideastconflictlebanonpalestiniancamps_060722205936

Israel is injustice and escalating brutality, plus plenty of polished propaganda to hid that fact: Shame on Israel the hate mongering terrorist nation born of bigotry and violence. For everyone's sake, let peace and Palestine return in full to welcome home all the children, the true heirs of that place so many call the Holy Land.

New York Daily News

Women question U.S. media coverage

http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2006/07/23/news/news10.txt

By Joseph Cress, July 23, 2006

Anne Selden Annab can understand why her husband swears at the television in Arabic.

"He's frustrated by the coverage ... It's awful," says the Hampden Township woman.

"It's not telling the whole story," she adds. "It humanizes the Israelis and dehumanizes the Palestinians."

A native of Jordan with family from Nablus, her husband can handle only so much before he turns off the set and switches to satellite and Internet news service.

Friend Amal Atieh Jubran says media outlets in the Middle East do not try to hide what is going on from the American public. "The facts on the ground are opposite what we hear on the media."

Jubran believes a double standard exists among U.S. journalists, who place a greater emphasis whenever Israel is attacked compared to when Israel attacks Palestinians.

News reports mention the abduction of two Israeli soldiers, Jubran says, but they fail to point out the Israeli government is holding 10,000 mostly Palestinian prisoners including teenagers and the elderly. "We are not getting a complete picture."

Annab says CNN and Fox News are the worst, followed by the national networks, which occasionally air a balanced report. She urged Americans to stand up and demand objectivity in reporting.

"Journalism is meant to keep people informed to make better decisions," Annab says. "Our tax dollars are being spent on weapons."

Thirty percent of U.S. aid to Israel is being used to buy weapons, Annab says.

"I don't know why the reports are slanted," Annab says. "I call it a conspiracy of fools."

Annab believes the national media are either buying into Israeli propaganda or being pressured by Zionist elements to slant the news.

She says U.S. support of Israel may be one reason why resistance among insurgents is so strong and brutal. Iraqis, who for years have seen American-made weapons used by Israel, now see the same weapons on their own streets.

"It is time to step back and study this," says Annab. "There should not be two separate cultures. People should live and work together to build a better future."

'We can live together...'
http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2006/07/23/news/news09.txt

By Joseph Cress, July 23, 2006

In the ancient city of Nablus, there is a beautiful old monastery with floor stones worn smooth by the passing of ages.

Visitors who come to the deep well in the sanctuary have to wait a long time to hear the bucket break the surface and draw water.

It is said Jesus Christ once rested there, promising the faithful living water to quench the thirst of any soul.

That day in ancient Palestine he was preaching to an enemy, a young woman from a rival tribe.

Normally Jews had no dealings with Samaritans, but Jesus spoke to her and shared his insight.

Nurse Amal Atieh Jubran felt uplifted just to taste water from Jacob's Well, wondering in the back of her mind how sanitary it was to drink from the cup of generations.

Nearby was a sight which torments her spirit -- a crowded refugee camp in modern-day Israel.

Just speaking of it brings out a passion for her homeland for the half-Palestinian, half-Lebanese woman now living in East Pennsboro Township.

So much poverty. So much despair. Can there ever be hope?

Yet her name in Arabic means "many hopes" and she has lived with its pain and promise every day since moving to the United States in 1982.

Jubran, 58, says she wanted to raise her children away from violence and to live in freedom from what she sees as oppression carried out by the Israeli government.

Since 2001, she has been on six medical missions arranged through the Palestinian Children Relief Fund to assist surgical teams providing care.

"Muslim, Christian and Jew, we work hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder to make it better," Jubran says. "I've devoted my life to healing and helping people."

The latest mission, in May and June, took her to Nablus, Haifa and East Jerusalem, where she worked as an operating room nurse helping specialists from the U.S. and Mexico treat facial injuries.

She says an Israeli army soldier shot one child through the jaw while a different soldier kicked and stepped on another child.

Jubran adopted a 14-year-old boy she says was crippled by an Israeli army sniper who fired into a classroom, killing another youth.

Her hope is to save the next generation and for them to be free of occupation by Israeli forces.

"They are the future. They are the victims," Jubran says.

"They have no place to play ... Nothing to fill their minds," she adds. "Violence is all they see. If you take a child and let them draw a picture, what do you think they are going to draw -- flowers?"

She claims the Israeli government makes it difficult for Palestinian students to attend safe schools and as a result some children cannot even write their names.

Jubran says her team had to do some surgery without electricity using a flashlight or a cell phone and had to wait for hours at a security checkpoint even though she was on an humanitarian mission.

The most recent violence has put family members at risk. Her 81-year-old mother lives in Haifa, a target lately of Hezbollah bomb and rocket attacks.

"She has seen war before and is not afraid of it," Jubran says. "Her dream is to some day have independence and dignity for all. She wants to see light at the end of the tunnel."

Her mother does not really talk about conditions in Haifa.

"She's afraid her telephone may be wired," Jubran says. "She's just worried about her grandchildren."

Jubran has been calling her brother daily since the crisis began. He lives in a town in Upper Galilee, a region near the border of Israel and Lebanon under fire by both sides.

His three boys -- ages 10, 8 and 5 -- are not used to the sound of explosions out in the distance that shake the windows of their home.

"The family cannot go to school or work," Jubran says. "The children are not sleeping."

As she sees it, the Israeli government used the abduction of two soldiers from territory historically Lebanese as an excuse to launch attacks on civilian targets.

She adds Hezbollah is not made up of fighters from one religion, but several faiths under one banner, to fight what Jubran calls the "monstrous" Israeli war machine.

A long bloody history has led to a culture of segregation in Israel which has isolated segments of the population from the outside world, Jubran says. "It's like a big jail surrounded by Israel. It's the longest running refugee crisis in the world. It has to stop."

Jubran blames what she calls the Zionist government, claiming it never released maps of minefields laid during the May 2000 pullout from southern Lebanon -- putting adults and children in jeopardy.

She also believes Israel has defied United Nations resolutions not to fly warplanes over neighboring countries.

A native herself, Jubran has nothing against the Israeli people, noting many of her friends are Jewish along with some of the most outspoken critics of government policy.

She hopes one day the government would release the 10,000 prisoners -- mostly Palestinians -- being held in Israeli jails.

Her desire is for Israeli leaders to honor the right of five million refugees to return to their homeland and allow everyone to live in dignity and freedom under one country.

"Call it what you will ... Peaceland ... Messiah Land ... we can live together in the same area," Jubran says. "We do not need to be segregated.

"If we do not stop this war now, it is going to escalate and spread across the whole region," she adds.

Jubran does her part at home as a member of the Harrisburg Middle East Justice and Peace Group of people from both sides of the debate who meet monthly.

The group hosted a Palestine Film Festival at the Mid-town Cinema in Harrisburg last September.

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Why is it everyone blames everyone but the actual entity actually committing the crime against the Palestinian people- Israel as the "Jewish State"!

Israel - Israel - Israel !!!

U.N. agencies have been feeding Palestinians who are starving because Israel, racist Israel Israel Israel refuses to respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in general and specifically, racist Israel refuses to respect U.N Resolution 194 from 1948, the Palestinian refugees right of return.

I certainly am not a Bolton fan at all. But that fact should not deflect attention away from the core problems of political Zionism and the actual perpetrator of a horrific crime against humanity - the well armed "sovereign" entity choosing to break international law on multiple counts- Israel, racist Israel Israel !

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http://blog.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/2006/07/05/mediating_gaza/comments.html

Posted at July 6, 2006 07:18 AM

» Anne Selden Annab | Permalink

I am utterly delighted to see the Palestinian columnist Khalid Amayreh pop up to answer your question... I just wish his columns appeared in the Washington Post's pages as a regular columnist.

I find it astounding that so many fools in the West are so willing and eager to support segregation a la Israel's institutionalized injustice and this constant quest to ethnically cleanse the Holy Land of non-Jews so as to shape and maintain the misnamed Jewish State.

In 2005, there were approximately 7.2 million Palestinian refugees, equivalent to 74% of the entire Palestinian population which is estimated at 9.7 million worldwide. (Fact Sheet: The Right To Return, a Basic Right Still Denied http://al-awda.org/facts.html)

The place really should be Palestine for all the people- and political Zionism should be recognized as the trouble maker it has always been- a toxic ideology that invests in inequality, builds apartheid, and wages a very nasty war on those who dare object to such flagrant injustice and barbaric cruelty.

Negotiate with a crime against humanity ? Why is it that so many foolish American "peace" activists mainly ask that Israel's genocide be a little less obvious, a little less ugly, but really still going on ! Let's start from the very beginning please and rethink the whole idea of arming and empowering the bigoted ideologues of political Zionism in any way !

Comments

The Palestinian Refugees Right of Return is code for keep all our children safe and all our homes secure- and all our rights respected !

Right of Return is code for real freedom for all God's children... and it is an inalienable natural, legal, moral right fully spelled out by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights form 1948.

The Right of Return is The Golden Rule with an emphasis on homes and families as the basis for protecting civilization itself and every community large or small- respecting the dignity of all people regardless of perceived race or religion: Right of Return is respecting real democracy with full and equal rights for ALL !

The Holy Land is sacred for three, not two Abrahamic faiths... and yet Rev. David Heil & Rabbi David Oler intentionally exclude Islam in their evening of dialogue. They also excluded true Palestinian voices, both Christian and Muslim, from their "dialogue". So what we have here is yet another podium for political Zionism, and another way to advocate a blatantly racist war on the native non-Jewish population of Palestine.

More clever agents for Israel, the foreign country that wants America's sympathy, money and weaponry, frequently utilize duress and/or bribes to feature Palestinian traitors as the voice of Palestine. Meanwhile, the persecuted, impoverished Palestinians continue to be vilified, oppressed, imprisoned, tortured- brutally murdered in a slow motion ethnic cleansing while religious fools and fanatics idolize Israel's theft of Palestinian land, rights and dignity.

Yes the church should take a moral stand- boycott modern man made Israel. Object to racist Israeli injustice. Decry the cruelty of arming and empowering institutionalized bigotry and firmly condemn those that invest in hate, state sponsored terror and escalating war:

Stop the clash of civilizations right where it begins- Israel's monstrous apartheid wall.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg PA

It is Mrs. Annab, not Ms. And what do I propose we do for everyone's sake- gently and firmly deconstruct political Zionism and the racist entity known as Israel. Stop the Aliyah and dismantle that awful wall.... Reverse course and make right a terrible wrong. Free Palestine. Start by fully respecting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights including but not limited to the Palestinian refugees inalienable right to return in addition to full reparations.

As the very wise Palestinian scholar and researcher on refugees Salman Abu Sitta wrote in his recent op-ed "The Palestinians, and most of the world with them, are determined to pursue justice, eradicate racism and Apartheid. Just as South Africa did. They have no intention of disappearing."
http://www.amin.org/eng/uncat/2006/june/june5-0.html

No one need be murdered- that should be the point. Enough with the hate mongering and the insults. What modern man made Israel has done to Palestine is a crime against humanity, just as the Nazi Holocaust was a crime against humanity.

The Palestinian charade (Filed: 25/05/2006)

The Guardian

Raising Yousuf: a diary of a mother under occupation

Either return..or return

Anne Selden Annab said...

Laila- thank you so much for speaking out and focusing on the importance of fully respecting human dignity and worth- basic human rights and the right of return.

Please do not let manipulative Zio-Nazis steer you away from speaking out clearly and distinctly, truthfully reporting what you know in your heart to be true.

Many people want to shut you up- they want to take that key and toss it away so that investments in political Zionism can continue ruining lives everywhere.... don't give Zio-Nazis that power- hold tight to the key- the real key to real justice- real peace- real hope- a future where all people have the freedom and a chance to live with dignity and security, regardless of religion or ID cards.

7:28 PM

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http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/userletter/?id=20004&letter_id=733522471

Palestine Chronicle

History Doubletalk

Al Ahram 

Attention to shift

Sir-- What a fascinating, thought provoking article 'A Greater Palestine' ( Al-Ahram Weekly 27 April-3 May). I do very much like the notion of a renamed and reinvigorated idea of a PRO, Palestine Reunification Organisation. And it is important to be looking for fresh ideas, hopeful ideas that can help lead to a just and lasting peace. However, I am concerned that by embracing and swallowing Jordan, the thrust of this plan will make it ever so easy for attention to be drawn away from the primary struggle with Israeli injustice, easily undermining and destroying the more vulnerable Jordan while Israel, fully funded, armed and protected by fools in America, continues to hold firm in every way it can. In other words, Israel as "the Jewish state" gets what it wanted all along -- no right of return for Palestinians with Jordan as Palestine.

Anne Annab
Pennsylvania
USA

   online Wall Street Journal Opinon Journal

Juan Cole is one of the reasons newspaper readership is dwindling fast. Mr. Cole's probing insights into the many problems with Israel as "The Jewish State" are welcomed by many minds starved for real information and insights that might help shape more reasonable American foreign policies. Mr. Cole's articles zip every where on the Internet, invigorating minds, igniting conversations and compassionate dialogue everywhere. "Reputable" newspapers that prefer to reinforce dangerous Zionist fantasies with dirty tactics such as twinning a great American intellectual with the Taliban do know how to play nasty games and start smear campaigns--and ultimately undermine their reader's trust and willingness to subscribe.

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: How Long Will Failed Ways Persist?

What a pleasure to see an Arab name pop up in an American publication. It happens so rarely that it really is quite a treat. I very much agree with Rami G. Khouri's belief that if left to go on as it has, the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict will become "a civilizational one," the likes of which simply can not be fully comprehended. This is a very dangerous situation indeed.

However I disagree with Khouri 's assertion that a two-state solution will bring peace to anyone. Millions of displaced and impoverished Palestinian refugees, harassed and attacked daily by Israeli troops, are fully aware that international law has clearly spelled out and respected their inalienable right of return for Israel's entire existence. And yet, thanks to worldwide funding and support for politicized Zionism, Israel's homewrecking polices continue.

Now is not the time to be scattering dots in an effort to protect Israel. Sadly, most of our American media has been doing exactly that. Get to the heart and soul of the matter. Don't help empower stupidity and Israeli apartheid by bulldozing and burying the Palestinian refugees right of return, as well as all real hope for a just and lasting peace.

ANNE SELDEN ANNAB
Mechanicsburg PA

The Rebel Yell

The Spectator

Comment on: In pursuit of peace by Con Coughlin
Published on: 2006-03-30

The Israeli people are desperate for good PR, not peace. If Israel truly wanted peace Zionists would reverse the Aliyah machine bringing in Jewish immigrants from everywhere.

If Israel truly wanted peace Zionists would dismantle the apartheid wall and that huge nasty arsenal of lethal weaponry... If Israel truly wanted peace Zionists would give back Palestine- every inch of it.

The ploys played by racist Israel are endless... and so is the suffering of millions of innocent albeit vilified Palestinian men, women, and children who continue to have their land and rights stolen.

Anne Selden Annab

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Times-Rebulican

Thanks to the T-R for column

Editor, Times- Republican:

Okay, yeah, I know I am dreaming ... idly searching for a reputable newspaper in America. One that isn't filled to the gills with Zionist garbage being peddled like political Zionism should be our saving grace in this terribly misguided war on terror. While searching it occurs to me of course that search engines with a Zionist slant probably disappear information ... but at least they left this link - at least one real paper carried Reese's great column: the Times-Republican.

I don't live in Iowa. But then again I don't live in New York. So while newspapers everywhere are losing readers I cannot help but wonder if a New World Order of Newspapers will emerge with those honest and brave enough to publish the likes of the very talented and intelligent Charlie Reese with clear condemnations of racist Israeli brutality taking the lead. Leading America away from this fiasco of Israeli-made injustice, pain and terror - and apartheid walls. Leading us away from the lies and deceit of a foreign country that wants us to be wage slaves and cannon fodder for its own bigoted benefit. Wants us to give everything we are and everything we have and everything we believe in so that a small handful of war mongers and security companies can grow wealthy while the rest of us end up with less than nothing.

So anyway, thank you dear Times-Republican.

Anne Selden Annab

Mechanicsburg, Pa.

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JORDAN TIMES

March 29, 2006 http://www.jordantimes.com/wed/letters/letters1.htm
Letters to the Editor
'Speak out' I do enjoy reading the great op-eds found in your pages. I very much agree with the writer of the article “The incontestable impact of media” (The Jordan Times, March 28, 2006) who concludes that all is not lost. It is a delight and a relief to see the topic handled so adroitly. Time and again I am astounded by how many people — all people — just don't bother to really work towards positive change. American newspapers reflect a range of opinions, facts and interests, and what I see is that much of it starts in the letter column, that great equaliser where anyone can briefly babble about anything. How is a newspaper to know if we don't tell them? Sure, most letters never get published, but who cares, they help build momentum, help shift the news towards revealing a fuller truth about this huge, complex, intriguing, totally fascinating world of ours. And our letters can help simplify what is not so complex — such as the fact that political Zionism has spent the past 100 years intentionally stealing Palestine and undermining peace for many innocent people. Don't let it steal every story. Speak out! Anne Selden Annab, Mechanicsburg PA, US Wednesday, March 29, 2006

New York Post

Vermont Guardian

If Islam is what it takes

And here I thought you could not possibly top your excellent editorial the other week, “Rhetoric will get us nowhere” (Feb. 10), compassionately complaining that it is cruel for our Congress to cut aid to the persecuted, impoverished, and imprisoned Palestinians. But you did top it. I am utterly delighted to see that you published the fascinating and truly informative “Hamas’ Ismail Haniyeh — from refugee to prime minister” (March 17) by Mohammed Omer.

Politically, the main thing I really like and admire about Hamas is the fact that Hamas has not abandoned or compromised the Palestinian refugees’ inalienable right of return. To me, the core of the conflict rests on basic human rights in general, and specifically, refugee rights, as clearly spelled out by international law for Israel’s entire existence.

The United State’s myopic refusal to face that fact has enabled the very racist Israel to build that monstrous apartheid wall, destroying even more Palestinian homes in the process.

Israel has been intentionally undermining and destroying secular Palestinian calls for real justice and a lasting peace. Under the circumstances, in confronting the blatant bigotry and brutality of political Zionism and “the Jewish State,” if it takes Islam to bring Palestine home then so be it.
Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg, PA

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New York Post

WHAT HAMAS REALLY WANTS

According to Zionists, the idea of colonizing Palestine by displacing, demonizing and destroying the Palestinians in order to establish a "Jewish state" is logical.

But when Islam rises to object to such blatant injustice and cruelty, is Islam to be condemned?

Israel wants to have it both ways, but what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

It seems to me that Israel's own institutionalized bigotry is merely coming back to haunt the many fools who ever thought that political Zionism was a good idea.

Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg, Pa.

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Congress.org

tompaine.com

Split On The Two-State Solution

Re: Colonization of Palestine Precludes Peace

Jimmy Carter came so very very close—but totally fell short at the end. Noticing Israel's occupation is a good start, but really we must start noticing the mechanics that made the occupation, with all its innate brutality and institutionalized bigotry, possible: Political Zionism.  It's a war machine of injustice and forced segregation.

Why should the Palestinians accept the idea that half of racist Israel's crimes against humanity are wrong but the other half are fine: 58 years and counting and Israel is still wrecking Palestinian homes and communities—and still creating Palestinian refugees. The Palestinians have every right to resist such state-sponsored terror in every way that they can.
Anne Selden Annab

Georgetown University's The Hoya

aljazeerah.info

A Response to Jimmy Carter's "Colonization of Palestine Precludes Peace" 

By Anne Selden Annab

Al-Jazeerah, March 14, 2006 

Jimmy Carter makes a good start with his op-ed ""Colonization of Palestine Precludes Peace", but I fear his mind and his heart have been clouded by the way Christians say prayers. For years, long before the establishment of that place we call "Israel" on top of Palestine, Christian psalms, prayers and hymns have been gently beautifully lovingly praising the word Israel. It was once a spiritual concept. Israel was even a respected name passed down in Christian families including my own, until 1948 when that name disappeared off our family tree.

Generations of exquisite psalms, prayers and hymns praising "Israel" have been ingrained in hearts and minds, teaching children that "Israel" is something to be cherished and protected. Quite handy for the Zionist entity to embrace the nom de guerre, the name "Israel" for the racist entity and war machine now colonizing ALL of Palestine.

Knowing this, and knowing how hard it is to break away from comfortable familiar traditions, I very much disagree with Carter's conclusion that "Israel" must be "recognized and accepted by Palestinians and all other neighbors".... The emotionally charged name Israel was stolen, just as Palestinian land and rights continue to be stolen by the Zionist Entity. One should not even try to live in peace with blatant injustice, bigotry, and morally bankrupt con artists who know how to wage a psychological war.

I am not advocating violent resistance to racist "Israel". All I urge is a peaceful refusal to be bullied into empowering political Zionism by formally rewarding "Israel" for a being a gruesome and ongoing crime against humanity.

Anne Selden Annab, Mechanicsburg PA, USA.

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congress.org

3-14-6
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/userletter/?id=20004&letter_id=650704776

Civilization is worth saving: Please stop the bombs.

To:
Sen. Arlen Specter
Sen. Rick Santorum
Rep. Todd Platts
President George Bush

March 14, 2006

I am horrified- shocked and totally ashamed that America stepped back, stood aside, and let racist Israel the war machine attack vulnerable, defenseless men already caged and cornered twice over- once in Palestine the prison camp for non-Jews, and a second time as shackled political prisoners accused by the Zionist State of crimes, and thus as Palestinians they are personally targeted for perpetual punishment- torture both physical and psychological- until death.

Israel's attack on Jericho today is one of many abhorrent acts that shape racist Israel's occupation over ALL of Palestine.

Countless innocent Palestinian men women and children are suffering and being hurt - maimed wounded and killed in a slow motion genocide thanks in a large part to our ridiculous support of the racist Aliya Entity that has been destroying ALL of Palestine.

This world wide war on Palestine is simply not fair or right- nor is our own misguided pulverizing of the very cradle of civilization- Iraq.... nor is this posturing to annihilate Iran... nor is all this very nasty anti-Arab, Islamaphobic hate mongering happening in our own Congress- All for Israel ! A foreign Entity and usurper of all that is right and good and just. A spoiler of fruit and lives. A crime against humanity that pretends to be seeking peace while waging endlessly escalating war. Israel IS the clash of civilizations and an ongoing problem which is only getting worse.

Please do all you can to disarm and dismantle Israel and the evil Aliya Entity that is nothing but institutionalized bigotry and injustice- erase the apartheid walls.... and withdraw our troops from Iraq.... Peace is a gentle fragile thing that must be nurtured gently, politely, respectfully with love and decency- and empathy. Deep empathy for "other" .

End this racist war- free all the world from political Zionism and the many war mongering fools who think brutality is power.

Civilization is worth saving: Please stop the bombs.

Mechanicsburg , PA
Anne Selden Annab

umkahlil

Thursday, March 09, 2006

'Another Brick in the Monstrous Wall'

congress.org

The Oracle

NJ Record

Columnist William Tucker's Islamaphobic diatribe works to terrorize America into trusting an Israeli-inspired racist world view, as if intentionally provocative blatant hatemongering is free speech ("Standing up to terror," Other Views, Feb. 14).

Nayfa Abu Imsaa'id, 25, and her friend were tending to some goats in an area just east of the central Gaza town of Dair al-Balah on Monday when she was killed by an Israeli soldier.

Several days before, Aya al-Astal, a 9-year-old girl, drifted away from her home and wandered toward the fence along the Gaza and Israel border, where she was shot by an Israeli sniper.

There is nothing free and nothing funny about Zionist hatemongering. We are all paying a huge price for this terrible crime against humanity.

Anne Selden Annab

Mechanicsburg, Pa., Feb. 14

congress.org

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

That Zionist line

In response to your Feb. 7 editorial "Cultural Schism: A Furor Over Cartoons Thwarts Mutual Tolerance": Please, enough with spinning every story to make Islam and Muslims look bad. Muslims are angry about the fact the West is so very eager and willing to demonize Islam and Muslims more than anything else.

And keep it in context -- Muslims also aren't too thrilled with the fact that thanks to a plethora of Zionist propaganda and manipulations, Western money, power and weaponry has been making many Arabs and Muslims homeless in addition to harassing, harming, wounding and killing Arabs and Muslims all through out the Middle East.

Enough constantly putting the cart before the horse in order to help Zionist hatemongers blame and bash Arabs and Muslims at every opportunity. There is very little mutual tolerance in our own willingness to help empower a Zionist campaign of hate under the guise of free speech.

Yes, I keep using the word "Zionist" -- it should be a dirty word -- and all forms of institutionalized bigotry and injustice should be firmly condemned, and Palestine should be freed from the Zionist militancy that is at the bottom of this whole Israeli-made "clash of civilizations."

Comments

Thank you for publishing Christopher Leadbeater's excellent letter "Lack of balance" regarding our myopic media & even our Congress's ignorance concerning the very real real plight of the Palestinians. Wall of hate go up in many ways- and their foundations are laid in our own stone cold silence in the face of pain and suffering.

Stop and think- basically "lack of balance" means one is on the brink of a fall. Our country's future depends on our fourth estate- our media's ability to reach into every story and try to see all sides, exposing corruption when necessary- and revealing and encouraging goodness whenever possible.

 New York Daily News

LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/letters/la-le-friday3.2feb03,0,1277631.story?coll=la-news-comment-letters

Figuring out the Hamas puzzle

Baltimore Sun

The fact is that it is blatant Israeli-Zionist racism, injustice and armed aggression that shapes the chaos in Gaza - and that Zionist word-warriors here in America do what they can to help Zionism flourish by trying to convince America that this is all the Palestinians' fault.

umkahlil

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Speak out for real justice and real peace!

• Posted Jan. 2, 2006 at 7:08 PM EST
• Link to Comment

HOMETOWN LIFE

America idolizes Israel

Comments

RE: `Apartheid Wall’ letter by Awad Paul Sifri

Dear Editor,

Thank you for publishing Awad Paul Sifri's very good letter "Apartheid Wall" concerning that monstrosity that Israel has built in that place so many call the Holy land.

That wall is an intentional insult and provocation- another Zionist weapon in a cruelly racist war on the native non-Jewish population of that place so many call the Holy Land.

That wall is what 100 years of systematic ethnic cleaning brings to Israel- beautiful Palestinian villages and gardens destroyed to make way for bleak ugliness and inevitable disasters to come.

Beautiful children traumatized and tormented, and torn away from all that is beautiful and good.

Canada Free Press

December 28, 2005

Sick twist on Palestine

Chicago Tribune

Web log for letters to the editor

Vermont Guardian

It’s called sarcasm

I do believe that when writing his letter, Riad Hamad was deploying a technique called sarcasm (Dec. 2). It can be very effective to use humor and/or bitterness to help get across a point. However, by labeling Hamad’s sarcastic and very effective diatribe “Job in Iraq isn’t done,” it sounds as if Hamad fervently believes that even more money and resources and peoples’ lives should be wasted waging war on Iraq.

Bad enough, as Hamad states in his letter, that we the American people have been “cheated and lied to.” Must you really make it worse by mislabeling letters objecting to this utterly insane situation?
Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg, PA

Citizens for Fair Legislation

http://www.cflweb.org

Congress.org

Shame!!! on us

That's one exclamation point of shame for each of the three Abrahamic faiths insulted and undermined by Zionism's quest to ethnically cleanse the Holy Land of its native non-Jewish population.

Perhaps you sincerely believe that Israeli propaganda machines are well regarded and worth quoting. But many loyal Americans, obviously better informed about the facts than you, are utterly horrified that a foreign country, pretending to be the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, spends so much time and money manipulating American opinion so that taxpayers and religious organizations will happily fund and support racist Israeli brutality -- and nonstop violations of international law and the Palestinians' basic human rights.

Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg

USA TODAY

Nurturers inspire

Besides my own family, our comfortable home and beautiful garden, I am most thankful for our schools, libraries and all the many caring people — the teachers, aides, volunteers and parents — who daily go that extra mile to help nurture all our children.

Time and again, throughout many challenging years of raising three very different (and sometimes very difficult) children, I have been inspired by the good character and intelligence of strangers who devote endless energy to helping make this world a better place one child at a time:

• The librarian who takes the time to find the perfect book for a grumpy, reluctant reader.

• The football coach who helps teach a headstrong youth self-discipline and teamwork.

• The music and art teachers, the science teachers, the math teachers, the history, literature, and many, many more teachers.

• Even Harry, our good-natured elementary school bus driver.

• And all the many quiet helpers behind the scenes who take no credit but help make so much more possible by just doing what needs to be done.

All are an integral part of making every day a better day. They've added quality and compassion to our lives, shaping our children's characters in positive ways, as well as significantly improving my own ability to be a better parent.

I am thankful that despite all the bad news we hear, there really are so many decent people doing what they can, day in and day out, to humbly help shape a better world.

Anne Selden Annab, Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Springfield News

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/17/opinion/l17mideast.html

At the Mideast Table, Making a Difference 

Re "Ms. Rice and the Mideast Shuttle" (editorial, Nov. 16):

Condoleezza Rice may have stayed up all night one night, but the Palestinians have been dealing with problems imposed by Zionists in the region for more than 100 years. That's closer to 36,500 nights just trying to survive while well-financed foreigners come and methodically take away your land and your rights.

"Peace" processes intended to maintain Israel's status quo are doomed from the start. Want a just and lasting peace? Go back to 1948 and start noticing the vital importance of fully respecting the Palestinian refugees' inalienable right of return.

Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg, Pa., Nov. 16, 2005

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Detroit Free Press

11-17-5

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051117/OPINION04/511170481/1072

 I was glad to see the Nov. 8 letter "The gift of peace and life" concerning the Palestinian child, slain by an Israeli soldier, and his Palestinian family's gift of his vital organs to help others -- Israeli others, to be precise. 

Arabs have always been known for their gracious hospitality. Too bad Arab Christians and Muslims throughout the Holy Land have been so abused and taken advantage of and then, adding insult to injury, demonized for objecting to such blatant injustice by the Jewish state.

Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Not available

Sir-- Thank you for publishing Khaled Amayreh's 'The tragic continuum' ( Al-Ahram Weekly, 3-9 November). Amayreh's eye-opening reports on Palestine are not published in mainstream American media outlets. The fact that such facts about blatantly racist Israeli injustice and stories about the very real plight of the Palestinians are not easily available to Americans is part of the tragic continuum that helps make this terrible situation possible. Thankfully more and more people worldwide are turning to the Internet and international news to find out the truth about that place so many call the Holy Land. Someday soon, I hope with all my heart, the Palestinian refugees will be welcomed home with full and equal rights and freedoms in the land of their birth.

Anne Annab
Pennsylvania
USA

Thank you for publishing on line this wonderful report written by, ironically enough, the primary writer for the political website PoeticInjustice, on "Ibdaa: Dancing the Spirit of Palestine"- the Palestinian refugees making something of nothing. And what a beautifully inspiring something out of nothing such a performance by these beautiful children obviously is !

As well as being entranced and intrigued by the exquisite photos, the informative & poem perfect text in between was spiced with links choreographed to lead me deeper and deeper into the dance all around the dance- the helpful links exploring how Ibdaa uses the arts not just as expression - but as outreach, exploring the history, struggle, and aspirations of the Palestinian people, specifically the right to return to their homeland.

My heart breaks that so much racist Israeli injustice has been allowed to ruin so many lives on both side of that awful Zionist wall of hate imposed upon that place so many call the Holy Land. I very much hope more and more people become aware of how crucial it is to first and foremost fully respect & protect the Palestinian refugees inalienable right of return.

Anne Selden Annab

New Statesman

Haaretz

Letters to the Editor

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/638582.html Amused fan

Regarding "Sharon recommends a book," Haaretz Magazine, October 21 What an entertaining approach to an interesting topic! Personally I am very much a Norman Finkelstein fan, mainly because I believe that his willingness and ability to tackle the Holocaust industry is really quite admirable. And how nice of Ariel Sharon to endorse Alan Dershowitz - but not the case for peace. Anne Selden Annab Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

concerning 

 Judith Miller and Me

But for the spreading power of blogs such as yours, I suspect the New York Times would have welcomed Judith Miller back and hailed her as a hero, reinvigorated with new found credibility so she could do the same number on Syria that she did on Iraq.

Our government certainly does not have a shortage of "reporters" and columnists eager and willing to help plant more seeds of war in American hearts and minds.... I find it very odd, actually terrifying, that just over a year ago the US blocked a UN Rebuke of Israel for Assassination http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0323-11.htm and yet this week aided and abetted by many a shortsighted newspaper the US is condemning Syria for the very same thing. Well not quite the same thing- in Israel's case there is absolutely no doubt who did what, whereas with Syria there is.

Posted by: Anne Selden Annab | October 26, 2005 at 08:13 AM

VERMONT GUARDIAN

Barely enough

I was thrilled to see the excellent letter, “Take another look,” by Riad Hamad. At last, at least a glimpse of the truth. Water is so very precious, and Israel’s generously subsidized settlers grew wealthy by using up such a vital resource for their private greenhouse industries while the persecuted and impoverished Palestinians had barely enough to drink.
Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg, PA

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NEW YORK POST

10-16-2005

http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/letters/29537.htm
IS GAZA'S GRASS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE?

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http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/userletter/?letter_id=495586366

Regarding Karen Hughes

To:  President George Bush

October 13, 2005

Regarding Andy Martin's letter regarding Karen Hughes..and some thoughts on solving the Israel/Palestine conflict:


Dear Mr. Martin,

I quite agree that there is a logjam and it must be broken, but under the circumstances some "solutions" mainly perpetuate the conflict. Well meaning though it might be, I think your suggestion was one.

What if instead of repealing the Jim Crow laws, America had chosen to reinforce them, and instituted even more punitive policies and laws and even concrete walls to keep white America "safe" from blacks.

What if rather than seeking to understand the the content of character and individual dignity and worth, Whites-preferred America spent the past 50 years generously subsiding only whites-only communities and businesses and colleges and churches while methodically and maliciously demonizing, attacking, and undermining blacks and black communities and infrastructures in every way possible.

What if we had been sending in helicopter gunships and armored bulldozers to demolish and destroy anything Blacks might try to build, frequently making refugees out of refugees, and then interpreting all righteous outrage and rebellion from such harsh oppression and blatant injustice as proof that Blacks don't deserve rights anywhere.

I think the best solution- in fact the only solution, is to acknowledge the racist nature of Zionism, and acknowledge the gross injustices inflicted by racist Israel day and day out on the native non-Jewish population of the Holy Land.

For more than half of it's history racist Israel, as a well armed and sovereign nation, has had full control of all the land, while steadfastly refusing to give all the people of that land full and equal rights.

As such I think for the sake of democracy and real freedom, justice, and peace, our religious and political leaders should call a spade a spade and simply officially declare that there is only one state and that one state has been waging a cruelly racist war on its own native non-Jewish population. The only way at this point in time for a fully viable Palestinian State to emerge is to support a one state solution where every citizen can help shape a just and decent future, electing in due course to either shape two separate states or one. Let the people decide.

Meanwhile, America must start noticing and acknowledging the immense damage Zionist ideologues have done to American democracy by waging a war on our media and politicians and even on academic freedom.

And yes, I do know that trying to persuade someone who is not friendly to your views to change their mind is not the easiest thing... but that actually is besides the point. American laws and ideals are being misused to support a foreign country, and America is in very real danger.

Check out this very informative report on charity:
http://www.irmep.org/tec.htm

US Tax-Exempt Charitable Contributions to Israel:
Donations, Illegal Settlements and Terror Attacks against the US
PDF/Printable Sixty Billion Dollars for Illegal Settlements

Mechanicsburg , PA

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Baltimore Sun

Mideast's realities defy our perceptions

Knowing of the horrific pain and suffering and trauma racist Israel constantly inflicts on the indigenous and very vulnerable non-Jewish men, women and children in the Holy Land, it can be very hard to find humor in the situation.

But it is utterly absurd when you look at what is really going on in the Middle East - and much of it is possible because of American money and support.

There is a huge chasm between the ugly reality of Israeli racism playing out in a billion monstrously ugly ways and the news and opinion we usually hear about the situation.

So much so that mainstream America's perceptions appear to more closely resemble what one sees in a totally distorted fun-house mirror.

Oracle

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Flight 93 crescent transcends hate-mongering

Politicizing the bravery and decency of the passengers of United Flight 93 by saying they chose to die "as the first soldiers in the war on terror than as the last victims of 9/11" is taking some very big liberties with both their lives, and their deaths. And as such, I expected Dennis Roddy's Sept. 18 column, "Throwing 'Em a Curve," to go in quite a different direction. But instead, I was pleasantly surprised that he was reasonable, rational and even compassionate.

I really like the memorial planned for the site where the plane crashed -- a living memorial with beautiful living trees that will grow tall and dignified like the magnificent maple in my own yard. And I also like the word "crescent." To me it is more than the landscape, the moon, an architectural shape (which is quite pertinent to a state nicknamed the Keystone State) and more than Islam.

It is the cradle of my own arms as I rock a newborn, as my own mother cradled me and her mother cradled her, stretching back through time. And it will be the cradle of my own children's arms as they wonder at their own babies and the miracle of love and life.

It is the crescent of embrace formed by arms reaching out with compassion as we reach beyond our own problems and pain to understand the suffering of innocent people everywhere.

We really are all in this together, and insulting Islam only makes things worse. We need fewer American hate-mongers and more reasonable, loving moms like Mark Bingham's mother. Bless her and her son for doing the right thing.

ANNE SELDEN ANNAB
Mechanicsburg

umkahlil

Thanks to Annie Annab and Musa Al-Hindi, whom I've taken the liberty 
to quote in this story I've submitted to Information Clearinghouse. 
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info  If it's published, it will 
appear sometime this evening (Berlin time).

For links, please go to http://www.umkahlil.blogspot.com

The twenty-third anniversary of the massacre in the refugee camps of 
Sabra and Shatila has gone virtually unnoticed by a western press 
too busy feting war criminal Ariel Sharon for his "courage" in 
returning a fraction of stolen Palestinian lands, and too busy 
admonishing Palestinians that peace between Israel and Palestine is 
basically all up to them, not bothering to mention the ongoing 
Israeli land thefts in the West Bank and its relentless Judaisation 
of Jerusalem. The western press has also taken to demonising 
Hamas "gunmen" at every opportunity, leaving readers clueless that 
Hamas is a reaction to the violence of fifty-seven years of virulent 
Israeli racism and ethnic cleansing.

And it looks as if Ariel Sharon will forever escape justice, of the 
temporal kind, anyway. Having successfully escaped justice from the 
Belgium Court for Sabra and Shatila, Tony Blair has promised him, 
according to an Israeli Army report, to take care of the matter of 
Israeli war criminals facing arrest and trial in the UK.

On September 16, 1982, the Lebanese Christian militia Falange, went 
into the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila near Beirut. 
They murdered between 800 (official Israeli figures) and 
3,500, "according to the investigations of the Israeli journalist 
Kapeliouk," people. The Israeli army entered this part of the city 
the previous day. The Israeli Army, under the direction of then 
Defense Minister Ariel Sharon, sealed the camps, prohibiting anyone 
from leaving, and proceeded to observe the massacre from rooftops.

According to Musa Al-Hindi, an activist with Al-Awda (Right to 
Return Coalition), who was seventeen and living in Beirut at the 
time, "Prior to its withdrawal, Israel, who had always bragged about 
the IDF's 'purity of arms,' precipitated the massacre of 3000 
Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians and Egyptians in the camps of Sabrah 
and Shateelah. Israel has always denied responsibility for the 
gruesome killings of the men, women, and children of the two camps. 
Its soldiers might have not participated in the actual killings, but 
any body who is familiar with the camps and their surroundings, 
would have no doubt that they could see and hear the screams of the 
men, women and children who were being executed. After all, the 
blood orgy carried out by the scavengers of the right-wing 
Phalangists lasted for two days, and the Israelis had established 
posts on top of the buildings surrounding the camps."

The Israelis also supplied the bulldozers. According to Malaysia's 
New Straits Times
"Instead of protecting the inmates of the refugee camps, Sharon had 
meetings with Israeli ally Major Saad Haddad, leader of the South 
Lebanon Army militia, and Phalangist militiamen and politicians Elie 
Hobeika, Fadie Frem, Zahi Bustami, Amin and Pierre Gemayel. Israeli 
soldiers surrounded and sealed the camps but allowed the Haddads and 
the Phalangists to enter the refugee camps and go on a murder spree. 
Israel supplied bulldozers to demolish buildings and bury the 
victims in mass graves. Any refugees fleeing the massacre were 
turned back. From observation posts on the periphery of the camps, 
Israeli generals planned and observed the massacre of the inmates. 
At night the Israeli Defence Force fired flares to light up the sky 
for the murderous attacks to continue. The Lebanese militia were 
given food, water and ammunition throughout the massacre."

To its credit, the BBC's website reprised the BBC story from 1982. 
It also printed a gripping memoir from Deborah Thornton Jackson, a 
British citizen married to a Lebanese businessman. Jackson 
volunteered in the Gaza Hospital in Beirut in the wake of the 
massacre. Her account, like all of the accounts of the survivors and 
witnesses to the massacre, is harrowing and difficult to read.

"What will always stick in my memory is of a little boy that had 
come from the camps, and his little body had no limbs. I can 
remember just holding him, holding his little body close. He was 
covered with blood and the life was running out of him. He was 
crying for his mother. "

Al-Hindi recalls going in the southern entrance of the camp and 
wishing that he had not.

"What I saw will continue to haunt me for the rest of my life. I saw 
a middle-aged woman hysterically dancing over a pile of children's 
bodies, pulling her own hair and scratching her face, and singing 
unintelligibly. I tried to make some sense of her words. The only 
phrase I could hear was 'ya mshaharah ya Subhiyeh [what a hellish, 
unbelievable sight, oh Subhiyeh].' The rest were just unintelligible 
sounds. A sobbing man, either her husband or brother, I assumed, was 
trying to make her stop, but without any success. I can still 
remember her dark, wrinkled and bleeding face, her gray hair and the 
Hennah on her chin. Next to the pile kneeled a younger woman, with 
her face buried in the sand. Suddenly she stood up and started to 
tear the top of her dress, only to be stopped by other women in the 
crowd."

As long as the media continues in its one-sided coverage of Middle 
East it is culpable in the ongoing horrors perpetuated by the US and 
Israel in the region. BBC was the only mainstream western news 
outlet to show up on a google and yahoo news search for 
Sabra/Shatila. Few in the western world know that suicide bombings 
are a reaction to the horrors of a racism that welcomes anyone with 
a Jewish grandparent to Israel, but will prohibit any Palestinian in 
exile from going home. Issa Hamoud, a refugee in Lebanon told CNN 
five years ago, "Any Palestinian who tells you that he doesn't want 
to return to the homeland is lying. Any one who resides outside 
their home lives in humiliation. Just look at what happened to our 
people right here."

Anne Annab, housewife, the Cindy Sheehan of Palestinian activists in 
the US, writes letters on behalf of justice for the Palestinians to 
the western media every day. Annie wrote the following to the 
Baltimore Sun regarding its Zionist propaganda story, "Hamas Gunmen 
March Through Gaza Settlements."

"Thanks to the racist nature of political Zionism, Palestinians are 
veritable prisoners, persecuted and impoverished no matter what they 
do or say, and demonized as if they hold all the power and a huge 
arsenal. Israel stands in long term and flagrant violations of 
international law and the Palestinians' basic human rights- and yet 
Sharon is welcomed at the UN and given a podium to promote his bible 
stories so that American Zionists will continue to eagerly arm and 
empower Israeli racism.

"But rather than respecting the Palestinian refugees' inalienable 
right of return, generously subsidized Israeli soldiers and settlers 
continue to harass and harm vulnerable Palestinian men, women, and 
children. Generously subsidized Zionists continue to steal 
Palestinians' land and rights, continue to invest in injustice and 
bigotry, continue to build concrete walls of hate. That is what 
should be noticed and headlined." 

(photo 
http://www.bintjbeil.com/A/news/images/010801_sabra_shatila.jpg)

YORK DAILY RECORD

Israel unfair to Palestinians

Badger Herald

Anne Selden Annab (September 10, 2005 @ 11:06 AM):

I was glad to see  forthright " Israeli plan actually hurts Palestinians ."

Despite pervasive Zionist pressure to demonize the Palestinians at every opportunity and the many ongoing Zionist campaigns to pressure American colleges and media outlets into ignoring, dismissing or vilifying those who dare speak out for real justice and a lasting peace- people everywhere really are speaking out and explaining the truth about Israeli racism- and brutality.

Chicago Tribune

 

Mechanicsburg, Pa. -- Thank you for publishing letter writer Caroline Herzenberg's excellent letter, "A culture of war" (Voice of the people, Aug. 9). She hit the nail right on the head.

And I quite agree that "all cultures, ours included, need to move away from hatred and killing and terrorism and war."

This whole "do as I say but not as I do" philosophy really isn't working. We need to start with ourselves and do all we can to stop the hypocrisy and the hate-mongering right here at home, which keeps playing out into myopic foreign policies with disastrous consequences for all.


***********************************************************************

HAARETZ

8-12-5

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtVty.jhtml?sw=Annab&itemNo=611670

Letters to the Editor
Last Update: 12/08/2005 03:09
part and parcel of Israeli racism Leave it to Israel to take an armed Israeli attack on Palestinians and twist it into yet another way to demonize the Palestinians. For your information, "lynching" is a charged word made popular in America's segregated south. It speaks of institutionalized bigotry and violence created by those in power stepping beyond already punitive laws to physically attack and kill vulnerable people.
Lynching is well known as a racist crime vigilante justice delivered by those already in power acting outside the law to brutally attack and harm and murder innocent people. AWOL or not, Eden Natan Zada was an Israeli soldier who wore a uniform. Israel regularly abuses the rule of law to persecute and impoverish the indigenous Palestinians. Israel also encourages religious extremists and settlers to grab Palestinian land and ignore their rights. And Israel frequently deploys the IDF and a full arsenal of lethal weaponry to attack the relatively unarmed Palestinians. Eden Natan Zada was quite simply part and parcel of Israeli racism. Anne Selden Annab. Mechanicsburg, PA

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

End Israeli racism

If indeed Cal Thomas is worried about Jews being insulted- or slaughtered (column, Aug. 5), why in heaven's name is he so eager to support Israeli racism, segregation and political Zionism's ongoing war on the native non-Jewish population of the Holy Land?

One hundred years ago political Zionism invaded a land where Jews, Christians and Muslims were already living side by side. Political Zionism's roots are in a racist Europe, the same time and place that created the Nazi Holocaust with all its horrors. In turn, modern man-made Israel's immigration policies have been encouraging all Jews worldwide to "return," while intentionally refusing the same right to the indigenous Palestinian refugees who are trapped by Israeli racism in crowded and impoverished concentration camps.

Far too many of Israel's subsidized settlers and religious fanatics living in Jews-only communities throughout the illegally occupied territories are American Jews with full and equal rights in two countries, while most Palestinians have no real rights anywhere. But rather than acknowledging the very real plight of the Palestinians, Zionists demonize the Palestinians at every opportunity, in order to support Israeli racism and "The Jewish State."

The end of Jews-only privileges and perks would be a good thing -- civilized, fair and just, the real first step toward reconciliation and real peace with security for all.

-- ANNE SELDEN ANNAB, Mechanicsburg

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Detroit Free Press

http://www.freep.com/voices/letters/egaza11e_20050811.htm

GAZA SETTLEMENTS: Can Israel's leaving lead to peace?

August 11, 2005

Racism and hope

I wonder where we would be now if Palestinians had a large network of consul generals, advisers and advocates in major American cities the way Israel does. What if for the past 100 years we had been hearing about the dark side of political Zionism? Would we even have had the heartbreak of 9/11 had we been listening closely to what was really going on as American money went to empower Israeli racism and war?

Having read Sherri Muzher's heartfelt column about human bonds and baby steps that build trust, I cannot help but be very grateful that hope still exists.

Anne Selden Annab

Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Providence Journal

Sharansky shows bias

I was surprised and pleased to read your editorial regarding President Bush's muse, Natan Sharansky, and his total failure to notice the plight of the Palestinian people while he enthusiastically advocates for what really should be called a racist Jews-only democracy ("Democracy for Gaza too," May 3).

Such blatant and blind racism is the epicenter of the violence and despair throughout the Holy Land. The ramifications at the cradle of civilization, including what happens in Iraq, are widespread.

No one is winning. You can't win a racist war.

- Anne Selden Annab, Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Philadelphia Inquirer

No help to Palestinians

Re: "A unilateral Gaza pullout would only help Hamas," Commentary Page, July 20:

A more careful exploration of Israel's withdrawal forces one to realize that Israeli invasion, plus years of a long, ugly, brutal occupation, including the creation of multiple Jews-only communities and privileges, preceded the problems now confronting every side. Adding fuel to the fire, American money and weaponry have been empowering racist Israel maneuverings for years.

For more than 57 years, Palestinians have been mainly ignored and/or demonized and their complaints about racist Israeli injustice (and unilateral moves) dismissed. Withdraw? Israel continues to generously subsidize and encourage Israeli settlers. Palestinian homes continue to be demolished, trees uprooted and land usurped.

If we really want to help create a just and lasting peace - and maybe even a real democracy - we have a duty to honestly confront the facts and give voice to support for the rule of fair and just laws, including but not limited to the full implementation of the Palestinian refugees' inalienable right of return.

Otherwise we are only helping Israel shape Palestine into an elaborate prison camp for the native non-Jewish population of the Holy Land.

Anne Selden Annab

Mechanicsburg

LA Times

The Times

Pessimism springs eternal in the Middle East

Build a Bridge to Peace