November 29

November 29 is the day that the UN has designated for the Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people   This date is actually the commemoration of the UN resolution 181 on November 29, 1947 to partition Palestine.   A resolution that ended up with the establishment of the state of Israel and the creation of the Palestinian Nakba which saw the exodus of around 750,000 Palestinians ending up as refugees in Jordan, East Bank, and West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, the Gaza Strip, Egypt, and the diaspora, and who were never allowed to return home in accordance with  the UN general assembly resolution 194 adopted on December 11, 1948.

After the Israeli occupation of the rest of the Palestinian territory in the wake of the June 5, 1967 war, UN security council 242 which emphasized the  “inadmissability of the acquisition of territory by war” was adopted unanimously on November 22, 1967.   And with the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority in the wake of the Oslo Accords and the peace process, the UN general assembly voted overwhelmingly on November 29, 2012 to accord Palestine  a non-member observer status.  And in a special ceremony on September 11, 2015 the Palestinian flag was raised at the UN building in New York. 

On November  15, 1988 the Palestine National Council in its meeting in Algiers adopted a resolution to establish the Palestinian State on the 1967 borders, and November 15 was declared officially as the day of  Palestinian independence. 

Ironically we have a so-called state whose borders, and 61%  of its area,  are not under our control.   We have a flag which is raised in New York, but cannot be raised in East Jerusalem. And of course we take a day off on November 15 celebrating our independence while we are still under a brutal occupation.  After sixty seven years of dispossession, and 48 years of Israeli military occupation,  all that the UN was able to grant the Palestinians were  symbolic gestures.  In the meantime it has failed to sanction Israel for not implementing UN resolutions, for its violations of  human rights and international law, and it has turned a blind eye to the new realities that Israel created in the occupied territory with the building of  Jewish settlements. Of course the power of veto that the US has used all along,  played a substantial role in supporting the impunity of Israel. 

So to our  friends who are standing in solidarity with our people on November 29, we want to thank you and express our appreciation for all your support along the years, and especially for those who have taken courageous measures to support the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement.  We urge you to demand protection for the Palestinian people and especially those children who have reached the limit of their endurance and were bound to rise up to resist the violence of occupation. 

Enough is Enough Mr. Kerry

Please Mr. Kerry spare us one of your historic statements that the violence must stop.    Unfortunately you do not seem to have grasped the root cause of the violence despite the long years of mediation and shuttling back and forth during the so called peace process.  The occupation in itself is the violent action, and resisting an occupation by all means is a legitimate right according to international law. 

Out of all people you should not be surprised Mr. Kerry when the US as the broker of the Peace Process failed to be an honest broker and allowed Israel to build and expand the  settlements in the Palestinian territory,  despite the fact that the USA administration  considers the settlements illegal and has often requested Israel to halt their expansion.  Yet your administration allowed Israel to  create new realities on the ground and vetoed every UN resolution that sanctioned Israel for its illegal acts in the Palestinian occupied territory.  Even when the Israeli army invaded Gaza,  your administration saw it fit to support the invading forces, and to increase its aid in money and armament. 

You should not be surprised that this young generation, which  had enough of both the occupation and the futile peace process, would take matters into their hands after the latest provocations of the Israeli settlers who seek to gradually maintain a foot-hold in Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and especially when the Arab and Muslim countries did not raise a finger in action against that.  Yes we heard a lot of rhetoric.  However,  words without action do not hold water any more for this young desperate generation.

For a number of years the Palestinians have resorted to non-violent resistance through their weekly marches and prayers in the areas that are being threatened to be annexed behind the WALL. Those demonstrations have continuously been attacked by Israeli soldiers with tear gas and life ammunition, and the Palestinians have not been able to retrieve their land, the latest being the issue of the Cremisan property in Beit Jala.   Enough is enough Mr. Kerry.  If you are really keen on stopping the violence, you know very well that you will have to put an end to the occupation and stop treating Israel above the law, especially as it escalates its brutal measures against a defenseless population and literally killing minors extra-judicially.

Present Absentee vs. Absentee present

Every time I start writing about this subject, I feel it is meaningless compared  to the life threatening issues around us such as the refugees, the rampage of the Israelis settlers, home demolitions, the burning of the Dawabsheh family as well as the  fragmentation of the Arab world to an extent that they are unable to protect the daily invasion of Al-Aqsa mosque, let alone liberate Palestine.   Yet the issue of depriving Palestinian Jerusalemites from their right to residency is also very crucial.  According to OCHA, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 14,000 Palestinians  lost their right to residency between 1967-2010. 

For the last eleven years, and ever since my husband Yousef passed away, I continued to receive an invitation in his name from the Israeli Jerusalem Municipality inviting him to Jerusalem day.  Not that he ever responded or attended when he was alive, but the persistence of this invitation eventually got to me and I decided that my reflection was going to be about this issue.  

I am calling it an issue, because ever since my husband passed away, we asked the municipality to name the street that leads up from the main road to our house in Beit Hanina in his name, because he had developed the whole area in the early sixties before the 1967 war.  Neither our street nor any in the area had names at the time.   The response of the municipality to our request was that a few years should pass by before it names a street after a deceased person.  So we kept pursuing the issue but to no avail.  Two years ago when the invitation from the municipality arrived, I wrote back saying that my husband passed away, and requested his name to be removed from their list.  At the same time I seized the opportunity to remind them of our request to name the street after him. 

I was not surprised not to get any response, but I certainly was surprised when we woke up one morning to the sound of  drilling in our wall to find out that the name and number of our street is now Ramallah Road, Zqaq (alley 1) and all the houses were numbered accordingly.  The whole neighborhood cooperated in signing a petition to the municipality to request naming the street after Yousef, but we never received a response.  

Yet despite all this communication,  the invitation from  the municipality came once again this year.  So I could not help but think of the many devious ways by which the Israeli Authority deprives Palestinian Jerusalemites from their right to residency,  while a person who no more exists is still on the municipality list.  

UNRWA Crisis

https://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=766867
This is just one of many items that reported on the UN concern about UNRWA not being able to continue to offer its services to the Palestinian refugees due to lack of funds. So I was inspired to send this open letter to Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary general of the UN and to post it on my blog: Reflectionsfrompalestine.blogspot.com

Mr. Ban Ki-moon

UN Secretary General

New York

Dear Sir: 

May I remind you that when UNRWA was established in December 1949,  it was established as a temporary relief agency for the Palestinian refugees who,  in 1948, were driven out of their homes at gun point, or out of  fear for their lives, when the state of Israel was established on Palestinian land .

A year earlier, and in December 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 194 to allow all Palestinian refugees to go back to their homes.  The failure of the UN to implement that resolution, or insist on it before it accepted Israel as a member state, is the root cause of the crisis that UNRWA is facing at the moment. 

Year after year the UN dealt with the Palestinian refugees as a humanitarian problem, whereby  ignoring the implementation of  their political rights completely.  Had the UN lived up to its responsibility and enforced the 194 resolution, it would not have depleted its resources by providing handouts to those Palestinians whose property and land were taken from them by force.

Until a political solution to this grave injustice is implemented, and the refugees are allowed to go back to their land, and exercise their right to self-determination,  then the UN, the USA and its allies, who have vetoed every resolution in favor of the rights of the Palestinian refugees, should be fully responsible to finance UNRWA to continue its services.

Samia Nasir Khoury

Reflecting Once Again

 More Refugees

There were  very interesting documentaries  this week  from  BBC Arabic and Aljazeera English as well,  reporting about  the great number of refugees gathering in Calais trying to find a way to get to England by means of hiding in the trailers and even under the trailers lined up to cross the channel . One of the Syrian refugees said he was taking chances because he lost everything in Syria and he was trying to seek a dignified life for his family, other wise he might as well die.  A strong police force is controlling the area in which they are gathered, and the European governments are  taking measures so that they will not be flooded with refugees. 

The refugees were not only from Syria but from Iraq, Sudan and other countries that have suffered as a result of wars, and a lot of devastation and destruction has been inflicted on those countries.   Wars like the one in Iraq helped surface a new monster in the form of Daesh and the Islamic State, just like the Taliban and Al-Qaeda were a product of the war in Afghanistan.   Now Daesh with its stretched tentacles has become  the nightmare of the region; thanks to Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair.    The meddling in Syria, Lybia, and other areas as well as the partition of Sudan are all factors that helped create this large population of refugees. 

We have already watched how many lost their lives while getting on boats that could get them to some safe shores of the Medeteranean .  It is high time that the UN live up to its responsibility and deal with the root causes of  the  problem of refugees, whereby all efforts are exerted to bring about stability in those torn countries so that people will be allowed to go back to their homes without fear.  It is probably easier said than done, but when there is a will there is a way.  However, the irony of it all is that Israel is claiming now that it is the safest place for the Christians of the region.  Of course The UN General Assembly resolution 194 to allow the Palestinians of 1948 to return to their homes in their usurped country,  upon which Israel was established,  has never been implemented.  And then we wonder why the world is in such a mess when power, money and the arms industry supersede all ethical values of human rights and justice.  

The Burning of a Child

Today all the news carried the incident of the burning of the  Palestinian child Ali Saad Dawabsh from Duma, in the Nablus area, by Israeli settlers.  Both his parents are in critical condition, and his brother was seriously injured.    For the first time Mr. Netanyahu  admits that this is an act of terror, and the perpetrators should be punished.  How ironic that Mr. Netanyahu should admit that, when he and his government have been shielding the settlers and encouraging the expansion of settlements.  It was only recently that 300 units were approved in the Beit El area in the West Bank.  In fact, the dispossession of the Palestinians and the occupation are acts of terror.  So is the evicting of  people,  demolishing of homes and confiscation of Palestinian land.  What about the ongoing raids on Palestinian property, farms and olive groves? Are those not acts of terror, and isn’t denying Palestinians living abroad from  entry to the country to visit their families an act of terror.  The harassment and interrogation that those young people face, is but one of the tools used by the Israeli Authority, to scare people away so that they will give up on trying to visit.

To allow Israel to get away with all this for decades was bound to provide fertile ground, and a free hand  for more terror, more dispossession and more victims of the ongoing brutality of the army-protected  settlers.  We continue to hold onto hope because our cause is a just cause, but the suffering is no more bearable.  Our young men languishing in Israeli jails without charges or trial are paying a high price for the sake of liberation and peace.  Will the day ever come in my life time? Inshallah,  God willing.

Tantrums of a Spoilt Child

The child is no longer a child, but being spoilt all the way through, he knows his tantrums can get him what he wants.  In my book, Reflections from Palestine:  A Journey of  Hope, I compared the State of Israel, ever since it was established, to the spoilt child of the USA.  As long as it gets what it wants, all is fine, but  the moment the great benefactor  rebuffs the child then there is no end to the tantrums, until his wish is granted.  The scenario has become too familiar, more so during the negotiations for a deal with Iran regarding its nuclear program.

With its own stockpile of nuclear arms, I am sure  Israel  has no reason to worry about its security in the region.  The only reason the state is obsessed with the issue of security, is that it knows it has been stretching its luck for too long in maintaining the longest occupation in modern history, while continuously robbing Palestinian land.  Yet the tantrums of the spoilt child have been listened to attentively.   We have already heard reports  regarding the compensation that could quell the tantrums.  New  sophisticated weapons, are being considered as well as more financial aid,  as if the 3 billion dollars from the American citizens’ tax money were not enough.  One cannot help but wonder, what compensation and what action would actually be enough to put an end to those tantrums, or is the sky the limit?

Palestinian Saints

May 13, 2015

Palestinians Saints

Ever since I heard the news of the  canonization of two Palestinian women saints I could not help but wonder about this  new image of Palestinian women who have never failed to meet the challenges of their times.  With a country drowned with martyrs due to the grave injustice inflicted upon us as Palestinians,  and in the absence of any resolve to redress that injustice, and the failure of all mediation, maybe our only remaining hope, is the intercession  of those saints, whether we believe in saints or not. After all this is the Holy Land where so many miracles have taken place,  starting  with the birth of Jesus Christ to his resurrection, and throughout his ministry.  How meaningful  that this event should be taking place under the Papacy of Pope Francis who continues to amaze us with his remarkable changes at the Vatican. 

http://www.ibtimes.com/pope-francis-canonize-two-palestinians-jerusalem-church-will-celebrate-first-1911066#.VU9ZgnziLVE.mailto

Does it Make Sense?

May 1, 2015

I have been reading and responding to so many e-mails lately that I have not had time to reflect on some of the events that are taking place and the absurdity of the situation.  Yesterday I was supposed to go downtown  to Jerusalem, just about 9kms away, to attend a performance at the conservatory by “Banat Al-Quds” (The daughters  of Jerusalem) an all-girls’ ensemble in which my granddaughter was playing the cello and singing as well.  Unfortunately the Jewish Ethiopian citizens of Israel  had a very big and violent demonstration in Jerusalem, that it was literally impossible for me to get beyond the first kilometer  of my trip, but luckily the taxi driver found an outlet and drove me back home.  Apparently what triggered this demonstration was  the violence of the Israeli police against these  Ethiopians citizens.  Not much different  from the brutality of the American police against the African Americans that we have been watching.  I read a nice episode about two Swedish policemen who while  in New York intervened very gently to quell some violence.  The spectators were so amazed that they wished  their American police would get some training in Sweden rather than in Israel.  But after all “Israel is the  only democracy in the Middle East.”

With the earthquake in Nepal and the thousands of people who have lost their lives or their possessions,  one of the first countries that  sent rescue teams and relief was Israel.  Yet how ironic that Israel continues to  dispossess the Palestinians of their homes and possessions on a daily basis.  Today in Silwad in the Ramallah area, a family was evicted from their home by brute force for no other reason but to make room for Israeli settlers.  Does this make any sense?  After the Israeli shelling of Gaza in July 2014, many areas looked like they have been exposed to an earthquake or an atomic bomb,  yet there were no rescue teams around, does this make any sense?

Many of you might have read the story from Mondoweiss about the two young musicians, if not please check it out Night f horror at Ben Gurion airport for two French music students I do not know why Israel goes out of its way to provoke those young people and eventually turn them into activists by no choice of their own.

On a brighter note,  today the YWCA of Palestine celebrated the Y Global breakfast which is usually celebrated around the world on April 24, or around that date.   It was a special occasion for us this  year because we had it in Bethlehem celebrating the establishment of a new association there.  It was a very lively gathering and a very nice occasion for the members of Ramallah, Jerusalem and Jericho to meet our new members in Bethlehem.  Women’s activities and advocacy keep us going,  and definitely our involvement makes sense and makes a difference.    

The Seeds of Sabeel

April 28, 2015

I spent the weekend in Nazareth where Rev. William Roberts, the interim Director of Sabeel  and I joined Rev. Ateek and Cedar Duaybis who both gave a very comprehensive  presentation on Palestinian Liberation Theology.  It was a very successful event and the turn out was amazing.  After the presentation we had a discussion with the local committee about the future of Sabeel in view of the retirement of its founder Rev. Naim Ateek, and his leaving the country to settle in Texas near his daughter.  I could not help but think of the quotation of John Kennedy when he said:  “A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.” 

The seeds of the idea of Palestinian Liberation Theology have been planted  25 years ago by Rev. Ateek, and thank God he will be moving away physically, but his spirit will stay with us, and so will his theology.  So my dear members of Sabeel, as well as Friends of Sabeel world wide, we will count on you to keep watering the seeds and to keep the idea living on. 

Orthodox Easter Sunday

On Sunday April 12 -Orthodox Easter-  Cedar and I went to attend the service at St. George's Cathedral.  It was a cold and rainy day, but we made it, because we wanted to hear the sermon of Rev. Ateek and say good bye to him before he leaves to the US. 

Sadly the church was packed with internationals  and the local community were just a handful.  Gone are the days when that church was packed with its local community.  After the service we all had coffee at the Parish hall, and the Dean of the Cathedral and the parish priest, Rev. Hosam Naoum,  told the group that Rev. Ateek inspired us to leave our comfortable chairs and serve more our community and country.  We want to wish Rev. Ateek all the best as he pursues his ministry of Palestinian Liberation Theology from Texas. 

The Irony of Technology

I just finished watching the following clip http://www.safeshare.tv/w/DTAINyElxY

about the future surgery room as narrated by Dr. Kobi Votman, an Israeli alumnus of the Technion.  A fantastic development.  Yet I could not help but wonder how such brains at the Technion who can do research and develop so much for the welfare of the human being,  by reducing pain and trauma of surgery, can at the same time be using their technology to cause so much destruction, increase pain,   and loss of lives of a population that is under their mercy.

It is all about politics

In his speech to the American Congress today, the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu,  said: “Alliance between the USA and Israel should be above Politics.”

Really Mr. Netanyahu!!!! It is all about politics. When the prime minister chose to address the American Congress two weeks before the Israeli elections, and when his main focus in the speech was Iran, and the negotiations going on between it and the USA, he is indeed making a political statement. The mere fact that the invitation to Mr. Netanyahu to address the congress was not coordinated with President Obama is again a political statement. It is ironic that the Prime Minister whose country could not have been established or could have survived without the support of the USA and its presidents, including Mr. Obama, finds it fit to barge into this  controversial scene and split the congress and the administration.

Like puppets orchestrated by a cue to stand up and clap, I felt sorry for my American friends and the good people in the USA whose congress has been taken for a ride.  Thanks to those who had enough dignity to stay on their seats.   But  above all I felt sorry for my own people, the Palestinians who put their faith in a peace broker who is just as ‘occupied’ as we are; if not physically, certainly psychologically. Mr. Netanyahu is the last person to talk about the subject of nuclear weapons, sounding like he was “holier than thou,” especially in view of the fact that Israel itself was the first and only country in the region, to have a nuclear reactor as well as a stockpile of nuclear weapons. Over and above it has not signed the nonproliferation agreement, nor does it allow inspectors to visit the site.

Nobody could have listed the possibilities that could come up as a result of Iran developing nuclear weapons in a more clear rhetoric than the Prime Minister himself, because he sounded like he was actually talking about his own country.

 

Reflecting on the Snow Storm

January 7, 2015

Dear Family and Friends:

 

As I write to you,  the Orthodox Christians are celebrating a White Christmas.  There was an alert about the snow storm, so people are prepared with food provisions and alternative lighting and heating in case of power failure.  But our thoughts are  with those people who can never be prepared because they have no homes in the first place.  How much can a refugee in a tent be prepared should the storm blow the tent away?    

 

It is at times like these that one cannot help but be very grateful for the many blessings, but  at the same time one  cannot help but be very angry at the powers who are allowing so much wars and destruction to take place and create  communities of  refugees and homeless people.  Where is justice, where is the United Nations?  Where is the international law?  It seems we are living under the law of the Jungle where Might is Right.  At  such times even our faith is shattered when we are unable to comprehend why so  much suffering is taking place under different pretexts when the reality is the greed for power, and money.  It is understandable when natural disasters hit an area, but it is unacceptable to bring about so much suffering because of human-made disasters.  Even when people want to free themselves from such powers of domination,  they are punished further and are left helpless.  Ironic that  the world  wonders why those people become so desperate.     We pray that the New Year  will see us through a new era of humanity where justice and peace will prevail.   Samia

Apologies

In my posting of the UN vote, I mistakenly added Canada as abstaining.  Not that it would not have done so,  but it was not a member of the Security Council.