Other than 2002 Nobel Prize Laureate, Jimmy Carter, no American politician has spoken honestly about Israel's occupation of Palestine. No American politician has addressed Israel's mistreatment of the Palestinians. Not because the mistreatment doesn't exist. But because acknowledging it brings accusations of anti-semitism and the potential to lose an election.
To date, Jimmy Carter is the most high-profile American to publicly denounce the horrors of the Israeli occupation. Not in a sound byte or a simple aside. But in a full length book, provocatively titled, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid."
In his book, President Carter provides a detailed analysis of Israel's confiscation of Palestinian land and ongoing demoralization of the Palestinian people within their own homeland. President Carter bravely defies the American taboo of never criticizing Israel, recognizing that humanitarianism dwarfs political correctness.
The intentions of the book are as honorable as the man who wrote it. To provide a clear understanding that there are two sides to the Israeli/Palestinian story. To show how Palestinians are suffering under the Israeli occupation. And to prove that there is a legitimate, humane two state solution.
For America's elected officials, denouncing Israel is unthinkable, although denouncing her detractors is common. As one would expect, members of Congress attacked the book immediately, prior to ever reading it. According to incoming Democratic Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, "It is wrong to suggest that the Jewish people would support a government in Israel or anywhere else that institutionalizes ethnically based oppression, and Democrats reject that allegation vigorously."
Speaker Pelosi's statement is indicative of the dismissive sentiments of most members of Congress. Unlike Israelis themselves, who acknowledge that Palestinian mistreatment is real, America's elected officials deny it's very existence.
A question for Speaker Pelosi: if these atrocities aren't happening, why do Israelis protest them so much? Why do Israeli soldier "refuseniks" decline actions against Palestinians and opt to spend time in jail?
It took Pennsylvania Representative Jack Murtha to speak out against America's occupation of Iraq before others had the courage to oppose it. Perhaps Jimmy Carter can have a similar effect on Israel's occupation of Palestine. Maybe after acknowledgment by a man of President Carter's stature, America's leaders will adopt a humanitarian approach toward the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and develop the courage to oppose it.
Unfortunately, this is more of an optimist's dream than a scenario about to happen. Even President Carter doubts the new Democratic-lead Congress will change its purely pro-Israel tone. In a November 27th interview with CNN's Larry King, President Carter admitted, "It's almost inconceivable for any members of the House and Senate to take any position that would be critical of Israel. That's one reason I wrote my book. It's just to precipitate some controversy, to use your word, provocation, that is to provoke debate on the issue and to let the people of America know that there are two sides to many issues in the Middle East, and that in order to have peace for Israel, Israel will have to comply with international law. But I don't think it's likely at all that Democrats will be any more critical of the policies of Israel than were the Republicans."
Nor will Carter's fellow ex-Presidents, George H.W. Bush and William Jefferson Clinton be critical of Israel's actions, although they know that these horrors occur. They lack Carter's moral fiber. They're politicians acting as statesmen. Carter is a statesman with a political past.
The differences are clear. Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush are political emissaries of the current President Bush. A tour de force fundraising duo, deployed to disasters with a political purse.
Carter, on the other hand, is a respected humanitarian. He's a welcome ambassador for America's humanity. In a world where America is increasingly hated, Jimmy Carter does America proud. Particularly when compared to George Bush, Sr., who isn't a statesman at all. Or a patriot either, if one accepts his claim that he never assisted his son. If this is true. If he never tried to reverse the dereliction of George W. Bush, then George Bush Sr. is guilty of irreparable harm.
Americans sacrificed their sons for this nation. He sacrificed this nation for his son. A shameful indictment at best.
The fact is, there is no possibility of Middle East peace without resolving the Palestinian conflict. America's bias toward Israel must be replaced with equality and balance. Carter summarized it this way in his appearance on Larry King:
"You never hear anything about what is happening to the Palestinians by the Israelis. As a matter of fact, it's one of the worst cases of oppression that I know of now in the world. The Palestinians' land has been taken away from them. They now have an encapsulating or an imprisonment wall being built around what's left of the little tiny part of the holy land that is in the West Bank.
In the Gaza, from which Israel is not withdrawing, Gaza is surrounded by a high wall. There's only two openings in it. One into Israel which is mostly closed, the other one into Egypt. The people there are encapsulated. And the deprivation of basic human rights among the Palestinians is really horrendous and this is a fact that's known throughout the world. It's debated heavily and constantly in Israel. Every time I'm there the debate is going on. It is not debated at all in this country. And I believe that the purpose of this book, as I know, is to bring permanent peace to Israel living within its recognized borders, modified with good faith negotiations between the Palestinians for land swaps. That's the only avenue that will bring Israel peace."
Linda Milazzo is a Los Angeles based writer, educator and activist. Since 1974, she has divided her time between the entertainment industry, government organizations & community development projects and educational programs.
Linda began her writing career over 30 years ago, starting out in advertising and promotions. From 1976 to 1989, she operated an independent public relations service providing specialty writing for individual and corporate clients. For the past six years, Linda has focused on political writing. Her essays, letters and commentaries have appeared in domestic and international journals, newspapers, magazines and on dozens of respected news and opinion websites. She's an educator and creator of a writers' program she's taught privately and in public schools. She currently facilitates an advocacy writing workshop and is developing an advocacy writing program to be implemented in public and private educational institutions and in community based organizations.
A political and social activist since the Vietnam War, Linda attributes her revitalized-fully-engaged-intense-head-on-non-stop-political activism to the UNFORTUNATE EXISTENCE OF GEORGE W. BUSH and her disgust with greed-ridden American imperialism, environmental atrocities, egregious war, nuclear proliferation, lying leaders, and global tyranny!
"The fact is, there is no possibility of Middle East peace without resolving the Palestinian conflict. America's bias toward Israel must be replaced with equality and balance."
There are 64 Lobbyists PER Congressional Representaive.
AIPAC offers all expense paid trips to Tel Aviv and Haifa, but Congeress never see's the view from the other side of The Wall.
In Israel The Wall-which is composed of 30 feet high slabs of concrete is obfuscated from the view of Jews, Congress and unaware pilgrims and tourists by beautifully painted murals depicting bridges or ancient Palestinian homes.
In other places in Israel The Wall is hidden with lush landscaping built up to the very top of the 30 feet high slabs of concrete.
Israel is a desert! Where do they get the water? From Palestinian aquifers!
The following is excerpted from my soon to be released
THIRD INTIFADA/UPRISING: NONVIOLENT, But With Words Sharper than a TWO-EDGED SWORD:
Jeff Halper, American Israeli, Founder and Coordinator of ICAHD/Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions and a Noble Peace Prize Nominee for 2006 told me:
"The Israeli government simply does not want to take responsibility and the USA government ignores the situation. Do you know why Israel does not want to become America's 51st state? Because then they would only have two senators!"
"Missing from Israel's security framing is the very fact of occupation, which Israel both denies exists...and that "security" requires Israel control over the entire country...rendering impossible a just peace based on human rights, international law, reconciliation."
"We really are only but actors in a play. When we wake up to that, and become an active participant in the human drama and pursue justice, things must change because injustice is unsustainable."
Jeff has consistently stated that, "Israel is a not a theocracy but is an Ethnocracy, meaning a country run and controlled by a national group with some democratic elements but set up with Jews in control and structured to keep them in control. The other day someone mentioned to me that all elections are bullshit everywhere and if the people in power actually thought elections would change things, they would eliminate them!
"One out of three Israeli children lives below the poverty line. It's probably about 80% for Palestinians. Jews are like everyone else, those who have been abused grow up to be abusers. Things here have been turned on their head: its victim mentality and denial about the occupation. Once Israelis accept the fact that they are occupiers they will have to admit their State Terrorism."
"Christian Fundamentalism is a very big problem. John Hagee and Falwell have established Christians United for Israel and they are the Christian AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Committee].
"I think things will blow before people will wake up about the injustice which is just not sustainable. That is the hopeful part about this conflict; it will end, for injustice is unsustainable."
It is up to we the people to hold our leaders accountable and a great place to start is demand Bush keep his promise:
"In the long run, there is no justice without FREEDOM. There can be no human rights without LIBERTY. All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know the United States will not ignore your oppression or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for liberty, we stand with you."-President George W. Bush, Second Inaugural Address
ONLY in SOLIDARITY do we "have it in our power to begin the world again."-Tom Paine
"Soon after I had published the pamphlet "Common Sense" [on Feb. 14, 1776] in America, I saw the exceeding probability that a revolution in the system of government would be followed by a revolution in the system of religion... The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion."-Tom Paine
Thank you for an excellent article. I had a similar question listening to President Carter on NPR last week.
I agree with your assessment that expecting his book to change the American Foreign Policy is too optimistic. The quote by Pilosi is another proof that our newly elected representatives will not solve the root causes that created the mess at the first place.
As long as we do not hold our representatives accountable, as long as we put them in office and forget about them, as long as we do not have a voice. The interest groups will be the only voice and our government will be a puppet in the hands of the few.
Will the Americans people wake up?
Will The American people look for means to educate themselves other than the 24 hours network and JAG?
Can we even protest the media by turning our TVs off for only 24 hours?
These are more realistic question.
by
sameh abdelaziz (35 articles, 6 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 28 comments)
on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at 2:49:03 PM
a truly great man. Murtha is the best champion of our troops in Congress undoubtedly, though I might quibble as to his role in turning public opinion against the war in Iraq. Nevertheless he has spoken eloquently against it certainly. If only he wasnt the King of Earmarks for cash.
Carter's influence, outside of these United States, is rather great, his commission has certified elections in any number of places. But I fear he will make little difference in this matter, sad to say. Israel is an important cog in the American policies towards the Middle East, their lobby is one of, if not the, most powerful and we seem stuck with a government that turns a blind eye to their abuses.
I believe that the solution to the problem in Palestine lies within Israel, and among the growing numbers of folks there who are increasingly unhappy with their own nations actions.
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments)
on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at 6:12:53 PM
There is NO will whatsoever to expose the myth of Israel anywhere in Mainstream American discourse. eg, Poor Jewish peasent refugees from a diaspora granted their dream of a homeland by a benovelent New world power feeling a need to grant freedom, justice and relief from tyranny and homelessness to this poor dispossesed Beat down, trodden on, misunderstood, helpless, hapless race of timid, gentle, sweet souls. Yes, America showing humility and graciousness to a war weary world that now wondered how she would handle it's unprecendented Military superiority and global leadership. America would stand for a New World Order of compassion. Wait, Isn't this exactly what happened?
You know, Maybe it's time to at least think about the injustice, this justice has caused others. But what about the Myths & Legends? Wow. Someone must be anti semite? Huh? YOu mean we can't discuss it? Ok . My bad.
by
"Hoss" David P. (51 articles, 5 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 338 comments)
on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at 7:25:33 PM
What myth do your words refer to? Israeli foreign policies, as they relate to their arab neighbors and their responsibilities for those policies, are being questioned strongly within that State. They are, after all, a democratic nation and debate rages in the coffee shops etc. The numbers of so-called 'refuseniks' grow daily and Ive great hope that we will see a change in that nations horrific treatment of Palestinians, and sooner rather than later. Maybe even sooner than we see change here in the USA, who really knows.
I still do not understand the reference to the "myth"....perhaps you might elucidate....
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments)
on Sunday, December 3, 2006 at 10:09:46 AM
The Myth is the general perception of poor innocent Israel besieged on all sides by angry selfish mobs of mindless terrorists. I do agree that the substantive change will have to come from inside Israel. but is there a similar disconnect between Israelis and their government policys as there is in America? Probably. I would think at some point the Israelis would want to be able to sleep at night uninterupted by rockets and bombs flying in from these occupied terrortories(Pun intended) I'm going to guess that a mutually satisfying settlement of these land disputes would be a great place to start. And Thank you for not calling me ANTI SEMITIC.
by
"Hoss" David P. (51 articles, 5 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 338 comments)
on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 12:12:55 PM
7 comments
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