Choosing Sides

A Quaker elderly lady voiced her concern to me a few weeks ago that I was "choosing sides" by standing in solidarity with Palestinians. I gave her a proper response at the time, and after explaining the situation in Palestine-Israel a little, the lady said she agreed with and supported my position. I want to share part of my response to such concerns here, but this is not meant to recreate my discussion with my Quaker friend.

First, I want to ask if there are ever occasions when, as peace-makers, we should choose sides. If one were living in Nazi Germany in the 1930's or 40's, would it be appropriate or even obligatory to choose a side?

I would argue that there are many instances when peacemakers must choose sides. Peacemaking giants like Gandhi and MLK Jr. were certainly known for choosing a side; however, they also felt it was important to respect one's opponents and "play fair." One of Gandhi's classic quotes is, "I am a soldier, but I am a soldier for peace." There are certainly times when it is appropriate to attempt to remain "neutral" so as to mediate a conflict; however, there are other times when I believe it is even immoral to fain neutrality while gross injustices and oppression are on-going. We have a duty to speak up in the face of oppression and hold those in power accountable.

Palestinians living in Palestine face some of the worst kinds of oppression from the Israeli government. What occurs there amounts to ethnic cleansing at the least and genocide at the worst. The United Nations has passed many resolutions acknowledging Israel's aggression toward Palestinians and calling for a cessation of military occupation (see UN resolutions 242 [security council, 1967], 338 [security council, 1973], 465 [security council, 1980], and several more (see Jimmy Carter's Peace Not Apartheid for a elementary, less-Israeli-biased view of the situation and Israel's defiance of international law).

In relation to some of Israel's present practices of forcing Palestinians from their land, then building a wall on Palestinian land to keep them away, UN resolution 465 says, "All measures taken by Israel to change the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure or status of the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, or any part thereof, have no legal validity and that Israel's policy and practices of settling parts of its population and new immigrants in those territories constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and also constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East." UN resolutions have called for Israel to retreat from the territory it took during the 6 Day War in 1967, but Israel has refused. Since Israel is in defiance of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, one has to ask why more pressure has not been put on Israel. If we went to war with Iraq because they were in defiance of UN resolutions, why not Israel?

I am not advocating war with Israel. I oppose all war. But I am asking that we take international law seriously. Israel has been able to defy the UN resolutions because the US has vetoed every bill that would enforce the resolutions. I'm pretty certain of the fact that the US has vetoed more UN Security Council Resolutions in regards to Israel than it has any other issue or state.

So yes, I choose a side. To not chose a side would give tacit agreement for Israeli policy. To remain "neutral" would give the impression that both sides have equal grievances and oppression is not occurring. You cannot sit down at a table and treat all grievances as equal when one side continuously abuses the other side. The abuse has to stop first. Stop the abuse and oppression, offer amends, and then look at the grievances of both sides. I believe both Israel and Palestine have valid grievances, but Israel's systematic oppression of Palestinians has to stop before anything else can be discussed. Individual Palestinians (a radical few) resort to violence because they have very few other options, but Israel fails to see how its policies breed this violence. You cannot steal people's land, keep them impoverished, bomb the hell out of them, and expect them not to fight back. This is a modern-day Native American issue. I do not condone Palestinian violence, but Israel's practices encourage it.

One side is grossly stronger and more oppressive than the other, so you cannot sit down and listen to them "objectively" without first requiring the abuse to stop. We're talking about one of the strongest militaries in the world against people with sticks and rocks. Palestinians often point out that if they had tanks and F16, they would use them rather than throw rocks. The US and Israel always call civilian resistance "terrorism," while refusing to acknowledge their greater acts of state-sponsored terrorism.

Now this is not to say I'm "anti-semitic." My anger is with Israeli policy, not Jews. However, I would also point out that the word "semitic" has been high-jacked to mean "Jew." Actually, most Arabs are semitic--both Arabic and Hebrew are semitic languages. But I digress. Jews were abused for thousands of years in Europe, culminating in the Holocaust. The Holocaust wasn't an isolated incident, but was merely a result of more effective chemicals, technology, and a highly organized state. But persecution of Jews in Europe had gone on for thousands of years.

On the other hand, Jews had lived in relative peace in Muslim empires for centuries (basically, over a thousand years). Jews enjoyed the greatest amount of freedom in places like Moorish Spain. This is because Muslim's traditionally have great respect for Jews as one of the other great monotheistic faiths. However, as soon as "Christians" conquered Spain, the Inquisition began and persecution of Jews continued.

Even in Jerusalem, non-European Jews lived in relative peace with their Muslim neighbors for centuries. It wasn't until the rise of Zionism in Europe in the late 19th century that tension between Muslims and Jews began to rise. And it wasn't until the forceful take-over of land and establishment of the state of Israel that tensions really began to rise. This was all at the orchestration of Western Powers, mostly because they were tired of dealing with Jews and felt guilty for their role in the Holocaust. Also, it's quite convenient to have a government controlling parts of the Middle East that is friendly to the West. So now, Israel is by far the strongest presence in that part of the world. Sound like back-door colonialism?

So the real problem stems from the West's abuse of Jews and Muslims, and its exploitations of them. The Jews are victims of this cycle of violence, but now, the state of Israel victimizes the Palestinians. There are many examples throughout history of the victims turning around and doing the same thing to other peoples later, and that's what I see happening here. Many Israelis are imported from poor European countries, so of course they're going to accept "free land," no taxes, etc.

The situation is obviously complex. But the US has a major role in all of this because it gives more aid (mostly militarily) to Israel than it does to any other country in the world. US aid and cover at the UN allows Israel to continue it racist policies.

I will not stand silent and allow Israel or the US to continue in this without my protest. I have issues not only with Israel's land grab during the 1967 war, but also with how it was created and its actions in 1948. However, I do not favor disbanding Israel now. Other Arab states have made it very clear that a starting place for healing is Israel giving up the land it stole in 1967; however, Israel refuses to negotiate. Israel accuses Arab leaders of not wanting to compromise when Israel's the one that will not discuss certain things and defies UN resolutions.

I believe Israeli's have a right to live in peace and security. However, Israeli abuse of Palestinians has to stop before anything else can be discussed. Both sides have to stop the blood shed. It's interesting that Israel requires Palestinians to "recognize Israel and renounce violence" as a starting place for talks. How about we require Israel to recognize Palestine and renounce violence.

Israel's systematic oppression of Palestinians has to end before anything else. Once the abuse stops, we can sit down at the table, attempt to listen "objectively," and mediate (if asked) without choosing sides. But as long as the oppression continues, I will continue to choose the side of the oppressed and challenge the oppressor to end its ways. I am morally obligated to choose the side of the oppressed.

Some News Resources

For news information in general, I recommend:

http://news.bbc.co.uk; http://www.times.com/; http://english.aljazeera.net/; http://www.independent.co.uk/; http://www.commondreams.org/


You might consider joining CPT's listserv, which can give you updates on all their teams activities. See http://www.cpt.org/subscribe.php.

Sam Bahour, a Palestinian-American choosing to live in Ramallah runs an excellent listserv; see https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/epalestine
or email for subscription at epalestine-subscribe@lists.riseup.net.

Another valuable listserv giving perspective on Middle Eastern Issues and often Palestinian causes can be found at http://www.agenceglobal.com/. Rami Kouri is a Palestinian academic living in Beirut. He is an internationally syndicated columnist, the director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, editor-at-large of the Beirut-based Daily Star, and co-laureate of the 2006 Pax Christi International Peace Award. You can also subscribe directly to the list by emailing advisory@agenceglobal.com.

Electronic Intifada functions as a listserv and website for all-things-Palestinian. See http://electronicintifada.net/. To subscribe to their listserv, see http://lists.electronicintifada.net/mail.cgi?f=list&l=einews

For a local (Seattle) group doing work for Palestine, see http://www.voicesofpalestine.org/.


There are many more resources out there, but these are the ones I frequent.

Salem!

Update on Fund Raising

Hey Folks!

Just a quick note to say that we reached our fund raising goal of $2100 for the trip today! I am incredibly surprised and thankful for the generosity of those who were able to support the trip financially.

Many of the donations came from private individuals. Also, although I don't know all the exact amounts given, I do know that University Friends Meeting played a major role in giving and also holding funds for the trip. So THANK YOU, UFM!

And last night, I received a scholarship from Friends Peace Teams for the remaining amount needed. A big "Thank You" to FPT as well!

We will still hold the Party for Palestine on Sept. 15 even though we've raised all the funds. My UFM clearness committee is also recommending we not discourage people from giving toward the trip. If we have access funds, the remaining money UFM has (for my trip) can go to help other people doing similar work in the future. The other idea is to put some of the money toward helping me fly to Chicago in late Dec. if I'm invited to the CPT training there. The Dec. CPT training will be the last expense for me in helping me work full-time with CPT in Palestine. Should CPT accept my application for the Dec. training, a final decision about full-time work with CPT would be made after the month-long training.

OK, so I still have many preparations to make for the trip. But I will be posting soon some of my thoughts and conversations I've had with people about the trip in the next week or so.

Salem!

Party for Palestine Sept. 15

Mark your calendars!

There will be a Party for Palestine on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 6 pm at University Friends Meeting (4001 9th Ave. NE / Seattle, WA 98105). Please let me know if you need specific directions to the event.

This party will act as a fund raiser/send-off event for my trip to Palestine. Please come, even if you have already supported the trip financially.

At the party, there will be:

Live music, a Middle Eastern Potluck, a Peace Tree, professional massage (with proceeds going toward the trip), Palestinian speakers and more!

Update on Fund raising

Out of $2100 I need to raise for the trip, as of 8/31, Christian Peacemaker Teams and University Friends Meeting have received combined contributions of $1540! This means I need to raise $560 more.

I am extremely surprised and grateful for the amount of financial support already given.

We still have a possible scholarship for the trip coming through, as well as a fund raiser/send-off event scheduled (9/15, 6 pm @ UFM--see next blog for details). With the out-flowing of support so far, I do not anticipate difficulty in raising the remaining funds.

Request for Support

As promised in the last blog, here is my request for participation and support for my peace delegation to Palestine.

Dear Friends,

I have recently applied and been accepted to participate in a peace delegation to Palestine-Israel with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) October 16-28, 2007. Quakers, Mennonites, and Church of the Brethren sponsor CPT to nonviolently intervene in violent or potentially violent situations throughout the world. I am very excited about this trip, as it has been my dream to work in Palestine with a nonviolence group since 2003. While this is only a short trip, I hope to use it to make connections in Palestine and possibly work full time with CPT in Palestine starting in 2008. This is a first step in helping make my dream to work in Palestine a reality.

CPT describes the delegation this way: As government officials debate official proposals, construction continues on the “security wall” separating Israel from the West Bank and Gaza. Israelis and Palestinians both suffer losses from violent incidents. Expanding Israeli settlements threaten Palestinian land and homes, and West Bank families face road closures, curfews and land confiscation. CPT delegation members will gain a perspective on how daily life is affected by these issues. Based the first several days in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, delegates will meet with human rights representatives and peace workers on both sides of the conflict. They will then travel to Hebron and join in CPT’s on-going work of violence-deterrence, accompaniment and documentation. A public witness that confronts the structural violence of the Occupation is also part of the experience. (Please see www.cpt.org for more information)

When I attended CPT's peace delegation to the borderlands in 2005, we had the opportunity to listen to many varying perspectives on border issues, and I expect that this Palestine-Israel delegation will also incorporate listening to and attempting to understand the different points of view. At the same time I (and I believe CPT) will also stand in solidarity with Palestinians to nonviolently challenge the systematic oppression of Palestinians by one of the most powerful militaries in the world.

The entire cost of the trip is $2,100, including airfare and all expenses while I'm in Palestine. I am wondering if you would be willing to participate in the CPT delegation and support peace between Palestinians and Israelis by contributing funds, moral support, and/or prayers. Please contribute only if you feel completely comfortable supporting CPT and my nonviolent work with the Palestinian cause.

You can send your tax deductible contributions payable to either University Friends Meeting (4001 9th Ave. NE / Seattle, WA 98105) or CPT (PO Box 6508 / Chicago, IL 60680). If you send a contribution to UFM, please include a note specifying your support of my trip; if you send a contribution to CPT, please include a note similar to: “Please accept this donation to Christian Peacemaker Teams. I am aware that Treye will be volunteering and I wish to support this ministry.” CPT or UFM can mail you a receipt for tax purposes. If possible, please send me a note as well letting me know you're participating in the delegation.

Upon my return, I plan to give a full report of all I witness, both through writing and presentations in Walla Walla, Tacoma, Seattle, and possibly Portland.

Thank you so much for your support, whether through financial contributions, moral encouragement, and/or your thoughts and prayers.

Peace.

Treye


PS: The following are excerpts from CPT’s webpage:

http://www.cpt.org/delegations/delegations.php
http://www.cpt.org/hebron/hebron.php

CPT Mission Statement

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) offers an organized, nonviolent alternative to war and other forms of lethal inter-group conflict. CPT provides organizational support to persons committed to faith-based nonviolent alternatives in situations where lethal conflict is an immediate reality or is supported by public policy.
CPT seeks to enlist the response of the whole church in conscientious objection to war, and the development of nonviolent institutions, skills and training for intervention in conflict situations. CPT projects connect intimately with the spiritual lives of its constituent congregations. Gifts of prayer, money and time from these churches undergird CPT peacemaking ministries.


Delegation participants seek to:

* Understand conflict through visits with grassroots leaders, community members, church and human rights workers, legislators and officials
* Encourage individuals and communities experiencing violence
* Challenge violations of human rights
* Promote active nonviolence as a means of settling disputes
* Support movement towards nonviolent social change through listening, public witness, prayer vigils, dialogue
* Reduce violence through an international presence in affected communities/areas;
* Connect their own churches and communities with the work of nonviolence

Delegations are a primary way to become involved in the work of CPT.
Christian Peacemaker Teams sends short-term (7-14 day) peacemaker delegations into crisis settings around the world. These delegations link communities experiencing violence with concerned individuals, churches and groups. Delegations offer participants a first-hand experience of CPT's on-the-ground experiment in faith-based, active peacemaking grounded in the transforming power of Gospel nonviolence.

Delegations are open to all interested people and do not require specific nonviolence training. Delegations are also the first step for those considering joining CPT's Corps and Reserve Corps of peacemakers ready to staff CPT's violence-reduction projects.


CPT Hebron Background

CPT has been in Hebron since 1995, witnessing to the need for peace in a violent and sometimes desperate situation.
Despite years of negotiations between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority, progress towards peace remains elusive. With the outbreak of the Al-Aqsa Intifada (uprising), violence in the streets of Hebron increased during the summer and fall of 2000. Amnesty International called the Israeli counterattacks with tanks and missiles "grossly excessive."
New challenges faced the Hebron team as they sought creative ways to address the violence on the streets and the economic siege of the Occupied Territories. Team members provided an alternative, first hand perspective for scores of foreign journalists who wanted to look beyond Israeli and American government analyses of the crisis.
In addition to repeated bombardment of their neighborhoods, Palestinian families in the Hebron District continue to suffer ongoing effects of military occupation. Israeli authorities persist in confiscating land to expand Jewish-only settlements, tightening access to water resources and threatening to demolish homes.
School accompaniment, documentation and human rights reporting, nonviolent trainings, regular visits to families involved in the Campaign for Secure Dwellings (CSD) and joining with Palestinians and Israeli peace groups to develop action campaigns that expose the face of the Occupation are all part of the Hebron Team's work.
CPT Hebron has issued a statement of conviction in response to the violence and threats of violence that make up the daily life in Hebron. In it they call for a rejection of violence or anger even in the event of their own deaths.


CPT also has a small team in the Palestinian village of At-Tuwani south of Hebron where it has had an accompaniment project since September 2004 in cooperation with Operation Dove, an Italian based peace team.

Intro

Greetings!

I'm creating this blog to inform interested persons on my trip to Palestine with Christian Peacemaker Teams Oct. 11-Nov. 7, 2007 (the CPT trip runs 10/16-30, but I will be spending a little more time in Palestine on my own--making contacts, etc.).

While in Palestine/Israel, I will try to update this blog everyday, or as much as possible, as a sort of online journal. I will post entries here so as not to inundate people's email accounts; however, I will email to people important or out-of-the-ordinary information.

Before I leave for Palestine, I will post updates on my preparations for Palestine: fund raising, events, news about Palestine, etc.

To begin, I will post, in the next blog entry, my letter of request for support for my trip.

I want to give special recognition to University Friends Meeting, who has been very supportive of my trip. They have provided clearness committees to help me make decisions about the trip and give me support in various ways: morally, financially, spiritually, etc. I have submitted a formal request for membership with UFM, and hope to become a member (after about a 6 month process) Sept. 14.

So as to be completely clear, I am going to Palestine as a devoted disciple of nonviolence and pacifism to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian nonviolent struggle against oppression. This is not to demonize Israelis (who are themselves victims of the cycles of violence) , but to acknowledge and bear witness to the systematic oppression of Palestinians by the policies of the state of Israel.