Jewish Federations of North America’s Post

A Path to Peace for Jewish and Palestinian Communities through Dialogue and Reconciliation In the midst of escalating tensions and military confrontations between Jewish and Palestinian communities, the imperative for #dialogue and and #reconciliation has never been more urgent. Inclusive events, highlighted in an opinion article by Robi Damelin, recently published by Haaretz newspaper, underscore the critical need to foster understanding and cooperation between these deeply divided groups. Also, internal dissent for government policies is mounting, with increasing calls for resignations and new elections to take place. https://lnkd.in/dy4MZe7b

“Now more than ever, we all must refuse to use violence to justify more violence. We should not allow our pain to blind us to what is most needed: mutually guaranteed sovereignty, security, and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians” - Ali Abu Awwad, co-founder and manager of ALLMEP member Taghyeer Movement. Read Ali's article on nonviolence as the path to peace here: https://lnkd.in/eyS--DXe

Or it just validates revenge and honor killing. It’s like beating a wife senseless and then saying sorry in a kind voice. I apologize that is the first thought that comes to mind. Really the shame and dishonor will not correct the error with a ceasefire and a promise of peace. A planned demolition of Israeli settlements and building an infrastructure based on the needs of the Palestinian people. In-fact! What would be the biome of an untouched holy land? Let us say there was a no state solution and humans were allowed on the holy land for ecumenical, archaeological, ecological reasons alone. No settlements, maybe public commons that can only be accessed by foot? Theatres, temples, “museums.” Would herding and grazing be a part of that biome, could we restore the forests of the indigenous people of Melchizedek’s time ? The “pagans” or sewards of Baal the God of rain and fertility? Maybe rid the nations and make it a world heritage site, otherwise it will probably end up a nuclear memorial…. A world state solution….

Follow The Cambridge Journal of Law, Politics, and Art to read level-headed, intellectually-rigourous thinking on global events as they happen, from some of the world’s leading figures in the fields of law, politics and art. This piece—available in both video and text—is beautiful and explores one side of the intensely difficult Israel-Gaza situation. #cjlpa

Australia can be a model for the world – a safe place for protest and grieving for both Palestinians and Jews I, Michael Chaitow, am a proud progressive Jew and I refuse to accept that there can be no bridges built between communities … Another perspective from far away … *********************************************** Three personal comments: (1) Israel is a democracy, a state under the rule of law, Hamas, Iran are not ... Democracies, states under the rule of law can err, make mistakes, certainly, even serious ones: we see this in Israel. But terror regimes never have a convincing legitimacy for their actions. (2) Anti-Semitism in our latitudes must be resolutely confronted. There is no alternative to this if the rule of law is to be the decisive guideline for our actions, for our attitude. There is no "yes, but ..." to this. Anti-Semitism in Europe, down-under and in the Middle East is old, ancient - and unfortunately has never completely disappeared. It is often concealed, under various guises. (3) I am deeply convinced that an internationally secured two-state solution will be the only way to peaceful coexistence in the Middle East in the medium and long term. ************************************************ Yes, Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands has to end – but massacres of civilians won’t bring this end any closer: - https://lnkd.in/e32bhMYu ... an essay by Eyal Mayroz, a former counter-terrorism expert in the Israeli Defence Forces from 1984 to 1988, who now lives in Australia and teaches and researches Peace and Conflict Studies in Sydney ... #israel

The narrow ignorance of most commentary on the foul attack by Hamas is staggering. The blind, unqualified support for the government of Israel is incredible. The attached article makes its argument bluntly. But if you don't like the tone, consider the message: opposing the Israeli state is not anti-semitism; the Israeli government has created a new apartheid; the West has to accept its responsibility, going back to the carving up of the region by France and Britain to suit their imperial interest (how many British school children are taught that Palestine was a British colony?); responding to terrorism by indiscriminate excessive violence is just what terrorists want you to do (remember 9/11). The people of Israel and the people of Palestine deserve much than better this.

WIth so much anger and misinformation about the war in Israel, I wanted to contribute with some facts about Palestinian people and their relationship with Hamas from a political point of view Here are some relevant details: - Hamas participated in the January 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council. They won 74 out of 132 seats. - The exact percentage of the popular vote won by Hamas in 2006 is unclear, as there were multiple parties and independent candidates. Estimates range from 44-46% for Hamas. - This allowed them to form a government, even though they did not receive over 50% of the popular vote. This was partly due to the electoral system which combined proportional representation and a block voting system. - Their victory was considered a surprise by many observers at the time. It was the first time Hamas participated in a Palestinian national election. - In the next Palestinian legislative election scheduled for 2010, Hamas boycotted and did not participate after disputes with the Fatah party. The electoral system and percentage of votes/seats won would likely have been very different in that election. There are concerns about potential corruption within Hamas. Here are some relevant details: - Lack of transparency: As an insurgent organization turned political party, Hamas has historically lacked financial transparency and accountability. Their financing methods and expenditures are not open to public scrutiny. This opacity makes it harder to monitor potential corruption. - Diversion of aid: There have been allegations by international donors that Hamas has diverted humanitarian aid and tax revenue to fund its military wing rather than public services. However, Hamas disputes these accusations. - Nepotism: There are accusations that Hamas gives preferential treatment in jobs and contracts to members and supporters of the party. However, such nepotism is common across Palestinian politics. - Power over judiciary: Hamas has substantial power over courts and judges in Gaza, undermining the judiciary's independence and ability to prosecute corruption cases. - Internal rivalries: Rival factions within Hamas are said to sometimes falsely accuse each other of corruption. It's unclear how many such accusations are legitimate or politically motivated. - Lack of oversight: The Fatah-Hamas split and Israeli occupation means there are few checks on Hamas' power in Gaza. Lack of free press and civil society also hampers oversight. Overall, the opaque and authoritarian nature of Hamas' rule means the opportunities and incentives for corruption exist. Accusations of corruption often get entangled in political rivalries between Hamas, Fatah and Israel

MUST READ! "Western politicians and media like to fantasize that Hamas is an ISIS-style nihilistic cadre holding Palestinian society hostage; Hamas is, in fact, a multifaceted political movement rooted in the fabric and national aspirations of Palestinian society. It embodies a belief, grimly affirmed by decades of Palestinian experience, that armed resistance is central to the Palestinian liberation project because of the failures of the Oslo process and the intractable hostility of its adversary. And its influence and popularity have grown as Israel and its allies keep thwarting a peace process and other nonviolent strategies for pursuing Palestinian liberation." https://lnkd.in/egCEWSNU

No Peace Without Justice: Why Liberation is the Only Path Forward in Palestine Time and again, the world has heard calls for "peace" in the Israel-Palestine conflict. But what sort of peace are we being asked to accept? A peace laced with injustice, intimidation and the perpetual subjugation of the Palestinian people? That is not true peace at all. Real peace requires justice, self-determination, equality and human rights for all people. Yet the "peace" proposed by Israel and its allies is one that enshrines their military occupation, continued illegal settlements on confiscated Palestinian lands, and a denial of freedom for the people of Palestine. It is a vision of peace entirely devoid of justice. Under this status quo of oppression, Palestinians must accept being confined to dense, open-air prisons with limited access to basic resources like clean water and electricity. They must tolerate having their ancestral homes and property seized and demolished to make way for more Israeli expansionism. They must forfeit all hopes of self-governance, civil liberties and controlling their own borders and destiny as a people. Is this the "peace" the world expects Palestinians to embrace? A perpetual apartheid state Palestinians did not choose, did not create, and have repeatedly rejected through hugely asymmetrical resistance against one of the world's most powerful and well-funded militaries? No people should have to endure such an unjust peace. It is a denial of human dignity, freedom and the most basic of rights. Maintaining this status quo means endless subjugation, oppression and conflict. There is no path but pushing for true liberation. Liberation means dismantling the military occupation, halting forced displacements, removing the apartheid system of discrimination, and allowing Palestinians to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination in a sovereign, viable and independent state of their own as endorsed by international law. Only then can we even begin to talk about building a real and lasting peace - one based on justice, human rights, good neighborly relations and cooperation rather than oppression. Until then, the struggle for Palestinian liberation through all legitimate means is not only a necessity, but a moral imperative that all those believing in freedom and human dignity must uphold. Peace without justice is no peace at all. The path forward requires prioritizing the struggle to liberate the Palestinian people from the yoke of Israeli oppression. There are no shortcuts. No equivocations. For true peace can only be built on the foundations of justice, equality and universal human rights.