Letter to Gaza

 Dear fellow Palestinians

Many of us were addressing the world but did not address you. We know 1.2 million of you are children and that Israeli campaign displaced 1.4 million of you from your homes (half are children). We can’t imagine the terror all 2.4 million of you face. I am not sure if some of you who still have internet will see this and I am sure you definitely have more urgent things on your mind than to read this note of contrition/ note of regret. We are all so ashamed and feel we let you down. We worked hard to get the world community to listen. Some of us have been doing it for decades (even trying to break your siege with solidarity ships which got attacked) but we must be honest with ourselves: Arab government leaders with rare exception failed you (including those of the State of Palestine). The UN failed. WE ALL FAILED. We failed even after we saw three other wars waged on you, the people of Gaza each more horrific than those before. We failed as we saw your economy destroyed by 17 years of a cruel siege, which now evolved to blockade for thirst and starvation. We failed when we did not act against the fascist government of Israel strong enough at the time it was elected.  The collusion of so many who shook hands and normalized your tormenters will haunt them forever. The Western governments who were complicit in killing you delegitimized themselves. They also drop the last remaining fig leaf of international law (now it is social Darwinism and might makes right that rules). Did they also kill the last vestige of humanity?

Many of us did see a forthcoming holocaust. History of humans give us many examples: Australia’s aborigines, native Americans, Congolese (by Belgium), Armenians, Jews, Roma people, Rwanda, and many others. While each situation is different, yours is the first to be so well documented with videos and things some of us never heard of a few years ago (Instagram, Telegram, Tik-Toks). Some of us kept hoping that in the 21^st century, the Zionist lobby in Western Governments can be challenged in time to avert this. We were lulled to think that a majority of people in those countries are decent people who do not approve of colonization and brutal occupation. In our wildest nightmares, we did not imagine such control of mainstream media and western governments (an Orwellian world).  We brought millions on the streets opposing the war on Iraq 20 years ago and it partially worked to ameliorate it (a bit less than the promised "shock and awe" scenario that Rumsfeld said would be like nothing before it). That was because some Western countries opposed the UD drive to war. Yet, still the horrific war killed tens of thousands of our brothers in Iraq and the sanctions that preceded it killed half a million Iraqi children The US had its hands bloody in other wars (Vietnam, Korea, Cambodia, Latin America). They did not learn. The Zionist/military/industrial complex marched on to start new wars (Syria, Libya, Yemen, Sudan) using their proxies (Israel, UAE, Saudi Arabia). The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

All these previous challenges pale compared to what is before you and before us. I wish I could assure you that that we shall overcome and that we will stop this latest madness before you are also martyred or injured like your family and friends. Many of us are wondering if our faith in humanity is misplaced. Some reflect if armed resistance is the only way. Many friends in Gaza tell me at least the resistance stood up for us when no one else did or “we prefer a quick death over a slow death.”  We also hear from some of you questions we have no answer to. Why is this happening to our children and what can we do to protect our families (let alone feed them)?  When will this hellish life end? I do not know if we have answers for ourselves let alone for you. It is like a slave asking why am I a slave and will this torture end some day? Or a native American wondering if life will ever go back to what it was before the invasion.  Some of you submit to the will of God and find solace in your faith. I wish sometimes I had a fraction of your faith.

We know that many families were wiped out completely. We also know that EVERY remaining family in Gaza had its martyrs (575 massacres involving families). There are also the injured and maimed in the thousands thousands (nearly half children). We know how traumatized (and hungry and thirsty) you, the survivors are. Yet, knowledge seems so small and impertinent. We obviously can't imagine your feelings as you try desperately to live through this man-made hell! Maybe that is not a good analogy. Hell is believed to be a place where bad people end up. Your only fault is that you were born in this "Holy Land'', ethnically cleansed from your communities, and squeezed into a reservation/ghetto/ concentration camp called “Gaza strip” because some idiots thought it is a good idea to transform a prosperous multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-lingual society to a monolithic "Jewish state" (a land for Jews and by Jews).  They thought it is for Jewish empowerment never thinking that it is to empower them to do persecute others and that this is the main defining feature of their state “Israel”.

Your children are writing their names on their arms so that they can be identified after they are killed.  How can our minds even comprehend this let alone be able to say something about this. We see your stories on social media in video. Will we in the future have museums commemorating you and your suffering? Is anyone even compiling your names and records of lives and deaths in Gaza? We will need these documents so that if humanity recovers (a big IF) from this genocide we have the documents (individuals stories, age, circumstance of each massacre, the dreams and aspiration of those murdered). Regardless of what happens from now on, such a record would be critical to immortalize all who have perished in this newest of human history of holocausts and genocides. 

For many of us we become numb even seeing these videos, we can't even imagine. Yet we must look and if we survive remember the 21^st century genocide. It is no solace to know that more people are aware that your literal sacrifice is to shape a new Middle East under Zionist and Western imperial hegemony. It is no solace that more people know about the coveted gas fields of Gaza (one of the richest in the Eastern Mediterranean). Gaza genocide for gas anyone? Does the world care about the plans to create an alternative to the Suez canal passing from Eilat to Gaza after it is depopulated or its residents “thinned” out per the Zionist doctrine of maximum geography with minimum demography.  I know it is no solace to you to see Jews, Christians, Bahai, etc show "solidarity".  It is no solace to have so many prayers and wishes for peace when children are in mass graves or under the rubble and injured people can’t be treated because there is no medicines or surgical material (anesthesia, needles etc). I look at my letter in 2008 during one of the attacks and it was titled “sometimes the dead are envied” (http://karmalised.com/?p=5230). The horrors now are 100 fold more than 2008 and even larger genocide actions are on the way. U had never even imagined. We see death everywhere and we do envy those among you whose death ended their suffering in the largest open-air prison in the world.

We know we failed you, we know you are seeing only the dust and darkness and the smell of death (1500 still under the rubble). We thought we can help you and we try. Yet, your heroism and dignity as you die in your hundreds every day and the living risk their lives and with their bare hands extract the dead and the living. I will never forget the medic produce the most haunting prayer lullaby to a girl who lost her entire family. You teach us humanity which so many millions have forgotten.  Please teach us the living dead more.  I would gladly exchange what is left of my life to let one child in Gaza live a decent life. Please continue to teach us about life and death. Will you teach us about the imminent death of “international law”, death of decency in many, or death of humanity? But maybe you can also teach us about life, how miraculously you always rise from the ashes, how you will transcend this horror. You and I are after all descendants of Canaanites who gave the world the alphabet and agriculture who fought and triumphed over many invaders (Persians, Crusaders etc.) and how you will triumph over these newest invaders.

Yesterday I wrote I am partly optimistic but perhaps I agree with Gramsci who said:  "You must realize that I am far from feeling beaten…it seems to me that… a man out to be deeply convinced that the source of his own moral force is in himself — his very energy and will, the iron coherence of ends and means — that he never falls into those vulgar, banal moods, pessimism and optimism. My own state of mind synthesizes these two feelings and transcends them: my mind is pessimistic, but my will is optimistic. Whatever the situation, I imagine the worst that could happen in order to summon up all my reserves and will power to overcome every obstacle.” But surely Gramsci cannot and I cannot even begin to understand what a dehumanized victim feels against a most powerful juggernaut of war machine grinding homes and flesh and riven by ego and greed. Those who faced it in the past left us lessons which I hope we can learn. All our words and our actions are small compared to the volumes spoken by the silent lifeless body of a child.   When my turn comes, and it is coming to the 3 million living in the West Bank, at least I would have said my piece to you people of Gaza: please give us of your wisdom and courage in these dark days, forgive us as we failed you, may we also forgive ourselves, and may God have mercy on all our souls.

رسالتي لسكان غزة

كثير منا كان يخاطب العالم ولم يخاطبكم. نعلم أن 1.2 مليون منكم أطفال وليس هنالك كلمات تسعفنا عزائنا لكم ولنا بآلاف الضحايا . الهمجية الصهيونية شردت 1.4 مليون منكم من بيوتكم (نصفهم أطفال). لا يمكننا أن نتخيل الرعب الذي يواجهه 2.4 مليون منكم. لست متأكدًا مما إذا كان بعضكم الذي لا يزال لديه إنترنت سيرى هذا وأنا متأكد من أن لديك بالتأكيد أشياء أكثر إلحاحًا من قراءة رسالة الندم هذه. نحن جميعًا نخجل جدًا ونشعر أننا خذلناكم. لقد عملنا بجد لجعل المجتمع الدولي يستمع إلينا. البعض منا يفعل ذلك منذ عقود (حتى أنه حاول كسر حصاركم بسفن التضامن التي تعرضت للهجوم) ولكن يجب أن نكون صادقين مع أنفسنا: لقد خذلكم قادة الحكومات العربية دون استثناء (بما في ذلك قادة دولة فلسطين). الأمم المتحدة فشلت. لقد فشلنا جميعًا. لقد فشلنا حتى بعد أن رأينا ثلاث حروب أخرى تشن عليكم، كل منها أفظع من التي سبقتها. لقد فشلنا عندما رأينا اقتصادكم مدمرًا بسبب 17 عامًا من الحصار القاسي، والذي تطور الآن إلى حصار تعطيش وتجويع. لقد فشلنا عندما لم نتحرك ضد حكومة إسرائيل الفاشية بالقوة الكافية وقت انتخابها. إن تواطؤ العديد من الذين طبعوا مع معذبيكم سوف يطاردهم إلى الأبد. الحكومات الغربية المتواطئة في قتلكم نزعت شرعيتها عن نفسها. كما أنهم أسقطوا أيضاً ورقة التوت الأخيرة المتبقية من القانون الدولي (الآن أصبح منطق القوة هو المهيمن). هل قتلوا أيضًا آخر بقايا الإنسانية؟

لقد رأى الكثير منا محرقة . وقدم لنا تاريخ البشر العديد من الأمثلة السابق لإبادة جماعية: سكان أستراليا الأصليين، والأميركيين الأصليين، والكونغوليين (بلجيكا)، والأرمن، واليهود، وشعب الغجر، ورواندا، وغيرهم الكثير. على الرغم من أن كل موقف يختلف عن الآخر، إلا أن غزة هي أول حالة يتم توثيقها جيدًا بمقاطع فيديو وأشياء لم يسمع عنها البعض منا منذ بضع سنوات مثل Instagram وTelegram وTik-Toks ظل البعض منا يأمل أنه في القرن الحادي والعشرين يمكن تحدي اللوبي الصهيوني في الحكومات الغربية ولم ندرك عمق التحالف الصهيوني الإمبريالي . غالبية الناس في تلك البلدان هم أناس محترمون لا يوافقون على الاستعمار والاحتلال الوحشي. في أسوأ كوابيسنا لم نتخيل كم السيطرة على وسائل الإعلام والحكومات الغربية. 

لقد خرجنا بالملايين إلى الشوارع معارضين للحرب على العراق قبل 20 عاماً. ومع ذلك حصلت الحرب المروعة وقتل عشرات الآلاف من إخواننا في العراق والعقوبات التي سبقتها قتلت نصف مليون طفل عراقي. وكانت أيدي الولايات المتحدة ملطخة بالدماء في حروب أخرى (فيتنام، وكوريا، وكمبوديا، وأمريكا اللاتينية). لم يتعلموا. وسار النظام الصهيوني/العسكري/الصناعي في حروب جديدة (سوريا، ليبيا، اليمن، السودان) باستخدام وكلائه (إسرائيل، الإمارات العربية المتحدة، المملكة العربية السعودية). الغني يأخذ الثروات و الفقير يأخذ الفقر. كل هذه التحديات السابقة تتضاءل مقارنة بما هو أمامكم وأمامنا. يا ريت أقدر أن أؤكد أننا سوف نتغلب على هذا الجنون الأخير وأننا سنوقفه قبل أن يستشهد أو يصاب آلاف أخرى - عائلات وأصدقاء. يتساءل الكثير منا عما إذا كان إيماننا بالإنسانية في غير محله. ويفكر البعض فيما إذا كانت المقاومة المسلحة هي السبيل الوحيد. أخبرني العديد من الأصدقاء في غزة أن المقاومة وقفت إلى جانبنا على الأقل عندما لم يقم أحد بذلك أو "نحن نفضل الموت السريع على الموت البطيء". ونسمع أيضًا من بعضكم أسئلة ليس لدينا إجابة عليها. لماذا يحدث هذا لأطفالنا وماذا يمكننا أن نفعل لحماية عائلاتنا (ناهيك عن إطعامهم)؟ متى ستنتهي هذه الحياة الجهنمية؟ ليس لدينا إجابات لأنفسنا ناهيك لكم. إنه مثل العبد الذي يسأل لماذا أنا عبد وهل سينتهي هذا العذاب يومًا ما؟ أو مواطن أصلي يتساءل عما إذا كانت الحياة ستعود يومًا ما إلى ما كانت عليه قبل الغزو الأوروبي. الكثير منكم يتقبل إرادة الله ويجد العزاء في إيمانه. أتمنى أحيانًا أن يكون لدي جزء صغير من إيمانكم. نحن نعلم أن العديد من العائلات قد تم القضاء عليها بالكامل. ونعلم أيضًا أن كل عائلة متبقية في غزة كان لها شهداؤها (575 مجزرة بحق عائلات). وهناك أيضًا آلاف الجرحى والمشوهين (نصفهم تقريبًا من الأطفال).

 نحن نعلم مدى صدمتكم (والجوع والعطش) أيها الناجون. ومع ذلك، تبدو المعرفة صغيرة جدًا وغير مجدية. من الواضح أننا لا نستطيع أن نتخيل مشاعركم وأنتم تحاولون بحرقة أن تعيشوا في هذا الجحيم! ربما هذا ليس تشبيهًا جيدًا. يعتقد أن الجحيم هو المكان الذي ينتهي فيه الأشرار. "خطأكم" الوحيد هو أنكم ولدتم في هذه "الأرض المقدسة"، وتم طردكم وحشرك في محمية/غيتو/معسكر اعتقال يسمى "قطاع غزة" لأن بعض البلهاء اعتقدوا أنها فكرة جيدة تحويل بلد مزدهر متعدد الأعراق، متعدد الثقافات، متعدد الأديان، متعدد اللغات إلى "دولة يهودية" متجانسة. أطفالكم يكتبون أسمائهم على أذرعهم حتى يمكن التعرف عليهم بعد مقتلهم. كيف يمكن لعقولنا أن تفهم هذا ناهيك عن أن تكون قادرة على قول شيء عن هذا. نرى قصصكم على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي بالفيديو. هل سيكون لدينا في المستقبل متاحف تخلد ذكركم ومعاناتكم؟ هل يقوم أحد بتجميع أسمائكم وسجلاتكم المتعلقة بحياتكم ووفياتكم في غزة؟ سنحتاج إلى هذه الوثائق (قصص الأفراد، العمر، ظروف كل مذبحة، أحلام وتطلعات أولئك الذين قتلوا ألخ). بغض النظر عما سيحدث من الآن فصاعدا، فإن مثل هذا السجل سيكون حاسما لتخليد كل من لقوا حتفهم في هذا المرحلة الفاصلة من تاريخ البشرية من محرقة وإبادة الجماعية. 

 كثيرين منا يشعر بالشلل من هول المآسي والقهر. مع ذلك يجب أن ننظر ونعمل وإذا نجونا أن نتذكر الإبادة الجماعية التي حدثت في القرن الحادي والعشرين. ليس من العزاء أن نعرف أن المزيد من الناس يدركون أن تضحيتكم هي لتشكيل شرق أوسط جديد تحت الهيمنة الإمبراطورية الصهيونية والغربية. ليس من العزاء أن المزيد من الناس يعرفون عن حقول الغاز في بحر غزة (واحدة من أغنى الحقول في شرق البحر الأبيض المتوسط). الإبادة الجماعية في غزة من أجل الغاز؟ هل يهتم العالم بخطط خلق بديل لقناة السويس يمر من إيلات إلى غزة بعد إخلاءها من سكانها أو "تخفيف" سكانها وفق العقيدة الصهيونية المتمثلة في الحد الأقصى من الجغرافيا مع الحد الأدنى من الديموغرافيا؟ أعلم أنه ليس عزاء لكم أن ترو اليهود والمسيحيين والبهائيين وغيرهم يظهرون "التضامن". ليس من العزاء أن يكون لدينا الكثير من الصلوات والتمنيات بالسلام عندما يكون الأطفال في مقابر جماعية أو تحت الأنقاض (2000 طفل لغاية الآن) ولا يمكن علاج الجرحى بسبب عدم وجود أدوية أو مواد جراحية (التخدير والإبر وما إلى ذلك). ألقي نظرة على رسالتي عام 2008 أثناء إحدى الهجمات وكانت بعنوان "أحيانًا الموتى يُحسدون" (http://karmalised.com/?p=5230). 

لقد تضاعفت الفظائع الآن 100 ضعف عما كانت عليه في عام 2008، وهناك أعمال إبادة جماعية أكبر في الطريق. لم تكن تتخيل أبدا إننا نرى الموت في كل مكان ونحسد من منكم أنتهت معاناتهم باستشهادهم في أكبر سجن مفتوح في العالم. نعلم أننا خذلناكم، ونعلم أنكم لا ترى سوى الغبار والظلام ورائحة الموت (1500 لا زالوا تحت الأنقاض). اعتقدنا أنه يمكننا مساعدتكم ونحن نحاول. لكن بطولتكم وكرامتكم بينما تموتون بالمئات كل يوم والأحياء يخاطرون بحياتهم ويستخرجون الموتى والأحياء بأيديهم العارية. لن أنسى مسعف يواسي طفلة فقدت كل عائلتها. أنتم تعلمونا الإنسانية التي نسيها الملايين. من فضلكم علمونا نحن الأحياء الأموات أكثر. يا ريت أقدر أن أستبدل ما تبقى من حياتي لإنقذ طفل واحد في غزة ليعيش حياة كريمة. من فضلكم استمروا في تعليمنا عن الحياة والموت. هل ستعلمونا عن الموت الوشيك لـ"القانون الدولي"، أو موت الكرامة لدى الكثيرين، أو موت الإنسانية؟ لكن ربما يمكنكم أيضًا أن تعلمونا عن الحياة كيف تنهض غزة دائمًا من بين الرماد بأعجوبة، وكيف ستتجاوز هذا الرعب الأخير. علمونا أننا  من نسل الكنعانيين الذين أعطوا العالم الأبجدية والزراعة والذين قاتلوا وانتصروا على العديد من الغزاة (الفرس والصليبيين والرومان وما إلى ذلك) وكيف سننتصر على هؤلاء الغزاة الجدد.

 كتبت بالأمس أنني متفائل جزئيًا ولكن ربما أتفق مع جرامشي الذي قال: "يجب أن تدرك أنني بعيد كل البعد عن الشعور بالهزيمة... عندي الاقتناع العميق بأن مصدر قوه الإنسان الأخلاقية هو في نفسه - طاقته وإرادته، التماسك الحديدي للغايات والوسائل - أنه لا يقع أبدًا في تلك الحالات المزاجية المبتذلة والتافهة بالتشاؤم والتفاؤل. حالتي العقلية تجمع بين هذين الشعورين وتتجاوزهما: عقلي متشائم، لكن إرادتي متفائلة. ومهما كان الوضع، فإنني أتخيل أسوأ ما يمكن أن يحدث لكي أستجمع كل احتياطي وقوة إرادتي للتغلب على كل عقبة." لكن من المؤكد أن جرامشي لا يستطيع، ولا أستطيع أنا أن أفهم ما تشعر به الضحية بعد أن حاولوا تجريدنا من إنسانيتنا عبر أقوى آلة حرب طاغية تطحن المنازل والبشر وتتحكم بالإعلام لإصاغة سرديتها الكاذبة.

 أولئك الذين واجهوها في الماضي تركوا لنا دروسًا آمل أن نتمكن من تعلمها. كل كلماتنا وأفعالنا صغيرة مقارنة برسالة جسد طفل صامت هامد. عندما يأتي دوري وسيصل إلى 3 مليون فلسطيني يعيشون في الضفة الغربيةز على الأقل حرصت أن أقول كلمتي لكم يا أهل غزة العزة: من منكم استشهد فهو أكرم منا ومن منكم يعيش فيا ليتكم تحررونا من عبوديتنا . نحتاج جزء صغير من حكمتكم وشجاعتكم في هذه الأيام المظلمة، وسامحونا ما خذلناك فيه وليرحمنا الله جميعًا.

Optimistic day 16

 I remain optimistic on day 16 of the horrific onslaught on the people of Gaza; optimistic that we can stop large scale US/Israeli genocide in Gaza. So far 1750 children killed but now, water, food run out and thousands will start dying. Why am I optimistic? Gaza people have little more to lose (70% are out of their homes and sought shelter in schools, hospital yards or open areas where they are still bombed).  Support for resistance is actually growing. But most of all I am optimistic because the Zionist onslaught (targeting hospitals, schools, universities, bakeries, residential buildings, mosques, churches, wiping out whole families) has ignited the global uprising that I and others have been calling for and predicting for a long time. Millions on the street (even the largest demonstation in London since 20 years with over 200,000) of all backgrounds and Jews in the dozens being arrested for civil disobedience even in Zionist-occupied Washington.  I was interviewed over 55 times in the past two weeks. We also see more and more voices insisting to be heard globally. Even the mainstream media and the spineless politicians are starting to worry and even to retreat. The Israeli leaders are in a quagmire of their own making and making even more mistakes (like underestimating what awaits them in Gaza or the depleted level of morale among their own soldiers who do not trust their leaders).  The fact that the US has to come to try to rescue (>$10 billion more in cash + lots of military support in personnel and munitions) the lunatic  genocidal regime speaks volumes. A regime that is scared of entering Gaza so it is leveling it and starving its remaining population (mideaval!) and by doing so is forfeiting legitimacy as a state! Israel is now openly called by millions as simply a genocidal regime run by a lunatic (Netanyahu) not much different in his outlook on life than a Hitler!  Only difference is Netanyahu has his enablers in the West (Biden, Macron etc). I am also optimistic because millions of Palestinians in excile/diaspora are finding their voice as are millions of others of all background.  Governments are with genocide but people are against it.

And while 200,000 in London and many more in other British cities demonstrate, the partner in crime comes out of a plane bringing more weapons to the genocidal regime.

So I am optimistic because there is no public support for the apartheid regime in any country (even "Israel" itself) only governments supporting genocide against the wishes of their people. I am also optimistic because I know the idiocy of the Israeli military (they even "accidentally" just shelled their ally Egypt). All analysts (including US ones like Scott Ritter) show that Israel cannot really fight, they can only bomb from the air civilian areas. 

I was interviewed 55 times in these two weeks and gave several talks. People are changed and the Israel/US efforts to lie are backfiring (again millions on the streets). I am getting hundreds of supportive letters from people from all over the world encouraging us and reporting on actions they have taken. Most important are supportive letters from Jews who reject the Zionist genocide and work for justice and human rights. Here are examples from many letters I received from Jewish friends:

 “I am outraged and appalled by this cruel attack and the unbearable indiscriminate attacks, displacement, and loss of innocent lives. I signed multiple petitions and declarations and am intensely engaged in protecting Palestinian-Israeli students who are currently prosecuted in Israeli universities, as well as freedom of pro-Palestinian speech in US universities.” Smadar (Israeli)

“Adding to the number of positive emails. I am with you 100% in solidarity from here. Thank you as always Mazin for the information and hope and links. Love and solidarity, prayers and action” A Rabbi from the US

“There were demonstrations here today demanding Israel negotiate release of prisoners and hostages. That Hamas is willing to release civilians without negotiations or something in return is a smart move that makes the Israeli government flounder even more. I guess that is why they refused to accept unconditional release of two more hostages. Netanyahu should be removed but I guess he is counting on staying for the duration of conflict so I am afraid he will prolong things as much as possible. It is sad…” Friend from Tel Aviv

“This story reminds me of others from the Nazi Holocaust, where they massacred everyone in hospitals as steps toward liquidation of ghettos.  The town my grandfather was born in - Slonim, Belarus - had that happen to it. The Einsatzgruppen death squads took all the doctors and patients away to be shot in a nearby pit. I’ve long wondered what the Holocaust would have been like if there had been CNN and anti-social media. Now we know. In Schindler’s List, there’s a scene where the Nazis are massacring people in the ghetto and Schindler is watching from a vantage point just outside. Some of the people aren’t killed but are rounded up for deportation to the nearby camp. Schindler is overcome with horror to realize that the survivors temporarily allowed to live are witnesses to the crimes because they are also slated for eventual extermination. In Gaza, the Israelis have no shame for being seen for what they are doing, which needs a new language to adequately describe.  English seems insufficient, perhaps there are phrases in Arabic that are appropriate?   It’s like how in Spanish in Latin America “disappeared” has meanings it lacks in English (to be disappeared) due to the (US backed) dictatorships several countries have endured. I am sorry beyond words.”

“As a healthcare professional - and having just read a story about those doctors, I simply can’t imagine. Genocide indeed is the name I have given to the Israeli response the last week.  Never mind Hamas’ intentions — what are the Israelis thinking? Of course they aren’t thinking, I know…I am aghast and grieve so deeply at the violence, misinformation and wanton hatred that allows this genocidal action to continue.”

“Thank you for the ongaza.org link. There is so much misinformation in BBC coverage and I wrote to them about it (see letter below). But it is encouraging that people get real news slowly and hearts at least of some are opening up including in my own Jewish community. We had a huge and unprecedented demonstration of >100,000 ….”  London Jew

“God bless you and I beg you not to give up.  I have been on your mailing list very gratefully for many years.  That said, at the present moment, you are a lifeline for all of the world, myself included. I am a completely pacifist anti-zionist reform jew  In my entire life i have never before been as horrified at the murderous behavior of both israel and the us as at present. That said, let me offer each of us at least one glimmer of hope:  the Jewish diaspora:  the worldwide population of jews outside of israel:  long despised by the domestic Jewish population of Israel, my prayer is that the current outrage against all Palestinians has now crossed the last red line.  That this may be the one and only chance for the Jewish diaspora to help save the humane world we all pray for. “ American Jew

These messages give us hope that Jews and Judaism will survive zionism in the same way that Germany and Germans did survive nazism. It maybe worth reading the account of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising for history repeats itself in the Gaza Ghetto uprising: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Ghetto_Uprising

Just need to intensify the pressure because every day the US/Israel are allowed to go on means hundreds more killed. The sooner this nightmare ends, the closer we are to peace and justice. I can't wait to then work harder to strengthen our movement/quest for One Democratic State (see https://onestatecampaign.org/en/ ). 

Al-Aqsa flood

 I received dozens of messages inquiring about my thoughts on what is going on now in Palestine and how we are doing and what is going to happen. I also did some TV & Radio interviews. It is really very simple: we have 15 million native Palestinians, 8 million of us are refugees or displaced people (2/3rd of Gaza's 2.2 million are refugees). Israel cannot be allowed to get away with stealing lands and resources and setting up a racist apartheid regime. Even besieged, starving, blockaded people in Gaza manage to break through their prison walls.  Miraculously they managed to defeat the supposedly most sophisticated intelligence and military force in the world. They took the battle deep behind delusional Israeli walls. The Israeli government refused to exchange prisoners before (4 held by Hamas) and now will have to contend with at least 150 Israeli POWs including high ranking military officers. This colossal failure (intelligence, military, political, public relations) was surprising only in terms of its timing. I have predicted this for decades. As before, Israel will not be able to get to the guerilla fighters so they will exert revenge from civilian population which only adds more people willing to join resistance factions. 

Gaza ambulance targeted by Israel

I have always explained (including in my book "Sharing the Land of Canaan" published 20 years ago) that Zionism is coming to an end one way or another. That end can take one of two forms: a lose-lose scenario involving extreme violence that leaves little for any remaining future generations. Or a semi-decent end to apartheid and dismantlement of the racist apartheid regime that was established in 1948 and become a state of all its residents (Jews, Christians, Muslims, Bahai, atheists etc). That secular democratic post-Zionist discourse is coming and we have groups working on it including our One Democratic State Campaign and it is only a matter of pushing for it to arrive with least violence.  

The Israeli public will slowly wake up (or at least we hope) to understand that peace will only come by recognizing the elephant in the room: the injustice to the Palestinian people by the Zionist project. What good is having nuclear, biological, chemical weapons? What good is it to  "exert revenge" (in the words of its leaders) by cutting off electricity, food, and medicine to millions of imprisoned Palestinians in Gaza (and soon the West Bank/Eastern Palestine)? What good is it to bomb crowded cities and refugee camps with US supplied F-16s and F-35s bearing a "Star of David"? (so far hundreds of Palestinians were killed just in the past 24 hours, most of them civilians). What good is it that Israeli and subservient western "leaders" (under the pressure of strong Zionist lobbies) give billions and shield Israel from International law and then offer issue statements blaming the victims and calling Palestinians who resist terrorists? How is it even remotely logical to say Israel has a right to defend itself when even international law says colonizers do not have such right but the victims of oppression do have a right to resist? Is calling resistance by natives "terrorism" endlessly producing pacification of natives?  What is your "final solution" to us- the millions of Palestinians whose lands, properties and even holy sites are taken from us by invaders? Do you really want to commit a full genocide or drive the rest of us out or keep us in the ghettos/concentration camps? I say Palestinians will not go away into the sunset and that it is about time we insist on peace which means justice.  Will more of the Israeli public understand the level of corruption and lies they have been told. Living in a bubble that is bursting: here is small sign it maybe happening.

Just about everyone knows that the areas near Gaza are Palestinian and that their settlement by colonialists is theft. Most of Gaza population are refugees who come from these places that have been renamed to things like "Sderot" (built on the depopulated Palestinian village of Najd) and settled by Jewish colonial settlers within eyesight of the original owners of the land who were pushed at the point of the gun to become refugees and denied their nternationally recognized right to return to their homes and lands.  But even if one considers the "Gaza envelope" an area of "Israel" (it is not even by UN partition resolution), Israel has since 1967 occupied the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and the Golan contrary to UN resolutions and international law and refuses to allow Palestinians self-determination. The apartheid Israeli regime has elected to intensify its colonization activities (violence, crimes against humanity, war crimes) everywhere (e.g. in the Negev by destroying remaining Bedouin communities, In Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank). Palestinians have been demanding international protection. We Palestinian have been publicly telling the Zionist regime to end its onslaught on the Palestinian holy sites and the Palestinian people. Instead the ultra right fascist government of apartheid Israel continued to proceed as a colonial power. Killing people, destroying homes, closing the Ibrahim mosque, breaking into Al-Aqsa mosque, settlers spitting on Christians, etc. They have not listened and chose the path of increased violence. 

The Zionist hasbara considers all Palestinian resistance (armed or non-armed) as terrorism. They even consider our mere presence on our land as a threat since they want the land and they do not want the people who live there. Now 92% of historic Palestine is off-limits to Palestinians by Israeli apartheid laws. The remaining 8% continues to shrink and is fragmented into ghettos/concentration areas. See my book on "Popular Resistance In Palestine: A history of Hope and Empowerment" . Once Ben Gurion stated "the [Palestinian] old will die and the young will forget" and  an Israeli general once quipped "one we have settled the land, all the "Arabs" will be able to do is run around like drugged cockroaches in a bottle." The events since Saturday morning show just how foolish they are. The events also reveal how foolish are the dictatorial regimes and the regimes of governments in the West who cajole, normalize, and support Israeli colonialism, exceptionalism and racism. The game is up and the cards are exposed.

Finally, I say Palestinians and all people of conscience are with our people in Gaza as they face the wrath of the racist apartheid regime. May the recent events dubbed "Al-Aqsa flood" result in a flood of truth, justice, and humanity (long overdue in Palestine). That is the only way to end the violence (colonizers and resistance).

Other statements on Gaza events can be found here.

September Update

Update from The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) Bethlehem University The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability was created at Bethlehem University with the vision of enhancing and promoting sustainability of human and natural communitie. Its mission is to research, educate about, and conserve our natural world, and Palestinian culture and heritage, and to use knowledge to promote responsible, empowered human interactions with all components of our environment. The institute developed infrastructure and human resources, which now include a Museum of Natural History (PMNH), an ethnography exhibit (cultural heritage), a botanic gardens, a community garden, an animal rehabilitation center, a biodiversity center, a herbarium, molecular laboratories, and more. PIBS is engaged in activities including: 

 1. Exploring the diversity of the fauna, flora, and human ethnography via collections and scientific research that includes morphology and genetics. 

 2. Environmental protection and responsible interaction between people and the environment. 

 3- Using the knowledge acquired to promote science education and develop citizen science 

4. Developing and increasing respect: a) for ourselves (self-empowerment), b) for our fellow human beings (regardless of background), and c) for all living creatures and our shared planet. 

5. Using research results in areas such as history, culture, permaculture and biological control to promote sustainable communities. View our latest annual reports, and for short videos about activities, please see https://youtu.be/BPhFLOsEIM0 and https://youtu.be/AZOoOzXU7tQ

The past academic year 2022/23 was a very busy year. Here are some highlights: 

 1) PIBS published 18 research papers in peer reviewed journals in many areas: fauna, flora, conservation measures, environmental injustice, sustainable agriculture, climate change, protected areas, and human rights. 

2) PIBS held over 55 local workshops for children, several for women, and many for adults to empower and encourage good stewardship of the environment. We also organized global workshops and conventions on areas like biodiversity and human diversity. 

3) PIBS led the effort to create the national report for the Convention on Biological Diversity and to create the National Strategy and Action Plan 2023-2025 

4) PIBS led on-the ground efforts to create a new Protected Areas Network which was then approved by IUCN and the Palestinian government. 

5) PIBS developed a mobile museum that reached marginalized communities 

6) PIBS staff traveled to the many countries (UK, USA, Greece, UAE etc.) during the year spreading knowledge and awareness. For example, the August trip to USA included giving 45 talks in 12 states plus DC meeting hundreds of people and gathering support for the State of Palestine and our Institute at Bethlehem University. Upcoming trips are planned in the next few months to Italy, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand 

7) PIBS has provided leadership and acted as a model for national, regional, and global actors in areas like environmental justice and challenging settler colonialism vis a vis the environment 

8) PIBS, having secured 2/3rds of the funding (more is needed), started a major project to create a national level museum of natural history and ethnography. Work commenced on site at the Mar Andrea Campus (see pictures below for design and renovation work in progress) 

9) PIBS set up a successful animal rehabilitation unit. For example, we now are rehabilitating five hyena cubs and just released a rehabilitated fox.

Our plans going forward are ambitious including completing the model museum, executing projects for conservation of wetlands, accelerating research, increased educational activities to marginalized communities (including via the mobile museum), expanded animal rehabilitation facilities, and implementing restoration and rehabilitation of habitats including via tree planting.

Our collective past successes and plans for the future are only doable because of hundreds of volunteers and donors. It is a COLLECTIVE work and we can do much more with your additional support. YOUR partnerships advances sustainability for both humans and natural communities in Palestine and beyond (our collective vision). Please visit http://palestinenature.org to partner with us or email us at info@palestinenature.org or call us 970-22773553 Visit us in Bethlehem and follow us on facebook

Reflections

 Having traveled over the past month in 12 states plus the District of Columbia, given 45 talks and met hundreds of good people (most for the first time), Jessie and I have a few observations. Some of our views were held before, some sharpened, some new. Our talks and conversations emphasize biological diversity, agricultural diversity and human diversity (hence by nature opposing colonialism, zionism, imperialism, racism). We also emphasize joint struggle for a more peaceful and sustainable planet. Our work in Palestine exemplifies this global growing power (e.g. http://palestinenature.org).

 We still have few more events in California and Florida which you can see at the posted schedule here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XYnJVwrCVwF7uXSDCDv-sJFLVrIaXa8gxmRCKkWcSKY/edit?usp=sharing

We thought to share with you in bullet points below some observations and some photos:

-The homogeneity in the US is mainly in areas associated with the economy and. consumerism. Streets look and feel the same from coast to coast and in the midd;e of the country

-People on the other hand are still heterogeneous and you encounter all sorts of people: poor, rich, ultra rich, some Middle Class (shrinking), right, left, homeless, ultra religious fundamentalist, atheist, self-sacrificing, etc

-The few US citizens that travel have a more liberal views of the world and ted to be less chauvinistic and self-centered (that is expected)

-There is still a collective amnesia regarding the genocide of natives and of slaves (tens if not hundreds of millions).

-There is little knowledge of how Israel and Zionism damage the US.Few know of the intentional Israeli killings of US citizens (USS Liberty, Rachel Corrie, Shireen Abu Akleh etc) and violations of US law by supporting Israel

--There is increased Zionist infiltration at every level of government and civil society that tries to shape policies in support of Zionist colonization (apartheid and genocidal racist). American Jews are still by and large supportive of Israeli actions including of ethnic cleansing and they reject the right of return to Palestinian refugees. Flying Israeli flags in synagogues etc, However, Younger Jews are more questioning and groups like Jewish Voice for PEace are growing

-We get asked all the time about why the Palestinian authority is so corrupt and inept and how to change that

-We visited the Israeli Elbit towers along the US-Mexico border, a contract that was given to an Israeli company inspite of the facts that se sellinga) there was other local bidders, 2) It is against US law to give technology to foregcountries that then repackage them and sell them to others - in this case selling it back to the US

-Most US Citizens did not know that their country is violating its own laws for example the Leahy amendment that prohibits the support of countries that persistently violate human rights. Israel is a state that persistently violates human rights as documented by all human rights organizations (Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, B'Tselem, Physician for Human Rights, Rabbis for Human Rights etc), the UN, the EU and even the US state department! Yet, Congress pressed by the Zionist Lobby gives billions of tax $ to "Israel" every year and denies the treasury billions more by allowing tax deductible donations to the apartheid system (even tax deductible donations to illegal settlers/squatters on Palestinian land and even to the largest terrorist organization in the world (the Israeli military)

Finally we say: people are intrinsically good, generous, & kind. The minority that guide us to wars, racism, conflict, consumerism, habitat destruction, pollution etc. get away with much precisely because the majority remain silent or comliant. It is our collective job to mobilize, to organize, to push for positive action... for a global intifada. Nothing less than the future of earth is at stake.

Join us and stay human

Sincerely

Mazin Qumsiyeh & Jessie Chang

in San Francisco

US Tour 2023

 Dear All

I can not begin to describe how grateful Jessie and I are for the hospitality, positive interest and support we received as we undergo a whirlwind tour of the US. 12 States (NY, CT, MA, DE, MD, VA, OH, MI, IN, AZ, CA, FL) and the DC area included some 45 talks over a little less than 5 weeks.  So many great people and organizations hosting us. Organizing events is hard work so we thank those who organized events (many events also offered attendees food so that is lots of work). We thank those who attended the events. We thank those who hosted us in their homes allowing us to disrupt their lives and making us feel at home. We thank those who donated money and resources (in kind donations). We love you all. For those who could not come or are so inclined, we would love to get your support. Go to http://palestinenature.org/donations or http://palestinenature.org/volunteer Below are selected photos from some of our activities. And here is a partial list of groups and entities that hosted us

Middle East Crisis Committee; Palestinian Museum-Woodbridge, WESPAC-NY, Community Church of Boston , Jewish Voice for Peace, Indiana Center for Middle East Peace, Smithsonian Institution, Purdue University, Arizona Palestine Group, United Methodist Church, Jerusalem Fund, Bethlehem University Foundation, Rotary Clubs in several states, WSLR, KPFK, UC Berkeley among many others.