It is the tale of a lamb who used to wear a wild dog skin. When the wolf comes around, he would jump out wearing the false skin and frighten the wold, who would then inevitably run way, tail down...

But our dear lamb was taken by arrogance, and ended believing that he is the strongest, the most clever and powerful. And as the wolf would try as usual to find out some fresh meat from the innocent lambs, he jumped out as usual, the wolf escaped away as usual, frightened by the appearance of the wild dog he was seeing... Sick of his arrogance, the lamb continued to run after the wolf, until the wild dog skin he was wearing fell and uncovered his true nature: a fearful, weak lamb... The wolf had a good laugh at himself... And you may guess what he did.

Now, Israel behaved exactly as our arrogant lamb. Covered by US weapons and vetos, and by European silence, it ended up believing it was a superpower... US gave their support because of huge manipulation of its public opinion, and Europe because of its sense of guilt coming from WW2.

The trouble is that US public opinion is realizing -almost fully- that Israel is an invader and that in 1948, it perpetrated butcheries. And as if that wasn't enough, US public opinion witnessed itself is direct Israeli massacres in Lebanon, then in Gaza..

The other trouble is that European public opinion if fully fed-up with the disgusting use Israelis and Zionists have been making of their WW2 sense of guilt. Add to that, new European generations do not feel absolutely that they are responsible fo what their fathers or grand-fathers did to Jews in WW2. They have sympathy for victims and so on... But they realize that these victims are Jews who died or are very old by now, and they are surely not the current Israelis.

So, this new American and European state-of-mind is expressed in many ways: some years ago, in a famous poll, more than 60% of Europeans declared that the worst threat to peace in the world was: Israel.

Obama is a product of this new US generation: usually people that you cannot easily fool, who surf Internet and have miscellaneous sources of information. He is trying -in order to satisy those who voted for him- to find out a real solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He asked the MINIMUM that can be asked to Israel: stop the new colonies.

What is the answer of the arrogant lamb: 900 colonial units will be built in East-Jerusalem...

Well: Can you guess the rest of the tale?

Salaam

Ouadoud

Originally written by Abdelouadoud El Omrani on November 20, 2009 1:10 PM new European generations do not feel absolutely that they are responsible fo what their fathers or grand-fathers did to Jews in WW2. They have sympathy for victims and so on... But they realize that these victims are Jews who died or are very old by now, and they are surely not the current Israelis.

Six million Jews were killed during WWII. Does anyone remember about the remaining 90% of the WWII casualties, i.e., 54 million people?

A vicious circle as usual....

Jacek

Originally written by Jacek K. on November 20, 2009 4:09 PM A vicious circle as usual....

A vicious circle indeed. And it still makes me think of the bad guys and the good guys, whereas in Gaza, the situation is really, really critical. Using the term humanitarian crisis wouldn't be exaggerated at all, I even find it too light. I won't stop whining about Gaza until things begin to move, be it here or on any other community on the net.

Two important events are coming up that some of the readers of this thread might be interested to join, in order to show some solidarity, in a way or another:

1. Eid al-Adha is approaching. The time before the eid is supposed to be a generous one, where people who are more well-off give to the needier. Among prayers and fasting, of course. Not much is demanded. If each one only gives 10 $, it will help gather the aimed money for the campaign. If you're interested, join the campaign and donate.
2. Join the Gaza Freedom March, initiated by Norman Finkelstein (a Jew!). It's a peaceful and non-violent march, that is supposed to break the siege on Gaza, only through as many people as possible, gathering and marching from Rafah to Gaza, and from Gaza to Israel.The meeting begins on the 27th of December, in Egypt and is supposed to end on the 2nd of January, in Palestine, after having visited the Eretz crossing in Israel.

Ann-Christine

Originally written by Ann-Christine Nassar-Pateffoz on November 20, 2009 7:42 PM Originally written by Jacek K. on November 20, 2009 4:09 PM A vicious circle as usual.... It's a peaceful and non-violent march, that is supposed to break the siege on Gaza, only through as many people as possible, gathering and marching from Rafah to Gaza, and from Gaza to Israel.The meeting begins on the 27th of December, in Egypt and is supposed to end on the 2nd of January, in Palestine, after having visited the Eretz crossing in Israel. Ann-Christine

There is a thread here claiming that Reagan 'won' the cold war, only that he had first to conveniently wait for Brezhnev, Andropov and Chernenko to die, and leave office himself before 'winning'. I was coming to oppose that but I can't quite find it. News nowadays depends on whoever is giving it. My memories of the 80s are different.

Coming back to topic, I doubt if the march will succeed, it will probably be the same old story. One march I would like to do would be from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Perhaps drive from Haifa to Nazereth, between the 12th and 15th of December, and walk down leisurely to Bethlehem in time for the midnight mass on Christmas day. The midnight mass looked interesting on TV, before Sharon discontinued them or stopped Arafat from attending.

How are the Palestinian Christians faring, and how is Christmas on the West Bank? All Arabs or quasi-Arabs here are Islamic, and they have by far - with the possible exception of one or two native speciality dishes - the best food for festivities or any other time. In fact in my opinion, from my experience, the only people who should bother to enter the kitchen other than from dire need are Arabs, those influenced by their culture, and the Chinese under supervision.

Originally written by Raymond Anthony on November 24, 2009 2:47 PM There is a thread here claiming that Reagan 'won' the cold war, only that he had first to conveniently wait for Brezhnev, Andropov and Chernenko to die, and leave office himself before 'winning'. I was coming to oppose that but I can't quite find it.

Post #179590?

Originally written by Raymond Anthony on November 24, 2009 2:47 PM It's a peaceful and non-violent march, that is supposed to break the siege on Gaza, only through as many people as possible, gathering and marching from Rafah to Gaza, and from Gaza to Israel.The meeting begins on the 27th of December, in Egypt and is supposed to end on the 2nd of January, in Palestine, after having visited the Eretz crossing in Israel. Ann-Christine There is a thread here claiming that Reagan 'won' the cold war, only that he had first to conveniently wait for Brezhnev, Andropov and Chernenko to die, and leave office himself before 'winning'. I was coming to oppose that but I can't quite find it. News nowadays depends on whoever is giving it. My memories of the 80s are different.

I'm not good at politics. I admit that I give my version of the news in this thread. I don't see anything wrong with that since everyone is free to oppose what I say and it's open for discussion. At least what I usually relate to are things I've read or lived. You can call it a first hand experience, since I usually recognise what I read too...For me, such experiences have always been more credible and made more sense than people defending a cause with all their hearts without ever having been to the country in question.

Coming back to topic, I doubt if the march will succeed, it will probably be the same old story.

You certainly have many valid reasons to believe so. I also have many valid reasons to believe the contrary. I have a dream and I have hope. You can call me naive, but I do believe the march will have an enormous impact on the public opinion, and it will help move things. The ISM and their perseverance also give me reason to believe that any efforts, even the slightest of them, are never entirely wasted:

One march I would like to do would be from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Good luck with all the checkpoints, then! I wouldn't like to be in your shoes! Don't forget that Jerusalem and Bethlehem are occupied cities

Perhaps drive from Haifa to Nazereth, between the 12th and 15th of December, and walk down leisurely to Bethlehem in time for the midnight mass on Christmas day. The midnight mass looked interesting on TV, before Sharon discontinued them or stopped Arafat from attending.

Yes! Our former president used to do us a great honour by insisting to attend the midnight mass in Bethlehem every year. Not only is it interesting, but it has a very special atmosphere! To celebrate Christmas on the very place where Jesus was born. It is a great honour, and a pride for every Christian Palestinian.

For the record, Nazareth has managed to keep its Palestinian identity. Here is a lovely clip about Nazareth:

How are the Palestinian Christians fairing, and how is Christmas on the West Bank? All Arabs or quasi-Arabs here are Islamic,

What do you mean by "here"? TC? No, I could give you the name of at least three, straight ahead, without thinking. Usually, people are intelligent enough to know which religious community I should belong to through my name...

To answer your question; they are coping, as much as they can. They used to be 40% in the sixties, but are less than 1% now. Some people consider them as lucky, because they have the cultural and religious facilities to adapt more to the West. That's why they immigrate much more. Most of them make very high carriers and become well-known. The  most prominent example is Eduard Said.

Christian Palestinians have faced an enormous pressure during the last decades. Israel tries to create conflicts between them and their Muslim brothers. There have been some clashes where Christians die because they are Christians. It happened once or twice in the Gaza strip. But what suffocates them the most, is the occupation, like for any other Palestinian. Many of them have diplomas from a European or an American university. When they go back home they realise they are trapped. No work, no future, no getting out of the country, which makes them leave on the first best occasion and become citizens of the new country they are living in.

On a whole general, there isn't any sectarianism in Palestine. Christians and Muslims get along very well. I've read somewhere that it's the only Arab country where so many mixed marriages have taken place. I only go there every three or four years and I know three families where the spouses are Christian and Muslim. I think the occupation has made that we stick together more than usual. We're Palestinians first, Christians or Muslims, only after...My family has always had Muslim friends. They come to greet us for Christmas and Easter and we get invited by them on the eids. I don't recall any summer I've spent there lately without the house being full of Muslims, i.e. beloved and trustworthy friends...

I hope this is helpful.

and they have by far - with the possible exception of one or two native speciality dishes - the best food for festivities or any other time. In fact in my opinion, from my experience, the only people who should bother to enter the kitchen other than from dire need are Arabs, those influenced by their culture, and the Chinese under supervision.

It's not the first time I hear this Thanks!

Ann-Christine

Originally written by Jacek K. on November 24, 2009 4:25 PM Post #179590?

Netiquette made me 'come so far' out of my way here today. No it is a more recent piece suggesting Palin might do well because Reagan turned out great, or something like that, open to a wide interpretation. Unfortunately we cannot go into it here. I must say - without irony - that I admire the time management skills of a frequent poster like yourself. More than that I respect those who use emoticons. I believe to use emoticons, one has to be on Windows or Explorer. Here from our own experience we generally consider people who get onto the web on Windows or Explorer to be brave people. Many computers have crashed in these parts, we prefer Linux. 

Originally written by Raymond Anthony on November 25, 2009 6:23 PM I admire the time management skills of a frequent poster like yourself.

Indeed, with 86,400 seconds at my disposal every day I have to be well organized to put them all to use.