“Nationalism: Building a State in the Middle East” is a history textbook taught in Israeli schools. As a historical narrative of the land of Israel and Palestine, one chapter is devoted to a Palestinian account of Al Nakba, the 1948 Israeli “War of Independence” and Palestinian catastrophe that catalyzed the endless stream of refugee expulsion, devastation, racism, political turmoil, and dire war that makes up the occupation today.
As of today, it is not being banned from the schools, but temporarily sent back to the publishers to remove the chapter concerning Al Nakba. Personally, I feel that this is worse than banning the book from scholastic environments. If the book were merely banned, it would still exist for those intellectually curious enough to dig beneath the surface and find out the truth for themselves. Instead, they are manipulating, lying by elimination, and constructing a ridiculous, nonsensical narrative that illustrates no consequences. Israel will continue to cultivate its children with inflated senses of nationalism. Israeli Arabs, 19% of the population and 25% of the school children will continue to have no place in a land where their history has been deleted.
This overt example of propaganda is sickening. Sometimes the larger regime seems suffocating, and far too powerful to fight. I’ll leave you with this: remember, commemorate, revive, and acknowledge al nakba. It may no longer be in the history books, but it is still in the minds, hearts, and dialogue of all those affected and all of us in solidarity.
Not your typical college tour! If you are on the east coast, you are still in luck! See two Israeli women who signed the Shministim letter of refusal to join the IDF speak out in New York City, New England, and Washington DC in the next week!
As most know, in Israel it is compulsory to join the army. In 2001, a high school movement called “Shministim” translated to “twelfth grade” began in which of age Israelis signed a letter refusing to serve in the Israeli army due their political reservations about the IDF’s role in the occupation. Most of these high schoolers experience some level of arrest and imprisonment though world wide support for this movement is growing.
Two girls from the Shministim, Maya Wind and Netta Mishly, are conducting a speaking tour at colleges throughout the United States until October 9th! See the list of tour dates here.
Courtesty of www.whywerefuse.org: Isreali Refuseniks Maya Wind and Netta Mishly
For all you other New Yorkers against the occupation, tonight (October 2) is NYU! Come to the Kimmel Center (60 Washington Square South) in room 914 at 7:30 pm.
“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it’s the illusion of knowledge”- Occupation 101
NYU’s Students for Justice in Palestine present Occupation 101, a recent award-winning documentary to New York City! Come to the Kimmel Center on Washington Square on Thursday for a screening and talk back. Any and all of the public with a photo ID is welcome to attend!
What: Screening of Occupation 101
When: Thursday October 1, 7 pm **Time changed
Where: NYU Kimmel Center, Washington Sq South Room 905.
This just in from an impromptu Palestine/Boycott Israel rendezvous in Union Square — A film about an immigrant family from the West Bank who comes to America, how they navigate it and what remnants of Palestine remain in their hearts and daily lives. More tomorrow after I see it — It’s playing at the Lincoln Plaza Cinemas in New York City and I believe the Embarcadero in San Francisco!!
The only time I want to be back in the Bay Area is when i skim www.indybay.org. Next Sunday, Professor Noam Chomsky (the one and only) will be discussing Obama, Peace in the Middle East, and all things me and those reading this blog would like.
Where: Paramount Theatre, Oakland CA
When: Saturday October 3rd, 7:30 pm
How Much: See site for details. From $22 – $ 250 depending on seating.
A few years ago I bought a “Free Palestine” pin on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, California. I thought nothing of it at the time. I was probably still in my bleeding heart save the gay baby seals stage of teenage activism and showcased it in a wall of liberal cliched fame.
Last year was my first year at New York University. I moved from one incredibly tolerant area to one seeming other–except for the high, high propensity of Jewish students and people. In class, in forging new friendships, and in random conversations I felt the need to mask my views, to express myself only through seeming to be a devil’s advocate, forever afraid that my peace-nik, why-don’t-you-stop-an-illegal-occupation-already-and-live-in-peace-and-cultural-harmony self would be interpreted as an angry, Angst ridden kuffiyeh flourishing Arab-American college student who wanted to drive all Jews into the sea.
Things happened this summer. I honed my views, grew older and wiser, read more books, got more involved, and resurrected my “Free Palestine” in in my treasure trove of liberal propaganda. Ever since then, it has been placed on the handle of my purse, just small enough to not be shoved down your throat, but just large enough to start a conversation.
Sure, I’m the queen of sassy political backlash, but I was a little scared to walk by the Yalmuke’d boys on eighth street after their Matzo ball dinners. The pathetic Greek life that NYU has are Jewish communes of boys partying it up with wine on Shabbat, not to mention an overdose of Long Island and Westchester Jewish American offsprings. I had no desire to offend, only to express myself.
So far, I’ve been very pleasantly surprised. Sure, I got accosted by Jewish frat boys who didn’t know me at the Students for Justice in Palestine Table at the NYU club fest. Granted, I’ve had a few death stares with the words “I’m Israeli” (Yeah, I’m Lebanese so suck my hummus plate)…but I’ve also made a new friendship, had a Palestinian stranger tell me that it “made his day to see a young woman represent the flag”, and a woman in the elevator just today say that she was in solidarity with me and hoped for a Free Palestine as soon as possible.
What have I learned? Take comments in stride, smile, be gracious, and you’ll be surprised what wearing a little more green, red, white, and black and a lot more of your heart on your sleeve can do. Or purse handle as the case may be.
I’m starting to be convinced that any US based Palestine activist whose anyone should just migrate to the Mission. Jealous of all in my home town, here is something to check out:
What: “Palestine Blues”, a documentary about Palestinians in the West Bank in light of the wall.
Another event for all you folks in the Bay Area. Friday night, see “Occupation 101″, a documentary depicting the US involvement in the Israeli Palestinian Conflict, life under military rule, and obstacles to peace.
What: Documentary, Occupation 101
When: Friday, Sept 11 7:30 PM
Where: East Bay, Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists’ Hall, 1924 Cedar (at Bonita), Berkeley
I always feel vehemently fundamental when I bring up the BDS movement. I feel at risk, on the line, and more than likely about to unintentionally offend everyone around me. Even though in my views I have no racist sentiment (I think an Israeli state should exist alongside with a Palestinian state, I simply think it should stop occupying and stealing land from it’s long established neighbor. Though popular sentiment pegs this view as an angry Arab that wants to drive the Jews into the sea, I see no trace of anti-Semitism in my prayers for peace.)
Thanks seanfderry-studenna on flickr commons for the image
The ironic thing is that boycotting Israeli goods and divesting from Israel seems like the most logical, effective, and also peaceful measure that we could take. Protesting, screaming “1,2,3,4 we don’t want to bomb no more” can be a nice catharsis and economic boost for Halls cough drops (do they give money to Israel?) but at the end of the day our green, black, red, and white haze of glory fades away and leaves us with the same ordeal.
So I invite anyone out there to reconsider boycotting. It’s not a sign of hatred, but a personal choice to drive the economics of the situation towards a more equal distribution of power, less capacity for violence, and hopeful peace. Money screams louder than kuffiyeh printed megaphones. I invite you to assess the situation, research the cause, and change your spending habits and the products you support.
Check out the campaigns links on the right column to get you started!
I'm an NYU student, activist, artist, and everything in between. This blog is a lot of things. First, it's a personal journey. This includes my thoughts, art, and discoveries about the occupation. Second, it's for activism - I want to publish as many events as I can find here. Last but not least, it's for occupation-related art.
I'm an NYU student, activist, artist, and everything in between. This blog is a lot of things. First, it's a personal journey. This includes my thoughts, art, and discoveries about the occupation. Second, it's for activism - I want to publish as many events as I can find here. Last but not least, it's for occupation-related art. 