Reuters

“Palestinian cave-dweller fights Israeli eviction”

November 12, 2009

 

If Palestinians were black, Israel would now be a pariah state subject to economic sanctions led by the United States. Its development and settlement of the West Bank would be seen as a system of apartheid, in which the indigenous population was allowed to live in a tiny fraction of its own country, in self-administered “Bantustans,” with “whites” monopolizing the supply of water and electricity. 

Did they say, “OK, we renounce terrorism? We recognize Israel?”) Yes, exactly. And, they said, “We now declare the State of Palestine according to UN Resolution 242” and some other resolutions in which the land was partitioned between Israel and Palestine specifically. Certain portions were given to Israel, and the so-called West Bank and Gaza portions were given to Palestine, to the Palestinians.

Well, when this was done, Israel waged the war in which they grabbed by force of arms all of the areas of the West Bank and everything that the UN had said that they should give to the Palestinians. And you know the Israelis don’t plan to give it up.

So everybody is now sort of waiting to see what the US is going to do. They know what Israel is going to do! – They’re going to flatly refuse! They always have. All those lies that they told!

 

Ted Rudow III, MA

California, US

 

Rami G. Khouri

“One day the wall will fall in the Arab world”

November 11, 2009

 

As an art historian with special interest for the judicial and economic traditions within Europe I want to add something to the historical event around the fall of the Berlin Wall. A crucial idea within the progressive developments after World War II was that freedom is not a concept and as such part of political and religious ideologies, but a praxis that has to be executed within an economic framework that guarantees the equality of trading parties. 

This became the starting point of the EU: it swept aside political programs and developed a sustainable framework for free trade. This did not mean that everyone could do whatever was in his own interests; it meant that monopoly had to be avoided and that competition should be fair. Out of this simple economic package the EU developed its judicial system that in the end protects us in our struggle for a better life. So the criticism toward ideological systems of any kind (and I think the US is still such a suppressing system talking about freedom as a concept, not as a praxis) was based on the idea that it makes no sense to talk about freedom as a concept. Then in the end people will take the freedom to shoot you because of your “wrong” ideas. (As the US does) In Europe we have seen these talking heads that drag people into fights with real arguments: Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin, and Lenin the list is too long. We lost more than 70 million people in the 20th century, not even talking about what happened in the colonies.

The EU is still part of old power structures and has to face a lot of problems. The US is in this struggle for a fair economic system more a threat than a partner, but I think that the basic idea is far better that all the political programs together, in which the talk about freedom goes on as if no matter what happens, we just have to believe that we are free.

My conviction for a better future is that society can only be built on a fair economic system in which everybody should have its share.  No dreams, no hope, no freedom, just guarantees that the work we offer to our societies will be organized by our representatives in such a way that it will benefit us all.

 

Irene veenstra

Eindhoven, Holland

 

Amazing! Parts of this sounds like a speech coming from George W. Bush. However, when he talked of freedom for all he was demonized. The world turns 360 degrees given time.

Democracy, freedom, modernity and justice are nebulous and highly fragile items with forces against them in constant play. In the Western free world we label these forces as evil, a term that has somehow become interconnected with religion and a battle between the Devil and God. 

Perhaps more simply it is the human flaw of greed and an insatiable desire for power over others. We can watch as many nations such as Venezuela, turn from a relatively new found human freedom, back to ruthless autocratic rule, almost in the blink of an eye, so one must ask if the Arab World will ever fully experience human freedom, as much of the world knows it.  Arab youth could change matters but they have easier alternatives. Given the opportunity they either flee or turn inwards to a radical form of Islam. Will this in time, move 360 degrees? Not in our lifetime.

 

Dick Fowler

Houston, Texas, US

 

Nice article. I do hope that the youth will one day stand up and demand a change. But you see in order for this to take place, the youths need a leader, a leader whose passion is to be a public servant not just a politician, a statesman whose concern is for the people and not his/her legacy. You see the fall of the Berlin Wall, started in Poland with the solidarity movement, and later you had Gorbachev’s perestroika policy, all these events were the catalysts that eventually caused the fall of the wall. The question to ask here in the Arab world is what is the catalyst that will bring about the needed change? I do not want to sound pessimistic but I do not see it.  I mean just look at Lebanon, just ask yourself how many of these youths voted in the last election and if they did, did they vote their own religion as well?  In the end a leader is needed, and I hope his/her time is soon.

 

Imad Awada

Los Angeles, California, US

 

This is a very good, and interesting article. If I’m not mistaken the Arab population of about 400 million will double in a few decades, due to an average age of around 25 years today. Could be a strong force for societal changes and revolution sentiments.

But I still think it’s quite hard to get a real sense of the Arab world, the political landscapes and different tensions between governments and the people. And the differences between the Muslim worlds, the Arab world, middle east and the greater Middle East – this all takes some time to digest. It was only through a few Persian friends in my home town I realized the mutual resentments and sometimes hatred between the Arabs and Persians. And how the Shiite and Sunni faiths could be seen as a part of these dynamics. And of course, the nuclear race and current affairs on Iran’s ambitions. So, more articles and enlightenment on these issues!

 

Billy Midlom

Atlanta, Georgia, US

 

Elias Sakr

“Intensive Lebanese efforts give birth to triumphant national-unity Cabinet”

November 10, 2009

 

Congratulations to Lebanon. I hope that this unity, and I stress on unity government, will work well for the interests of all Lebanese, and to be a model for the rest of the Arab world, that a unity government is possible and I say to those that said the majority cannot work with the minority, namely Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, you are wrong and that anything is possible if one puts his mind and effort into it.

 

Imad Awada

Los Angeles, California, US

 

This is the first best thing that happened to Lebanon in the past five or six years. Was it really that difficult to form a government? Now that you all got what you wanted; let’s hope that the bickering has gone out the window and that you all will act in a civil manner for the good of the country and mainly for the Lebanese people who deserve the best! God give you all the strength and wisdom to succeed. God bless!  Bravo to all.

 

Alfred A. Ina

West Palm Beach, Florida, US

 

The Daily Star

“HRW urges investigation into domestic worker deaths”

November 10, 2009

 

This is very sad.  I have seen it when I was visiting few years back.  We were in a restaurant and a family of probably 20 people came to the restaurant and sat across from our table.  They were eating and drinking. The maid was sitting at the very end of the table with a child in her lap.  None of these people offered her a piece of bread.  I wanted to say this is also a human being and can eat, but my host asked me not to interfere.  As they were leaving, the waiter asked her if he can make her a sandwich and of course she refused because she was afraid of the consequences. The other things I’ve seen is when the Madame goes to the swimming pool and the maid is dressed in a long sleeve dress or in a costume to identify her as a maid. Shame on these people.

 

Amira Nassar

Germantown, US

 

The Daily Star

“Dar al-Fatwa instigates administrative reforms after media questions integrity”

November 9, 2009

 

Everything is corrupted in our beloved country, it’s a shame. We hear nothing but statements and words from everyone even from religious figures in all religions. Who to believe and what can guarantee us that any of them are being honest with the Lebanese people? Who to trust? That’s the question. Better not to trust anyone or at least believe in 10 percent of the things they say, it’s more than enough.

 

Aline Attalah

Abu Dhabi, UAE

 

Rami G. Khouri

“Turning the table on the Arab security state”

November 8, 2009

 

We have always overjoyed the accomplishments of democracy and demonized the shortfalls of military regimes. The evidence is not very clear. 

Inquisitiveness about the legitimacy of the current regimes is a progress – but may not be worth much. Khomeini also understood the illegitimacy of Shah, but only to establish a police state worse than Shah’s.

Another example is Turkey. The current Turkey is a more democratic than its recent past. Look who Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is forming coalitions with – the likes of Sudan, Syria and Iran? The military-leaning regimes in Turkey were much closer allies of the free world. 

Democracy is valuable, but there are other far more important items.

 

Muin Chowdhury

St. Paul, Minnesota, US

 

 

The current brand of Islam is too strict.  It stifles imagination, innovation and creativity and instills fear instead. Many Muslim leaders and clerics are using Islam as an excuse to do whatever they want. And the people suffer.

 

Catarin Smith

Minnesota, US

 

Elias Saker

“Cabinet Formation expected within next 48 hours”

November 7, 2009

 

Over four months ago, when Mr. Saad Hariri was named to form the Cabinet. With pain as like of a woman in labor, the Cabinet was formed. To an average Lebanese, this is a big step in the right direction, or at least this is what we hope for! 

Last Saturday when I was reading the paper, I read of the meeting of all so-called politicians agreeing to the formation of the new Cabinet. 

Furthermore, names emerged to the press of who of the long awaited ministers will carry which portfolio. This was all good in a way, because this should have happened a good three months ago if we want to be practical! 

My shock came when at the end of the article, they divided the potential ministers according to their allegiances. What Berri, Aoun, Jumblatt, Hizbullah, March 14, Phalangists, the Lebanese Forces and last but not least the president got as their cut of the cabinet.  

In any standard and no matter how we look at this fact, one can’t but wonder until when Lebanon will be treated as a block of cheese or cake where the so-called politicians will each demand the lion’s share! I could not help but question where Lebanon stood among all this “piece snatching!” Did they all forget that before they can each get their share what they could do to earn it? As well as what could they do to improve the livelihood of average Lebanese who have been hoping for years for a real change!  

I am writing this with a degree of hope that this time around, things will be different. We need from all the so-called politicians in Lebanon, for once to stand and be counted among the leaders in the world that made a difference and created a legacy for their people. Are we asking for much? I don’t think so, because despite all the trivial differences between the factions, one thing they should remember that no one is indispensable! They all will come to an end sooner or later! Only this nation that withstood the brunt of history down through the ages will remain eternal as it’s cedar tree!

My hope and the hope of many of my Lebanese compatriots is to rise above the sectarian divide, and together try to build our nation in a way that will make our children proud to be Lebanese. 

It can be done and the time to act is now! Let us hope for the best and wish this new Cabinet all the best! 

 

Edmond M. Khoury

Beirut, Lebanon

 

Reuters

“UN General Assembly set to call for probes into Gaza 

offensive”

November 5, 2009

 

Sir, when the US House of Representatives clearly voted against the “Goldstone Report” by 344 against and 36 in favor of the report, one has to consider that Judge Goldstone asked the US admin that they should inform him where his report shows specific errors. Until today there was no error reported. At the UN Israel’s ambassador who speaks for his right wing Froreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman branded the report as unfair, to put it mildly. 

However, the ambassador was also not in a position to point out any specific flaws with the report. What is the lesson to learn? In case the report is handled in the end as shown by the Israelis and the US then Israel got a carte blanche to start any war at any time against the Palestinians with all their military force which is paid by the Americans and to a smaller extent by the Germans and with no limitations and no peace in sight, just as the extreme right-wing Israeli politicians like it. I firmly believe that the members of the Arab League have to work out a political and economic plan when the 40 years occupation has to be terminated and what actions they will take if this is not achieved otherwise Israel, the United States and the American Jewish lobby will swallow this as lip service.

 

Ricardo Kolbe

Cologne, Germany