I Believe in You

poem by Khalil Gibran
Cedrus libani - Cedar of Lebanon

I Believe in You

(to the Americans of Lebanese origin)

I believe in you, and I believe in your destiny.

I believe that you are contributors to this new civilization.

I believe that you have inherited from your forefathers an ancient dream, a song, a prophecy, which you can proudly lay as a gift of gratitude upon the lap of America.

I believe that you can say to the founders of this great nation, "Here I am, a youth, a young tree whose roots were plucked from the hills of Lebanon, yet I am deeply rooted here, and I would be fruitful."

And I believe that you can say to Abraham Lincoln, the blessed, "Jesus of Nazareth touched your lips when you spoke, and guided your hand when you wrote; and I shall uphold all that you have said and all that you have written."

I believe that you can say to Emerson and Whitman and James, "In my veins runs the blood of the poets and wise men of old, and it is my desire to come to you and receive, but I shall not come with empty hands."

I believe that even as your fathers came to this land to produce riches, you were born here to produce riches by intelligence, by labor.

I believe that it is in you to be good citizens.

And what is it to be a good citizen?

It is to acknowledge the other person's rights before asserting your own, but always to be conscious of your own.

It is to be free in word and deed, but it is also to know that your freedom is subject to the other person's freedom.

It is to create the useful and the beautiful with your own hands, and to admire what others have created in love and with faith.

It is to produce by labor and only by labor, and to spend less than you have produced that your children may not be dependent upon the state for support when you are no more.

It is to stand before the towers of New York and Washington, Chicago and San Francisco saying in your heart, "I am the descendant of a people that builded Damascus and Byblos, and Tyre and Sidon and Antioch, and now I am here to build with you, and with a will."

http://leb.net/gibran/

letters 8-5-2006

on polls concerning what America really feels about Israel

Dear CNN,

While you quote all this supposed support for Israel, are you aware of the new Israeli weapon . The Times (UK) reports

Israel backed by army of cyber-soldiers

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2289232,00.html

"Israel’s Government has thrown its weight behind efforts by supporters to counter what it believes to be negative bias and a tide of pro-Arab propaganda. The Foreign Ministry has ordered trainee diplomats to track websites and chatrooms so that networks of US and European groups with hundreds of thousands of Jewish activists can place supportive messages.

In the past week nearly 5,000 members of the World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS) have downloaded special “megaphone” software that alerts them to anti-Israeli chatrooms or internet polls to enable them to post contrary viewpoints. A student team in Jerusalem combs the web in a host of different languages to flag the sites so that those who have signed up can influence an opinion survey or the course of a debate."

In light of this it is rather obvious that your polls are much more likely to be passing on a foreign country's propaganda campaign ON and against America- than to actually reflect American opinion.

Just another very concrete example of how our "friend" Israel prefers to cheat.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

*********************************************************************

RE: Families Find Refuge in Shade of a Beirut Park
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/04/AR2006080401619.html

Dear Editor,

Regarding the thousands fleeing fighting in South Lebanon... as the Palestinians already very much know- there is no refuge from racist Israel the 58 year old home wrecking killing machine of institutionalized bigotry, injustice and perpetual war.

A cease fire of any type is merely temporary. It really is best to just insist on a Cease Israel. Stop the hate and this Israeli made mess... Dismantle and disarm the crime against humanity caused by political Zionism.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

*********************************************************************

RE: Jews in the diaspora and in Israel yearn for peace
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/bcc25070-2356-11db-848d-0000779e2340.html

Dear Sirs,

I very much disagree with Laurence Kaye's perspective on Israel, and his misguided inclination to protect the idea of and the continued existence of the so-called Jewish State . His view of "Arabs and Jews" obscures the blatant bigotry that is Israel with its continued investments in political Zionism and a far reaching economic war on indigenous non-Jews, both Christian & Muslims.

Israel primarily wants a comprehensive smokescreen to hide its many racist crimes against humanity... had Israel ever honesty wanted peace and a true democracy with full and equal rights for ALL it would have long ago fully respected and complied with UN Resolution 194 (from 1948) the Palestinian refugees inalienable right of return.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

**********************************************************************

RE: Israel handcuffed by paragons of morality (letter)
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1154684948105&call_pageid=968332189003&col=968350116895

Dear Editor,

Israel is not at all "handcuffed by paragons of morality". Israel is merely despicably devious and dishonest in committing genocide in ways that will not be as noticeable and easily condemned. Attacking and destroying the infrastructures of Palestine and Lebanon ensures that many innocent and vulnerable Arab men, women and children will die of causes not directly attributed to Israeli bombs, thus obscuring the true tally of deaths caused by Israeli viciousness.

In addition, apart from the official estimates of damage, every home, every apartment, every work place, every field, every everything ruined by Israeli aggression is a lifetime of love and work decimated, an emotional memory that will last generations as well as being a huge economic setback for each family. Israel, racist Israel the hate mongering, home wrecking killing machine and economic war on us all really should be eliminated... for every one's sake- regardless of race or religion.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

*********************************************************************
RE: Mideast logic & Weeks of bombing leave nation in ruins
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2006/08/05/mideast_logic/
http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2006/08/05/weeks_of_bombing_leave_nation_in_ruins/

Dear Editor,

Regarding "Mideast logic" the letter by Kathryn Grammer, in light of all that Israel has done including this most recent barrage of nasty bombs leaving Lebanon in ruins- plus 58 years of pulverizing Palestinian homes and rights ... Israel, racist Israel the home wrecking killing machine really should be annihilated. Personally I prefer gently dismantled and disarmed- no one need die- but many Zionist really should be tried for crimes against humanity.

Political Zionism was a bad idea from the start- and it is only becoming more monstrous. Zionism is an investment in institutionalized bigotry, injustice and escalating violence and is the antithesis of every ideal about democracy and equality that America is supposed to cherish and protect.

There is no logic to Israel - there is only anger, hate and a blatantly racist war promoted by a nefarious propaganda campaign that seeks to empower an Israeli made "clash of civilizations" at America's expense.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

*********************************************************************

RE: Edward Said is no Palestinian
http://www.aspendailynews.com/article_15277

Dear Editor,

Apply the same exact logic as to who one is that Kudish deploys to define Said's identity, then we must also assume that there is no such thing as an Israeli Jew as they are all immigrants from abroad who created an artificial sovereignty over the place that really should be called Palestine.

And FYI Tikkun is not pro-Palestinian at all, it merely wants a kinder gentler racism to rule over the Holy Land. Zionist war camp and peace camp are a complimentary package that plays every side at once into empowering the idea of Israel.

We who believe in true freedom and democracy with full and equal rights for ALL, really should just say NO Israel !

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab


*********************************************************************

RE: " Bad karma " letter by Christine Arvizu
http://www.vermontguardian.com/commentary/082006/Aug4Letters.shtml

Dear Editor,

Such a huge relief to read Christine Arvizu's EXCELLENT letter "Bad karma" , concerning the artificial creation of Israel and how very crazy it is. I quite agree good doesn't come from bad and "No peace or joy will come from stolen property".

Furthermore, no good can emerge from world wide Zionist investments in the institutionalized bigotry and brutality that is Israel today.

Knowing what racist Israel is and does, only the most foolish, bigoted and clueless Jews elect to move there, ensuring that Israel as the so-called Jewish State will only elect to become more barbaric and backwards. In other words modern man made Israel's destiny is that what is bad now will only become worse.

The most effective ceasefire is not a temporary lull in full scale obvious war, allowing Israel to continue economic and military attacks on Arabs to continue in more subtle but just as insidious and cruel ways. The most effective and humane ceasefire is a cease Israel.

Stop the hate: End Israel with compassion, no one need be killed. Let Palestine and peace return in full with full and equal rights for ALL !

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

notes
*******************************************************************************************
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide http://www.hrweb.org/legal/genocide.html
************************************************************************************

The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem: Bishop Riah on the current crisis in the Middle East - Dear Friends,

For the past forty years we have been largely alone on this desert fighting a predator that not only has robbed us of all but a small piece of our historic homeland, but threatens the traditions and holy sites of Christianity. We are tired, weary, sick, and wounded. We need your help...... http://www.j-diocese.com/DiocesanNews/view.asp?selected=234#slbl234

****************************************************************************

It takes a few brave men and women in leadership positions to dare to speak the truth; losing that AIPAC support in government is the kiss of death, and academics who dare write the facts know that their tenured careers are over. Israel is in the position of dominating the US government to an extent never before seen in history, creating a regime who will fully fund a new Middle East� which in reality means Eretz Israel consisting of Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, northern Saudi Arabia and even Cyprus by some accounts. There is nothing speculative about these plans for hegemony everything has been laid out, written down, and presented for years.

We Are Untouchable By Tanya Hsu http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=75752&d=4&m=8&y=2006

****************************************************************************

What's it like to have your home demolished by Israeli terror squads
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/home_demolished_video_01_19_03.htm

Palestinian refugees open camps to aid Lebanese 'We understand each other. the south and gaza are going through the same tragedy' By Rym Ghazal Daily Star staff Saturday, July 29, 2006
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=74344

More than peace, more than justice, what Israel wants, what it has systematically worked towards constructing in the Middle East throughout the decades, is a Jewish state on as wide a swathe of land in historic Palestine as possible, with all Jerusalem as its capital and with as few Palestinians inside its borders as possible. It has rounded up the Palestinians outside its chosen borders (but under its occupation) in shrivelled and disjointed walled sections. 'All Israel Wants' by Rima Merriman http://umkahlil.blogspot.com/2006/07/all-israel-wants.html

Israel is seeking to cast itself as the victim even as it expels the people of Lebanon and Gaza from their homes <>The refugees' fury will be felt for generations to come by Karma Nabulsi http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1835247,00.html

When Jews Behave Like Nazis, They Become Nazis by Khalid Amayreh July 30, 2006 http://www.umkahlil.blogspot.com/

While Israel is a signatory of international charters guaranteeing the rights of children in times of conflict, it has proven time and again that it easily forfeits its moral obligation towards these agreements in order to push its own agenda. In both southern Lebanon and in the Gaza Strip, this policy has been brutally exemplified, Israel’s expansionist and destructive policies leaving a blood-stained trail across both countries. Children of a Lesser God By Joharah Baker for MIFTAH
http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=11031&CategoryId=3

US Housewife Affirms American Values in Denouncing Israel http://umkahlil.blogspot.com/2006/08/us-housewife-affirms-american-values.html


CALL FOR ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL http://www.pacbi.org/


The Right To Return IS a Basic Right Still Denied !!!
http://electronicintifada.net/bytopic/refugees.shtml
http://www.palestineremembered.com/Acre/Right-Of-Return/
http://imeu.net/news/background-briefings.shtml
http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=10241&CategoryId=4
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/israel-palestine/returnindex.htm
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/ref-qumsiyeh.html
http://www.un.org/unrwa/index.html
http://www.badil.org/index.html
http://www.al-awda.org/facts.html
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/687/region_ror.htm

and notice the trend that started more than 60 years ago is Israel terror squads making more and more refugees... Israeli forces render 100s of Gaza families homeless http://english.pnn.ps/

****************************************************************************

Letters: Define terrorism

The Oxford English Dictionary defines terrorism as "a policy intended to strike with terror those against whom it is adopted; the employment of methods of intimidation; the fact of terrorising or condition of being terrorised". Would this not include the Israeli bombing of Lebanese civilians ("War: who can stop it now?", 24 July) and the destruction of their infrastructure? Haris Aziz University of Warwick http://www.newstatesman.com/nsletters.htm

*********************************************************************************************************
Rest in Peace, Ismail Shammout – artist, historian, activist, advocate, compassionate humanist, and a Palestinian treasure. You will be missed, but your inspiring work will live on forever. Tawfiq Zayyad’s poem, “All I Have,” is a fitting tribute to end with:

ALL I HAVE

I never carried a rifle
On my shoulder
Or pulled a trigger.

All I have
Is a lute’s memory
A brush to paint my dreams,
A bottle of ink.

All I have
Is unshakeable faith
And an infinite love
For my people in pain.

For more information, please visit: www.shammout.com

Ismail Shamout (1930 – 2006) tribute by Haithem El-Zabri, July 4, 2006 http://www.palestineonlinestore.com/obituary.htm
Ismail Shammout was a refugee who lived the Palestinian experience fully, and went on to tell the story through art. Dispossession, exile, identity, suffering, perseverance, and struggle, are all predominant features of his brilliant oil paintings, and his remarkable way of advocating for his people's cause.

Shammout was born in 1930 in the Palestinian agricultural town of Lydda, son to a produce wholesale merchant. He remembered clearly how their world had turned upside down when they were driven out of their homes on July 12, 1948. The Israeli soldiers ordered them, at gunpoint, “Out! Out!” and the family of nine was instantly homeless.

*********************************************************************************************************
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.....

Article 13.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
*************************************************************************************************

Bishop Riah on the current crisis in the Middle East - 2nd Letter of Appeal, August 1, 2006

August 2, 2006. 15:36:35 Bishop Riah on the current crisis in the Middle East - 2nd Letter of Appeal, August 1, 2006 Dear Friends, When I wrote to you last Friday, I could not have imagined that a second Qana Massacre in a decade would be carried out by the State of Israel on Sunday when they dropped two bombs on a house, crushing at least fifty-six people, including thirty-four children and twelve women. They suffocated under dirt and debris, virtually buried alive in the make-shift bomb shelter where they had had little water and food and no toilet. More...
July 26, 2006. 12:31:28 Bishop Riah on the current crisis in the Middle East Dear Friends, For the past forty years we have been largely alone on this desert fighting a predator that not only has robbed us of all but a small piece of our historic homeland, but threatens the traditions and holy sites of Christianity. We are tired, weary, sick, and wounded. We need your help.

more.....
http://www.j-diocese.com/DiocesanNews/view.asp?selected=234#slbl234

letters 8- 4 - 2006

RE: Victor Davis Hanson 's Mideast's creed of victimization
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.hanson04aug04,0,7810538.story?coll=bal-pe-opinion

Dear Editor,

There is one rather glaring mistake in Victor Davis Hanson 's scorn filled " Mideast's creed of victimization". He neglected to factor in the Palestinian refugees- the largest longest running refugee crisis in the world with Israel growing quite wealthy as "The Jewish State" that freely takes Palestinian land and cultural treasures and pushes the native non-Jews into abject poverty and despair. This isn't the days of Columbus when adventurers were so clueless they assumed America was India. This isn't even 100 years ago when Jim Crow laws kept former slaves far far away from full and equal rights. This is 2006 and Israel is bigotry and injustice at a time when we really do know better !

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

*******************************************************************

RE: At Harvest Time in Israel, There's No One to Pick the Fruit
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-growers4aug04,1,470596.story?coll=la-headlines-world

Dear Editor,

Reading "At Harvest Time in Israel, There's No One to Pick the Fruit" I can not help but think of the many privileged immigrants who are welcomed in by the misnamed Jewish state where they reap many economic benefits while the persecuted and impoverished Palestinians who once worked the land and made their home bloom, are cruelly trapped with no water in crowded refugee camps and bombed because they dare object to the institutionalized bigotry that is Israel.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

*********************************************************************

RE: Massacre at Qana may be a turning point by Karim Makdisi
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/editorial/15193480.htm

Dear Editor,

How many times will Israeli massacres re-occur, killing Arab children, while the world cringes away from just simply insisting- No more Israel: No more armed institutionalized bigotry masquerading as a sovereign state. No more Zionist lies and propaganda. No more walls of hate... no more Israel as the "Jewish" State !

And no more blaming and bashing America for this Israel made mess in the Middle East. Political Zionism is a manipulative war on ALL people- and all democracy: Political Zionism alone is to blame for Zionist crimes.

On 9-11 I watched in horror as televised Israeli leaders and "terrorism experts" grabbed America's pain and defined it, pushing America into this Israeli made war on and of terror... Fools forget the games racist Israel plays to plant escalating injustice in the Holy Land and beyond.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

****************************************************************************

RE: Israel's Lost Moment by Charles Krauthammer & U.S. Family Lays 'Lone Soldier' Son to Rest in Israel
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/03/AR2006080301258.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/03/AR2006080301539.html

Dear Editor,

While America's misguided Jewish sons go off to be demographic pawns for the very racist Israel, dying to promote the toxic delusion that institutionalized bigotry and injustice are worth defending, word warriors like Krauthammer do what they can to convince us that this is all about fighting Islam.

Political Zionism armed itself, infiltrated, attacked and aggressively usurped and destroyed Palestine long before Islam became the threat it seems to be today. Secular resistance to racist Israel has been decimated so now Islam rises up to resist. And America needs to resist this Zionist push to place all the blame on America: Israel's crimes are Israel's crimes.

Racist Israel is in fact a lost cause and always has been, despite all the pretty spin that props it up like a castle in the air.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

**********************************************************

RE: America supports Israel because it's right
http://www.projo.com/opinion/letters/content/projo_20060804_04lete.1be7934.html

Dear Editor,

America supports Israel because America has been very much misinformed and mislead by the agents of a foreign country who have been waging a huge propaganda campaign to win American "hearts and minds" - and money plus weaponry to empower and protect the misguided notion of Israel as "The Jewish State".

Meanwhile millions of Palestinian refugees could easily tell you the truth about the institutionalized bigotry and brutality of the Zionist immigrants, thieves and scoundrels currently stealing and destroying Palestine.

One does not have to be an extremist to realize it is utterly insane to compromise with a crime against humanity: All the world should just say NO Israel - for every one's sake !

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

********************
notes...
*******************************************************************************************
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide http://www.hrweb.org/legal/genocide.html
*******************************************************************************************
What's it like to have your home demolished by Israeli terror squads
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/home_demolished_video_01_19_03.htm

Palestinian refugees open camps to aid Lebanese 'We understand each other. the south and gaza are going through the same tragedy' By Rym Ghazal Daily Star staff Saturday, July 29, 2006
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=74344

More than peace, more than justice, what Israel wants, what it has systematically worked towards constructing in the Middle East throughout the decades, is a Jewish state on as wide a swathe of land in historic Palestine as possible, with all Jerusalem as its capital and with as few Palestinians inside its borders as possible. It has rounded up the Palestinians outside its chosen borders (but under its occupation) in shrivelled and disjointed walled sections. 'All Israel Wants' by Rima Merriman http://umkahlil.blogspot.com/2006/07/all-israel-wants.html

Israel is seeking to cast itself as the victim even as it expels the people of Lebanon and Gaza from their homes <>The refugees' fury will be felt for generations to come by Karma Nabulsi http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1835247,00.html

When Jews Behave Like Nazis, They Become Nazis by Khalid Amayreh July 30, 2006 http://www.umkahlil.blogspot.com/

While Israel is a signatory of international charters guaranteeing the rights of children in times of conflict, it has proven time and again that it easily forfeits its moral obligation towards these agreements in order to push its own agenda. In both southern Lebanon and in the Gaza Strip, this policy has been brutally exemplified, Israel’s expansionist and destructive policies leaving a blood-stained trail across both countries. Children of a Lesser God By Joharah Baker for MIFTAH
http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=11031&CategoryId=3

US Housewife Affirms American Values in Denouncing Israel http://umkahlil.blogspot.com/2006/08/us-housewife-affirms-american-values.html


CALL FOR ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL http://www.pacbi.org/


The Right To Return IS a Basic Right Still Denied !!!
http://electronicintifada.net/bytopic/refugees.shtml
http://www.palestineremembered.com/Acre/Right-Of-Return/
http://imeu.net/news/background-briefings.shtml
http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=10241&CategoryId=4
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/israel-palestine/returnindex.htm
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/ref-qumsiyeh.html
http://www.un.org/unrwa/index.html
http://www.badil.org/index.html
http://www.al-awda.org/facts.html
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/687/region_ror.htm

and notice the trend that started more than 60 years ago is Israel terror squads making more and more refugees... Israeli forces render 100s of Gaza families homeless http://english.pnn.ps/

****************************************************************************

Letters: Define terrorism

The Oxford English Dictionary defines terrorism as "a policy intended to strike with terror those against whom it is adopted; the employment of methods of intimidation; the fact of terrorising or condition of being terrorised". Would this not include the Israeli bombing of Lebanese civilians ("War: who can stop it now?", 24 July) and the destruction of their infrastructure? Haris Aziz University of Warwick http://www.newstatesman.com/nsletters.htm

*********************************************************************************************************
Rest in Peace, Ismail Shammout – artist, historian, activist, advocate, compassionate humanist, and a Palestinian treasure. You will be missed, but your inspiring work will live on forever. Tawfiq Zayyad’s poem, “All I Have,” is a fitting tribute to end with:

ALL I HAVE

I never carried a rifle
On my shoulder
Or pulled a trigger.

All I have
Is a lute’s memory
A brush to paint my dreams,
A bottle of ink.

All I have
Is unshakeable faith
And an infinite love
For my people in pain.

For more information, please visit: www.shammout.com

Ismail Shamout (1930 – 2006) tribute by Haithem El-Zabri, July 4, 2006 http://www.palestineonlinestore.com/obituary.htm
Ismail Shammout was a refugee who lived the Palestinian experience fully, and went on to tell the story through art. Dispossession, exile, identity, suffering, perseverance, and struggle, are all predominant features of his brilliant oil paintings, and his remarkable way of advocating for his people's cause.

Shammout was born in 1930 in the Palestinian agricultural town of Lydda, son to a produce wholesale merchant. He remembered clearly how their world had turned upside down when they were driven out of their homes on July 12, 1948. The Israeli soldiers ordered them, at gunpoint, “Out! Out!” and the family of nine was instantly homeless.

*********************************************************************************************************
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.....

Article 13.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
*****************************************************************************************************

How Israel manipulates and distorts American public perceptions : Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article14055.htm

Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land
U.S. Media & the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

How Israel manipulates and distorts American public perceptions

Through the voices of scholars, media critics, peace activists, religious figures, and Middle East experts, Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land carefully analyzes and explains how--through the use of language, framing and context--the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza remains hidden in the news media, and Israeli colonization of the occupied terrorities appears to be a defensive move rather than an offensive one.

07/17/06 Runtime 79 Minutes

The Real Story uncensored- Israel terrorizes, injures and kills Palestine's children

Eight Palestinians killed; 29 injured in overnight invasion of Gaza Strip

Date: 03 / 08 / 2006 Time: 11:47

Khan-Younis - Ma'an - Eight Palestinians, among them a child, have been killed and a further 29 injured, since midnight, in armed confrontations between the Israeli military and members of Palestinian resistance during an Israeli invasion to the town of Al Shokeh, near the 'President Yasser Arafat' Gaza international airport, south-east of the city of Rafah. Ma'an's correspondent said that the body of one of the Palestinians admitted to the morgue had been cut into pieces by the Israeli weapons used. Our correspondent made clear that this victim's name was Ziad Sleman Shekh El-Eid, 23 years old. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli helicopters made six air strikes in the region overnight. Palestinian sources stated, late on Wednesday, that two children had been injured by shrapnel bursting out of an Israeli missile in the Al Shokeh area, south east of Rafah. The injured children are brother and sister, Riham Abu Hassun, 6 years old, and Mohammed Abu Hassun, 4 years old. Israeli military sources, quoted on Thursday morning, that ground forces are carrying out 'security activity' in Gaza International Airport, aiming to eliminate any threats toward Israel. At midnight, Israeli forces entered several areas of Rafah and southern Gaza, carrying out military operations against "the infrastructure of the Palestinian resistance brigades". According to Palestinian security sources, the Israeli forces heavily bombarded several inhabited areas, hitting several Palestinian houses, killing and injuring residents. http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=14021

letters 8-3- 2006

RE: For Israel, innocent civilians are fair game
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/03/opinion/edbouck.php

Dear Editor,

Does it really have to take a full scale slaughter, a merciless massacre plus the pulverizing of an entire country to headline Israeli crimes ? Apparently so.

And in the opened aired prison camp called Gaza, for months on end, Israel has been killing children- but nary a word on that. No real outrage focused on the largest longest running refugee crisis in the world as those vulnerable families that have seen their homes destroyed time and time again and have the most reason to object to the idea of Israel are vilified and dismissed. And their kin world wide are so busy trying pin it all on America they miss the point that political Zionism is a war on ALL of humankind with the Palestinians, and now the Lebanese, bearing most of the pain.

I do not think peace can or should be made with racist Israel.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab


******************************************************************

RE: Superman analogy just doesn't fly
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/letters/la-le-thursday3.4aug03,0,6785049.story?coll=la-news-comment-letters

Dear Editor,

The Superman analogy just doesn't fly because America has been invaded by a foreign country that clearly wants our money and sympathy but has utter scorn for our ideals concerning equal rights for ALL. Israel pretends to be our friend, but Israel isn't.

Political Zionism is a racist war not just on Palestine, and now Lebanon- but on America too, a divisive hate mongering campaign on ALL people- regardless of religion or nationality.

If America was Superman then Israel is actually our kryptonite... ever notice that no matter what America says or does Israel actually just does what it wants.

We do all sovereign nations a huge injustice by shifting the blame away from the crime called Israel and ignoring the toxic ideology and its many propagandists that arm the apartheid of political Zionism- the toxic ideology that has been interfering with our free speech while, with out a doubt, Zionists commit genocide in the Holy Land.

We really should, for everyone's sake, just say NO Israel !

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

*****************************************************************

RE: Conflict in Lebanon In Middle East's problems lie the solutions by Omar M. Dajani
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/08/03/EDGOBIQ0901.DTL&hw=dajani&sn=001&sc=1000

Dear Editor,

I was relieved to the column " Conflict in Lebanon In Middle East's problems lie the solutions" by Omar M. Dajani because with great wisdom and gentle patience he ventures into the heart of the conflict in seeing and explaining a broad spectrum of ongoing Israeli crimes against the people of Palestine.

It really is ridiculous that Zionist pundits harp on Resolution 1559, while for the past 58 years Israel has demonized and refused to respect U.N Resolution 194 (from 1948) regarding the Palestinian refugees inalienable right to return.

Now, because of Israeli's escalating brutality and home wrecking policies, Palestinian refugee camps welcome in Lebanese refugees and share their meager resources. .. it's the Widow's Mite, all the more generous because they already have so little left to give.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

***************************************************

RE: Won't forgive Gibson
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/15184902.htm

Dear Editor,

Rumors of Mel Gibson's sizable donation to the state of Israel following his foolish drunkard tirade, is proof that he is indeed, as they like to say, "an anti-Semite" ... Any one who honestly cares about combating racist hate realizes that political Zionism is nothing but institutionalized bigotry and investing in Israel today is merely an investment in heavily armed bigotry.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

*******************************************************************

LOCAL COMMENT: Noble words alone will not build bridges by BY TERRY AHWAL-MORRIS
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060803/OPINION02/608030326/1070/OPINION

Dear Editor,

I really liked Terry Ahwal-Morris's column " Noble words alone will not build bridges" clearly loving Palestine and its people... except for one rather major sticking point: Political Zionism itself is nothing but a huge investment in bigotry and injustice- and abject cruelty. I think we need to divest from the idea of Israel and "The Jewish State. We need to invest in Palestine and a positive future for ALL God's children.

Israel has been an ongoing Al Nakba- a continuing catastrophe, an economic and emotional crisis for millions of innocent and vulnerable people abused, tormented, impoverished, pulverized and insulted by Israel Uber Allis which has shown nothing but scorn for the Palestinians basic human rights.

I abhor and denounce ALL violence- including the ongoing state sponsored terror and subversive propaganda campaign that IS Israel.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

************************************************************

RE: Rockets' aim sure letter by Ellen Trachtenberg
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/4090820.html

Dear Editor,

It is impossible for one to be both a proud American and a Zionist. Zionists work to promote Israel first and foremost, and to do so they seek to demonize Arabs and Muslims rather that help shape a just and lasting peace crafted from democratic ideals of full and equal rights for all.

Zionist want American money and sympathy for Israel, racist Israel, the home wrecking killing machine that has been stealing Palestine land and life for the past 100 years.

Israel, racist Israel is a nasty crime against humanity... and political Zionism is a totally toxic ideology. Stop the hate- end Israel.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

****************************************************************

ADC Strongly Condemns Israel's Qana Massacre, Bush Administration Complicit http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=2886

Dear ADC

I am sincerely concerned by this counterproductive push to protect Israel by blaming America for this mess in the Middle East.

American ideals are right, although our current foreign polices are very very wrong.

Why is it every one has forgotten about political Zionism and a huge propaganda campaign to steal American money and sympathy ?

Why is it that even the ADC itself is willing to promote the impression that Arab Americans hate America. This is a sound bit world. I sincerely doubt most Americans after being deluged by years of toxic Zionist propaganda will be able to get beyond the impression that Arabs (and Muslims) sincerely do hate America and thus they are the enemy within.

Either political Zionism is a toxic ideology and hate mongering war on us all- and Israel is actually America's enemy.... or Israel is right and this really is a clash of civilizations with Arabs and Muslims motivated solely by a desire to hate and destroy America.

Please do not help Zionist propagandists twin America and Israel. Fact is Israel has lied to America, deceived America, manipulated America and undermined our own democracy.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

********************************************************

RE: Ground to a Halt by Robert Pape
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/03/opinion/03pape.html

Dear Editor,

I do not think any American should be protecting or promoting Israel and Israeli "security" in any way because, in a nutshell, modern man made Israel is nothing but armed bigotry and arrogant immigrants who insist they are better than the native non-Jewish population.

Israel is our nemesis- and our real enemy. It came into being when humankind had realized the horror of genocide and the importance of basic human rights- but rather than shaping itself into a fair and just nation political Zionism empowers a home wrecking killing machine that hides behind a huge propaganda campaign that seeks to promote Israeli "security" in every way it can. Racist Israel is a crime against humanity.

I think, for every one's sake, it is reasonable and right to simply say NO Israel. Tear down the Israeli built walls of hate and let Palestine and peace return with real democracy including full and equal rights for ALL !

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

*****************************************************************

RE: Israel's lose-lose proposition
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0608030015aug03,0,3352445.story?coll=chi-newsopinioncommentary-hed
ctc-TribLetter@Tribune.com

Dear Editor,

Israel has been a lose-lose proposition from the beginning as it is nothing but an investment in armed bigotry and the destruction of Palestine. Racist Israel the home wrecking killing machine really should be blamed for it all !

Israel is state sponsored terrorism, but Zionists have been clever enough to get resistance and righteous indignation to blame and bash America rather than focusing in on the the fact that Israel really is the evil empire and its propaganda campaign to demonize and destroy Arabs and Muslims is a war on us all- regardless of our perceived race or religion.

Racist Israel wants walls of hate- and racist Israel wants anger and violence, because hate helps empower Israel's war mongering quest to demonize and destroy any who dare just say NO Israel.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab


***********************************************************

RE: Israeli phone calls mean attack is on the way
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/nation/15184228.htm

Dear Editor,

Regarding "Israeli phone calls mean attack is on the way" by Ashraf Khalil ... thank you for publishing an Arab voice, I do hope to hear more and more honest Arab perspectives as the apartheid walls of Zionist propaganda that have made this mess in the Middle East, come tumbling down.

Israel has been aggressively wrecking Palestinian homes and communities for its entire modern man made existence. There is no compassion in the phone call first. You hurt a person economically and psychologically when you demolish their home- and you hurt an entire family. You destroy a child's whole world and sanctuary, and you instantly pulverize the lifetime of work it takes to make a decent home.

And knowing how much of Israel has quite simply a bigoted quest to ethnically cleanse the Holy land of its native non-Jewish population, I can not help but wonder why Zionists aren't scorned and shunned world wide.

For every one's sake we really should remember the millions of persecuted and impoverished Palestinian refugees, the largest and longest running refugee crisis in the world, now joined by hundreds of thousands of Lebanese refugees- and we should just say NO Israel !

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

To Remember the Right to Return

Watching all the propaganda pushing this Israeli made clash of civilizations into place, I sincerely wish that that Arab Americans and Muslims in America would embrace calm reasonable rational approachs committed to comprehensive public education on the rights of all Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and lands of origin, and to be granted full restitution of all their confiscated and destroyed property in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International law and the numerous United Nations Resolutions upholding such rights.

I sincerely wish that more people who know and understand the very real plight of the Palestinian were willing to just simply gently but honestly reach out to

• Raise awareness in our communities concerning the human and legal rights of Palestinian refugees.

• Foster relationships with the media to help with the effort of educating the community of the human and legal rights of Palestinian refugees.

• Educate elected representatives on the grave implications resulting from the continuing violations of numerous human and legal rights of Palestinians, and how we can effect change.

• One by one explain gently and with true compassion to friends and colleagues the vital importance of fully respecting to Palestinian refugee rights.

One by one write letters to the media and to elected officials.

And I wish that more Arab Americans and Muslims and Jews and every one in America who sincerely understands the very real plight of the Palestinians would dedicate their hearts and their minds simply to fighting toxic Zionist propaganda by promoting and protecting the Palestinian refugees inalienable right of return.... making a positive difference in the lives of the millions who have been forgotten.

notes:
*******************************************************************************************
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide http://www.hrweb.org/legal/genocide.html
*******************************************************************************************
What's it like to have your home demolished by Israeli terror squads
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/home_demolished_video_01_19_03.htm

Palestinian refugees open camps to aid Lebanese 'We understand each other. the south and gaza are going through the same tragedy' By Rym Ghazal Daily Star staff Saturday, July 29, 2006
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=74344

More than peace, more than justice, what Israel wants, what it has systematically worked towards constructing in the Middle East throughout the decades, is a Jewish state on as wide a swathe of land in historic Palestine as possible, with all Jerusalem as its capital and with as few Palestinians inside its borders as possible. It has rounded up the Palestinians outside its chosen borders (but under its occupation) in shrivelled and disjointed walled sections. 'All Israel Wants' by Rima Merriman http://umkahlil.blogspot.com/2006/07/all-israel-wants.html

When Jews Behave Like Nazis, They Become Nazis by Khalid Amayreh July 30, 2006 http://www.umkahlil.blogspot.com/

CALL FOR ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL http://www.pacbi.org/

Back to Roots by Salman Abu Sitta http://www.al-awda.org/abusitta.html

The Right To Return IS a Basic Right Still Denied !!!
http://electronicintifada.net/bytopic/refugees.shtml
http://www.palestineremembered.com/Acre/Right-Of-Return/
http://imeu.net/news/background-briefings.shtml
http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=10241&CategoryId=4
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/israel-palestine/returnindex.htm
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/ref-qumsiyeh.html
http://www.un.org/unrwa/index.html
http://www.badil.org/index.html
http://www.al-awda.org/facts.html
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/687/region_ror.htm

and notice the trend that started more than 60 years ago is Israel terror squads making more and more refugees... Israeli forces render 100s of Gaza families homeless http://english.pnn.ps/

*********************************************************************************************************
Rest in Peace, Ismail Shammout – artist, historian, activist, advocate, compassionate humanist, and a Palestinian treasure. You will be missed, but your inspiring work will live on forever. Tawfiq Zayyad’s poem, “All I Have,” is a fitting tribute to end with:

ALL I HAVE

I never carried a rifle
On my shoulder
Or pulled a trigger.

All I have
Is a lute’s memory
A brush to paint my dreams,
A bottle of ink.

All I have
Is unshakeable faith
And an infinite love
For my people in pain.

For more information, please visit: www.shammout.com

Ismail Shamout (1930 – 2006) tribute by Haithem El-Zabri, July 4, 2006 http://www.palestineonlinestore.com/obituary.htm
Ismail Shammout was a refugee who lived the Palestinian experience fully, and went on to tell the story through art. Dispossession, exile, identity, suffering, perseverance, and struggle, are all predominant features of his brilliant oil paintings, and his remarkable way of advocating for his people's cause.

Shammout was born in 1930 in the Palestinian agricultural town of Lydda, son to a produce wholesale merchant. He remembered clearly how their world had turned upside down when they were driven out of their homes on July 12, 1948. The Israeli soldiers ordered them, at gunpoint, “Out! Out!” and the family of nine was instantly homeless.

*********************************************************************************************************
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.....

Article 13.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
*****************************************************************************************************

Christianity in Palestine: Misrepresentation and Dispossession

from Electronic Intifada

http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article5380.shtml

(this version is condensed- go to link to read full text)

Christianity in Palestine: Misrepresentation and Dispossession
Timothy Seidel, The Electronic Intifada, 2 August 2006

A view of the Old City of Jerusalem -- with both the Haram a-Sharif and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre visible -- from Dominus Flevit church on the Mount of Olives (Timothy Seidel)

Christianity in the Arab world has had a long and lively history, including in Palestine, where one still finds today communities of faith that stretch back thousands of years to the very beginnings of the church, where Arabic is spoken in liturgies and sermons, and where the church has played an integral role in the development of society, whether in terms of providing leadership in very difficult times or in pioneering valuable social services like education.

Today, of the roughly 3.9 million Palestinians living in the Occupied Territories, less than two percent are Christians. Of the 1.4 million Palestinians living inside Israel, meanwhile, roughly eight percent belong to Christian communities. Though small, these communities bear witness to two millennia of continuous Christian presence in the land called "holy" by much of the rest of the world.

Greek Catholic (Melkite) Palm Sunday service in Bethlehem (Christi Hoover Seidel)

iToday in Palestine, Christianity is experiencing what many would consider a crisis. This is not due to the growth of so-called Islamic fundamentalism or the persecution of "believers" by their Muslim neighbors, misrepresentations that are unfortunately used to distract from the realities of occupation. Instead, the plight of the Palestinian Christian is very much connected to that of the Palestinian Muslim in that both, whether in the Occupied Territories or inside Israeli itself, are experiencing daily injustices at the hands of oppressive and discriminatory policies imposed on them by the Israeli government.

Palestinian Christians, like their Muslim brothers and sisters, have experienced a long history of dispossession and have not been immune to Israeli policies of occupation and discrimination. If anything, they have felt more strongly the feelings of forsakenness, knowing full well that many Christians in North America and Europe support without question the state of Israel in its oppression of their people. Daily experiences of humiliation at checkpoints, of land confiscation to make way for the separation barrier, the illegal occupation and colonization of Palestinian territory, lack of mobility and access to basic services, unemployment, poverty, and no sense of hope for a better future for their children have all contributed to this growing emigration of Palestinian Christians from the historical land of Palestine.

Like their Muslim neighbors, who are prevented by checkpoints and roadblocks from making pilgrimage to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, Christians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are denied basic religious freedoms, routinely prohibited from traveling very short distances to worship in one of the most holy sites in Christianity -- the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City of Jerusalem, where the church commemorates Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection from the dead.

A famous ancient mosaic in the Church of the Loaves and Fishes on the sea of Galilee (taken by Christi Hoover Seidel)

For the Palestinian Christians of Bethlehem, for example, traveling the six-mile (ten-kilometer) distance to Jerusalem's Old City is impossible without special permission. Roughly half of Bethlehem's residents are Christian. Church leaders estimate that over 2,000 Christians have emigrated from the Bethlehem area since September 2000, representing a decline of more than nine percent of Bethlehem's total Christian population. [1]

Rev. Alex Awad, Palestinian pastor of the East Jerusalem Baptist Church, reminds us that "Palestinian Christians have existed in the Holy Land since the day of Pentecost and have kept the torch of Christianity burning faithfully for the past two thousand years." The erosion of Christianity in her birthplace, he poignantly observes "is a loss for the body of Christ everywhere. Can we imagine the Holy Land devoid of the Christian presence and a church which has been a faithful witness for Christ since the day the church was born?" [2]

Only recently, while the world fixes its gaze on the ongoing Israeli assault on the people of Lebanon -- both Muslim and Christian -- and gives little attention to Gaza and the Israeli-caused humanitarian disaster for the million and a half people living there, the Israeli military has begun uprooting ancient olive trees in Bethlehem's Cremisan area, marking out the path of the separation barrier to be built through one of the regions most valuable heritage sites.

Israel's wall in the West Bank is effectively annexing a large percentage of Bethlehem's agricultural land (Timonthy Seidel)

The Cremisan area is of significant heritage value, home to the only winery in Palestine and two monasteries. Some of the finest examples of the regions ancient terraced landscape can be found here. The wall will carve through these terraces destroying agricultural landscapes that have survived for centuries. When the wall is completed, Beit Jala district of the Bethlehem area will have lost access to two-thirds of its land.

It is not the Palestinian Muslim population that is responsible for the expropriation of more land for the construction of this 430-mile/700-kilometer separation barrier. It is not the Palestinian Muslim population that is responsible for the expansion of illegal settlements and the creation of a "Greater Jerusalem" depopulated of its Palestinian citizens. It is not the Palestinian Muslim population that is responsible for the checkpoints that obstruct mobility, nor the demolition of homes and other forms of collective punishment. It is not the Palestinian Muslim population that is responsible for the "one big prison" status of Gaza. It is not the Palestinian Muslim population that is responsible for this separation barrier that will become the de facto border of a "Palestinian State" composed of several isolated islands of land on roughly 40 to 50 percent of the West Bank..... No, it is the ongoing Israeli structure of occupation and dispossession that continues to devastate Palestinian livelihood for both Christian and Muslim alike.

At a time when the U.S. Congress is considering the plight of Palestinian Christians, they are witnessing the destruction of their community's land, heritage and livelihood. The people of Bethlehem have been very clear in their message to the international community, "If you want to help us, stop the construction of Israel's Wall." [3]

It is indeed hard to be Palestinian Christian these days. But it is also hard being a Palestinian Muslim. The fact of the matter is that it is hard simply being a Palestinian.


Timothy Seidel is a peace development worker with Mennonite Central Committee in the Occupied Palestinian Territories where he has lived for the past two years.

TELL THEM: ISRAEL.

an excellent post from http://angryarab.blogspot.com/
go to link to see the photos... http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2006/08/if-they-ask-you-who-did-that-to.html

If they ask you who did that to Lebanon and to the Lebanese, tell them: Israel. TELL THEM: ISRAEL. If they ask you who supported the Israeli war of aggression (directly and indirectly), tell them: US, EU, UN, Libya, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Jumblat, Hariri, Patriarch Sfayr, and Sanyurah. And if they ask you whether the victims will be forgotten, tell them: NEVER. And if they ask you whether Israel (as a racist, colonialist, and occupying state) will be integrated into the region, also tell them: NEVER.

Letters 8-2-2006

RE: Laying out the Qana calculation Horrific bombing sows death, rage By Rana El-Khatib
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0608020159aug02,0,6563716.story?coll=chi-newsopinioncommentary-hed

Dear Editor,

I welcome and applaud the fact that you published an authentic voice explaining, well .... the definite down side of Israeli bombs. And best yet it is a voice remembering Christian love, hope and miracles- mourning that the water Jesus turned to wine in Qana "has now been turned into blood" by Israeli violence.

We really we need to hear from those who know the true nature of Israeli bombs... and the true nature of Israel itself. Enough with the nefarious Zionist propagandists that sit in comfy living rooms everywhere pontificating about how best to "protect" Israel as the Jewish State. Please can we stop this insanity- this cruel brutal lie - this war machine... please can we listen to and maybe even learn to love and protect the children of Lebanon and Palestine.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab



***************************************************************************

RE: Refugees overwhelm Lebanon
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0802/p01s04-wome.html

Dear Editor,

100 years of political Zionism has created a monstrous mess of the Middle East, leading to a never ending displacement and slaughter of countless children and families... all so that the self proclaimed Jewish State can thrive and basically profit from Palestinian pain.

Imagine if the Holy Land were in Arab hands all along- no concrete wall of Israeli built hate, no IDF, no massive arsenal including nuclear bombs and armored bulldozers. No home wrecking campaigns large and small. No refugees- no refugee camps with millions of displaced and impoverished people.

Beirut would still just be Beirut, in a stunningly beautiful and precious country that should be creating artists and writers and scientists... and so should Palestine. Instead we have Israel, racist Israel as the self proclaimed Jewish State constantly stealing land, life and peace.

We really should, for everyone's sake, just say NO Israel.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab


*********************************************************************************

http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,19989650%255E421,00.html

ABC apologises for bias on kids' news show (
By Caroline Overington
02aug06 THE ABC has apologised to the Jewish community for presenting biased, anti-Israeli information to school children during an episode of Behind the News.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Corporate Communications website
http://www.abc.net.au/contact/

Dear ABC,

I am utterly horrified that while war mongering Israel as the self proclaimed and heavily promoted (and armed) "Jewish State" is creating hundreds of thousands of Lebanese refugees (in addition to the millions of Palestinian refugees already trapped in statelessness by blatantly racist Israeli laws and walls), you actually apologized to the Jewish community in response to their ridiculous complaint !

Biased ?!! What is biased is Israel's blatantly racist refusal to respect the Palestinians basic human rights including specifically UN Resolution 194 from 1948, the Palestinian refugees inalienable right of return !!

It calls itself the Jewish State, and you apologize to the Jewish Community so to be honest in our response we really must say in protest- Jewish bigotry empowering racist Israel shapes a propaganda war on us ALL (as in every citizen worldwide as well as every Palestinian non- citizen so scorned and abused by the so called Jewish State).

Catering to Jewish bigotry empowers political Zionism and the continued theft of Palestinian land, rights and life... this is a crime against humanity and you apologize to the very criminals making this possible by promoting their propaganda !

Shame on you !



******************************************************************

RE: Did Israel really need to savage the beauty of Beirut? by George E. Bisharat
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2006-08-01-beirut-beauty-edit_x.htm

Dear Editor,

Pearls are the oyster's tears: If we, the ones who love to love, strung together all our tears for the beloved children of Lebanon, Palestine and beyond, if we strung together all our tears for all the many innocents endangered, harmed and even slaughtered by the self proclaimed Jewish State, we would be buried in mountains and mountains of pearl necklaces coiled all the way to heaven where we hope God hears our plea... End Israel.

Enough with the hate. Enough with the lies. Stop the innate violence and bigotry- and state sponsored terror of modern man made Israel.

" In 1948, Jewish troops terrorized 750,000 Palestinian Christians and Muslims into flight." .... Nothing has changed, it only grows worse as Israel, racist Israel, freely vilifies, impoverishes and attacks vulnerable children trapped in refugee camps. Arab homes and lives, history and hope are all being pulverized by armed political Zionism.

It is reasonable and right to simply say No Israel. Let Palestine and peace return.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

**************************************************************************

RE: Only U.S. can bring sustainable peace Change Mideast dynamic so reach of Hezbollah terrorists doesn't increase by U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060802/OPINION01/608020323/1008

Dear Editor,

I believe that U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell is wrong, very wrong, to believe that Israel, racist Israel the nation of immigrant bigots and heavily armed ideologues, is any one's friend.

America has no truer enemy than the campaign of hate waged by Zionists everywhere, both war camp and "peace" camp working to undermine real democracy with full and equal rights and respect for ALL.

America should push for a cease Israel. Stand up and honestly confront the crime and the lie called Israel and end this cruel fiasco of escalating injustice and rage... for everyones sake.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

*********************************************************

RE: Mideast Lessons From 1973 by David Ignatius
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/01/AR2006080101073.html

Dear Editor,

The Zionist sneak attack on Palestine's economy long before the official establishment of Israel started this increasingly angry violent mess. Political Zionism has always been an investment in injustice and bigotry and violence- plus a polished propaganda campaign to hid that fact.

We would be wise to divest in every way possible from our "friend" racist war mongering Israel. We would be wise to realize that the so-called Jewish State is the epicenter of the Israeli made clash of civilizations. Israel is a lie and a crime...

We would be wise to just simply say NO Israel... for everyone's sake.

Invest in a just and lasting peace: Let Palestine and the Palestinian refugees return in full with full and equal rights for ALL.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

***************************************************************

RE: World again in denial about the evil it faces bu Shlomo Crandall
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060802/OPINION01/608020377/1031

Dear Editor,

I believe Crandell who sees Israel as blessed and Iran as evil is wrong- misguided, beguiled by a popular but totally toxic ideology called political Zionism.

Yes, we need to be honest. And the first step is to see that the Palestinians - and the Lebanese- really do have just cause for complaint. Israel is institutionalized bigotry wearing army boots, blessing endless injustice and escalating war. Israel, not Iran, is the one with the arsenal of nuclear weapons.

Israel as the so called Jewish State is a nation of heavily armed immigrant bigots scorning non-Jewish rights and life.

Racist Israel is wrong- all wrong, from start to finish, and racist Israel with its concrete wall of hate is only growing more cruel. Its propagandists are everywhere spinning the spin to obscure the fact that from the start-then, now and forever the Palestinian refugees have every right to resist oppression... and every right to return.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

notes
*********************************************************************************le**
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide http://www.hrweb.org/legal/genocide.html
************************************************************************************
What's it like to have your home demolished by Israeli terror squads
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/home_demolished_video_01_19_03.htm

Palestinian refugees open camps to aid Lebanese 'We understand each other. the south and gaza are going through the same tragedy' By Rym Ghazal Daily Star staff Saturday, July 29, 2006
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=74344

More than peace, more than justice, what Israel wants, what it has systematically worked towards constructing in the Middle East throughout the decades, is a Jewish state on as wide a swathe of land in historic Palestine as possible, with all Jerusalem as its capital and with as few Palestinians inside its borders as possible. It has rounded up the Palestinians outside its chosen borders (but under its occupation) in shrivelled and disjointed walled sections. 'All Israel Wants' by Rima Merriman http://umkahlil.blogspot.com/2006/07/all-israel-wants.html

The lies Israel tells itself (and we tell on its behalf) By: Jonathan Cook July 28 http://www.amin.org/eng/uncat/2006/july/july28-3.html

When Jews Behave Like Nazis, They Become Nazis by Khalid Amayreh July 30, 2006 http://www.umkahlil.blogspot.com/

CALL FOR ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL http://www.pacbi.org/

Back to Roots by Salman Abu Sitta http://www.al-awda.org/abusitta.html

The Right To Return IS a Basic Right Still Denied !!!
http://electronicintifada.net/bytopic/refugees.shtml
http://www.palestineremembered.com/Acre/Right-Of-Return/
http://imeu.net/news/background-briefings.shtml
http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=10241&CategoryId=4
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/israel-palestine/returnindex.htm
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/ref-qumsiyeh.html
http://www.un.org/unrwa/index.html
http://www.badil.org/index.html
http://www.al-awda.org/facts.html
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/687/region_ror.htm

and notice the trend that started more than 60 years ago is Israel terror squads making more and more refugees... Israeli forces render 100s of Gaza families homeless http://english.pnn.ps/

****************************************************************************

Letters: Define terrorism

The Oxford English Dictionary defines terrorism as "a policy intended to strike with terror those against whom it is adopted; the employment of methods of intimidation; the fact of terrorising or condition of being terrorised". Would this not include the Israeli bombing of Lebanese civilians ("War: who can stop it now?", 24 July) and the destruction of their infrastructure? Haris Aziz University of Warwick http://www.newstatesman.com/nsletters.htm

***********************************************************************************
Rest in Peace, Ismail Shammout – artist, historian, activist, advocate, compassionate humanist, and a Palestinian treasure. You will be missed, but your inspiring work will live on forever. Tawfiq Zayyad’s poem, “All I Have,” is a fitting tribute to end with:

ALL I HAVE

I never carried a rifle
On my shoulder
Or pulled a trigger.

All I have
Is a lute’s memory
A brush to paint my dreams,
A bottle of ink.

All I have
Is unshakeable faith
And an infinite love
For my people in pain.

For more information, please visit: www.shammout.com

Ismail Shamout (1930 – 2006) tribute by Haithem El-Zabri, July 4, 2006 http://www.palestineonlinestore.com/obituary.htm
Ismail Shammout was a refugee who lived the Palestinian experience fully, and went on to tell the story through art. Dispossession, exile, identity, suffering, perseverance, and struggle, are all predominant features of his brilliant oil paintings, and his remarkable way of advocating for his people's cause.

Shammout was born in 1930 in the Palestinian agricultural town of Lydda, son to a produce wholesale merchant. He remembered clearly how their world had turned upside down when they were driven out of their homes on July 12, 1948. The Israeli soldiers ordered them, at gunpoint, “Out! Out!” and the family of nine was instantly homeless.

*************************************************************************************
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.....

Article 13.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
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letters -8-1-2006