The Roadmap is Finished, Mr. Secretary
U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell stated in a recent speech that the Roadmap for peace is not finished. Powell's words defied reality. The U.S. brokered peace initiative was born dead, and whatever ray of hope the document might have possessed, has already been assassinated by Israel, literally.
"We've already seen reports on television that say, well, the Roadmap is now finished, or the ceasefire is over, or this is all off track. No, it is not," Powell breached to a group of Arab and Israeli kids in Maine, gathering for a three-week summer camp.
Setting aside the violations of the Roadmap by Israel, he signaled out the only violent Palestinian retaliation, stating, "we will not be stopped by bombs, we will not be stopped by this kind of violence."
I cannot confirm, but I have a feeling that Powell's courageous exclamation won him lasting applause by the kids and their mentors at the camp.
I only wish that Powell's courage was abundant enough to acknowledge the 856 Israeli violations of the Roadmap. Wouldn't it have been equally appropriate to exclaim: "we will not be stopped by assassinations, home demolitions, military checkpoints, the building of illegal settlements, the uprooting of trees, the seizure of land and the deteriorating health of most Palestinian children as a result of Israel's siege and military closures?"
But on the other hand, maybe such a lengthy statement is not as striking as Powell's original one: "We will not be stopped by bombs." Indeed, listing Israel's violations, all 856 of them, is likely to last for hours and is unlikely to win the respected Secretary the children's applause.
But even my sarcastic remarks are insufficient to convey the frustration felt by many Palestinians, a frustration that gave birth to two Palestinian bombings in Israel, on August 12, after a lull in violence that lasted for weeks.
These are some of the truths that you choose to ignore, Mr. Secretary. The signing of the ceasefire agreement on June 29, Hudna, created a different reality on the ground, since, for the first time in years, Palestinians refrained from attacking Israeli targets, military or otherwise. The Palestinian commitment to the ceasefire and the restraint Palestinian groups exhibited astonished even Palestinians themselves.
But Israel didn't reciprocate. Land confiscation continued. Bids to build new illegal settlements, commissioned by the Israeli government, were published in Israeli newspapers. Raids on West Bank towns and villages never ceased. Threats, incitement and provocative schemes by Israeli officials - such as attempts by a Knesset member to force his way into al-Aqsa Mosque, which sparked the ongoing uprising in the first place - were a daily practice.
Even more, Mr. Secretary. Sharon made it clear that he cares little about the Palestinian ceasefire. Rather than using the opportunity to rebuild the battered mutual trust between Palestinians and Israelis, he demanded that every Palestinian group be dismantled.
Mr. Secretary, wouldn't you expect that despite their impressive patience, Palestinians would feel compelled to respond sooner or later? Were you really taken by a surprise when a bomb or more went off in Israel, killing two Israelis on August 12? If you were, then you must've missed the news for over a month. Israel's attacks on the West Bank that killed seven Palestinians and wounded many more, since the signing of the Roadmap, left little doubt that Palestinian groups would soon retaliate.
But you and your government seemed only concerned with the Israeli victims. You uttered not a word to condemn Israel's killings, rampages and violations of the agreement. Only the bombs of Palestinians seem to echo in your ear. The firepower of the fourth strongest army in the world, used against a civilian population doesn't seem to bother you a bit.
I hate to be the one who breaks the bad news. Yes, the Roadmap is finished. It was on Israel's "targeted killing" list from the day it was leaked out to the media. I even contest that the peace initiative was born dead. It was neither fair, nor was it meant to achieve a just peace. It was a political ploy so that President Bush might polish his tattered image, that of a warmonger.
If your government were genuine in its quest for peace, it would've exerted equal pressure on Sharon's government; it would've stopped channeling billions of dollars of military aid to Israel, aid that is urgently needed by low-income and poor American families; it would not have applauded Sharon, perceived by millions worldwide as a convicted war criminal.
If you were genuine, Mr. Secretary, you would've stood proudly, held your head high and declared that "Israel must also respect international law, and we will see to it that Israel implements every U.N. resolution it snubbed throughout the years." But you haven't. You choose to impress a few kids at a summer camp in Maine, by blaming the victim, as you have always done.
You see, Mr. Secretary, the word "honest broker", a role that your government assumed many years ago, is not merely an honorary title. It is a responsibility; a responsibility that I dare say, you have failed to fulfill.
Ramzy Baroud is the editor-in-chief of http://PalestineChronicle.com and the editor of the anthology entitled "Searching Jenin: Eyewitness Accounts of the Israeli Invasion," now available at: www.palestinebooks.com
To buy "Searching Jenin: Eyewitness Accounts of the Israeli Invasion" CLICK HERE
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As for Mr. Powell, why should he care what happens to Palestinian children or civilians? After all he spent several years as a combat soldier in Viet Nam honing his skills and erasing his conscience.
Jews dont use suicide bombing because they dont have to, they can accomplish their goal of ethnic cleansing through f-16s, tanks and all the latest military hardware, while the Palestinians have to fend for themselves, refugees in their land. And dont tell me that the Israelis dont take civilian lives, they do, far more than the Palestinians ever do. Look up the numbers.
You also seem to have zero history to back up false claims....Hamas and the other outfits fighting the Israelis came after Israel invaded Palestinian terratory. As far as God is concerned, the Israelis who are mostly athiests almost always cite "God" to claim that Palestine is theirs, it is on this false premise that Ashkenazi rejects from Europe used terror and genocide to take the land from its rightful inhabitants and continue to do so.
The bottom line is this, Palestine belongs to the Palestinian people, they have every right to resist, and you would sound far less of a hypocrite if you educated yourself on the issues...start by turning the TV off.
You dont think the Ashkenazi jewish terrorists go to heaven do you ?
Incidently, one of the charaterstics of a caldera volcano is that its highest point - following a spectacular ejection of super heated stone up into the atmosphere - becomes its lowest point. (see Quran 11:82, 15:74, 15:80-84) I believe in the Quran - as well as the Psalms and in Allah's other books - and understand things to the extent that Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) wills that I understand them (Ameen). Subhanallah.
I am trying to learn more about Jewish blessings (and Kaddish) - currently, from 'Essential Judaisim' by G. Robinson. Please forgive me for delay in good works. Oseh shalom bim'romav, hu ya'sseh shalom aleinu v'al kol Yisrael / May the One who causes peace to reign in Heaven let peace descent on us and on all Israel. (Ameen.)
I praise Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) for the works of all those in (or concered with) Iraq - the sheiks, administrators and others - who have introduced our officers to the benefits of "respecting local sensibilities" - may Allah bless you (and yours). And who is the best of planners? Also, I sob when I hear of the rejection of "blood money" compensation - because of what seems to be the family's anger. For a little "background information" on the subject of "blood money" compensation (if you please) see Quran 4:92, ahadith, et cetera.
There is no god but One, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), and Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is the messenger of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'alal). Assalamu alaikum.
When will the western governmnets (US/UK esp) realzie that they cannot support an apartheid government (Israel) that kills innocent civilians.
Don't rush to judgement on other peoples actions without first looking at yourself?
Asif
---John said----
Comment
When will the Islamics grow up and get a grip on reality?
When will all people realize that suicide bombers are in total contradiction against God?
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Alternative Comment by the same visitor
Grow up all Muslims!
Stop murdering in the name of God!
Assalamu alaikum.
Who calls Muslims, Islamics?
I am a Christian, an evangelical, to be exact, and I have also served in the military and now I am extremely concern with islamic politics and though (religious and social). I can only tell you, John, that over the last 13 yrs that I have been aware of the palestinian strugle, I have seen Israel destroy, abuse, and murder at will in Palestine. It makes me sad that we dont hold the isrealites accountable for their crimes. We only hear about the suicide bombers on TV but have you ever wonder why they got to that point. We must ask our selves that very question, not to find an excuse for them but to understand the reason of the conflict.
P.S.
for every one israelite that is kill by a suicide bomber, israel kills three.
Think about it, what is wrong here?
I am just happy that many of my evangelical brothers are changing their attitude towards isreal, We can not keep on supporting them the way thing are going.
I know not to what extent I will be accountable (by the will of YHWH) for the iniquities of my ancestors. Never the less, I have a desire - to the extent I am able (by the will of YHWH) - to remedy any harm caused by my ancestors or any harm caused by that which yielded the sorts of advantages my ancestors typically enjoyed (in this world). Admittedly, my desire to remedy the misdeeds of my ancestors is, at least partly, the product of my own fear - of YHWH - alhamdulillah (the praise be to YHWH). It would seem however that I could at least take cold comfort from having been but a descendent of those for whom I would pray who profited the most from the seizure of that which was their neighbors'.
Shalom aleichem. (Peace be with you.)
--Yahya Bergum
Nobody can blame the Palestinians for defending themselves from Ashkhenazi terrorists from Europe.
It seems to be that when ever the US does something to help out our fellow humans who are Muslum, the US is repaid with lies and violence.
i.e. Iraq, Somolia
I agree that US has not always acted in best manner in the middle east, but no country does. To me it looks like many people in the Iraq and Somolia would rather starve, fight, and hate than develop a country with opportunities and peace. It saddens me to see the people living in such a manner when there is the possiblity for countries like Iraq to be properous.
I know that in writing this that people are likely to post after me, and those post will probably consist of insults. I just wish something a bit more constructive could be done.
It seems to be that when ever the US does something to help out our fellow humans who are Muslum, the US is repaid with lies and violence.
i.e. Iraq, Somolia
I agree that US has not always acted in best manner in the middle east, but no country does. To me it looks like many people in the Iraq and Somolia would rather starve, fight, and hate than develop a country with opportunities and peace. It saddens me to see the people living in such a manner when there is the possiblity for countries like Iraq to be properous.
I know that in writing this that people are likely to post after me, and those post will probably consist of insults. I just wish something a bit more constructive could be done.
muslims listen the only way to win is to go back to your religion there only 10,000,000 jews and they are rich god gave you the right religion
use iti am only 12 years old.
The intention of these thugs in the U.S. gov't is to steal, oppress, and spread violence throughout the globe. Unfortunately, many muslims have resorted to violence, i.e.-suicide bombing. Yeah, it is tough to sit back and see your whole towns destryed by American made bombs, but Muslims need to be patient and show the disbelievers the TRUE CONTENT OF ISLAM.
Muslims need to find alternative ways to STAND FIRMLY against injustices and oppressions. For example, more Muslims should be participating in U.S. gov't. The people of the Middle East should immediately overthrow their gov'ts who are puppets of the U.S., invite more people more the U.S. to the Palestine and make them see the situations.
In order to change the thugs into a civilized creatures, Muslims need to sow the seed of decency in the children of these thugs, exactly like the KIDS OF MECCA did in the 7th century.
MUSLIMS NEED TO BE PATIENT. THE PAST WAS WORSE THAN THE PRESENT. HENCE, BE PATIENT. STOP SUICIDE BOMBINGS. NEED TO SHOW THE ENEMIES OF ISLAM HOW TO BEHAVE, like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did. BE PROACTIVE and Forgive your enemies.
BE PATIENT AND WORK HARD to change situations the right ways.
When will all people realize that suicide bombers are in total contradiction against God?
There is little doubt about Israel's racial and expansionist ideologies which will continue to grow ever more belligerent and homicidal with each passing day. In fact, zionism has adapted nazi ideology and its implementation quite well, to the point that it is vitually in-distinguishable. Palestinians, will continue to blow themselves up, the rationale being; that there is no other way to deal with such an agressor. Both countries full of hate, freely supplied by arms dealers and other private interests, while the rest of the world wallows in propaganda.
As Muslims throughout the world we must give strong advice to our Muslim bretheren in Palestine, and to let them know that they have not been forsaken. Those who continually agitate in order to invoke Israeli military response are in fact, acting as collaborators against their own people, and would do well to consider what they are helping Israel to do.
Lastly, All Muslims and people of conscience, must work to stop the U.S and other countries from suppling multi-billion dollar funds and arms to Israel, and stop them from talking from both sides of their faces, and expose them to public view.
Sincerely