Israel/Palestine
Related: About this forumBehind the silent reaction of the Palestinian street
In private conversations, even those who support killing Israelis seem embarrassed by an attack on civilians at prayer; they dont speak out because they share the anger that led to the murder.By Amira Hass | Nov. 19, 2014 |
In recent weeks, government officials have called for intensifying the collective punishment of Jerusalems Palestinian residents to deter potential attackers. But these official, public threats did nothing to deterUday and Ghassan Abu Jamal. They planned their murderous operationdespite knowing their families would suffer one way or another: violent raids on their houses, arrests, humiliation, having their houses sealed or destroyed. They surely knew that if they werent killed, theyd be arrested, perhaps tortured during interrogation and sentenced to life. But none of this deterred them.
Its too easy and early to label Tuesdays murder in a synagogue as another incident in an emerging religious war. Hamas and other organizations that exploit religion would surely prefer to portray it that way; it strengthens their position as against the PLOs narrative, which still sees the roots of the conflict as colonial-national and requiring a political solution. But this dichotomy isnt complete: Even Hamas officials and other pious Muslims frequently say the problem isnt with Jews as a religious community, but against the occupation.
Nevertheless, theres no doubt that the skullcap, the hat and the prayer shawl are symbols, both for cartoonists and for those who physically want to harm representatives of the occupation. Like the keffiyeh and the hijab, they are visible signs that make it easier for someone who wants to take revenge on the enemy. Similarly, a synagogue during morning prayers is a convenient target not because its a house of prayer, but because its full of people who are undoubtedly members of the occupying nation.
One also shouldnt make light of the feelings roused in Jerusalems Palestinians, and Palestinians in general, by the discovery of the body of bus driver Yusuf al-Ramouni. Police hastened to declare him a suicide, but Palestinians dont see the police as an agency whose goal is to protect them. On the contrary: This is the police force that escorts the bulldozers that destroy their homes, that protects the settlers, that kills Palestinian demonstrators and petty criminals for no reason. Thus Palestinians fundamentally distrust the polices motives.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.627255
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the synagogue attack. His condemnation was honest and genuine, for both moral and pragmatic reasons. In besieged, destroyed Gaza, spokesmen for several Palestinian organizations congratulated the martyrs and voiced support and understanding for their deed. But among the broader public, the main reaction was silence.
When PLO and Fatah representatives are making the rounds of European capitals to encourage votes in favor of recognizing a Palestinian state, most people understand that such an attack could undermine the Palestinian cause, if only for a few weeks. Killing Jewish worshippers in a synagogue looks bad when Palestinian human rights groups are pushing Abbas to join the International Criminal Court so Israeli officials can be indicted for war crimes and violating international law.
Palestinians believe that all means, including armed struggle, are legitimate to fight the occupation. But in private conversations, even those who support killing Israelis seem embarrassed by an attack on civilians at prayer.
So why are those who oppose murdering civilians at prayer keeping silent now? Because they share the despair and anger that pushed the Abu Jamals to attack Jews in a synagogue. Like the Abu Jamals, they feel themselves under assault: The Israeli nation is constantly attacking them with all the tools at its disposal.
The Har Nof neighborhood, where the attack took place, is built on the lands of the former Palestinian village of Deir Yassin. Those who are keeping silent now see the murder as a response to an Israeli policy toward the Palestinians that has been one long chain of attacks, dispossessions and expulsions since 1948.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.627255
King_David
(14,851 posts)Now I don't need to pay for it.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)King_David
(14,851 posts)I read it here, now no need to pay Haaretz to read Amira Hass....bonus.