reed writes

Subtitle: “Pinning the Tail on the Other Donkey”

What follows, is the full text of Jack Layton’s “reply” to the open letter I sent him and other political leaders in defence of Libby Davies’ criticism of Israel. (You’ll notice he doesn’t bother to address me personally…not that it matters).

Jack Layton, Leader NDP Canada

Thank you for your message, I appreciate you taking the time to send us
your comments.

First, let me be clear that the position of the NDP with regard to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has not changed, a position that was democratically adopted at a Convention of our delegates from across Canada.  Our party has always been principled and constructive in how it addresses this complex issue; we recognize the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peaceful co-existence in viable, independent states with negotiated, agreed-upon borders. We are committed to working with like-minded allies in the region to make concrete and lasting progress toward peace. (more…)

The Non-Violent Path To Peace in the Middle East…

A Really Important Book

…it’s been a long weary road, with discouragement, defeat and disaster at every turn.  The Palestine brand can only be described as one that expresses the essence of suffering in the 21st century.

Maxine Kaufman-Lacusta

Maxine Kaufman-Lacusta, a long-time resident of Israel and passionate peace activist, has put together a book called “Refusing to be Enemies.” She says the strategy of non-violent action is having an impact. “When you are sent to jail for non-violent protest, then you know the authorities are paying attention.”

Peaceful demonstrators are defined as “enemies of the Israeli state.” All non-violent actions are carried out by Palestinians and Israelis together.

Dr. Franklin

Ms. Kaufman’s book is graced with an eloquent forward by the renowned Canadian scholar, Ursula Franklin. Professor Franklin says that the very term “enemy” is a heavily loaded one.

“Not only can the presence of “enemies” serve as social glue, their presumed evil intent and unbending hostility can become the justification for otherwise unacceptable actions against them. Once one appreciates the deep social roots of the concept of “The Enemy”, it becomes clear that refusing to be enemies is a profoundly political act.”

Ms. Kaufman’s book is a must read for all of us who care about peace.

Sometimes We Need To Reflect On Just Who We Are

We are quick to demonize Islam, calling it a male-centred, oppressive and aggressive religious belief. But in doing so, we forget not only our own history and past practices, we forget our own present-day sins.

The Christian Crusades constituted perhaps the bloodiest and most aggressive campaign against innocent people ever conducted by a religious civilization based – supposedly – on the teachings of Jesus. (more…)

The Great Israeli Spy Story

Anat Kam (transliterated from the Hebrew as Kamm), is a former member of the armed forces of Israel (IDF), one of the most powerful military organizations in the world.

The IDF is also an organization that apparently believes it is above the law.

Ms. Kam, a journalist in civilian life, was placed under house arrest last year.

Courageous Israeli Journalist

The charge was espionage.

She suspected her superiors were committing illegal acts, including crimes against humanity. That bothered her deeply. Although she is just 23, her conscience compelled her to act and she did – fearlessly.

(Ms. Kam worked for the Israeli General, who is in charge of The Occupied West Bank: General Yair Naveh).

What she did, in her capacity as a member of the IDF, was to copy secret documents that proved her suspicions and secretly make them available to the Israeli media: specifically the Israeli daily newspaper Ha’aretz and specifically the reporter, Uri Blau, who used the documents as the basis for a series of articles starting in November of 2008.

(Blau is now in hiding somewhere in Europe)

When the Israeli secret police deduced the source of some of Mr. Blau’s information, they arrested Ms. Kam and placed her under house arrest. She has been under house arrest now for 4 months.

(She is subject to a prison term of 14 years)

Immediately a gag order was instituted and all Israeli media were prohibited from reporting on the matter.

This is a huge story made possible by the existence of the Internet. According to Richard Silverstein, a blogger who first brought the story to international attention -

“The real issue that we mustn’t lose sight of is that Anat Kam’s boss, General Naveh, the IDF commander for the West Bank, approved targeted killings of Palestinians in contravention of a Supreme Court ruling.  Not only that, but he then lied about the nature of the killings in order to cover-up his original act.”

Because of the gag order, the full extent of the story was unknown, even in Israel, until the Israeli authorities realized that they could not gag the world and lifted it -partially – on April 8th.

Check out Richard Silverstein’s blog

Ha’aretz “How Anat Kam Did It”

How the Internet Prevailed

Israel Discovers It Cannot Gag The World

Ehud Barak

According to Ehud Barak – Apartheid is standing in Israel’s doorway, and if it hasn’t already, it is about to take a seat at the table.

Ehud Barak, is Israel’s Defence Minister.

Is he too an anti Semite…?

Stephen Harper might Think so. You can read his remarks here.