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To exist or not 2/28/07
- Much is being written about Israel's demand
that Hamas recognizes Israel's right to exist whatever that means. A
truly thought-provoking piece by the revisionist Israeli historian
Meron Benvenisti delicately deals with the fuller and much
deeper implications of such a demand and why the Palestinians may be
unfairly asked to deliver on this seemingly defining decision. I
urge you to read his article- as I will be writing a response
to it soon. My piece is premised on the following general arguments:
Is there a difference between recognizing a state’s existence and
its right to exist? If yes, what is this difference? What does it
mean for a state to have a right to exist? What is the nature of
this right? Most importantly: Is there such a right? Finally, are
there circumstances unique to Israel’s case such that whether it has
a right to exist hinges also on these, or does the answer as to
whether it has such a right hinge merely on general situations
having to do with what rights states have in general?
- It turns out that the NY-based civil
rights leader, the
Rev. Al Sharpton's lineage may be related to slaves once
owned by the late segregationist Senator Storm Thurman. It is ironic
that now we have another study claiming that President Jefferson may
have had Jewish genes possibly making him the first Jewish President
o of the United States. . The
NYT reports today on a recent study claiming that the late
president had a K2 chromosome, a rare genome only found in people
from the Middle East. Well, I, a Palestinian Arab Muslim, wish
to lay claim to being a distant relative to Jefferson since I come
from the Middle East where this rare genome is found. I am ready to
be tested!
- The land sale event in Teaneck
continues to attract media attention. The Bergen Record which broke
the story three days before the event prominently printed
our short letter (reproduced below) It took only three hours for
Israeli pundits to respond to our view. We received a copy from a
person identifying himself as Jerrold L. Terdiman, M.D. In his letter
which I am certain will be published, Dr. Terdiman rehashed outdated
fallacies about the Palestine conflict, of how Palestine was never
Arab and the Arabs of Israel are equal citizens. I hope some of your
will write to the
Bergen Record supporting our argument that selling illegally
confiscated lands is both immoral and illegal-no matter who is the
buyer or from whom the land was stolen.
- We wish to congratulate Miss
Bassima Mustafa from Paterson, NJ on being appointed by
Governor Corzine to the New Jersey Educational
Opportunity Fund Board of Directors.
The Board sets policy, approves all
necessary regulations for program operation and student eligibility,
develops the annual budget request for the statewide program, and
supports EOF programs at public and independent colleges and
universities. Bassima, a long time Paterson school teacher, joins
but a handful of Arab Americans who are currently serving on
statewide boards and commissions. You make us proud Bassima.
- Basketball fans may
recall with fondness the all star
Karim Abdul-Jabbar.
I was pleased to view a recent interview he had with the NYT on his
career,
his Islamic faith and his new book on the Harlem Renaissance.
click
here to view the video.
- Please help commemorate the courage of
Rachel Corrie by telling Americans about Rachel Corrie. Many people
have never heard of Rachel Corrie — of her heroism, or of her murder
by Israeli forces on March 16th, 2003. It is up to us to tell them.
Attempts continue , fueled by hate, to silence and discredit
her dedication to helping the oppressed. Her letters and life
journey can be read by clicking on the two links below:
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