Submitted Comments RSS Feed Comments by James Hovland
Posted in: The dangers of recognizing Palestine
Recognition first. Then negotiations. Peace is a given. Recognition at the UN this September will set the legal stage for Palestine, the US and the international community to finally put an end to Israel's internationally condemned settlement expansion. All other attempts have failed, taking down one peace-process after another. The only real threat of violence at this point comes from the settlers. Both Israel and Palestine need to address this as quickly as possible.
Posted in: Take yes for an answer [UPDATED]
"BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL" The title of the banner just to the right of this comment section, explains more about the nature of this conflict than the article itself, or any of the articles mentioned in it. A Jewish minority had been in the land for thousands of years, but a Jewish majority had not. The real problems started with a flood of Jewish immigration that was carried out under the British occupation. Had the British not promised the Palestinian's current homeland to the Jews for the declared purpose of re-establishing their ancient homeland, thus creating the "Jewish" state, we wouldn't have this problem today. As it is, the Jewish majority can only be maintained as long as the displaced Palestinian's 'right of return' is denied. Rejecting this 'right of return' in order to preserve a democratic majority for the Jews should be seen as a clear attempt to both legitimize and finalize the act of ethnic cleansing. That's not Democracy. Immediately after the fall of the Ottoman empire, the entire mandate of Palestine was under the threat of becoming a "Jewish" state. Rejection was natural. WWI placed the future of Palestine into the hands of the British occupation. The British then promised that land away like it was a prize to be handed out for those who helped in the war effort. Back then, this was all fairly normal, and without the ease of global communication we have today, acceptable meant something entirely different. Today, the history doesn't look so good, and brings Israel's "right" to exist into serious question. This is the angle I think should be pursued if Israel remains in contempt over the settlement issue, or continues to blame Palestine rather than admitting the injustice that has been forced onto the Palestinians through back to back occupations. Putting Britain in the spotlight might be more effective than keeping all the attention on Israel. It's time to move forward.
Posted in: U.S. intel: No Iranian bomb until 2013 at earliest
The issue with Iran is about Palestine, not enrichment. Israel wants America to hold Iran back while they expand their borders. It's not happening anymore. Iran is only a threat to Israel because Israel is a threat to Palestine. Recognize Palestine, and the injustice you have done to them, and we can move forward. Iran isn't the problem, Israel's treatment of the Palestinian "question" is.
Posted in: Senators urged not to sign letter on Mideast
Don't forget the Zionist and right-wing propaganda that demonized the Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims. The negative propaganda on both sides needs to stop. Is Israel up to that? Can the media and our politicians everywhere address the problem openly? Or are we still trying to pretend it doesn't exist? "Demonizing the enemy" causes prejudice, hate and racism. Yes? I get material advertisements for material intended for this purpose in my spam box from sites like JPost, NewsMax, etc... The comments made by Will Edwards directed at Mussa Ailwat and Muslims everywhere, is a good example of the resulting prejudice, racism, and hate being propagated in the western media. Are people like Will Edwards moving us toward, or away from peace? Can you acknowledge the connection? If the propaganda can be discussed openly and exposed for the threat to peace that it is, peace can actually be achieved.
Posted in: Jewish leaders seek more pressure on Palestinians, Arab states
Cheryl Mavrikos, Wealthy Zionists have been funding mass aliyah for over 100 years. None of the numbers you site can be accurately attributed anything without first accounting for accurate aliyah figures. Also how many Jews have made aliyah out of unwarranted fear created by alarmist calls for aliyah? For example: http://www.shuva.net/ Your number don't add up.
Posted in: Jewish leaders seek more pressure on Palestinians, Arab states
Cheryl Mavrikos, Israel has recognized borders. All settlements outside of those borders, including East Jerusalem, are illegal. Your leaders have known this all along, and some have even spoken honestly about it. The attempted land grabs, also known as "facts on the ground", are not assets that Israel gets to keep, they are evidence of Israel's contempt for international law. Appeasement on an issue of this nature would set a very dangerous precedent.
Posted in: Jewish leaders seek more pressure on Palestinians, Arab states
EU WEI CHOI, I voted for change. Very happy with it too. Thanks for asking. Obama 2012, I voted for him once already, this time I'm campaigning.
Posted in: Jewish leaders seek more pressure on Palestinians, Arab states
Pressure is being applied where it's needed. Palestine just happens to be moving forward faster, and with far less resistance than Israel. Across the Middle East and beyond, our nation's leaders have been standing up en mass and calling for peace, reconciliation, and calling upon their peers to join them. Jewish groups around the world, including the majority of American Jews, are adding their voice, standing up for both Israel and Palestine. On Friday, July 24 2009, after giving the PA a green light for 1967 borders, Hamas, moving forward in leaps and bounds, announced a strategic shift from rockets to Public Relations. Welcome to the information era. Peace goes forward as planned. The imbalance of pressure being applied is due to the fact that Palestine is moving forward without it, while at the same time Israel remains in contempt, and their settlers burn down Palestinian olive trees and rampage through the occupied territories. The pressure is on, and it's not just Obama. Here on the net, our "we" is a global community, unlike anything history has ever witnessed. It's time for peace, and "we" are not backing down.
Posted in: Olmert to Obama: Settlements focus counterproductive
What these settlers, and their supporters like Saul and Victor fail to understand is that they are essentially trading Tel Aviv and Haifa for bits and pieces of Samaria. Failing to support and implement a viable "two state solution" will result in the "one state solution". One state with an Arab majority. I bet they call it Palestine. So much for the dream of having a "Jewish state".
RSS Feed Breaking News
Updated 02/10/12 @ 02:32PM EST
- Three Jewish groups that favor insurance coverage of contraceptives praised President Obama's comrpromise allowing religious institutions to direct staff to alternative health care plans funding such services.
- An Obama administration official said the United States urged Israel not to free Palestinian terrorists in the Gilad Shalit exchange deal who killed Americans.
- Turkey will never endorse a military strike on Iran, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told a Washington audience.
- Israel's test of a missile defense system was declared a "major milestone" in its efforts to establish viable barriers to a missile strike.
- French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that the solution to the Iran crisis is "never military."
- Reform, Hadassah, JWI praise Obama contraceptives compromise
- Holder: U.S. urged Israel not to release killers of Americans
- Turkish FM: We will never endorse striking Iran
- Israeli missile defense test a ‘milestone’
- Sarkozy: Iran solution should be non-military
- Marines’ SS photo condemned by Jewish groups
- Grandson of Auschwitz survivor takes the ice for Germany
- Poll: Half of U.S. voters back strike on nuclear Iran
Posted in: Those 1967 lines
06/14/11 06:10 PM
Here is a prime example of why Israel's leaders do not have the political power or will to negotiate an end to this conflict. "I believe that Judea-Samaria belong to the Jewish people as our ancient heritage." ~ Eliyahu Sorry buddy, but most of the world disagrees with you on that, and the Palestinians are about to prove it. This is just the way it has to be. Recognition at the UN this September will set the legal stage for Palestine, the US and the international community to finally put an end to Israel's internationally condemned settlement expansion. All other attempts have failed, taking down one peace-process after another.