Laila Abdelaziz did a good thing to ask the President this question. I have continued to be disappointed with President Obama regarding his foreign policy. This response given by the President shows how slanted the US policy is.
President Obama will fail to bring peace in the region for a number of reasons, this includes but is not limited to the following:
There is no pressure on congress to pull funding on Israel
There is no incentive placed on the table for Israel to stop settlements.
No one is communicating with Hamas – a strong political and social group within Palestine
Abbas & Fatah are corrupt.
A two-state solution must include Hamas in negotiations; It must include consequences to Israel.
In reality – it is appearing more and more that the real solution is a one state solution, but that won’t give the US propaganda to bring home to say – we “freed” the Palestinians.
I’d like to challenge everyone to attend town hall meetings of your elective officials and ask this pointed & direct question. Then, when they refuse to answer the question or side step it – let your vote do the talking. If you don’t like the opposing party – choose someone else, a third party or write in candidate. The only way our leaders get the message is to send it to them where it counts.
President Obama – why do we not hold Israel accountable for their crimes. Why do we not condemn their actions? Why do we not acknowledge that Israel is an apartheid. Israel is not a democracy, it is a borderline theocracy.
What has Israel done for the US that warrants blanket forgiveness for their sins?
Why do you support the massacre & genocide of a race of people, trapping them in death camps?
Dr. Dahlia Wasfi explains what life is like in Iraq under U.S. occupation. What she discribes can easily be transferred to both Palestine & Afghanistan. It is time for all US Citizens to stand up and tell our elected officials that we need to end our foreign policy that leads us to occupy nations indefinitely. No longer can we accept that our military will remain in a country following our invasion. No longer shall we accept that invasion is acceptable. No longer shall we continue our imperialistic ways and finally allow ourselves a chance to “nation build” on our own soil. Stop sending billions of dollars to nations to murder, rape & torture them, occupy their lands or support the occupation of their land.
Are we the land of the free or are we not?
Below her 2007 speech at the Socialism Conference held in Chicago you will find the music & lyrics to “End the Occupation” by Muslim rapper Abu Nurah.
To see more of Dr. Wasfi’s work head over to her website atLiberate This
End the Occupation
by Abu Nurah
Lyrics:
Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine end the occupation now is the time (2x)
it’s essential for a people to govern their own affairs
and return to the land of which they’re rightful heirs
living in exile is like life suspended
for people back home the misery never ended
those who resist are accused of terrorism
for refusing to accept conditions worse than a prison
to the world, much of the suffering is invisible
mountains of evidence held to be inadmissible
occupations dehumanize populations
their strongest supporters are the world’s wealthy nations
Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine end the occupation now is the time (3x)
it’s the women and children who suffer most from occupation
their stories should be broadcast on every U.S. station
maybe then the people would push the administration
to suspend the billions we give the Israeli nation
and maybe one day mothers could breathe a sigh of relief
and their hearts begin to heal from the decades of grief
enough of roadmaps and Israel’s iron fist
the immoral state of affairs must cease to exist
how do you explain a 3-year-old shot in the head
or an 80-year-old being crushed to death in his bed
bishop Tutu has said that Palestine is a replica
of what Blacks had to endure in apartheid South Africa
many see the connection, others choose to ignore it
they say no to divestment but back then they were for it
Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine
end the occupation now is the time (3x)
Iraq was invaded against the will of the people
and now the same clique is trying to bring us a sequel
human rights to the rulers are just meaningless words
they don’t care about the Americans and much less the Kurds
war means profit and power for the corporate elite
contractors looted Iraq and they weren’t even discreet
just like pimps in the night and the soldiers their hookers
along with perverted patriots and the curious onlookers
Falluja was no mistake nor Abu Ghraib and Haditha
human life gets no respect recall the song by Aretha
if it were animals being abused in a cage
the mainstream media by now would have the world in a rage
but it’s only human mothers and daughters
so the corporate networks make sure nobody bothers
images of the carnage are considered in poor taste
the masses are blind as blood rivers flood to the waist
Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine
end the occupation now is the time (3x)
After approximately 400 miles and about 7 hours of driving round trip, I was successful in participating in my first ever protest in my young life. Until this year, I have not desired to be active in this type of thing, but there is something about the people of Palestine that make me want to speak out. My voice today was raised for Palestine, the people of Gaza and the activists participating in the Gaza Freedom March & VivaPalestina who are being denied entry by the Egyptian Government into Gaza to deliver medicine, supplies & support.
Unfortunately, I live in a very inactive area, which disappointments me. So, I have been trying to find events or groups who are in a larger area, which includes the Metro of Atlanta, Georgia. Well, a day or so ago, I discovered such a group in Atlanta that was having a rally and I made the decision that I have waited long enough, I have to do something. So, today, I got into my car, drive over 3 hours to Atlanta, participated in a rally in front of the Israeli Consulate.
The rally was fun, I met a few very cool people and will likely join them again in the future. My only complaint is how far away it is and the long drive took some of the excitement out of it. We did have some excitement with some cops, however. After we started to gather, I’m assuming someone informed the police and a cop car came by and started to keep watch of us. They were eventually joined by two other cars who would remain the rest of the rally. Two male members decided to challenge the police and walked with their banner into the street, blocking the entire street. They would be taken away to where I assume they were eventually written tickets and released, but I do not know what they were charged with. My assumption is the police treated them harsher than needed to send a warning to the rest of us, but I knew what was legal and what I should not do to avoid problems.
The rally was filled with all sorts of people. There were young and old ranging from what I assume was about 8-10 all the way up to roughly 70-80s (maybe?) There were members of many different races, although those who were Arab were more aggressive in their chants. There were women wearing hijabs, people who looked like they had wealth and some who were more poor. I learned one guy was on parole, so he was trying to avoid the police because he only had one more week left.
Near the end, we all gathered across the street from the Consulate, had some candles lit and we formed a circle, discussed the events that happened a year ago and had a moment of silence for the 1400 who were massacred.
I took a few pictures with my cell phone and captured a few seconds of video as well. There were others taking pictures and I’m sure they will turn up online as well. Above us at one point was a helicopter, though I do not know if it was a media one, but I’m going to assume it was just so I can feel better about it.
Here are a few pictures I wanted to share from the evening:
The Israeli Consulate – 1100 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA – Completely unmarked with any indication as to what the building is.
The girl’s sign in the middle reads “I can’t believe we’re still protesting this shit.”
The circle of solidarity & a moment of silence for Gaza
The rest of the pictures can be seen on flickr by clicking here.
A few days ago, I sent an email to the US State Department regarding the aggressive actions that the Egyptian Government was doing with the non-violent groups – Gaza Freedom March & VivaPalestina. I expressed my concern for their safety as well as informed them why I thought this was something they should address their citizens currently facing police harassment, lock down & silencing. I expressed my concern that their medical and food aide would not make it to those who need it in Gaza. Here is their response to me:
Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.
Thank you for contacting the State Department.
Subject
—————————————————————
Egypt threatens Gaza Freedom March
Discussion Thread
—————————————————————
Response (Support Agent) – 12/28/2009 04:21 PM
Thank you for your message to Secretary Clinton sharing your thoughts and concerns. We value your opinion and will take it — and the views of all Americans — into consideration.
Secretary Clinton is committed to strengthening America’s national security, advancing the interest of the United States, and restoring America’s leadership position in the world.
Thank you for contacting the U.S. Department of State.
Question Reference #091221-000105
—————————————————————
Category Level 1: U.S. Foreign Policy
Category Level 2: Middle East
Date Created: 12/21/2009 12:51 PM
Last Updated: 12/28/2009 04:21 PM
Status: Solved
No where did they address my concerns and all they sent back to me was talking points that I pretty much memorized already. The website is outdated as well. But, at least they are taking my concern into consideration, perhaps a silver-lining in the mix, but I’m not about to hold my breathe on this one.
COME, my tan-faced children,
Follow well in order, get your weapons ready;
Have you your pistols? have you your sharp edged axes? Pioneers! O pioneers!
For we cannot tarry here,
We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger,
We, the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend, Pioneers! O pioneers!
