The Israeli apartheid regime finally agreed to exchange Israeli with Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners. This exchange could have been done before the summer 2006 massacres of Lebanese civilians which Israel launched claiming it is to liberate the two Israeli soldiers held by Hezbollah. This exchange shows the bankruptcy of the political and war making Israeli regime. That summer an Israeli chief of staff called his broker and sold his stocks an hour after getting out of a cabinet meeting that decided to launch that offensive (in every sense of the word) war. In that summer, Israel dropped millions of cluster bombs that are still killing and maiming Lebanese children today. That is the war than both Obama and McCain supported and our government funded and that is the war that now has been proven pointless. Despite AIPAC and its cronies in the media, that and many other truths remains clear to all who want to see. The overriding fact also remains that Zionism is the main cause of wars and conflict throughout the region from Palestine to Afghanistan. Peace is possible and it must start with ending US support for that apartheid regime and bringing peace to Palestine (where Jews, Christians, Muslims and others are then allowed to build a democratic country of all its people). That is the real road map to peace in Western Asia and indeed key to US economic recovery.
In todays message, you can skim through articles and video on Israel's lobby role in wars, an article on the Palestine conference in Chicago (I will be there), a refugee story (one of millions), news of the Green Party... and/or you can go directly to action items. Turning the Tables on the Israel-Firsters by Michael Scheuer (Former director of CIA's Bin Laden Unit) Now that the dust has settled in the spat between journalist Joe Klein and the ideologues at Commentary, it is time to regret the ink spilled over the non-issue of "dual loyalties." The idea that there are U.S. citizens who have equal loyalties to the United States and Israel is passé. American Israel-firsters have long since dropped any pretense of loyalty to the United States and its genuine national interests. http://www.antiwar.com/scheuer/?articleid=13139 Video: Bill Maher interviews Michael Scheuer Former director of CIA's Bin Laden Unit interviewed on Real Time with Bill Maher (09-21-2007). Includes a bonus shout out to Ron Paul, a smackdown to US policies in the Middle East, and a heated discussion on Israel. A little something for everyone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF4_oaTIH8g Shell Games: Are They Really Oil Wars? "Big Oil prefers peace and stability, not war and geopolitical turbulence, in global energy markets... behind the drive to war and military adventures in the Middle East lie some powerful special interests (vested in war, militarism, and geopolitical concerns of Israel) that use oil as an issue of “national interest” —as a façade or pretext— in order to justify military adventures to derive high dividends, both economic and geopolitical, from war." http://www.counterpunch.org/zadeh07092008.html SOUL Searching by IMTIAZ MUQBIL US Palestinians plan for unity A historic conference in Chicago in August 2008 is intended to serve as an open arena where individuals and organisations coordinate and refine strategies, link efforts, plan united actions, and inform one another and the community about their work on behalf of Palestine http://www.bangkokpost.com/060708_Perspective/06Jul2008_pers008.php (A story worth reading from a 20 year old refugee on her visit to her ethnically cleansed village) My New Birthday By Areej Ja'fari, Dheisheh Refugee Camp, Palestine "I laid down on one of the ruined walls of a house and kept watching the blue, clear sky, at that moment I felt the sky was very close, I wanted to hide in it to stay in Deir Rafat. I was breathing the air again and again as if I could not have enough of it, the passing clouds over Deir Rafat during that time was the first thing in common between my village and I.....It's time to wake up from the real dream, time to go back to Dheisheh Refugee Camp, which I like, but do not belong to. Its time to face my family, they were all anxious to know how home looked like, where exactly did I go. I couldn't reply more than that it's the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life." More at http://www.qumsiyeh.org/mynewbirthday/ US Green Party Nominates Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente for President and VP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-E00fLAL4Q http://www.runcynthiarun.org/ Actions everywhere: Write to the media about the issues and your concern of their (mis)coverage or lack of coverage of critical issues of our time. Write to politicians, demonstrate at their events, challenge them… Actions in the US: 1) Write Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa [EMAIL PROTECTED] to object to his trip to the Zionist Apartheid regime 2) Monday, July 21st, 5:00-8:00 PM, 9th Street and Mass. Avenue NW, Across from DC Convention Center, Washington DC Protest the right-wing Christians United for Israel Annual Conference, and raise awareness about preventing war with Iran and the importance of respecting world religions. a coalition of peace and social justice groups wishing to foster greater understanding between faith traditions and stopping an illegal and immoral military strike on the nation of Iran will be protesting outside the Christians United for Israel Conference at the DC Convention Center. 3) Register and Vote http://www.rockthevote.com/ 4) Conference in Michigan in September Many churches, organizations and institutions in the Southeast Michigan region are co-sponsoring the Sabeel* Conference, "Peace Palestine and US Policy 1948-2008", which will be held September 25-27, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Michigan, located at 1669 W. Maple Road. Peace in the Middle East is the most pressing issue of our time. It cannot be achieved without a just solution to the Israel-Palestine issue. A host of speakers including Ilan Pappe, one of Israel ’s foremost historians, Pulitzer Prize winner Chris Hedges, authors Joel Kovel, Susan Nathan, Naim Ateek, Anna Baltzer, Don Wagner and John Quigley, will provide insights into the history and current status of the issue, along with workshops for those looking for ways to effectively serve peace through action. The cost for the three-day conference will be $110 for early registrants and $50 for students. It includes a reception, a banquet and two lunches. Space is limited, so register and/or get more information on line at http://www.fosna.org Sabeel (The Voice of Palestinian Christians) is an ecumenical peace organization founded by Episcopal Canon Naim Ateek. It has offices in Jerusalem and Nazareth as well as support groups in Europe, Canada, and the US. Its Board of Directors includes Bishop Desmond Tutu. You can learn more about Sabeel at www.sabeel.org (I was originally scheduled to speak at this conference but now I will be teaching in Palestine in the fall) Mazin Qumsiyeh http://qumsiyeh.org http://justicewheels.org http://palestineconference.org _________________________________________________________________ Time for vacation? WIN what you need- enter now! http://www.gowindowslive.com/summergiveaway/?ocid=tag_jlyhm
