cwemory
Joined: 14 Jan 2006
Location: Gunpo, Korea
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 Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:53 pm Post subject: Palestine as a Foil for People�s Unconnected Dreams |
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It's a bit rambling at points, but still worth a look.
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Palestine as a Foil for People�s Unconnected Dreams
by Ramzy Baroud
ZNET
Thousands of people recently marched in London to commemorate Quds Day, an annual day of solidarity with the Palestinian people that emanated from Tehran some 26 years ago.
I neither wish to contend nor corroborate the sincerity of the call, made by Ayatollah Khomeini, in a time when the Palestinian people endure, unaided, the unbearable brunt of the Israeli occupation, international isolation and its subsequent economic boycott, and the burden of their leaderships� own folly, that of factionalism and lack of political coherence.
However, the scene in London was too surreal, and brought into question the usefulness of such displays of solidarity with the Palestinians. As Hezbollah and Iranian flags and banners wavered in the cold London breeze, and posters of Iranian leaders sprung everywhere, I failed to spot one Palestinian flag, one positive message, one helpful chant. It was only when the black clad Neturei Karta rabbis made their entrance that the Palestinian flag was introduced into the march.
I grew partially irritated and utterly confused as marchers made their way through the city, eventually descending on the gates of the American embassy, where a small stage and a few microphones awaited fiery speakers; then, the cries of �down with the USA� and �we are all Hezbollah� rang across the city, as American security officers took position, preparing for what could become a showdown with the seemingly intoxicated protesters.
Befuddled at the spectacle, its lack of any true meaning or relevance to Palestine at all, at the unhappy, or alarmed faces of the passersby and the usefulness of affiliating Palestine with such militancy, and more, I retreated. Finding my way back to my apartment with utter difficulty through the ever expanding city, I contemplated: Have I right to question the motive of the organizers, however misguided their presentation might be? But is it not immoral to exploit the cause of Palestine as that of inclusive justice, as opposed to theocratic exclusiveness, for self-exultation and political ends?
But the debate can indeed be stretched much further into another, neglected by an utterly pertinent one, that of Palestine as a pressing tragedy seeking urgent remedy versus that of an postponed historic grievance without any realistic diameters, relevance to the real world, or needless, to say, a real plan of action.
Regardless of its many flaws and imperfections, no other national struggle in the world has assimilated itself, or has been inadvertently assimilated, to symbolize so many things to so many different people, as has the Palestinian struggle. And yet, despite the intricate layers of sense and understanding that have sought to encapsulate the Palestinian struggle, Palestine itself lingers in the world�s consciousness merely as a symbol. |
rest here: http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=107&ItemID=11327 |
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Junior
Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Location: the eye
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| Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 11:14 pm Post subject: Re: Palestine as a Foil for People�s Unconnected Dreams |
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The poms have no meaningful cause in their lives so now they adopt other nations for something to do. Thousands of english marching in support of the ayatollah?? Hahaha. How about marching in solidarity with osama bin laden or the terrorists who blew up the tube? Even more exciting! Fools.
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| However, the scene in London was too surreal, and brought into question the usefulness of such displays of solidarity with the Palestinians. As Hezbollah and Iranian flags and banners wavered in the cold London breeze, and posters of Iranian leaders sprung everywhere |
To be honest the Poms emotional derangement has a recent but accelerating history. It reflects more on their own psyche than anything in reality. First you had a massive emotional display at Princess Diana's death. the first foil. Then the nation came to a standstill watching big brother. Then their soccer teams stopped play in solidarity with hexbollah.
How silly. Soppy sentimentalist england is ripe for Islamic takeover. |
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