[Peace-discuss] Statement from MIFTAH

[David Green]

The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of 
Global Dialogue & Democracy 
9/11: A Year Later 
By MIFTAH 
September 11, 2002 

Document Location: 
http://www.miftah.org/display.cfm?DocId=1000 


A year ago this day, the US was hit by a fanatical and
deadly attack, which left the world panicked and
terrified, as scores of innocent people were
ruthlessly murdered. Was this going to be a rude
awakening, the end result of which would see more
accountability and respect for international law? Or
will 'the war on terrorism' be exploited through
self-service, used to generalize nations as evil and
any resistance, justified or otherwise, as terror?
Unfortunately the 'war on terrorism' seems to have
quickly metamorphasized into a war for global
domination. The powers of manipulation playing on the
'fear factor' are in complete control, imposing the
simplistic politics summarized by saying: "You are
either with us or against us." 

The Palestinians braced themselves, fearful of the
spin doctors and the web they may entangle us with,
wondered what was going to happen next? Our
trepidation grew out of realizing that Israel
maintains very close ties with this current American
government. The Nation, an American publication, had
recently pointed out that former Israeli lobbyists are
forming the American administrations' plans for Middle
East: "The magazine listed Vice-President Dick Cheney
- the arch-hawk in the US administration - and John
Bolton, now under-secretary of state for Arms Control,
with Douglas Feith, the third most senior executive at
the Pentagon, as members of the advisory board of the
pro-Israeli Jewish Institute for National Security
Affairs (Jinsa) before joining the Bush government.
Richard Perle, chairman of the Pentagon's Defense
Policy Board, is still an adviser on the institute, as
is the former CIA director James Woolsey," Fisk
reported. 

Why were American symbols attacked? It was obviously
not a strike against the Western Christian world for
American Christian symbols were spared in the Middle
East. Was it aiming to kill as many innocent Americans
as possible? It seems not to be the case, for
apparently the original plan was to hit a nuclear
power plant but did not happen for fears that it
"might get out of hand." Abu Nimah puts it best when
he expresses: "Though we admired many aspects of
America's economy and culture, we were frustrated by
how such a great and diverse society could produce
successive governments with such narrow and unjust
policies." Is the attack justified? No way. 

This attack has hurt everyone, whether directly, as in
all those who lost their lives, or indirectly, as in
the case of Palestinians. The increased blind support
of Israel since 9-11 hurts the US more than it helps
Israel. While waging a "war on terrorism," America has
managed to increase the number of enemies and decrease
the number of sympathizers. This is all taking place
for selfish political gain, mainly seeking reelection
and playing on the 'fear factor' to manipulate the
American people into empowering the presidency beyond
any system of checks and balances. This administration
is following a path which will only lead to the
escalation of fear, bloodshed and hate, while doing
very little to end terrorism. 

The root causes have to be addressed. "With greater
power comes greater responsibility." When will America
assume responsibility as the world superpower? When
will America become democratic in its international
affairs and policies? The US and Israel can not oppose
the International Criminal Court, defy UN resolutions
and recommendations and still argue that terrorism is
unacceptable. How could the Palestinians, who are
enduring terrorism in the form of occupation,
empowered and justified by America, maintain their
humanity when their fight for freedom and
internationally guaranteed rights are branded as
terrorism? The daily 9/11s taking place in the form of
occupation that has claimed close to 2000 Palestinian
lives was not, and continues not to be, even met with
an iota of sympathy from American officials. The
occupied territories are dangerously talked about as
"the so-called occupied territories" by Mr. Rumsfeld.
Israel's oppression and victimization of a nation is
'self-defense.' It is the American government who is
robbing the kindhearted American people of their
humanity, inflaming hatred and racism by supporting
such regimes. 

For once, the American people were victims and the
Palestinians hoped that maybe they can relate with our
plight. Sadly, the forces of evil and racism from both
sides prevailed. Remaining defensive and never
criticizing or even questioning ones methods will
cause this war on terrorism to go on forever. It is
time to connect, tolerate and educate. This is for the
sake of humanity and justice for the entire world. The
American people would not stand for the atrocities
committed by the US or Israel. The sleeping dog must
awake and take charge the way it was once run and was
meant to be. The forces of evil are those who are
willing to allow more innocent people to die, while
they gain wealth, fame and power on the people's
behalf. 

We call on the world to unite on this sad day,
remembering all the victims of terror in every region
in the world. We owe it to the innocent victims to
join forces against the powers of oppression and
discrimination, for only then will we defeat terror.
Educating our children teaching them to love thy enemy
is the only way to overcome bitter hate. If the people
of all races/ethnicities, color, creed and religion
stand united, true evil can be, once and for all, put
to sleep. 

http://www.miftah.org


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