[Peace-discuss] What should the peace movement do?

[C. G. Estabrook]

Gary Storm raised the right question at the AWARE meeting tonight -- 
What should the peace movement do, in the light of the recent 
developments in the Middle East?

Several suggestions seem clear:

	[1] Recognize that the Israeli military does nothing without the 
permission of the US.  When the US urges "restraint," it's mere 
propaganda unless the US insists on restraint.  Therefore, as Americans, 
our objections should be addressed to the USG, not Israel.

	[2] Realize that the recent Israeli actions are not just responses to 
the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers but rather moves in a much longer 
history, a history of Israeli assaults on Arabs in the occupied 
territories and in Lebanon, and the illegal incorporation of much of the 
West Bank and its resources (particularly water) into Israel.

	[3] Notice that the US/Israeli war plans in the ME are not the result 
of stupidity or  inattention on the part of the US and Israeli 
governments (or -- even more fantastic -- the influence of an 
all-powerful "Israeli lobby") but the calm and rational decisions of an 
imperial power and its principal client.

What then is to be done?

	[1] Demand an end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Gaza.  Demand that 
Israel not attack Syria or Iran.

	[2] Insist that Israel negotiate with Hezbollah and Hamas for the 
return of their hostages -- and that Israel release their Palestinian 
and Lebanese hostages.

	[3] End the occupations -- the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and 
Gaza and the US occupation of Iraq.

--CGE