[Peace-discuss] Talks about Israel/Palestine

[LAURIE SOLOMON]

Are you surprised at her comments?  Maybe many people did not attend because
they figured that it was unproductive to engage in argument with true
believers, which most of the attendees were likely to be.

-----Original Message-----
From: peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net
[mailto:peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net] On Behalf Of Brussel
Morton K.
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 10:52 PM
To: peace at anti-war.net
Cc: peace discuss
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Talks about Israel/Palestine

I attended the talk by the Israeli Consul General to the Midwest,Orli  
Gil, this evening with roughly 200 others, and two policemen. Also  
photographers of unknown origin.  As might be expected, this woman  
told us how wonderful Israel is; its culture, its achievements in  
science and the arts. She also told the audience of the terrible  
hardships the Israelis have been living under due to all the rockets  
and terrorists attacks on them. She also said that Israel wanted a two  
state solution wherein everybody would live in peace and security,  
that it was too bad that Israel had to defend itself, killing  
innocents who were shielding terrorists in their midst. Lots of  
crocodile tears. She said that Hamas was out to destroy Israel, and  
that therefore Israel would have nothing to do with them (She didn't  
quite say that they would all have to be annihilated, but that was the  
inference).

And so on, about the terrible dangers of a nuclear terrorist Iran, etc..

Of course, the audience was overwhelmingly receptive to this person  
and her message, but at least there were a few (young students?) from  
the Muslim community who attended and voiced their objections to her  
narrative. Comments after the formal talk were welcome, but after a  
comment there was invariably a long answering harangue and no possible  
followup. After expressing myself a bit, I left early.

But I am disappointed that no one else from AWARE and the progressive  
community showed up. At least I didn't notice them. Here was an  
opportunity to protest and show this character that we don't accept  
the lies, distortions and omissions of the Israeli propaganda mill. It  
could have happened.It could have been an opportunity to show that  
there are many who are outraged about Israeli behavior against the  
Palestinians-that we do not agree with our own administrations'  
support of Israeli actions and that we'll try to turn the tide of  
American support that has condoned if not encouraged that rogue state.

I went afterwards to see what was going on In Gregory Hall about the  
Crisis in Gaza, a talk by Eric Ruder. About 25 -30 were in the  
audience, and there was extended discussion after his talk. Ruder was  
very well informed and an excellent speaker. It was just too bad that  
his talk was in conflict with the Israeli talk; it had been planned  
well in advance.

--mkb

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