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Passive viewers or Participants: By: After seven years of confusion, the current Intifada opened the eyes of peace activists from both sides to the need for another peace process. The recently buried peace process was an attractive option. It included official negotiations, new interim arrangements, active international participation, and for a long while it was considered irreversible. More important is the creation of the wide spread myth of its ability to replace the need for correcting both the wrong doings of the past and the need for re-establishing justice. Forget about the past and pay attention only to the future was a good hearted but at the same time illusionary. The real meaning was to neglect the needs and rights of millions of people. As a result, the peace camp was always looking for an
outside leader to trust, was shyly criticizing, and mostly welling to deal with
“pragmatic” proposal even when it contradicts the principles that the peace
camp believed in. This attitude resulted in many contradictions that not only
hindered the functionality of the peace camp but also turned it into a
bargaining tool in the hands of others. For example, while the major
principle behind the creation of this peace camp is the mere idea of mutual
existence and the ability for both nations to live together peacefully and
openly, the Israeli part of the peace camp ended up to be the strongest advocate
for separation, building fences, and exclusivity. The most forwarding in
rejecting the mere idea of Israel sharing in solving the refugee problem A peace camp that was supposed to fight for new principles ended up a slave for a current methodology of thinking that is contradictory to all of the principles upon which the peace camp was founded. The current peace process, among other achievements, managed to strip naked the peace camp from most of its values and principles. Before the existence of any peace process, and through the early days of the 1987 Intifada, the principles upon which Palestinians and Israelis were working together were, insuring human, national, and civil rights, ending the occupation, replacing exclusivity with an inclusive approach, working together, believing in an open and common future. The myth of snatching a peace deal from a majority that
does not believe in the principles necessary for it failed the test of reality.
The peace camp has to apart itself from being partner to negotiations and come
closer to becoming an advocate and a fighter for principles. This is, in my
point of view, the only way in which the peace camp can become effective. As
when the peace camp in Israel adhered to the principle of separation and rallied
behind Barak, in effect and practically they became a confused advocator of
demographic separation. An idea, if executed according to Barak schedule and
requirements, will establish an apartheid racial segregation that resembles the
ex-south African style. Abandoning principles for illusionary political
involvement results in giving a hand for opponents to achieve their goals. What are the principles?
Functionality: Both sides should join forces in: 1- Providing alternative education to the public based on: integrity instead of separation, equality instead of discrimination, mutual rights instead of narrow-minded national rights. 2- Join forces in acting actively against the symbols of occupation and control. Demonstrate massively and regularly against military bases, checkpoints, and settlements. This is needed to challenge the sustainability of occupation and stress the need for an other peace. 3- Building up necessary pressure for both parties to deal more seriously in solving the refugees’ problem. This requires joining and supporting refugees initiatives to lobby for their rights. Moving into this direction will provide the peace camp with a direction, louder voice, and influence. Will help overcome the status of being marginalized and will positively influence the whole environment in the area. Those are ideas presented for discussion. I
appreciate any input in this direction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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