From Gaza, with Love

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Gaza today -lawless embargo , sanctions and occupation dreadfull consequences

WEDNESDAY
23rd of may

few days ago, Cease-fire has been signed again between the two Palestinian fighting
parties, Fattah and hamas. And children are back at school. My
daughter's started her end of the year exams early. All the schools
had to squeeze the schedule of the examination, so they end as soon as
possible before new violence erupts.

I believe it is fragile ceasefire. The armed men are still in the
streets of Gaza, some of them occupy the roofs of some the multi-story
buildings. Israel has intensified its air strike attacks against
Gaza, north east and some areas in the south. Many people have been
killed. Eight members of one family were killed, when aeroplanes
launched an air strike against the home of a hamas leaders in Gaza. He
wasn't at home, he escaped the attack.
hospitals including AlAwda , are overwhelmed with increasing number of casualities , with inadequate medical supplies and medications .

We all fear a large Israeli attack against Gaza.

From my apartment by the seaside, I can clearly hear and see the
Israeli gunboats patrolling the sea of Gaza, and the Palestinian
authority armed men in their new base. It used to be a family resort.
It is not any more, it is military place for security guards of the
president. The smell of the death is strong, stronger than watching
the lovely sea, or listening to the singing birds if there are any,
shooting sounds is prevalent, poverty too and lawless

My friend Mansour, whom I mentioned in one of my previous entries, and
who needs urgent cytotoxic treatment , in Israel or abroad, after 45 of
long waiting days, he got the referral to one of the hospitals inside
Israel, but the Gaza borders are closed both north and south, and he
has to wait again for its unpredictable opening. His story is the same
daily story of many patients in Gaza, who are dying slowly because of
the closure,

Where are we going, I don't know, but I know very well, that the whole
population suffers of the dreadful consequences of the Israeli
Occupation, which is fully supported by the USA, I know also very
well that women and children suffer the most. And that me and my
colleagues, who work in different fields of the Palestinian civil
society different fields, work hard to alleviate this suffering.

posted by Mona_Elfarra at 4:58 PM

17 Comments:

  • When will you realize that you are no longer being occupied?!
    The Israelies Left and all the Palestinian People have done is MAINTAIN the Same state of Warfare and Military Checkpoint that existed while the Israelies were there only adding their favorite Arab STyle Blood Fued and Corruption to the Mix.

    YOU HAD A CHANCE TO BUILD A COUNTRY GREATER IN ECONOMICS AND PROGRESS THAN ISRAEL AND YOU THREW IT AWAY!

    TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR COUNTRY, THROW THE ARMED GANGS OUT INTO THE SEA, AND WATCH AS THE ISRAELIES LEAVE YOU ALONE!!!!

    By Blogger Unknown, at 5/23/2007 6:20 PM  

  • When will you realize that you are no longer being occupied?!
    The Israelies Left and all the Palestinian People have done is MAINTAIN the Same state of Warfare and Military Checkpoint that existed while the Israelies were there only adding their favorite Arab STyle Blood Fued and Corruption to the Mix.

    YOU HAD A CHANCE TO BUILD A COUNTRY GREATER IN ECONOMICS AND PROGRESS THAN ISRAEL AND YOU THREW IT AWAY!

    TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR COUNTRY, THROW THE ARMED GANGS OUT INTO THE SEA, AND WATCH AS THE ISRAELIES LEAVE YOU ALONE!!!!

    By Blogger Unknown, at 5/23/2007 6:20 PM  

  • I didnt know your blog. I am afraid not to know to express what I feel with the reading of your writings. Then simply thank you for your testimony.

    By Blogger Urgences Matin, at 5/23/2007 7:52 PM  

  • It is tragic for both sides, but unless the Qassam rockets stop, as far as I can see, Israel is likely to invade Gaza and take over again, who knows for how long this time, sigh.

    I am glad that you have some sort of a ceasefire. Had I been a Palestinians living in Gaza, I would fight as hard as I could to stop the factions that launch the rockets in Israel.

    It may seem to you like the actual price in causalities in Israel is low. However, the elected government in Israel is under a lot of political pressure to stop that. It is in the best interest of this government, and of Israel as a whole, to keep a a ceasefire with the Palestinians and eventually restore the negotiations. To do that, the Palestinians must show that they can restrain their own people and stop them from carrying terror attacks, in the form of rockets or any other form into Israel.

    Honestly, I fail to see the purpose of the Kassam rockets, entirely from the Palestinian point of view. They get you zero military achievements. All they do is provide Israel with reasons to attack back, and eventually invade. You may see these reasons as excuses. Within the complex Israeli political system they are valid reasons.

    Anything at all that the Palestinians want to achieve, be it the removal of the blockade, renewal of peace negotiations towards the eventual establishment of the State of Palestine, anything at all - will be so much more better served by non-violent resistance.

    By Blogger AnneMoss, at 5/24/2007 6:59 AM  

  • Thank you for this post! Stay safe!

    By Blogger kris, at 5/24/2007 9:28 AM  

  • Assalamu'alaikum Mona Elfarra, :)

    بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

    Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring: and angels shall enter unto them from every gate (with the salutation): "Peace unto you for that ye persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final home!"

    Quran 013:023-24

    016:041 To those who leave their homes in the cause of Allah, after suffering oppression,- We will assuredly give a goodly home in this world; but truly the reward of the Hereafter will be greater. If they only realised (this)! (They are) those who persevere in patience, and put their trust on their Lord.

    Quran 016:041

    -----

    May Allah Most Merciful keep you, your family & all strong, amen. To Allah we come, to Him is our return - all of us. I hope you will be blessed, have peace & safety.

    @->-- (a rose to you)

    By Blogger Snow, at 5/24/2007 10:11 AM  

  • Wow. Not a mention whatsoever about the reason Israelis are shelling Gaza - rockets being fired by extremists from Gaza into Israel.

    No mention of the anarchy and armed bandits roaming the streets of Gaza.

    So the Israelis are to blame for all of it? Come on. We both know better.

    While Israel shoulders some blame, your leadership - the same one using you and your neighbors as human shields and political tools/weapons - shoulders a great deal as well. Particularly in this current crisis.

    By Blogger Stefanella, at 5/24/2007 2:46 PM  

  • Dear Mona,
    As a long time supporter of the Palestian cause, I am so sad to see what's going on these days. This is not the future we were hoping for in the days of the first Intifada. Stay safe and strong, my thoughts are with you and your people.

    Kristin

    By Blogger kristo56, at 5/28/2007 1:41 AM  

  • I think this is really sad. I am a 9th grader at Westview Highschool, Portland, Oregon, The United States(Im pretty much at the top left corner or the USA).

    I never knew how hard it was in the area you live in. I have been lucky enough to be born where I never need to fear any kind of attacks. I haven't even seen a real gun in years.

    It's also sad how people want to blame you, a peaceful person, for the war that is happening. All you have done is lived a peaceful life. You can't be blamed for that.

    One thing I have always wondered is: Can you just move to another country if you feel like it? From my point of view, if I were in your situation, I would have been out of there years ago. I don't know whether or not you're allowed to leave. You should try the USA, even if you don't support our policies. It is pretty peaceful here.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 6/01/2007 7:52 AM  

  • May Allah grant you strength to continue the road ahead

    By Blogger Norma Kassim PhD, at 6/01/2007 11:16 AM  

  • Would you be interested in participating in BlogBlast for Peace next week. It originated at Mimi Writes and has become quite an inspiring event with lots of important dialogue taking place.

    I would be honored to have your participate in this endeavor.

    Thanks and peace,
    Mimi Lenox

    By Blogger Mimi Lenox, at 6/02/2007 8:26 PM  

  • Jonathan said:
    YOU HAD A CHANCE TO BUILD A COUNTRY GREATER IN ECONOMICS AND PROGRESS THAN ISRAEL AND YOU THREW IT AWAY!

    TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR COUNTRY, THROW THE ARMED GANGS OUT INTO THE SEA, AND WATCH AS THE ISRAELIES LEAVE YOU ALONE!!!!

    This is ridiculous Jonathan!

    How can people build a country when they don't have money (Tax money stolen by Israel) or hardly food or electricity( why was the Generator bombed by Israel?)
    When the Harbour in Gaza was bombed, when children throwing stones their arms are broken by the occupying army. When the people of the gouvernment are killed by targeted killings or put into jail...(Sic!) by the occupiers. When a democratic election is boycotted. When the former president Abbas never got a chance to arrange anything. And now he gets supported with weapons and army trainings to let him fight against his own democratic elected brother. When Yasser Arafat was called a terrorist, just like Hamas now.
    When you say there is a democracy in Israel and in the mean time discriminating the original citizens since the origin of the proclamation of the Zionistic Jewish state. I call that Apartheid, like in South Africa was.
    When Israel just rejects all those reolutions of the united Nations or the Geneva conventions, or the International criminal court telling the Apartheid wallin in occupied territoriesis illegal. When it commits crimes, Human rightwatch call warcrimes. Just read also the last Amnesty International report to know more.

    Israel DOES NOT WANT PEACE that's clear to me and many others! BUT THE WORLD KNOWS now. Thanks to Internet. The Israeli propaganda machine does not work anymore because of People like Mona.

    Jonathan probably you will have some red ears or a red neck now. But we all can mention many more injustices by the occupiers.

    What you are doing Jonathan is just SPINNING. Trying to make the Israeli lies true. But you really underestimate the new medium of internet and our love.

    I will tel you and Mona and others, the only way to get peace in our world is by peace in our hearts and minds even if there is hardly any food, electricity, medicins, doctors, schools, fathers (10.000 Palestineans in Jail) or money
    That is strange for you Jonathan, is not it?

    I hardly dare to say, this problem can only be solved by love and understanding HERE AND NOW and not by what we could have done in the past.
    The only one that will judge is our common Lord, Allah, or Jaweh.

    I'm proud that people like Mona still can hold on this suffering.
    Some wise people like Nelson Mandela or Bishop Tutu, or the Dalai Lama should stand up in our "Holy land".

    Do you have that wisdom? Think about it... Do something instead of being so negative...!

    in peace,

    Herman

    By Blogger Unknown, at 6/04/2007 11:12 PM  

  • As many others have pointed out, the constant self-righteous blaming of the situation on the other side is counter-productive. There is plenty of blame to go around, but it does nothing to help the Palestinian people.

    Let's assume for a moment that most Israelis and Palestinians are decent peace-loving people who want peace and prosperity for themselves and their families more than they want the destruction of their opponents....if that assumption is false, all is lost.

    The question then is how those people can wrest power from the (mostly religious) fanatics who will advance their absolutist agendas (killing/driving-out their opponents) regardless of the human toll.

    Israel will never have peace while her neighbors are imprisoned and impoverished. Palestinians will never have peace while they attack Israel or advocate her destruction. These basic problems need to be addressed first and one would hope that reasonable people would agree on these as starting points.

    Herman: If you agree with this, perhaps you can suggest some ways to advance these goals?

    What is needed is strong leadership seeking peace, willing to confront the extremists on their own sides first!

    What is *NOT* needed is more inflammatory rhetoric from either side.

    By Blogger LogicalDave, at 6/25/2007 3:03 PM  

  • I agree with your views.

    My ideas? Why does the United Nations not do an inquiry in the whole population of the "Holy land" what people themselves want? Take them serious! Now we are just guessing if the refugees really want to come back.

    First we have to investigate and then take Democracy serious (also in Israel!) and treat the indigenous people without double standards.

    The best thing to do is also to stop Zionism in Israel, so that the real Democracy gets a better chance there.

    In peace,

    Herman

    By Blogger Unknown, at 7/02/2007 5:36 PM  

  • Herman: There are at least three problems with what you suggest:

    1) Democracy does not work in plural societies without constitutional protections; otherwise, the majority is free to abuse the minority. I'm curious: do you live in a Democratic nation? If so, do you have a constitution that protects minorities?

    2) You suggested that Zionism is what stands in the way of Democracy in the "Holy Land"...anyone who reads the Hamas charter will realize that radical Islam just as big a problem for Democracy as radical Judaism. Have your read the Hamas charter?

    3) The Israelis do not trust the UN. This seems pretty reasonable given that the UN has 57 Muslim member nations that have spent more time condemning the 1 Jewish nation (rightly or wrongly) than all the other nations combined even given the on-going slaughter of as many as 400,000 by the Sudanese Arab government in Darfur and the 1988 Iraqi Arab slaughter of up to 180,000 Kurdish civilians). So it is not hard to understand why the Israelis might be reluctant to trust the UN in an Arab/Israeli dispute.

    If you want to see Democracy thrive in Israel/Palestine, both sides will need to take a good look in the mirror and then throw off their yokes of radicalism and decide that good lives for themselves and their children are more valuable than vanquishing their opponents.

    Peace to you and yours,
    Dave

    By Blogger LogicalDave, at 7/03/2007 6:48 AM  

  • Logicaldave,

    1. I live in the Netherlands.

    How in the democracy called Israel? Are the minority indigenous arabs protected by the constitution? NO! Even an arab parliamentarian had to find refuge out of Israel recently.
    So please stop calling Israel a democracy!
    2. So let's stop any radicalism, but don't manipulate treacherous Pinochets like people like Abbas undemocratic in a government. That's double standards and not building trust too. A voted democracy is to be respected.
    Listen to the international court of justice. Brake down or move the separation wall. Obey the conventions of Geneva. Stop targeted killings. Protect the people in the occupied land.
    Don't put Parliamentarians in jail.
    Don't stop the EU observers in Rafah border to go to their job from Israel, so that the border keeps closed.
    Allow international observers at the frontiers.
    3. That's the problem of Israelis. They are member of the United Nations. Handle it there.

    But anyone could do an inquiry in the whole population of the "Holy land" what people themselves want. Even Israel could do so...! But let's DO something like this quickly!

    I agree with your last alinea:
    >>If you want to see Democracy thrive in Israel/Palestine, both sides will need to take a good look in the mirror and then throw off their yokes of radicalism and decide that good lives for themselves and their children are more valuable than vanquishing their opponents.

    Indeed. In the Netherlands we say, if you want to change the world, start with yourself...

    In peace,

    Herman

    By Blogger Unknown, at 7/06/2007 12:10 AM  

  • Dear Herman,

    The Netherlands is not a very plural country; over 80% of the nation is of a single ethnic group (Dutch) and there is poor assimilation of minority groups. Much immigration has been through "guest worker" programs and post-colonial immigration of those of mixed Dutch descent. Recently, Dutch nationalists including Fortuyn have attacked and placed restrictions on allochtoon...so I agree with your statement that starting with yourself might not be a bad idea.

    That said, let me try to respond to your post:
    1) Israel is a democracy; Arab and other non-Jewish citizens are free to vote and live in Israel (are Jews free to live and worship in the Democratic state of Gaza? Most other Arab countries?) Israeli constitutional protections do not extend to incitement and advocacy of violent overthrow of the government by any group...this is the case with most Democracies. That said, there are surely problems of anti-Arab-ism and right-wing Jewish religious fanatics in Israel. So yes, Israel is a Democracy, and yes, it has problems...so do the Netherlands and America. It is worth examining those problems, but your post does not appear to be an honest attempt to look at those problems and how they may be resolved, but rather a one-sided assault that does not reflect a genuine interest in achieving peace.
    2) I agree with you about Abbas and am disappointed that there has been such support for him *because* of EU/American opposition to Hamas. I disagree with you about respecting an elected government (Hamas) purely because it has been elected. It is wonderful that Palestinians were free to vote; it is tragic that they chose to elect a genocidal, sexist, intolerant government. The fact that this government was elected does not automatically grant it the respect of those who did not participate in the election. As an American progressive, I feel absolutely no desire to support a government like Hamas whose views are antithetical to progressive plural values.
    As for respect for international laws, you seem to believe they only to apply to Israel whilest Hamas is free to do whatever they please (for example, those same international agreements require Palestinians to disarm terrorists and stop attacking civilians, but I've not heard you say anything about their failure to do so). All of this said, I agree with some of what you said, but find your lack of balance impossible to support. The Israelis cannot reasonably be expected to protect and support people sworn to kill them...change needs to come from both sides. I hope what you want is for *both* sides to renounce their radical and racist policies and start to treat each other with love and respect. If this is the case, you might try examining and discussing the issues on *both* sides of the conflict.
    3) If you care about the UN and what it stood for, you should be concerned about its extreme bias and failure to protect minorities. The UN will only remain relevant as long as it is fair and principled. The UN stands by while tens of thousands of Darfur native civilians are raped and slaughtered and hundreds of thousands displaced because Muslim dictatorships will not oppose the brutal Arab Muslim government in Sudan. The UN meanwhile issues endless one-sided resolutions against Israel spawned by those same brutal Arab dictators who care nothing about the Palestinians and use them as pawns to distract their own Arab populations as they plunder Arab wealth. If the UN continues to work this way, it will become irrelevant; many in the US have already come to that conclusion.

    If you truly care about the suffering of the Palestinian people, I hope you will join me in seeking solutions and not just lobbing accusations.

    Peace to you as well,
    Dave

    By Blogger LogicalDave, at 7/12/2007 3:07 PM  

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