The Abyss of Humanity

A Palestinian woman disfigured by kitchen burns planned to blow up the Israeli hospital where she was being treated, apparently coerced by Al Aqsa Brigades.  A week later, amidst threats to kill the Israeli Prime Minister and “set the country on fire” if the Israeli Defense Forces evacuate Gaza settlers, a band of Kach-guided right-wing Jewish extremists threw rocks and blocks at a semi-conscious Palestinian boy, from a meter away.

Have we seen the abyss of humanity? 

Can we reverse the course set by the pathological militant absolutism of a radical few?

Are we doing enough to counteract these fringes?

The case of 21-year old Wafa Samir Ibrahim al-Biss should have enraged citizens worldwide.  She was hiding 22 pounds of explosives apparently embedded in her underwear through a mix of coercion, indoctrination and blackmail by terrorists.  Wafa had been going for treatment to Israel since December 2004, when she suffered severe burns from a gas canister explosion in her home in the Jabalya refugee camp.  The terrorists sought to exploit a humanitarian allowance for travel into Israel and commanded Wafa to blow herself up in a "noisy, crowded place" at the Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva where she received medical treatment.

*AN UNHOLY ALLIANCE*

Palestinian militant groups seek to torpedo efforts at reconciliation through terror, and as such, they have an unwitting and unholy alliance with militant Israeli “thugs” (as Prime Minister Sharon called them).

The actions of a radical minority of violent settlers should also infuriate us all.  They went on a wild rampage in the village of Muwasi, rioting, bullying and attacking young Palestinians.  They blocked Israeli highways and threw nails and gasoline into the roads.  They beat a young soldier into a comma.  Two militant West Bank settlers were detained after discovery of their plan to drive two cars filled with containers of gasoline in to Kibbutz Galuyot.  Threats to assassinate Prime Minister Sharon and to bomb the Al Aqsa Mosque surface all too frequently.  And yesterday they planted a “warning bomb” in Jerusalem’s central bus station.

Gen. Danny Rothschild, a OneVoice Israel Board member, warned me of this weeks ago, when he explained that, unlike older patriotic hardliners, a new generation of rabid militants have no moral compass or boundaries and no sense of respect for the nation.  That description, it struck me, reminded me of a conversation I had with Dr. Fathi Darwish, Director General of OneVoice-Palestine, about the “anarchy of arms” on the Palestinian side, and how certain villages are haunted by gangs of young hoodlums that answer to no one.

Sharon denounced the rampaging "thugs who try to terrify Israeli society and tear it apart by violence against Jews and Arabs".  He added: “We cannot let a small group of law-breakers impose a reign of terror."  He insisted the battle was not over the disengagement plan, but over the future of Israel.  In fact, how we battle violent absolutism will significantly define global society over the next few decades.

*NUMBED INTO INACTION*

Alas, Israelis, Palestinians and concerned citizens worldwide have been so desensitized by this ongoing conflict that their indignation at these repellent horrors ends in shrugs.

When we are unable to stand up in uniform condemnation against subhuman violent absolutism, when brutal ghastly behavior does not arouse the ire and action of the host population to discourage, isolate and eradicate it in all of its manifestations, it is time for us to ask whether each of us is doing enough to ensure the majority seeking a two-state solution and a better future for their children will ultimately prevail. 

We cannot shrug our shoulders in silence.  Each one of us must vocally and visually scorn militancy. Community leaders and ordinary citizens must start by sending a clear message to neighbors and fellow citizens uniformly reproaching all forms of violent absolutism.  Disapproval must be heartfelt, active, and constant in order to alter the moral environment within which militants operate.

*FIRM MAJORITIES SUPPORT NON-VIOLENT PATH TO TWO STATE SOLUTION*

The silver lining of this abyss is that Israelis and Palestinians alike have peeked and they do not like what they saw.  The number of Palestinians supporting suicide bombings against civilians has steadily declined ever since it skyrocketed to 86% in October 2000.  Under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, who has taken strong steps against incitement, over 60% now opposes the path of terror.  Seventy-six percent of the 125,000 Palestinians and Israelis that took part in OneVoice Citizen Negotiations supported a two-state solution – see the data at http://www.silentnolonger.org/wps/WPS_PA_501/Links/3rdRound_Summary.pdf or read the report at http://blog.onevoicemovement.org/one_voice/2004/10/index.html –  consistent with survey data over the years.  And Israelis are coming back to support Sharon’s disengagement plan in greater numbers, as militant settler strategies clearly backfire.

Unfortunately, the numbers are still far from what they need to be.  Only once the supra-majorities of both populations vocally reject the path of terror and dehumanization and recognize the need for working solutions that respect both sides will the terrorist and militant infrastructure be isolated and their funding and moral support dry up till their extinction. 

*MEDIA’S ABSENCE*

Remarkable efforts from dozens of aligned Israeli and Palestinian organizations fostering reconciliation and understanding are underway.  Yet as you do not read about them in the news, you would think they are non-existent, and in this day and age, without media coverage, they may very well be.

Why is media reporting on positive newsworthy developments so absent? And what can we do to change that? We have to accept newscasters will look for the most provocative stories to increase their ratings, and the tools of reason and civic discourse are not sexy enough.  Since only mean madness captures media coverage, dwellers drown in a sea of sordid insanity.

*SMALL STEPS BY MANY OF US CAN SHIFT THE BALANCE OF POWER*

Violent extremists, while a minority, are so fanatically committed to their cause that they have thus far overpowered passive moderates in the majority.  Can we, without resorting to violence, turn dark energies against themselves?  As advocates of absolutism are exposed as false messiahs, they are de-legitimized.  People will turn to brighter alternatives if demonstrated to them.  But grassroots leadership is a pre-requisite.  The power of one should not be underestimated.  If each one of us does just a little bit more to condemn violent extremism in our community, we can alter the environment.  We can and must tap the frustration that millions like us are feeling and provide tools to channel them towards constructive paths.  But it will only succeed if we all play our part.

*THIS IS NOT AN ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT*

In the end, the most important way to re-channel energies is to reframe the conflict.  This is no longer a struggle of Israelis versus Palestinians.  It is about the vast majority willing to live in peace versus tiny but dedicated minorities on both sides that will stop at nothing to achieve an absolutist vision denying the humanity of the other.  We need to stop them first.  And we need to stop them now.  If we do not, their bitter hatred will envelop us all.  Know that they plot and fight for a delusional vision that will impact your future and that of your progeny. Now ask yourself:  What are you doing today to advance the cause of reason?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?!  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ONEVOICE SHOULD DO TO AWAKEN CITIZENS INTO ACTION AGAINST EXTREMISM.

Comments

[Roman]

This is a phenominal observation -- the smartest, most objective analysis I can find anywhere. The world needs you to succeed.

[Mike Hager]

Daniel,

Congratulations on your good work! Suggest you contact the American Diaspora Alliance for Israeli Palestinian Peace (ADAIPP)chaired by Ron Goodman and Sam Halaby. (www.adaipp.org)

Mike

[sioma lubetzky]

i believe the work your organization is doing is by
far the fairest and perhaps the best opportunity the region has for a peacefull future.
I do not think however that enough people in the region and worldwide are aware or understand your vision, I truly believe that sponsoring a concert
with world famous artists
joining together for the cause would skyrocket peoples awareness and interest in onevoice.

[Victor Diamond]

I think a joint advisory council made up of distingwished Israelis and Palestinians should be established with media fanfare, and a "Peace Process" which I have outlined previous set up to start the process dealing with basic issues first, and then graduating to more sensitive issues such as territories. I can't see how unilateral territory withdrawals will succeed with all the hatrid being taught and spread via schools, media, and clergy .

[M. Cadbury]

I think the only way for moderates to overcome the appeal of extremists is if they can present a compelling alternative vision, just wanting peace isn't enough. If a broad base of moderates across both communities can agree on the future, then they can use their votes to ensure their politicians implement it.

[M. Cadbury]

Adding to my previous comment, Onevoice clearly is homing in on a vision, but it's not obvious exactly what is agreed under each of the 10 points. The precise proposals that are agreed need to be very upfront and politicians need to be put under pressure to sign up to them.

[sioma lubetzky]

I think also the production of
a documentary to be made in english, hebrew and arabic,
portraying regular happy israeli
families, then regular happy palestinian families, and then somehow the recruitment of either or both by extremist groups, some form of attack or agression, and
finally the view of the same families after losing a family member to terror. I Believe seeing
both sides in the before and after
could give people a strong insight
to the suffering of both sides and
the absurdity of this long conflict.

[Jochi Weil-Goldstein]

Dear Dr. Fathi Darwish, Director General of OneVoice-Palestine

Thank you for the thoughts in "The Abyss of Humanity". I'm convinced you're right.

A question to you: Did we meet each-other some years ago, once in the office of One Voice, downstairs in the Building of PARC in Ramallah?
And before have you been in Zurich, where we meet each other?
I'm not sure.

Thank you for your work in One Voice.

Best,

Jochi Weil-Goldstein, a "Nanomillimetre-Worker"

[eyad]

ITS GREAT
YOUR ACTIVITIES ARE PROMISING

BUT WE ARE IN NABLUS CUTY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS GREAT MOVEMENT

GO ON

[abed]

I am sure, just the peace can bring the safe to all the world, and we must work together to raise peace voice, and to stop the violence.
There are no human from the Palestinians and Israelis want to live in war and vilounce, but many of them (terrorists) works to destroy and chance to bring the peace.

So… if u loves u state u must disseminate the non violence culturle, and to stoped any one want to make things to destroy the vision of peace between Palestinian and Israelis.
If u want to give must to take.

Abed
Palestine/Israel (tow state) I don’t want to determined I from where'''
Jerusalem

[abedlfatah haddad]

إن كلامكم عن المتطرفين عجيب جداً،فأنتم تقولون عنهم أقلية وتقولون في قصتكم أن وراء هذه البنت كتائب شهداء الاقصى والمعروف أن هذه الكتائب تنتمي الى اكبر فصيل فلسطيني الا وهو حركة فتح والتي تمثل الفئة العظمى والحزب الحاكم أيضاً،وأيضا بالنسبة للطرف الاخر فإن شارون المتربع على كرسي الحكم الان هو القمة في التطرف في جميع مراحل حياته حتى هذه اللحظة واريد أن اذكركم في صبرا وشاتيلا وعمليات الاغتيالات التي راح ضحيتها الالاف من الاطفال والنساء والشيوخ،فإن شارون مسؤوول عن الاف مؤلفة من دماء الفلسطينيين ولم يكن له موقف سياسي واحد يبين أنه معتدل إن تاريخه يشهد أنه قمة في التطرف..وأعود وأقول بأنه لا يستطيع أحد أن يزاود على أي فصيل فلسطيني فكل الاحترام للجميع وكل الاحترام لجميع التيارات مادامو يسيرون في نفس الاتجاه وتباً ثم سحقاً للذين يسيرون في عكس التيار لخدمة الطرف الاخر بالمال....وتذكروا أنه فيزيائياً لا يمكن خلط وتجانس الزيت بالماء وهذا حال الفلسطينيين والاسرائيليين لا يمكن تجانسهم فهذه هي المعادلة إما نحن أم هم،ثم الم يأن لنا أن نتعلم أن هذا الشعب اليهودي لا يعرف سلاماً أبداً هذا ما اعلمتنا به كتب التاريخ ونحن ما نزل قمة في الغباء وما زلنا نمد يدنا في نفس الجحر لنُلدغ مرةً أخرى

[IYAS ABU-GHOSH]

I think that the Israeli government must end the occupation and give freedom to the Palestinian people...
and then we will have the peace...
IYAS

[Nor]

email: ywl97@hotmail.com

[bolipin]

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2289;制品热端蒸涂和冷? 1;喷涂技术，采用了无& #27679;节能高性能玻璃配 041;，并具有完整的检测 ;设备与手段，有较强&# 30340;产品开发能力，建? 35;有完善的质量管理体 系和服务体系，取得 0102;玻璃输液瓶生产许? 7;证，取得了自营进出& #21475;权，通过了ISO9001：2000质& #37327;管理体系认证，在 382;次质量抽查中，无论 ;是外观质量，还是理&# 21270;性能均较优异，成è 26;浙江省同行中的佼佼 者。

[tk9988]

أن وراء هذه البنت كتائب شهداء الاقصى والمعروف أن هذه الكتائب تنتمي الى اكبر فصيل فلسطيني الا وهو حركة فتح والتي تمثل الفئة العظمى والحزب الحاكم أيضاً،وأيضا بالنسبة للطرف الاخر فإن شارون المتربع على كرسي الحكم الان هو القمة في التطرف في جميع مراحل حياته حتى هذه اللحظة واريد أن اذكركم في صبرا وشاتيلا وعمليات الاغتيالات التي راح
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