Middle East Focus: A Yom Hashoah Paradox

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This is the second in a series on "Why the Geneva UN Conference (Durban II) Matters" - The general theme is that what happens in the working of the UN General Assembly and its committees is incredibly instructive about the biased rhetoric that seeps into the debate over Israel and the Middle East here in this country. And why this matters to the average person - YOU - is that this is the rhetoric that well meaning liberal progressives in this country parrot thinking it is the truth. Unfortunately - that is absolutely not where the truth comes from - and all you have to do is pay attention to see it.

This entry will focus on reflections from this past Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) as words our community celebration in Boston served to be a sharp contrast from what Mahmound Ahmedinijad - the poster boy for the bias of this body - had said during the conference and in interviews since.

Yes, just as I was wrapping up my initial article on President Ahmadinejad and his role at the UN Conference in Geneva (Durban II), I was also trying to get my head into a place to attend the community's Yom Hashoah commemoration at Faneiul Hall.

To summarize, I asked everyone to watch the video from the morning's "This Week with George Stephanopolis" and pay particular attention to two things:

1) That the Iranian president was not an aberration, but a crystal clear reflection of what so many around the globe think of Jews and Israel.

2) That his critique of both was so wrapped up in a clear cultural bias against Jews and Israel that arguments rarely follow reason. It is like when a bigot is trying to explain why he is better than another race. People with a reasoned mind can only role their eyes.

Here is the link again to the video interview with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7398354

When asked why he doesn't think the Holocaust happened, he takes two very significant approaches.

1) First, he never talks about History. HE ONLY TALKS ABOUT ISRAEL. In America, we want so much to separate anti-Israel feelings from anti-Jewish feelings. But you really can't when the rest of the world cannot separate feelings about Israel from feelings about Jews. The Holocasut is clearly a Jewish related event yet Ahmdinejad immediately begins talking about how the Holocaust - if it happened was Europe's fault and so they should not have "created" Israel and harmed the Arabic peoples living in Palestine. Of course in saying this, two things are revealed. He has no desire to acknowledge any historical presence of Jews in the land, or any History of a kingdom or country of the Hebrew tribes. But, in the same conversation where he says he DOES NOT BELIEVE THE HOLOCAUST HAPPENED - he also asks the world to believe that IT DID HAPPEN but since IT HAPPENED IN EUROPE THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THEIR GUILT OVER IT SOME OTHER WAY THEN with the state of Israel. And Historically, this negates the generations of Jews who never left Israel, the thousands who settled there in the 1800's, and the thousands who settled throughout the early years of the 20th century.

I hope people can get a sense for how challenging it is to counter such logic. Can he have it both ways? Can the Holocaust be BOTH a lie perpetrated by Jews to create the State of Israel and at the same time a TRUTH by which European guilt created the state of Israel. Can both of these be in any way relevant when the History shows Israel was on a path to re-establishment in some way well before the Holocaust? As I said, it makes no sense, yet people march in the streets in America to defend these views and the countries and leaders from around the globe who subscribe to the same hypocrisy. I meet with people every day who think Jews have no business there and never did. Amazing.

However, as I try to explain in my presentations, so much of the anti-Israel commentary in this country is not really about details of the current crisis. It is bias, inconsistent argumentation, and age old anti-Jewish sentiment wrapped up in a neat little bundle. And of course once anyone says that truth, that any part of this Israel thing is about anti-Jewish bias, they are labeled as the boy who cried wolf - or the boy who cried anti-Semitism - which of course is the neat little invalidator of any argument in support of Israel. Even thought it is the truth in so many cases.

2) Now if that weren't bad enough, there was another interesting comment Ahmadinejad made that stuck in my mind that afternoon at the Yom Hashoah event. The Iranian President asked why the Holocaust was like a "Holy" thing for Jews - such that it could not be questioned. It is History he said. Ah yes, yet another contradiction. Either it is History or it isn't Mr. President. And if it is, then I guess you deny the overwhelming evidence from one of the most studied events in our time. But whether it is or isn't really shouldn't be something you have the right to claim. If you want to start debating what a religion calls Holy, I think your glass house is shattering - ye of the cartoon protesters.

I have actually heard something similar from fellow Jews - that we shouldn't be so sensitive to critique of the Holocaust. I have also said it in the past in another way. I believe that the numbers we generally throw around may just be higher than what was documented. (Many scholars have acknowledged this). Also, there may very well be inconsistencies in stories or places where X happened but not Y. And of course there are the few - very few - survivors who have fabricated stories. These prove to be the irrlevent fodder for deniers like Ahmadinejad. What is the truth is that 4 or 5 million would be NO different than 6 million. The roots, evolution, and growth of what we know of as the Holocaust is as real as the sun in the sky. That is the key to this debate. What's more, the key note address at the community celebration asked. "Why is the commemoration of the Holocaust not MORE HOLY?" This is a charge we have to deal with.

He mentioned the calamities that befell Jews that are remembered in other "real" holidays - like Tisha B'Av and Purim, and spoke of how the numbers killed in the Holocaust so overshadow the deaths in ALL the other calamities, that it should be given a fast day, or place in our calendar similar to the other HOLY DAYS. Some would say maybe this is beause the event is too recent. But Purim was once "too recent" as well. In fact, there was once great debate as to whether it should have the stature it currently has.

What really came through strong however was a question about ALL the Jewish Holidays. Are they not ALL about ZACHOR - about remembrance? And if the are, does Yom Hashoah not deserve a place of even greater significance?

I would say it does. And here is where I wrap this up. I believe it doesn't have as strong a place because so many Jews would join with Ahmedinejad in thinking that "Jews talk too much about the Holocaust" - a classic commentary used to vilify Jews around the globe that taps into every Jewish conspiracy theory ever constructed. As with so many issues in the lives of Jews these days - we are our own worst enemies. When President Ahmadinejad can get traction in the Jewish community with comments about why the Holocaust should be treated like a holy day - you can see part of the problem.

And then I hear from a wise Rabbi - why isn't the Holocaust MORE holy to us. And I ask the same thing. And it sounds alot like the question - why isn't Israel MORE holy to us as well.

And now I am going to an Israeli independence celebration.

The Cohen Side Middle East Blog - Why The "Durban II" UN Conference Matters - Part I (Oh Mahmoud!)

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Please watch this video of an interview with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7398354

It is excellent context for the the next series of posts which will address both the content and an analysis of the recently concluded UN Conference on Racism in Geneva (or the Durban Review Conference - "Durban II")


Please keep in mind a few things as you watch this video:

1) DO NOT think this conference or this issue is not relevant to YOU. If you are either concerned or confused about the entire issue of Israel and the Middle east - this matters to you. I am consistently approached by friends and colleagues who simply DO NOT know what to make of this issue. Either they are fiercely supportive of Israel and don't know how to defend her - or they are fiercely biased against Israel and are sorely uninformed and misled. This conference and this issue can be used as an EXCELLENT CASE STUDY as to why Israel needs to be supported even as it can be criticized. For anyone who considers themselves a "progressive" or "liberal" or "human rights advocate" and is either supportive or not supportive of Israel, this CASE STUDY will show you how the game of Israel Demonization is played on the international stage and how it poisons any hope of civil dialogue in this country over the issue.

2) DO NOT think of the Iranian President as "crazy" or "insane". That was the same mistake people made when analyzing the Holocaust. The minute you think Hitler's views were "crazy" or not common to his people, you miss all the lessons the Holocaust has to offer. Ahmadinejad is simply the guy who says what everyone else is thinking but is afraid to say in public for the Western media. This analysis is in no way going "easy" on Iran or its President. What he says is abhorrent and destructive. But to dismiss him as a clown condemns us to ignore the widespread bias and bigotry toward Jews and Israel that is very real in most corners of the world.

3) DO NOT think that because this view is critical of the conference, the UN, and Iran that the point is to condemn the UN as a whole or the Palestinian cause. The opposite is the case and anyone who would wish to throw out the UN baby with the UN bathwater simply does not undersatand all the good the UN does and how important it is. The conference is simply an example of how the operations of the UN, when dominated by the popular vote of the member nations, are themselves responsible for deflecting the discussion of so many global human rights causes at the expense of a disproportionate focus on condemnation of Israel - even at the expense of real solutions and help for the Palestinian people.

4) DO NOT dismiss his criticism of the US or his denial of the Holocaust - it is at the heart of understanding the large majority of beliefs of people in the region. When you listen to Ahmadinejad discuss talks with the US and then discuss the Holocaust, notice the difference. In his comments about the US, he makes sense. Why would Iran immediately trust a country who has ostracized Iran for 30 years, simply because Obama tells the press he wishes to improve relations? If the Iranian president is right, and no official outreach has been made, he is still waiting for proof. That makes sense. It is reasonable and must be respected. Then when he starts talking about the Holocaust he does not use reason - but the comments are no less useful. He never says why he believes the Holocaust never happened. He just believes it. He never responds to the claim that the Holocaust has been one of the most studied topics in History. He just repeats twice that if it did happen, it was done by the West and should never have been used to displace Palestinians. He also states that it should not still be used to justify the right of Israel to exist. His view of the Holocaust is not about History. It is about Jews, his belief in their manipulation of the World, and the Western guilt that he believes created Israel. Now as much as I could say we need to hammer home the Jewish historical and spiritual claim to the land, the continued presence in the land over the past 3000 years, and the significant numbers who returned to cultivate the land well before WWII - IF WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE BELIEVE ALL OF WHAT HE BELIEVES AND THAT IT IS AT THE HEART OF GLOBAL ENMITY TOWARD ISRAEL, JEWS, AND THE WEST, WE WILL NEVER LEARN WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH AND THE JUSTIFIED FEAR AND WORRY ISRAEL HAS WHEN ASKED TO "MAKE PEACE" IN THIS CONTEXT ... As I have said, we could talk 'til we are blue in the face about "dual narratives", about how we must respect "two Historical claims to the land", but it will NOT CHANGE THE DEEP SEEDED BELIEF OF MANY THAT JEWS DON'T BELONG THERE.

By the way - my counter to that is this:
Q: To any supporter of Palestinians who does not believe Israel should ever have been founded or was founded through genocide - ask this question - "If in 2000 years, this issue is not resolved, will the Palestinian claim on the land be any less just?" If they say of course not, then ask them why the Jewish/Israeli claim to the land is any less just. This is about two peoples having two valid claims to the same land, being at war over it, and now having to work out a solution that respects both claims.

If you listen to the last comments Ahmadinejad makes about respecting what the Palestinians would vote for, he is clearly stating that if Palestinians want all Jews out of the land, the world should respect that.

Now in future posts I will go into further detail and analysis about this issue and the conference itself. Here is a link to a portion of his actual speech.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swEeQCG5AZk

Remember, don't think crazy. Think justifiably pissed off about the US and the West while harboring deep seeded cultural anti-Semitism and anti-Israel beliefs. I will focus on this so closely because for those who think anti-Semitism is not a factor in the Israel issue - here is the proof in the pudding. His views are a reflection of larger cultural trends that are at the heart of the modern UN's outlandish focus on Israel AND the backbone of what seeps into Liberal-Progressive American views about Israel. What many of your friends who are in that camp don't realize is that their well-meaning commitment to "Human-Rights" as it is contextualized by the UN and global media is largely an outgrowth of irrational anti-Semitism around the world and in the member nations of the UN. It creates the biased reports, conferences, and claims of atrocities that well meaning Americans latch onto and believe hook, line, and sinker. They have been fooled by extremists whose only goal is to discredit Israel in the hopes of someday eradicating it. These extremists are not interested in a political solution that includes an "Israel" and are not interested in helping the Palestinians and Israelis make peace any time soon.

More to come .... especially on the danger to the future of human rights if this trend is not understood.

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Iraq Redux - The Meaning of Success

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I recently wrote about the ludicrous column in the Globe by Jeff Jacoby where he tries to give a 2009 "I told you so!" to everyone who ever criticized the war in Iraq.

Bush's 'folly' is ending in victory (March 25)http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/03/25/bushs_folly_is_ending_in_victory/

I was waiting to write this additional follow-up for two reasons:

1) I was waiting to see an inevitable tragedy so I could use a hard core example of how full of crap this "victory" idea was.
2) I wanted to do some research to give people the best way to find out on their own how much of an offense to common sense and decency that assertion really was.

Check out this recent globe article as just one example of how precarious things are over there.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2009/04/12/suicide_bomber_kills_9_sunni_fighters_in_iraq_on_payday/

And trust me, this is not the only incident. Actually, don't trust me, look for yourself to see the number of incidents of well, extremist terrorism against the population of Iraq that the US still has no idea how to stop.

And on that eternal idea of having no idea how to stop such insurgent activity, I had claimed that the message behind the Jacoby piece was not just that things were better, but that it was all worth it in the end. I not only have video footage from many in Iraq who will categorically state that as bad as Saddam was, things are just horrible right now. While things are better than they were just a year ago, the life people can lead in Iraq in 2009 is a pale shadow in comparison to what life was like before the invasion.

But I really don't even want to debate the "better off" argument. What I really want to do is what I love - REMINDING PEOPLE OF HISTORY. Jeff clearly doesn't.

I recently reviewed an EXCELLENT FRONTLINE SEGMENT called BUSH'S WAR
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/bushswar/

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that every History teacher buy it and use it in class when teaching this unit. I also HIGHLY ENCOURAGE anyone who wants to be informed on the issue but is not a huge reader to get the video as well. You can also try You Tube to get a glimpse:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=bush#

You will see that the issue really isn't about 2009 versus 2007 or 2008. This issue is all the needless death that took place because of the mis-steps of this Administration. And look, the "What - you liked Saddam?" argument just doesn't fly. One could argue we were containing him just fine. (Look it up!) But even if you go with the "Maybe the invasion was a good call given the 9/11 context" - there were just SO many screw ups that dragged this thing on and caused SO many American and Iraqi lives to be lost.

I will NEVER let people like Jeff Jacoby or anyone else try to rewrite History to make this all seem like a good thing that is wrapping up very nicely right now - thank you very much.

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Sad Realities on the Ground - Palestinians Punish Their Own for Musical Outreach to Israelis

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I am not sure how many of you are aware of this story - which can be found in today's Globe:

Palestinian camp leaders punish musical outreach to Israelis:
Youth orchestra shut down amid outcry of politics

http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2009/03/30/palestinian_camp_leaders_punish_musical_outreach_to_israelis/

In a nutshell, a youth orchestra, led by a well meaning director trying to build bridges between Israeli's and Palestinians, was shut down when it was discovered the group played to a group of Holocaust survivors just outside of Tel Aviv.

Now in an effort to stem reactionaries on either side, I will comment from the gut then analyze from the head.

Having run similar programs in Israel, I will tell you point blank that these are two people's who do not get to interact and learn about each other often enough. It is a shame that such attempts are looked on - by hardliners on both sides mind you - as trivial nonsense that only exploits the idea of fluffy interaction with no real progress toward "deliverables" on either side. In other words, if it doesn't get us any land or any less violence today, why bother.

But let me expound for a moment on the real tragedy. And I will include my previously published op-ed in the Standard Times again since this was right on point.

This incident is a two part lesson I believe. And I will try to be fair to both sides as I spell it out. The shame of it all is not one-sided at all.

This story is first and foremost a reflection of the deep distrust that exists on both sides - AND NOT just on the extremes. There are wonderful moderates who can rise above it all - but for the most part, distrust is more widespread than many in this country know. Now that does not change the fact that most Palestinians and Israelis want a two state solution and on average are good, hardworking people somewhere in the middle of the political spectrum - just like in the United States. But distrust is a very human and much more pervasive feeling. One may not hate or hold violent thoughts toward another - but they can certainly distrust and believe myths and stereotypes. It is a basic sociological idea - that distrust is widespread but further beneath the surface in most cultures than hate and of course closer to the surface in cultures under duress. Israel and the territories qualify as "under duress" - especially post-Gaza - and the distrust is palpable.

So how does that distrust rear its ugly head? Well this incident is a great example of this and an excellent reason why a Two-State Solution to the conflict is the only avenue. Also, please notice I rarely say peace. The reason of course is this distrust. Even after an agreement would be reached. Peace will not ensue. Extremists will do everything they can to undo whatever the moderates have accomplished and tolerance and less violence is all we can really hope for in the near future. Rabin and modern day pragmatists get this. Peace is later - when generations who have experienced violence have a had chance to either calm down or frankly die away. Gruesome I know, but the truth. These modern pragmatists are also the people who believe in peace and still think the separation barrier is a good idea. Think of it as the referee in a boxing match coming between two fighters as they move to their corners. This is what the Israelis who built it and believe in it were thinking. They were most certainly not thinking of Warsaw or South Africa. They were thinking very practically about two cultures who distrust each other and who can't - and never have been able to - rely on the UN or any outside force to be an arbiter inside their borders. And if one thing is true in the middle east, appearances count for so much less than they do in the US. If the barrier is a good, pragmatic idea to some, there is no one who will be able to tell them how much it makes people feel bad, or reminds them of the Holocaust. Distrust is the reason it was built - and distrust is the reason it is so vilified.

DISTRUST. It is at the heart of it all and the clearest reason why the fairytale story of a single state solution with a joint Jewish and Arab Muslim parliament will never work. The two sides can just barely talk to each other - and the foolish proponents of this idea (those that are well meaning) think the two groups can govern together? Come on.

And for those who are not well meaning (who have no illusions of joint government but who are extremists and simply want one Jewish State or One Arab Muslim Majority State) they should be discredited for their disrespect to the narrative of each side.

But the second lesson is something that CAN NOT be dismissed by Americans or anyone around the globe.

As much as this conflict and 9/11 has created distrust of Arab Muslims around the world, there is a very real problem with distrust of Israel and of Jews in the Arab world that is rubbing off on others and rekindling the distrust of the pre-Holocaust era.

In the story of the orchestra, by claiming that the children were used for "political purposes" - readers should understand what that translates into.

In my op ed, I explain that any mention of the Holocaust in the context of the middle east generally evokes the following reactions from opponents of Israel:

1) The Holocaust is something the Jews have used since before the founding of Israel to gain sympathy from the world and rob land from the Arab's who lived in Palestine.

2) It is something they have continued to use to get money from the rest of the world and to deflect the debate over the legitimacy of Israel.

3) How can you talk about the Holocaust - ever - when Israel/Jews are doing the same thing to Palestinians and making them suffer in the same way.

4) And we are not even sure it happened. It is entirely possible it didn't and was just exaggerated for the purposes above.

If you read the original article about the orchestra above, you will hear many of those thoughts.

The "political" use the camp official speaks of is this. By having the students play for Holocaust survivors, it implies that the leaders of the camp/Palestinians:

1) Acknowledge the Holocaust happened.

2) Have sympathy for the pain of the survivors.

3) Acknowledge it as a legitimate reason for the founding of the state of Israel.

That is why the leaders are so upset.

But as my article indicates, why does any recognition or discussion of the Holocaust have to reflect back on Palestinians. Aside from the fact that many disagree categorically and are actually offended when the two are compared, why can't the Holocaust be discussed on its own and not immediately condemned as an effort of the Jewish/Pro Israel community to have their past pain trump the current pain of the Palestinians.

See op ed - A disconnect in the dialogue 'March 24, 2009' By David L. Cohen

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090324/OPINION/903240315

Keep in mind there are people in the US who feel the same thing is true when any interfaith meeting is attempted. They believe that when you do this, you somehow say all the terrorism or extremism is OK. Well that is not right either.

And here is the other problem. If you have ever heard stories of the Jewish concentration camp orchestras playing for Germans, you will get another example of the distrust I spoke of above.

No matter what I say in these blogs. Palestinians on the ground have been convinced that the Jews in Israel are perpetrating another Holocaust. They see this kind of "stunt" with exactly the same lens as many Jews used when they would say that prisoners should not play for the Germans, because they would somehow be endorsing or denying the genocide.

But there-in lies the answer to my next question. How do we stop this distrust?

The work that I do and the passion that I have for this issue is just as much about ending the situation that creates this negative perception of Israel among Palestinians, while at the same time working toward ending the distorted perceptions and the false accusations.

The city of Jenin - no matter how many times you call it a "camp" is still in no way shape or form a concentration camp like the ones that existed during the Holocaust. People like to say that because it evokes the imagery that will grab the attention of progressives in America and bigots around the world. But by perpetuating that very real demonization of Israel and Jews, you never find out what Jenin is really like. You never find out that Jordan built the camp when they administered the West Bank and in the almost 20 years they had it under their control they never even thought of improving it or integrating the people into more humane communities. The Arab leaders wouldn't allow it - and 60 years later - we have cities that are not pleasant - not concentrations camps - but known the world over in just that way - as was the plan to gain the sympathy of the world.

DISTRUST. It is what keeps us in this stalemate. It is what perpetuates the conditions set up, maintained, and desired by Arab leaders in the early years of the conflict - to the point where no compromise among the parties today can be reached. It is what perpetuates the false perceptions and repeated reinventions of Israeli atrocities which feed the flames of the age old Blood Libel you can see in every Arabic Newspaper in the region.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_libel_against_Jews

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism_in_the_Arab_world

DISTRUST. It is what has people condemning the performance of Palestinian playing music for elderly Holocaust survivors in Tel Aviv - when as my program proved - this kind of activity is one of the only ways we can truly begin seeing each other through a lens other than the conflict.

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Two Sides of the NCAA - Violations and Arena Atmosphere

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Two things got my dander up during the latest rounds of the NCAA Basketball tourney.

This is of course in addition to the on-going failures of Petino and Calipari teams to hit free throws. (I mean they don't shoot them well during the year - why would anyone expect the results to be different in the tourney - isn't that the whole "definition of insanity" thing, doing the same thing but expecting different results?) Not that I'm bitter because of my brackets or anything.

The first thing was Coach Jim Calhoun's reaction to questions about rules violations that came up recently.

As allegations gain steam, Calhoun does his own Big Dance

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/george_dohrmann/03/27/calhoun.sidesteps/index.html
Now, I generally like Jim and the program he has put together. I also had some sympathy for him when he was recently all over YouTube being attacked for his salary. But in a system of college sports that is regulated mainly to protect what's left of the "student athlete" myth, to publicly state that "in a 508 page manual - a mistake could have been made" is just sending the wrong message. This also coming from a man who has not been shy about condemning the recruiting practices of other coaches. The college basketball glass house is just too easily shattered these days.

So there is my defense of the NCAA. Now for the critique.

Requiring all courts to have uniform designs in the tourney is one thing. (Although the design was a bit plain.) But to ask all the arenas - like the garden - to take down all the banners is absolutely absurd. One of the draws for both spectators and players is to play in professional sports arenas - with all the decor and atmosphere. The banners of the garden and the accompanying feel give the players and fans such an added pump. It is just a shame this often stodgy and narrow minded organization had to over think this one too.

Seeing Through the Fog: Israel and Alleged Millitaty Abuses

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I once sat in on a presentation given by "Combatants for Peace" called "Breaking the Silence." It is an interesting group and an interesting study in the polarization over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their message is clear. ATROCITIES ARE NOT THE NORM - IN FACT THEY ARE THE RARE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE.

They are also clear about one other thing. Israeli soldiers can be young, inexperienced, stupid, and sometimes very racist. At times, because of the socialization that happens to many growing up in Israel, they are insensitive to the humanity of the Palestinians they interact with. This leads to mistreatment and is a recipe for misunderstanding, needless death, and an overall horrible situation. Now I happen to know this is true because of the work I have done in Israel, the military people I know who acknowledge this, and I know of the programs the army has put in place to address it. So its true. But the message of the group is still clear. Let's end the situation that makes it all happen. Let's get on with a two state solution, get us out of the West Bank, and stop this cycle of violence and resentment.

That is their message. Yet, for people on the far right - the hard line pro Israel side - their title is threatening because it seems to admit that there are secret atrocities going on. For the far left, they are adopted as the "proof in the pudding" that atrocities do happen and that even Israeli's think Israel is evil.

The interesting paradox is that their message is centrist but ends up spurring intense hostility between the polarized sides - as they attack each other with the message THEY THINK the group represents.

It is a real problem. In the presentation I sat in on, right after the speaker was done saying that atrocities are rare, and not the point of the presentation, a polite elderly woman began her question with "So given all these atrocities that are going on ...." I almost lost it.

What is clear is that no one is listening. No one is looking at the facts. No one is looking deeper into reports. We have our points of view and then just pontificate until we are blue in the face. As I like to say - we shout our monologues at each other instead of having any real dialogue. And what this means for all those confused folks in the middle is that they either get sucked in by one side's distortions, or they just tune out and want nothing more to do with the issue.

We can do better.

Here is an example.

Here is an article from the globe from today.

Israel disputing accounts of military abuses in Gaza
http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2009/03/28/israel_disputing_accounts_of_military_abuses_in_gaza_1238215097/

To summarize the article. it brings up many points from my previous post. It reminds people that woman have been just as involved in the practices of wearing bomb laden vests, in running into soldiers with hand grenades, and carrying out all sorts of terrorist missions. It also speaks about the common use of no-go zones and that well, they are called that for a reason - you don't go there unless you want to get shot. Pretty clear.

But what it also talks about is the same message as "Combatants for Peace."
ATROCITIES ARE NOT THE NORM AND ANY GROUP THAT TRIES TO STATE OTHERWISE IS FULL OF IT.

It even reveals that the way these stories come to light is less through proof and eyewitness accounts and often more about urban legend and false accounts.

Now let me be clear - this does not negate the real tragedies and pain that do occur. But that is no reason to shy away from these VERY REAL ATTEMPTS TO DISTORT THE TRUTH AND DEMONIZE ISRAEL.

In case my readers are unaware - or just as a reference for others - here are two links to the al-Dura hoax exposed years ago - yet still used as a rallying cry against Israel.

Palestinian boy’s death staged
Network accused of manipulating video to show Israel using excessive force
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21091254/
Second Draft - Journalism is the First Draft of History
http://www.seconddraft.org/

But to be fair in regard to the globe article, Israelis really don't talk enough about the troubles they have with their soldiers not being experienced enough, tolerant enough, or respectful enough. And even with that, I need to make clear that I have never been a soldier - but know that my saying that may sound hollow. It is the truth, as admitted by soldiers themselves, but that still does not account for the difficulties presented to these young boys on a daily, hourly and minute by minute basis. If you study any military or police sociological study - situations create behavior much more than behavior creates the situation.

A quick story to close:

A story from an Israeli colleague from One Voice - abridged

At a checkpoint - it was hot, people were upset (as is the norm), the line was long.
There was a misunderstanding over the proper paperwork help by a Palestinian Family.
The Father/Husband, clearly frustrated and upset in general with Israeli soldiers, put his hands on a soldier and grabbed him. That is enough to get you shot - as it would in many places around the world.

As my friend explains it. He was the commander on the scene with his attention pulled in a million directions. He just happened to see this happen very quickly and even though, as he tells it, it seemed like a movie frozen in time, he acted as quickly as he could to give the order to put their guns down and stop. Had he not been looking in the right place, at the right time, this Palestinian man would have been dead. And the soldiers would not have been malicious or wrong. They would have been defending their comrade, and following proper orders.

In this situation, my friend, was not a monster. In fact he was the exact opposite. He was a hero. His fellow soldiers were not monsters, they were doing their job. But the situation itself could have just as easily have had this man shot - and another reason would be created to hate Israelis.

And the final gem of the story of course is not that anyone realized my friend was a hero and prevented a death. He was just one of the bastard Israeli soldiers that not only make life miserable for Palestinians but also have the nerve to hold them at gunpoint.

Be careful what you read. Be critical of what you hear. Take every side into consideration before laying blame.