My thoughts on the Gaza Floatilla Massacre

Til now I've been mostly quiet about this incident, not because I haven't been reading the news, but for a number of other reasons. During the Israeli offensive "Operation Cast Lead" last year, I was blogging, posting news reports and videos about the massacre as actively as I could. My main motive was to spread the awareness of the dire situation of life - or what remains of it - for Palestinians spread across the occupied territories. I felt at the time that enough is enough; I didn't care what the cost to me would be, if any. As far as I was concerned, the 3rd Semite holocaust had been created by the descendants of the first two, and I was determined to do my small part in bringing some type of justice to the situation. Afterall, what discomfort can we face that compares with the utter suffering and despair of the millions living in the hell of Gaza and the West Bank?

But justice has yet to be seen. Following last year's massacre, I was slightly hopeful when I heard of Obama's "toughening" stance on Israel's policies on the illegal occupation and settlements that continue to spread in the West Bank and other places, even against UN Resolutions. But in reality, Obama's stance was only a PR tactic; a ploy to appease a growing audience of angry justice-demanders. Today, Obama's silence on this issue, has proven this. The message I think is clear: "We don't care." And though Hillary and Biden have said a few words here and there, and Obama showed "cold shoulders" to the Israeli cabinet during their last recent visit, it was really all just to get us to think, "finally, Washington has awoken and turned a critical eye to its ally because of her actions." Now we see that's not true at all.

I am, of course, saddened by yet another trespass on Palestinian sovereignty, and I am sadly, no longer phased by new fantastic lows achieved by the Israeli military and government. The killing of unarmed, innocent peace activists on board civilian ships in international waters, bringing aid to a besieged population in an illegal blockade, under an illegal occupation - just doesn't shock me anymore. So in that way, I guess Israel's PR tactics of denying the hideous facts, lying outright, and desensitization have worked in some degree; aye, they have worked well upon the sleeping world. But we have seen this before when the world turned a blind eye of denial to the 2nd Semite Holocaust in Nazi Germany, desensitized by all the gruesome images, as it is now during the third. "Never again!" we said, but 'again' is present right before our very eyes.

I am glad that Israelis themselves take a stand against the rogue actions of their government and a number of Israeli organizations and activists have openly condemned the actions of the army and military and have made a genuine case for a reassessment of Israeli policy toward the Palestinians in favor of likely greater safety and prosperity for both. They are not self-hating Jews, as the media would like to portray, nor are any who take a stand against Israel's bizarre violations of international law, but sadly, that is how they are made to come off. I personally have suffered what I consider a loss of good company and friendship from a few of my Jewish friends who, I can only assume, had decided to stop talking to me because they realized my stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was pronounced. To them, I wish to say, I love you all. This has nothing to do with you at all. I don't look at what you are and I am proud of your Jewish identity and I am happy when I see your people embrace your culture because I know my history; I know how much your people have suffered and how much your people have done for the world. All Abrahamic religions stem from the same legacy which your people have left, so profoundly positive has been your impact. This is a complaint against a political situation concerning the bad governance of a country, not the country or the idea of the country itself, and certainly not to those who identify as nationals of that country or any other kind of attachment to it.

I can understand the sentiments you may feel, too often civil discourse on politics turns sour and quickly turns to racism and Jew-bashing. However, that is not within my tolerance, neither is it within our peoples' history either - Muslims and Jews have lived together in harmony for over a thousand years of Islamic history. Jews, Christians, and Muslims are spiritual family and much of this global family is genetically linked together as well, being descendants and relatives of the original Tribes of Israel. When I see Jews, I think of Moses (peace be upon him) and I smile at what he's done for his community. When I see Christians, I think of Jesus (peace be upon him) and I smile at what he's done for his community. And when I see Muslims, I think of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and I smile at what he's done for his community - but, I also weep for how we all have strayed from our prophets' lofty teachings. Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad would surely form a most holy, strong brotherhood and worship Yahweh/Jehovah/the Father/Allah, in unison..so then, where did we - their followers - all go wrong?

Returning to the point, I want my Jewish friends who I treasure to know that a critical stance on Israel is not a rejection of Israel itself. Israel needs a reformation but must not be "taken off the map"  nor should she have to suffer this kind of international humiliation and objection. In an ideal world, Israel and Palestine, Jews and Arabs would let their children play, inter-marry and protect one another instead of what we see today. That is why I am in agreement with the other voices who call for a reform; one that recognizes the pain of both the Palestinians and the Israelis, and I for one feel that in order for mutual reparations to take effect, power must be restored to the powerless first for equality to mean anything. It cannot be justified to keep a populace oppressed simply for the fear that if they were suddenly released they would devour their captors like caged, rabid dogs. Anger is justified, but for peace to work there needs to be careful, international presence and unconditional positive regard to heal wounds as deep as the Earth's surface. It is difficult yes, but God, as we all know and believe, has done far greater than this.

So in my closing thoughts I want to say that I am saddened that my speaking out on controversial topics such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has distanced some of my Jewish friends from me. For speaking out against Israel's policies, the media has portrayed our ilk as irrational, bigoted anti-Semites - And as God is my witness, as far as I can speak for myself, that couldn't be further from the truth. It is not about Israeli-Palestinian, nor Jew-Arab, it is about the issue of humanity being enslaved and not free to live. That is the point I feel at heart. Satan, who our faith teaches is ever trying to divide humanity and pit us against each other, must not win. Please, let's all just put aside group-bashing, name-calling, finger-pointing, and all the other devices we use to start a war.

This, in large part, is what has kept me mostly quiet this time around. I know the world over is screaming in condemnation at this recent event, and let them do so. But I choose not to - not because I don't care, but because screaming "injustice!" thus far hasn't done anything of change on the grand scale, and not least on a personal level. Afterall, God watches all and I have yet to hear Him scream. I will end this post on a positive note, because we are all distant relatives. Wishing peace upon Jews, Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians, on Christians and other non-Muslims, and on the nation of Muhammad (p.b.u.h) as well. The song below is not connected directly to the topic but it addresses the "sleeping sons of Jacob," a call to wake up and become the kings our ancestors used to be; the ones we read in our holy books today.

Damian Marley & Nas - "Africa Must Wake-up"