IF NOT NOW, WHEN?
Phew! The image, the sign, the words, above, really say it all.
But ... Olmert announced in Al Jazeera today, February 1, 2009, that Israel will respond to Palestinians' defensive rocket attacks in a ferosiously "disproportionate" way. With this outrageously disdainful announcement comes a clearer "sign": that there will never be peace if the Israelis are allowed to continue in this war-mongering, inhumane way.
Rapid action for egregious crimes against humanity, perpetrated by the government of Israel, must take place NOW.
Whenever there is one or more among us who feels that he/she is better than "the other," there will be hatred, there will be war, there will be violent and careless human waste. The government of Israel is that "one" among many at this point in humman history. So...
I challenge you, President Obama.
The government of Israel continues to fuel the flame of enormous dishonor and hatred of humanity. The US and other countries MUST not give one more dime to Israel. And they MUST hold them accountable, just as the US and the rest of the World should be holding accountable the criminal administration of George W. Bush. Yes, the Bush government committed the same atrocities against "the other" and greased the palm of Israel in the process.
I challenge you, President Obama.
You are a good man who has, in 10+ days in office, made a near seamlessly positive impact on a country drowning in the quicksand-hubris and dung of the Bush administration: you have thrown the US lifelines, the likes of which we haven't seen since FDR.
I challenge you, President Obama.
Cut off ALL monetary and diplomatic aid to Israel, LISTEN carefully to the American Jews and others who have shouted loud and clear in protest of the Israeli government, who have chained themselves to the Israeli Embassy in LA and elsewhere in fervent honor of one thing: peaceful co-existence.
I challenge you, President Obama.
Do the right thing, the humane thing. It truly IS in your hands. If you can just imagine peace and work for this peace, we will live in peace.
Yes, YOU can ... and MUST stop Israel NOW, President Obama, for this is the fiercest urgency of NOW that you will ever face.
Professor Fandel
Professor Nan Fandel teaches communications in Iowa. She is also a journalist who has been an op-ed columnist for the Iowa City Press-Citizen newspaper. (more...)