Response to Who will save Palestine from Genocide?

 Who will save Palestine from Genocide?

 By Mike Ghouse

In response to the article by Dan Lieberman

God will not intervene; we must determine what actions we can take ourselves to bring peace among Israelis and the Palestinians. It is time for conscious Jews like you and Peter Beinart, along with thousands of others, including people from different faiths, to stand up and collectively speak out to restore long-term security for Jews. This means that a Jew should be able to walk anywhere in the world without fear or apprehension. Achieving this security relies on establishing justice for the Palestinians; one cannot succeed without the other.

The entire world stands on one side, advocating for higher moral grounds in the fight against oppression and the destruction faced by Palestine and Ukraine. In contrast, the United States government (not necessarily reflecting the views of the majority of the American public) and Israel find themselves on the other side. In this situation, neither represents the will of the people. It is time we advocate for the rights of the Palestinians.

Unfortunately, Palestinians are often portrayed negatively in our media, as if this portrayal can cleanse our conscience. My fellow Americans seem to believe that they are bringing about a version of Jesus by perpetuating violence against Palestinians. Can we truly blame Jesus for this? Are these individuals acting in His name? On the other hand, certain Israeli Zionists (not to be confused with all Jews) show no hesitation in looting and seizing Palestinian lands. Should we attribute the blame to God or to a misinterpretation of religious texts used to justify their greed and territorial ambitions at the expense of others? 

The article's title, "Nobody Saves the World." is apt. Indeed, I have written many times that God does not intervene; He programmed the universe to function in harmony, gave us free will to determine how to live securely, and, out of love, sends messengers, Prophets, Avatars, and Peacemakers to guide us toward peace and security. Most people follow that guidance regardless of their religious, social, or cultural backgrounds. Unfortunately, some stray and create a living hell for others, as Netanyahu is currently doing to the Palestinians (please note that I make a clear distinction between Israel and Netanyahu) and tearing up our conscience in America about being righteous or prejudiced towards the Palestinians.

I have come to admire your presentation of Jewish and Israeli history deeply. As I read your articles, I find that most of your writing resonates with my thoughts. Understanding what the Jewish people have endured over three millennia, I have supported the establishment of Israel and made it known to the Jewish community that I care about them, just as I care about all of humanity—from Atheists to Zoroastrians and everyone in between. I have stood up for the rights of Jews and the rights of all others. Additionally, I have established Holocaust and genocide commemorations and have written extensively on the Israel-Palestine dialogue blog.

My solution for the sustainable security of Jews around the world is for the majority of them to regain their moral compass and truly embody what it means to be the chosen people—standing up for the justice of all humanity and not robbing land and oppressing the Palestinians. What Netanyahu is doing on behalf of Israel is a disgrace. The Jewish community must take back their identity from him and restore righteousness.

I understand the Zionists' movement for a homeland, as they faced persecution everywhere for over three millennia. The need for that quest should have stopped when the nation of Israel was established and later secured. I have many Zionist friends who supported the rights of the Palestinians and condemned the usurpation of their lands by Israel. However, many Zionists either secretly cheered Netanyahu's genocidal actions or were afraid to speak out about what is morally right. They seem to lack value for the lives of Palestinians, which is a shameful blot on their civilization and detrimental to their long-term security.

The article by Dan Lieberman is a must-read for those who like to see a peaceful world and security for Jews and the Palestinians.

The article by Dan Lieberman is a must-read for those who like to see a peaceful world and security for Jews and the Palestinians.

1.     Who will Save Palestine from Genocide by Dan Lieberman
https://israel-palestine-dialogue.blogspot.com/2025/03/who-will-save-palestinians-from.html

2.     A new role for AIPAC https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/3/2/2227052/-A-new-role-for-AIPAC

3.     Video on Holocaust and Genocides https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uneRYgYfgWI
full blog on  https://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/

4.     Standing up for Jews
https://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/02/standing-up-with-jews.html

5.     Holocaust and the Muslim Guy
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/holocaust-and-the-muslim_b_4629509

6. Israel-Palestine Dialogue - https://israel-palestine-dialogue.blogspot.com/

Mike Ghouse – more about him at www.TheGhouse.diary.com or Google 

Israel keeps Gazans ‘caged in a toxic slum,’ UN human rights chief says

The moderate Jews need to speak up for the sake of Jewish and Palestinian Children, it's time to shelve the hatred for each other and working on living a life.

As an American, I will do everything I can to make my government represent the Americans, which it has not.

Mike

Natasha Turak | @NatashaTurak

CNBC.com

The United Nations' human rights chief issued a scathing critique of Israel's policy toward Gaza on Friday.

Israeli forces on Monday killed 60 Palestinian protesters in Gaza during a demonstration that followed weeks of protests.

Israel and the U.S. have criticized the 47-state Human Rights Council, accusing it of anti-Israeli bias.

FABRICE COFFRINI | AFP | Getty Images

The United Nations' human rights chief issued a scathing critique of Israel's policy toward Gaza on Friday.

"They are, in essence, caged in a toxic slum from birth to death," Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, said of the Palestinians living in Gaza during a special session of the UN's Human Rights Council, convened in the wake of Monday's deadly violence on the Israeli-Gaza border.

"Nobody has been made safer by the horrific events of the past week," Hussein said. "End the occupation, and the violence and insecurity will largely disappear."

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) killed 60 Palestinian protesters in Gaza during a demonstration that followed weeks of protests marking the 1948 establishment of the Israeli state. It also coincided with the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem.

Israel defended its actions, saying it had acted in self-defense and blamed the bloodshed on Hamas, the Islamist militant and political group that governs the Gaza Strip.

Israel's UN ambassador Aviva Raz Shechter called Zeid's words "politically motivated," adding that "the loss of life could have been avoided had Hamas refrained from sending terrorists to attack Israel under the cover of the riots, while exploiting its own civilian population as human shields."

'Toxic slum'

With the words "toxic slum," Hussein was likely referring to the living conditions in the blockaded territory of Gaza, where 1.9 million residents live in an enclave of 225 square miles, making it one of the most densely-populated places on earth. Both Israel and Egypt imposed air, land and sea blockades on the territory in 2007 after Hamas won local elections in 2006.

Thirty-nine percent of the population lives below the poverty line, more than half lack access to reliable electricity, and unemployment stands at 42 percent, according to the UN. The World Bank in March said that Gaza's residents have "for years… endured an environmental disaster due to sewage pollution." Ninety-seven percent of Gaza's drinking water is contaminated by sewage.

Hussein described Gazans as "deprived of dignity, dehumanized by the Israeli authorities to such a point it appears officials do not even consider that these men and women have a right, as well as every reason, to protest."

Roberto Schmidt | AFP | Getty Images

A Palestinian woman takes some of her belongings from her partially destroyed home across the street from where a high rise apartment building in Gaza City was targeted by Israeli airstrikes, Aug. 26, 2014.

Although Israeli troops left Gaza in 2005, Israel still retains control of Gaza's airspace and coastline, leading the UN to designate it as an occupying power there.

Israel and the U.S. have criticized the 47-state Human Rights Council, whose members are chosen by the UN General Assembly, claiming it is biased and has a disproportionate number of member countries hostile to Israel.

Decades of turmoil

Monday's violence was met with condemnation from international leaders, who urged the protection of rights to peaceful protest. But Tel Aviv affirmed its position as absolutely necessary to protect its citizens from attacks.

"The Hamas terrorist organization declares it intends to destroy Israel and sends thousands to breach the border fence in order to achieve this goal," Netanyahu had written on Twitter after the events. "We will continue to act with determination to protect our sovereignty and citizens."

Hamas is designated a terrorist group by the U.S., and has killed hundreds of Israelis in attacks since the 1990s.

The White House echoed Netanyahu's defense, emphasizing the right of Israel to defend its border and calling the deaths "unfortunate propaganda" on the part of Hamas. Hamas denied provoking the violence, while a Hamas official told local press that 50 of the demonstrators killed were members of the group.

Mohammed Abed | AFP | Getty Images

Palestinians run for cover from tear gas during clashes with Israeli security forces near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, east of Jabalia on May 14, 2018, as Palestinians protest over the inauguration of the US embassy following its controversial move to Jerusalem.

More than 2,400 people were reported injured Monday in addition to the dead. At least eight children under the age of 16 were killed, according to Palestine's envoy to the UN. The UN subsequently called for an independent probe into the event, which the U.S. so far has blocked.

The UN classifies Israel as an occupier state over the Palestinian territories, whose occupations following the 1967 Six-Day War are still considered in violation of international law. More than 1.5 million Palestinians live in refugee camps across the Middle East today.

Demonstrations have gone on for several weeks to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1948 "Nakba," as many in the Arab world call the time period that saw Israel establish itself as a state. Some 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes, and have since not been granted the right to return.

Jimmy Carter calls on US, EU to recognize Hamas

Indeed President Carter beat me to it, I have been working on my piece for a few days, and now I have to complete it. It will be published here  at www.israelpalestinedialogue.com

Jimmy Carter calls on US, EU to recognize Hamas
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4555502,00.html

In op-ed written for Foreign Policy, former US president accuses Israel of 'deliberate attacks on civilians' saying there was 'no humane or legal justification for the way the IDF are conducting this war.'

Ynetnews

Published:  08.06.14, 08:52 / Israel News

Former US president Jimmy Carter has called on the United States and EU to recognize Hamas as "not just a military but also a political force" in an op-ed written for Foreign Policy on Monday.

"Hamas cannot be wished away, nor will it cooperate in its own demise. Only by recognizing its legitimacy as a political actor - one that represents a substantial portion of the Palestinian people - can the West begin to provide the right incentives for Hamas to lay down its weapons," Carter writes.
In his op-ed, the former president accuses Israel of "deliberate attacks on civilians," saying these are war crimes.
"There is no humane or legal justification for the way the Israeli Defense Forces are conducting this war. Israeli bombs, missiles, and artillery have pulverized large parts of Gaza, including thousands of homes, schools, and hospitals. More than 250,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinian noncombatants have been killed. Much of Gaza has lost access to water and electricity completely. This is a humanitarian catastrophe," he writes.
While he does lay the blame on Hamas for doing the same - indiscriminately targeting Israeli civilians - he draws a comparison between the number of casualties on both sides.

Jimmy Carter (Photo: AP)

"However, three Israeli civilians have been killed by Palestinian rockets, while an overwhelming majority of the 1,600 Palestinians killed have been civilians, including more than 330 children. The need for international judicial proceedings to investigate and end these violations of international law should be taken very seriously," he asserts.

Carter pledges his support to the Palestinian unity government, calling it "one of the most encouraging developments in recent years."
Carter also urges the UN Security Council to vote on a resolution "recognizing the inhumane conditions in Gaza and mandate an end to the siege."

He stipulates the need for international monitors to control Gaza's border crossings, as well as report on ceasefire violations, calling for the reinstatement of the EU Border Assistance Mission that was launched in 2005 and suspended in 2007, when Hamas took over the Gaza Strip after a Palestinian civil war.