The "Generous" Peace Treaties Israel Offered

When the question of, "Why don't the Palestinians have their own state?" is asked, the general response from many pro-Israelis is that the Palestinians are terrorists and that they did not accept the numerous and "generous" peace treaties that the Israeli government had proposed. But these peace treaties are anything but generous. So let us examine in detail what I mean.

First, I'll give you the most widely accepted version of a two state solution. A two state solution that entails a separate state for Israelis, and a separate state for Palestinians. Each state has full control of its land, its borders, airspace, water, and harbors. Each state shall have the freedom to create a military, and each state shall be accepted and fully recognized by the other, and that each state has the right to live in peace.

Yet the numerous, and failed peace treaties called for no such thing. First of all, the Palestinian state would be established in the West Bank and Gaza, yet hold on a second, not all the West Bank. Thanks to the Israeli Government, and its settlement building and colonizing of the West Bank, this serves as a roadblock to peace. And in every peace treaty generated by the US, Israel's closest and most powerful ally, both nations, Israel and the US agree on one thing, that the settlers shall not leave the occupied territories, and a Palestinian state shall have to be built around that.

Not only that, but Palestine shall not have any control of the borders, airspace, and water, and it does not have a right to build a military. So how in the world can anyone call this a state, if it has not control over itself. How can a state be formed around Jewish settlements, making an archipelago of Palestine in a sea of Israel. No one in their right mind would accept to such conditions. And at Camp David, Arafat was offered 90 % if the West Bank to build a Palestinian state on, yet he refused because he doesn't want peace, or so they said.

But Israel Proper is 78% of Historic Palestine, the occupied territories: West Bank and Gaza making up only 22%. So they are allowing Arafat to build a Palestinian state on 90% of the 22% if Historic Palestine and on top of that, barely have control of it. This is absurd, and people in our international society should wake up to these lies and acknowledge the fact that no person should accept this upon his people.

Denying the Arab Identity: An Introduction

The title of this article sums this whole piece up, yet who is this title pertaining to? The people who are denying their Arab identity, are mostly the Lebanese Christians, the Maronites. We all know that Lebanon is almost perfectly split in half between Muslim and Christian, about a 1 to 1 ratio. Here the problems arise, yet let us examine the history of this area.

The word Arab and the Arab people unite several countries in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the Persian gulf, as Arabic-speaking, and under the religion of Islam, yet the latter doesn't always have to be the case. However the Christian Maronites have convinced themselves that to be Arab, one has to be Muslim, and not only that, yet they do not want to be generalized with the Arabs, because they have a whole different agenda in their hands for Lebanon, their tiny tortured country.

Christian Maronites, or at least the majority of them, will in no way associate themselves with Arabs, because there is a conflict of interests. During the colonial times, when the French and the British had divided up the Middle East among themselves after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, there was a general response of opposition from the Arabs. Yet the Maronites, at a time, welcomed this colonial power, and they found the French as their liberators in a very dangerous and untolerant Ottoman Empire ruled under Islam.

The main goal of the Maronites of Lebanon is to Westernize the country, and the colonizing of Lebanon, in their perspective, was the first step in doing this. They spoke French, understood French culture during that time, and intergrated themselves into French society which let them gain power, a large amount of power in government, military, economy, and the Lebanese society. The maronites wanted to split from the Arab world and establish a western state on the shores of the White Sea, and open Beirut, as the gates to the Western and "civilized" world.

I will go in more detail about the Arab Identity in the next articles in this series, follow up!

Beirut: My Journey and Reflections

This is my first article in the Beirut series that I will be writing from today and into the near future. Beirut and Lebanon were going to be a main focus of my blog once a came back from my summer vacation, since I had visited Beirut and the surrounding area and gained a lot of interest in it. But since I hadn't been writing much in that time, I will start from today.

There are so many things to be said about Lebanon and Beirut in particular. It is a beautiful city, a prestigious one, and a very liberal one, as is Lebanon as a whole. It's religiously diverse, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking, the people are great, the food is delicious and unique, and everything seems to be flowing in perfect harmony, except for the many wars that have plagued the area, but that will be the focus of the articles to come.

I will describe how my trip was to Beirut, and how astounded and extremely excited I was. We emerged through the Lebanese border from Damascus, and found a vast valley ahead of us. The Anti-Lebanon mountains opened up to the Bekaa Valley. We drove through the scenic and lush valley for about half an hour. We were passing toy stores, clothing boutiques, restaraunts and cafes, but what grabbed my attention most was the banners of the political figures, in majority it was of Saad al Hariri. Cedars in between red strips were waving in every direction you looked, and then I realized that I was truly in Lebanon, and I was thrilled that I finally got to see this gorgeous and controversial state. We kept driving until we bisected the valley and arrived at the opposing valley. We climbed a little while and then stopped for breakfast in Chtoura at a place called Hashem's, I think, and we had the best Man'eish and tea! We countinued our journey, ascending the huge mountains until I felt that I was at a higher altitude than the anti-Lebanon mountains on the oppose side of the valley that bordered with Syria. Yet we still kept climbing.

Then we reached level elevation and rounding a corner, I saw the first evidence of any chaos: large, destroyed bridge. We took a detour and began driving until I saw what was the most amazing thing. Everything turned green at some sudden time, or it seemed to me, and we were descending down the opposite side of the mountain. Beyond I could see what I had for years been aspiring to see. I white city perched on a peninsula that jutted out into the vast yet tranquil Mediterranean Sea. That was my first glimpse of Beirut and I fell in love with it. Through the rest of our journey down the mountains, I was snapping photos on both my Nokia N73, and my Sony camera, like it was going out of style. The scenery was just astounding and no words can describe it. It was truly like heaven: green, green, green, green, green, the vast blue of the sea, and in between a strip of white.

We continued winding down the narrow street to the Paris of the East, and passed many significant landmarks, to me anyway, like the MBC studios. My first impression of Lebanon, even when we were still in the valley, of how extremely Americanised, and Westernized it was. Signs of McDonald's and all the American fast food chains were decorating the streets, as well as countless advertisements of everything prestigious and expensive. It was, in my opinion, a relatively wealthy country.

Wait for the next parts of my trip and the Beirut Series, they're coming soon, and I promise not to keep you waiting long!

Fear of Being Labeled Anti-Semitic

There has been so many instances in near history when a brave soul wants to embark on the right path and speak of Israel's atrocities and to criticize its politics. But what does that person get as a response, you should all know this. A big "Anti-Semitic" label on the forehead, and from then on it is a smear campaign to destroy the reputation of that person until he is nothing but dust.

Ever since the Holocaust, the International Jewish community has been paranoid, and careful to target anyone that has the slightest criticism, not even towards Judaism, but towards the Jewish State of Israel. Isn't Israel a normal country, like all of the others in the world, that are in position to make mistakes and be criticized, yet that cannot be done without having a huge "ANTI-SEMITIC" label on your forehead in bold red font.

Why does the Jewish state have rights that the other countries of the world not, for being immune to criticism, especially in the United States? There are many instances where the Jewish community, including all of the powerful lobbies and organizations including AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee)revolt at one small criticism, uttered out of the mouth of a courageous politician, or journalist. Immediately this person has to issue a public apology with words "sucking up" (I can't word it any better) to the Jewish state, and a promise never to criticize it again. But this criticism is certainly not a religious remark or has any air of religion in it. It has everything to do with government and policies, be it the policies concerning peace with the Palestinians or that concerning the neighboring Arab states.

Does that not diminish in the United States right of Freedom of Speech? Is it perfectly fine to find whole novels and newspaper articles degrading the religion of Islam, and barely any criticizing or questioning Israel's right to exist? This is not what the United States is about and I suggest to anyone that has any remarks and criticisms for the Israeli state, that they not fear the "Anti Semitic" bullet, because this bullet is ineffective to the extent these people are using it. Voice out your opinions (of course respecting Judaism) and don't be afraid of a terrorist state or its supporters.

Rigal Al Hasim: Exciting New Ramadan Series!

This new and exciting Ramadan drama currently airs on Abu Dhabi TV at 23:00 KSA time. It stars Basil Khayat, a Syrian actor, and Maya Nasri, a Lebanese actress/singer. The show includes actors from Syria, Lebanon and many more Arab countries.

What grabbed my attention to this series is the plot. The whole drama revolves around the Arab-Israeli conflict, but precisely, Syrian-Israeli conflict about the Golan Heights. The series begins in 1967. From the promos and ads, Rigal al Hasim is beautifully shot in real-life locations in the Golan Heights, West Bank, and I think Israel. Many actors and actresses also learned a little Hebrew in their work and research.

Now the first episode introduces us to the life of Fares (Basil Khayat) who is a Golani. He is a teacher in a school and is a young man that is very interested in politics. His lifestyle is depicted as simple, yet his mind is complex. The Six Day War is about to begin and everyone is afraid of the consequences. The heads of state are very confident of a victory yet the people are worried.

By the third episode, the 1967 War began and the tragedies unfolded right at the start. Part of Fares' family is dead, his younger brother and mother. His father and sister are left and prepare to leave for Damascus. Fares chooses to stay behind and fight the war. He can't leave his home for the Israelis to come and occupy it. His bravery is shown during the fighting sequences when he chooses to risk his life to help many wounded soldiers. His determination to fight for his homeland also shows.

I'm very excited about the rest of this show, and I wait for it by the minute. What do you think of Rigal al Hasim? Are you currently watching it? I'll try to summarize each episode in a small post everyday as to keep those of you who are unable to watch it updated!

Nothing So Far

Why have I not been writing for the past few weeks?
This might be the question that all of the people that come and visit this blog on a dailybasis ask themselves. I also ask myself this. At first I thought that I was getting bored with my blog and just in general, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and all politics. But then I found the real answer on the Arabic and Israeli newsites:
Nothing new is going on or happening. It's all the same crap that you get from political leaders. All they do is talk, talk and talk a bit more. Threats are being thrown in every direction from every Middle Eastern country and Western countries as well. The United Nations had come up with a countless number of resolutions in the past 60 years concerning Israel, yet Israel did not follow and will not follow, yet it is still a member of the United Nations. This, I do not understand.
And just like Israel didn't follow the UN resolutions, I'm sure it will not follow the United States guidelines on creating a Palestinian state, unless action is taken. For the past three or more weeks, all I see on Haaretz or al Jazeera is talk and statements being said by a world leader. Netanyahu: a Palestinian state is not in our best interest. Obama: let me be clear, we fully back up the Two State solution. Hamas: we are not willing to recognize the Jewish state, and much, much more. I honestly got bored about writing the same topic over and over again. These leaders are not taking action. They're sitting in their elegant offices or at their podiums issuing statements that at first cause a reaction and by the next day they are forgotten.
Now you know why I did not write and why there is no use of me writing until something actually happens. For the past three months, I have written articles revealing the true nature of the occupation and the terrifying details, and I will continue if I read and educate myself more. But please do not think that I am closing this blog down or that I just forgot about it. Come by and check it daily and I promise you, I'll start writing once I find a good subject.
If you have any suggestions, please tell me in your comments or in the cbox. Thank you for being loyal to the Damascene Breeze.

Obama Changes Tactics on Israel

President Obama has just recently finished a tour of Europe and it ended in Turkey where he delivered a speech in front of the Turkish parlaimant. The visit to Turkey was very successful, and the people were very excited and recieved Obama in the best way. This visit was a sign as to improve relations between Turkey and the United States.

However, President Obama also talked a lot about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and stressed the fact that the United States fully supports the Two State Solution, which was a response to Israel's foreign minister when he said that the Israeli government was not bound by the Annapolis convention. The only way to end this conflict, or at least try to end it is the two state solution, and the establishment of a Palestinian state. Without that, this conflict will go nowhere he said.

Obama has also breifed his congressmen of a predicted confrontation with Netanyahu's rightist government about this. I am extremely happy that the President and the whole United States came to its senses and is doing what is right. What Obama has said, of a confrontation with the new Israeli government means that if the two state solution is not to be fulfilled and Netanyahu's government supporting it, then the United States may have to use different tactics with its strongest ally in the Middle East. I hope they stop sending financial aid and military aid to Israel if they oppose this.

I hope this is a start of a new era for the United States as well, to improve its image in the Middle East. The visit to Turkey was a huge success and I hope Obama visits all the capitals of the Middle East, like Damascus, Amman, and Beirut.

President Obama is also scheduled to visit Jerusalem and the West Bank in June. We might see a lot of change in the summer, and possibly the establishment of Palestine.

The Golan is #1 On Syrian Agenda

The Golan Heights, an area in southwestern Syria, currenlty occupied by Israel since 1967 is a very strategic point. Because of the elevation, both countries are in need of this geograhpic location. The Golan Heights overlooks all of Israel, and Syria. So we could understand why the two countries want it. But the Golan Heights righfully belongs to the Syrian Arab Republic, and is occupied territory. Israel doesn't even want to give it back even with a peace process. Netanyahu and all the previous governments of Israel have promised Bashar al Assad full withdrawl of the Israelis from the Golan Heights and the full return to Syria. However, now the real plan is uncovered. Israel does not want to withdraw, and it never will withdraw from the Golan Heights, peace treaty or no. So just today, the Syrian President, Bashar al Assad responded in a regional newspaper.

He said that the "enemy" does not want peace, and there is no other alternative but full resistance, which means war. He said that sooner or later, the Golan will be liberated. And I agree with him fully. Israel has occupied territories from four countries, and has ethnically cleansed a nation. Yet the international community and the United Nations is still silent on this aspect. Israel has occupied the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, but has returned it in a peace treaty. It occupied part of Jordan and the West Bank which was annexed by Jordan. It also occupied southern Lebanon, until Hezbollah forced them out. And right now the Golan. So I don't understand why the Israeli government cannot return the Golan Heights under a peace treaty just like with Egypt and President Sadat. No other alternative is left for the Syrian government but force, just like the Israeli-Lebanese model. Hezbollah forced out the Israelis from southern Lebanon and just like them, Syria may force Israel out of the Golan.

But now we come back to the same mindsets of the Israelis. They say that the Golan is rightfully theirs and it belongs to Israel, and it is part of the Holy Land historically. Everyone is tired of their rhetoric. Anyway, Assad's full words are that with Peace or War, the Golan will be liberated and that he is ready to hold peace talks with any Israeli government, even Netanyahu's, but the only condition is the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Golan.

One day, Israel says it is ready to withdraw from the Golan, the next day, they say peace can only be exchanged to peace.

Lieberman: Israel Is Not Bound to Annapolis

The foreign minister of the newly sworn in Benjamin Netanyahu has just made a statement today that Israel shall not be bound by the Annapolis Convention that was held in 2007. Israel is changing its peace plans currently. The Annapolis Convention was held to re-ignite the peace process, and it called for a two state solution. However, Leiberman is rejecting the whole idea, and saying that Israel is not commited and will not follow the policies of the Annapolis convention. I don't understand right now how the Americans can think that the Palestinians are the ones that do not want peace. Everyone is sick of the Israelis' mindsets and I know that they think all of Historic Palestine belongs to them. But right now it's 2009, not 3000 years ago when there used to be Israelite Kingdoms in the area. What I am trying to say is that they have to share the land. However, no the Foreign Minster of Israel "surprises" us and says that the Two state solution is not on their agenda. Of course it isn't and it has never been. The only thing that changed is that someone was brave enough to say it. Now that the whole thing is in the world's face, and on the table for the United Nations to see, they have to start pressuring the Jewish state to pursue peace. All we are getting right now are promises from Netanyahu that there will be peace, and he never even mentioned a Palestinian state. All he mentioned was that the Palestinians will rule themselves, but not to the extent where Israel is threatened. That tells you everything you need to know. Israel does not want a Palestinian state prospering alongside it, because it is afraid for its life. This is prepostrous though. They want to continue their occupation of the West Bank and Gaza yet they still wnat peace to be established. And when the Palestinians do not accept, then the world puts the blame on them saying that they don't want peace and are moving away. Israel sets the rules, and the Palestinians have to follow. It's ridiculous, that's all I can say.