Why I am not writing on Palestine Think Tank anymore
PeaceMonger asked...
“…Nahida, what happened to your article from last year on Palestine Think Tank? ”
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In April 2010, after years of association, contribution and strong support for Palestine Think Tank (PTT), I took the painful decision to stop contributing to it anymore, and to ask that my articles be removed. I could no longer be associated with it, for reasons I explained to Mary Rizzo, PTT’s editor. To answer to PeaceMonger and to whomever may wonder why I vanished from PTT, and also to shed a light on a pernicious problem inside PTT, please let me share with you excerpts of my letter to PTT’s editor:
Start quote: (links added)
Start quote: (links added)
"The clarity of vision and the unconditional support for Palestine with its all shades of resistance -that we were used to and were in love with- is what made me a fervent reader of PTT and a passionate admirer of you and your work
Lately, however, something has changed; I have been very disturbed by the new direction and new political orientation that PTT is taking:
* Attacking the stronghold of Palestinian resistance Hamas, tainting its integrity and participating in spreading unfounded accusations and slanderous myths of corruption, treason, terrorism and drug dealings. (even accusing it of illegitimacy, and equating it with "israel").
* Smearing the Palestinian society at large, at a moment when they need every drop of support, by focusing on some criminal acts by certain Palestinians and tainting the whole society because of such acts of criminality; it’s not a matter of denying the crimes and wrong doings of few leaders and some members of the society, it’s not a matter neither of silencing the necessary opposition against corruption and self criticism, but rather, it’s the timing and the and the failure to calculate the detrimental effect of over-emphasising such issues, on the Palestinian cause. I view all this as fatal strategic error
- http://palestinethinktank.com/2009/07/25/sami-jamil-jadallah-what-is-wrong-with-the-palestinians-a-whole-lot/
- http://palestinethinktank.com/2010/03/11/over-13-honor-killings-in-two-months-in-palestine/
* It has become obvious, that PTT has fallen under the influence of a tiny clique who denies, misses or dismisses the fact that Arab (i.e. also Palestinian) identity is deeply rooted and anchored in Islam as a culture and way of life. Even Christian Arabs and other minorities living in Arab countries, are more influenced by Islam's customs and social life, than by westernized Euro-centrism.
* This group pretends to be representative of all Palestinians, they gave themselves the right to speak on our behalf without the consent of all Palestinians, which I and many other Palestinian contest and fiercely object to.
* This ultra-westernized tiny circle now influencing and steering PTT sees the USA, NATO and its allies as saviours of Palestine, it sees and promotes racist ideas that Arabs, Muslims and Palestinians are unqualified to sorting their own problems; their societies are corrupt, backwards and dysfunctional.
- http://palestinethinktank.com/2010/01/03/haitham-sabbah-surround-me-with-songs-of-deliverance-crossing-the-borders-of-solidarity/#comment-14384
- http://palestinethinktank.com/2010/01/03/haitham-sabbah-surround-me-with-songs-of-deliverance-crossing-the-borders-of-solidarity/#comment-14266
* I see that this change of PTT feeds the zionists propaganda and serve it’s hasbara machine, it offers them precious gifts that justifies their self-promoting leadership as a necessity for peace, progress and stability in the Middle-East
............ I can not afford to be associated with the new direction that PTT has been taking, which is extremely detrimental to the Palestinian cause.”
End quote.
One of the people I allude to is Kawther Salam now co-editor of PTT, who between a few good articles, often inserts massive deconstruction and undermining of the Palestinian support, literally peddling zionist manipulation, smear campaigns and hasbara.
With a "Palestinian" like Kawther Salam –co-editor on PTT- who needs Hasbara:
Start quotes:
“The Palestinian civil society is sick of the so-called "Hamas authority", the radical Palestinian movement which distorts the face of Islam, and which has turned the holy mission of the Palestinian struggle into a struggle for their own pockets and unknown foreign agendas.”
“We, all the Palestinians, are sick of both of you.."
“.....you turned yourselves into the puppets of Israel, USA, Khaled Mishal, and other foreign countries and interests”
“also remind the President-in-dreams, Ismael Haniyeh, and his unknown gangs of paid thugs and donkeys, that his so-called "presidency" over Gaza is illegal, and that he is guilty of the death and the murders of hundreds of the innocent Palestinians in Gaza, just like the Israeli are guilty of murders, terrorism and other crimes.
You are responsible for the death of hundreds of sick Palestinians in the same way the Israeli criminals who imposed the siege on Gaza and denied many patients the basic rights of medical treatment.
Your illusory presidency is responsible for the death of many poor people trying to bring in needed goods in the tunnels under the earth of Gaza. Your illusory presidency is responsible and guilty of torture of many prisoners detained illegally. Your illusory presidency is responsible for the famine and the poverty in Gaza just like the criminal Israeli regime.”
"Most of the Hamas militants, just like their Fatah counterparts, are criminals and extremists. Both organizations are infiltrated by the Israeli intelligence system"
“Both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas regimes are illegal and have no real legitimacy…”
“Both Fatah and Hamas have lost any claims to legitimacy…… Both factions are infiltrated by jewish zionist interests…………….. they have achieved nothing but to disgrace themselves. They have no more legitimacy than israel.”
Kawther Salam on May 20th, 2010 at 12:47:
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In contrast here are the views of Kawther Salam about the society of zionist occupier and her “cute” soldiers from her own diary:
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“My Israeli friends helped me always to survive, and "DINA LEE" is still responsible about all of my expenses.”
Kawther Salam, monday, 1st.April,2002
“I remembered the Jewish family I lived with them in Tel-Aviv………
and the small child I left him there, I should be with "Romi" instead to be in the middle of the garbage.” 15th,April 2002
(btw; by “the middle of the garbage” she means the city of AL-KHALIL/ HEBRON)
“The soldiers asked me about my political point of view, we talked together like human being, I respect all what they told me” 16th, April 2002
“During the Intifadah, my people made reverse 50 years against women”, Monday, 3rd June 2002
“I called my Israeli friends for a help, I don't have money any more.” !st, July 2002
“I looked like the Israelis, like the human being” !st, July 2002
“I don't care if "Tall", "Sharon" or "Arafat", will be the winner through
this "Election".
“I will not be sad, if it will be a "Jewish State ….. then we can lead the all Middle East!!....We can lead all the Arab countries, lead the Middle East "Economic", We will be more strong, more ...and more!!” 2ed, July 2002
“my Israeli friends, who give me security and confidence in their homes……………. I am part of their daily life.” 7Th. October 2001
“The evening brought a pleasant surprise. Two gentle soldiers who acted politely and even said they were ashamed of their friends.” 9th.& 10th. October 2001
“How could I teach the military commanders serving in Hebron, Colonel DrorWineburg, Colonel Amon Cohen, and Lieutenant Hartzel to overcome racism, discrimination, and intolerance?................................ These officers are still victimized” Friday, October 12, 2001
"The government corrupts the soldiers today, and corrupts the Israeli civil society for the future, just for political reasons”
"Lieutenant Hartzel is a good neighbour for my family in Haifa”
Friday, October 12, 2001
“I got the news of murdering the Israeli minister Rehavam Zeevi......It was a bad news like all other bad news I received about murdering Palestinians"
"Both of us, Palestinians and israelis, are living a big "drama" of daily killing in a close, bloody reveange circle.....Looking at this circle it might be difficult to trace the the first acts that cause revenge that caused revange......................... The resistane of "non violent" Intifada is Legitimate. But killing of innocent Israeli should not be acceptable in this struggle.”
Wednesday, 17th of October 2001
" I love my Israeli friends and really enjoyed the time together. We have the same dreams "just, peace and love"
“after few days in Israel with my good friends, the sea and the fun, i feel that I miss "MY SOLDIERS" who remainde me always my duity to proclaim how bad is the occupation.” 20th of October 2001
“These soldiers and this commander are not responsible to be in the security duties.
They are children who do not know better and so are forced to humiliate ………… I also feel victorious and powerfull with my Israeli friends. Many friends.”
23rd of October 2001
“most Israeli citizens are good people and they are victimized”
“Even the soldiers who harassed me, I am always forgiving them because I don't have any reason to hate other people.” Wednesday, October 31, 2001
“I'm willing to have peace, life for everybody, in this region, including my nice soldiers who harassed me and caused psychological pain for me…..These cute soldiers should return back to their families and live their life” Thursday, November 1, 2001
“the officer………………… He came with other soldiers. He looked different than before. he smiled like a child. I tried to turn my face to the other side. But the officer walked and approached me.....He came to say to me good-buy. He decided to make reconciliation with me before I leave......We talked together about nice things”
“We were talking like friends. Other soldiers were serounding us very quietly.”
"It was amazing meeting. The same soldiers who used to harasse me im my appartement and the streetcame to say to "L'hitrot" (good-buy). There was a sade expression on their faces. Even on the face of the officer who said to me the day before that he will be very galde if I will leave Hebron.
"I asked myself what happened. He was sade and not happy. I decided to cut this love and hate, attractive and rejecting meeting. I left them.”
“I understood that we are human beings that need love instead of hate”
Friday, 2nd November 2001.
“the officer. He was listening to me carefully with respect…
I told him why I decided to arrive the airport drunk. Because I'm not fond of alcohol and I never got drunk before. The officer said, nothing was against me and he shook hands with me and apologized with respect.” Monday, March 04
“It was very clear that the soldiers were harassing me as a result of their commanders instructions” 22nd March 2002
"Colonel Igal Sharon was a nice commander of the " IDF " soldiers in Hebron. He used to deal with all of the human stories I was published in the newspapers.......And while I cuased alot of criticizem noise for Colonel Igal Sharon in the media, he was a nice Commander in Hebron"
"Colonel Barokh Najjar was very nice colonel with me either, while I criticized him alot in the media and I caused noise noise for him, But he was respecting me"
"Why nobody interesting to hear, talk or write about the nice stories between the Palestinians and the Israelis under this terrible war??"
End quotes
Just a few observations regarding Kawther Salam’s diary and narrative:
-Her relentless attack on Hamas, Fatah and the entire Palestinian society is cold-hearted, callous and shocking, in contrast with her warm feelings, gentle praise and admiration for her “victimized” “peace-loving” “israeli friends” and “cute, child-like soldiers”
-She spells Nakba like zionist do: Naqbah, no educated Arab would write it with Q, because it would cease to mean what it means
- She said she doesn’t know where her “refugee” parents came from originally, which is rather bizarre for a Palestinian refugee!
-In her diary; she never mentioned Palestinian friends, it’s always “israeli” friends or soldier friends
-She claims she was “forced” to leave Palestine, when in fact she begged and worked hard and with the help of her “israeli friends” until she was finally allowed to leave (according to her diary)
- Her pet animal is called "Zahav", a name no Palestinian would choose by any stretch of imagination, it’s a Hebrew name!
- She also collaborated on three films for Israeli television stations
- She had magically managed to make unprecedented quantum leaps in writing, from some who can barely construct a simple sentence in English in 2002
- To someone who writes complex sentences and “deep” political analysis with “twists”, in a matter of weeks!
- To someone who received Hellman/Hammett Grant “in recognition of her courage in the face of political persecution” just months after arrival in Austria!
- And for more quantum leap jumping and record-breaking; she has been given asylum in three weeks!
- There is even an infantile blog to promote her, laughable, but not in a funny way, her "talents" are praised, she is promoted as a "gifted" writer and an "inspiration" to all Palestinian women
- Finally, I would like to share one of the "gifted" Kawther's poems:
Quote: "I'm counting the sky stars, hopefully to see him!! Talking to the birds flying, hopefully to meet him!! Asking the sea waves, the zephyr hopefully to talk to him!! Irrigating all flowers, hopefully to smell him!!
Day and night are equal!!
The hour hand pass slowly!!
I'm waiting and waiting...
They killed my hope...
They killed my dreams...
They killed my feeling...
They killed humanity...
They killed and killed...
But tomorrow is coming...
Tomorrow should coming!!
Tomorrow I'll dance and sing...
I'll smile and laugh...
Drink and drunk...
Kiss and hug...
Fly and love...
Tomorrow I'll meet him!!
I'll get my Freedom!!
Freedom to live...
Freedom to love...
Freedom to talk...
Freedom to travel...
Freedom to have an ID.
Freedom, and freedom and freedom...
I'm dreaming daily...
Dreaming and dreaming...
But I woke up...!" End Quote
In conclusion, whatever is the motivation of those who infiltrated PTT, whether simply hatred and contempt to their people and culture, or utter foolishness, or something far more sinister like for example perception management, the result is the same: their articles and comments contain poison, a poison extremely detrimental to the Palestinian cause at this moment in time, precisely when public opinion just begins to see Palestine and Palestinians in a more favourable light.
I can not be associated with such smear campaigns waged against the entire Palestinian society, leadership, people and culture.
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2 comments:
Bravo Nahida!!
Dear cataurocubano
Thank you for your comment
I went through Kawther salam’s diary and writing meticulously and all I can say is that I can smell rat, big time
Please read the additional points at the end of my article:
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