Palestine Peace, Not Apartheid

This was written in my undergraduate career. I actually never shared it. I think the only person that has seen it was Rash. So, enjoy! And I hope it won't cause too much damage. 


Overwhelmed by the MCAT, I decided to make a trip to ring road. As I paid for my tazo lemonade ice tea from Starbucks, I didn’t think twice regarding the myth or perhaps truth to the support of Israeli troops provided by Starbucks’ commission. I came to realize the connection after viewing what is “The Wall.”

As I stood there, eating my cup of noodles, I decided to view a glimpse of the video that showed the “The Truth” regarding the Palestinian battle to live and to survive amongst the occupation of the Zionism movement. Of course, the idea of Israel versus Palestine has been talked about so much that no one really realizes the force that it is meant to ignite. In fact, it has become cliché. And so controversial at the same time, no one wants to accept the severity of the matter. This is real life. Running away from it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

The history of Palestine to Israel is as follows. Any educated, intellect or even unbiased historian will tell a similar story or hopefully a detailed one.  The movement of Zionism began way before the First World War. Before the 18th century, Anti-Semitism grew largely in European countries and Russia. Zionism is based on the Bible which is perceived by Zionists that Palestine was the homeland for the Jews. This reinforced the idea to establish a Jewish homeland for those caught in the racism that was increasing exponentially and thus creating a Diaspora amongst the Jewish population around the world.  Palestine became the eye candy of these settlers due to its strong ties to Judaism. Before World War I, the Jewish population in Palestine was below 5% against the Palestinians who have lived there. During the advancement of Anti-Semitism, the Jewish population began to increase by people who believed in the Zionism movement. With the rise of Hitler and the Nazi revolution, the movement of Zionism became more popular. During these times, Theodore Herzl and Nathan Birnbaum became fighters for an establishment of a Jewish state. After many Zion congresses, there was even talk about Uganda being an establishment of Jewish state. But Herzl refused this notion and wanted Palestine. Herzl gained orthodox Jewish support, reinforcing the idea that the land belonged to the Jews. But others denied his cause, because in order for Palestine to be reestablished as a Jewish state, the Messiah had to be present. In fact, according to the Bible, when the Messiah returned, it was His duty to do so. In their eyes, it was blasphemous to even return the control of the Jewish homeland without the presence of the Messiah.  Further, during World War I and the fall of the Tzar, British hoped by supporting the Zionism movement would keep Russia fighting against Germany. The reasoning was that Russia had an overwhelming population of Jews and hoped by supporting the cause; they would also support their cause by fighting Germany.  Regardless, the movement of grew stronger and stronger throughout the years especially during World War II. Palestine Jewish Zionism increased to 45% in 1940s and 55% Palestinian. All in all, Britain gave the Jews majority of the land as well as the most fertile. With this rise in the population, slowly uprisings began to occur. And well, you have what is going on today, torture, rampage, destruction, murder, death, shootings, and everything else that lies in between. BTW- during the “peace stages” when Clinton was in power, there was no peace. It was a way for the Jewish establishment to gain more control over the Palestinians even though we were told that peace was progressing during his administration.

Regardless of the history and who support the idea of Zionism, it is certain that their actions have caused a wide humanity crisis for the Palestinians. I know I have left out a lot detail regarding the political and social aspects between Israel, Palestine, Britain, the US and the UN. But I want to say clearly that the movement of Zionism has become the foundation problem of the crisis in Palestine. The Religion, Judaism has nothing to do with Zionism and they aren’t the same thing. There are many Jewish people around the world that are Anti-Zionist. But for the purpose of my blog, I want to say this. As I read the stories, saw the pictures, listened to the video, read the UN proposals, I was thankful to be able to go to school without having a gun pointed in my direction. I don’t have to see the 418 villages of Palestinians that have been destroyed. And I don’t even hear about Tom Hurndall 22, Rachel Corrie 23, Brian Avery 29, and others who have been shot, murdered and brutally disfigured respectively by the Israel regime in protecting the youth of the Palestinians. Hundreds, if not thousands, of kids under the age of 18 have been killed by the Israel army in defending their right to live in their homeland. Yet, I stood there and all I could do is read. All I can do is educate myself and learn about humanitarian crisis that exists amongst the Palestinians. Even though it may not be as strong as defending a child in Palestine, but it is definitely a start. I just wanted to emphasize that with the structural statistics of “The Wall” that is being built is driving me crazy. The Berlin wall was only 155 km and 11.8 feet high. The Israel Apartheid Wall is 790 km and 25 feet high. Watchtowers and firing posts are located every 200 meters. The best part of the wall is that the International Court of Justice in 2004 ruled it was illegal for its construction and separation. But it still is being constructed. Since then, 408 km have been made and only 63 km remains in construction and 232 km has yet to be constructed. 497,820 residents are going to be affected by the separation of the barrier and so far 102,320 Palestinians already have.

We are so blind and I hate it. We are at war with Iraq and I can safely close my eyes and hear nothing but the sound of silence. We support the cause of Israel, and I don’t even realize it is coming out of my money.