Opinion  Ray Hanania
Comic tragedy of Palestinian ‘democracy’
Ray Hanania
Published: 02.12.05, 22:40
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1. to Ray
(12.02.05)
You can follow democracy if you want to. Its not about western style or eastern style Its about giving everyone a vote - one man (or woman), one vote. Its about following people with the best ideas, not voting for someone based purely on some or other perceived loyalty you think you may have to them. Vote with your brain, not your heart. Emotion has not place in these things. Voting needs to be logical and rational. So vote for people with the best ideas. And it will happen in palestine Its has been going on in Israel for many years now. When you vote based on allegiance, and those leaders fail you because their ideas go a bit pear shaped then you realize that maybe they didnt have the best ideas after all. All you get for your allegiance is a kick up the hooter. Arabs will learn too that they need to vote based on who has the best ideas - irrespective of whether they are secular, religious, blue, brown, pruple, have three arms and five feet or whatever. Shalom
2. wrong analysis ray ....
Abdel ,   Nablus, Palestine   (12.03.05)
the way people select candidates or vote is a reflection of the society, when any society is divided along ethnic / relegious lines, they will vote accordingly.when a society is going through some serious change or at times of uncertinaty, it will be devided along ethnic and relegious/ lines.The palestinians, the middle east, and islam are going through some serious changes, due to conflict, poor ecomines, and abusive governments, not to mention an identity crises... the problems you see right now are normal for people trying to understand where they fit in the world. people should stop trying to suggest that there is something inherently wrong with arabs/ muslims... deep down we are all the same, just give us some time, and some peace.....
3. voting based on personality
Joe ,   Brooklyn, NY   (12.03.05)
Americans vote based on personality too.
4. Arafat this terroirst and killer a hero ?
cordier ,   paris   (12.03.05)
5. democracry does not equal west
josef cohen ,   bkk thailand   (12.03.05)
I would add 2 points. 1) Democracy is not a western cultural export. Just go to Japan and any ideas that a democracy will be a western culture clone will be quickly disabused. 2) Democracy is not simply majority/mob rule. It is the fundamental understanding and gaurantee of minority rights and cultural, ethnic religious pluralism. I think one of the biggest challenge in the Arab world is that they have problems seperating Islam from governance because it is so intertwined in the formative history of the Arab nation. This in stark contrast to non Arab Islamic countries like Turkey who are more free to create a seperate national identity. Consequently anybody who doesn't practice either Islam or the same forms of Islam can become suspect or worse in the Arab nations. Minorities in the Arab world are viewed suspiciously because anything they do as a community to maintain or advance themselves is seen as inherantly threatning to the larger Arab. For consideration, Josef Cohen
6. to ray
woman ,   palastin   (12.03.05)
you speake about arab moslem democracy and you take palastine as an example first of all we are not free so first we vot to one can lead us to freedom till now no one can and people here mostly are moslems they are around hamass other than their political sight itis it social one they help poor with their little afair ....in the other arab moslem countries the social effect mor power ful than political and this a believe in islam yes protection and safty is from god we will do a little for it at least we say god want this and may it changed and this is the religouse point of the ordinay man here and looking the social help of the goverment
7. Ray, if you feel this way,
Boaz ,   Ramat Gan, Israel   (12.03.05)
What are we supposed to do? P.s. Your own personal is impressive, I wish you well and don’t discourage.
8. democracy is democracy
sam ,   potomac, md usa   (12.04.05)
Ray, you're wrong on this point--democracy is democracy--they have it in India, they have it in Taiwan, Japan, they have it in other "non-western" societies--and in western socieities that were just the opposite of democratic in the past--i.e., German and other eastern European countries.It is not limited to Western societies--it might take some work to overcome certain authroitarian tendencies in certain societes-- The young people who protested in Tianamen Square said this: that democracy is democracy--even though the rulers in Beijing would like us to think that"Chinese democracy," i.e., a totalitarian police state is the only thing that will work in China. If what you say is true, then the anti-democratic forces in Palestian society and in Israeli society (the Kahanists--who say disparaging things about the Arabs and who also say that democracy is un-Jewish) must be right--and I don't believe that they are right.
9. to Ray
Hilda ,   USA   (12.04.05)
So we agree democracy and Islam is an oxymoron. However, I do believe that Arabs can learn what democracy is--don;t Arabs within Israel participate in democracy and it seems to me that Arabs in the US also. It is only in those places where Islam is the modus operendi that democracy becomes an impossiblity. That is because Islam will not learn to cooperate with other religins. It will not allow another voice to be heard. As a Christian are you satisfied with what has happened to places like Bethlehem where Christians were the majority and when the town was given to the PA jurisdiction, Christians were pushed out and now there are barely a handful of Christians left. Are you happy what happened to the Church of the Nativity? I ask you these questions because I will never understand why Christian Arabs side with Muslims in the dispute against Israel. If they were true to both their religion and to their personal worth, they would be siding with the State of Israel against Islam. Can't they see what a difference it would make? In this case, ethnicity should take second base to religion. Christian Arabs and Jews can make peace. Muslims and any other religion cannot. Note also what happened in Lebanon. As An Christian Arab I know you can do something, If you read this please answer.
10. How do we change things?
Ray Hanania ,   Chicago, IL USA   (12.04.05)
So many people have brought up some good points. I think that Western Democracy is defined in a broad way, and includes Japan. But, there are differences. (In an 1,000 word essay, you have to reduce details to stereotypes sometimes to make a point). But what can be done? The most important aspect of Democracy is Free Speech. People need to be able to express themselves freely without being attacked, jailed, killed, bullied by the larger society, or ostracized. When you have tolerance for free speech -- even when ideas and concepts so offend others -- you can have true Democracy. That's not yet present in the Arab World and it certainly is less tolerated in the Islamic World. I think the Palestinians tolerate Free Speech more than most other Arab countries, with the exception of Lebanon. But the Palestinians have far to go, especially in terms of confronting and defeating the rising threat of Islamic fundamentalism. Hamas isn't just a threat to Israel. It is a real threat to the Palestinians and is slowly destroying Palestine. They don't advocate a Democratic Palestinian State. They advocate an Islamic State which by nature excludes non-Muslim Palestinians. But they also do so militantly. I have a question and maybe others can answer this: Has there ever been a Christian Palestinian suicide bomber? (I don't believe there have been). And, does Hamas have non-Muslim members in its leadership? Although Islamicists attack Israel, as a Jewish State and ask what is the difference, Hamas goes further than Israel. Israel allows non-Jewish members in its leadership. Hamas, by its nature, does not. When Palestinians get away form the religious fanaticism that is slowly consuming them, then maybe Democracy will succeed. When Muslims can vote for a Christian in an election where the election is not rigged -- where Christian seats are created and you have no choice but to vote for a Christian, for example, then there might be real Democracy. When Palestine can throw away the quota system that creates non-Muslim elected offices, and Muslims and Christians can vote for each other not on the basis of religion, but on the basis of politics driven by popular policies. I am a Democrat as an American citizen. But I often vote for Republican and independent candidates. Anyway, just having this discussion is unprecedented. We're not allowed to discuss the differences between Fatah, Jabha and Hamas in the United States. The elitist Arab American community leadership doesn't allow it. Like President Bush who has to buy off Iraqi journalists to publish favorable stories, the Arab American leadership has to bully critics into silence. I won't shut up. I believe societies become better societies when they focus on the challenges and the wrongs, rather than patting each othe ron the back and telling each other how much we like each other. Cronies, pals and corrupt politicians pat each other on the back. Great leaders address the challenges that keep societies from being great. I hope we see more great Palestinian and Israelis leaders -- examples of great Palestinian leader is Hanan Ashrawi and Marwan Barghouti. Ray Hanania
11. Worthless to read.
Uzziel   (12.04.05)
The second Mr. Hanania defines the Egyptian Rahman Al Kidwa a.k.a "Yasser Arafat": "heroic revolutionary who failed as a government bureaucrat" he drops his "moderate" mask. We are in face of another arab trying the destruction of Israel by the way of the sole tool in which the arabs are indisputable masters: deception & lies.
12. Ray, how do we make peace with YOU?
Rachel BenDavid ,   Peduel   (12.04.05)
Ray, the left in Israel thinks that most Palestinians are like you, and that if we just figure out the right formula, we will have peace. The right in Israel knows that your editorial is correct, and that even if most Palestinians are like you, the fanatics won't let you take over. Therefore, we have to protect ourselves first, and peace comes when the fanatics can't win no matter how violent they are. Where does that leave you? I don't know -
13. in answer to Ray's question
sam ,   potomac, md   (12.04.05)
The answer is no. There has never been a Christian suicide bomber.
14. Re: How do we change things?
Logic ,   Israel   (12.04.05)
Ray: Barghouti has a nasty habit of sending killers to shoot at seafood restaurant patrons. With leaders like that, maybe the Palestinians are better off with anarchy...
15. RAY
(12.04.05)
you talk about free speech- free speech doesnt exist anymore except on the interent- people are getting arrested for trying to STUDY WW2- and how many REALLY DIED- this is fascist and scary- and its led by jews-
16. Ray I agree with what you say in #10 talkback but
(12.04.05)
Bargouti is a piece of filth. This man was responsible for ordering suicide bombings in Israel that killed women and children deliberately. Ashrawi is ok. I think its safe to say that most Israelis dont agree with what she says but at least she doesnt advocate violence against noncombatants. People have to learn that its ok to agree to disagree. But its not ok to turn to violence just because you disagree. I disagree with my wife all the time, but we sort it out eventually. Why? Because we BOTH keep an open mind and we BOTH accept that the other has just as valid an interest in the issue we are fighting about as the other. Im sure you agree because you are married also so this is old news for you. Fanatics on BOTH sides need to be isolated and marginalized. Why should reasonable people on both sides have to suffer because of choices made by unreasonable and totally illogical and irrational people on BOTH sides? Democracy also means keeping an open mind. Every person has the capacity to do this. Black, brown, white, pink whatever. Its just a question of whether people want to do it or not. Its difficult because it involves letting go of something that feels safe because you can rationalize things easier in your mind if you dont let go. Change for the better is a good thing. We need it and so do you. I hope that the elections on BOTH sides go well. Im sick of the fighting. Im sure you are too. No I dont think there has ever been a nutzri suicide bomber. I dont think nutzrim are interested in this. The problem has been for a long time that we can control our extremist fanatic rubbish, but your side hasnt been able to do so at all. I think you should be under no illusion that they hate you as much as they hate us. They hate nutzrim and secular palestinians. So we have to fight them. You do to. If we work together I belive we can do it, but Abas doesnt seem to want to do it on a big scale, apart from a few ambush and scirmish in gaza and westbank, because it will, he believes, split Fatah apart. Its very difficult. Nobody said it would be easy. But you can do it if you work together.
17. PEACE PROCESS DESTROYED HUMAN RIGHTS OF PA CHRISTIANS
Linda Rivera ,   New York   (12.05.05)
The extremely wicked U.S. EU UN political agenda includes forcing Christians to live under horrific Islamic Sharia law. TAKE BETHLEHEM & OTHER CHRISTIAN TOWNS INSIDE GREEN LINE NOW! PLO terrorists conducted barbaric jihad against Lebanon's Christians murdering huge numbers. www.free-lebanon.com Click on photo gallery - 20,000 Christians handicapped by PLO atrocities. PLO savagery was rewarded. The PLO terrrorists were implanted into Israel as "peace" partners through Oslo to continue their jihad. Christians in PA areas suffer horrendous persecution under cruel occupation of PA/PLO and other terrorist organizations. Christianity Dying In Its Birthplace By Daniel Pipes FrontPageMagazine.com | September 13, 2005 http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=19453 "What some observers are calling a pogrom took place near Ramallah, West Bank, on the night of Sep. 3-4. That’s when fifteen Muslim youths from one village, Dair Jarir, rampaged against Taybeh, a neighboring all-Christian village of 1,500 people. The Ajajs and their friends broke into houses and stole furniture, jewelry, and electrical appliances. They threw Molotov cocktails at some buildings and poured kerosene on others, then torched them. The damage included at least 16 houses, some stores, a farm, and a gas station. The assailants vandalized cars, looted extensively, and destroyed a statue of the Virgin Mary. “It was like a war,” one Taybeh resident told The Jerusalem Post. Hours passed before the Palestinian Authority security and fire services arrived. The fifteen assailants spent only a few hours in police detention, then were released. As for Khouriyye, the Palestinian police arrested him, kept him jail, and (his family says) have repeatedly beat him. A cousin, Suleiman Khouriyye, pointed to his burned house. “They did this because we’re Christians. They did this because we are the weaker ones.” The Khouriyyes and others recall the assailants shouting Allahu Akbar and anti-Christian slogans: “Burn the infidels, burn the Crusaders.” This assault fits a larger pattern. According to the Catholic Custodian of the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Christians in the Bethlehem region alone have suffered 93 cases of injustice in 2000-04. In the worst of these, in 2002, Muslims murdered the two Amre sisters, 17 and 19 years old, whom they called prostitutes. A post-mortem, however, showed the teenagers to have been virgins – and to have been tortured on their genitals. “Almost every day – I repeat, almost every day – our communities are harassed by the Islamic extremists in these regions,” Pizzaballa says. “And if it’s not the members of Hamas or Islamic Jihad, there are clashes with … the Palestinian Authority.” In addition to the Islamists, a “Muslim land mafia” is said to operate. With PA complicity. it threatens Christian land and house owners, often succeeding to compel them to abandon their properties. The campaign of persecution has succeeded...Bethlehem and Nazareth, historic Christian towns for nearly two millennia, are now primarily Muslim. In 1922, Christians outnumbered Muslims in Jerusalem; today, Christians amount to a mere 2 percent of that city’s population." "Islamic mafia accused of persecuting Holy Land Christians" http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/09/09/wmid09.xml Every single agreement has been broken by the PA/PLO, rendering Oslo, Road Map and ALL agreements NULL AND VOID. IDF, HELP! Stop Islamic cruelty. Liberate Christians from ALL terrorist organizations now!
18. Again democracy is not western.
josef cohen ,   bkk thailand   (12.05.05)
Ray as long as Democracy is seen as 'Western' it will be viewed with suspicion and rejected outright by nationalist and religious forces who see it as a thhreat. A competing ideology, which will infect the purity of their vision(s) and worse hold them accountable to the masses they so prefer rule unchallenged. As to free speech that comes under the wider umbrella of pluralism. Minority rights have to be understood to be respected from the bottom up not enforced piece meal as is convenient from the top down to ultimately succeed. For consideration, Josef Cohen
19. Ray, do you want to add anything about clans/tribes?
Howard ,   Pacific Coast, USA   (12.05.05)
In many (not all) Arab countries, clans and tribes are at least as important as some of the other factors. They play a huge role in patronage politics, and get tangled up with religion, ethnicity, and corruption, and even, in some cases, terrorism. Tribalism breaks down somewhat in mixed cities, but can resurface in neighborhood turf battles and in government nepotism. It is very similar to ethnic politics in such cases. Tribal politics are usually feudal and hereditary. This may well be a prototype of the "president for life" and the reason why that model is so easily accepted in some of the Arab groups; it is a familiar model. You obviously grew up with a very different model, one in which presidents are elected and then, after a few terms, step aside so that voters can change their minds. The long-term answer to ethnic, tribal and religious politics probably lies in high-quality educational systems that not only teach indepdentent thinking, but also teach respect for people with different beliefs. In the meantime, about the only thing I can think of is the "miracle:" a charismatic leader who is professional rather than corrupt, who has sufficient force of personality to bring out the best in his people instead of the worst and the strength of will to reject hatred-based politics. That, or the stream of money for Hamas & PIJ dries up and the governments/people who fund these groups say "enough. We won't pay for you to murder civilians." This would require a really deep re-think on the part of many Arab societies; they would have to challenge some really cherished beliefs. It doesn't seem likely at the moment, does it? :-( Sadly, the Palestinians don't have a Nelson Mandela. Barghouti isn't one. He talked peace with Israel and then became a terrorist and a supporter of terrorists; no Israeli can ever trust him again. The people who could make peace and be trusted woud have to be people who had never made and then violently broken agreements. Regarding Palestinian Christian suicide bombers, I think there was OME member of PFLP in 2001 (I think). That's still a tiny, tiny minority, though. Why is this? You probably have to take a look at the nature of Pal Xtian vs Pal Muslim families, neighborhoods and ideology. Maybe the Palestinian Christians who post here can talk about what they think creates this stark difference. George Habash *is* a Palestinian Christian. Pal Christian terrorism generally seems to have been perpetrated by people with non-religious ideologies. Maybe their Muslim neighbors would be nervous about violent Christian ideologies taking root in the Territories. The scarcity of Xtian suicide bombers DOES demonstrate the fact that suicide bombing is "a natural response to occupation" is a lie. Otherwise, Christian kids would be blowing themselves up too. Not to mention Native American kids, Aussie aborigines, Kurds, etc. Muslims have one of the world's great religions. But one of the things that makes any religion great is its adaptability; it can be used in a lot of ways. And too many Muslims are currently using their religion to justify the most awful crimes. I think that a large part of the problem lies in this mythology that the governments have woven to justify their anti-Israel policies. They did their job too well, and now the mythology of hatred and conspiracies is careening through their societies, largely out of control. While there are things that the US and Israel could do to help, the problem ultimately requires a huge investment in effort by many Muslim societies. I've rambled too much, but I'm going to post this anyway. Hope this is useful.
20. Look what happened today!! Suicide bomber again!!
(12.05.05)
How many times?? And you want to have these people in your government??? You have to fight them! We will help you do it but you have to stop supporting them, stop going to their rallies, report their activities to the PA whehn you see them in your neighbourhood. If you dont do this we will find them for you and we will kill them
21. to #15
Ray Hanania ,   Chicago, IL USA   (12.06.05)
The Holocaust is a fact. Anyone who wastes time trying to find out "how many really died" is unfortunately driven by other motives than wanting to know the truth ... the Nazis murdered -- butchered -- millions. I really don't care if it is 6 million, 10 million or 1 million. No one can dispute what the Nazis did ... we can argue againmst how it is used in today's political fight, but we can't and SHOULD NOT be stupid or even racist and deman the suffering of millions of fellow human beings. It makes you look bad. I'm against censoring anyone for any reason, but I have no respect for people who say the Holocaust did not happen or who try to diminish the tragedy of the Holocaust or who even try to say what Israel is doing to Palestinians is in anyway the same as the Holocaust ... there is no comparison whatsoever. Is Israel engaged in policies that are wrong, m,orally and ethically -- yes, sometimes. Same with the Palestinians. But we don't have to always try to make comparisons in order to justify a demand for justice. The Palestinian cause can stand on its own two feet, and with a demand for justice without bringing down others, demeaning other causes or exploiting the suffering of others. What happened in World War II is exploited by everyone and it should stop -- even Israelis who keep claiming the Hajj was an anti-Semitic supporter of Hitler is ridiculous. Yes, he reached out to the Nazis because "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Not even the Americans knew before 1944 what the Nazis were doing in the deathc amps but to claim the Hajj Amin knew is really also exploiting the dead for political benefit. Why can't we respect the dead and their suffering and not try to use history to justify our own mistakes? Ray Hanania PS ... ignore Linda Rivera ... anyone who has to post someone else's column as a letter on another columnist's page only shows how little others think about the column she is posting :)
22. These also are OSLO-ROAD MAP PEACE VICTIMS.PLEASE HELP THEM.
Linda Rivera ,   New York   (12.06.05)
The following is part of a list from an update on Jewish refugees from: English Orange November 28, 2005, Cheshvan 26, ·about 10,000 people were ripped out of their homes and lives in seven days ·50% of the 'caravillas' promised by the Sel"a Authority are still not ready ·105 families presently live in tents ·$500 is the average rental fee for a caravilla ·4 containers holding entire family possessions have totally disappeared ·4 homes were totally destroyed together with the house contents ·the majority of the families are not permitted access to their storage containers and have to buy new basic supplies to the amount of tens of thousands of shekels ·more than 300 agricultural farms were wiped off the face of the earth ·only 20 have been relocated ·0 residents received the promised severance pay ·merely 13% were deemed eligible to receive a temporary advance of living allowance. ·families that were living in rented homes in Gush Katif/Northern Shomron, according to the expulsion-reparation law are NOT eligible for any monetary assistance ·Singles living in the expelled areas are not eligible for any reparations ·the hotel dwellers are not entitled to basic rights like hosting guests in their rooms, internet access, telephone use... ·3 washing machines are available for the use of the Moshav Katif people and 3 washing machines are allocated for Netzer Chazani people (several hundred people!) ·2 parents + 3 children are housed in a single room in many of the hotels ·hundreds of children above age 7 have started wetting their beds (nearly 45% of all children) ·many heart attacks have occurred as a result of the expulsion crisis ·many suicide attempts as a result of the disengagement ·4 girls between ages 16-19 are in a locked hospital ward because of their extreme emotional state ·10 youth are in clinical depression and do not leave their rooms ·thousands of children who returned to the classrooms have dramatically dropped their grades ·many families are still charged to pay back mortgages on their non-existent houses ·Homesh expellees have been billed by the electric company for cutting off the electricity ·Ministry of Education does not subsidize the temporary schools that have been established around the country. ·Students who missed the summer exams are being barred from taking make-up exams. ·75% of the Expellees are still without jobs ·0 refugees have been moved of their own free will ·25 thriving and flourishing communities have been totally wiped out
23. The "PEACE" that ENRICHES TERRORISTS. IMPOVERISHES JEWS.
Linda Rivera ,   New York   (12.06.05)
Hundreds of thousands of Jews in Judea and Samaria live in fear of the terrible poverty ethnic Jew cleansing would bring. So far,10,000 Gaza and North Samaria Jews are jobless and homeless. In an act of sadistic cruelty, Jewish refugees are forced to pay mortgages on their destroyed homes. IT TOOK THE GLOBAL VILLAGE TO RAISE THESE TERRORISTS. Thousands of Jewish greenhouses and hundreds of Jewish farms built on land that NEVER belonged to Arabs were gifted to Palestinian Authority terrorist organization. TERRORISTS ARE ENRICHED. JEWS ARE IMPOVERISHED. In 1922, the British illegally gave Muslims most of Jewish Palestine-80%; the area became Jordan, giving Muslims an Arab Palestinian state. It was ethnically cleansed of Jews. The destroyers of Jews' human rights are determined to massively increase joblessness and homelessness of Jews. The cruel forcible removal of hundreds of thousands of Jews from Judea and Samaria is demanded. It is A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY for the U.S. EU, UN and ISRAEL to COMMIT this EVIL.
24. #21 Ray Hanania, maybe I'm confused, but
Believer in Freedom ,   U.S.A   (12.06.05)
I thought the juournalists' platform was ''FREEDOM OF SPEECH''. So why are you saying to ''ignore'' Linda Rivera's comments???????????
25. #24 ... Pipes needs an audience
(12.06.05)
I believe Hanania is saying that when an activist has to post another columnists views on this Letters to the Editor section, it suggests that the columnist must not be getting read by the public. I don't think Hanania is saying no one should read Pipes. And from the way Rivera is attacking, you might think she needs an audience.
26. #25 You consider human rights for Jews "attacking"???
Linda Rivera ,   New York   (12.07.05)
Jews, Christians, and other non-Muslims must have human rights!
27. Who is Pipes anyway?
(12.08.05)
Sounds like a a gay plumber from ohio or something
28. they were 100% occupairs
to 22   (12.09.05)
who returned to there homes after there mission of making ther loves of the natives hell was over
29. To Ray
Arik   (12.09.05)
Ray said: What happened in World War II is exploited by everyone and it should stop -- even Israelis who keep claiming the Hajj was an anti-Semitic supporter of Hitler is ridiculous. Yes, he reached out to the Nazis because "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Not even the Americans knew before 1944 what the Nazis were doing in the deathc amps but to claim the Hajj Amin knew is really also exploiting the dead for political benefit. .................... Your brother al-Husseini was fully aware of Jews extermination since he visited Auschwitz. He even wrote a letter to Hitler asking him to exertiminate Hungarian Jews. Al-Husseini was a typical Palestinian: he was an anti-Semite and a liar. BTW, when al-Husseini was officer in the Ottoman army some historians think that he participated to the extermination of the Armenians. All Fakestinians heroes are cool guys, don't you think so?
30. Always sad to see the Jewish version of anti-Semitism
Ray Hanania ,   Chicago, IL USA   (12.10.05)
Sorry to say that when people focus on hatred, there is a reason. It doesn't come from reaction but from within one's heart. In responding to my comments about Hajj Amin al-Husseini, in my opinion, Arik is resorting to hatred and bigotry. No problem. It should remind us all why the violence continues. Violence is not one-sided. It feeds off of the hatred of others and then crosses the line and results in suffering and death ... I wonder how Israelis who know of the crimes Israelis have committed against Palestinians simply pretend they didn't happen like Hajj Amin al-Husseini supposedly did ... people of hate always try to justify their own actions and exaggerate the hatred of others ... Arik is not the person I expect Palestinians must make peace with, but when peace is made, Israelis will have to be accountable for the excesses of their own people, just as I must be accountable for the excesses of my own people ... Ray Hanania
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