Irish Peace Laureate Shot By Israeli Troops at Non-Violent Protest - Why Isn’t This News?

If you listened to Democracy Now on Monday, you already know the following:

Irish Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire was among a number of people shot Friday by Israeli troops at a nonviolent protest of the “apartheid wall” in the Palestinian village of Bil’in, near Ramallah.

But if you didn’t listen to Democracy Now Monday, you probably didn’t know that.

Maguire was shot with what the Israeli military - and some press reports - misleading refer to as a “rubber bullet” - that is, a rubber-coated steel bullet.
Why isn’t this “news” in the United States? There’s nothing on the web sites of the New York Times, the Washington Post, or the Los Angeles Times, not even a wire story.

Those who blame the Palestinian people for their fate, attributing it to Palestinian violence, and faulting the Palestinians for not emulating Gandhi, King, or Mandela (whose role in the “armed struggle” against apartheid in South Africa is always conveniently elided for the purpose of this comparison) should periodically ask themselves, when Palestinians do engage in nonviolent protest, and are subjected to brutal repression as a result, how come the mainstream U.S. media don’t pay any attention?

Wouldn’t this be a precondition for a successful nonviolent protest strategy? That people find out about it? Imagine if U.S. news organizations had not reported on lunch counter sit-ins in the South, Freedom Rides, or the Montgomery bus boycott - and the repression that resulted. What if no-one reported on the deaths of Evers, Goodman, Schwerner, Chaney. Would these protests have been as effective?

That U.S. political, diplomatic, and financial support for the Israeli government’s policies in the West Bank provide crucial support for these policies should be beyond debate. Don’t the American people have a right to know what’s going on?

And if a Nobel peace laureate is shot at a non-violent protest using weapons paid for by the U.S. taxpayer, isn’t that news?

A great deal of ink has been spilled about how the United States is perceived in the Middle East. Too little of that ink has addressed whether the perception of the United States might be the predictable result of unjust U.S. policies, and whether changing some of those policies might be part of a strategy for changing the perceptions.

A new poll from World Public Opinion.org finds that nine in ten Egyptians thinks that the U.S. is at war with Islam, and wants the U.S. to “remove its bases and military forces from all Islamic countries.” Eight in ten Egyptians support attacks on U.S. troops in the region to bring this about.

U.S. policy towards the Palestinians is surely not the whole story, but it is surely an important part of the story. If the U.S. cannot, in the short term, compel Israel to accept a political settlement with the Palestinians along the lines of the international consensus - withdrawal to the 1967 borders - can’t we at least get them to stop shooting unarmed demonstrators? Or, if even that is too much to ask, how about no shooting Nobel peace laureates?

Wednesday night Bill Moyers will examine on PBS how the U.S media failed us in the run-up to the Iraq war. Perhaps Mr. Moyers could look into how the U.S. media is failing us on our policy towards the Palestinians.

Robert Naiman is Senior Policy Analyst and National Coordinator at Just Foreign Policy.

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30 Comments so far

breehmichael April 25th, 2007 1:20 pm

I’ve protested in Bil’in, peacefully, while men prayed on land that by right is theirs, while bulldozers in the distance tore up trees and fields, while we shouted “No No Occupation, Yes Yes, Liberation”, while young Israeli soldiers, required by the government, tried hard to hide their own fear and anguish…until they turned on us, throwing shock bombs and tear gas, shooting not-really-rubber bullets at women, children, the elderly, fellow Israelis and reporters from the BBC. A young boy was shot in the head by the so-called rubber bullet. This is what happens when Palestinians protest peacefully. And nobody cares, nobody pays attention and nobody can see that, in this Holy Land, it is the Israeli soldiers, carrying their US made and purchased guns, wearing their US Army issued fatigues, driving tanks and jeeps bought and paid for by the US taxpayer, that are the real problem. It is their goverment and the US government that are the real terrorists in the Holy Land. Most Israelis and Palestinians want to live peacefully but they are not allowed. And when they protest peacefully for peace, nobody cares.

PJD April 25th, 2007 2:13 pm

breehmichael,

When I reaad your despairing account, and accounts of more recent events, I have to come to the concluson that under the current regime of controlled information, Gandhian nonviolence has become virtually useless as a tactic.

Gandhi movement succeeded, not because of some kind of mystic power, but becuse his actions and the brutal reactions, so well depicted in the film “Gandhi”, were widely covered by a morally principled and sympathetic media, particularly the British media.

Now, acts of noinviolent resistance are simply dissapeared down the memory hole - or even ridiculed. Even back in the 80’s, when the film Gandhi was in the theaters, much of the amerikkan movie audience around me laughed at the moving scenes of nonviolent protestors being beaten by the British at the salt works.

So, if a downtrodden people, having patiently practiced nonviolence for years with no hope of relief, resort to violence, even terorist violence, why the hell should anyone be suprised? I am in no position to criticise it, and in situations where it has a chance of producing results, I’ll support it. I certainly quietly cheer on the Iraqi atttacks on the US military convoys and green zone, and the brave Hizballah fighters last summmer.

Jaded Prole April 25th, 2007 2:23 pm

There was a time that non-violent resistance might have been somewhat effective in Palestine but not now. It is ultimately the US that oppresses and murders Palestinians as Israel is financially dependent on the US and for all intents, our colony. The fascistic behavior of Israel has escalated to the point that it has because of the reactionary leadership here that pulls the strings. At least Clinton kept a leash on the most violent zionist zealots while working toward a peaceful solution. So much blood on our hands . . .

Jaded Prole April 25th, 2007 2:26 pm

It is too late there for non-violence. The reactionalry behavior of Israel is an extension of the reactionary leadership here. Israel is for all intents our colony - dependent on us finacially and for weapons, bulldozers . . . It is we who are overseeing and funding the murder of Palestinians.

truthteller April 25th, 2007 2:45 pm

American taxpayers must demand the total end to all financial and military aid to Israel. The thugs running this illegitimate and rogue state should be forced to face the rest of the World on their own! Stealing land from it’s legitimate occupants was wrong when it was done in the U. S. under the racist doctrine of Manifest Destiny, and it is equally wrong when it is done in the name of a supposed promise from “God” for an ancient homeland. It is time for the U. S. to quit being Israel’s puppet and cut our ties and stand up for the basic human rights of the Palestinians.

RichM April 25th, 2007 3:43 pm

truthteller -

I don’t disagree with your comments about Israel, but you are making Israel out to be the villain, while implying that the US itself is somehow more pure. You suggest that US taxpayers should demand an end to aid to Israel (a position I’d support) — but why shouldn’t they likewise refuse to pay taxes to the US regime itself — which, after all, runs a much larger & equally vicious military machine?

Israel is largely the creation of US policy. We’ve deliberately given it incentives to behave as it has. Like the CIA or Pentagon, it has generally served interests which US policy makers hold dear. The idea that the US is “Israel’s puppet” is way too facile. It’s a misleading & harmful idea, because it dishonestly tries to assign blame for US crimes to an external bogeyman, rather than encouraging recognition of the criminality of our own rulers.

Though it’s a rogue state, Israel is not the main problem for Americans — our own government is our main problem. It may feel good to scream “Cut off aid to Israel!”, imagining that they are the bad guys, and that without them, we’d be pure again. Unfortunately, that’s an simplistic & not very honest view.

OuterBeltway April 25th, 2007 6:16 pm

Cutting off aid to Israel may not be the whole story, but it would be one huge, easily-measured, highly significant step in the right direction.

It would send a tectonic-scale signal to the rest of the world that Americans are finally waking up, and taking the critical steps necessary to restore our own self-respect and our international legitimacy.

Israel’s horrible behavior would then be their exclusive responsibility, and if they persist, as they likely would, they’d be the only ones to take the consequences.

Then we could start talking about oil subsidies - that is to say, 80% of the Defense Department’s budget.

opeluboy April 25th, 2007 6:35 pm

I would say this story failed to make the news for the same reason the play My Name is Rachel Corey was cancelled on Broadway.

Next dumb question please.

Josh April 25th, 2007 6:58 pm

How is news controlled without government censors overseeing the many corporate and “public” US news outlets? It is a terrific achievment, since no one at the NY Times fears going to jail or to an insane asylum for printing the “wrong” story, as they did/do in the Soviet Union and China. Professor Noam Chomsky’s seminal work on this fascinating question is indispensable.

Ken Mitchell April 25th, 2007 7:37 pm

Check out this web site http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070425/OPINION/704250330/-1/OPINION01

Richard Cohen argues that Israel is constantly being singled out. The critics conveniently forget that since its creation in 1948, Israel has had to deal with countries and organizations that are committed to Israel’s destruction. THis includes Iran and Hamas. Sure, israel was wrong this time. That makes it Israel one, Muslim nations and organizations one million. If these people would leavfe Israel alone, this wouldn’t happen

opeluboy April 25th, 2007 9:10 pm

Poor little misunderstood Israel. I’m sure Richard Cohen (who also thought the Iraq war was just a dandy idea) can’t imagine why anyone, least of all sub-humans, would have a problem with a state being created out of their homes and land and given to people from Brooklyn. If those ungrateful Palestinians would just keep their mouths shut and clean the restrooms like good boys and girls, the IDF would not be compelled to shoot their children in the heads.

That aside, reading the above post makes it obvious why anti-Semitism is on the rise. Arrogance by self-described victims does not go over well.

RichM April 25th, 2007 9:41 pm

Ken Mitchell — You have no idea what you’re talking about. An establishment hack like Richard Cohen is no authority on the Middle East; the fact that you think so shows how little you really know of the situation.

I used to believe this drivel about innocent little Israel being surrounded by murderous enemies irrationally committed to its destruction, until I started reading outside the establishment press. I remember well how angry critics of Israel used to make me — until I discovered they were right.

You missed the whole point of the Common Dreams article, which is not that “Israel was wrong this time.” Rather, it’s that the US media coverage of Israel is ALWAYS just like it was in this Mairead Maguire incident — which is why people like you have swallowed the lie that ” since its creation in 1948, Israel has had to deal with countries…committed to (its) destruction.” The sad truth is that Israel has been the aggressor from the very start. It’s wrong this time, yes — but it’s been wrong every other time, as well.

One can easily hear that you’re far from being ready to accept this. But someday, you should have the courage to read about the real history, from intelligent critics on the Left — both in the US & Israel. These people have vastly more integrity & brains than intellectual flyweights like Richard Cohen. If you ever get beyond swallowing the lies of the US media, you have a very big surprise in store for you.

Siouxrose April 25th, 2007 10:46 pm

Rich M: thank you for your calm, intelligent, calm explanations of the bigger picture.

ezeflyer April 25th, 2007 11:19 pm

Mammon rules.

MJCIV April 26th, 2007 5:39 am

RichM, could you suggest some titles to read that present the view you are explaining? I know that I haven’t been getting the whole story on Israel/Palestine, and I want to know more. The way that I see it–which has been shaped entirely by the mainstream media–Israel is surrounded by enemies on all sides who will not negotiate, compromise, or settle for peace. If there is compelling evidence to the contrary, I’d like to read it.

Thanks.

therzal April 26th, 2007 6:04 am

MJCIZ.. May I offer some titles??
1) Anything by Norman Finkelstein is a good start.
2) For background to biblical myth and delusion try “The Bible Unearthed” by Israel Finkelstein.
3) For background on the ideological and practical divide between Zionist and NonZionist Jews, see “51 Documents- Zionist Collaboration with the Nazis” by Lenni Brenner.
4) I believe Benny Morris is a very impressive historian,, But I have not yet read any of his work..
Google for “israeli historians”
Google for “Unit 101″
5) For the modern day consequences, browses to the AIPAC, AEI and PNAC sites. Read their “scholarly” works.
Google for “true cost of israel to us taxpayer”
Try “They Dared to speak out” by Paul Findley
If you are unaware of this stuff, just ask your self “Why??”
Good Reading, Don’t get too depressed, get angry and Act..

hybridoma2001 April 26th, 2007 7:02 am

I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood. Most were orthodox Jews, many were from the former Soviet Union. I never had much contact with the Orthodox Jews except as a paperboy. Friday was the day we would go from house to house to be paid for the delivered papers. We always had to remind our managers that we would always be one week behind because the Orthodox Jews aren’t allowed to handle money beginning on Friday evening. We laughed about it – no big deal. The other families of reformed Jews were good people. They loved to talk and tell jokes. They were nice. I have many Jewish friends.
What I’m getting at is that I have no reason to not like the Jews. What I do have reason to dislike is the fact that they have broken so many UN rules that no other country even comes close. But the USA has always vetoed any sanctions against the State of Israel. The Israelis have nobody to blame except themselves for their problems. When you treat an entire population the way they have treated the Palestinians, what sort of reaction should they expect?
It is true that there is a lot of bad blood in the Middle East, and that this has been going on for centuries. But some groups of Palestinians and Jews have been seeking a peaceful way to end all this killing. The Israelis aren’t going to give up the lands they have stolen because these lands are the major sources of water. And we all know how important water is going to become soon. And they wouldn’t accept a democratically chosen leader of Palestine because this person has refused to budge on his position until Israel shows some good faith. With the power of the USA, vital money is being withheld from the Palestinian people and taxes rightfully belonging to them aren’t being paid by the Israelis. Who’s trying to destroy who in this situation? When you can see no alternative to all of your best efforts that is when the real terrorist groups are able to step in and find willing recruits; recruits that Israel has created by its actions.
I know that I don’t know hardly a thing about what is really going on and why. But when people like a former president compare the situation in the disputed territories with apartheid, and other scholars – especially Jewish scholars – criticize their government, then I know that the public isn’t allowed to be aware of hardly any truth.
One final question to throw out there: Why have the Jews been persecuted throughout history? What is it that makes people dislike the Jewish people?

saphne April 26th, 2007 11:43 am

To MJCIV– Check out the CNI, (the center for the national interest) Join up, you are kept up to date with newsletters and given addresses to write to. They are the ones who have been putting the full page ads in the Times. Please check out the website.

NMBill April 26th, 2007 12:40 pm

The power of the veto at the U.N. by the U.S. shows we support “Zionist” aggression by silencing the voices of the oppressed.

The Jewish people are not the problem, any more than Noam Chomsky is the problem. There are people within that country who want social justice, the same as we do!

We have the neo-cons; they have the Zionists!

http://www.krysstal.com/democracy_whyusa03.html

foamweapons April 26th, 2007 1:04 pm

If this story was on Digg (Tech News Website) and the tech community of my generation (early twenties) read this story many would say:
“No link to a video, then it didn’t happen.”

If the person couldn’t post a video to Youtube, or at least have pictures of the aftermath… then sorry, it’s just another unconfirmed rumor on the internet. That’s of course not what I believe, but most people my age don’t read Commondreams.org, that’s for sure. The corporate media has completely abandoned the peace movement. Ghandi would be killed in the Middle-East. It wouldn’t even make the back-pages of the NYT.

It might have been different in the past, but here in the 21st century activists can’t take injustice and expect people to notice. You have to extensively document, record, have multiple accounts in addition to “non-violent protest.” If the video of this was posted to the internet, people would definitely notice. Blogs would link to it, social news sites would make it a top news story and people would notice. Once there’s buzz on the internet, the corporate media won’t be able to ignore it… because then they have to preempt and spin it before they are seen as obsolete for not covering a story the internet deems ground-breaking.

It’s better to treat “Old Media” as completely dead. They aren’t going to change, that’s why we have to replace them.

ezeflyer April 26th, 2007 1:10 pm

Once more with feeling:

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today…

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

John Lennon

RichM April 26th, 2007 1:25 pm

MJCIV — Sure. I should preface that I’m Jewish myself, & therefore understand the pro-Israel viewpoint very well.

What you’re asking is a very good but huge question; its enormity means that I can only sketch a partial response, & some good suggestions, like Norman Finkelstein & the Paul Findley book (by a former US congressman) have already been offered. Your question goes right to the heart of how the US media really functions, so it’s larger than just a question about Israel’s real history (a large topic, itself).

So, I would try to read some of Noam Chomsky — especially Manufacturing Consent, Necessary Illusions, & Middle East Illusions. I won’t kid you — a lot of Chomsky is very dense reading. But the general idea is that the US media system consistently portrays the world in ways that put US foreign policy in a favorable light. Countries which cooperate with Washington’s policy goals are always treated sympathetically; countries that wish to be independent from Washington are systematically demonized.

When it comes to Israel, here are some typical things that always get underplayed. If Arab countries make serious peace overtures to Israel, like Sadat did in 1971, it’s not reported in the US media any more than this Mairead Maguire incident this past weekend. In the US, it seems “not to exist.” In the UN, there have been many dozens of resolutions set forth where virtually all nations in the world have united in condemning the illegality & brutality of Israel’s occupation of Gaza & the West Bank. But the US has always used its Security Council seat to veto these resolutions, so the resolutions have been defeated, even though the actual votes were typically 140 countries in support, with 3 countries (the US, the UK, and Israel) opposed. In turn, the US media has not covered (or has downplayed) these UN votes, so most Americans never learn how the US aggressively defends Israel’s public image, by essentially not permitting the case against Israel to be heard.

There have been some fine documentaries on how the US media systematically distorts its coverage in ways favorable to Israel. One of them is “Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land,” on Google at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6604775898578139565 . Other useful websites to look at are http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/index.html , & http://brasscheck.com/videos/middleeast/me5.html . A very impressive & honest video by an American Jewish woman who lived in Palestine for 6 months can be ordered on DVD at http://www.annainthemiddleeast.com/ . This shows you what daily life is like in the Occupied Territories, in ways you’ll never see on the US media.

Often on www.counterpunch.org , essays by Israeli dissidents like Gideon Levy & Uri Avnery are presented. They also appear in Haaretz, which you can read online. These guys discuss the Israel-Palestine situation in ways that would never be permitted by the US media.

A key point is that though we Americans are raised to believe we have a “free press,” the truth is something else. We have a propaganda system just like all other societies. Ours is more subtle than, say, that of the former USSR in its operation — but its subtlety makes it more insidious & effective.

NMBill April 26th, 2007 1:37 pm

http://www.krysstal.com/democracy_whyusa03.html

saphne April 26th, 2007 2:15 pm

ooops, it is the Council for the Naional Interest, not Center. The CNI. Join now.

pangolin April 26th, 2007 3:22 pm

I should preface this by stating that I am of Palestinian descent. My Palestinian ancester came to the US before the creation of the state of Israel.

The Israeli lobby excercise an unusual degree of power in the US media. On several other wise large liberal blogs (DU, Koss, cough, cough) criticism of Israel is likely to get you banned unless couched in the most neutral of languages. Since there is no actual dialouge about Israel in US media and little on the net things are only going to get worse.

It is my belief that eventually the US military will be ejected from Iraq and Afghanistan and then Arab eyes and anger will turn towards Israel. In arab eyes the US-Israeli alliance will have been seen as the cause of over 2 million arab deaths.

Israel cannot be overrun militarily but it can be ground down. The same technologies and tactics that prevent the US from controlling Iraq will eventually be used on Israeli forces. A defeated US will not come to their aid.

Right now there are options that allow for an Israeli state AND peace. Later the arab peoples may make that an either/or choice.

Peace now will be cheaper than peace later; Israeli’s will have to choose which peace they want.

MJCIV April 26th, 2007 8:38 pm

See, this is where it gets so frigging hard to figure out what’s going on in Israel. One report I read said that the protest where Ms.McGuire was hurt was “Gandhi-like” in it’s peacefulness, while another said that gangs of Palestinians were throwing rocks at the Israeli soldiers before any rubber bullets or tear gassed were used. Which report is true? How can you tell? Everything I see and read about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is contradictory. Is there an impartial, objective source of information out there???

EyesPealed April 27th, 2007 11:29 am

Hey MJCIV, maybe I can help a bit. In the winter/spring of 2003 I spent 3 months living in the West Bank village of Biddu, participating in the daily non-violent protests against the construction of the Wall through Biddu’s farmland.

Here our some of my observations: While each morning as well as the previous night’s planning meeting there was broad consensus amongst the community and its allies (Israelis, internationals, and other Palestinians from surrounding villages) to remain non-violent at the protests, it was often the case that young boys would show up and throw rocks. Most of the times the rocks were thrown in response to the Israeli Army and Border Polices’s aggressive, violent actions, and always after the bulldozers had begun to clear the land.

I was also at demonstrations where there were no young people, everyone was sitting on the land non-violently, and the soldiers began teargassing folks to get them to move.

Many of the freelance journalists as well as the more mainstream press showed much less interest in demos which were peaceful(i guess the pictures are less exciting), often times not even showing up if there was a small chance for clashes.

I can also say that in the 70 or so peacefully intended demonstrations I attended, that each day a peaceful group of villagers, internationals and israelis made at least one attempt at walking (with our arms extended over our heads) towards the fields where the work was occurring, we never made it once. Each time we were turned back by tear gas, rubber bullets, stun grenades or border police on horse back wielding clubs.

I am not sure what i had hoped to convey here, I guess maybe that regardless the intentions of the demonstrators, and the soldiers for that matter, that Wall represents high stakes for all involved, and most demos will turn violent, unless held on the Sabbath when the Army doesn’t work. I guess from my experiences there I have realized despite my desires to simplify and analyze the events there in a simple formula “black and white”, “always right, always wrong”. There are so many layers to the events there, and those layers are in constant fluctuation.

sorry for the rant

blessthebeasts April 28th, 2007 10:50 pm

The comment by foamweapons is very interesting–and true. In our culture today, if it’s not on TV (or video), it didn’t happen. It’s also true that progressives must take advantage of internet technology, as foamweapons said–while we can.

zeitgeist April 29th, 2007 3:05 am

Thanks RichM!

MJCIV April 26th, 2007 5:39 am-

Do a search on ‘Irgun’ and ‘Stern’ gangs, the founding fathers for the state of Israel. They were all ex-Bolsheviks and at the time, listed on the British roster of known terrorists.

Compelled by devotion and their innate desire for expediting the return of their savior, the Balfour Declaration, was propelled in part by British/American Christian fanaticism and zealotry, that breathed into existence the current and new creature.

It is the Roman fabrication, riding on the back of Israeli/Egyptian history that is greatly to blame. The roots of which are xenophobic in both cases.

(Read Ahmed Osman - The House of Messiah)

Maat, Best Wishes and Hope
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk1vEuhBuEU

zeitgeist April 29th, 2007 4:08 pm

To put Ahmed Osman’s work into better current perspective, please read:
Michael Baigent’s ‘The Inquisition’.

Many out of print, new and used titles can be found at: abeBooks.com

On April 20th 1233, Pope Gregory IX issued a Bull that conferred on the Dominicans the specific task of eradicating heresy, in the form of Gnosticism, which was taking root in southern France, threatening to undermine the authority of the Papal throne. Thus was the Office of Inquisition effectively inaugurated.

By virtue of the Pope’s edict, Dominican Inquisitors were given legal authority to convict suspected heretics without any possibility of appeal – and thus, in effect, to pronounce summary death sentences. With the Pope’s blessing the machinery for mass extermination was established on an official legal basis.

In 1540, under Pope Paul III, the old Papal or Roman Inquisition was reconstituted, and modeled specifically on its Spanish counterpart; its chief priority was no longer to be supposed ‘purity’ of the faith, but the stability and welfare of Papacy and Church. Its official title became the ‘Sacred Roman Congregation and Universal Inquisition, or Holy Office’.
In attempt to purge its sinister foundations from the mind, in 1965, the Inquisition was once more renamed as the ‘Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’. It operates under that appellation today, a direct lineal descendant of the original Inquisition created in 1234.
The last member of this ‘Holy Office’ is the current Pope Ratzinger, as former Cardinal, the Grand Inquisitor, was the right arm to Pope John Paul II.

Although the throne has been stripped of its secular authority and its ability to roast any of those that might stand in its way, it nevertheless maintains a wide psychological network, founded upon terror, a scion of Constantine’s original fabrication, today incites the flames of Christian Fundamentalist fervor that currently ravages the Middle East. Historically, Protestants became equally enthused in displaying they’re pyre-roasting skills. It is evidently clear that the Holly Office was never concerned about saving souls as much as it was about maintaining its seat of authority through confiscation of property under the guise of sinning against dogma. Its sinful opponents were thus dispensed with by severing the errant soul from the body by flame, with property transferred into the hands of god.

The Catholic Church began fanning the flames of Anti-Semitism, long before the culpable malleability of Hitler arrived on the scene, whose ideology fell easily in line with the aspiration or the Roman throne.

In 1920, under the protection of Merry del Val, Benigni began to produce a bulletin in French called Antisemite. Despite the title, the cardinal insisted that he was not really anti-Semitic. He was merely opposed to the alleged international Judaic conspiracy that dominated banking, freemasonry and Bolshevism but also referred to the Jewish people as the ‘Elect of the Antichrist’.

In 1923, in order to join ERDS (Entente romaine de defense sociale) reformed from Benigni’s – Sodalitium pianum – members were required to be ‘aryan or aryanised nation’ and embrace the motto ‘Religion, Family, Homeland’, primary spokesman for ERDS was a certain Abbe Boulin, who wrote belligerently of the ‘assault’ on Europe by international Jewish banking.

In light of the current Fundamentalist zealots at the helm of U.S. policy, the above should send a resonant chill through the attentive soul. Ironically, in the end, it might very well be Israel upon which we call to rescue us from the current ill Roman wind which blows. But, as long as Israel wears the same myopia, cloaked in the equally xenophobic fabrication Rome has spun for it, it too remains blind. Let us hope Israel’s reconciliation with its Egyptian roots, will remove those blinders for everyone’s sake.

Maat, Best Wishes and Hope
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk1vEuhBuEU

breehmichael April 25th, 2007 1:20 pm

I’ve protested in Bil’in, peacefully, while men prayed on land that by right is theirs, while bulldozers in the distance tore up trees and fields, while we shouted “No No Occupation, Yes Yes, Liberation”, while young Israeli soldiers, required by the government, tried hard to hide their own fear and anguish…until they turned on us, throwing shock bombs and tear gas, shooting not-really-rubber bullets at women, children, the elderly, fellow Israelis and reporters from the BBC. A young boy was shot in the head by the so-called rubber bullet. This is what happens when Palestinians protest peacefully. And nobody cares, nobody pays attention and nobody can see that, in this Holy Land, it is the Israeli soldiers, carrying their US made and purchased guns, wearing their US Army issued fatigues, driving tanks and jeeps bought and paid for by the US taxpayer, that are the real problem. It is their goverment and the US government that are the real terrorists in the Holy Land. Most Israelis and Palestinians want to live peacefully but they are not allowed. And when they protest peacefully for peace, nobody cares.
PJD April 25th, 2007 2:13 pm

breehmichael,

When I reaad your despairing account, and accounts of more recent events, I have to come to the concluson that under the current regime of controlled information, Gandhian nonviolence has become virtually useless as a tactic.

Gandhi movement succeeded, not because of some kind of mystic power, but becuse his actions and the brutal reactions, so well depicted in the film “Gandhi”, were widely covered by a morally principled and sympathetic media, particularly the British media.

Now, acts of noinviolent resistance are simply dissapeared down the memory hole - or even ridiculed. Even back in the 80’s, when the film Gandhi was in the theaters, much of the amerikkan movie audience around me laughed at the moving scenes of nonviolent protestors being beaten by the British at the salt works.

So, if a downtrodden people, having patiently practiced nonviolence for years with no hope of relief, resort to violence, even terorist violence, why the hell should anyone be suprised? I am in no position to criticise it, and in situations where it has a chance of producing results, I’ll support it. I certainly quietly cheer on the Iraqi atttacks on the US military convoys and green zone, and the brave Hizballah fighters last summmer.
Jaded Prole April 25th, 2007 2:23 pm

There was a time that non-violent resistance might have been somewhat effective in Palestine but not now. It is ultimately the US that oppresses and murders Palestinians as Israel is financially dependent on the US and for all intents, our colony. The fascistic behavior of Israel has escalated to the point that it has because of the reactionary leadership here that pulls the strings. At least Clinton kept a leash on the most violent zionist zealots while working toward a peaceful solution. So much blood on our hands . . .
Jaded Prole April 25th, 2007 2:26 pm

It is too late there for non-violence. The reactionalry behavior of Israel is an extension of the reactionary leadership here. Israel is for all intents our colony - dependent on us finacially and for weapons, bulldozers . . . It is we who are overseeing and funding the murder of Palestinians.
truthteller April 25th, 2007 2:45 pm

American taxpayers must demand the total end to all financial and military aid to Israel. The thugs running this illegitimate and rogue state should be forced to face the rest of the World on their own! Stealing land from it’s legitimate occupants was wrong when it was done in the U. S. under the racist doctrine of Manifest Destiny, and it is equally wrong when it is done in the name of a supposed promise from “God” for an ancient homeland. It is time for the U. S. to quit being Israel’s puppet and cut our ties and stand up for the basic human rights of the Palestinians.
RichM April 25th, 2007 3:43 pm

truthteller -

I don’t disagree with your comments about Israel, but you are making Israel out to be the villain, while implying that the US itself is somehow more pure. You suggest that US taxpayers should demand an end to aid to Israel (a position I’d support) — but why shouldn’t they likewise refuse to pay taxes to the US regime itself — which, after all, runs a much larger & equally vicious military machine?

Israel is largely the creation of US policy. We’ve deliberately given it incentives to behave as it has. Like the CIA or Pentagon, it has generally served interests which US policy makers hold dear. The idea that the US is “Israel’s puppet” is way too facile. It’s a misleading & harmful idea, because it dishonestly tries to assign blame for US crimes to an external bogeyman, rather than encouraging recognition of the criminality of our own rulers.

Though it’s a rogue state, Israel is not the main problem for Americans — our own government is our main problem. It may feel good to scream “Cut off aid to Israel!”, imagining that they are the bad guys, and that without them, we’d be pure again. Unfortunately, that’s an simplistic & not very honest view.
OuterBeltway April 25th, 2007 6:16 pm

Cutting off aid to Israel may not be the whole story, but it would be one huge, easily-measured, highly significant step in the right direction.

It would send a tectonic-scale signal to the rest of the world that Americans are finally waking up, and taking the critical steps necessary to restore our own self-respect and our international legitimacy.

Israel’s horrible behavior would then be their exclusive responsibility, and if they persist, as they likely would, they’d be the only ones to take the consequences.

Then we could start talking about oil subsidies - that is to say, 80% of the Defense Department’s budget.
opeluboy April 25th, 2007 6:35 pm

I would say this story failed to make the news for the same reason the play My Name is Rachel Corey was cancelled on Broadway.

Next dumb question please.
Josh April 25th, 2007 6:58 pm

How is news controlled without government censors overseeing the many corporate and “public” US news outlets? It is a terrific achievment, since no one at the NY Times fears going to jail or to an insane asylum for printing the “wrong” story, as they did/do in the Soviet Union and China. Professor Noam Chomsky’s seminal work on this fascinating question is indispensable.
Ken Mitchell April 25th, 2007 7:37 pm

Check out this web site http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070425/OPINION/704250330/-1/OPINION01

Richard Cohen argues that Israel is constantly being singled out. The critics conveniently forget that since its creation in 1948, Israel has had to deal with countries and organizations that are committed to Israel’s destruction. THis includes Iran and Hamas. Sure, israel was wrong this time. That makes it Israel one, Muslim nations and organizations one million. If these people would leavfe Israel alone, this wouldn’t happen
opeluboy April 25th, 2007 9:10 pm

Poor little misunderstood Israel. I’m sure Richard Cohen (who also thought the Iraq war was just a dandy idea) can’t imagine why anyone, least of all sub-humans, would have a problem with a state being created out of their homes and land and given to people from Brooklyn. If those ungrateful Palestinians would just keep their mouths shut and clean the restrooms like good boys and girls, the IDF would not be compelled to shoot their children in the heads.

That aside, reading the above post makes it obvious why anti-Semitism is on the rise. Arrogance by self-described victims does not go over well.
RichM April 25th, 2007 9:41 pm

Ken Mitchell — You have no idea what you’re talking about. An establishment hack like Richard Cohen is no authority on the Middle East; the fact that you think so shows how little you really know of the situation.

I used to believe this drivel about innocent little Israel being surrounded by murderous enemies irrationally committed to its destruction, until I started reading outside the establishment press. I remember well how angry critics of Israel used to make me — until I discovered they were right.

You missed the whole point of the Common Dreams article, which is not that “Israel was wrong this time.” Rather, it’s that the US media coverage of Israel is ALWAYS just like it was in this Mairead Maguire incident — which is why people like you have swallowed the lie that ” since its creation in 1948, Israel has had to deal with countries…committed to (its) destruction.” The sad truth is that Israel has been the aggressor from the very start. It’s wrong this time, yes — but it’s been wrong every other time, as well.

One can easily hear that you’re far from being ready to accept this. But someday, you should have the courage to read about the real history, from intelligent critics on the Left — both in the US & Israel. These people have vastly more integrity & brains than intellectual flyweights like Richard Cohen. If you ever get beyond swallowing the lies of the US media, you have a very big surprise in store for you.
Siouxrose April 25th, 2007 10:46 pm

Rich M: thank you for your calm, intelligent, calm explanations of the bigger picture.
ezeflyer April 25th, 2007 11:19 pm

Mammon rules.
MJCIV April 26th, 2007 5:39 am

RichM, could you suggest some titles to read that present the view you are explaining? I know that I haven’t been getting the whole story on Israel/Palestine, and I want to know more. The way that I see it–which has been shaped entirely by the mainstream media–Israel is surrounded by enemies on all sides who will not negotiate, compromise, or settle for peace. If there is compelling evidence to the contrary, I’d like to read it.

Thanks.
therzal April 26th, 2007 6:04 am

MJCIZ.. May I offer some titles??
1) Anything by Norman Finkelstein is a good start.
2) For background to biblical myth and delusion try “The Bible Unearthed” by Israel Finkelstein.
3) For background on the ideological and practical divide between Zionist and NonZionist Jews, see “51 Documents- Zionist Collaboration with the Nazis” by Lenni Brenner.
4) I believe Benny Morris is a very impressive historian,, But I have not yet read any of his work..
Google for “israeli historians”
Google for “Unit 101″
5) For the modern day consequences, browses to the AIPAC, AEI and PNAC sites. Read their “scholarly” works.
Google for “true cost of israel to us taxpayer”
Try “They Dared to speak out” by Paul Findley
If you are unaware of this stuff, just ask your self “Why??”
Good Reading, Don’t get too depressed, get angry and Act..
hybridoma2001 April 26th, 2007 7:02 am

I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood. Most were orthodox Jews, many were from the former Soviet Union. I never had much contact with the Orthodox Jews except as a paperboy. Friday was the day we would go from house to house to be paid for the delivered papers. We always had to remind our managers that we would always be one week behind because the Orthodox Jews aren’t allowed to handle money beginning on Friday evening. We laughed about it – no big deal. The other families of reformed Jews were good people. They loved to talk and tell jokes. They were nice. I have many Jewish friends.
What I’m getting at is that I have no reason to not like the Jews. What I do have reason to dislike is the fact that they have broken so many UN rules that no other country even comes close. But the USA has always vetoed any sanctions against the State of Israel. The Israelis have nobody to blame except themselves for their problems. When you treat an entire population the way they have treated the Palestinians, what sort of reaction should they expect?
It is true that there is a lot of bad blood in the Middle East, and that this has been going on for centuries. But some groups of Palestinians and Jews have been seeking a peaceful way to end all this killing. The Israelis aren’t going to give up the lands they have stolen because these lands are the major sources of water. And we all know how important water is going to become soon. And they wouldn’t accept a democratically chosen leader of Palestine because this person has refused to budge on his position until Israel shows some good faith. With the power of the USA, vital money is being withheld from the Palestinian people and taxes rightfully belonging to them aren’t being paid by the Israelis. Who’s trying to destroy who in this situation? When you can see no alternative to all of your best efforts that is when the real terrorist groups are able to step in and find willing recruits; recruits that Israel has created by its actions.
I know that I don’t know hardly a thing about what is really going on and why. But when people like a former president compare the situation in the disputed territories with apartheid, and other scholars – especially Jewish scholars – criticize their government, then I know that the public isn’t allowed to be aware of hardly any truth.
One final question to throw out there: Why have the Jews been persecuted throughout history? What is it that makes people dislike the Jewish people?
saphne April 26th, 2007 11:43 am

To MJCIV– Check out the CNI, (the center for the national interest) Join up, you are kept up to date with newsletters and given addresses to write to. They are the ones who have been putting the full page ads in the Times. Please check out the website.
NMBill April 26th, 2007 12:40 pm

The power of the veto at the U.N. by the U.S. shows we support “Zionist” aggression by silencing the voices of the oppressed.

The Jewish people are not the problem, any more than Noam Chomsky is the problem. There are people within that country who want social justice, the same as we do!

We have the neo-cons; they have the Zionists!

http://www.krysstal.com/democracy_whyusa03.html
foamweapons April 26th, 2007 1:04 pm

If this story was on Digg (Tech News Website) and the tech community of my generation (early twenties) read this story many would say:
“No link to a video, then it didn’t happen.”

If the person couldn’t post a video to Youtube, or at least have pictures of the aftermath… then sorry, it’s just another unconfirmed rumor on the internet. That’s of course not what I believe, but most people my age don’t read Commondreams.org, that’s for sure. The corporate media has completely abandoned the peace movement. Ghandi would be killed in the Middle-East. It wouldn’t even make the back-pages of the NYT.

It might have been different in the past, but here in the 21st century activists can’t take injustice and expect people to notice. You have to extensively document, record, have multiple accounts in addition to “non-violent protest.” If the video of this was posted to the internet, people would definitely notice. Blogs would link to it, social news sites would make it a top news story and people would notice. Once there’s buzz on the internet, the corporate media won’t be able to ignore it… because then they have to preempt and spin it before they are seen as obsolete for not covering a story the internet deems ground-breaking.

It’s better to treat “Old Media” as completely dead. They aren’t going to change, that’s why we have to replace them.
ezeflyer April 26th, 2007 1:10 pm

Once more with feeling:

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today…

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

John Lennon
RichM April 26th, 2007 1:25 pm

MJCIV — Sure. I should preface that I’m Jewish myself, & therefore understand the pro-Israel viewpoint very well.

What you’re asking is a very good but huge question; its enormity means that I can only sketch a partial response, & some good suggestions, like Norman Finkelstein & the Paul Findley book (by a former US congressman) have already been offered. Your question goes right to the heart of how the US media really functions, so it’s larger than just a question about Israel’s real history (a large topic, itself).

So, I would try to read some of Noam Chomsky — especially Manufacturing Consent, Necessary Illusions, & Middle East Illusions. I won’t kid you — a lot of Chomsky is very dense reading. But the general idea is that the US media system consistently portrays the world in ways that put US foreign policy in a favorable light. Countries which cooperate with Washington’s policy goals are always treated sympathetically; countries that wish to be independent from Washington are systematically demonized.

When it comes to Israel, here are some typical things that always get underplayed. If Arab countries make serious peace overtures to Israel, like Sadat did in 1971, it’s not reported in the US media any more than this Mairead Maguire incident this past weekend. In the US, it seems “not to exist.” In the UN, there have been many dozens of resolutions set forth where virtually all nations in the world have united in condemning the illegality & brutality of Israel’s occupation of Gaza & the West Bank. But the US has always used its Security Council seat to veto these resolutions, so the resolutions have been defeated, even though the actual votes were typically 140 countries in support, with 3 countries (the US, the UK, and Israel) opposed. In turn, the US media has not covered (or has downplayed) these UN votes, so most Americans never learn how the US aggressively defends Israel’s public image, by essentially not permitting the case against Israel to be heard.

There have been some fine documentaries on how the US media systematically distorts its coverage in ways favorable to Israel. One of them is “Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land,” on Google at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6604775898578139565 . Other useful websites to look at are http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/index.html , & http://brasscheck.com/videos/middleeast/me5.html . A very impressive & honest video by an American Jewish woman who lived in Palestine for 6 months can be ordered on DVD at http://www.annainthemiddleeast.com/ . This shows you what daily life is like in the Occupied Territories, in ways you’ll never see on the US media.

Often on www.counterpunch.org , essays by Israeli dissidents like Gideon Levy & Uri Avnery are presented. They also appear in Haaretz, which you can read online. These guys discuss the Israel-Palestine situation in ways that would never be permitted by the US media.

A key point is that though we Americans are raised to believe we have a “free press,” the truth is something else. We have a propaganda system just like all other societies. Ours is more subtle than, say, that of the former USSR in its operation — but its subtlety makes it more insidious & effective.
NMBill April 26th, 2007 1:37 pm

http://www.krysstal.com/democracy_whyusa03.html
saphne April 26th, 2007 2:15 pm

ooops, it is the Council for the Naional Interest, not Center. The CNI. Join now.
pangolin April 26th, 2007 3:22 pm

I should preface this by stating that I am of Palestinian descent. My Palestinian ancester came to the US before the creation of the state of Israel.

The Israeli lobby excercise an unusual degree of power in the US media. On several other wise large liberal blogs (DU, Koss, cough, cough) criticism of Israel is likely to get you banned unless couched in the most neutral of languages. Since there is no actual dialouge about Israel in US media and little on the net things are only going to get worse.

It is my belief that eventually the US military will be ejected from Iraq and Afghanistan and then Arab eyes and anger will turn towards Israel. In arab eyes the US-Israeli alliance will have been seen as the cause of over 2 million arab deaths.

Israel cannot be overrun militarily but it can be ground down. The same technologies and tactics that prevent the US from controlling Iraq will eventually be used on Israeli forces. A defeated US will not come to their aid.

Right now there are options that allow for an Israeli state AND peace. Later the arab peoples may make that an either/or choice.

Peace now will be cheaper than peace later; Israeli’s will have to choose which peace they want.
MJCIV April 26th, 2007 8:38 pm

See, this is where it gets so frigging hard to figure out what’s going on in Israel. One report I read said that the protest where Ms.McGuire was hurt was “Gandhi-like” in it’s peacefulness, while another said that gangs of Palestinians were throwing rocks at the Israeli soldiers before any rubber bullets or tear gassed were used. Which report is true? How can you tell? Everything I see and read about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is contradictory. Is there an impartial, objective source of information out there???
EyesPealed April 27th, 2007 11:29 am

Hey MJCIV, maybe I can help a bit. In the winter/spring of 2003 I spent 3 months living in the West Bank village of Biddu, participating in the daily non-violent protests against the construction of the Wall through Biddu’s farmland.

Here our some of my observations: While each morning as well as the previous night’s planning meeting there was broad consensus amongst the community and its allies (Israelis, internationals, and other Palestinians from surrounding villages) to remain non-violent at the protests, it was often the case that young boys would show up and throw rocks. Most of the times the rocks were thrown in response to the Israeli Army and Border Polices’s aggressive, violent actions, and always after the bulldozers had begun to clear the land.

I was also at demonstrations where there were no young people, everyone was sitting on the land non-violently, and the soldiers began teargassing folks to get them to move.

Many of the freelance journalists as well as the more mainstream press showed much less interest in demos which were peaceful(i guess the pictures are less exciting), often times not even showing up if there was a small chance for clashes.

I can also say that in the 70 or so peacefully intended demonstrations I attended, that each day a peaceful group of villagers, internationals and israelis made at least one attempt at walking (with our arms extended over our heads) towards the fields where the work was occurring, we never made it once. Each time we were turned back by tear gas, rubber bullets, stun grenades or border police on horse back wielding clubs.

I am not sure what i had hoped to convey here, I guess maybe that regardless the intentions of the demonstrators, and the soldiers for that matter, that Wall represents high stakes for all involved, and most demos will turn violent, unless held on the Sabbath when the Army doesn’t work. I guess from my experiences there I have realized despite my desires to simplify and analyze the events there in a simple formula “black and white”, “always right, always wrong”. There are so many layers to the events there, and those layers are in constant fluctuation.

sorry for the rant
blessthebeasts April 28th, 2007 10:50 pm

The comment by foamweapons is very interesting–and true. In our culture today, if it’s not on TV (or video), it didn’t happen. It’s also true that progressives must take advantage of internet technology, as foamweapons said–while we can.
zeitgeist April 29th, 2007 3:05 am

Thanks RichM!

MJCIV April 26th, 2007 5:39 am-

Do a search on ‘Irgun’ and ‘Stern’ gangs, the founding fathers for the state of Israel. They were all ex-Bolsheviks and at the time, listed on the British roster of known terrorists.

Compelled by devotion and their innate desire for expediting the return of their savior, the Balfour Declaration, was propelled in part by British/American Christian fanaticism and zealotry, that breathed into existence the current and new creature.

It is the Roman fabrication, riding on the back of Israeli/Egyptian history that is greatly to blame. The roots of which are xenophobic in both cases.

(Read Ahmed Osman - The House of Messiah)

Maat, Best Wishes and Hope
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk1vEuhBuEU
zeitgeist April 29th, 2007 4:08 pm

To put Ahmed Osman’s work into better current perspective, please read:
Michael Baigent’s ‘The Inquisition’.

Many out of print, new and used titles can be found at: abeBooks.com

On April 20th 1233, Pope Gregory IX issued a Bull that conferred on the Dominicans the specific task of eradicating heresy, in the form of Gnosticism, which was taking root in southern France, threatening to undermine the authority of the Papal throne. Thus was the Office of Inquisition effectively inaugurated.

By virtue of the Pope’s edict, Dominican Inquisitors were given legal authority to convict suspected heretics without any possibility of appeal – and thus, in effect, to pronounce summary death sentences. With the Pope’s blessing the machinery for mass extermination was established on an official legal basis.

In 1540, under Pope Paul III, the old Papal or Roman Inquisition was reconstituted, and modeled specifically on its Spanish counterpart; its chief priority was no longer to be supposed ‘purity’ of the faith, but the stability and welfare of Papacy and Church. Its official title became the ‘Sacred Roman Congregation and Universal Inquisition, or Holy Office’.
In attempt to purge its sinister foundations from the mind, in 1965, the Inquisition was once more renamed as the ‘Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’. It operates under that appellation today, a direct lineal descendant of the original Inquisition created in 1234.
The last member of this ‘Holy Office’ is the current Pope Ratzinger, as former Cardinal, the Grand Inquisitor, was the right arm to Pope John Paul II.

Although the throne has been stripped of its secular authority and its ability to roast any of those that might stand in its way, it nevertheless maintains a wide psychological network, founded upon terror, a scion of Constantine’s original fabrication, today incites the flames of Christian Fundamentalist fervor that currently ravages the Middle East. Historically, Protestants became equally enthused in displaying they’re pyre-roasting skills. It is evidently clear that the Holly Office was never concerned about saving souls as much as it was about maintaining its seat of authority through confiscation of property under the guise of sinning against dogma. Its sinful opponents were thus dispensed with by severing the errant soul from the body by flame, with property transferred into the hands of god.

The Catholic Church began fanning the flames of Anti-Semitism, long before the culpable malleability of Hitler arrived on the scene, whose ideology fell easily in line with the aspiration or the Roman throne.

In 1920, under the protection of Merry del Val, Benigni began to produce a bulletin in French called Antisemite. Despite the title, the cardinal insisted that he was not really anti-Semitic. He was merely opposed to the alleged international Judaic conspiracy that dominated banking, freemasonry and Bolshevism but also referred to the Jewish people as the ‘Elect of the Antichrist’.

In 1923, in order to join ERDS (Entente romaine de defense sociale) reformed from Benigni’s – Sodalitium pianum – members were required to be ‘aryan or aryanised nation’ and embrace the motto ‘Religion, Family, Homeland’, primary spokesman for ERDS was a certain Abbe Boulin, who wrote belligerently of the ‘assault’ on Europe by international Jewish banking.

In light of the current Fundamentalist zealots at the helm of U.S. policy, the above should send a resonant chill through the attentive soul. Ironically, in the end, it might very well be Israel upon which we call to rescue us from the current ill Roman wind which blows. But, as long as Israel wears the same myopia, cloaked in the equally xenophobic fabrication Rome has spun for it, it too remains blind. Let us hope Israel’s reconciliation with its Egyptian roots, will remove those blinders for everyone’s sake.

Maat, Best Wishes and Hope
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk1vEuhBuEU

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