Comments on Shaalom 2 Salaam: A Muslimah's Journey Along the Way From Judaism to Islam: Palestine and Israel (I/P) - My Position

Thank you for replying, Safiyya. This is a very de...

2012-02-12T12:18:02.781-05:00

Thank you for replying, Safiyya. This is a very delicate and complicated issue. Answering why shouldn't the Jews have their own state is an interesting point, one that several orthodox Jews replied to by saying Jews are not allowed to have a state till the messiah descends - along the lines - for divine reasons. This is biblically speaking from the point of view of a group of Jews in the US for example who are anti-zionist. Politically speaking, the matter becomes the complete opposite of scripture. Before the British mandate of Palestine, Palestine had had Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities living side by side, despite my criticism of many Ottoman mishandling of affairs in its empire. Although the Jewish community was a minority - Jews living in Palestine and other arab countries did not face the prosecution or massacres they had faced in Eastern Europe, Russia, Germany and elsewhere, and if they claim Arabs were violent to them, it is in frustration to the Palestinian question (Saddam Hussein kicking out the Iraqi Jews out of Iraq who considered Iraq home is not something any Arab or Muslim should be proud of nonetheless!). Spanish Iberia (Andalous), the Jewish community had prospered side by side Muslims with Islamic rule. the Patio of the lions are testament to that in the Alhambra Palace today (it was a gift from the spanish Jews to the Hakam) that Jewish icon physicit and philosopher Maimonides was able to write his jewish theology books which are still in reference today. The myth that Jews cannot live with Muslims (Arabs or not), is easily refuted by simple history (A documentary on the history of the Jews quotes a rabbi from the US who mentions the sharp contrast between the sephareds and ashkenaz when the former migrated to the US, speaking Arabic along with their version of Hebrew, being better educated and better off financially). Besides that. During the British mandate and the zionist plot to take over from the British, some Jews dressed up as Arabs entering bedouin villages to view entrances and exits, were warmly welcomed by the bedouins only to be killed the next morning or kicked out of thier farms/villages. The first bombing in Palestine was by the Haganah against the British (King David hotel bombings, air force, sabotage of Haifa railroads) all the while running clandestine mass immigration operation from Eastern Europe and North Africa. You're right, it's not the same as in South Africa. It's far worse. Founded on violence, it cannot survive without it to maintain its nuclear weapons and subjugation of all other ethnicities. On the other hand, Jewish communities today in the Maghreb refuse to make Aliyah despite the calls of Israel. They simply don't want to, Tunisia/Morocco is their home since centuries! I visited the Tunisian Synagogue (the Ghriba) which dates to the 5th century (oldest synagogue in the world!)despite the savage attacks it faced in 2002, it is part of the Tunisian heritage as well. I was very fortunate to have had a wonderful conversation with a Tunisian Jewish silversmith in Djerba from whom I bought beautiful silver necklace. he said "Here as a Jew, I have more rights and protection than even a Muslim". I was quite happy and rather surprised to hear that expecting him to tell tales of misery. I apologize for endlessly going on, this matter specifically is of major interest to me. There is an interesting lecture by Palestinian rights advocate Lebanese American Prof Asad Abukhalil who will best answer you about the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan (btw many of those who were "offered" citizenship refused it, palestinian flame of identity is not fading with the ethnic cleansing of the land) - both of whom he visited, and speaks from secular humanism background on the Case Against Israel rather than a religious one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKvJrf3bOnY&feature=related there are 5 parts. Let me know your thoughts, please. Much love, T.

Yuck, I meant to type "why SHOULDN'T"...

2012-02-08T07:47:32.078-05:00

Yuck, I meant to type "why SHOULDN'T" the Jews have their own state

Oh, T - contact me any time :)

2012-02-08T07:44:56.624-05:00

Oh, T - contact me any time :)

@ T - I think that the SA situation, while being s...

2012-02-08T07:44:36.288-05:00

@ T - I think that the SA situation, while being similar, is not the same.

I don't personally think that one big happy state would work. What is important to the Zionists is a JEWISH state. Not a state with majority Jews and a few other people. Look at what's happening right now: even Christian churches in EAst Jerusalem are being "price-taged" by extremeists. Too many folks over there want it all. On the other hand, why should the Jews have their own state with its own demography? Lebanon, for example, has a huge Palestinian refugee population that will probably not be returning to their homes anytime soon. Yet, Lebanon will not give citizenship to these people because it would upset their delicate demographic balance. Lebanon for the Lebanonese. But who is a Lebanonese? Same thing with Palestinians. When Jordan was giving Palestinians Jordanian citizenship, the PLO objected and asked Jordan to stop. Never mind that they had Jordanian citizenship themselves, lol. But, in principle only, the suggestion is that the people should have a Palestinian identity, not a Jordanian identity.

Basically with this logic (and you're certainl...

2012-02-08T05:56:59.312-05:00

Basically with this logic (and you're certainly an intelligent individual), we should've expected South Africa to settle for a two state solution, a state for the blacks and a state for the whites, to avoid mingling, similar to the status quo in the holy land which is even worse. Creating a Palestinian state next to Israel will not stop the chaos, it will incite more (border mayhem, protection of Israeli frontiers by Palestinian authorities that will trigger rebels etc). When Israel realises the racism of its laws and apartheid, restructured its system and the obligatory loyalty to the "Jewish state", lets the refugees back, encourage real secular values for a multitude of religions, apologizes for the land theft, humiliating strip search of Palestinians, targetted killings and demolitions, then we can talk. The name ISRAEL (although mentioned in the Quran endlessly) is now socially and politically associated with Jewish supremacy, racism, bloodshed and aparthied. I'm against ethnic nationalism and nationalism of all sorts, Muslim oriented included. One country, one land, MANY people; anything else and it's an eternal war! That being said, opposing Israel politically is in no way to be taken as opposing Judaism or the Jews in general. Although this exists amongst many Muslims unfortunately that many anti-zionists are also fervent anti-semitics. The latter collaboration is not acceptable for the inticement of hatred to an already dire situation. Finally, Safiyyah, I'd love to be in contact with you on a personal level. I absolutely love your blog and your writing. It's often that I beg to differ, but it's simply due to my love of a good debate. If you don't mind, I'd love to be a friend and a sister in faith. Much love, T.

2012-02-08T05:43:43.077-05:00

This comment has been removed by the author.

Yes please do post the link when you can. Masha&#...

2011-07-01T04:28:48.331-04:00

Yes please do post the link when you can.

Masha'Allah I agree.

Well said.

Well said.

I would like to watch, please post the link when y...

2011-06-17T16:58:35.238-04:00

I would like to watch, please post the link when you can!

Just finished the interview! It went well, I thin...

2011-06-16T00:47:05.655-04:00

Just finished the interview! It went well, I think. We didn't talk about I/P much, but more of my personal story. Thanks to LiAmi and his co-host who were so nice, and thanks for the opportunity. Gave out my website link during the interview so hopefully will meet new people and have interesting, respectful dialogue.