An Israeli Arab's Views On The Israeli-Palestinian Talks

[shira]

I write this from Khawalid, my (Bedouin) village in the hills of the Galilee, northern Israel, as an Israeli Arab, a Bedouin, (a minority in my own country), to offer my perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

<snip>

All talk of West Bank "convergence" ended in July 2006, when Hezbollah launched a cross-border attack from Lebanon into Israel. Eight Israeli soldiers were killed and two reservists kidnapped. (They later died, and their remains were returned to Israel in a prisoner exchange). This attack triggered a month-long war. Israel responded with an air, sea and ground campaign, while Hezbollah fired some 4,000 rockets and missiles into Israel. My village was under attack.

These plans -- "disengagement," "convergence" -- demonstrate that Israel can make tough decisions on all the issues. But let's negotiate about all of them. Of course, the settlement issue is a big problem. My 2½ years as Israeli Consul in San Francisco (December 2006 - May 2009), as well as my frequent visits to many other places around the world, convinced me - to my great surprise -- that the media's anti-Israel bias in their reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is making settlements into an even bigger problem.

This is why I increasingly feel the need to explain from my village in the Galilee what Israel stands for -- and that it wants a democratic, independent Palestinian state existing alongside it in peace and security. I do not seek to portray Israel as the angle Gabriel, who has no flaws; Israel, like America, is not perfect. Rather, I wish to describe the Israeli-Palestinian situation at it really is today -- and to point out both sides' need for peace.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ishmael-khaldi/an-israeli-arabs-views-on_b_752413.html

[shira]

1. Comment from MJ Rosenberg...

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MJ Rosenberg 2 hours ago (9:43 AM)
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I just noticed Ish Khaldi's piece right above mine. His book "A Shepherd's Journey" is amazing (in fact, I keep meaning to write a review of it and I will). One can say whatever you want about Israel, it -- like the United States -- is one of the few places in the world where you can come from (I apologize for the term in advance) primitive background and become part of the elite. There are brilliant but underprivileged people in every country but. in only a few, does a talented kid have the chance to escape into a place of respect and security. Israel is one of those places. I even know Palestinian kids from the West Bank who have "made it" in Israel. Ish Khaldi testifies to what's right about Israel although, one has to add, the discrimination against Bedouin like him is pretty bad. Sill, he is a great success story. No wonder he wants to tell the world the good things about Israel. Why wouldn't he? (I know him. He totally "gets" the Palestinian point of view as well. He is no rightwinger).

[oberliner]

2. Not to worry - there's a UC Berkeley student around to shoot him down

Check the comment with the link to Electronic Intifada!

[shira]

3. Yep, the usual response of ad hominems, diversion.... N/T

[Puzzler]

4. He was on Rothman's KGO show last night ...

... interesting guy, especially his story of first arriving in NYC when he was young.

[oberliner]

5. The Bedouin are a minority within the minority

I wonder what their relationship is like with non-Bedouin Arab-Israelis.

[azurnoir]

6. Some Mexican Americans have a rather

condescending to be polite attitude towards Mexico born Mexicans living in the US whether legal or not, in Arizona they have learned you all just Mexicans. Hopefully the author of this piece will not learn the same lesson in Israel, BTW is his village one that Lieberman has in mind to be traded as a land swap for a Palestinian state?

[shaayecanaan]

7. Lieberman appoints Bedouin diplomat Mideast advisor

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3703262,00.html

"His appointment is said to stem from Lieberman's' desire to appoint someone familiar with the complexities of the region who is also fluent in Arabic.

Khaldi, 38, is third of 11 siblings. His family resides in a small Bedouin village in upper Galilee. The village is said to have no electricity, no running water and neither a school nor an infirmary. Khaldi served in the IDF and worked as a political analyst for the Defense Ministry and the Israeli Police. He holds a Masters Degree in Political Science from Tel Aviv University."

Maybe Ahmadinejad should appoint a Jewish adviser. By the look of it he would win over some of the pundits here.

[shaayecanaan]

8. Another paragraph...

"Other appointments in the Foreign Ministry include Hagit Ben-Yaakov as Lieberman's European advisor, Zeev Gur-Aryeh as his Russia and former USSR bloc advisor and Omer Caspi as his US advisor; all of whom will report to Naor Gilon, Lieberman's chief of staff."

No doubt Ishmael will have a great time at the end-of-year drinks session with his good mates Zeev, Hagit and Omer. Presuming he gets an invitation, of course.

[txaslftist]

9. Now you aren't saying he's anything other than a typical

Palestinian are you? Just because he happens to work for Lieberman??

LOL

[shira]

10. See #1 about the author of the OP. n/t

[shaayecanaan]

11. I suppose it does say something when the only Arab...

that our right-wing friends can agree with happens to work for Avigdor Lieberman. Although I am sure this trailblazer will set a path for many Arabs in the future to work for Lieberman as well. Truly, this is a land of opportunity and a bastion of democracy for all to behold.

Although I have this sneaking suspicion that a Jew who worked for Hamas might not be accorded the same level of credibility. One of those troublesome double standards, methinks.