#it should always be Palestinians at the forefront of activism our activism

[stil-lindigo]

an ex-zionist jewish man recently went a bit viral on tiktok for sharing exactly how he sees zionism tie israel to the jewish identity and his personal experience with breaking away from it - I think it’s a really great watch.

He also made a follow up talking specifically about how he learned to humanise Palestinians, and a really integral part of it was his school, which would often bring in Palestinian speakers who’d share their perspective (here’s a link to it).

[jordanianroyals]

Interview: Jordan to learn much from collaborations with China in varied fields: Jordanian Queen

Source: Xinhua | 2018-09-04 18:32:46 | Editor: huaxia

For full article, please click this link.

Queen Rania of Jordan has praised China for playing an influential role in global economy and aiding refugees in the Middle East, while hoping that Jordan will learn much from collaborations with China in varied fields.

The queen made the remarks in a written interview with Xinhua ahead of her visit to China to attend the second Alibaba XIN Philanthropy Conference 2018 due on Sept. 5 in Hangzhou, China, at the invitation of Jack Ma, founder of China's Alibaba Group and the Jack Ma Foundation.

"I have very fond memories from my previous visits to China, and I look forward to visiting again," the queen said, adding that she has a lot of respect for Ma and the work that he is doing, as well as his vision for philanthropy.

"It is very uplifting to see that people are embracing philanthropy, within China and beyond," said the queen, founder of the Queen Rania Foundation for Education and Development (QRF).

During his May visit to Jordan, Ma announced the first-stage funding of 3 million U.S. dollars to the QRF to support the development of its online learning platform, Edraak, as well as the training of school principals at the Queen Rania Teacher Academy.

"Going forward, we are looking forward to collaborating further and exchanging knowledge with the Jack Ma Foundation, so that we can work together on our common goal to promote access to quality education for all," the queen said.

CHINA'S GREAT PROGRESS, GENEROUS REFUGEE AID

In the interview, Queen Rania lauded China for having made "tremendous progress" over the past decades.

"It's the world's biggest exporter, it's second largest economy, and there is no doubt that it plays a critical and influential role in development and in the global economy," she said.

The queen noted that China is now classified as the world's top technology hub and home to some big companies on par with Silicon Valley giants like Apple and Amazon in the United States.

"I can only be delighted to revisit China at such exciting times as these, and I am certain that my trip will be rewarding on so many levels," she said.

Jordan is a small country with a young and driven population that can learn so much from collaborations with China, especially in the fields of technology, commerce, trade, and education, she said.

Talking about the refugee crisis that has placed a heavy burden on Jordan, one of major host countries of refugees, Queen Rania said Jordan is "tremendously grateful" to China for its longstanding support to ease the burden of hosting refugees.

"Over the years, China has not only provided food assistance and humanitarian aid to refugees in Jordan, but also supported the development of Jordan's overtaxed infrastructure," she said.

The queen mentioned that, just two months ago, China pledged an additional 15 million U.S. dollars in aid, "which will go a long way in helping us meet refugees' needs."

She also commended China for recently donating 2.35 million dollars to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which faces the worst financial crisis in its 70-year history after the United States recently cut its fundings.

"UNRWA is a lifeline to more than 5 million people in the region, 40 percent of whom live in Jordan alone, and China's generosity will contribute to alleviating some of the pressure on the struggling agency," said the queen.

Jordan, which is spearheading efforts to secure necessary funding for the agency to continue its services, is hopeful that other countries will follow China's example, she said.

The ultimate solution for this crisis, however, can only be found through a negotiated settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and all its final status issues, the queen stressed.

EDUCATION CAN MAKE MIRACLES

Queen Rania, a strong advocate of education and a passionate philanthropist and peace maker, underlined the power of education to address most pressing challenges of today, including unemployment and radicalization.

For the Jordanian queen, education has remained at the forefront of her activities over the years.

"I believe in the power of education because it holds the answer to many of the challenges we face today," she said.

She established the Queen Rania Foundation for Education and Development in 2013, out of her belief that investing in children is the best investment that can be made in the Arab world.

"Knowledge, creativity, and talent are key ingredients to any country's success, and that all begins in the classroom," she noted.

The QRF has implemented a number of initiatives and programs to support education reform in Jordan. Queen Rania set up the Queen Rania Teacher Academy, which offers educators critical training and professional development.

Four years ago, she also launched Edraak, one of the first non-profit online Arabic open education resource platforms, to provide Arabic speakers with the opportunity to learn online.

Focusing mainly on adult learners seeking higher education and professional development opportunities, Edraak has so far reached 1.7 million registered learners.

Education is the key to addressing the most pressing challenge on young people's minds today, which is unemployment, the queen said.

"Our challenge is to continue to invest in the right kind of education, and to grow our economy in order to create more opportunities for them within Jordan," she said.

Queen Rania stressed that education also plays a key role in fighting terrorism, a major part of which is the fight against the "extremists' false narrative of hate and the twisted ideology of the outlaws of Islam."

"I always say, you cannot kill an ideology with a bullet. You can only kill it with a better idea. Extremists prey on hopelessness and despair, taking advantage of vulnerable people who feel as though they have no other options," she said.

The queen said she is convinced that a large part of the solution to eradicating terrorism lies in education.

"If we can equip our youth with the skills they need to succeed in the world and jobs to make their lives purposeful, then there is no cause for desperation or resentment," she said.

PHILANTHROPY IS SHARED RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL

In the interview, Queen Rania also voiced her optimism about the power of philanthropy to create opportunity and reduce inequity.

"I am inspired by how committed and energetic some people are about philanthropy. I think it is critical that we encourage and support those looking to help, to make a difference, to bring innovative ideas to the field of philanthropy, whether in China or throughout the rest of the world," said the queen, a mother of four.

Philanthropy is "a shared responsibility of all," she said.

The queen said philanthropy should be "a collaborative effort," in which the public, private, and civil society sectors complement each other's work and build on shared successes.

She said she believes that philanthropy lives in the hearts of humans, "because giving is something that is built into our DNA and deep-rooted into our human conscience."

"Giving is part of what makes us human ... In a sense, we see giving as the best way to improve ourselves," she said.

WOMEN'S SUCCESS STARTS WITH EMPOWERMENT

Queen Rania, who believes that the pathway to a woman's success begins with empowerment, has been a passionate spokesperson for women's rights.

Serving as a positive role model for Arab women, the queen uses her international platform to shed light on the most pressing challenges facing Arab women.

"I think it is often easier for people to paint us all with the same, stereotypical brush: downtrodden, uneducated, and voiceless," she said.

The reality is that Arab women from all walks of life are increasingly leaving their mark on every level of society, not just as homemakers, but also as professors, doctors, engineers, and entrepreneurs, she insisted.

Arab women have emerged as role models in almost every industry, breaking through glass ceilings and providing an excellent example to both girls and boys of the next generation, she said.

That said, in many cases, progress has been slower than expected. Unfortunately, sexism is not limited to a single country or region, and women everywhere are at risk of discrimination and abuse, the queen added.

This is true particularly in areas of conflict, where women are always the hardest hit. In times of conflict or political upheaval, women's hard-won gains are reversed and their rights are treated as afterthoughts, she said.

For Rania, who became Queen of Jordan in 1999 as the youngest queen in the world, balancing private life as a wife and mother with public duties as queen does not seem to be an easy task.

"Twenty years is a long time. A lot has changed since 1999. I've also changed and I've learnt a lot," she said.

"I have faced tough challenges, but they have made me more authentic, truer to who I am, and less fearful ... I am not afraid of standing up for my values and beliefs," said the queen.

While expressing her sadness and concerns about the continued turmoil and violence in the Middle East, Queen Rania said most people in the region still hope for a better future of peace and justice.

"No matter where we come from or what we believe, at the heart of it, all people want the same things: a safe place to call home, the ability to work for a living, and a quality education for our children," she said.

These things are achievable, but only when people put differences aside and collaborate on comprehensive solutions, she said.

"Our shared humanity is so much stronger than the labels that divide us, and it is in our best interest to work together to achieve sustainable global development and create a world worthy of the next generation," said the queen.

[therealmanishtana-blog]

This Wednesday, the March for Racial Justice released a statement apologizing yet remaining steadfast about their decision to hold the event on September 30th this year, a date which happens to coincide with Yom Kippur. It was an eloquent, sensitive, and vulnerable apology. It is also one that should never have had to be written.

Did *you* know that September 30 is the anniversary of the Elaine Massacre of 1919 in Elaine, Arkansas, during which more than 200 Black men and women—many WWI veterans--were killed in cold blood by a mob of white citizens and law enforcement in what was the largest state-sanctioned massacre of black people in US history? Because *I* didn’t. And I’m *Black*. This isn’t like North Carolina Pride which was scheduled on Yom Kippur simply for the arbitrary reason of it always having being held on the last Saturday of September.

And if you are among those who weren’t aware of the significance of Sept 30 to a march specifically inspired by over-policing of Black and Brown minorities, then how is your lack of awareness so different from the lack of Jewish sensitivity that you’re caterwauling about that you should feel so self-righteously outraged?

Also, while we’re on the topic, kindly explain how the choice of Sept 30, without checking for Yom Kippur, for a Black and Brown justice march about anti-minority police violence, is an attack of Jewish liberals or the left “erasing” Jews? And no, don’t *now* pull the “but Jews of Color” card out of your back pocket.

Because we’re convenient talking points for you or as political weapons to expose the failings of intersectionality, but you don’t much want to hear from us when we’re actually in the room. *Don’t* pull out the “Jews of Color” card, because us Black and Brown Jews get stripped of our Jewishness in social movements, and “Jewish involvement” only begins once white Jews arrive. If you’ve ever talked about “Jewish involvement” in BLM, as if one of the very *founders* of BLM wasn’t Jewish herself (ie, Alicia Garza), then have several seats. *Don’t* pull out the “Jews of Color” card, because we’re also part of Black and Brown communities, and active in them, and we’re perfectly capable of talking to and coming for our own. We don’t need you cloaking your upset at having your hurt white feelings denied centering in Black and Brown-led decisions and activism as you “talking for” us. And if you’re so beholden to the idea of white policing of Black/Brown activism, of not allowing Black/Brown decisions to stand without white protest, then don’t “wonder why” the Jewish/Af-Am alliance of the Civil Rights Movement fell apart. Because you’re just repeating the same mistakes.

(And before somebody gets into *that*: Do. Not. Talk. To. Me. About. Jews. During. Civil. Rights. If your most significant proof of social engagement and moral uprightness is an event from *three* generations ago, then that is a problem, and you need to figure out why, just as much as Republicans having to reach 150 years back to claim Lincoln to prove support for minority rights).

So here’s the ugly truth: The [white] Jewish community has not only failed to lead the modern movement for racial justice, it also has not been at its forefront. It has been lethargic to the table at all the formative moments. And this is how things like this happen. There is no strong “pro-Israel” in, say, BLM, because by the time pro-Israel Jews decided to stick their toes in the water, pro-Palestinian and anti-Occupation groups were already in the pool because they answered the call when it was given. There aren’t many Jewishly observant-minded events or gatherings because observant Jews largely don’t come to the table. If you want sensitivity and inclusion and intersectionality, you kinda have to show up *before* the dust clears and do the work of building the table and your seat at it. Jews are not *owed* a seat at any table just by dint of resting on wilted 60-year old laurels of romanticized involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.

And yes, “romanticized”.

The Civil Rights Movement was a predominantly Black one, and its heavy lifting was done by ordinary Black folk. Yes, [white] Jews had a disproportionate amount of involvement, but only in relation to *white* populations, not Black ones. And that involvement speaks nothing to the apathy of Southern Jewry as a whole, or to the reluctance and even opposition of American Jewry on average. The demand for [white] Jews to see themselves depicted in every aspect of the CRM, all the time, is also what partially led to the alliance’s disintegration and its tepid state today. Case in point, the outrage at Heschel's lack of inclusion in Duvernay’s “Selma”. Yet no such uproar from those same folks committed to historical fidelity when the far more pivotal Fredrick Douglass was omitted from Spielberg’s “Lincoln” two years earlier.

But back to today, you can’t sit on the sidelines and offer minimal or implied support, but then get in a tizzy when scheduling leaves you out. This march began its planning on June 16. No Jewish groups thought to come to the table until the date was announced *last week*? C’mon now. And then, when given the rationale for the date, you patronizingly acknowledge its significance to Black history, then summarily dismiss it as not mattering because *you* have to be in shul? Also, by whose terms must Black/Brown-led activism conform to religious practice? Especially when it comes to Jewish practice?

After all, there are Jewish organizations that *specifically* plan actions, marches, and protests on Jewish holidays for the added gravitas. Furthermore, Judaism is the only religion which contains any kind of denomination or observance that restricts travel, carrying, etc. Why would the organizers think that Jews *wouldn’t* be able to just…walk? Even myself, as an observant, Orthodox Jew, there is nothing inherently keeping me from participating in the march during the break between Musaf/Mincah and Neilah except perhaps lack of blood sugar.

Is there anti-Semitism on the left? Yep. Is there an erasure of Jews in general? For sure.

But this march is not an example of either. If we want to be represented, we need to show up. And not after the fact.

And now, after all this righteous indignation and outrage, there had better be an outpouring of Jewish attendance on October 1st—from individual Facebook Jews all the way up to the Mayim Bialiks of the world—to justify all of this belly-aching.

Otherwise this was just all sound and fury to justify something that was never a priority in the first place.

(And, as always, feel free to share.)

[islamicvoice-blog]

Israel to reprimand Irish ambassador over Dublin's anti-settlement bill

New post https://is.gd/zq4u2O

Israel plans to reprimand Irish Ambassador Alison Kelly over her country’s advancement Thursday of a bill that would criminalize selling goods or services that originate beyond the pre-1967 lines.

“It is disturbing and disappointing that the initiators of the law are focusing on a hypocritical attack on Israel, rather than on dictatorships that slaughter their citizens,” the Foreign Ministry said. “This is a clear expression of obsessive discrimination that should be rejected with disgust.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry summoned Kelly to a meeting on Friday, after Ireland’s lower house of parliament voted 78-45, with three abstentions, to advance the bill. If it passes, it would make Ireland the first European Union country to criminalize commercial activity beyond the 1967 lines, including east Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. The Prime Minister’s Office said “Israel is outraged over the legislation against it in the Dail which is indicative of hypocrisy and anti-Semitism.”

Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Ophir Kariv wrote recently on the Irish website TheJournal.ie that passage of the bill would also make Ireland “the most extreme anti-Israel, although not pro-Palestinian country, outside Iran and the Middle East.”

After the vote, the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Frances Black, tweeted, “Ireland will always stand for international law + human rights, & we’re one step closer to making history. Onwards!”

Irish parliamentarian Maurice Quinlivan tweeted that it was also now time for Ireland to recognize the state of Palestine.

The minority government opposes the private member’s bill, but has not been able to halt its passage through the parliament because of its minority standing.

If passed into law, the measure would impose a fine of up to €250,000 or five years in jail for those found guilty of importing or selling any goods or services originating in the Golan Heights, east Jerusalem or West Bank settlements.

Initially it was believed that the government would be able to kill the bill, but the legislation gained steam. Israeli officials are still exploring possibilities to see whether there may be a route for the Irish government to squash the bill, but there are no guarantees and little optimism.

The senate approved it last year. It is now making its way through the house, which it is at the second stage of a five-stage process.

Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Coveney retweeted the speech opposing the bill, which he gave to the lower parliament on Wednesday during a two-hour debate about the bill.

He told the chamber that the country had a long history of opposing Israeli settlement activity and had been at the forefront of government policy on the matter.

But Ireland cannot act alone on this matter because it is part of the EU’s single market, and as a result it has to abide by its policies, he explained.

“Trade is an exclusive competence of the European Union,” Coveney said.

The EU has labeled but not banned Israeli products produced over the pre-1967 lines.

Passage of the bill would put Ireland in breach of EU law and would open it up to legal action from the EU, including monetary fines that could cost Ireland millions of euros, Coveney said.

It would also make it difficult for American companies to operate in Ireland and vice versa, because of US legislation in support of Israel, Coveney said.

In addition, he added, the bill would harm Ireland’s ability to advocate for the Palestinians on a global stage.

“We would be choosing to be a principled voice in the wilderness, satisfied in the righteousness of our course, but largely unable to influence the real action,”

Minister of State Ciaran Cannon warned the parliamentarians that other EU states would not follow Ireland in passing similar bills criminalizing settlement activity. Ireland has no partners on this issue, he said.

Supporters of the bill were not deterred by the government’s arguments.

“Ireland needs to be a world leader in refusing to [accept] illegal settlements built on Palestinian land,” said Irish parliamentarian, Fiona O’Loughlin.

“This historic bill is an important message from us as a small nation, expressing our solidarity with the Palestinian people who are living in dreadful conditions in the occupied territories,” she said.

They were part of a long list of parliamentarians who delivered emotional speeches in support of the bill.

Some politicians who spoke in favor of the legislation – often in emotional speeches – insisted they supported Israel, and that the bill was a statement against the settlements, not a boycott of Israel or a statement of antisemitism.

Others were harsh in their rhetoric, accusing Israel of war crimes and apartheid. One of the speakers wore a keffiyeh.

“When discussing the settlements, we should be clear that they are a weapon of war,” said parliament member Paul Murphy.

The real reason for the government’s opposition to the bill is pressure from Israel, which has threatened to remove its ambassador from Ireland, Murphy said.

Outside the parliament, the Ireland Israel Alliance and the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem held a small demonstration.

In a letter to politicians, Paul Coulter of the ICEJ said, “As an Irish citizen who loves Israel and the Jewish people, I am both appalled and ashamed at this measure. Appalled at the bill’s thinly veiled antisemitism, and ashamed of my fellow countrymen who are promoting it. Criticism of Israel is not automatically antisemitic, but to uniquely single out Israel for criticism and boycott is.”

Bloomberg columnist Eli Lake wrote Wednesday that the proposed bill would be detrimental to Ireland’s economy, which is a tax haven for American tech giants such as Apple, Google, Microsoft and Facebook.

These companies, and others, have set up branch office in Israel and bought Israeli start-ups that have employees who live beyond the 1967-lines.

“The Irish legislation, if it becomes law, would force Apple, Google, Microsoft and Facebook to choose between their Irish tax haven and their business in the Jewish state,” he wrote.

And The Irish Examiner daily editorialized on Thursday that at best the bill is a “well meaning show of solidarity” with the Palestinians, and at worst – by targeting the actions of Israel alone – it “risks the accusation that Ireland is antisemitic. It is already being seen as such in the United States, particularly in Boston where politicians, business people and other power brokers have spoken against it, among them Mayor Martin J. Walsh.”

Boston has a strong Irish-American population.

“The State of Israel is not the only occupying force,” the newspaper wrote. “What about the occupied territories of Russia (Ukraine, including Crimea, from 2014, also parts of Moldova – 1992 – and Georgia – 2008), Turkey (northern Cyprus from 1974 and parts of Aleppo in Syria since 2016), Morocco (most of the Western Sahara since 1975)?” – JPost