New York Times and Palestinian definition of non-violent resistance includes stone throwing.
Despite the violence of this non-violent movement, the Palestinians can turn their “Non-violent” resistance onto the path toward peace. Instead of non-violence that includes violence, boycotts, and damage to both the Israeli and Palestinian economies, they need to try normalization.
Dear Palestinian people. It is time to act like a civilized society and function like a real nation.
Stop acting as though you are a terrorist state and the Israelis will soon stop treating you like terrorists. The concept is not that difficult to grasp. You can be a nation but you have to act like a nation.
A normalized state does not commit terrorist acts on its neighbors. Instead, it brutally fights those within its society, within its borders, that defy normalization. They don’t destroy goods from other nations; instead, they engage in trade as open as they can possibly establish. The choice to become a nation, or to remain a failed terrorist state, thorn in the side of the world and puppet of Iran and Syria is your choice.
I know that some Israelis on the far right will react badly to Palestinian acts of normalization. But a genuine effort at normalization will empower the peace groups in Israel and those in the middle that have lost faith due to unending Palestinian violence. I also know that the groups in Palestinian territories and especially nations like Iran and Syria that need Palestinians as victims to keep the focus off of their thugocracies at home will react very badly to efforts at peace. That is where Palestinians will need to show their greatest courage.
I know you read me throughout the Middle East, in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and other nations. Folks, choose peace, not this phony non-violent form of violence.
Unilaterally choose normalization. Do you have the courage?
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Hi Bob! I like your blog…haven’t read it all yet, but do have a comment on this part of your blog. I heard Dennis Prager quote a Jewish historian who said, “If the Arabs were required to lay down their arms, there would be peace. If the Jews were required to lay down their arms, there would be massacre.” So true.
If the Arabs would lay down their arms they would also, and more importantly, create opportunities for their children both for religous freedoms and economic/social. The world would be a better place, the Arab nations could lead the planet in science, math, industry, etc. etc. etc. Too bad that very few of them will stand up for themselves.