Monday, May 2, 2011

Palestinian Passports, a way to promote peace?

In a recent article, there was a quotation from, Ofer Bronchtein an Israeli peace activist saying,
 “I am proud to announce you that I got yesterday from Abu Mazen a Palestinian passport. I’ll be happy to see it published in Israel. Please help me on it… Shabat Shalom.”
 

http://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Features/Article.aspx?id=218838
 

Bronchtein who is living in Paris received a passport from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris. Ironically enough, he gave off the impression that he was proud of become a Palestinian though some would argue that this is him going to an extreme extent to prostrate himself over the Palestinians.
 

Upon this happening,  the “Proclamation of Independence" was read outside of Tel Aviv's independence hall. The existing Declaration when Ben Gurion made the State of Israel in 1948 was altered to suit the Palestinian cause so they would have their own founding state based on the pre six day war lines. Although the public in general did not condone what was going on, Israelis from the extreme Right party. They were cursing and causing upheavel against the "peaceniks" but the Left and Center Israelis should have been there as the anti-protesters, displaying disgust by this activists latest "gimmick."
In addition, Mordechai Vanunu who leaked Israel's nuclear secrets in the 80s and converted to Christianity watched the declaration get signed from afar.
Israel is concerned with peace and this process is not one that will effect the relationship Israel has with Palestine, but it might damage it.

Many Israeli "celebrities" took part in planning this ceremony. For example,
actress Hannah Maron read the declaration,  author Amos Oz and Professors Ze’ev Sternhell and Yehuda Bauer organized the event. The article took an interesting turn, criticizing the people that were involved with this type of political event. Although they are famous and talented in their own field, their political view is just as valid as anyone else.
 
The hopefully activists that hope to resolve the problems between the two nations are causing quite the scene.
A large issue the people of Israel are having with this is the disrespect of Independence Hall. a symbol that is sacred to Zionism and to Israel as a free nation.

Palestinians are refusing to negotiating because they won’t give up the right of return or recognize Israel as a Jewish State. It is for this reason, that Jews have to resort to independence ceremonies in an open society like Tel Aviv. This way, people will see what is going on and it will be publicized; taking a small step closer to the peace that these Israeli activists wish to achieve. Otherwise, they would get no where and Palestine would shut down the idea completely.

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