Oh no. The settlers are creating road blocks? Violently
protesting? Defying the law? It’s only a matter of time before the troops
come in, heavily armed and itching to shoot. Only a matter of time before the
bulldozers come in, revved up, sights set on homes – or on the protesters
standing in front of the homes. History repeats itse –
Oh, wait. These are Israelis who are blocking
roads, violently protesting, and defying the law! I was confused. Because if
they were Arab, things would be different. Things were different five years
ago, when Arabs blocked roads after several Palestinians were killed on the
Temple Mount. Israeli troops weren’t quite so forgiving as they are in our
current situation – no, back then, 13 Arabs were shot and killed.
Russ wrote about the young Palestinian boy who was
brutally stoned until he was unconscious, and then again at point-blank range
while unconscious. There was a medic there who approached the boy, but
decided not to treat him. It’s hard to call this an isolated incident
perpetuated by a few sick individuals when you hear the chants of “Let him
die!” in the background.
The withdrawal of the settlers from Gaza is being covered
by the mainstream media with a zeal and compassion that was never present for
the plight of the Palestinians. State perpetuated violence, widespread
discrimination, and the demolition of homes is commonplace in Palestinian
territories. And I’m pretty sure that when these things happen, Palestinians
aren’t expecting around $300,000 in compensation, which is what many of the
evacuated settlers are going to get.
The media’s coverage of the withdrawal compared to their
coverage of Palestinian displacement and oppression is not surprising. It is,
however, more objective and balanced than the picture that is given from
politicians. Despite all of nations ravaged by poverty, war, and disease,
Israel is by far the largest recipient of American aid. In fact, in total,
Israel has received over 100 billion dollars from the U.S. That can buy you
more bulldozers, tanks, and gefilte fish than you can even imagine. In
addition to the aid that is normally given, Israel is requesting 2.2 billion
dollars to support the withdrawal. The aid given to Palestinians by all
countries combined is less than half of the money Israel is requesting in
addition to what they normally receive. From every angle, the conclusion
is the same – if you’re Arab, you just don’t matter as much.
But all of this seems moot when Israel is taking the step
of withdrawing from Gaza and later on parts of the West Bank, right? Not to
the 1,000 Arabs in East Jerusalem whose homes might be destroyed to make way
for a park. Yes, a park. Israel has, according to the New York Times,
decided to “remake” the Old City basin in East Jerusalem, which has
religious/historical significance. Something about King David. According to
the New York Times, this would be the “largest single destruction of Arab
homes in East Jerusalem in almost 4 decades.” This area is home to about
200,000 Palestinians.
The frenzied, violent resistance of the settlers is being
handled gently, patiently, and passively for the same reason the Palestinian
homes in East Jerusalem may soon be turned to rubble. People need to know
that the Jews are not going without a fight, and that the struggle in the West
Bank will be even more difficult. People need to know that Israel is not
retreating, conceding, or loosening its grip. People need to know that if
you’re Arab, well, you just don’t matter as much.
Read Brad Feldman's Response to Aaron