This is it... its time to go. Im on the final leg of my Palestinian Adventure. I'm packing and sorting out visas, bus tickets and airplane times. Its all came too fast. Thats not to say im not ready to leave, it would be nice to see my family and friends - and experience a few home-comforts. However, what i know now is that i am coming back, and will be soon itching to return to the holyland.
The paradoxes of this region have fascinated me for a long time now- the contrasts and juxtipositions. But the one that will always be a part of my heart is this - for such a historical place (probably the most historically relevant area in the world), history continues to be made here - so much so that the 2000 years or more that made this region what it is, is systematically being forgotten. To the actual delight of many.
Jerusalem has been the centre for buzzwords, maybe its been like this for centuries. It has always been a part in the worlds attitudes and actions, and this will not change anytime soon. It thrives on being different - whether that means to be 'holy', or 'historical', or 'beautiful', or even 'dangerous'. Similarly comparisons can be made with the Israeli/Palestinian conflict - and all its interesting and complex issues...
...But thats the whole problem! Its interesting! - there is so much vested interest from all around the world, be that financially, socially, politically or culturally. This is the perfect example of a protracted conflict.
So after 7 Months - i have a solution, and its a little something like this...
The conflict cannot be solved in todays current climate - its just too darn interesting for too many important people, even if these people see the conflict as a terrible, terrible thing - they are vested into it - and thus doing more harm than good. 'Oscar Wilde once said (paraphrase may be coming up) - 'As long as War is seen to be wicked it will remain fascinating, only when it is looked upon as vulgar will it cease to be popular'.
Never a truer quote for this region...
...One day the world will see the vulgarity of the checkpoints, the sickening settlement expansions, and the stomach turning racism that is inflicted upon the Palestinian people. Until then, for every person who reads the news, or watches the TV or buys the latest Robert Fisk book - is just as much to blame for these horrific acts than the settlers or the IDF - why? its simple... they are paying to see the plights of the Palestinians - without acting upon it. They pay the News channel to broadcast it, they pay the newspapers to publish the articles, they pay the goverments to give the mediocre fundings to the NGO's in Palestine too show they 'really care' when they dont at all..
...and the pay the world to look away.
'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.' (Edmund Burke)
These are the people who matter most - they need to show the world the Vulgarity of the war in Palestine - no longer can they say 'Hey this wicked, but it suuuuure is interesting' - they must SCREAM 'This is disgusting and must stop NOW!' - only then will people listen.
Its time for all that care about this region to promote the idea that the Israeli Occupation is not Rightwing, it is not Racist, it is not Illegal, and it is not immoral. but it is DISGUSTING AND VULGAR.
The people who are part of it are distgusting and vulgar.
The governments are disgusting...
And the soldiers are vulgar.
They sicken you - too your very stomach.
After all - Governments thrive and strive on being/to be seen as different and uncommon - A trend-setter, even if that means they are rightwing, racist or illegal...
...but no one likes to be called 'vulgar' do they?
Well the British don't anyway.
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