I could hardly believe this! I read about it several days ago, but I am only now grasping it, it seems. I got this both from Geviha, as well as from Iceviking
The assumption that Arabs in the West Bank and Gaza pose a demographic threat to Israel has to be radically revised. The 2004 Palestinian-Arab population was closer to 2.4 million than to the 3.8 million reported by Palestinian Authority (PA) officials. These findings should have a significant impact on politicians, policy makers and international aid agencies.
Arab Population
The claim that Jews will become a minority in the region are incorrect. Since 1967, Jews have maintained their 60% majority in Israel, West Bank and Gaza and since 1990, the Jewish population has grown by 2.5% a year, only a slight fraction below the growth rate in the West Bank. The declines in Palestinian Arab growth rates and the vitality of Jewish growth rates which are the highest among Western democracies, will preserve this ratio.
The Israeli Arab growth rate of 3.1% was augmented by the influx of 150,000 Arabs from the West Bank and Gaza. The Israeli Arab natural rate of increase remained at 2.1%. Additionally, many observers have misidentified all non-Jews as "Palestinian Arabs." Many groups, such as the Druze and non-Jewish immigrants, identify themselves as Israelis, not as Arabs. Israel is becoming more multicultural not more Arab.
By Israel Insider staff and partners January 22, 2005
U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney noted that Israel "might well decide to act first" to eliminate any nuclear threat from Tehran. "You look around the world at potential trouble spots, Iran is right at the top of the list," Cheney said in an interview aired on MSNBC on the day that George W. Bush was sworn in for a second four-year term as president.
He warned that Israel might act against the Iranians "without being asked."According to the vice-president, "If, in fact, the Israelis became convinced the Iranians had significant nuclear capability, given the fact that Iran has a stated policy that their objective is the destruction of Israel, the Israelis might well decide to act first, and let the rest of the world worry about cleaning up the diplomatic mess afterwards."
Okay, is it just me, but... "diplomatic mess"? Exsqueese me? Baking powder?
All right, lets picture this. Okay, hypothetical example. Denmark decides to get some nukes in order to blow up Sweden. Like, all of Sweden, with all its inhabitants. For no particular reason, lets just say they were idiots and wanted to get rid of Sweden because they figure that way they'd serve "Gud" (Danish for G-d). Let's suppose Denmark would publically announce: Yes indeed we have the nukes, and we might be blowing up Sweden.
It is likely that Sweden would decide not to invade, because they wouldn't want the rest of the world to have to "clean up a diplomatic mess" afterwards?
I've gotta say, that I personally would not just sit around and wait until I might get blown up and destroyed. What about you?
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) on Sunday evening said that he was "very close" to reaching a 'hudna' (cease-fire with Israel) agreement with Palestinian factions, Israel Radio reported.
According to Abbas, who spoke with Palestinian TV, "Everyone feels that it is important to put an end to the current situation".
After three days of relative calm, a series of incidents were reported in Gaza on Sunday. In the afternoon, Palestinians opened fire at an Israeli convoy traveling on the Karni-Netzarim artery.
Armed members of the Al Aksa Martyrs' Brigades in Gaza leave after talking to the media in Gaza city.
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I don't really know what to say. A seizefire? Sounds great, but I'll believe it when I see it.
A large percentage of Europeans are under the impression that terrorist organisations such as the Hamas are "freedom fighters". While I never seize being appalled by ignorance, I almost find it understandable when I see how the media keeps twisting and turning the truth, and basically, lying.
Error (Abcnews.com, permanent Interactive item): The official Hamas rhetoric is opposed to the very existence of the Israeli state, but in reality, the group has altered its position to oppose Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. Correction (As of 1/21/05): The official Hamas rhetoric is opposed to the very existence of the Israeli state.
Error (Abcnews.com, permanent Interactive item): There have been allegations that Hamas also raises funds in the United States, Canada and Western Europe. Correction (As of 1/21/05): Charities in the United States, Canada and Western Europe have funded Hamas-linked social service groups. In addition, several individuals in the United States have been charged with providing material support to the group.
"For tens of thousands of dispossessed and displaced Palestinians, Hamas is a resistance movement incorruptible and invulnerable in the fight against Israeli occupation."
Aww, that just breaks my heart. Oh but wait... Haven't they been... Offered a two state solution (including pretty much everything they wanted and more) on several occasions? And... Aren't the "palestinians" merely "displaced" in the sense that they're, ehrm, mostly a mixture of Arab immigrants who don't have ANY noteworthy roots in the country what-so-ever (unlike the Jews with their lengthy history)?
I have already blogged about my teacher in Islamic studies, "Magnus Berhardsson", a Yale educated Icelander who lived for several years in Syria. I have always been under the impression that he was very anti-Israel, but now I am not as certain anymore. During yesterday's lesson the students continuously attempted to ask him irritating and ignorant questions about palestinians and suicide bombings, and he answered them all in a very respectable way.
The course I am taking is intended for third year or graduate students, and most of the students major in theology, philosophy or anthropology (like myself). What I especially noticed last night, was how unbelievable some of the question directed at the teacher were. I remember one question in particular. It came from a student who appeared to be about 30-35 years old, and seemed like an intelligent invididual. While discussing suicide (homicide) bombings, the student suggested: But the palestinians are of course a nation living in occupation, and they have finished all their weapons.(This he thought gave them a good reason to use the method of suicide bombings).
I was too shocked to say anything. I simply can't understand how anybody can be ignorant enough to reach such a conclusion, and while swimming around in their own ignorance, reach the conclusion that they know enough about it to form an opinion and share it with a class. I wanted to ask him what exactly he thinks palestinians use to shoot at Israelis with, water pistols??
I'd like to point out a link I have on my page. Let there be no doubt. The Arabs have weapons. The fact that this educated, seemingly intelligent guy figured that "palestinians have no more weapons" unfortunately implies that there are many with the same view. The Arabs smuggle weapons, are supplied with weapons from various other muslim nations, Arabs make their own weapons. Some Arabs are a walking weapon. Perhaps he, as well as others enjoying their blissful ignorance, should wake up and smell the coffee.
Well my spirits definitely up today! At last I have received my luggage, which got lost somewhere at Heathrow, and took 3 days to retrieve. I have tremendous trust issues when it comes to, ehrm, other people, so I didn't feel very confident that I would ever see my things again. But I now feel a little bad about how I've practically been stalking the people at the lost & found section at the Keflavik airport. They clearly did their best. It's the Brits who are to blame! :-) (I have nothing against the British as a nation, for the record. Some of my favorite people are British).
I also wrote a letter of complaint to the Israel ministry of tourism for the Scandinavian countries, as well as to the Israeli Police Force, to complain about my encounter with the immigration police. Interestingly enough, they both wrote me back immediately requesting my information. I don't believe that one letter will make a difference, but if they receive many, something might eventually change. I also heard that the police of immigration has made a lot of false arrests in order to fill a quota of illegal immigrants they need to arrest. I am not pleased with the fact that I (or any other innocent tourist spending money and thus strengthening Israel's economy) should be victimized by this ridiculous fact.
Yesterday I went to my first class since I came back from Israel, in a course called "Islam in past, present and future". The teacher actually lives in the United States, and has a PhD from Yale in Islamic Studies. He spent several years living and studying Arabic in Syria, and he is very pro-palestine, but he is a very good teacher, and I do learn a lot from him. (I've taken another of his courses). The students constantly try to ask stupid questions about Israel and palestinians. He gives unbiased answers despite his opinions, which I respect. He does write pro-palestine articles, and give pro-palestine lectures, but he does not mix such material into unrelated study material, despite the fact that the students try to make him. I thought it was interesting that the other day when I was in Israel, I checked my university mail and I saw an e-mail from him to all the students of the course saying "salam alaikuum from Syria". It felt funny. A couple of Icelanders located in the Middle East corresponding, both about to head back to Iceland to pursue academic matters at the University of Iceland.
I suppose I had a substantial shock when I left Israel. Especially when I left the house and walked through the snow in my leather boots, winter jacket, scarf and woolen hat. I still keep having these little experiences, such as.. For a moment I thought I smelled that smell that so uniquely only exists in Israel. The smell you feel as soon as you step off the plane, but disappears as soon as you leave. But my mother is right when she asked: "You should feel grateful, where have you been for the last two weeks?". So true. Despite ups and downs I visited a wonderful place, met some wonderful old friends that I love dearly, also met some terrific newfriends, and best of all, I will be back!
Here are the first photos I have uploaded from Israel. Uploading is such a time consuming process, so I am choosing only a few. I uploaded photos to what I call "The Jerusalem gallery".
Lost luggage, airport security and feeling misplaced in my own home
Back in Iceland. At least I think I am. I haven't actually left the house yet.. I was so tired I felt halfdead when I drove back from the airport during the middle of the night yesterday. I have been a mess today. Instead I just called my mom to Romania (it sure is expensive to call to Romania), telling her how I don't want to be here anymore. My dear mother said: I know honey, I was bored in Iceland as well. But you have to endure one more year.
I didn't have the best trip home. My flight to London was late, causing me to nearly miss the flight to Iceland. What is worse, I lost my luggage. I won't be able to to concentrate on anything until I get that suitcase back. It contains pretty much everything. But the people at the lost luggage section at the airport say it hasn't been found.
Airport security appeared to be bullying me insanely, putting me through a 3,5 hour process, which would have taken longer hadn't I refused to answer any more questions.
First two people approached me and questioned me for an hour. Not too bad compared to normally. It would have taken a lot longer if I had actually told them the truth. I said I only had two friends in Israel, and that I only volunteered in a kibbutz last time I was in Israel. Lies, sure. But I was once questioned for 3 hours about volunteering in the army, so I'd rather save myself the trouble, and just lie.
After that my bags were searched, also normal. But then I was taken into a small room, where every inch of my body was searched with a metal detector (this was a time consuming process). The security guard followed me around everywhere, and took me through special gates. I asked why I was being escorted, and why I was being taken to different places than the other passengers. She only answered "it's just the procedure, don't worry". Then I had big problems with my plane ticket, which took a very long time for the travel agents to fix. The security guard stood there patiently waiting next to me the entire time. Then she walked me to the passport control. The people who were standing in line in front of me had their passports checked quickly. But when it was my turn the woman checking the passport spent a very long time checking it. And just as she was finished, another security guard came long and asked me to step aside with her.
Then she actually, believe it or not, intended to start questioning me all over again, and started asking me all the same questions as the security guards during the first hour had asked me. I got quite irritated, and asked why I was being singled out in this way. She said that perhaps they were looking for somebody else with my name. I said that was impossible. She said OK. Then she took my passport and left me waiting for about 15-20 minutes. After that she returned and intended to continue questioning me. By then the process had taken 3,5 hours already, so I told her that I did not know why I was being treated this way, that I had already been questioned, that every inch of my body had been searched with a metal detector, and that she really wouldn't be able to get anything else out of me that the others hadn't. That there simply was no more, and that I refused to answer any more questions.
She looked confused, and asked: You're not going to answer any more questions?
I said no.
Then she said OK, and again she took my passport and ticket, and left for another 15-20 minutes. After that she came back and asked if I have any Arab friends. (Seriously, the closest I've gotten to knowing Arabs would be bargaining at a market). So I told her I don't know any Arabs, and that there really is nothing suspicious about me! Then took me to passport control, and I was finally off the hook.
I know that the Israeli airport security questions several people, and looks through everyone's luggage, but I have no idea why I have always, every single time traveling, been singled out in this way. Perhaps I will never know.
How bizarre. I am not sure what to say. Tomorrow my 12 day visit will be over, and I will head back to Iceland. Advah (the friend I am staying with) already went to sleep. Earlier this evening I told her what has been on my mind for the past few days, and perhaps ever since I got here. I told her that normally when I go abroad I become fed up with the place after a few weeks and wish to go back to where I came from. But this time it is different. Going back feels wrong. Going back breaks my heart(despite the fact that my stay here has certainly had its ups and downs).
I wish I could stay.
I suppose all I can do is finish packing, take one last walk through the streets of an Israeli town, and quietly wipe my tears while saying what so many have said before me:
"Next year in Jerusalem".
