Rabbi Jonathan Sachs Hugs Mike Ghouse

Hugs with Rabbi Jonathan Sachs

Washington, DC, November 12, 2015-- Emeritus Chief Rabbi of UK delivered a talk upon the release of his book, “Not in God’s name, confronting religious violence” at the Brookings Institution.   I'll just highlight a few key points as the full conversation will be available at Bookings archives soon.

A meaningful Hug with the Rabbi

In the Q&A segment, I responded to Rabbi's typical question, where are the moderate Muslims and which he answered it himself; there is none. 

I spoke up, Rabbi, I've some good news for you, there are 6 million moderate Muslims here in America, and I'm one of them. You came to the right place, welcome to America. May you be soaked in peace and drenched in peace, shalom.

Let's work together in creating cohesive societies rather than living in fear of each other? I'm here to answer any question about Islam and Muslims any one has.

The Rabbi welcomed my offer and wanted to give me a hug, and I said, I'll walk up-to you (I was in the very back of the room), but we decided to hug after the event.

I asked him, “Rabbi, since you correctly traced radicalism among Muslims to the year 1979, compounded by the fatwa on Rushdie, the first ever fatwa with universal application, I have to ask you this. Do you think all this mess with Iran could have been avoided, if we (the Americans) had asked Shah of Iran to step down in 1979, signaling to the people of Iran that we are with them and not their oppressor? Had that happened, the Iranians would not have become our enemies, right?

 Indeed much of the mess was started with the Iranian revolution. He acknowledged the question and said we have to think about it. He did not have much to answer other than saying that he wants to look forward and not backwards.

I did not get to ask few more questions like; how reliable is the survey he quoted? That 83% of Palestinians want Israel wiped out? Was the same question asked of Israelis?

He said Israel is more isolated than ever before, anti-Semitism is on rise... I wanted to ask if there was any reflection on his part to see what Israeli policies have contributed towards such isolation. He also said that a majority of Muslims support suicide bombing which I disagree, he is given cooked up figures to justify Islamophobia. I am a Muslim in touch with thousands of Muslims around the world, and it is rare for any Muslim to support suicide bombing. The Quran forbids killing oneself or killing others, the loosy goosy ones do it because they are nuts. I don't buy their piss poor excuses and give them a break. I will say to them you SOB, you are the one who killed and I am going nail your tail for that.

There is a lot of research on the topic including my observations atwww.IsraelPalestineDialogue.com 

Well, the Q&A Session ended, and I started walking to the front. Amazing thing happened; I hope there is a video of it. As I walked, the people started opening up for me to walk thru – like Moses did when the Nile was split, and the conversation was passed on from the back to the front…. … Going for a hug? Rabbi’s hugger is going…. you remember the movie crocodile Dundee? You may recall how Kathleen Turner’s dialogues were passed on from group to group until it reached Dundee all the way to the train in the Subway?  Hell, yes, I enjoyed it. 

Well, the Rabbi was ready for me for the hug! And we hugged each other and promised to work on mitigating Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, Misogyny, racism, Xenophobia and homophobia – all evils of humanity that break the society apart.  Yes, we have a lot of work to do, and do, we will. 

We exchanged cards, I was representing American Muslim Institution and he was representing the office of Emeritus Chief Raabi.  

After that, I had some heart to heart conversation with a few Jewish friends, including meeting Mati Engel, director of National Initiatives of the Embassy of Israel, whom I will contact in the next few weeks. 

An Orthodox Jewish Lady had good questions about the two solutions; my response was security for Israel hinges on justice for the Palestinians and vice versa. One will not happen without the other.  

Another person asked me a million dollar question – Why can’t the Arab Lands absorb the Palestinians?  My response was instant – why should they? Don’t the Jewish people longed for a home? Shouldn’t the Palestinians long for their home? Home land is like a mother, people are emotionally bonded to her, you cannot extricate one from the other.   Besides, if Arab or anyone out there absorbs the forcibly evicted people from their homes, you will be legitimizing such evictions, as a civilized family of nations, we cannot do it. I am not in favor of it. 

Palestinians and the Israelis can live on that land together; we have to build mechanisms for that – The Israeli and Palestinians have to see each others sufferings and empathise their apprehensions, as humans, they have to give full dignity to each other. It can be done and I hope to get to that some day. Indeed, the current Israeli President, Mr. Reuven Rivlin believes and supports the idea of Israel Palestine Confederation of which I am a Board Member.

More notes will be appended in a few days right here at: www.TheGhousediary.comand www.israelPalestineDialogue.com

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and bulk of his writings are at TheGhousediary.com 

What if Netanyahu becomes the Prime Minister?

What if Netanyahu becomes the Prime Minister?  www.IsraelPalestineDialogue.com 

Note - things turned 180 since then, and a new article will be published by Friday, but we will retain this - Mike Ghouse

The world is encouraged with the chances of a new centrist government in Israel. We hope they will be instrumental in laying a solid foundation for long term security for the people of Israel, and serve uncompromising justice for the Palestinians. Both people deserve peace and security, and they should feel home by dropping their guards and feel safer like babies in their mothers lap.

The newly elected Israeli Parties will make the right decision in choosing their New Prime Minister. I am a supporter of Israel and long to see them all live in harmony.  Peace is a necessity for prosperity, and no one will have peace if others around them don’t.   

Israel has lots of friends. They have not become anti-Semite as Netanyahu likes to propagandize. They simply see Netanyahu as a rogue and oppose Netanyahuism rather than Israel, the world is not against the aspirations of the Jewish people, or Judaism. With the new centrist government things will get remarkably better for all parties; Israel, Palestine, Iran, US and the World.

Exit polls have indicated 27 seats for Likud and Zionist Union each. The right wing, left wing and centrist parties play a crucial role in determining the Prime Minister; Netanyahu can still become the PM, if he changes his position like a chameleon, in that case, it is bad news for the Israelis, hopelessness for the Palestinians, a mess for Iranians and a worse situation for the United States.

He is capable of scaring the devil out of Israelis to put the pressure on parties to advance his name for the Prime Ministership.  Then the people of Israel under duress would have chosen chaos, rather than peace. The dream of Jewish people to have a homeland where they felt safe, secure and live without guards will be shattered.

When he said, there will not be a Palestinian state; he has essentially declared a war on the Palestinian Christians and Palestinian Muslims. Hamas can rightfully point to the world and ask what they should do? Of course, they will not ask, they have no reason to trust us or the others.

The State of Israel can absorb all the Palestinians as “equal citizens” – apartheid should have no place in this world. The Palestinians are now challenged to fight back or opt for Masada – i.e., commit suicide rather than burn in Israeli phosphorus bombs (When Jews were pushed to the corner by Romans, they opted to commit suicide rather than surrender).  Can anyone trust the world to stand by the oppressed, or they are on their own.

Hamas has already claimed that they were right about him, and that makes us wrong from the beginning. It is a clarion call to the people of Israel to reject this man Netanyahu and his evil designs.

What about the world? Netanyahu has boldly spat on the disgraceful faces of 161 (out of 166) Nations at the United Nations by rejecting their resolutions to stop the settlements, time and again. He even slapped VP Joe Biden by funding for more settlements when the VP visited Israel, and now he has declared there will not be a Palestine. This is not the way to build nations.

Shouldn’t the world take action and bring justice to the people of Palestine and save Israel from the clutches of Netanyahu. 

161 Nations of the world feel rejected, and their opinion and resolutions are blatantly discarded by Netanyahu, and that is turning into resentment towards the violator. Indeed, it is really anti-Netanyahuism, rather than Anti-Semitism as he likes to paint, and claim to become the savior of the Jewish people and invite them to abandon those rotten countries in Europe and join him in Israel.

He is driven by chaos, and will unilaterally go to war with Iran, dragging the US into his war. It is the same guy who had lied twice about Iraq and now he has another one on Iran. He has also alienated American Jews; a majority of them do not support his take on Iran.

America will be weakened severely; it will wipe us out, and will be worse than the loss of 43 Million jobs, homes and business closures, divorces, budget deficits that the previous president left. 

Solution

The 161 Nations may consider a resolution, that Netanyahu, the current Prime Minister is in direct violation of the world community in establishing Palestine, and unless the Israeli people through their parties choose a Prime Minister who can sit among the civilized nations of the world, and who can respect life liberty and pursuit of the happiness of the Palestinian people, the resolution will stand in place. The resolution calls for pulling the ambassadors out of Israel and sending Israeli ambassadors back to their homes.

The only language bullies like Netanyahu understand is direct threats of isolating him. In a nutshell, Netanyahu is not good for Israel, Palestinians, Iran, the United States or the world. He is the new Saddam Husain who will not hesitate gassing the Palestinians and will alienate Israel further among the nations.

About me: I am deeply committed to building cohesive societies, and have an equal commitment to Jews as with the people of other faiths. <1> http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/holocaust-and-the-muslim-_b_4629509.html#es_share_ended  <2>  http://israel-palestine-dialogue.blogspot.com/2012/02/about-israel-palestine.html  <3> http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/02/standing-up-with-jews.html  
  ...............................................................................................................................
Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism, Islam,India, Israel-Palestine, Politics and other issues of the day. He is a human rights activist, and his book standing up for others will be out soon | He is producing a full feature film " Sacred" to be released on 9/11 and a documentary "Americans together" for a July 4 release.  He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com - Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. 

Letter to Israeli voter - Kudos to Peter Beinart

Blog: TheGhouseDiary.com  | Letter to Israeli voter   Kudos to Peter Beinart

If you reelect Netanyahu, you risk losing the U.S.
Peter Beinart failed to mention that even the Jewish Americans cast nearly 70% of their vote to Barack Obama, both the times. By the way, it is one of the best letters written to the people of Israel, link included at the bottom

I am a Muslim and a supporter of Israel, and believe in long term security of Israel and Justice for the Palestinians, one will not happen without the other. Even though I am 62; I fit the profile of Peter Beinart along with millions of other Americans.  Obama has 55% approval rating right now.

Israel’s security is placed in perpetual compromise by Mr. Netanyahu, it’s time Israel has a leader who talks and acts peace and not  destructive to its security.  He is continuously isolating Israel in the community of nations. A whopping 161 out of 166 Nations want him to behave and he violates all the times, it is slap in their face.

The rise in Anti-Semitism around the world is actually anti-Netanyahuism rather than Anti-Semitism.  United Nation resolutions are trashed regularly  bringing more isolation.

I am fully empathetic with Jewish people and their history, and have a solid record on that, I have stood up with Jews, teach about saying never again and write extensively in my Israel Palestine dialogue blog. I have a full piece in writing about the rise in Anti-Semitism and how to reverse that. Netanyahu is jeopardizing the long term security of Israel.  He is not a peace maker by any stretch of the imagination. He is restless and won’t let anyone rest either.    

I am for the security for Israel and justice for the Palestinians, and believe that it will happen and is on the horizon, and the only hurdle is Netanyahu.

Mike Ghouse
 http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2014/12/israel-speaker-mike-ghouse.html

Letter to the Israeli voter: If you reelect Netanyahu, you risk losing the U.S.
http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.646379?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social

# # #

Netanyahu responsible for rise in Anti-Semitism

Published at: http://foundationforpluralism.blogspot.com/2015/03/netanyahu-responsible-for-rise-in-anti.html

I severely condemn rise in Anti-Semitism and hold Netanyahu directly responsible for it. I challenge the Israelis to reverse the rogue policies of Netanyahu and see a dramatic fall in Anti-Semitism. 

This is a serious matter and unless the moderate Jews wake up and save Israel, Netanyahu will ruin it and Isolate Israel from every one. The young American Jews see that, and one day they will wake up and say enough is enough. Netanyahu is not a peace maker.

I am for security of Israel and justice for the Palestinians, one will not happen without the other. More about it at www.Israelpalestinedialogue.com, The Muslim Holocaust guy , www.HolocaustandGenocides.com, and Standing up for Jews

The latest United Nations resolution called for stopping the settlements - that is a vote of 161 Nations out of 166, only 5 nations voted against it including Israel and us.  Don't you think it is a slap in the faces of 161 nations? Do they have reason to be pissed off at Netanyahu for the violations, and us for letting him get away with it? This is just one item, there are a lot more violations.

Alon Ben-Meir in an article, "A message to Netanyahu, enough is enough" writes, "This delusionary claim is an insult to European governments and the nearly 1.5 million Jews who live, work, and flourish in Europe. The irony is that Netanyahu represents neither the Jews around the world nor even the majority of Israeli Jews, other than the fraction who voted for Likud in the previous election. "

and, "he brought Israel’s indispensable relations with the US to a state of crisis, infuriated European leaders, embarrassed Jews everywhere, and further isolated Israel."

No people should be victims of others' prejudices and hate. It is not acceptable in civilized societies. It took a healthy  dip after the Holocaust and is going back up again in the last seven years, and here are the reasons that many deny, but how long we keep blaming others, instead of looking at the causes.

The few and the powerful right wing Jews and Muslims are too eager to scream Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia even if you sneeze,  instead of seeing the reality and fixing the causes that cause some of these stinky attitudes. 

Mike Ghouse
The Muslim Holocaust guy


# # # 

Anti-Semitism spreading across Europe, says study

Latest update : 2015-02-28

Jews were the target of harassment in more countries across the globe in 2013 than at any time in past seven years, a study released Friday showed, with hostility towards the religious group higher in Europe than any other world region.

The report by the US-based Pew Research Center combined the results of two separate indexes – one measuring government actions that curb religious beliefs and practices and another measuring acts of social religious hostility by private individuals or organisations.

It found that harassment and hostility against Jews, either by the government or members of the public, were recorded in 77 of 198 countries surveyed in 2013, up from 71 in 2012 and the highest number since Pew first began recording figures in 2007.

It was in Europe, however, that levels of social harassment were most alarming. The study found that Jews faced this type of harassment in 34 of the continent’s 45 countries (76 percent) – a higher share than in any other region and against a global average of 25 percent.

“In France, three men attacked a teenager who was wearing a kippah in Vitry-Sur-Seine in March, threatening, ‘We will kill all of you Jews’,” said the report. “In Spain, vandals painted a large swastika on the walls of a bull ring in the city of Pinto in August, along with the words “Hitler was right.”

“And in Norway, the newspaper Dagbladet published a controversial cartoon in May that appeared to be mocking the practice of circumcision.”

The report comes at a time when fears over growing anti-Semitism are causing concerns across Europe.

France in particular has faced a worrying rise in anti-Jewish acts in recent months, with a deadly January 9 attack on a Paris kosher supermarket, just days after Islamic extremists shot dead 12 people at the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, further fuelling religious tensions.

A rise in anti-Semitism as been cited as one of the reasons for 7,000 Jews leaving France for Israel in 2014, according to Israeli government figures, twice as many as in the previous year.

Christians and Muslims face most harassment

The situation for Muslims in Europe was not much better, the study found, with harassment recorded in 32 countries, or 71 percent – again much higher than the global average of 34 percent.

The report cited examples such as bloody pigs’ heads being placed at a site of a planned mosque in Germany and threatening letters sent to several mosques and Muslim cultural centres in Ireland.

When all religions were taken into account, two-thirds of European countries saw instances of harassment by organised groups. In a case in Italy, for example, four men were sent to prison after they published lists of Jewish residents and businesses on neo-Nazi websites.

And in four out of ten European countries, there were reported incidents of individuals being assaulted or forced from their homes or places of worship in retaliation for religious activities.

In Poland, arsonists set fire to the door of a mosque in Gdansk, while in Greece several Jehovah’s Witnesses’ houses of worship and mosques were set ablaze in multiple cities throughout the year.

The Pew report combined the results of two separate indexes – one measuring government actions that curb religious beliefs and practices and another measuring acts of social religious hostility by private individuals or organisations.

It found that overall restrictions on religion, whether social of governmental, were high or very high in 39 percent of countries, down from 43 percent the year before.

Christians and Muslims, the worlds’ two largest religions making up more than half of the global population, faced harassment in the highest number of countries, at 52 percent and 50 percent respectively.

Among the world’s 25 most populous countries, the highest overall levels of restrictions were found in Burma, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan and Russia.

China had the highest level of government restrictions of 25 most populous countries in 2013, while India had the highest level of social hostilities.

Date created : 2015-02-28

Five timely pieces on Obama, Netanyahu, Austrian Sharia, Sacred Film and Muslim Integration initiative

5 Timely Pieces for this week

 

1. Back off Mr. Netanyahu, don't mess with America.

2. Is Obama's Wisdom good for America, did he say the right words?

3. Austria passes reform to Islamic Laws - We welcome it
4. Film Sacred to address conflicts with other

5. Muslim Integration initiatives to be launched

___________________________________________________________

 

BACK OFF MR. NETANYAHU
Lessons in Foreign policy: Mr. Netanyahu and his ilk can fool us in America once, but not twice, and we are not the guinea pigs of his erratic genocidal behavior.

He is coming to Washington to convince the nincompoops who had plunged us into destructive wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to go at Iran now. We lost over 5000 men and women, millions of Americans lost their jobs, and their homes were foreclosed besides sinking us into budget deficit running in $Trillions of Dollars. He wants us to be completely liquidated, to hell with him. We put America first!

Article at Arab News:  http://thearabdailynews.com/2015/02/26/back-off-netanyahu-dont-mess-america/

___________________________________________________________

 

DID OBAMA USE THE RIGHT WORDS ABOUT ISLAM?

 

Let's put our biases aside, and review if President Obama's words and actions represent what is a moral and astute policy, and also if it is good for the United States of America. Let us examine his choice of words at the "Summit on Countering Violent Extremism" and his reminder at the National Prayer Breakfast to be humble and cognizant of our own historical record. 

 

Full story at Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/is-obamas-wisdom-good-for_b_6749002.html

 

___________________________________________________________

 

AUSTRIA REFORMS MUSLIM LAWS   

Given the global anti-Muslim hysteria, the new Austrian law generates two responses;   No and Welcome, and I will go with the welcome response for it serves the greater good of Muslims and the world around them.

 

This following points may anger a few Muslims initially, but when we think of the society a large, and shine the light of Quran on it, we will eventually see the value in the law enacted by the Austrian Government, which is initially resisted by a few.

 

If Muslims cannot stop the rogue Imams from spreading hate and disturb the peace in a given society, it becomes the responsibility of the society at large to do that. “The law seeks to prevent the growth of a parallel Islamic society in Austria by regulating mosques and the training of imams, who will now be required to be proficient in German.” In America, we face this, many a imported Imams cannot connect with our kids. Let the Imams be local and trained to be contributors towards a better society, it does not require any giving-up of their faith or compromise on their part. 

http://www.worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2015/02/austria-passes-reforms-to-1912-islam-law.html

 

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SACRED FILM - HOW DO DEAL WITH CONFLICTS

The film skillfully manages conflicting issues of freedom of speech v what is sacred; safety of Americans v violent reactions; and radicalism v. pluralism. It is an embodiment of conflict mitigation and goodwill nurturence based on teachings of Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad. It is a model for building cohesive societies.  Indeed, the concept is encouraged by major institutions.

Through “Sacred”, the world will witness positive changes taking shape; it encourages what Muslims ought to be – the Amins, and how they will be perceived by the society at large. What is good for Muslims has got to be good for the world and vice-versa to restore sustainable harmony.

Sacred is an exemplary story of ordinary Muslim Americans working with fellow Americans of different faiths in forging a new paradigm; a cohesive America where no American has to live in tension, apprehension or fear of the other.

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/04/reestablishing-right-muslim-attitudes.html

___________________________________________________________

 

MUSLIM INTEGRATION INITIATIVES TO BE LAUNCHED
Insha Allah, we will make an effort to pull ISNA, ICNA, MPAC, CAIR and other organizations together and launch America Together Foundation, a main stream organization to build a cohesive America and work on integration of all Americans. We will begin with Muslims and add on all others as we get funded and go forward.

We have to shape our destiny by planning and getting things done. God willing, we are looking forward to having a huge presence in the media.  I do need volunteers and sponsors and our programs will be cost effective and results producing.  If you are  a sincere doer, and willing to put in at least 5 serious hours a week to bring the change, please call me, but if you are not serious and not willing to burn the ships. We don't need to waste time. 

 

Please donate generously, its a non-profit and tax deductible 501 (c) (3) organization. We need at least $6000/month to produce serious results. Please donate at:http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/

 

 

Thank you
mike
Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
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Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism at work place, politics, religion, society, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, food and foreign policy. He is a staunch defender of human rights and his book standing up for others will be out soon, and a movie "Americans together" is in the making.  He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com and 10 other blogs. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

 

Israel cared the Arab Child; the Palestinian Mom wants him to be a terrorist.

I watched the subject video, and observed several minutes of silence to absorb the pain of the Palestinian woman in the 7 minutes video, and it took me nearly an hour to gather myself to write about it, as I promised my friend Paul Goldstein, that I will write my commentary about it. I hope my Jewish friends see another point of view.

Israel cared the Arab Child; the Palestinian Mom wants him to be a terrorist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKtWPMW9PSA

My only hope is for us to understand each other, and go beyond the words we hear.

I am quoting a scene from my article that has been very influential in my outlook at the down and depressed. I am making one of the most important points of my life about this woman’s attitude and hope and pray that you get to see that point.

“Holocaust and the Muslim guy” at Huffington posthttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/holocaust-and-the-muslim-_b_4629509.html
When I was ten years old, I read just about every book my mother read. She was indeed a voracious reader on religion and social sciences; however, I was banned from reading certain books, and one of them was "Eichmann 60 lakh Yahudiyon ka Katil" in Urdu language. That is Eichmann, the killer of 6 Million Jews. My mother insisted that I was a kid and I should not read the book, she was protective of her child. However, I was able to sneak in and see a few horrible pictures which had shut me down for the next 44 years of my life.

The picture (not this picture) continues to influence me; it is about betrayal of a people. A group of Jews were shoved in front of a ditch and then were shot into the pit. The looks of helplessness on their faces, as if looking at me and saying, "you are not going to do anything about it?" They were not complaining, but with all humility endured the betrayal from the entire world, it has been a difficult picture for me.

For the next 44 years of my life, I was not able to see the WWII movies with scenes from holocaust on the screen. I would turn the TV off and go into silence for a while, just could not get over the idea how people can do that to other people. There was fear in me, fear to witness that betrayal.

They never begged any one to save their life and just stared into the spaces even without complaining. I am sure the lost faith in God as well. I have held them in very high esteem for the dignified death they faced.

You know the story of Masada; they would rather die than surrender and get humiliated. Did they care what the world thought of them? There are innumerable examples of these acts of dignity.

In my college days, I shared my notes with a few friends to copy the answers on their exam papers, I was caught red handed and was taken to the principal’s office.  My “friends” did not even bother to stop by and ask about me. That betrayal and humility reminded me of the betrayal, the Jews felt in front of that ditch.

Paul, that image strengthens my commitment to human rights. I have lost many friends for my stand, and a lot of income, but I am willing to lose it all but will not back out from speaking for the rights of people. I may be one of the dignified martyrs of Masada being reincarnated.  By the way, those of you who don’t know me, I have stood up for all people with no exception including Jews -http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/02/standing-up-with-jews.html

This lady’s assertion that “death is normal” that “she will send her child back again as a suicide bomber” “death does not frighten us” enlivened that image of Jews at the ditch. She may have been the soul from Masada.

 What have we done as a civilized society to get her to that point? It is the hopelessness of living a normal life.  I saw so much pain in her; she did not see any point in sharing further, what for? Instead of understanding her, we are going after religion, easy way out to blame someone and running away from the responsibility.

She had given up on you and I, she has given up on Palestinians, Jews, Americans and the world, shame on us.  I can forgive those “few” Israelis who are in pain themselves and want to inflict pain on others as if it will relieve them. 

I do not like suicide bombers or any one who destroys life of others, if they claim to do it in the name of religion, it is merely an excuse that we should not be gullible to buy. Islam forbids suicide and killing others unless it is in self defense. 

I am not supporting this woman's attitude either, all I am doing is seeing her point of view to learn and formulate policies to alleviate the root cause, if we can.

I am ashamed of me, you and others, and the world at large whose prejudice against Palestinians. Perhaps justifiable for their rocket attacks, suicide bombing and biased behavior – even though they have endured living in humility for 30 years without terrorism, the world did not care and did not do a thing about them. But when they resorted to terrorism in 1971, we blamed them and attempted to annihilate them.  It is as if telling the humiliated woman who just got raped, that she deserved it.

Our formulated bias has stripped a sense of justice in us, and that is not healthy for a normal society.  If we justify one prejudice, we are approving other prejudices against us.  It is time to be human and don’t push others to this point.

Please enlighten me otherwise. 

Thank you

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
............................................................................................................................... Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism at work place, politics, religion, society, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, food and foreign policy. He is a staunch defender of human rights and his book standing up for others will be out soon, and a movie "Americans together" is in the making.  He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links atwww.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com and 10 other blogs. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.