I really want to visit Palestine. And I apologize for the following data dump.
I am amazed at how one-sided the reports about the Israel/Palestine conflict is in the US. we hear about the suicide and car bombs, sure! The US News will report a Hamas/whoever spokesperson saying its “justified” without also reporting why they say its justified (which makes them sound like a bunch of crazies, and further demonizes Islam).
There’s very little about the idf actions in Palestine, the assasinations, or the big frigging wall for which Palestinian homes were bulldozed without compensation dividing communities by checkpoints, gates, and roadblocks.
I tune in to the BBC and Democracynow.com, zmag, alternet, and commondreams to counter the main stream US news. I also subscribe to ifamericansknew, they do releases on important events, plus they have a bunch of good and inexpensive info that they can send you by mail, including a collection of Rachel Corrie’s emails back home, and a summary of the root of the palestine/israel conflict (read the same text online).
It sucks that there is no honest, good side in this. There are justified actions that can be framed and used to pursuade and justify the most abhorrant actions, all hands are bloody in a war. I am full of admiration that you are going with an organisation that attempts to do good work and keep impartial. Ghandi says some pertinant, thoughtful things about faith, Jews, Arabs and the military wayy back in 1938.
Good luck with your goal. Keep your eyes and your heart open. It sounds like you are doing just that.
Thanks for all the cheers!!
