[WCUSP] Fw: Apartheid as our frame? Dems Repudiate Carter Book

[yvonne simmons]

CJ, I don't think that it is up to you and Kate what
the LT on WCUSP decide to do about Carter's book. In
one way by not addressing how ex President Carter has
described the content of his  book, years and years of
working on the issue have brought him to this
conclusion is not taking an important position for US
WILPF. He brokered peace between Egypt and Israel
which was a first. By not taking a stance I feel  that
it is  somehow condoning the opposition. Many citizens
are going to read this book, many of them that have
little knowledge on the occupation of Palestine. For
once we have an opportunity to be on the forefront of
a very important development. I realize that this
stance may loose some members, who knows, but how can
we continually not call a spade a spade. I do accept
that to be sensitive to all is important but not at
the expense of our work for peace and justice and
human rights in the Middle-East. One violent  needless
death is one too many. I find it hard to write on the
e-mail without thinking I am upsetting someone but I
cannot, not write my thoughts, and I hope I have not
upset anyone. We are all working for peace and justice
and I am proud of that In Solidarity Yvonne.

--- "C.J. Minster" <cjminster at gmail.com> wrote:

> As another Jewish member of WILPF, I agree with what
> Libby is saying. 
> Jews have never thought or acted in unity. Organized
> Jewish institutions 
> / religious sects, might be acting in unity on US /
> Israel relations, 
> but they do not represent all Jews.
> 
> I agree with Libby's earlier idea - let's develop
> two ways of talking 
> about this. Let's explain why the term apartheid
> fits to this situation, 
> and let's continue to learn ways to reach out to
> people - of any 
> religious / ethnic background - who cannot hear past
> the word apartheid. 
> Words are powerful frames. Just look at the way
> Islam is being framed as 
> a "terrorist, blood-driven religion." This is not my
> frame, but even the 
> NY Times uses it - yesterday's NYT magazine cover
> starts with "Islam and 
> the bomb." I see the effects of these frames all the
> time: people close 
> to me who think Palestinians / Arabs are irrational
> and incapable of 
> peace; people who think Israel is justified in
> "creating peace through 
> force." There are many frames we need to tear down
> and others that we 
> need to build up.
> 
> Instead of arguing over which frame is a better path
> to changing US 
> policy, let's develop them. Joyce, you asked Kate /
> the leadership team 
> to draft a letter to Congresspeople. It's a great
> suggestion. The team 
> (including Kate and myself) is meeting in Austin
> this Thursday through 
> Sunday to develop our plans for 2007. We've been
> researching aid to 
> Palestine and trying to figure out what type of aid
> the US government 
> should be offering. We were thinking this would be
> our emphasis in the 
> coming months. I don't think any of us knew about
> Carter's book until 
> the article was posted. We'll try to work on getting
> an Action Alert out 
> on his book, book tour, and the negative reaction
> it's getting. I'll try 
> to find out more info from the Carter Center - the
> book comes out 
> November 14; perhaps we can get an advance review
> copy.
> 
> Unfortunately, I can't guarantee any of this will
> happen immediately. 
> The WCUSP leadership team is organizing towards its
> meeting this weekend 
> and Kate's schedule is full. So, look for an
> official WILPF action 
> either this week or next week. In the meantime, I
> encourage everyone to 
> follow Joyce's lead and write letters to your
> Congressperson and 
> Senators. Using their web forms is useful because it
> ensures that your 
> message goes through. If you get a response, please
> forward it to the 
> group. (It's useful for us to know where politicians
> stand.)
> 
> On a tangentially related note, the cover story of
> Rolling Stone 
> magazine is about how this Congress is the most
> corrupt and inept in the 
> history of our country. It's a depressing read, but
> surprisingly 
> detailed for a music magazine. (I know, they also
> published an article 
> on how Bush stole the election; so I suppose Jan
> Wenner (the 
> publisher)'s politics are shining through.)
> 
> in nonviolent solidarity,
> C.J.
> ------------
> C.J. Minster
> Program Chair, US Section
> Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
> http://wilpf.blogspot.com
> 
> ~current affairs blog~
> http://www.socialupheaval.com
> 
> ~cultural affairs blog~
> http://www.angelheadedhipster.com
> 
> Libby and Mort Frank wrote:
> > Dear Joan and all,
> >  
> > I have the deepest disagreement with your
> comments, Joan.  You have 
> > characterized the U.S. Jewish community as a
> united force that hasn't 
> > been and can't be reached, no matter how, 
> claiming that "reason 
> > doesn't work..."  I find your characterization
> insulting.  Criticicism 
> > of U.S. or Israeli policy is certainly called for,
> but characterizing 
> > the entire U.S. Jewish community as not listening
> to reason is not 
> > acceptable.
> >  
> > You go on to confuse Israeli policy with that of
> the 
> > U.S.: "international human rights conventions and
> the Geneva Accords 
> > have no impact on Israeli policy -- words of the
> victims have no 
> > impact and the facts on the ground have no impact
> on ..."  And, you 
> > quote Golda Meir who made her reprehensible
> statement as an Israeli 
> > leader. 
> >  
> >  I share your impatience and want to scream as I
> read of the situation 
> > in Palestine.  But thousands and thousands of
> Jewish Americans have 
> > opposed Israeli policy, have opposed U.S. policy. 
> We have reached 
> > others and continue to do so. 
> >  
> > Rep. Conyers said the use of apartheid in Carter's
> book "does not 
> > serve the cause of peace and the use of it against
> the Jewish people 
> > in particular, who have been victims of the worst
> kind of 
> > discrimination, discrimination resulting in death,
> is offensive and 
> > wrong..."  So the establishment Jewish papers say
> Conyers is "Standing 
> > up for Israel Against Jimmy Carter."  *That is
> Wrong*.  One can oppose 
> > the use of incendiary words about Israel and not
> be "standing up for 
> > Israel." 
> >  
> > Looking at the 2006 Congressional Scorecard
> published by the Arab 
> > American Institute, one can see that Conyer's
> voting record is among 
> > the best on issues considered crucial to Arab
> Americans.  He is hardly 
> > beholden to the pro-Israeli government lobby.
> >  
> > I stick with my deep belief in the absolute
> necessity of changing U.S. 
> > policy.  Being sensitive about where people are
> coming from doesn't 
> > mean we're mincing words.  It means we have the
> possibility of opening 
> > minds and changing minds.  I've done it, as have
> many others.
> >  
> > Libby
> >  
> >  
> >  
> >
> > ubscribe send a message to Wcusp-leave at wilpf.org
> 
> 
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