Israeli-Arab journalist Khaled Abu Toameh visits Drexel
Hannah Alexander
Issue date: 10/23/09 Section: Ed-Op
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict; it's something everyone knows about to some degree. On the outside it appears as if there are two groups, the Israelis and the Palestinians, who both believing that they have a claim to the same tiny piece of land, smaller than New Jersey. You have to wonder, after all those years of fighting and failed attempts at peace, why are they still unable to get their acts together and learn to coexist?
On the outside the conflict seems simple, but on the inside it's much more than that. And that is what Israeli-Arab journalist Khaled Abu Toameh came to explain at Drexel last Friday-the inside of the conflict. Toameh, correspondent to The Jerusalem Post for the Palestinian territories, the Gaza strip and West Bank did not try to sugarcoat the situation.
According to Toameh, there is little room for optimism when it comes to the Palestinian territories. With Gaza under the control of Hamas, a terrorist organization that refuses to recognize the state of Israel and the West Bank under the leadership of Mahmoud Abbas's corrupt administration, Israel is left with no real partner for peace.
Gaza, the strip of land that Israel disengaged from in 2005 in order to move toward peace efforts, fell under the control of Hamas in January 2006 elections. A territory that had a chance to elect a legitimate leader is now what Toameh refers to as an extremist Islamic republic funded by Iran, Sudan and Syria.
"As a Muslim I can tell you that's the last place I'd ever want to live in," Toameh said.
Toameh's story is definitely a unique one that breaks many of the stereotypes and generalizations people have about Israelis and Arabs. Toameh, an Arab citizen of Israel, attended Hebrew University in Jerusalem receiving a B.A. in English, and began his journalism career writing for a Palestinian Liberation Organization newspaper.
This veteran journalist reminded us that within the state of Israel there is an Arab minority, about 20 percent of the Israeli population. People often think this situation is simply the Muslims versus the Jews, but the truth is that Israel has become a diverse nation with people who practice three major religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity.
On the outside the conflict seems simple, but on the inside it's much more than that. And that is what Israeli-Arab journalist Khaled Abu Toameh came to explain at Drexel last Friday-the inside of the conflict. Toameh, correspondent to The Jerusalem Post for the Palestinian territories, the Gaza strip and West Bank did not try to sugarcoat the situation.
According to Toameh, there is little room for optimism when it comes to the Palestinian territories. With Gaza under the control of Hamas, a terrorist organization that refuses to recognize the state of Israel and the West Bank under the leadership of Mahmoud Abbas's corrupt administration, Israel is left with no real partner for peace.
Gaza, the strip of land that Israel disengaged from in 2005 in order to move toward peace efforts, fell under the control of Hamas in January 2006 elections. A territory that had a chance to elect a legitimate leader is now what Toameh refers to as an extremist Islamic republic funded by Iran, Sudan and Syria.
"As a Muslim I can tell you that's the last place I'd ever want to live in," Toameh said.
Toameh's story is definitely a unique one that breaks many of the stereotypes and generalizations people have about Israelis and Arabs. Toameh, an Arab citizen of Israel, attended Hebrew University in Jerusalem receiving a B.A. in English, and began his journalism career writing for a Palestinian Liberation Organization newspaper.
This veteran journalist reminded us that within the state of Israel there is an Arab minority, about 20 percent of the Israeli population. People often think this situation is simply the Muslims versus the Jews, but the truth is that Israel has become a diverse nation with people who practice three major religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Mikaere
posted 10/24/09 @ 3:05 AM EST
Maybe Toameh or others listening to him should go see for themselves--if Israel ever stops blockading the people of Gaza who made the mistake of electing a group who are not corrupt and who Israel can't buy off. (Continued…)
Elkanah
posted 10/25/09 @ 7:31 AM EST
How refreshing to read an articloe by a thinking person! Keep up the good work!
Labhras
posted 10/27/09 @ 5:54 PM EST
this guy must have been paid off by the Zionists.
Or he has never set foot in Israel as an Arab.
Post a Comment