Criticism, and then there is criticism
April 5th, 2008I can take criticism. I get it all the time. But what does push me to respond is when the critics resorts to distortions and lies to make their point. One such criticism focused on the Israeli-Palestinian Comedy Tour by a student at The Daily Cougar Newspaper at the University of Houston. We performed at the Houston Hobby Center to a sold out crowd hosted by the World Affairs Council on March 25. A student named Sousan Hammad asked if she could come to the show and interview us.
The interview started with criticism from her saying that I was supporting Israel and the occupation. I told her that wasn’t true. I am an outspoken critic of the Israeli occupation AND I am an outspoken critic of Hamas terrorism and a foe of suicide bombings. While everyone during the show laughed and we received a standing ovation, Sousan seemed stoic. She told me before the show that she couldn’t decide between being a journalist or an activist. I urged her to stay the course in journalism but to not allow politics to color her writing. The truth, I told her, whether we liked it or disliked it as Palestinians, is what will help create a Palestinian State. Manufacturing facts, distorting events to make her political views look better, always fail.
Now, for the past year, I have been a target of attacks from extremists in the Arab community who are angry about three things. First, I am performing with Israelis — the “Zionist Entity.” It’s a stupid argument. Israelis are people. I dispute and challenge Israeli government policy all the time, but I distinguish from Israeli people.
The second is that I am an outspoken critic of the Hamas terrorist organization, their use of suicide bombings first to destroy the peace process, and then to claim after they helped destroy it that it could never work. I also said that Palestinians have told me that they live under a double occupation, one of the Israeli military occupation and one imposed by the fanatics among them who attack, beat and even kill those with whom they disagree. That kind of Palestinian terrorism which targets other Palestinians happens all the time, but we are prevented from addressing it.
The third reason is more subtle. Many extremist Muslims — political Islamicists, not regular everyday Muslims who believe int he true principles of Islam, are troubled by the fact that I am a Christian Palestinian. When I respond, they always say, well George Habash was a Christian. A Christian? Someone who described himself as a “Marxist-Leninist” is NOT a Christian. Someone who used violence to kill civilians was not a Christian, and not a true Muslim, in my opinion.
My writings are everywhere. You can pick and choose what you want and Sousan Hammad did exactly that. And she pandered the story she wrote in the Cougar, which I ignored at first, to the “Electronic Intifada, the bully pulpit of the far left-wing extremists who like Hamas terrorists, have done everything they can to destroy the peace process so they could say the peace process failed, two-states can’t work and we must therefore embrace the notion of a “One State Solution.” That one state solution is a pipe dream smoked in Nargila’s of the fanatics who brainwash young Palestinians to strap themselves with explosives and target Israeli civilians … while the pipe smokers sit back and live to find more victims of their fanaticism.
Here is Sousan’s story, printed by the Electronic Intifada.
Sousan’s hatchet job on the Electronic Intifada.
By the way, the Electronic Intifada has NEVER published a story about the positive side of the Israeli-Palestinian Comedy Tour because the Electronic Intifada is a propaganda site for anti-Israel hatred that demonizes anyone who challenges their notion of a “One State Solution.”
Sousan is factually incorrect about several things. She says I portray myself as a “Muslim” even though I am Christian. That’s not true. In fact, a major part of my routine is all about being a Christian Palestinian. But her “proof” is that I had a toy called “GI Abdullah” as a child and Abdullah, she told me during the interview before the show, is a Muslim name. By the way, Sousan also told me when I asked her if she was a Christian, because she said she is from Ramallah, responded that she was non-religious. (Marxist-Leninist I am sure from her writings and rhetoric that she passes off as “journalism.”)
My cousin, a Christian, is named Abdullah. One of my great grandfather’s was named Abdullah. Abdullah means “servant of God” not mark of Islam.
She takes an off-the-cuff comment (ignoring all the other substantive humor) that if I went to Ramallah we would be shot at as a serious statement, even after explaining in a lengthy, serious manner that she ignored that we WANT to perform in Ramallah and in Bethlehem but the fanatics don’t want it, and that the Palestinians who do want it openly said they could not guarantee the security of the Israeli performers.
She didn’t report that in her “feature.”
She says I perpetuate stereotypes, but I explained that my comedy show offers several kinds of humor: some self-deprecating humor, political humor, social humor and personal humor about my personal life as a Palestinian married to a Jewish woman and who has a Jewish son. She was shocked.
Sousan didn’t care about the comedy. She was on a mission to attack. Frankly, I have been telling people about the fanatics who have boycotted me, complained and had Arab groups cancel my show, and even exclude me from other Arab comedy venues that I helped launch without ever asking any comedian about their political beliefs. To have the venom crawl out from under the putrid rock of Palestinian fanaticism is fine by me.
I want people to see the ugliness that I see all the time. Until Sousan Hammad’s political hatchet job review, the attacks were below the radar screen. Now, it’s out in the open and in addition to Sousan, the Electronic Intifada and their ilk are front and center in the melee.
(By the way, Randal Jones reared his ugly head on another board claiming that I “only” criticize Muslims in my comedy, but off course, never once watched any of my online comedy performances.
If you go to www.Hanania.com, you will see a 30 clip of my performance at a South Side Chicago synagogue.
You can also go to www.IPComedyTour.com and read the reviews from Jews, Muslims and Palestinians about the comedy show. Yes, some Arab segments oppose the comedy. They dislike the presence of self-deprecating humor (which is used by every single Arab American comedian including Maysoon Zayid, whose picture was posted right on top of Sousan’s story on the Electronic Intifada. I respect Maysoon even though we have a difference of political opinion. Some Arabs respect tolerance and differences of political opinion, but others, the extremists, do not). Self-deprecating humor was used by Jewish comedians through the 20th century in America to confront growing anti-Semitism. Self-deprecating humor is a political statement to the majority of audiences, in many cases Americans. If I can laugh about some of the stereotypes they hold of me, whyd o they take them serious? It undermines the substance of the stereotypes and does not perpetuate stereotypes. In fact, the stereotypes are so common they couldn’t be perpetuated any more than they already are. Challenging them by turning them into humor is a strategic and proven technique to undermine public hatred.
She also says I claimed our comedy team was the ONLY Israeli-Palestinian collaborative, which is a lie. I SAID, the Israeli-Palestinian Comedy Tour is the ONLY COMEDY TOUR featuring Palestinians and Israelis — and we have tried and continue to try to change then, organizing an open mike in East Jerusalem …
Honestly, had Sousan Hammad been clever in her criticism, and stuck to accuracy and facts instead of exaggerating comments taken out of context, I could have enjoyed her criticism. But the criticism doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is the distortion of facts. The twisting of my career dedication to applying ONE PRINCIPLE to both Palestinians and Israelis. I asked her if she condemned the murder of Israeli children by fanatics and her response was to only denounce the murder of Palestinians.
Being criticized by Sousan Hammad is like being called ugly by a pig, a common American colloquialism, by the way, used often to describe the inherent hypocrisy of people who use hatred and distortion as a substitute for talent.
Thanks
Ray Hanania
www.RadioChicagoland.com
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I am shocked at your infantile behavior. What you are saying about me is an outright lie, and unprofessional at that. I would hope that as a journalist, you understand the seriousness of libel.
Sousan Hammad
Ray, I see you get attacked so often by Israelis. Lots of them. I see you get attacked so often by Palestinians. I see you get attacked so often by Americans.
When certain people from all sides hate you, that’s when you truly know you’re a moderate. You’re doing the right thing here. I see you denounce both Palestinian and Israeli terrorism, and I see nothing wrong with that. I’m very surprised people have a problem with this. It shocks me to see people defending one-sided terrorism and refusing to criticize their own for actions that they solely blame the “enemy” for.
And Sousan, you do realize that if you accuse Ray of “libel,” that your article fits more under that category, right?
He is refuting your arguments. He is calling you out on your misinformed criticism. Please tell us why and how this is libelous and why you have failed to produce a better argument than “you’re a liar.”
Why is Ray’s behavior infantile? The man, unlike many, stands up for what he believes.
I’m offended that you call your work journalism. I can sympathize with your views, I’m pro-Palestinian too, and obviously, so is Ray. But I certainly do not agree with your style or the manner in which you fight for Palestinian rights… resorting to outright hatred.
I wouldn’t worry too much if this article only appeared on IE. I used to love IE, it portrayed a different side of the story, our side for once. But now it’s just a refuge for trashy articles and bad journalism. I guess they’re just desperate for new material.
Little groups of self-styled “radicals” infest every campus. Small minded determined looking people with a “basket weaving” curricula. I find them amusing. You guys did your shtick to a sold out house and expressed your view. You had people entertained and laughing. You had to expect some flack along with the acolades. OK so she didn’t like your show, but you’ve got written proof that somebody was thinking about what you said. I’d keep stirring her up so she really gets her panties twisted. Her article didn’t impress me…it was kind of “listless”. Maybe if you really pissed her off she’d write something good. Rock on, bro.
Ray, I can only say that I admire your efforts immensely.
There are many ways to neutralize hate. You have selected one of the more effective ones. Hate is stupid. But saying that doesn’t quite make the point. You say it with humor. We laugh at the stereotypes, and in our laughter, we shake the foundations of our hate.
We can only hope that you’ll continue to weather the storm so that we may all come to see some sunny days ahead.
Ray,
When will you discuss how Israel helped Hamas to grow, as a rival to the secular Yasser Arafat?
See Robert Dreyfuss’ aricle at http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/01/27/end_of_the_road_map.php
I’ll quote part of it here:
I agree with these comments. Going through this type of criticism from all sides must mean you’re doing something right, and you’re challenging a lot of one-sided opinions who are only interested in constantly promoting their side of the story.
It’s apparent by now how many people out there try to belittle your efforts, but that’s probably because they realize that they can’t contribute anything as worthwhile to the cause. You said it best when you once noted here that peace comes when you criticize your own too and not just the other. Far too many people refuse to do that.
I think it’s good that you stand up to this criticism, especially if everything you stand for is misunderstood and undermined, so that people can comprehend what you’re really trying to do here instead of just pointing fingers and associating you with either Hamas or Zionism. Keep up the great work, that’s all I can say, this criticism means nothing.
As I said before, I have no problem with criticism, but Sousan Hammad is aliar, who took things out of context and claimed, knowing it was a lie (using an off-the-cuff comment after lengthy discussions):
1 – She says that I support the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
She’s knows that is a lie, no matter how she weaves her hatred and ugliness.
2 – She says I am xenophobic — another lie
3 – She says I said that there is no Palestinian-Israeli collaborations, but I said there isn’t any other Palestinian Israeli “Commedy tour” — I explained that to her but obviously she didn’t care
4 – She says I pass myself off as a Muslim, another lie. In my comedy act I talk about being a Christian … specifically … when she cites my joke about GI Abdullah …
5 – She also makes it sound like I don’t criticize Israeli policy at all, which is so untrue it’s sad Watch my video and listen — it represents 30 minutes of 75 minutes of my repertoire … whether you enjoy the comedy or not is besides the point. I don’t expect people to love me, like me or anything. They can take it or leave it.
But, I do expect ousan Hammad to stop her lies, exaggerations and her pretense that somehow she is a journalist when she is not.
She may criticize me as infantile — that’s her opinion and she has a right toe xpress nay opinion she wants. But to distort facts, take things out of context, and lie about me that I support the Israeli oppression of my people is so pathetic, it deserved a response. (She can criticize me for being whatever, but I also have the right to criticize her as being journalistically unprofessional.)
Of course, I have only been in journalism 32 years. She’s being doing it, what? What a career she has ahead of her.
As I said, I wasn’t going to waste my time on her column in The Cougar but when she rewrote it for the Electronic Intifada — and added even more lies — I figured, what the hell. Intifada time!
Ray hanania
http://www.hanania.com
PS Tonto … I agree … until now, the haters and extremists have kept their viciousness off the radar screen, attacking me personally in their little circles of hatred. If I can give Sousan anything, she had the courage to take her criticism public … even if the criticism is full of lies.
Ray
What I find interesting is that Electronic Intifada is ostensibly in favor of a single, democratic state in the entire land of Israel/Palestine. Now, if this is your long-term goal, wouldn’t it make sense to encourage partnerships and friendships between individuals on both sides of the conflict, since they will be future neighbors and fellow citizens?
Hey Randall … I wrote the first analysis of how Israel’s LIKUD/HERUT party helped midwife the birth of Hamas … they didn’t found it, as Arabs argue falsely. But they did give Sheikh Yassin the support to raise money and set up a network called the Islamic Association in the 1970s in the Gaza Strip … that he later used during the outbreak of th efirst Intifada to launch Hamas … Sharon and Shamir did not expect that, but they did hope Yassin would become an Arafat rival.
Go to CounterPunch and look it up yourself … it’s there in detail …
And Tim, the Electronic Intifada argues there should only be one state, a secular state where Jews, Christians and Muslims can live in peace. They haven’t lived in peace in Palestine since before 1897 … the idea of one state is a great dream, but an unrealistic goal that only results in two things:
continued conflict; the perpetuation of the Palestinian refugees living in refugee camps.
The ONLY solution is Two States … and by the way, the founder of the Electronic Intifada, Ali Abunimeh, spent his life opposing and criticizing and assaulting the Oslo Accords and the Two State plan, and now that it is dying, he dances on it by saying, “See, I told you it wouldn’t work. Now let’s live together as equals.”
I’d rather live under Israeli occupation than under Hamas and Palestinian fanatic occupation because as far as I am concerned, they are both bad but at least under the Israelis are under international scrutiny … the Islamicists and extremist secular nuts would be far worse and would quickly turn the “One State” into an Islamic State. That’s their goal. Not a Secular Islamic STate, but a fanatic religious state that bastardizes Islam and distoerts its meaning to give them the kind of power they enjoy in such sterling democracies as Yemen and in Al-Qaedi-stan.
Ray hanania
http://www.RadioChicagoland.com
Hey Ray…is it possible that something she said struck a bit of a nerve? I mean, as a middle-aged man, that sure is a vitriolic attack on a college girl in her early 20s, isn’t it? Somewhere in those 30+ years of journalistic experience you claim to have, didn’t you learn how to take criticism? I think you threw a couple of dozen of the personal attacks you claim to deplore at that college student. It’s almost like you were attacking Khaled Meshaal or something man, damn!