With that said, I have never understood Hamas response to Israel: continued violence. Even if you think it’s justified, what good does it do? From what I gather, it only acts as a front for Israel’s continued and disproportionate aggression.

Imagine you wake up tomorrow and turn on Al-Gazira, CNN, LBC, Fox News, whatever you watch, and you see 200,000 Gazans sitting in Gaza City. They’re not doing anything but sitting. The Israeli soldiers come up and look confused. Perhaps they start shooting, perhaps they don’t. Instead of fighting back, Palestinians sitting there accept that they may face death, but agree to not return fire with fire.

Some die. They become martyrs. Some live. They become witnesses. The world recognizes the situation for what it is – outright aggression by an occupying power.

Even when Palestinians use violence to resist, they suffer, die, and are buried. When has the violence ever worked? Israel is one of the most powerful military powers in the world. What will Hamas ever be able to accomplish against such a powerful country with international cover from the U.S.? I keep believing that non-violent resistance is really the only option, the only thing that could ever work. But is it possible?

Even some of my most progressive Palestinian friends think it’s impossible. Most just say Israel will get away with more violence. My response: Israel will always get away with violence under the current conditions. Palestinians have to fundamentally change the parameters under which the conflict is perceived. Death in the face of a non-violent resistance receives far more sympathy than the death of militants. That is why the death of women and children is so horrific. Eventually, the world (i.e., the United States) will realize how oppressive the Israeli occupation is. As Israel loses its credibility, the chances for the U.S. to act as an impartial player increase, also increasing the chances for a just peace, something all sides can accept.

Nonviolent resistance is not a foreign concept to Palestine. However, it doesn’t seem to take hold at the grassroots level. I think Fateh is associated with the non-violent approach, but such a resistance needs to be a movement, not a position of the government. Sure that helps, but it won’t create the change needed.

Can this happen? How? Ideas?

Ariane de Rothschild Fellows Program: Dialogue & Social Entrepreneurship

An initiative of the Edmond de Rothschild Foundation, the Ariane de Rothschild Fellows Program: Dialogue & Social Entrepreneurship is a new, innovative program designed for social entrepreneurs with an interest in fostering a culture of mutual respect and dialogue among Jewish and Muslim communities.

Delivered in partnership with Columbia Business School and Cambridge University, this 2-week program blends three educational components:

- An innovative and action-driven social entrepreneurship program
- Training in cross-cultural dialogue and leadership
- Exposure to state-of-the-art scholarship

Benefits of the program
Learn how to be a successful agent of change
Understand the leadership role and its impact on others
Use specific tools, frameworks and diagnostics to identify personal and organizational issues and challenges
Gain knowledge in management, negotiations, accounting, finance, marketing, governance and other fields of business
Become more skilled in building a successful social enterprise
Learn to appreciate and apply cross-cultural dialogue
Experience scholarship and debates across and within participants’ respective communities
Build a deep and far-reaching network

Application Criteria

Acceptance to the program is by application only. Selected Fellows will be invited to the program in New York City in July 2009, inclusive of travel, lodging and some meals. Application criteria include:

- Social entrepreneurs who have already created their organization and are engaged in the early stages of development (one to four years) and who are interested in fostering a culture of mutual respect and dialogue among Jewish and Muslim communities.
- Residence in the US, UK, and/or France, or operation of their venture from these countries.
- Social entrepreneurs who demonstrate their interest in and commitment to sustainable civic engagement. There will be no specific sector focus.

In exceptional cases we will also consider individuals with an outstanding background in social activities even if they have not created a legal entity, per se.

Please visit www.adrfellowprogram.com for detailed information on eligibility, program curriculum and application process. Please sign up to receive regular updates on this website.

When: Saturday January 31, 2009

In response, the Israeli government has jailed these young people, contrary to basic human rights and international law.

In what is considered a highly militaristic society, becoming a conscientious objector in Israel takes an extraordinary amount of courage. Although I cannot refuse with them, I am inspired by their actions and want to spread their powerful message of hope, change, and dialogue. A strong conscientious objector movement within Israel could have a significant impact on the course of the occupation and increase dialogue within and between Israel and Palestine. It humanizes Israelis and forces other Israelis to face the humanization of Palestinians, an occupied people.

The most legitimate advocates to end the occupation will always come from within Israel and the American Jewish community. As an Arab American, I do think it is important for us to organize and have our voices heard, but the reality is that not much will change until Israelis and American Jews begin to speak louder than the likes of AIPAC and the Israeli establishment. Arab Americans can support this process, but nothing speaks more legitimately than an Israeli who refuses to serve or an American Jewish lobby organization that diametrically opposes AIPAC positions.

To support the Shministim and send a letter to the Israeli Minister of Defense, visit http://december18th.org/.