Congratulations to Palestine!

Palestine is a full member of UNESCO! It is a step forward for Palestinians to achieve full, very rightly justified and deserved; and the very long awaited world recognition for statehood. Most countries and all peace loving people support Palestinians. Palestinians who have been most patient, resilient and constant in their struggle and fight for independence and statehood. Palestinians who have immensely suffered and still continue to do so.

“How much longer is the world willing to endure this spectacle of wanton cruelty?” ~ Bertrand Russell

“It would be my greatest sadness to see Zionists (Jews) do to Palestinian Arabs much of what Nazis did to Jews.” ~ Albert Einstein

For more than six decades now, Palestinians have been struggling and fighting for statehood. Thirty-two years ago, Israel signed a peace treaty with Egypt and promised for Palestinian 'rights' within five years. Eighteen years ago, in Oslo, the creation of a Palestinian state was promised - again, within five years. In both cases - Israel never kept its promises and recklessly, arrogantly, impudently, threateningly and with impunity, continues its merciless blockade of Gaza and continues to expand its settlements on Palestinian Occupied Land.

In June, 2009, the President of the United States, Mr. Barack Obama, stated:.....the Palestinian people—Muslims and Christians—have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than 60 years they’ve endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations—large and small—that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. And America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own. A year ago, in a speech to the UN, Mr. Obama stated: When we come back here next year, we can have an agreement that will lead to a new member of the United Nations - an independent, sovereign state of Palestine, living in peace with Israel.

Now, the same man, a man who I have fervently supported and greatly admired - stresses that there are 'no shortcuts' to ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In other words - over 60 years of struggling and fighting is a 'shortcut'. How saddening, disenchanting and a big let down that is. There is no doubt now, that Israel and its supporters - without a single persuasive, justifiable argument - do not want to see the establishment and an international recognition of a Palestinian state. Israel, against peace, continues to usurp Palestinian rights and lands. They continue to expand and to construct settlements on the Occupied Lands. How short sighted, careless and irrational that is. Israel's closest neighbors are Arabs. Its people live among Arabs. How long will they continue being walled and how long will its leaders continue saying לא (No) to peacefully living amongst Arabs and to Peace?