Israel Cancels Cultural Celebrations … for Arabs

It is too bad that Israel cannot celebrate the fact of the Arab culture.  This decision to cancel such celebrations can only make Israel weaker, smaller and nastier.  The second story here is that this issue was covered in an even-handed way by a Canadian newspaper – our very own Grope and Flail!  Perhaps there is hope for Canada yet on middle-east issues.

Remembering … the World in Gaza

I saw a touching piece on Brian’s Blog regarding a peace activist doing her bit for Gaza.  He says, “Rachel Corrie was an American peace activist and a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). Six years ago on this day she was murdered in Rafah, Palestine by Israeli Defense Forces, run over by an armored Caterpillar bulldozer that was trying to demolish the home of a Palestinian doctor. Much of the incident was captured in photos, video and audio.”

Please go to Brian’s Blog to remember Rachel.

Practical Link for You to Help in Gaza

Here is a very practical link for you to help the people of Gaza.  Please take a look.

Simple but Profound

Here is a simple story, but a profound one.  Also Please read the comments.  They add insight as well.

Lest We Forget

Today is President Obama’s inauguration day.  The USA and much of the world is abuzz with excitement.  I do not want Gaza and the suffering of Gazans to be lost in this maelstrom of media frenzy.  Why?  Because I read that Israel was allegedly using Gazans to test their new weapons.   This in combination with the killing of 1300 (one-third children), the wounding of many thousands, the traumatisaton of  Gaza’s 840,000 children and the devastation of 22,000 homes.  All of this is too much forget or ignore, even on this exciting day.

I understand Israel’s need for self-defence.  Hamas’ lobbing of rockets indiscriminately into the civilian population is criminal behaviour.  However, the actions taken, weapons used and disaster created in response is shocking and inappropriate.

Excellent Opinion Piece

I think this opinion piece by Mishaal al Gergawi in the National newspaper out of Abu Dhabi really sums up the general feeling here now.  There is much to do  locally and nationally, but we cannot forget the suffering (needless in my view) of the people of Gaza.  Mishaal also volunteered, as I did, at the Dubai Cares initiative for the children of Gaza.  His views articulate the way I felt.  Please read it.  Click on the link above.

Dubai Cares!

Dubai Cares, a social initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and Vice-President and Ruler of Dubai, is taking concrete action to assist the children of the conflict in Gaza.  It is a great move.  I attended last evening at DIFC where volunteers are assembling school supply and health kits for the children of Gaza.  I spent two hours assembling school supply kits.  Since my new business is in DIFC, I felt a moral obligation to support this very worthwhile effort.  And since the death, injury and psychological damage to the children of Gaza is shocking no matter if you are Muslim or Christian, I applaud the effort of this focus on aiding the children.

While I do not want to turn my reflective blog into a political soapbox, I cannot see how more can not be done to avoid this massive impact on the children of Gaza.  Also, moves such as banning Arab political parties in Israel make one wonder what their motives really are at this time.  

I am  not an expert in the politics or military strategies of the Middle East.  However, I do intend to go back to DIFC to do more for the children of Gaza.

Rain in Dubai Today!

Rain is likely not newsworthy in many parts of the world.  Certainly not on Mayne Island, British Columbia, where I lived in Canada!  But it is special to get rain in the desert.  The humid air is fresher, we rush out of town to see the water rush down the wadis, and everyone is more cheerful.

I am still mindful of what is going on around us, though.  I continue to follow Gaza on the blog “In Gaza“.  Nice to get an independent perspective from someone on the ground.

First Person View

Given that most international media are excluded from Gaza, it is good to have first-person accounts.  Here is one that I found on the Pogge blog by a fellow Canadian, Eva Bartlett, who is in Gaza.  The blog is titled, conveniently, “In Gaza”!  It is worth subscribing to and  reading.