Sameh Habeeb - A voice from Gaza: All I need is my freedom
By Sameh A. Habeeb • Aug 8th, 2008 at 8:10 • Category: Features, Israel, Newswire, Opinions and Letters, Palestine, Resistance, Somoud: Arab Voices of Resistance
Source: www.gazatoday.blogspot.com
Freedom is a broad expression that includes a mosaic of freedoms for humans in all aspects of life. It means being guaranteed certain things by all laws for all the time that law has been for the people, adopted by civilized countries and widely acknowledged by the few democratic nations - headed by the USA and Israel. I really like and highly respect the Israeli Democracy from the inside. This democracy accepts the other and allows multiplicity. It gives much freedom to Israelis that we really miss here in Gaza and the Arab world.
I respect and love that democracy, but unfortunately when it comes to Palestine, specifically Gaza, it becomes the most pejorative expression. Around 1.5 million are not allowed to move feely into and out of Gaza. They are being collectively punished for crimes they never committed. If a useless and innocuous homemade rocket is being fired into Israel; it retaliates excessively against not those who fired it, but the innocent civilians. Yet, the only loser from this policy is Israel. It grows more hatred and spirit of revenge from those civilians. Not far from Gaza, Israeli settlers in the West Bank have successfully manufactured their homemade rockets. They have shelled many Palestinian villages in the West Bank. I hope this would debunk the pretext of Israel that we fire rockets, now we have Israel and its settlers shelling at Gaza and the West Bank.
Back to the freedom I seek, I really want it and so badly. I want to move freely, travel wherever and whenever I want. I want to visit the West Bank travel to London, Washington and Egypt…I want…I want and I really want. Yet, I know I'm dreaming now. I will never be allowed to get what I have just demonstrated. Thus, I will decrease that request to the lowest levels and I will move to the primary ones since there is no luxury in Gaza or the West Bank. Now, all I need is security an access of freedom for some (angels) little children and elderly men and women. An access not for fun or tourism abroad but rather to hospitals and medical centers. I will not fabricate lies against Israel since I know it allows patients to travel for treatment. However, this number is so low, illogic and not enough. It has to allow all patients to freely have access to hospitals and clinics. I was so shocked when I watched a TV report that tells a story of sick child. The child was appealing to the world to leave for treatment. But, what a pity, he died after a week and this is authenticated.
I was, as many as other Gazans, so joyous and happy of the ceasefire held in Gaza last June. For a minute I soliloquized and reckoned we are done with the siege. I thought it is the Messiah coming to Gaza to Save us. This perspective was highly emphasized when I saw the full commitment of Palestinian factions towards Israel. They didn't breach that ceasefire and they stopped all actions against Israel. I was extremely shocked and disappointed about my much loved Democracy "Israel". It didn't abide by its duties like opening borders, easing the lives of Palestinians by allowing goods and commodities in.
A couple of days ago, the Defense Minister of the Israeli Democracy, Ehud Barak said, "anyone who misses the military operations in Gaza mustn't worry, they will come." So, I wonder, why you will launch these operations? Will you liberate me and Gazans? Will you grant me my freedom? Will you end the occupation? Will you end the siege? Will you let all patients out for treatment? Will you allow students to travel for study? In view of that, if you are coming for that, I will be holding flowers to welcome you!
I beg your pardon?…Don't be planning for other choices! We are fed up! Let us be good neighbors…Give us peace of God.
Note:
My friends, I hope you enjoyed reading this piece. There are many young Gazans who are enthusiastic to publish their writings. All we need is to secure a website for an Elec. Newspaper. It's a little bit expensive. So we aspire your help in any way even spiritually. If you are willing, contact me via the following info.
Sameh A. Habeeb
Freelance Journalist based in Gaza, Palestine
Mob: 00972599306096
E-mail: Sam_hab@hotmail.com
Sameh.habeeb@gmail.com
Web: www.gazatoday.blogspot.com
Sameh A. Habeeb is is a Palestinian born and raised in Gaza. A Photojournalist & Peace Activist based in Gaza Strip, Palestine.
http://www.gazatoday.blogspot.com/
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"Israel is a not a democracy but is an Ethnocracy, meaning a country run and controlled by a national group with some democratic elements but set up with Jews in control and structured to keep them in control.”-Jeff Halper
Human beings have rights and nations and states have obligations.
Article 13-2, of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS which Israel agreed to uphold when it became a state affirms:
Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
What has been missing in every 'peace process' and in the Road Map is the issue of human rights and international law.
In his Second Inaugural Address, President George W. Bush affirmed, "In the long run, there is no JUSTICE without FREEDOM. There can be no human rights without LIBERTY. All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know the United States will not ignore your oppression or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for LIBERTY, we stand with you."
Liberty means freedom from captivity and Justice is outlined in International Law and the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
"Missing from Israel's security framing is the very fact of occupation, which Israel both denies exists and excises from all utterances."-Jeff Halper, page 1, Obstacles to Peace.
Every unjust action Israel gets away with is always claimed to be for 'security'. And "that 'security' requires Israel control over the entire country, thus eliminating the possibility of any truly viable and sovereign Palestinian state: that one side must win and the other lose, rendering impossible a just peace based on human rights, international law, reconciliation and regional integration." [IBID]
When leaders fail us, it is up to we the people to rise up and lead them in the way they should go and there are no borders with the world wide web-we have just not yet imagined the true power and potential to change course via it.
I was told an Arabic proverb from a Palestinian friend: "The ink at the end of a scholars pen, is worth more than the blood of a martyr."
I for one will contact Sameh and offer more than spiritual solidarity.
Eileen Fleming, Reporter and Editor WAWA:
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Author "Keep Hope Alive" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory"
Producer "30 Minutes With Vanunu" and "13 Minutes with Vanunu"
Live Gaza collective punishment, but genocide and atrocities water, no food, no electricity, and prevent the unjust blockade the arrival of food, fuel and basic equipment, prison and a half million within the walls of the prison and in reality Sjanon heavily on the doors and closed crossings, killing and bombing was on all ages, races, The reality is hard to bear the face of the earth. They need "kg of flour," and closed crossings and daily life without electricity, water and fuel, to judge the one and a half slow death breath!!
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