Reply #47: Palestinian orchestra [View All]

[lwiz2003]

I understand progressive muslim's point in some ways. Nevertheless, his/her analogy is flawed and makes several assumptions.
1-the Afrikaners who directly caused children to suffer, the Nazis who persecuted the Jews, the Israelis who killed innocent victims-woman, children and non-soldiers in Palestine are not the people who are involved. The inhabitants of a country may be indirectly responsible for the government's activities, but as an American I would not like to take credit for the war in Vietnam or the war in Iraq. I protested these, but my government's army still slaughtered innocents in the name of righteousness (God is on our side). I have spoken to Israelis who do not agree with their government's actions.
2-the purpose of the event did not seem to be to "parade the children" in front of elderly Jews for their entertainment. It is not pathetic to have both sides see the humanity of each other. It is understandable this is like a drop in the bucket, but nonetheless it is an effort at peace and not hatred. It is the lack of humanity that propagates war and allows "rational" people to justify killing.
3-Wafa Younis was uniting 2 groups of victims to have them gain strength-not the killers with the victims
4-If you have a meeting of 2 people that are enemies, how does that minimize the situation of the children- nobody has stated that their living conditions and hardships do not exist. You are not "parading" them or demeaning them; quite the contrary. Music should elevate the soul and this is the significance of this reunion.

There can be constant fighting or there can be efforts for peace. Of course, this should include the improvement of the Palestinians lives and address their displacement from their land. Some (I agree not all) Israelis occupied Israel for valid reasons. They should not be aware of not only the history of their own suffering, but the suffering of those they have displaced. I have family who are Arabic Muslim and family who are Jews in Israel, so I hear both sides. Hatred leads to war,bloodshed, and death. Listening and dialogue (even musical)leads to progress,tolerance, and peace. Let us all be progressive in all the sense of the word.