A TIME OF CHANGE: ISRAELIS, PALESTINIANS AND THE DISENGAGEMENT

[Coastie for Truth]

NOTE; Heavily edited to get within the four paragraph rule - read the full article at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/08/03/MNGFOE24TN1.DTL

Like so many Palestinians, Khaled Kasab Mahameed grew up with a feeling of loss -- the loss of his family's home in Al Lajjoun in 1948, when his parents fled the war between Jews and Arabs and resettled in Um Al-Fahm in what is now the state of Israel.

But there was a difference. Although most Palestinians blame their loss during the period they call the nakba (catastrophe) on Jewish troops they say drove them from their homes -- or on Arab radio stations they say ordered them to flee while claiming the Jews were being vanquished -- Mahameed's father blamed one man.

"He used to say, 'We had to pay the price for Hitler's atrocities.' This is what he would say when I was 5," said Mahameed, now 43. "He hated the policies. (But) he didn't curse the Jewish people."

The seed planted by the father in the son has borne fruit in the form of posters, photocopies and brochures that form a mini-museum about the Nazi Holocaust in the waiting room of Mahameed's law office in Nazareth.

Mahameed believes that the Arab world needs to learn about the Holocaust -- not for the benefit of the Jews, but for Arabs, and especially Palestinians opposed to the Israeli occupation.

Mahameed is quoted as saying that "Fighting is not just throwing bombs. Fighting is also understanding the basis of power of your enemy,... And part of that is the Holocaust.... It's the only way to bring peace to the Palestinians -- not the Jewish people, the Palestinians."

Mahameed explains his theory, saying that ignorance and denial of the Holocaust -- still widespread in the Arab world -- is both irrational and self-defeating. Holocaust denial, in particular, can only serve to discredit the Palestinian cause in the rest of the world's eyes, he believes.

Read the whole article at -- http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/08/03/MNGFOE24TN1.DTL

[Colorado Blue]

1. Fascinating article. I have always believed that the gaps

between people can be narrowed by an understanding of each other's history. I hope this does some good, although it will be an uphill fight.

Thank you for the post.

[Lithos]

2. You are right

Though I would broaden it a bit to say an understanding of each other's culture which does include history. Mutual understanding and full and open communication are the keys to peace.

L-

[Colorado Blue]

6. Yes of course! Culture including history would have been

more accurate. Dance, music, visual arts and poetry are a good way to start, I think, and have the benefit of being wonderfully enjoyable as well. It would be good if people could study more languages also.

[Lithos]

7. More languages

I've always thought that the lack of language study in the US is somehow linked to the xenophobia that seems to pervade US society.

L-

[Monkie]

3. good article,bit of a shame the adl had to react the way it did..

i'm glad he is doing his bit to educate people,its important to understand history and when someone denies the death of millions it reflects badly on them.
I dont see what the ADL is doing in this story as they are not really in a position to criticize and it somewhat marred this fine tale of one man doing his part for peace in a very personal manner.
It was positive to read that even his father did not blame the jewish people as a whole.
Nice to see a positive piece for a change!

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Not a shame

The ADL warning made good and clear sense.

[Andromeda]

5. What a great article.

That a Palestinian would dare come out and say that is remarkable.