In the Shadow of Life

Protesters have taken to the street throughout such countries as Britain, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Turkey. In London alone, 10,000 people have joined together in the streets condemning the Israeli incursion in Gaza.

People like former President Jimmy Carter have long spoken out against the situation in Israel and the Occupied Territories as being synonymous with apartheid. He believes in a lasting peace in the region and continues to devote himself to the cause. He once was our President and while in office tried to remind us that we are a nation based upon the principles of human rights.

But we continue to make exceptions, call those that challenge any movement of Israel as being anti-Semtic and resign ourselves to the belief that there will always be violence and just hope the Israeli military can finally finish the job in one of these actions. Why do we contrast with so much of the world on this issue? Many Jews, Christians and Muslims protest this abuse. Why don't we? We certainly have the power to.

I apologize for the impertinence and agree that violence has come from both sides. But this is a gross miscarriage of power and legitimization of the use of violence. The actors are behaving with complete impunity, knowing they shall never have to answer for any transgression of human rights. They, of all people, should know better. This is wrong. Can we speak out? Can we exercise American disagreement with this action?