A group of well-intentioned friends staged what can be considered an intervention of sorts, fearing that I might be putting myself in harm’s way by saying things that a middle class, rational, and ambitious advocate for peace and justice shouldn’t be saying. I was being “too controversial” and needed to be “more careful”. Essentially, it was a slap in the face.
The concern came in response to two particular articles I wrote during my stay in Gaza, the first calling for a protest in Gaza City and the other an interview with a Palestinian resistance fighter about his wounds. The articles garnered quite a bit of heat after publication, due primarily to the controversial nature of the article topics, but the biggest criticisms ironically came from the people who knew me best. The content of the articles supposedly raised alarming suspicions that I had ‘radicalized’.
Although I do appreciate the concern, I feel it is absolutely necessary to defend the reputation and high standards of this blog and of my principled opinions by setting things straight for the record.
I condemn all forms of violence, prejudice, hatred, bigotry, immorality, and criminal activity, and I will forever make this clear in the articles I write and the work I do. Of the 167 posts published on this blog, not a single one contains any support of the ‘radicalization’ that some have suspected me of embracing. Yes, this blog is heavily critical of Israeli policy towards Palestinians but I have never called for or supported violence by any means. If anything, I try hard to find peaceful and effective solutions that will afford Palestinians their rights without stripping other people of their own natural rights. [Read more...]
