Skip to main content

Home   >   Opinion
Opinion And if Ahed Tamimi Were Your Daughter?
How is it that Israelis are totally indifferent to the plight of the blond girl behind bars who could easily be their child?

Gideon Levy Dec 31, 2017 11:40 AM
 

Palestinian teen Ahed Tamimi enters a military courtroom escorted by Israeli Prison Service personnel at Ofer Prison near the West Bank city of Ramallah on December 28. Ammar Awad/Reuters
Opinion My daughter, these are tears of struggle
Amira Hass In Nabi Saleh, the Palestinians aren’t legally blonde
Opinion A girl’s chutzpah: Three reasons a Palestinian teenage girl is driving Israel insane


For the past two weeks, she has burst into Israelis’ living rooms every few days through another perfunctory report on the extension of her arrest. Once again, we see the golden curls; once again, we see the Botticelli figure in the brown Shin Bet security service uniform and the handcuffs, looking more like a girl from Ramat Hasharon than a girl from Nabi Saleh.

Yet even Ahed Tamimi’s “non-Arab” appearance hasn’t managed to touch any hearts here. The wall of dehumanization and demonization that has been built through vile campaigns of incitement, propaganda and brain-washing against the Palestinians has trumped even the blonde from Nabi Saleh.

skip - fb

>> "Although it's Ahed’s first arrest, she's no stranger to your prisons. My daughter has spent her whole life under the heavy shadow of the Israeli prison. I'm proud of her. She is a freedom fighter who will lead the resistance to Israeli rule" (Read Bassem Tamimi's full letter) >>

 


She could be your daughter, or your neighbor’s daughter, yet the abuse she suffers rouses no feelings of solidarity, compassion or basic humanity. After the outburst of anger over what she dared to do came the imperviousness. She’s a “terrorist.” She couldn’t have been our daughter; she’s a Palestinian.

Nobody asks himself what would have happened if Tamimi had been his daughter. Wouldn’t you have been proud of her, like her father, who, in an op-ed that commands respect, voiced that pride. Wouldn’t you have wanted a daughter like that, who exchanged her nonexistent youth for a courageous struggle for liberty? Or would you have preferred a daughter who was a collaborator? Or simply empty-headed?

And what would you have felt if soldiers from a foreign army had invaded your home at night, kidnapped your daughter from her bed before your very eyes, handcuffed and arrested her for a lengthy period, simply because she slapped the soldier who invaded her home, and slapped the occupation, which deserves far more than slaps?

These questions don’t bother anyone. Tamimi is a Palestinian, that is to say, a terrorist, and therefore, she doesn’t deserve any feelings of sympathy. Nothing will crack the defensive shield that protects Israelis from feelings of guilt, or at least discomfort, over her outrageous arrest, over the discrimination by the justice system, which would never have paid any attention to her had she been a Jewish settler.




Even the independent hand of the judge, Maj. Haim Balilti, didn’t shake when he determined that the “danger” posed by Tamimi, an unarmed girl of 16, justifies her continued detention. The judge, too, is just a small cog in the machine, someone who does his job and returns to his own daughters and sons at night proud of his day’s contemptible work.


Israel hides behind an iron curtain that it’s no longer possible to pierce. Nothing Israel does to the Palestinians is still capable of rousing any compassion. Not even the poster girl, Tamimi. Even if she were sentenced to life in prison for a slap, even if she were sentenced to death, her punishment would be greeted with either open joy or indifference. There is no place for any other human emotion toward any Palestinian.

Organizations representing the disabled, which have waged an impressive battle for their own rights, didn’t utter a peep when an Israel Defense Forces sniper killed a disabled man, a double amputee, in a wheelchair in the Gaza Strip with a shot to the head. Women’s organizations, which fight forcefully and aggressively against all sexual harassment, have yet to rise up in wrath against the closure of the case of a Palestinian detainee who claimed she was raped by a Border Policeman. And Knesset members haven’t protested the shameful political arrest of their colleague, Khalida Jarrar, whose detention without trial was once again extended last week for another six months.

If even Tamimi doesn’t manage to rouse feelings of solidarity, shock or guilt here, then the process of denial, concealment and repression – the occupation’s most important enterprise, after the settlements – is finally complete. Never has there been such horrifying apathy here, never have the self-deception and the lies prevailed here so completely and never have there been so few moral qualms here in the face of injustice. Never has incitement won out so completely.

Israelis are no longer capable of identifying with a brave girl, even when she looks like their daughters, just because she’s Palestinian. There are no longer any Palestinians who can touch Israelis’ hearts. There is no injustice that can still rouse our conscience, which has been completely extinguished.


Do not disturb; our hearts and minds are sealed shut in a terrifying way.


Gideon Levy

Haaretz Correspondent


read more: https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.832065

Replies sorted oldest to newest

While this Lord of Jerusalem skylarks on his coming, countless gallons of blood has been spilled across Jerusalem. Like when the Crusaders boasted to Pope Urban that they killed so many Muslims in Jerusalem, their horses were ankle deep in blood.

FM
seignet posted:

Maybe there will be justice for all injustices on the earth. It seems unbound, for no man is void of prejudices.

Cometh soon Lord to Jerusalem.

The Lord seemed unbound of prejudices too as evidenced by him calling people dogs, pigs and swine just because they weren't Jewish. 

FM
Last edited by Former Member
ksazma posted:
seignet posted:

Maybe there will be justice for all injustices on the earth. It seems unbound, for no man is void of prejudices.

Cometh soon Lord to Jerusalem.

The Lord seemed unbound of prejudices too as evidenced by him calling people dogs, pigs and swine just because they weren't Jewish. 

Infidel, the latest word to define those who do not believe, branded as worthy to be killed. Dogs, pigs and swines can be killed wthout any remorse, no value to existence. Infidels are considered by some humans as dogs, pigs and swines, also worthy to be killed without any remorse.

Words: Brahmins, Untouchables; Heathens; Jews and Gentiles;Infidels; and more to be coined before Jesus returns to do away prejudices.

All peoples of the Middle_East are Hateful people, my goodness the blood they spilled since creation. And when My Lord returns, they will attempt to slience Him. But he goan zap dem.

 

 

S

People have been gunned down and killed in the US for less infractions against police. Apparently this young woman knew the consequences and wanted to make a political statement, she certainly is bringing awareness to the volatile situation there. 

FM
Drugb posted:

People have been gunned down and killed in the US for less infractions against police. Apparently this young woman knew the consequences and wanted to make a political statement, she certainly is bringing awareness to the volatile situation there. 

She had nothing more to lose whether she did it or not. Most of these Palestinians were born in a concentration camp. The mass confiscation of land seized after the 1967 war and which has continued today has placed Palestinians in a virtual reservation camp surrounded by virtual barbed wires. Perhaps the first sound they beard after being born was the sound of an explosive and that most likely will be the last sound they hear before they die. They don't know any different or better and they are both victimized by their silly and greedy leaders as well as the brutal and illegal Israeli occupation of their lands. Anyone who see Israel as this innocent player in the Middle East is devoid of human decency. Sometime back before the end of WWII, it would be easy to sympathize with Jews who were victimized. Since the creation of Israel and especially since the Israelis have spent most of the past 7 decades, behaving as much, if not worse than Hitler, standing on the side of the Palestinians is far more honorable than being fooled by the nonexistent victimization of Israeli Jews.

FM
ksazma posted:
Drugb posted:

People have been gunned down and killed in the US for less infractions against police. Apparently this young woman knew the consequences and wanted to make a political statement, she certainly is bringing awareness to the volatile situation there. 

She had nothing more to lose whether she did it or not. Most of these Palestinians were born in a concentration camp. The mass confiscation of land seized after the 1967 war and which has continued today has placed Palestinians in a virtual reservation camp surrounded by virtual barbed wires. Perhaps the first sound they beard after being born was the sound of an explosive and that most likely will be the last sound they hear before they die. They don't know any different or better and they are both victimized by their silly and greedy leaders as well as the brutal and illegal Israeli occupation of their lands. Anyone who see Israel as this innocent player in the Middle East is devoid of human decency. Sometime back before the end of WWII, it would be easy to sympathize with Jews who were victimized. Since the creation of Israel and especially since the Israelis have spent most of the past 7 decades, behaving as much, if not worse than Hitler, standing on the side of the Palestinians is far more honorable than being fooled by the nonexistent victimization of Israeli Jews.

I make it a point to don't take sides between these two nemesis.  The young woman is brave to stand up to the soldiers, without sacrifice there is no gain. You and I can argue all day about who is honorable but in the end it is not up to us but rather the two people who will resolve their own issues. 

FM
Drugb posted:
ksazma posted:
Drugb posted:

People have been gunned down and killed in the US for less infractions against police. Apparently this young woman knew the consequences and wanted to make a political statement, she certainly is bringing awareness to the volatile situation there. 

She had nothing more to lose whether she did it or not. Most of these Palestinians were born in a concentration camp. The mass confiscation of land seized after the 1967 war and which has continued today has placed Palestinians in a virtual reservation camp surrounded by virtual barbed wires. Perhaps the first sound they beard after being born was the sound of an explosive and that most likely will be the last sound they hear before they die. They don't know any different or better and they are both victimized by their silly and greedy leaders as well as the brutal and illegal Israeli occupation of their lands. Anyone who see Israel as this innocent player in the Middle East is devoid of human decency. Sometime back before the end of WWII, it would be easy to sympathize with Jews who were victimized. Since the creation of Israel and especially since the Israelis have spent most of the past 7 decades, behaving as much, if not worse than Hitler, standing on the side of the Palestinians is far more honorable than being fooled by the nonexistent victimization of Israeli Jews.

I make it a point to don't take sides between these two nemesis.  The young woman is brave to stand up to the soldiers, without sacrifice there is no gain. You and I can argue all day about who is honorable but in the end it is not up to us but rather the two people who will resolve their own issues. 

I can see your point especially since both sides have squandered their goodwill. I tend to tilt to the Palestinians because they were there even before Moses' exodus from Egypt. They were still here in 1946 and unfortunately they are now being double-themed by an Apartheid Israeli military power and our own country's treasury.

FM
Chief posted:

No one could have imagined  that the Jewish people who suffered so much would become colonizers.What makes it worse is America is supporting the apartheid in Israel.

Most of the Palestinians are people whose ancestors were Jews who converted to Islam.

Prashad
Prashad posted:
Chief posted:

No one could have imagined  that the Jewish people who suffered so much would become colonizers.What makes it worse is America is supporting the apartheid in Israel.

Most of the Palestinians are people whose ancestors were Jews who converted to Islam.

WHat is your point?

Does that justify their ill treatment?

Chief
ksazma posted:
Drugb posted:
ksazma posted:
Drugb posted:

People have been gunned down and killed in the US for less infractions against police. Apparently this young woman knew the consequences and wanted to make a political statement, she certainly is bringing awareness to the volatile situation there. 

She had nothing more to lose whether she did it or not. Most of these Palestinians were born in a concentration camp. The mass confiscation of land seized after the 1967 war and which has continued today has placed Palestinians in a virtual reservation camp surrounded by virtual barbed wires. Perhaps the first sound they beard after being born was the sound of an explosive and that most likely will be the last sound they hear before they die. They don't know any different or better and they are both victimized by their silly and greedy leaders as well as the brutal and illegal Israeli occupation of their lands. Anyone who see Israel as this innocent player in the Middle East is devoid of human decency. Sometime back before the end of WWII, it would be easy to sympathize with Jews who were victimized. Since the creation of Israel and especially since the Israelis have spent most of the past 7 decades, behaving as much, if not worse than Hitler, standing on the side of the Palestinians is far more honorable than being fooled by the nonexistent victimization of Israeli Jews.

I make it a point to don't take sides between these two nemesis.  The young woman is brave to stand up to the soldiers, without sacrifice there is no gain. You and I can argue all day about who is honorable but in the end it is not up to us but rather the two people who will resolve their own issues. 

I can see your point especially since both sides have squandered their goodwill. I tend to tilt to the Palestinians because they were there even before Moses' exodus from Egypt. They were still here in 1946 and unfortunately they are now being double-themed by an Apartheid Israeli military power and our own country's treasury.

If it were up to the two peoples from the beginning there would be no issue because there would be no Israel. It is intervention by the west that has created the current state of oppression of the Palestinian people.

A
Prashad posted:
Chief posted:

No one could have imagined  that the Jewish people who suffered so much would become colonizers.What makes it worse is America is supporting the apartheid in Israel.

Most of the Palestinians are people whose ancestors were Jews who converted to Islam.

I don't think this is correct. We read in the Bible that when the Hebrews came out of Egypt, they entered lands already inhabited by Palestinians. In their effort to dominate those lands, the Hebrews have been attacking and killing these Palestinians. This was long before the beginning of the Jewish people. Moses brought Hebrews out of Egypt. Jews descended from Judah of the Tamar story, their founder.

Secondly, Palestinians are both Muslims and Christians although the Evangelical churches downplay the Christian component because their followers will have less of a problem with the Israelis killing Muslims than Christians. Although many of those Evangelicals regard those Palestinian Christians as collateral damages.

FM
antabanta posted:
ksazma posted:
Drugb posted:
ksazma posted:
Drugb posted:

People have been gunned down and killed in the US for less infractions against police. Apparently this young woman knew the consequences and wanted to make a political statement, she certainly is bringing awareness to the volatile situation there. 

She had nothing more to lose whether she did it or not. Most of these Palestinians were born in a concentration camp. The mass confiscation of land seized after the 1967 war and which has continued today has placed Palestinians in a virtual reservation camp surrounded by virtual barbed wires. Perhaps the first sound they beard after being born was the sound of an explosive and that most likely will be the last sound they hear before they die. They don't know any different or better and they are both victimized by their silly and greedy leaders as well as the brutal and illegal Israeli occupation of their lands. Anyone who see Israel as this innocent player in the Middle East is devoid of human decency. Sometime back before the end of WWII, it would be easy to sympathize with Jews who were victimized. Since the creation of Israel and especially since the Israelis have spent most of the past 7 decades, behaving as much, if not worse than Hitler, standing on the side of the Palestinians is far more honorable than being fooled by the nonexistent victimization of Israeli Jews.

I make it a point to don't take sides between these two nemesis.  The young woman is brave to stand up to the soldiers, without sacrifice there is no gain. You and I can argue all day about who is honorable but in the end it is not up to us but rather the two people who will resolve their own issues. 

I can see your point especially since both sides have squandered their goodwill. I tend to tilt to the Palestinians because they were there even before Moses' exodus from Egypt. They were still here in 1946 and unfortunately they are now being double-themed by an Apartheid Israeli military power and our own country's treasury.

If it were up to the two peoples from the beginning there would be no issue because there would be no Israel. It is intervention by the west that has created the current state of oppression of the Palestinian people.

And while we all make mistakes, it is very discouraging that our government cannot bring themselves to once and for all do the right thing. Even the UK who had a major role in this abomination have in some instances taken the right stand as in the recent vote condemning our silly president with his Jerusalem declaration.

FM
ksazma posted:
Prashad posted:
Chief posted:

No one could have imagined  that the Jewish people who suffered so much would become colonizers.What makes it worse is America is supporting the apartheid in Israel.

Most of the Palestinians are people whose ancestors were Jews who converted to Islam.

I don't think this is correct. We read in the Bible that when the Hebrews came out of Egypt, they entered lands already inhabited by Palestinians. In their effort to dominate those lands, the Hebrews have been attacking and killing these Palestinians. This was long before the beginning of the Jewish people. Moses brought Hebrews out of Egypt. Jews descended from Judah of the Tamar story, their founder.

Secondly, Palestinians are both Muslims and Christians although the Evangelical churches downplay the Christian component because their followers will have less of a problem with the Israelis killing Muslims than Christians. Although many of those Evangelicals regard those Palestinian Christians as collateral damages.

I am not telling you some tale about Moses walking with thousands of people in the desert.  I am talking about genetic DNA evidence.  The Palestinians are the original Jews most of whom converted to Christianity then Islam.  There are still a chunk of Palestinians who are Jews. Under the Ottoman empire (before the Jewish migration) Palestinians were 80% Muslim, 7% Christian and 5% Jews  The PLO sees these Palestinian Jews as Palestinians not Jews

Prashad
Last edited by Prashad

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×