On Monday, the Israeli Minister of Transportation “Yisrael Katz” ordered a change in roadside signs across Israel´s highways so that the all names appearing on them in English and Arabic would be a direct transliteration of Hebrew, in a step to create more racism and isolate the Arab community inside Israel and The Occupied Territories of the West Bank. Today, Israel uses 3 languages for its road signs (Hebrew, English and Arabic). For example, Jaffa (Yaffa in Arabic) will become Jaffo (name in Hebrew). Jerusalem (Al Quds) will become Yerushalayim (name in Hebrew). Nazareth (Nasra in Arabic) will become Natsrat (name in Hebrew).
This move comes to eliminate and change the history of the people who were born in this land long before Israel was created in 1948. Israel has always twisted the facts and reality of how it was created (Israel’s Independence) on the ruins of a people in Diaspora known as The Palestinians. In 1948, Israel wiped many Arab villages and towns, and built on these ruins (new Jewish only) settlements and cities so that the myth of this land being empty becomes a reality! Israel has destroyed many mosques and changed them to Bars and Restaurants in an effort to destroy the Arab Identity of their counterfeit state.
Today Israel is still building illegal settlements on Palestinian Land in the West Bank and ignoring International calls to dismantle and stop all illegal land acquisition. Today Israel has an apartheid wall (which reminds us of South Africa in the 1980’s) that is dividing Arab cities into segregated sections and creating ghettos of Palestinian communities who are dreadfully trying to survive the occupation. Israel has also made it almost impossible to give building permissions to Arabs in East Jerusalem or any part of the West Bank in an effort to push Arabs to migrate. But starting from today, Israel will start renaming Arab Palestinian cities to Hebrew. Now where does Peace stand in all this mess? This makes me rethink where this conflict is heading to. I don’t see the current Israeli government as a Peace partner; just like I don’t see Fatah or Hamas. How can we achieve a just Peace and an independent Palestinian state when Palestinian communities are struggling to survive living under severe harsh economical conditions and lack the freedom of movement, work and dignity? Talking about Peace and Peace initiatives is so easy. But achieving a just Peace for all while lacking the leadership and the will, seems a thousand miles away. And as much as people talk about a two state solution as much as I become more convinced that there is only one solution to this crisis and that is having a one state for all, because it’s the inevitable road to coexistance.
I came across this interesting article in Haaretz about the Jewish Identity of Israel and would like to share it with you.
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7 comments:
Politicians!
I always said that two states won't benefit cuz everyone will fight on which territories go where. Of course Jerusalem will always be the big debate. People thought when I was against two states I wanted an eradication of either, but I actually would like coexistence. Those who cannot cope must be dealt with, from either sides, and over time the hostilities may dip.
But who am I kidding, right?
Well, once you name something you own it, right? Adam and Eve named everything in the Garden of Eden to show their God-given ownership over nature.
Going on school trips as a child, I remember the guide walking around and showing us plants and wild flowers, and giving us the Hebrew names for everything, including the story behind the names. It was only years later that I realized the politics behind naming things.
Israelis have renamed flowers and mountains and now, cities. History has been erased.
Indian, it's more than Politicians, it is the methadology of a whole state
KJ, that makes us 2 here who want a one state solution but niether part will sacrifice, but I'm still hopeful
People, thanks for sharing your experience about living in Israel, but let me assure that even after 100 years and Israel's effort to erase our history and heritage, Palestinians are here to stay and Israel will not find a way out but to coexist with the original owners of this tiny land
in hebrew is called yafo not jaffo..
i dont think what you're saying is accurate.. in yaffo (thankyou) various roads/parts have had their original arab name restored reinforced..
i dont think its a sin to unify a country by relatively homogenous names..
and about flowers and plants etc.. what were we supposed to do.. never create any hebrew words? thats ridiculous.. how dare you say ma7soub for example.. why not combuter.. come on..
unimpressed with this silly post ali..
have a good week btw :)
I hope your visa would come out soon so that you go and see the situation by yourself. Pay particular attention to the magnificant difference between the 4 to 5 lane highways leading to the cities of Israel in comparison with the narrow, bumpy road in palestinian lands.
That's why i am not surprised if they attempt at changing the names of the cities.
Lirun, sorry dude but I'll kick your butt in Jerusalem when I see you.
Hamza, I'll take that in consideration but I sure will be doing other things that will interest you.
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