Top 10 things to do for Palestine
Could it be that a Palestinian’s day is only 23 hours and 20 minutes long!
This is what Barak said addressing the Knesset about the delays Palestinians suffer from Israeli roadblocks in the West Bank, and I quote here from Haaretz “If a Palestinian day in not 24 hours long, but 23 hours and 20 minutes long because of the [wait at the] roadblocks, that’s the price of Israeli citizens’ safety.”
When I first read the article I found myself making light of it, I even started thinking of funny scenarios resulting from being given a shorter day: we’ll need customized watches that run a bit slower (or is it faster); this puts a new spin to the term Arab Time; maybe we should introduce a new concept Palo Time; sorry I’m on Palo Time, my days are shorter, things to do, people to see, gotta go.
This was a while ago, since then I’ve come across worst statements from the highest level of government in Israel with total disregard to the humanity of an entire people. For such statements to be made public can only mean that Israel is either too oblivious to world opinion, have lost the plot, or its leaders have calculated the risk and are banking on a total lack of motivation form the world (meaning the USA) to rein in their increasingly erratic friend and so the “oh, well, what can we do about it” attitude prevails. I have to say (in America’s defense) that this attitude prevails even among many of our Arab friends, even worst many Palestinians living abroad are increasingly abandoning the cause. Some might say what can we do?
I put it to you all Palestinians abroad and friends of Palestine, if Palestinians in the occupied territories are loosing 40 minutes of each day, can we perhaps pledge 40 minutes a month – or even 40 minutes a year for Palestine? You ask what can i do in 40 minutes? Here is my top 10 suggestions (please feel free to add yours in the comment section below):
10. Cook a Palestinian meal with friends instead of eating out, saving around $1,000 a year, enough to fund the eduction of a Palestinian university student – click here for an USA donation option or write a link/suggestion below.
5. Read a book about Palestine, learn the history – Edward Said’s After the Last Frontiers is my favorite what’s yours?
9. Buy fair-trade organic Palestinian produce, might be hard to get but worth the extra effort and you’ll be helping Palestinian farmers – click here for your nearest reseller.
8. Join a solidarity organization – click here for a comprehensive list.
7. Write an opinion letters to news papers – almost all online news papers accept emails and/or have a comments option, that’s one easy way to start.
6. Get on Social Media to promote a good causes – maybe forward this story for a start?
4. Walk/Cycle to work, saving the environment, your health and at least $2,000 a year to donate to your favorite Palestinian cause.
3. Spend 40 minutes a month on a long walk, make it a special time to reflect and think about what matters most for you – by helping ones self you can help others.
2. Coffee with a friend, don’t just set in front of the TV feeling sorry about the world, go out meet your friends, make new friends, get them involved.
1. “Free Palestine ”, write it on as many walls as you can.
This is my top 10 list, what’s yours?
If palestinians stop there winging and killing israelis then we don’t need check points!!!
Who’s killing who!!!
Great post, makes you think, I will forward to all my friends for sure
Thanks Sanna, Zeva I’m sure your anger a has a place and it is always hard to see the other side but instead of refuting your claim I will just say that I as Palestinian wish that Israelis can push past their fear to see the injustice of occupation.