From what I understand about Mazin Qumsiyeh, he is focused on the peaceful coexistence. He talks about a brutal occupation of Palestine by Israel, and perhaps that is why people find him to be a “terrorist.” I personally am looking forward to hearing what he has to say. This presentation is an opportunity to learn, to ask questions, and to appreciate different points of view. With respect, I would ask you Jonathan, what has formed your opinion about him? Have you read his books, listened to him speak, or encountered him on social media?
Sincerely, Kathy Madison > On Dec 5, 2024, at 10:21 AM, Jonathan Sheffi <jshe...@gmail.com> wrote: > > I believe that my specific criticism of Mazin Qumsiyeh is being confused with > apathy towards Gazans. Nobody is asking anyone not to care about Gazans. I > hope that both Gazans and Israelis will be released from the iron fist of > Hamas soon, and that the safety and security of both Gazans and Israelis will > be mutually assured. > > That's not what this speaker advocates for. He wants to abolish Israel as a > Jewish state. He feels Jews have no connection to the land of Israel. He > traffics in many anti-Jewish tropes. He's not shy about it. He has said it > repeatedly all over the internet. > > Try this thought experiment: Someone invites a speaker who publicly supports > the abolition of Native American reservations in America, claiming they have > no ties to their land. Or a speaker who praises the death of George Floyd, > and hopes for many more killings of unarmed black people by cops. Or a > speaker who feels that black and brown people don't belong in America and > should "go back where they came from." > > How would you feel? > > We'd agree that those speakers have the right to present their views, but I > hope we would also agree that such speakers wouldn't advance the > conversations on indigenous rights or race relations in productive ways. > > That's how many of us feel about this speaker. Inviting hatred and bigotry > into our town doesn't make us better off as a town. > ᐧ > ᐧ > > On Thu, Dec 5, 2024 at 8:01 AM Kathy Madison via Lincoln > <lincoln@lincolntalk.org <mailto:lincoln@lincolntalk.org>> wrote: >> I very much appreciate your response, Erica — And I wholeheartedly agree >> with your view expressed here. >> >> The presentation will be the opportunity to raise many of the >> questions/issues expressed here. >> >> And the opportunity to have such a presentation at all is one of our >> cherished American values — the right to free speech. >> >> Kathy Madison >> >> > On Dec 4, 2024, at 9:20 PM, Erica Bronstein <bronstei...@gmail.com >> > <mailto:bronstei...@gmail.com>> wrote: >> > >> > I appreciate GRALTA's efforts to sponsor what sound like very >> > knowledgeable speakers on these difficult and fraught issues. I understand >> > the strong feelings raised by some of the language used in the flyer. >> > However, to me the bigger moral issue is the disproportionate level of >> > death and destruction that Israel, with US support, has inflicted on Gaza. >> > It's hard not to feel that the situation is hopeless, and that the wounds >> > inflicted on both sides will make peace unattainable for generations to >> > come. As a Jew who is strongly opposed to Israel's actions, I am >> > heartbroken by the situation. There are many Jews who share my point of >> > view -- and others who do not. I think it is important to have these >> > difficult conversations -- strong language and all-- and welcome the >> > opportunity to hear a range of ideas about how we might move forward >> > towards a peaceful solution that recognizes both Palestinian and Israeli >> > rights. >> > Erica Bronstein >> > -- >> > The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> > To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org >> > <mailto:Lincoln@lincolntalk.org>. >> > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> > Change your subscription settings at >> > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> > >> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org >> <mailto:Lincoln@lincolntalk.org>. >> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>
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