I don't think you should be so quick to dismiss him, and hope that this piece inspires people to check him out.
I don't agree with all of his takes, but he is sincere and consistent in his constructive approach and consistent rejection of hatred even in the midst of grief. He has a lot of material on Facebook and on YouTube interviews which are longer form and informative.
Specifically, I think this whole piece is largely geared towards supporters of Palestinians, both Arabs and foreigners, who misguidedly think that supporting Palestinians means endorsing Hamas (or similar political movement, which directly leads to oppression of Palestinians by their own government) and not criticizing any choices (which is infantilizing and short circuits introspection and growth).
So your criticisms of 8 9 and 10 I don't think are valid.
He has pointed out that a 'right of return' can only be for the Palestinian state in the future and not for Israel, which is implicitly addressed to those people who insist that for peace to happen all people of Palestinian descent need to be able to live in Israel proper.
The whole recognition thing too, I think is addressed to people who refuse recognition.
He is doing something good and constructive by laying out these terms and insisting *to people who call themselves pro-Palestinian* that they need a positive vision of what they would like to build together, and here's a start.
I don't think this is the same old same old--where exactly have you been reading other Palestinian writers also insisting on these things? -- and I don't think he deserves dismissal either.
He does talk about settler violence in a way that I'm not sure I agree with but it's difficult to know what's true on the ground from all the way over here.
More to the point though, it seems that he is a very rational evidence-based kind of person and if it were possible to prove that, for example, a certain altercation which was classified as settler violence was in fact instigated by Palestinians, I think he would condemn that as well based on his principles.
If there were a lot more people like him pro-palestinian movements in the Middle East and abroad, the world would look so different. In a much better way.
I did note which of his points I see as supporting his contention that he wants peace alongside Israel.
You write: " it seems that he is a very rational evidence-based kind of person and if it were possible to prove that, for example, a certain altercation which was classified as settler violence was in fact instigated by Palestinians, I think he would condemn that as well based on his principles." I don't know on what basis you believe that he would condemn violence instigated against settlers that caused them to defend themselves violently. When he accuses Israel of indiscriminately killing Gazans, that does not lead me to believe he is a "rational evidence-based kind of person" as you claim.
It’s not true that the British Mandate of Palestine was the only political entity to have Palestine in its name, unless you are claiming that the Roman province of Syria-Palaestina wasn’t a political entity.
well, perhaps you are correct about this, but I suppose Quebec can claim to be a legitimate country since it is the name of a province, thereby a political entity.
It's not an issue of "perhaps" - what you wrote was factually wrong. You should have the integrity to acknowledge this. Your point about Quebec is a complete non-sequitur. You can read more about this issue here if you like: https://loveoftheland.substack.com/p/why-did-the-romans-change-the-name
i know all about that and I have written about it in the past. I am not arguing about a name. They can have the name Palestine if they want it. It was never an independent political entity. OK. I'll add that word if that makes it clearer. And if that is what you decided to hone in on in this article, well, I guess that means you have no problem with the rest of it.
"Regarding the ‘military occupation’ in the West Bank (aka Judea-Samaria), all I can say is that Alkhatib apparently has not read the section of the Oslo Accords dealing with security issues." The last time I checked, the West Bank is run by the IDF's Civil Administration. In other words, a military occupation (with autonomy for Palestinians in Area A). And yet you churlishly put this in quote marks, and sarcastically refer to his comment about the fundamental reality that Palestinians in the West Bank live under a discriminatory regime. Even the most moderate reference to this fact isn't enough to you; unless he declares his Zionism he's suspect in your eyes.
Excellent review. Agree with your analysis, mostly. I think I’m jaded by having worked with many, many Muslims whose actions have never matched their beautiful, sincere sounding words - and had to dig too many knives out of my back (I’m a female Jewish engineer and this was in American engineering firms, with highly educated and allegedly assimilated professionals). I keep looking for exceptions from personal experience and, nope, none.
More taquia with a few sugar-covered grains to give that ever elusive hope of a real peace partner. I see a budding politician/used car salesman/ two headed snake with a better than average understanding of what the Western listener wants to hear. No real, bankable accountability or real acknowledgment of history, or facts; no empathy; no backbone. More woeful victimhood Olympics stuffed into every nook. We’re still not human, but too powerful to piss off directly, I guess. Sounds nice and nominally placating, but, as you say, probably very different in Arabic.
Excellent summary. Copy paste my own experiences of digging knives out of my back. I have been saying it out loud for years - once Arabs starting taking responsibility for their own actions, there will be a seismic shift in their societies and the Middle East altogether. Self-awareness and self-responsibility / accountability are foreign words and concepts to them for now. Taqqiya all the way to Mekka.
Truly, this was absolutely the other common denominator to my experiences - when things went sideways (and this was WAY more likely than w/American coworker’s) , it was never NEVER my Muslim coworkers/manager’s fault. I became as paranoid as my soviet parents. I saved every calculation, every email. Everything in writing. I needed to. Truly heinous shit happened when they had nothing to lose - and truly, nothing to gain by trying to destroy the careers of others (I apparently destroyed one boss’s sense of grandiosity by fixing his prized design so it would work. Pure toddler malice. On his way out of the company, he tried to torpedo my career with a review he sent to everyone. It contradicted years of his other reviews of me.) So many repeat experiences. And that doesn’t even touch the misogyny or antisemitism…
I still hesitate to generalize to an entire ethnicity/religious group/whatever. I believe in the saying "כבדהו וחשדהו" -- respect him and suspect him (until proven otherwise)
Thank you, and I apologize for the ‘too much information’. I completely understand, and agree. Sadly, after a while, I just wanted one contradictory experience, before fear and prejudice sets in. Maybe I’ve been unlucky. I try very hard to treat each person as an individual first, and not as an ambassador to what they have no control over.
no need to apologize. I appreciate you sharing your experience here. There are contradictory experiences, there are Arabs who support Israel. I have known a few. I believe, however, that before we go around sharing that so-and-so is a peacenik, that we really look at what they say and do.
Dear Sheri, thank you for sharing this. I agree with you. It would be interesting if people are actually LIVING in Gaza, Judea and Samaria would express themselves with some of the "peaceful" propositions as mentioned by Mr. Alkhatib here. I've been reading some of his articles too, but as long as they're not supported by and addressed to the local Arab communities and neighbor countries of Israel, they're just... Words.
“It’s time to admit the obvious: the war in Gaza was primarily driven by revenge and rage more than a desire to get the hostages or destroy Hamas in a transformative way that actually pacifies Gaza and creates a different future/reality.”
I find this passage extremely questionable, though somewhat understandable given that he lost 30(!) family members in an Israeli air strike. To have greater and better context one should have mentioned that in fairness to him. He is also good buddies with Maoz Inon, who himself lost his parents on Oct 7th, and who has been tirelessly advocating to stop the war and find solutions for peace. Think of that what you will.
If he is relating to incidents like Idan Amedi blowing up a building live on Instagram to revenge the death of one of his soldier friends, then I concede that YES that was pure rage and revenge and a low point in Israel’s conduct. Israel would do well to NOT engage in shit like that, famous Fauda actor or not.
But back to the passage. What exactly is the right way to “destroy Hamas in a transformative way to get the hostages and pacify Gaza”!? If anyone is on FB - I am not - please please please ask him that question. Coz if he has a solution what a (military) strategy that does this without doing harm to anyone looks like - I’d love to hear it!
Otherwise it’s an absolute insult to be posting something like this. Hamas hides behind hostages in deep dark tunnels and is nigh impossible to get to without harming soldiers and hostages. Hamas militants are disguised as civilians. Hamas is not a separate entity to the Palestinian population, it is part and parcel and result of century-long Palestinian/Arab anti-Zionist hatred and raging anti-Semitism that dreams of Jewish bloodshed.
It’s a fricking oxymoron to ask to destroy Hamas to pacify Gaza… isn’t that what 20,000 work permits for Gazans given out by Israel were about? For economic prosperity and easing relations? Giving hope that they would warm up to their Israeli neighbours? Which in turn were used to spy on the kibbutzims and settlements? Who can forget these very Gazans coming to call on their Israeli benefactors on Oct 7th, to lure them out of their bomb shelters and / or gather information of numbers and whereabouts? Despicable human scum engaging in Taqqiya from beginning to end. *rant over*
Regarding the fact that he lost 30 family members in an air strike -- that is awful. However, were these family members also Hamas members? Alternatively, if they were innocent civilians, why did they not evacuate to safe zones when the IDF told them to? Because Hamas did not let them evacuate? Because Hamas is, in any case, in the safe zones blending in among innocent civilians? Because they just did not want to leave their homes? This last one, I actually read someone write -- that he blamed the IAF for bombing his family's building in which there were weapons' caches and Hamas offices and his family was killed in the blast just because they refused to leave their home. That is tragic whatever the reason, but can't blame the IAF for killing innocents indiscriminately.
He does not have to reject Islam. There are Muslims who regard Islamism as not appropriate for the modern world. There is a difference and we need to pay attention.
You are deceived. COMPROMISE with the darkness is what got Israel where it is now, today.
Islam and its false god and false prophet was birthed in evil, bloodshed of a FALSE prophet and it's your big mistake to go along with a lie. God is not pleased.
Remember the easily deceived Jews of Khaybar and how the survivors became slaves to the religion that is determined to kill you and exterminate Israel ? WAKE UP !
We will see. I am going to interview a Muslim who makes that distinction. Just like Judaism is no longer the Judaism of eons ago and Christianity is no longer the Christianity of eons ago, perhaps Islam can join the modern world. Judge after I write up the interview (not scheduled yet, but an agreement has been obtained.)
When I was new to the United States, a so-called "moderate" Muslim scholar pulled me aside and gave me some "friendly" words of advice:
"In the West, there is a trend unfolding. If you follow it, you will find great success, more than you can imagine. It is very easy, all you have to do is stick to a few simple rules. No matter what your personal views are, you must be a Muslim apologist -- an apologist for radical Islam -- and present yourself as a 'moderate' Muslim scholar. If you can accomplish this, they will lap it up. You will never want for anything again. You will easily gain wealth and become the most in-demand 'moderate' Muslim scholar in the West!"
This is also false: "After all, Israel has never restricted access of any religious group to their holy sites; it has only been the Jews that have been denied open access." Israel often denies access to Muslims (usually young men) to the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa. You can say this is justified if you want but you can't deny that it constitutes restricting access to holy sites.
Ah, another comment I missed and now found by chance.
Restricting access ot the Temple Mount is only done when there is intelligence that warns that a security event is imminent. Otherwise there is free access to all Muslims. If you do not think it is justified to occassionally deny access, then you must not care when terrorists kill Jews.
Now, I know that is not true.
So why can you not understand that terrorist threats need to be heeded (like we failed to do re Oct 7th). Do you know how many terrorist acts are prevented because of intelligence warnings and doing what needs to be done? I don't either, but I have an idea because I once treated someone connected with security who told me about it, not about specific incidents, but enough so that I would understand that behind the scenes we were protected from a great many attacks that never were allowed to happen.
In short, a Palestinian fanatic working public relations in the United States to weaken Israel and provide support for Palestinian terrorists.
Sanctions on Israeli "settlers" but no sanctions on Hamas or Fatah terrorists?
The true face of the Palestinian public, in Gaza and on both sides of the Jordan River, was seen when they celebrated the October 7 atrocities.
Funny how effective, hard-hitting IDF actions in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen are the only way these hypocrites come out of the woodwork to advocate "peace", "ceasefire", "co-existence".
I don't think you should be so quick to dismiss him, and hope that this piece inspires people to check him out.
I don't agree with all of his takes, but he is sincere and consistent in his constructive approach and consistent rejection of hatred even in the midst of grief. He has a lot of material on Facebook and on YouTube interviews which are longer form and informative.
Specifically, I think this whole piece is largely geared towards supporters of Palestinians, both Arabs and foreigners, who misguidedly think that supporting Palestinians means endorsing Hamas (or similar political movement, which directly leads to oppression of Palestinians by their own government) and not criticizing any choices (which is infantilizing and short circuits introspection and growth).
So your criticisms of 8 9 and 10 I don't think are valid.
He has pointed out that a 'right of return' can only be for the Palestinian state in the future and not for Israel, which is implicitly addressed to those people who insist that for peace to happen all people of Palestinian descent need to be able to live in Israel proper.
The whole recognition thing too, I think is addressed to people who refuse recognition.
He is doing something good and constructive by laying out these terms and insisting *to people who call themselves pro-Palestinian* that they need a positive vision of what they would like to build together, and here's a start.
I don't think this is the same old same old--where exactly have you been reading other Palestinian writers also insisting on these things? -- and I don't think he deserves dismissal either.
He does talk about settler violence in a way that I'm not sure I agree with but it's difficult to know what's true on the ground from all the way over here.
More to the point though, it seems that he is a very rational evidence-based kind of person and if it were possible to prove that, for example, a certain altercation which was classified as settler violence was in fact instigated by Palestinians, I think he would condemn that as well based on his principles.
If there were a lot more people like him pro-palestinian movements in the Middle East and abroad, the world would look so different. In a much better way.
I did note which of his points I see as supporting his contention that he wants peace alongside Israel.
You write: " it seems that he is a very rational evidence-based kind of person and if it were possible to prove that, for example, a certain altercation which was classified as settler violence was in fact instigated by Palestinians, I think he would condemn that as well based on his principles." I don't know on what basis you believe that he would condemn violence instigated against settlers that caused them to defend themselves violently. When he accuses Israel of indiscriminately killing Gazans, that does not lead me to believe he is a "rational evidence-based kind of person" as you claim.
It’s not true that the British Mandate of Palestine was the only political entity to have Palestine in its name, unless you are claiming that the Roman province of Syria-Palaestina wasn’t a political entity.
Also Jund Filastin.
That was a military district. Kind-of different, no?
Now you're just playing semantics. It had a lesser status than the previous Roman designation, sure, but it was still a political category.
well, perhaps you are correct about this, but I suppose Quebec can claim to be a legitimate country since it is the name of a province, thereby a political entity.
It's not an issue of "perhaps" - what you wrote was factually wrong. You should have the integrity to acknowledge this. Your point about Quebec is a complete non-sequitur. You can read more about this issue here if you like: https://loveoftheland.substack.com/p/why-did-the-romans-change-the-name
i know all about that and I have written about it in the past. I am not arguing about a name. They can have the name Palestine if they want it. It was never an independent political entity. OK. I'll add that word if that makes it clearer. And if that is what you decided to hone in on in this article, well, I guess that means you have no problem with the rest of it.
Sheri with most of your articles you could save us the trouble and write "It's entirely the Palestinians' blame and we are totally innocent."
Not even going to respond to this one. Those who follow my writings know how I assess situations and analyze things.
Here's an example:
"Regarding the ‘military occupation’ in the West Bank (aka Judea-Samaria), all I can say is that Alkhatib apparently has not read the section of the Oslo Accords dealing with security issues." The last time I checked, the West Bank is run by the IDF's Civil Administration. In other words, a military occupation (with autonomy for Palestinians in Area A). And yet you churlishly put this in quote marks, and sarcastically refer to his comment about the fundamental reality that Palestinians in the West Bank live under a discriminatory regime. Even the most moderate reference to this fact isn't enough to you; unless he declares his Zionism he's suspect in your eyes.
Excellent review. Agree with your analysis, mostly. I think I’m jaded by having worked with many, many Muslims whose actions have never matched their beautiful, sincere sounding words - and had to dig too many knives out of my back (I’m a female Jewish engineer and this was in American engineering firms, with highly educated and allegedly assimilated professionals). I keep looking for exceptions from personal experience and, nope, none.
More taquia with a few sugar-covered grains to give that ever elusive hope of a real peace partner. I see a budding politician/used car salesman/ two headed snake with a better than average understanding of what the Western listener wants to hear. No real, bankable accountability or real acknowledgment of history, or facts; no empathy; no backbone. More woeful victimhood Olympics stuffed into every nook. We’re still not human, but too powerful to piss off directly, I guess. Sounds nice and nominally placating, but, as you say, probably very different in Arabic.
Excellent summary. Copy paste my own experiences of digging knives out of my back. I have been saying it out loud for years - once Arabs starting taking responsibility for their own actions, there will be a seismic shift in their societies and the Middle East altogether. Self-awareness and self-responsibility / accountability are foreign words and concepts to them for now. Taqqiya all the way to Mekka.
Yes!! This! Thank you!!
Truly, this was absolutely the other common denominator to my experiences - when things went sideways (and this was WAY more likely than w/American coworker’s) , it was never NEVER my Muslim coworkers/manager’s fault. I became as paranoid as my soviet parents. I saved every calculation, every email. Everything in writing. I needed to. Truly heinous shit happened when they had nothing to lose - and truly, nothing to gain by trying to destroy the careers of others (I apparently destroyed one boss’s sense of grandiosity by fixing his prized design so it would work. Pure toddler malice. On his way out of the company, he tried to torpedo my career with a review he sent to everyone. It contradicted years of his other reviews of me.) So many repeat experiences. And that doesn’t even touch the misogyny or antisemitism…
So sad this is what you experienced.
I still hesitate to generalize to an entire ethnicity/religious group/whatever. I believe in the saying "כבדהו וחשדהו" -- respect him and suspect him (until proven otherwise)
Thank you, and I apologize for the ‘too much information’. I completely understand, and agree. Sadly, after a while, I just wanted one contradictory experience, before fear and prejudice sets in. Maybe I’ve been unlucky. I try very hard to treat each person as an individual first, and not as an ambassador to what they have no control over.
It’s a great saying.
no need to apologize. I appreciate you sharing your experience here. There are contradictory experiences, there are Arabs who support Israel. I have known a few. I believe, however, that before we go around sharing that so-and-so is a peacenik, that we really look at what they say and do.
You are such an optimist! Thanks for keeping an open mind. (And also an alert eye).
Dear Sheri, thank you for sharing this. I agree with you. It would be interesting if people are actually LIVING in Gaza, Judea and Samaria would express themselves with some of the "peaceful" propositions as mentioned by Mr. Alkhatib here. I've been reading some of his articles too, but as long as they're not supported by and addressed to the local Arab communities and neighbor countries of Israel, they're just... Words.
No one is following yet... But standing up and speaking out is step one
What I have seen when looking at people in Gaza is that they hate Hamas, but that does not mean they want to live alongside a sovereign Jewish state.
“It’s time to admit the obvious: the war in Gaza was primarily driven by revenge and rage more than a desire to get the hostages or destroy Hamas in a transformative way that actually pacifies Gaza and creates a different future/reality.”
I find this passage extremely questionable, though somewhat understandable given that he lost 30(!) family members in an Israeli air strike. To have greater and better context one should have mentioned that in fairness to him. He is also good buddies with Maoz Inon, who himself lost his parents on Oct 7th, and who has been tirelessly advocating to stop the war and find solutions for peace. Think of that what you will.
If he is relating to incidents like Idan Amedi blowing up a building live on Instagram to revenge the death of one of his soldier friends, then I concede that YES that was pure rage and revenge and a low point in Israel’s conduct. Israel would do well to NOT engage in shit like that, famous Fauda actor or not.
But back to the passage. What exactly is the right way to “destroy Hamas in a transformative way to get the hostages and pacify Gaza”!? If anyone is on FB - I am not - please please please ask him that question. Coz if he has a solution what a (military) strategy that does this without doing harm to anyone looks like - I’d love to hear it!
Otherwise it’s an absolute insult to be posting something like this. Hamas hides behind hostages in deep dark tunnels and is nigh impossible to get to without harming soldiers and hostages. Hamas militants are disguised as civilians. Hamas is not a separate entity to the Palestinian population, it is part and parcel and result of century-long Palestinian/Arab anti-Zionist hatred and raging anti-Semitism that dreams of Jewish bloodshed.
It’s a fricking oxymoron to ask to destroy Hamas to pacify Gaza… isn’t that what 20,000 work permits for Gazans given out by Israel were about? For economic prosperity and easing relations? Giving hope that they would warm up to their Israeli neighbours? Which in turn were used to spy on the kibbutzims and settlements? Who can forget these very Gazans coming to call on their Israeli benefactors on Oct 7th, to lure them out of their bomb shelters and / or gather information of numbers and whereabouts? Despicable human scum engaging in Taqqiya from beginning to end. *rant over*
Your rant is well taken.
Regarding the fact that he lost 30 family members in an air strike -- that is awful. However, were these family members also Hamas members? Alternatively, if they were innocent civilians, why did they not evacuate to safe zones when the IDF told them to? Because Hamas did not let them evacuate? Because Hamas is, in any case, in the safe zones blending in among innocent civilians? Because they just did not want to leave their homes? This last one, I actually read someone write -- that he blamed the IAF for bombing his family's building in which there were weapons' caches and Hamas offices and his family was killed in the blast just because they refused to leave their home. That is tragic whatever the reason, but can't blame the IAF for killing innocents indiscriminately.
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib’s 1 platform for peace:
Reject Islam, religion of no peace.
He does not have to reject Islam. There are Muslims who regard Islamism as not appropriate for the modern world. There is a difference and we need to pay attention.
You are deceived. COMPROMISE with the darkness is what got Israel where it is now, today.
Islam and its false god and false prophet was birthed in evil, bloodshed of a FALSE prophet and it's your big mistake to go along with a lie. God is not pleased.
Remember the easily deceived Jews of Khaybar and how the survivors became slaves to the religion that is determined to kill you and exterminate Israel ? WAKE UP !
https://open.substack.com/pub/marcelcousineau/p/the-jews-of-october-7?r=3cw21d&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
We will see. I am going to interview a Muslim who makes that distinction. Just like Judaism is no longer the Judaism of eons ago and Christianity is no longer the Christianity of eons ago, perhaps Islam can join the modern world. Judge after I write up the interview (not scheduled yet, but an agreement has been obtained.)
Just a pre- interview correction. The God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob NEVER changes.
Only the rebels change.
Isaiah 24 explains it.
And the apostates in Islam who consort with infidels have a short shelf life, (unless he's doing taqiya with you ?) so wish him well in the afterlife.
He is more of an expert on Islam than you are. And of course God never changes. Whoever would have though that!
Taqiyya on Sheri ?
When I was new to the United States, a so-called "moderate" Muslim scholar pulled me aside and gave me some "friendly" words of advice:
"In the West, there is a trend unfolding. If you follow it, you will find great success, more than you can imagine. It is very easy, all you have to do is stick to a few simple rules. No matter what your personal views are, you must be a Muslim apologist -- an apologist for radical Islam -- and present yourself as a 'moderate' Muslim scholar. If you can accomplish this, they will lap it up. You will never want for anything again. You will easily gain wealth and become the most in-demand 'moderate' Muslim scholar in the West!"
The "Moderate" Muslim Scholar Industry
by Majid Rafizadeh
April 3, 2018 at 6:00 am
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/12077/moderate-muslim-scholars
This is also false: "After all, Israel has never restricted access of any religious group to their holy sites; it has only been the Jews that have been denied open access." Israel often denies access to Muslims (usually young men) to the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa. You can say this is justified if you want but you can't deny that it constitutes restricting access to holy sites.
Ah, another comment I missed and now found by chance.
Restricting access ot the Temple Mount is only done when there is intelligence that warns that a security event is imminent. Otherwise there is free access to all Muslims. If you do not think it is justified to occassionally deny access, then you must not care when terrorists kill Jews.
Now, I know that is not true.
So why can you not understand that terrorist threats need to be heeded (like we failed to do re Oct 7th). Do you know how many terrorist acts are prevented because of intelligence warnings and doing what needs to be done? I don't either, but I have an idea because I once treated someone connected with security who told me about it, not about specific incidents, but enough so that I would understand that behind the scenes we were protected from a great many attacks that never were allowed to happen.
In short, a Palestinian fanatic working public relations in the United States to weaken Israel and provide support for Palestinian terrorists.
Sanctions on Israeli "settlers" but no sanctions on Hamas or Fatah terrorists?
The true face of the Palestinian public, in Gaza and on both sides of the Jordan River, was seen when they celebrated the October 7 atrocities.
Funny how effective, hard-hitting IDF actions in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen are the only way these hypocrites come out of the woodwork to advocate "peace", "ceasefire", "co-existence".
Good points here.
https://youtu.be/ngc3H6yPqYs?si=uQSJhQB3mlfsFzQi
Appreciate you digging into it and listening to it so I didn't have to, straight from ramallah, the psychic vampires of humanity
Video is from Zach sage going to ramallah and chatting with the bloodthirsty barbarian bastard amalekites
Thank you for the link. Bloodcurdling.
I shared this on my FB page and as a note here on substack as well. Thanks.