East & west in solidarity with Palestine [Archives:2002/27/Focus]

JUDITH BROWN,
BRISTOL PALESTINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN
[email protected]
Last week I visited Bethlehem and Jerusalem with friends from Bristol, UK. We witnessed much suffering and we were all impressed with the dignity of the Palestinian people. Yemenis may believe the stories of Palestinian suffering, but sadly, here in the West many people still think we have been through a brain-washing machine which has distorted our vision and our minds. But our cause is not simply for one group of severely misrepresented people, but for human rights and respect of dignity for people everywhere.
We were outside the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of the Prince of Peace, when my friend and I were driven to tears by the simple story of a man who sold necklaces. Despite his difficulties and despite his uncle being killed for nothing at all, he still had a vision of peace, and he did not want any more killing. He asked why the world does nothing to help Palestinians, they are the oppressed not the oppressor, the occupied not the occupier.
We need to find ways of joining East and West to say enough is enough. We can no longer tolerate the control of the worlds media and politics by the men of war. We want peace and the only way to get it is to stand by international law. It is this human duty which President Bush, who has the key to peace but doesnt use it, seems to totally ignore.
What I have seen with my own eyes is a brutal oppression of a whole race of people, with the world arming the oppressor and not the victim, with the victim blamed and the oppressor rewarded. Those who condone it condone wickedness and evil, there is no other words to describe it. I am in shock, in despair, and inconsolable at the tragedy that I have witnessed.
Here in UK we have a group called Palestinian Solidarity Campaign that works towards peace and justice for Palestinians. Are there any other non-governmental support groups in Yemen that we could link up with? If so, we would love to hear from them.

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