Israel and Palestine

Back in 1999, as a member of PASOK youth, I had the privilege to attend a speech of Abu Ammar in Athens, attended by more than 5.000 people. I still remember the vibrant atmosphere and the feeling of wholehearted support for a free Palestine.

Later in 2015 life brought me to Tel-Aviv. Over there I equally had the privilege to meet very many open-minded, progressive Israelis, amazing people who had nothing to do with the stereotype that was defining my thinking till then: They wanted a free and independent Palestinian state to live in peace with Israel and to prosper together.

It’s not about keeping equal distances. Numbers talk by themselves: The losses of Palestinian people over the years significantly outweigh those of Israelis.

On the same time, it is unfortunately also true that Palestinian leadership after the time of Abu Ammar has failed its own people. Theocracy and totalitarianism rarely lead to actual progress. The people of Palestine are those responsible to change this reality.

I feel like mentioning also that not long ago more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians were forced to leave their homeland, a typical case of ethnic cleansing, and the international community basically did nothing to stop that (one can hardly find this on mainstream news).

The international geopolitical game is becoming increasingly cynical and, more often than not, actually barbaric. What must we do? Basically to stand up, assume our responsibility as citizen and do all we can to protect our human identity — which stands above any other identity (national, religious, a.s.o.)

My thought are with all those affected by these terrible developments. The peoples of this world want peace.

At this moment I only wish one thing: Let the year 2025 be the one that will witness the end of greed and ego being the driving forces of international politics.