Thematic Quotes from Khulood Badawi
During that demonstration we were violently attacked by right-wing students from the university and we were persecuted and expelled from the University. This event had many implications. Students were arrested and 15 students were expelled. I was expelled from the University for almost two years as a result of my participation in the demonstrations that had lasted for four months. I was also denied entrance to the University complex altogether.
During that demonstration we were violently attacked by right-wing students from the university and we were persecuted and expelled from the University. This event had many implications. Students were arrested and 15 students were expelled. I was expelled from the University for almost two years as a result of my participation in the demonstrations that had lasted for four months. I was also denied entrance to the University complex altogether.
I realized there was a basis for cooperation between different groups that spoke different languages but had the same principles--even though there wasn't a real movement that did this at the time. This transformed my views about work strategies and about who is an actual partner. Is the work confined to Arabs or is the success of the work measured by the extent of the participation of different people from different cultures?
The basic, main activities are traditional demonstrations. Despite the doubts about their effectiveness and necessity, there is always a need to demonstrate and express a collective cry of protest. The demonstration is an old and traditional method, but it is irreplaceable and we are determined to preserve it. It is a challenge, and a well-organized demonstration is a big success, especially in the current conditions that prevent any connection between the two peoples on either side of the Green Line.
We take university students from Hebrew University on weekly tours. The only thing these students know about the wall is that it is a means to stop terrorists and provide security. They don't know that it has other human consequences. We take these students and arrange meetings between them and their Arab neighbors in Al-Ram who are affected by the wall. For the first time, as civilians and not soldiers, they see and listen to Palestinians.
As Palestinians inside Israel we have a big roll in the conflict and should be the link between the two sides. We should be more active because we are part of a society that struggles for its freedom and at the same time we are citizens of Israel. We enjoy the geographical position and the unique possibility to be part of a pioneering leadership for a better future and real peace. We speak two languages and have two voices.
There are certain voices that aren't against me personally, but are against the idea of Arab-Jewish cooperation and communication. Because of their bitter historical experience, the Palestinian people have the right to have doubts about joint work. These experiences include Oslo and experience with political movements that were fashionable after Oslo. It was easy to found an Israeli-Palestinian organization that wasn't based on an equal or shared foundation. This failed model scared many people. This raised the question "what is co-existence"-- Israelis and Palestinians eating a meal together, or Israelis and Palestinians together resisting the uprooting of olive trees?
Oslo failed because of the Israeli patronization of the Palestinian side. The Israeli war strategy is part of the Israeli patronization of the Palestinians. For example, most of the peace proposals were formed by the Israelis, and were ready when proposed by Israel. The Palestinians only negotiated around or rejected what was proposed. Israel has an agreement that suits every stage it is in. None of the negotiations were based on shared principles between the two sides. The negotiations were actually held within one side [the Israeli side], which then forced the agreement that suited them onto the Palestinian side.
My optimism about Palestinians and the Palestinian State is challenged by my pessimism about Israeli society, which has lost basic and simple human values as a result of the occupation. They have brought this upon themselves. Examples of this are the issues of violence against women, rape, verbal violence and the number of weapons used within the society. These issues are becoming normal for the society I live in. Some think that if we, as Palestinian citizens of Israel, separate ourselves from this negative society, we will be liberated. This is a mistake. We are two peoples that live together, and all the negativity of one group negatively influences the other.
One of the most important lessons I learned is that my personal identity is more important than my national identity, and that one should never divide his personal identity under any circumstances. I should always preserve my personal identity despite the situation and the conflict. Israeli violence and the negative treatment we are exposed to often threaten to erase our personal identities. We sometimes become harsh and empty towards ourselves, not only towards the Israelis. I am careful in this respect because I have my humanity inside of me. This humanity consists of values and principles that should be given top priority. This strengthens my identity and my sense of belonging to my people.
I think that every nation fears for its existence, but the way the Israelis have dealt with it has created a psychological barrier that prevents them from dealing with facts on the ground. They feel the need to continuously remind themselves of those fears. Israeli policies and education are centered on the catastrophe that hit them. This leads them to constantly feel threatened and that's why they are always afraid of the "Arab world," which they have difficulty perceiving in any other way than as the enemy. It's not that the Jews' fears are illegitimate. As a Palestinian I have my own fears, too; I've been through the Nakba, the Naksa, the occupation, and attempts-- which are failing-- to wipe out my identity, but my past does not hold me back. One must move on.
