Dissident Veteran For Peace: More Info on 7/28 Seattle Shootings

Dissident Veteran For Peace

"I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind and real freedom of discussion as in America." —Alexis de Tocquevile. Democracy in America, Book I, Chapter XV.

With a nod to the Most Rev. Dom Helder Camara: When I support Palestinians some call me an 'anti-Semite', when I try to explain why I stand in solidarity with Palestinians they call me a Nazi.

"WAR is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives." —Major General Smedley Butler, USMC (ret.)

"... no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it. Power is not a means; it is an end." —character of O'Brien in 1984, part 3, ch. 3 by George Orwell.

"Every prophet has realized that nobody loves you for being the enemy of their illusions. Every prophet has realized that most of us want peace at any price as long as the peace is ours and somebody else pays the price. That is why the prophet Jeremiah said, ' "Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace,' ..." —The Rev. William Sloane Coffin. "Not to Bring Peace, But a Sword."

Sunday, July 30, 2006

More Info on 7/28 Seattle Shootings

Victims: Pam Waechter, 58, an assistant director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, dead. Five other Federation employees wounded. Waechter was born in Minnesota to a Lutheran family and converted to Judaism.

Suspect: Naveed Haq, was born in the U.S. to a Muslim Pakistani family.

Apparent Motives:

Amy Wasser-Simpson, the federation's vice president, told the Seattle Times that Haq got past security at the building and shouted, "I'm a Muslim American; I'm angry at Israel," before he began shooting.
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Witnesses in the building said Haq identified himself as an American Muslim upset about America’s presence in Iraq and the current Israel-Lebanon conflict.

Citing a statement of probable cause, The Associated Press reported that Haq had told a 911 dispatcher, "These are Jews and I’m tired of getting pushed around and our people getting pushed around by the situation in the Middle East."
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"He said 'I am a Muslim American, angry at Israel,' before opening fire on everyone," Meislin-Dietrich said.

Context:

Fighting has raged in the Middle East since Hezbollah, a Shiite group based in Lebanon, went into Israel [sic] and kidnapped [sic] two Israeli soldiers and killed eight others. Israel retaliated by striking targets in Lebanon and has sent troops into the southern part of the country. Since the conflict began, more than 400 have been killed in Lebanon and more than 50 soldiers and civilians have been killed in Israel.
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Around 2,000 people gathered Sunday, July 23, at Luther Burbank Park, to strong support for Israel in the current showdown on the Lebanon-Israeli border. Despite the late-afternoon heat in the mid-90s, regional supporters came en masse, committed to America's "sister-nation," said one speaker. American and Israeli flags hung in trees, were stapled to the amphitheater stage walls, were stuck in people's hair, their hats, baby strollers and on their dogs.

"Shalom'' was the most-heard greeting. The orderly demonstration included speeches by religious leaders and politicians, placards and mitzvahs -- prayers for the soldiers were inside "Tefillin" prayer boxes strapped on Jewish men's arms. Many men wore yarmulkes and tzitzit (fringe-strings) attached to sacred garments to show respect for the commandments; and young people wore Hebrew-lettered tee-shirts or insignias of various Jewish groups.

Some signs read: "1,300 Israelis wounded and the world is quiet! . . . Be Strong and Resolute . . . . .More $$$ for Israel -- (and from a dissenter) No more $$$ for Israel . . .Wherever We Stand, We Stand Tall . . . I Love Israel -- I Want Peace.''

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle organized the event and garnered 40 other sponsors of Jewish organizations, synagogues and businesses.

Robin Boehler, board chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, said she was "moved by how many came to support the state of Israel" despite people's different opinions on the crisis. She talked of the visceral connection to Israel and its people and how the nation "has the right to protect and defend herself. . . The international community must not be silent or shelter terrorists . . . and that we long for peace and enduring security for everyone in the Middle East and must have the safe return of kidnapped Israeli soldiers."

Background on the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle:

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle was established 1926. Our mission, here at the Jewish Federation is to ensure Jewish survival and enhance the quality of Jewish life locally, in Israel and worldwide.

In support of our Mission, we believe that:

The continuity of Jewish faith is paramount.
The centrality of Israel in Jewish life is essential.
Every Jew is responsible, one for the other, and therefore we must strive to meet the basic human needs of the community.
It is incumbent upon us to respect diversity among our people.
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Partnership 2000/Israel Advocacy
The Israel and Overseas programming aspect focuses on hasbarah activities, exchanges and missions. By forging a relationship with Kiryat Malachi and Hof Ashkelon in Israel through a program called Partnership 2000, they strive to enhance interpersonal relationships between Seattle and Israel. Participating in Partnership 2000 is the best way that they can strengthen the bond between Israel and the Diaspora. In addition, they are working to bring more Israeli culture to Seattle in cooperation with other parts of the Jewish community.
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IDF Soldiers in Seattle
We have the unique opportunity to meet with IDF soldiers from our Partnership 2000 communities of Kiryat Malachi & Hof Ashkelon. Come and hear their stories. Join Lieutenant First Class Michal Cohen and Lieutenant First Class Ayal Sulamani ...
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The Annual Community Campaign is the cornerstone of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. The programs and services our network of agencies provides in Seattle, Israel and around the world are contingent upon its success. Every year, we raise millions of dollars from thousands of people through face-to-face meetings, telephone solicitations, fundraising events and informal gatherings in volunteers' homes. Young singles, businessmen and women, grandparents, college students, day school children and many recipients of our services participate in the Federation's annual Community Campaign in an effort to support the people and programs, here and overseas, that need us.

Of the funds raised through the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle's Community Campaign 65% are allocated to local agencies and organizations and the balance is given to national and overseas agencies. These funds help nurture and educate our children, maintain and strengthen family life, bring comfort and care to the elderly, sustain our partnership with the people of Israel and reinforce our connection to Jews at risk around the world.
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Volunteers in Service for Israel helps send volunteers from the Pacific Northwest on a two-or-three week program working in non-combat bases with the IDF and at hospitals. For more information contact: www.vfi-pacificnw.org.