One of my hasbara commenters urges me to log off and shut up, because I am not the Arab Everywoman. I am interested in this characterization. It never occurred to me to play the Arab Everywoman, since I consider myself an American first, and know that no Arab national would see me as entitled to claim such a role. However, the people who are flooding blog world with comments, argument, invective, fake concern, and veiled threats must see my blog as such a voice.
I am honored. When my father learned from an informant that the Anti-Defamation League had listed him in their database as a PLO member, he said he, too was honored. (This was in the 70s, before Palestinian militiamen attacked our village and killed my grandmother). He said he could not be a member of the PLO since he was a Lebanese, not a Palestinian, but if the ADL thought he was, then he was doing something right. What he was doing was going to meetings in Peoria, Illinois and speaking for the rights of the Palestinians.
Speaking the truth can be dangerous when it contradicts the lies of the powerful.
This blog does not matter that much in the scheme of things; but I think somebody is very scared if they are tracking the likes of me. The clock is ticking...
Oh, and stay tuned for people asking me if I am now or ever have been a Hamas supporter, Hizbullah member, PLO fighter, Al-Qaeda fellow traveler, and so forth. Laughable questions if you know the organizations... what would those guys do with me, a secular feminist American Arab liberal married to a Jew? They all think I'm a Zionist appeaser because I won't shut up about the time Palestinian refugee thugs from Ain-el-Helweh sacked our village and killed my grandmother. Oh yes, and I married into a Jewish family so there you go. Secret spy for the Zionists, and so forth.
I am merely a gadfly and a crank, telling my truth on the internet to whomever wants to listen.
Posted by: Leila Abu-Saba | January 09, 2009 at 04:14 PM
i support hamas, hizbullah, any one, any group that fights against israel. any means, methods, acts are justified and required.
israel and its lovers, esp the 'my feelings are hurt' 'humane' ones, can go to hell.
Posted by: 5 dancing shlomos | January 10, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Wow, your married to a Jew?
You never cease to amaze me as I travel through your blog record.
Truly, you lead an interesting and varied life. You have an admirable strength in the face of adversity. I love this in people.
Posted by: Slave Revolt | January 11, 2009 at 01:24 PM