In an article released today, the Associated Press is reporting that Israel is continuing with its plans to increase construction in East Jerusalem.  Apparently they are planning to build almost another 1000 housing units, in areas that are claimed by Palestine.  This goes hand in hand with reports that American Jews are purposely buying houses inside of the occupied West Bank.

While both the US and UK are speaking out against the move, it just isn’t enough.  Personally, I think it bodes well that the US has spoken out so harshly against Israel’s continued aggressions in illegally occupied Palestine and East Jerusalem.  But, to really have any impact in the Middle East, and slow down Israel’s spread, the US needs to formally recognize Palestine, and open relations with them through formal channels.

And this really goes beyond just building new housing projects.  Israel is repeatedly forcing out Palestinian families, tearing down their homes, and building settlements right on top, forcing families into camps or onto the streets.  My fear is that this will eventually lead Israel to think that it has the right to go after the holy sites of the Al Aqsa Mosque complex.

We really need to confront this continuing terror for the sake of all of the innocent people that are being terrorized by Israeli occupation forces.  We need to convince our governments to stop supporting Israel, it really isn’t that hard.  Cut off the immense funding that we channel into their country every year.  Without western backing, Israel could never continue its terror campaign against the Palestinian people.  Without western backing, Israel would be unable to survive as a country unless it radically changed its attitude toward its neighbors.  Unfortunately, this won’t be easy.  This country is inundated with Christian politicians, and power-brokers,  who subscribe to the notion that Israel has some sacred place in the redemptive plan leading up to the second coming of Jesus Christ (yawn).

Now, I do not advocate the demise of Israel as a country, as some of my more radical brothers and sisters do.  I just think that they need to be put on an equal footing with the nations that surround them.  Contrary to popular belief, the Jewish people are not the enemy of the ummah.  I have had many Jewish friends and most of them were wonderful people.  Rather, it is the political tyrant of Zionism that we have to overthrow.

But what can we do?  I am not a politician, do not have any political or financial influence in this country.  But, what I do have is my pocket book.  I can choose to not support companies that do business with Israel.  I can choose not to buy products produced in Israel.  I have a vote in this countries political process.  I can choose to not vote for any politician who supports Israel.  I can choose to vote for politicians that are opposed to the Israeli war machine.  It isn’t very much, but it is a step in the right direction.  And if enough people take the same step,  amazing things happen.

According to the Al Jazeera website:

Palestinian farmers in the West Bank, or “water pirates” as Israeli occupation forces prefer to call them, are siphoning off drinking water pipes in an effort to secure water to irrigate their farmland.

Water is an increasingly disputed resource between Israel and the Palestinians.

Israel disputes that claim and says the Palestinians are jeopardising the resource through illegal use.
Palestinians argue they are being denied access in order to force them off their land.

This exclusive report from Al Jazeera shows Israeli occupation forces dismantling a farmer’s water pipes in the agricultural village of al-Baqa.

A World Bank report has accused Israel of using four times more water than Palestinians from the so-called Mountain Aquifer that bridges Israel and the territory and runs along the West Bank.

Amnesty International, said in a report released last month, Israel is denying Palestinians adequate access to clean, safe water while allowing almost unlimited supplies to Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.

But hey, it’s Israel.  They can do whatever they want.  Sarcasm intended.