"It is not clear why the PLO had been willing to forgo the powerful tool of going to UN institutions for the release of 125 prisoners (Israel holds thousands)."
From my experience it is eminently clear. The men up for release are all long-term prisoners who, as anyone with experience in Palestine knows, hold a very special place in the hearts of Palestinians -- their portraits are painted all around the West Bank. In many ways, I think, the West is confused as to what Palestinians actually want. From my time in Ramallah, prisoner releases and the right of return are two of the most important goals, more so even than an independent Palestine.
"Israel’s Arab citizens, descendants of those who did not leave Palestine during the 1948 War..."
Descendants of those who did not "leave?" Try those who weren't killed or expelled. Of course some Palestinians did simply leave but let's not gloss over the ethnic cleansing that occurred, please.
Segregated buses evoke racism and the civil rights movement for Americans which makes it hit home a little harder. What is scary is that this tells us that Americans do not see the racism present in other Israeli actions in Palestine - rather, we justify those policies as "practical" and "necessary." I am sure we would have said the same about segregated buses if not for Rosa Parks and our own revealing history.
"It is not clear why the PLO had been willing to forgo the powerful tool of going to UN institutions for the release of 125 prisoners (Israel holds thousands)."
From my experience it is eminently clear. The men up for release are all long-term prisoners who, as anyone with experience in Palestine knows, hold a very special place in the hearts of Palestinians -- their portraits are painted all around the West Bank. In many ways, I think, the West is confused as to what Palestinians actually want. From my time in Ramallah, prisoner releases and the right of return are two of the most important goals, more so even than an independent Palestine.
"Israel’s Arab citizens, descendants of those who did not leave Palestine during the 1948 War..."
Descendants of those who did not "leave?" Try those who weren't killed or expelled. Of course some Palestinians did simply leave but let's not gloss over the ethnic cleansing that occurred, please.
Segregated buses evoke racism and the civil rights movement for Americans which makes it hit home a little harder. What is scary is that this tells us that Americans do not see the racism present in other Israeli actions in Palestine - rather, we justify those policies as "practical" and "necessary." I am sure we would have said the same about segregated buses if not for Rosa Parks and our own revealing history.