From: jake@bony1.bony.com (Jake Livni)
Subject: Re: Fair Swap
Organization: The Department of Redundancy Department
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 92 01:48:26 GMT

In article <1992Sep11.073925.3382@mcs.kent.edu> rayes@Snake.mcs.kent.edu (Sandra Rayes) writes:

>More hogwash.  As I have pointed out innumerable times, but many of you
>want to close your eyes and plug your ears, Palestinians have a very
>distinct culture, language, food, etc...from other Arabs.  Cultures 
>do not become invented over night, but develop over time.  The Arabs
>of Palestine have identified themselves as Palestinians for at least
>2000 years.

There was no uniquely Arabic Palestinean identity 2,000 years ago. 
There weren't even Muslims then.  This is like saying that the Popes
have all been Jewish since 2,000 years before Jesus was born.  You are
simply mouthing politically inspired misinformation.

>In fact, I would point out that Palestinians, on the whole, were 
>*less* migratory than *other* Arabs.  Other countries, such as
>Saudi, had and still have very large migrating populations known
>as badu.  

Yes, we know.  King Farouk of Iraq came from there as did his brother,
King Abdullah of Trans-Jordan and HIS grandson, King Husssein, the
current king of Jordan.

>Palestinians, on the other hand, while having some
>Bedouin clans, were known to be Hadhar (townspeople) who are
>settled in a single village and Felaheen (farmers) who
>were tied to their lands.

The Bedouin of Jordan despise those that call themselves Palestinean
because they know, but don't talk openly about, the conflicting claims for
the same piece of land - Jordan.  The Bedouin want it to remain Jordan
while the "Palestineans" who live there want control of the same land.
That's what Black September was all about, and it cost some 8 - 10,000
Jordanian lives.

>Al Aqsa is tied with the BEST personalities in Islamic history. 

Like King Abdullah of Trans-Jordan who was assasinated right there 
at Al Aqsa by a Palestinean who differed with the idea of calling the
East Bank of Palestine "Jordan".

>Palestinians have always stressed their love for their land and culture.
>Palestinians were traditionally peaceful (at a time when other Arabs
>were fighting) and settled farmers who enjoyed their pace of life and
>were blessed by the proximity of Al Aqsa, a holy site in Islam.
>That has never changed.  What has changed is the fact that Europeans
>have taken their land from them, treated them like animals, and
>assigned to them the role of victim.

Which Europeans?  The "European" Jews who fled or were expelled from
all the countries of the Middle East and make up a large proportion of
today's Israeli populace?  The "European" Hasehemites from Saudi
Arabia who now have a throne in Amman?  The "European" Kuwaitis who
became entirely disgusted with their indecent behavior?  The
"European" Lebanese who fought the PLO to regain some control of their
own country?  The "European" Bedouin of Jordan who kicked the PLO out
in 1970 in Black September?  If the Palestineans are treated like
animals, perhaps there is a reason for it which does not require the
invention of mythical "Europeans" all over the place.

-- 
Jake Livni  jake@bony1.bony.com               Pat Paulsen for President
American-Occupied New York                    This year he has a real chance!
My opinions only - employer has no opinions.