Comments on: From Palestine to Virginia Tech: We are with you in this Time of Pain http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/ Trust in the Power of Nonviolence to Heal the World Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:54:21 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Leslie Deane roth http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-145 Leslie Deane roth Tue, 01 May 2007 18:12:41 +0000 http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-145 Sami, Is it naive to hope that goodness can prevail in the future? Being a Jewish observer, it is so difficult to support the Israeli government point of view. But it must be man's point of view and not individual states or communities. How can we create the larger view? Noone owns the earth as noone owns the sun. Real estate is a human invention. Sami,

Is it naive to hope that goodness can prevail in the future? Being a Jewish observer, it is so difficult to support the Israeli government point of view. But it must be man’s point of view and not individual states or communities. How can we create the larger view? Noone owns the earth as noone owns the sun. Real estate is a human invention.

]]> By: Rana Mahmoud http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-129 Rana Mahmoud Sat, 28 Apr 2007 22:03:40 +0000 http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-129 Dear Sami I really appreciate your response. I agree that it is your right to express your political views. That is very true when you express your opinions about political, social, or any other issue but I don’t think it is your right when it comes to the Palestinian struggle. What your webpage shows that you using the Palestinian struggle for your own interest. At least from my perspective as a person who lives in this land and been involved in many activities. I don’t want to have a debate with you about nonviolence as it is clear that there is a fundamental difference in our understanding of what nonviolence is. Palestinians have been practicing nonviolence since long time and don’t think that they need lessons from anyone. The history of Palestinian struggle is all about the use of active forms of nonviolence. Please ask yourself if what you do is really resistance? I am Palestinian and live in occupied Palestine. p.s for Ronan I think it is better not to speak when you have no idea what you talking about. We who are living under such brutal occupation are not setting on “arm-chair”. Dear Sami
I really appreciate your response. I agree that it is your right to express your political views. That is very true when you express your opinions about political, social, or any other issue but I don’t think it is your right when it comes to the Palestinian struggle. What your webpage shows that you using the Palestinian struggle for your own interest. At least from my perspective as a person who lives in this land and been involved in many activities. I don’t want to have a debate with you about nonviolence as it is clear that there is a fundamental difference in our understanding of what nonviolence is. Palestinians have been practicing nonviolence since long time and don’t think that they need lessons from anyone. The history of Palestinian struggle is all about the use of active forms of nonviolence. Please ask yourself if what you do is really resistance? I am Palestinian and live in occupied Palestine.
p.s for Ronan I think it is better not to speak when you have no idea what you talking about. We who are living under such brutal occupation are not setting on “arm-chair”.

]]> By: ADNAN ALSHARIF http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-119 ADNAN ALSHARIF Sat, 28 Apr 2007 04:26:24 +0000 http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-119 Dear Sami Iam originally Palestinian from Gaza and have a Son and Daughter as Virginia Tech alumni;the last one will graduate in May 11, 2007.I support and appreciate your efforts to promote peace all over and your recent initiative to stand with VT community is highly recognized and demonstrate to the world that we will fight oppressions and injustice at any place. Dear Sami
Iam originally Palestinian from Gaza and have a Son and Daughter as Virginia Tech alumni;the last one will graduate in May 11, 2007.I support and appreciate your efforts to promote peace all over and your recent initiative to stand with VT community is highly recognized and demonstrate to the world that we will fight oppressions and injustice at any place.

]]> By: Sami Awad http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-109 Sami Awad Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:54:27 +0000 http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-109 Dear Rana, Thank you for your comment. This blog is a personal blog that reflects my personal views on what i am personally involved in from activities and people from around the globe (as you can see from my "about me" section). As you konw there are many web sites that present the Palestinian cause in details that are better than i can ever do and there is no need for repetition. This does not mean i am less committed to the cause. I created my personal blog so that I can guarantee that my personal opinion are not reflected even in the work of the organization that i run. For example, a sepreate report for all our activities is reflected in the Holy Land Trust web site written by our staff. It is truly not a desire of mine to promote myslef as i have no fullfilment in such promotion, but if through the work i do people can learn about the situation and truly acknowledge the fact that Palestinians are engaging in direct nonviolent action against the occupation then i have acheived my goal. In terms of "indulging the West". The power of nonviolence is not only in its tactics to resist the oppression, but at the same level to open the eyes of those who have been blinded by this same oppression. To me, i say it with complete honesty and straighforwardness, there is no West or East; this is one of the traps that certain groups with certain agendas have created to justify racism against those who are not "of their color, race, religion, culture, etc." There is no "Clash of Civilizations," there are battles between those who promote and seek justice and those who deny it. It is our duty to fight the battle for justice not only in Palestine but all around the world. If sometimes we are able to reach people in Europe and the US by doing actions that link to them in a way that can open their eyes to our reality in a very real and personal way and remove the walls that have been placed between us and them by certain racist agendas, then i am 100 percent for such actions. Your comment is a true reminder for all of us to maintain humbleness in these difficult times. If you are in Palestine please feel free to contact me or the organization for more information or come and visit at any time (or as Ronan has said, come and join). If not in Palesitne, please stay in touch and let us see how we can learn from each other so that we can unite our efforts to fight the cause we all beleive in. in peace, Sami Awad Dear Rana,
Thank you for your comment. This blog is a personal blog that reflects my personal views on what i am personally involved in from activities and people from around the globe (as you can see from my “about me” section).

As you konw there are many web sites that present the Palestinian cause in details that are better than i can ever do and there is no need for repetition. This does not mean i am less committed to the cause. I created my personal blog so that I can guarantee that my personal opinion are not reflected even in the work of the organization that i run. For example, a sepreate report for all our activities is reflected in the Holy Land Trust web site written by our staff.

It is truly not a desire of mine to promote myslef as i have no fullfilment in such promotion, but if through the work i do people can learn about the situation and truly acknowledge the fact that Palestinians are engaging in direct nonviolent action against the occupation then i have acheived my goal.

In terms of “indulging the West”. The power of nonviolence is not only in its tactics to resist the oppression, but at the same level to open the eyes of those who have been blinded by this same oppression. To me, i say it with complete honesty and straighforwardness, there is no West or East; this is one of the traps that certain groups with certain agendas have created to justify racism against those who are not “of their color, race, religion, culture, etc.” There is no “Clash of Civilizations,” there are battles between those who promote and seek justice and those who deny it.

It is our duty to fight the battle for justice not only in Palestine but all around the world. If sometimes we are able to reach people in Europe and the US by doing actions that link to them in a way that can open their eyes to our reality in a very real and personal way and remove the walls that have been placed between us and them by certain racist agendas, then i am 100 percent for such actions.

Your comment is a true reminder for all of us to maintain humbleness in these difficult times.

If you are in Palestine please feel free to contact me or the organization for more information or come and visit at any time (or as Ronan has said, come and join). If not in Palesitne, please stay in touch and let us see how we can learn from each other so that we can unite our efforts to fight the cause we all beleive in.

in peace,
Sami Awad

]]> By: Sabbah’s Blog » Blog Archive » Palestinian activists plant trees in memory of Virginia Tech http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-108 Sabbah’s Blog » Blog Archive » Palestinian activists plant trees in memory of Virginia Tech Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:10:27 +0000 http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-108 [...] Sami Awad] Palestinian activists plant 32 Olive trees south of Bethlehem, in memory of the victims of the [...] [...] Sami Awad] Palestinian activists plant 32 Olive trees south of Bethlehem, in memory of the victims of the [...]

]]> By: Rónán O'Cuin http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-107 Rónán O'Cuin Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:00:28 +0000 http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-107 Your ongoing non-violent resistance against Israeli oppression of the Palestinian people is appreciated. It is important that there is a coordinated non-violent resistance from Palestinians, Israeli Peace activists and internationals. It is easy to sit at home and criticise non-violent resistance. I would encourage "arm-chair" commentators to come along and participate. Complacency will not contribute bring peace. Participation will. Your ongoing non-violent resistance against Israeli oppression of the Palestinian people is appreciated. It is important that there is a coordinated non-violent resistance from Palestinians, Israeli Peace activists and internationals. It is easy to sit at home and criticise non-violent resistance. I would encourage “arm-chair” commentators to come along and participate. Complacency will not contribute bring peace. Participation will.

]]> By: Rana Mahmoud http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-103 Rana Mahmoud Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:50:27 +0000 http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-103 it seem that u r more interested in promoting yourself than nonviolence. also it looks like u care less about palestinians as you work to indulge westerners it seem that u r more interested in promoting yourself than nonviolence. also it looks like u care less about palestinians as you work to indulge westerners

]]> By: hans linders http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-98 hans linders Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:37:36 +0000 http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-98 Dear Sami, Thank you for your email to inform me of your nonviolent actions for peace in Israel and Palestine and of your compassion with the people in Virginia USA. I wish you and all the people with you the powers of love and peace to go on with your work. Dear Sami,
Thank you for your email to inform me of your nonviolent actions for peace in Israel and Palestine and of your compassion with the people in Virginia USA. I wish you and all the people with you the powers of love and peace to go on with your work.

]]> By: Daniel Breslau http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-95 Daniel Breslau Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:48:15 +0000 http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-95 I am a professor at Virginia Tech. By chance, I was traveling in the middle east when the horrible and senseless killings took place. I received only sympathetic and comforting words from colleagues and fellow activists in Israel and Palestine. On Friday, 20 April, I was participating in the nonviolent protest against the apartheid wall in Bil'in when I received word of the commemoration of the VT events in Bethlehem. I am very moved by this act, bridging thousands of miles in solidarity against the contagion of violence and its use against those whose only crime is the pursuit of a decent existence. Thank you. I am a professor at Virginia Tech. By chance, I was traveling in the middle east when the horrible and senseless killings took place. I received only sympathetic and comforting words from colleagues and fellow activists in Israel and Palestine. On Friday, 20 April, I was participating in the nonviolent protest against the apartheid wall in Bil’in when I received word of the commemoration of the VT events in Bethlehem. I am very moved by this act, bridging thousands of miles in solidarity against the contagion of violence and its use against those whose only crime is the pursuit of a decent existence.
Thank you.

]]> By: emma sham-ba ayalon http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-90 emma sham-ba ayalon Sun, 22 Apr 2007 12:34:01 +0000 http://samiawad.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/from-palestine-to-virginia-tech-we-support-you-in-this-time-of-pain/#comment-90 this way of protesting is meaningful and a good example for me of how the spiritual and the political can come together. i will be happy to be there with you in two weeks. i published this article in two alternative journalism sites. and maybe we can think together for next time how to make a meaningful article also in the jewish press. uri can support it with his connections. with love and vision for global healing. sham-ba this way of protesting is meaningful and a good example for me of how the spiritual and the political can come together. i will be happy to be there with you in two weeks. i published this article in two alternative journalism sites. and maybe we can think together for next time how to make a meaningful article also in the jewish press. uri can support it with his connections. with love and vision for global healing. sham-ba

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