Palestine
First Steps Toward Peace
In the Oval Office, Secretary of State Antony Blinken extends a paper across the desk and says, “Mr. President, we have a new report from Gaza.” “Just read it to me, please.” Blinken, sitting opposite Biden, clears his throat and reports, “More than twenty-three thousand people, including at least ten thousand children, have been killed…
Read MoreFeud at LACMA
“Ladies, stop it,” I shout. “Shut up,” says the one to the left in a sleek black and gray striped dress baring arms, shoulders, and back. “You’re young and beautiful,” I say. “Why are you doing this?” “You’re a fool to ask,” says the lady on the right attired in a black and gray polka-dotted…
Read MoreDisposable Bodies
Where are my sisters and comrades? Where is the beautiful lady without head or legs below her thighs who instead offers a torso nude and smooth red curving into a svelte waist clinched by a lovely but lethal belt of black? Where is her aesthetic soulmate naked and sensually blue save for elegant feathers and…
Read MoreOne State or Two
I knew I was going to be a hell of a president but, frankly, I underestimated myself. I’ve got a great feel for diplomacy and international relations. Did you see me at the news conference last week with Prime Minister Abe after the North Koreans had test fired another ballistic missile? I coolly let the…
Read MoreHill of Shame
you ask why with blankets and refreshments we like tourists go to parash hill overlooking gaza and i confess i need angry orange flames and plumes of smoke black white and gray and to see buildings collapse and afterward study crimson photos of corpses wrapped white in sheets like those covering my children when they…
Read MoreWest Bank Water
1. Jordan River river jordan flowing wide diverted west to sea south to desert leaving bed of roasted shit 2. Olive Trees occupied olive trees not already dead need a drink so do i and a shower and clean clothes i can’t have but am encouraged settlers grow much green grass 3. Giving don’t claim…
Read MoreOne Nation
palestine and israel declare yourselves one nation and rejoice
Read MoreGeopolitics at the Tomb of the Virgin Mary
Visitors to the Tomb of the Virgin Mary, near Jerusalem, are doubtless humbled and excited by the opportunity to establish a physical connection, however mystical, to her son, Jesus Christ. According to the Sacred Tradition of Eastern Christianity, Mary died naturally and three days after being lain to rest was resurrected body and soul into…
Read MoreThe Mandate: Israel and Palestine Form One State
Really, I don’t like interceding. I would’ve preferred to continue my anonymous visits to this biblical land but, after decades of Israelis slaughtering as many as they dared and Palestinians wishing they could’ve killed more, I must no longer remain divinely detached. I naturally favor neither side; I embrace both. That many consider my embrace…
Read MoreJewish Film Festival in the Bay Area
Baghdad Twist Don’t ask my age. It’s none of your business, I told my son, and doesn’t concern people who’ll watch your documentary. No one’s going to see me in this film. They’ll only hear my voice. Better they look at black and white photos of me as a child in reasonably hospitable Iraq where…
Read MoreAhmadinejad and Bush Spar at the United Nations
In a startling (and heretofore unreported) miscalculation in security planning last week at the United Nations in New York, secret service agents led a rapidly-departing President George W. Bush right into the exit path of the man he most loves to talk about but least wants to talk to, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran. President…
Read MoreWhy Israel and Palestine Must Become One State
In April last year I wrote a column noting there will always be intolerable discord between Jews and Arabs until Israel helps Palestine build a free and independent state. This is not a fantasy…fantastic is the continuing belief that current trends will ever lead to peace. Growing numbers of Israeli Jews want Israeli Arabs to…
Read MoreHamas Leaders Debate their Historic Victory
Two high ranking Hamas officials yesterday debated the meaning of their party’s recent landslide victory over Fatah in the Palestinian elections. One of the officials is associated with the military arm of Hamas and the other is involved in social services. Both demanded anonymity. Military Official – Now the Israelis will have to yield to…
Read MoreWhy Israel Should Help Build an Independent Palestine
Last week in Texas, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made simple statements that are simply incomprehensible: Israel will be withdrawing from Gaza this summer; but his nation must build new housing in the West Bank to establish an “unbroken presence” from Jerusalem to a community called Maale Adumim. Unfortunately, by so doing, Israel would be continuing…
Read More