To the editor:
On Sept. 16, at Cazenovia United Methodist Church, Miko Peled, Israeli Jewish peace activist and Palestinian justice advocate, author of “The General’s Son,” spoke of “Freedom & Justice: Keys to Peace in Palestine/Israel.” He was sponsored by both the “Justice for Palestine” committee of the Syracuse Peace Council and the Upper NY – United Methodist Church Task Force on Peace w/Justice in Palestine/Israel. (This United Methodist Task Force supports education and advocacy for Palestinian rights, offering scholarships for “awareness” trips to Palestine/Israel, of which Keren Carmeli was a first recipient and supporting the nonviolent Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement for positive change.)
Miko had spoken earlier in the week at Geneseo College, in a Rochester gathering, and at University United Methodist Church, Syracuse. Pat Carmeli, a member of “Justice for Palestine,” was his Cazenovia host.
Motivation for Miko’s talk came from his saying that, “to know of injustice and to remain silent is to be complicit.” His legitimacy is his “lived-out” experience. The facts he presents are from writings of his Israeli war hero father, who became increasingly concerned with the plight of the Palestinians; from Israeli historians such as Ilan Pappe, who gained access to primary Israeli historical documents; and from his own life experiences. Hearing his mother’s oft-repeated story of how she had refused the offer of taking a beautiful “empty” Palestinian home because she couldn’t “take another woman’s home,” made him question the prevailing Israeli narrative with which he had been surrounded.
Mr. Schreibman’s evaluation and explanation of Miko’s presentation of facts [as presented in his Sept. 28 letter to the editor] indicates the difficulty for persons with long- held beliefs when they are presented with different, challenging truths. Inability to “hear” facts that undermine previously-held concepts causes the listener to criticize the speaker.
From the program’s beginning, ground rules were clearly stated, indicating that three questions would be entertained and answered in a series of successions. Disagreement with ground rules does not negate them. In future programs and conversations, it is hoped that mutual respect may be foremost, as all struggle for better understanding.
Linda Bergh, Co-chair
UNY-UM Task Force on Peace w/Justice in Palestine/Israel, Syracuse
