Palestinians trapped in Israel have a different life compared to those in Gaza and West Bank. But very often, their stories goes unheard.
The Palestinians in Israel right from 1948 suffer from marginalization, segregation and democratic illusion. Haneen Zoabi, the first lady to represent Palestinians in Israeli Knesset (Parliament), revealed the depth of atrocities being carried out by the Jewish State.
She stated ‘Even calling ourselves Palestinians is derogatory. Hence, we are called as ‘Israeli Arabs’. In 2007, Palestinians have been termed as ‘strategic threat’ for Israel. A couple of decades after 1967, Israel was not very frightened with peaceful Palestinian protests. But the power of first and second Intifadah changed everything.
Land Confiscation by Jewish National Fund has become prominent. In the coming months, 8000 dumas of Palestinian land in South of Israel is going to be confiscated. Also, Israel promotes foreign workers instead of Palestinians. Right after 1948, rich and educated Palestinians were expelled from Israel so that they do not get a chance to promote their culture. Hence today, there is no cinema, clubs or vibrant nightlife in Israel.
Palestinian peasants are not allowed to grow certain crops. Milk and butter is rare for them. They are made dependent on Israeli market products to exist. Also, the mantra of hating Palestinians have been cultivated in the minds of the Israelis so that they can manufacture a certain idea of unity amongst themselves. Normal citizens are taught, right from their birth to be Zionist.
Haneen questions that in the past few years, Israel has grown obsessive with being called a democracy. This lunatic obsession states that Israel is insecure and hence, would do everything possible to attain the respect at international platform.
Like every politician Haneen does not just blame the Israelis for the plight of Palestinians but also states that even her own Arabs and Palestinians have a role to play. For example, Hamas and Fatah, both do not pay heed to the problems suffered by Palestinians inside Israel. Very often, their issues are ignored as an ‘internal or domestic problem’.
Haneen stated that ‘Negotiation can not be a substitute for struggle.’ When asked, where she gets her strength from, she simply replied ‘There are two options. One is to struggle hard while the other is to give up. For me, giving up is the most difficult part. Hence, I choose to struggle.’
Due to her audacity and frankness, the Israeli parliament is currently looking for political issues through which they can strip her off from the Knesset. With 1000 voters for her Balaad party, Haneen Zaobi tries to avoid revealing the tensions behind her smile as a disguise.
shubhdachaudhary 