[Vredeslijst] Palestinians decry some friends' "Troubling Discourse on Syria"

[Jeff]

On The Allies We're Not Proud Of: A Palestinian Response to Troubling Discourse on Syria
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFSTpAOCdPRU5e1iP11GDrWPu5pXrdVMzGumApRGd8lil2jQ/viewform

We, the undersigned Palestinians, write to affirm our commitment to the 
amplification of Syrian voices as they endure slaughter and displacement at 
the hands of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. We are motivated by our deep belief 
that oppression, in all of its manifestations, should be the primary concern 
of anyone committed to our collective liberation. Our vision of liberation 
includes the emancipation of all oppressed peoples, regardless of whether or 
not their struggles fit neatly into outdated geopolitical frameworks. 

We are concerned by some of the discourse that has emerged from progressive 
circles with regards to the ongoing crisis in Syria. In particular, we are 
embarrassed by the ways in which some individuals known for their work on 
Palestine have failed to account for some crucial context in their analysis 
of Syria. 

The Syrian revolution was in fact a natural response to 40 years of 
authoritarian rule. The Assad regime, with the support of its foreign 
financial and military backers, is attempting to preserve its power at the 
expense of the millions of Syrians whom the regime has exiled, imprisoned, 
and massacred. We believe that minimizing this context in any discussion of 
Syria dismisses the value of Syrian self-determination and undermines the 
legitimacy of their uprising.

We also believe that an important consequence of all foreign interventions, 
including those purportedly done on behalf of the uprising, has been the 
setback of the original demands of revolution. The revolution is a victim, 
not a product, of these interventions. It is imperative for any analysis of 
Syria to recognize this fundamental premise. We cannot erase the agency of 
Syrians struggling for liberation, no matter how many players are actively 
working against them.

Though we maintain that the phenomenon of foreign aid demands thorough 
critique, we are concerned by the ways in which foreign aid has been 
weaponized to cast suspicion on Syrian humanitarian efforts. Foreign aid is 
not unique to Syria;  it is prevalent in Palestine as well. We reject the 
notion that just because an organization is receiving foreign aid, it must 
follow then that that organization is partaking in some shadowy 
Western-backed conspiracy. Such nonsense has the effect of both undermining 
humanitarian efforts while simultaneously whitewashing the very crimes 
against humanity that necessitated the aid in the first place.

Furthermore, we object to the casual adoption of “war on terror” language. 
Enemies of liberation have historically used this rhetoric to target 
humanitarians, organizers, and community members. From Muhammad Salah to the 
Midwest 23 to the Holy Land Five, our community is all too familiar with the 
very real consequence of employing a “war on terror” framework. Therefore, 
we reject a discourse that perpetuates these old tactics and peddles harmful 
and unwarranted suspicion against Syrians.

Along these lines, it is our position that any discussion of Syria that 
neglects the central role of Bashar Al-Assad and his regime in the 
destruction of Syria directly contradicts the principles of solidarity by 
which we abide. We have reflected on our own tendency to heroize those who 
advocate on behalf of the Palestinian struggle, and we fear that some 
members of our community may have prioritized the celebrity status of these 
individuals over the respect and support we owe to those Syrians affected 
most directly by the war, as well as those living in the diaspora whose 
voices have been dismissed as they have watched their homeland be destroyed.

We will no longer entertain individuals who fail to acknowledge the 
immediate concerns of besieged Syrians in their analysis. Despite reaching 
out to some of these individuals, they have shown an unwillingness to 
reflect on the impact of their analysis. We regret that we have no choice 
left but to cease working with these activists whom we once respected. 

We would like to encourage others who are guided by similar principles to do 
the same.

Abdulla AlShamataan;   Abdullah M;   Adam Akkad;   Adnan Abd Alrahman;   Ahmad Al-Sholi;   Ahmad Kaki;   Ahmad N;   Ahmed A;   Ala K;   Ala'a Salem;   Alex T;   Ali A. Omar;   Amal Ayesh;   Amanda Michelle;   Amani Alkowni;   Ameen Q.;   Amena Elmashni;   Amira S;   Andrew Kadi;   Areej;   Bashar Subeh;   Bayan Abusneineh;   Budour Hassan;   Butheina Hamdah;   Dana Itayem;   Dana M;   Dania Mukahhal;   Dania Mukahhal;   Diana J.A.;   Dareen Mohamad;   Dena E.;   Diana Naoum ;   Dina A.;   Dina Moumin;   Dorgham Abusalim;   Dr. Isam Abu Qasmieh;   Eman Abdelhadi;   Eyad Mohamed Alkurabi;   Eyad Hamid;   Farah Saeed;   Faran Kharal;   Faten Awwad;   Fatima El-ghazali;   Fouad Halbouni ;   Hadeel Hejja;   Haitham Omar;   Haleemah A;   Hana Khalil;   Hanin Shakrah;   Hanna Alshaikh;   Hani Barghouthi ;   Haneen Amra;   Hareth Yousef;   Hazem Jamjoum;   Heba Nimr;   Helal Jwayyed;   Husam El-Qoulaq;   Ibraheem Sumaira;   Imran Salha;
Jackie Husary;   Jannine M;   Jehad Abusalim;   Jihad Ashkar ;   Jennifer Mogannam;   Joey Husseini Ayoub;   Jumana Al-Qawasmi;   Karmel Sabri;   Kefah Elabed;   Khaled B;   Laith H;   Lama Abu Odeh;   Lama Abu Odeh;   Lana Barkawi;   Lara Abu Ghannam;   Leila Abdelrazaq;   Lila Suboh;   Linah Alsaafin;   Lojayn Ottman;   Lubna H;   Lubna Morrar;   Loubna Qutami;   Magda Magdy;   Mai Nasrallah;   Mahmoud Khalil;   Maisa Morrar;   Majed A;   Majed Abuzahriyeh;   Manal Abokwidir;   Manal El Haj;   Maram Kamal;   Mariam Saleh;   Mariam Barghouti;   Mekarem E.;   Mariam Abu Samra;   Mira Shihadeh;   Mohamad Sabbah;   Mohammad Al-Ashqar ;   Mohamed Hassan;   Mohammad Abou-Ghazala;   Mona N;   Msallam Mohammed AbuKhalil;   Nadia Ziadat;   Nadine H;   Nayef Al Smadi;   Nidal Bitari;   Nour Azzouz;   Nour Salman;   Nusayba Hammad;   Omar Coolaq;   Omar Jamal;   Osama Mor;   Omar Zahzah;   Osama Khawaja;
Rami Okasha;   Rana Asad;   Randa MKW;   Rani Allan;   Rania Salem;   Ramzi Issa ;   Rasha A.;   Rawan A.;   Rawya Makboul ;   Reem J;   Reem S;   Reema A;   Riad AlArian;   Riya Al-Sanah ;   Ryah A;   Sabreen Ettaher;   Salim Salamah;   Samar Batrawi ;   Samar Azzaidani;   Sameeha Elwan;   Samia S.;   Sami J;   Sami Shahin ;   Samya Abu-Orf;   Sarah Ghouleh;   Sara Zubi;   Sarah Abu.;   Sarah Ali;   Sarah Shahin;   Shady Zarka;   Seham A;   Shifa Alkhatib;   Shahrazad Odeh;   Shirien D;   Sima Dajani;   Sonia Farsakh;   Susan Al-Suqi;   Tahani H.;   Taher Herzallah;   Talal Alyan;   Tamar Ghabin;   Tarek Abou-Ghazala;   Tareq R;   Tasneem Abu-Hejleh;   Tawfieq Mousa;   Yahiya Saad;   Yamila shannan;   Yasmeen sh;   Yasser Quzz;   Yazan Amro;   Zaid Muhammad;   Zachariah Barghouti;   Zeina Labadi   


ALSO SEE:

List of Rebuttals to Max Blumenthal's Anti-Syrian Article
5 October 2016
https://hummusforthought.com/2016/10/05/list-of-rebuttals-to-max-blumenthals-anti-syrian-article/


Dear Jeremy: it's time to speak out on Syria
An open letter to the Leader of the Labour party from concerned Labour party 
members, Momentum activists and socialists. 
8 October 2016
https://www.opendemocracy.net/uk/various/dear-jeremy-its-time-to-speak-out-on-syria