Where Are The Protesters?

There is supposed to be a ceasefire between Palestine and Israel. Jews have stopped bombing targets in Gaza. Yet, Hamas continues to send missiles into Israel.

What’s happening here?

If Israel was wrong in invading the Gaza Strip after months and years of being attacked by this terrorist group, isn’t Hamas equally as wrong for refusing to respect the ceasefire? Is it more justifiable killing Jews than Palestinians? I think not!

But where are the protesters? Where are the people on the street urging Hamas to stop? Why aren’t they there?

The way I see it, you either believe in peace or you don’t. Working differences out solves problems, which means getting together and discussing the issues instead of bombing innocent people.

Meanwhile, many stay silent. Silence is the worst way to solve any issue. Disagreements are a part of life. Running away from them means failing to deal with them. They don’t go away, but remain often to resurface in other ways. If Hamas and Israel can’t sit down and talk, then it demonstrates a total lack of love and respect for each other. As Barack Obama said, we may agree to disagree, but at least we are talking.

Yet, silence is the way the world often responds. We were silent when Jews were marched to the gas chambers in the Second World War. We were silent during the killing fields of Cambodia. We are silent today about the atrocities that are going on in many parts of Africa.

Meanwhile Jews in Venezuela and other parts of the world, people who are trying to lead peaceful existences, are being attacked for Israel’s position on Palestine. Funny that after 9-11 people were rightfully warned not to paint all Moslem’s with the same brush. Is this comment not equally valid for all? It appears that it isn’t.

I wonder if we show our concern and love when it is convenient, when it is easy and not pushing up against resistance. A few weeks ago, it didn’t seem much of a problem for people to march against Israel’s attack on Gaza. I guess the Canadian winter is too cold now for people who abhor violence to do something about what is happening all around the world now. We would rather give lip service about how we abhor violence, love peace and love people without doing anything about it.

If we say we love the people in Africa, for example, and they feel no effect of that love, aren’t we just kidding ourselves? I feel that indifference can be worse than hatred. Love is an action word, and it means speaking out and sharing honestly how we feel, even to those who oppress us.

That’s why I still dream of having Johnny V’s Rock and Roll Weekend For Peace on the Internet. The idea came from an idea of mine that started with this question: What if you had a party, invited the whole world and everyone came?

I want to have an Internet party, spread the word that is happening and invite everyone to tune in. People will show their webcams. Palestinians will be dancing on the same screen as Jews. Hindus, Moslems, Christians and atheists will share a common cause. Everyone regardless of their beliefs will come together for peace.

If anybody can put me in touch with somebody to help make this happen, let me know.