Comments on: Is Democracy a Right for Everyone? http://www.middleastpost.com/619/democracy/ Discuss And Analyze Middle East Political Issues Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:39:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Gitanjali Bakshi http://www.middleastpost.com/619/democracy/comment-page-1/#comment-673 Gitanjali Bakshi Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:00:30 +0000 http://www.middleastpost.com/?p=619#comment-673 While I think that political officials within the Middle East and influential countries like the US and Russia should always be open to communicaton and dialogue - that they should not refuse an opportunity towards diplomacy such as shaking hands with their opponents- I also believe that Ali had none of these options for dialogue at his disposal. The only option the lay person has to express his discontent for on-going hostilities is 'non-violent protest'. I believe that Ali Bhar's gesture was one such protest and it is undemocratic to punish him for it. However I also believe that there can be no peace without dialogue and diplomacy and this is not possible simply amongst leaders...this must be the sentiment of the public at large...both in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Although I cannot begin to imagine how hard this might be, we must eventually forgive and move forward in order to prevent history from repeating itself. While I think that political officials within the Middle East and influential countries like the US and Russia should always be open to communicaton and dialogue – that they should not refuse an opportunity towards diplomacy such as shaking hands with their opponents-

I also believe that Ali had none of these options for dialogue at his disposal. The only option the lay person has to express his discontent for on-going hostilities is ‘non-violent protest’. I believe that Ali Bhar’s gesture was one such protest and it is undemocratic to punish him for it.

However I also believe that there can be no peace without dialogue and diplomacy and this is not possible simply amongst leaders…this must be the sentiment of the public at large…both in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Although I cannot begin to imagine how hard this might be, we must eventually forgive and move forward in order to prevent history from repeating itself.

]]> By: Free Speech HUJI http://www.middleastpost.com/619/democracy/comment-page-1/#comment-648 Free Speech HUJI Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:48:28 +0000 http://www.middleastpost.com/?p=619#comment-648 Thank you for this article, Ziad! This is just to let the readers know that Ali is due for hearing tomorrow 8am Israeli time and that he needs your help! Here's what to do: 1. Help us tip the petition over the 350 names bar by tomorrow! http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/freespeech2008 2. Check back with us tomorrow morning on http://freespeech2008.wordpress.com for the update! The Arab-Jewish-Anyone-Else FREE SPEECH Coalition at the Hebrew-U Thank you for this article, Ziad! This is just to let the readers know that Ali is due for hearing tomorrow 8am Israeli time and that he needs your help!
Here’s what to do:
1. Help us tip the petition over the 350 names bar by tomorrow! http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/freespeech2008
2. Check back with us tomorrow morning on http://freespeech2008.wordpress.com for the update!

The Arab-Jewish-Anyone-Else FREE SPEECH Coalition at the Hebrew-U

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