Palestinians rely on their families

WORKING TOGETHER: Informal support systems based on the family are keeping communities of Palestinians alive as Israel destroys their livelihoods

After his apartment was demolished by Israeli soldiers, Ahmed Abu Sair and his new bride found shelter in his father's home where eight people already shared two small rooms. His dad's bed was moved out onto the balcony.

However, Abu Sair, 29, a security guard who can't afford a new place on a US$125-a-month salary, won't remain in such cramped conditions much longer: his four-story apartment block is being rebuilt by neighbors who, though poor themselves, donated money and labor.

Such informal support systems -- neighborhood associations, clan welfare funds, mosque alms boxes -- have helped keep Palestinian society afloat, along with foreign aid, during three years of fighting. It works despite devastation that, according to a World Bank report in May, "would have torn the social fabric in many other societies."

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2003/10/14/2003071623

That a people, who have been demeaned and humiliated for decades, can still stay so strong in who they are. They have that collective identity that binds them together in spite of so many things that are facing them.

There are people who say that cultural politics is immoral. Well, I think they are awesome because that's what protects them from the racists and those who oppress them. Conservatives say that Cultural Politics is irrelavent today. I disagree. Look at Arab Americans. They are being ostracized by those forces like John Ashcroft and every other racist out there.

I've been wanting to join a movement here in the US to free Palestine, just like the Free South Africa movement during the 1980s. I'm looking for a local organization here in Hawaii, but I assume most of the organization is on the Continental US.

Sure tell that to the Jewish members of our party. It will go over well.

I know I chose a bad analogy. Perhaps I should've drew the analogy to the ones that stand up for Human Rights in the Democratic Party. I just deleted it after having second thoughts.

I hate culture politics and think ethnic nationalism is nothing but a tool to keep down class politics.

Given your definition of culture politics, why would Palestinian nationalism differ in terms of desirability from Zionism as practiced today?

Well...I'm using it in these terms.

How do you stop racism that is directly affecting your racial and ethnic group? How do you stay strong when no one is there to support you? If there is going to be any inspiration for a movement, it has to come from the group itself. Sure, there will be people to help them along the way (i.e. Abolistionists helping Harriet Tubman, etc.)

I fully support the type of action that Palestinians are engaging in -- keeping close kinship ties, having a support group, etc. However, perhaps my message was muddled. I do not support extremitism of any kind, especially Zionism nor Palestinian extremetism. Did I clarify it alright?

My own distaste doesn't mean anything.

The Israeli Occupation Regime will make sure that family members are kept in separate cells as soon as the Final Prison Camp facility is completed.

The Halliburton company has done an excellent job in developing the no-communicatin cage model, and the American taxpayers will be more than happy to provide jumpsuits, shackles, gags and goggles for each of the 3 million or so inmates.

This so-called family interaction only leads to anti-Israel and anti-US sentiment, which both Israel and the US are firmly committed to stamping out with a very strict zero tolerance policy, which has already been proven in both Iraq and Palestine to be a robust generator of revenue for both defense and correction industries.

They just need the lockbox..

http://www.ucomics.com/rallcom/2003/10/06/