Nas drew my attention to the fact that The Jerusalem Post ran a story today about the on-line reactions to Jordan’s upcoming Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts (RSICA). First of all, the title of the Post’s article — Arab bloggers upset Jordanian school open to Israelis — is completely inaccurate. It was not Arab bloggers who were upset. In fact, both Amin, Laith and myself were absolutely thrilled about the project. It was on-line commenters, most of whom were anonymous, that expressed dissatisfaction with the project. Obviously, the journalist who wrote this piece does not know the difference between a blogger and a commenter.
I also noticed that the journalist — Ruth Eglash — decided to highlight the exact same comments that I highlighted on my blog last week without mentioning the fact that I, the blogger, was excited about the project and without making any reference to my blog. It is obvious here that the journalist did not do a fair and forthright job, as she focused only on the negative comments and reported inaccurate information by referring to commenters as bloggers. What irresponsible journalism!
Hassan,
I think the international community was wrong to have stopped donations to Palestinians because of Hamas not agreeing to recognize Israel. So yes, I would say that’s also a worthy cause. Because you shouldn’t punish the peoeple becsaue of the policies their government. Right?
Just like Spielberg’s donations to the children and hospitals in Northern Israel. Why should every day Israeli children be punished for what their government does?
Actually Markus, my post was not coming arrogance. I think it’s coming more from anger and sadness after reading some of the posts on here. And yes, I’m aware that many of you Jordanians don’t want anything, Israeli or Jewish as part of that project so am I that far off for wondering why anyone Israeli or Jewish would want to take part in something like that? I mean you just said that most Jordanians don’t give a crap meaning you don’t want it.Or at least you don’t want Spielberg’s participation or any Israelis to attend. So you pretty much validated what I was trying to say.
But I was also trying to say that despite or maybe because of the hate that the insitute might be a good idea becasue some Jordanians might be able to put their hate aside. You’re obviously not one of them.
And BTW, I’m not from Israel and I also don’t agree with a lot of their policies. Go figure.
@ Skye,
Hassan said he was saddened, he did not say that Speilcrap should not are must not donate to whatever cause he deems worthy, then in a very arrogant tone you declare that you dont know why you bunch should bother to come, do you thing it is something that most Jordanians give a crap about? do you think it is a privelage for us if you came? wake up, and look around you, the so called hate against jews that you feel has its sources, do you think after israel has bombed the living daylights out of lebanon the people of the middle east should fall head over heals in love with your cute romantic state? Its very arrogant and hypocritical of you to try to suppress hassan from simply being saddened, yes he is saddened and I am too, and I am even more saddened because some of us think that it is more important to set up a Cinema institue with the enemies of the state and humanity than to take a dignified stand against these same people who are murdering your brothers and sisters in Lebanon, Palestine and are robbing your own country blind of its resources. Indeed I am saddened.
so if as Israeli I like both your blog and the jerusalem post, so I have to choose now? 🙂
Skye,
What about donations by the international community to the Palestinians ? Isn’t that as worthy ? Wouldn’t that money be used to pay payrolls and stop evily-sought Palestinian inter-bloodshed ? Wouldn’t that make it easier for families put food on the table for their dependents?
Spielberg’s donations (amongst others) nurtures the roots of terrorism if you ask me.
As for hate, who am I to speak?? I’m posting from the comfort of the UK! Maybe you should try and ask people like Huda Ali Ghalieh, random besieged Gazans, etc…
Why does this sadden you Hassan? According to the article, Spielberg donated money to children in the North who were evacuated during the war and some hospitals in Haifa which I assume serves Arabs as well. Isn’t that his right to donate to whatever and whom ever he feels like? Or is it only OK when people donate to causes that YOU feel are worthy.
In fact there’s part of me that feels like he should just pull out of his part in this film insitute. After reading some of the hateful posts about Israelis, Jews and about this project I don’t know why the hell he should even bother.
But then I realize that it’s precisely because of the hate that he needs to still be involved. Because despite the negativity on here, I’m sure there are some Israelis and Arabs who might benefit from this project and who will be able to put aside their hate.
While we’re at the subject (and sorry for deviating from the main discussion Natasha) I want to point out the Spielberg donated during the last “Israeli”-Lebanese war 1M USD to support “underserved communities in the North” (i.e.: Settlements, ceased Palestinian land, u name it…) to “Israel”. Spielberg is one of the sponsors of RSICA…
Which leads me to the thought that prior to the announcement of this project, talks were up and healthy with this donor during war time.
This saddens me…
http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/08/09/steven_spielberg_charity_donates_1_milli
Probably not even done by a real journalist. Anyone can get on here and thrash their fingers about, typing whatever they want.
“there’s good trade relations and QIZ’s between Jordan /Israel”
QIZ? Isn’t this the place were most of the negative international attention for Jordan is coming from? isnt the QIZ where workers are being exploited and where jordanian workers learn nothing but menial work that pays dirt wages? Isn’t this the place where there is NOT ONE HIGH TECH venture but low-tech industries for businesmen who don’t want to be bothered by their county’s labour laws so they pile their shit on poor Asian and Jordanian workers,many of whom are desperate females (where are you silly Jordanian feminsts who never championed their cause, isn’t this a fashionable cause for you?) Isn’t this the place where investors don’t pay taxes (but pay kick backs to officials that never make it to the jordanian economy) And you are proud of this cooperation? We are not proud of it.
Do you want something creepy just right from the hebrew oven? Here is this horrific article about the use of scinece to study race. Rings a bell? remember Nazi and Japanese studies in genetics? yet here is Israel, out in the open, at a time when its waging a racial war, engages in a racial study to detemine the jewish gene. How scarey. The things the jewish state gets away with. Do you think Germans today can get away with such a study? The Israelis are sick racist people.
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A revolution in Jewish genealogy
By ADINAH GREENE
They are coming from all over the world to claim their royal heritage.
First, on October 19, they will meet in New York City at the inaugural dinner of the Davidic Dynasty organization. Then, in May, a mass reunion is planned for Jerusalem.
They say they are descendants of King David. They have the oral family traditions, rabbinic texts and historical research to back up their claims. And the way Jewish genealogy is thriving, their ranks may swell in the coming years.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1159193355370&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull