Ally K

washington, DC

I am a graduate student at American University studying International Peace and Conflict Resolution, Human Rights and Public Anthropology in an interdisciplinary MA program. I am particularly interested in human rights in Africa and post-conflict settings.

http://eagle1.american.edu/~ak4947a/index.html

Ally signed the petition | 10 months ago

Tell Obama & Clinton: Send an Envoy to Congo
Ally signed the petition | 12 months ago

Malta: Save Libyan Civilians and Grant Asylum to Libyan Pilots
Ally signed the petition | over 1 year ago

Tell Congress: Don't cave to Sarah Palin. Stand up for NPR!
Ally signed the petition | over 2 years ago

Afghanistan in Crisis: Tell Congress to Act Now
Ally commented on the article | over 2 years ago

Oops I Did It Again...And Killed 378 Civilians

Don't know what Tao was talking about but...

Thanks for posting on Sri Lanka, there needs to be more information out there about this. Like how come the Sri Lankan government won't let a UN assessment team into the conflict zone? The party line says it's because the fighting is too intense. But then, why is no one ready or even considering negotiating a ceasefire? And what about those 50,000 people, now without food, clean water, homes, or medical care? Let alone the violations of human rights and international law committed by both sides that need to be investigated...

Though to be honest, I don't see the Britney connection, but you made a horrible tragedy slightly more entertaining. Kudos.
Ally signed the petition | almost 3 years ago

For an education based on the experience of non-violence
Ally commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

On Being Pro-Israel

The Guardian is too far to the left for you as a media outlet that actually fact checks but you trust military leaders who's personal gain is self-evident? Interesting double standard. Besides that arguing that the images presented of WP injuries could have been caused by something else is living in a fantasy world where no one tells the truth and everyone is out to get you (re: paranoia and delusion).

Suicide bombings are wrong and obviously target civilians. But there is a body of international law that prevents against disproportionate use of force as well as against targeting civilians. Not all Palestinians in Gaza are suicide bombers but everyone suffers when they cannot work, go to school, or travel to neighboring towns.

The question then is, self-defense against whom? Every Palestinian?

Israel doesn't really have much to worry about their image. When has the state ever been reprimanded for any actions that did harm civilians? When has there been real international action from other states or the UN about Israel's treatment of Palestinians? There have never been sanctions, cutting off funding or weapons shipments. As far as Israel's image is concerned, the state is impervious. There is no answer because your question makes no sense.

To be honest, any Arab propaganda I have internalized has come from dogged research to find the truth in the situation, never from US sources, and especially from friends, coworkers, and colleagues who have been on the ground and have reported back. I don't know any better source then those who have been there as observers to both sides.

The political gain to state sponsored terror is simple, keep the enemy struggling to unify. It's strategic and it's neglectful. I'm not saying it's a good idea, I'm just saying there is a strategic advantage to terrorizing a population to keep them subjugated.

Ethnicity has a lot to do with this discussion. Race is a loose term for culturally constructed ethnic lines. As a scientist, you should also be aware that while race as a biological construct is false, as a cultural construct it is far too widespread. Barriers between Israelis and Palestinians perpetuates racist ideologies. Your terms "Arab propaganda," calling the IDF's action as Israel's, and that Gaza elected Hamas all show that you have internalized the racialized discourse of the Israeli government's propaganda. "the Palestinian people against Israel"...really? Michael, not all Palestinians engage in terrorism but congratulations on proving the point that you've racialized the conflict.

Is this about religion then? That Hamas wants to "kill all Jews." That sounds pretty emotional to me. The fact that it's true, Hamas' charter does say that, and that you point to it show that there is a particularly strong emotional component to this conflict that should engage an emotional discussion of the consequences. That does not preclude rationality.

I do not argue that there isn't room for self-defense. I argue that tactics and strategic decisions that engage a population while there is no negotiation with those who claim responsibility for terrorist actions, engage themselves in terrorism.
Ally commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

On Being Pro-Israel

I didn't want to interrupt as you two were having such a good discussion.

However.

Michael,

Seriously, do you want to see the pictures of the white phosphorus injuries? Do you want to see what your harmless flares can do? Lets take a look. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2009/jan/19/gaza-phosphorus-victim

Wake up, it's war, there is nothing precise or humane about it. And there is no protecting civilians in a war on a ghetto.

If Israel wanted to protect its citizens it would tear down the walls, provide decent education and outreach to Palestinian youth, allow Palestinians in Gaza to work and move freely, educate Israelis and Palestinians alike on the dangers of prejudice and racism against one's neighbors, and negotiate with Hamas so as to stop the hate fueled injustice of both sides.

The state of Israel, by your definition, is a terrorist entity. Israel targeted civilians because Hamas is a non-traditional enemy located among civilians and supported by civilians. It is collective punishment. The fact that there is a physical barrier to any economic development for all Palestinians in Gaza regardless of their political stance proves that there is collective punishment, illegal under international law, targeting civilians.

So, Israeli military destroys all semblance of order or peace in Gaza, and then we should reward them for taking a few, a very small percent, of wounded children to Israeli hospitals. If you start the fire, you don't get rewarded for helping pour a couple buckets on it.

Michael, I'm afraid your information is totally biased. You're missing the forest for the trees and you've obviously internalized Israeli propaganda. The fact that you argue that America is misled by Arab propaganda proves how very paranoid and delusional you are. What America is misled by Arab propaganda? Is it the one funneling weapons to Israel? Is it the one who refuses to negotiate with Hamas, the elected representatives of Gaza? Is it the one who condemns Shariah law but looks the other way at Israel's Zionist discrimination?

Israel is an authoritarian democratic country ruled by the iron fist of law. It engages, just as the US does, in state sponsored terrorism. Hamas is obviously a right wing organization. Maybe you should read the whole charter though, rather then just the highlights: http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/www.thejerusalemfund.org/carryover/documents/charter.html
There's some talk of non-discrimination and human rights you might find interesting.

The point is, Israel is not all right and Hamas is not all wrong. To simplify the conflict the way you do is to completely disregard the value of life, and to discriminate against a group for the actions and beliefs of a few. That's just racism.
Ally commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

On Being Pro-Israel

Again, I'm afraid you're experience completely negates your objectivity. As an outside observer, I see that there are lots of problems with the IDF, first being forced conscription. Also the two year limit negates any real relationship building between IDF forces and the people they occupy.

My experience is a little more than reading blogs. I have the good fortune to study this on a relatively regular basis, attending congressional hearings, discussions with researchers, reading the news, academic research, and historical sources.

I'm not anti-Israel. If you read above, I'm pro-Palestinian. I will always support the oppressed, it's a matter of being human. Being pro-Palestinian does not mean being anti-Israel. But the dichotomy you just created shows your own biases.

This does not need to be personal, and personal attacks are ineffective tools. Just know that this isn't a simple situation, there is no right party, and there is no peace that involves blindly believing what coercive powers tell you. Though, to be honest, it doesn't seem like anyone who supports the IDF would like peace in this situation.

Thanks to Charles for posting this blog and allowing for these ranting responses.
Ally commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

On Being Pro-Israel

Don't you think you're experience with the IDF would taint your view of them? My experience with the IDF shows me that IDF investigations are never thorough (see Hezoballah and the new "investigation" it war crimes) and that the IDF have very real interests in presenting themselves as truthful.

I'm not skeptical that you think the IDF is truthful and apparently infallible. However, I am skeptical that you're in any way correct. Any state run organization or armed group will have corruption, they are founded on coercive strategies and to think any of them would actually present the truth about their deeds and misdeeds is to live in an unrealistic fantasy.

Sorry. That's the truth.