Remember when I said that 2009 was not starting that great? Well, I was more right than I wanted to be. It's not only in a global level now, but also in a personal.
My grandfather had a stroke last Sunday while he was in their home near Petropolis, which is about an hour and a half from where I live. He just turned 80, but he is beloved by family and friends and it came as a shock to all of us. My aunt, my mom and I came to stay in Petropolis with my grandma and give her support, since the three of us are on vacation now. He is much better now, although he still is in the ICU and a little confused and disoriented. We believe he is out of danger, but he won't be the same again. My grandma is suffering the most. They have been in love ever since they met at a carnival party 54 years ago.
Now, for the global level. Well, folks... let's start with something I wrote on December 29th and never had the chance to finish. Yes, ironically, I was also in Petropolis the weekend when it all started:
“I came back yesterday from a very nice weekend in a historical town, called Petropolis, with my friends. We had a wonderful time there and had a lot of fun. We didn't watch TV or accessed the internet. So, I come back and start going online tra la la reading my favorites blogs tra la la... what?!? Then I go to the living room, get the newspaper and my jaw dropped. Israel what?!? Are you serious?
What in the world are you doing? I mean... really!
I don't even know why I was in shock, Should I be? Nevertheless I started reading any thing I came accross, of course, always with that classic suspicion. I just can't believe this is happening.”
Everyday I read the papers and think “oh, God...”. I have to say that I'm surprised that Brazilian mainstream media has been, generally and superficially speaking, against the attacks and showing a lot of the atrocities Israel has been committing. Our Foreign minister said that Israel is committing “State terrorism”. Very impressed. Not that anyone cares, well, I do, and I'm happy. We also send a big donation to Gaza and made some demonstrations. We should have done more... oh, well.
People who know me know that I'm actually against Zionism and I'm pro-Judaism, as well as pro religion in general. I have many Jewish friends who oppose the way Israel have been “handling the situation”, for the lack of a better expression. I read a very nice article called “Judaism is a religion, not an ethnicity”, which I lost the link, sorry :( when I find it I'll put it here. Well, I've been reading a lot about Jews against the State of Israel, some even pose with Palestinian flags. People say they are a minority. Maybe they are. But some of these groups are organized and need our support. I'm putting here some links for you guys to check out their arguments and think about them. I know you “I'm so secular, I'm modern”* people will not take some of those arguments, however they are good to think about. Remember, being a Zionist is not being a Jew. Let's differentiate these things and not blame the Jews for what is going on in the Middle East. Let's blame Zionism, Imperialism – I'm talking about that old one, although you can blame the new one as well, if you don't forget the old one – and the 19th century, always blame the 19th century**. You hate something? It probably started in the 19th century. Works for me.
Here are some links and articles:
Jewish opposition to Zionism
Jews not Zionists
“Jews against Zionism” a book by Thomas A. Kolsky
Jews against Zionism
Jews against Israel
IJAN – International Anti-Zionist Network
Neturei Karta – Jews against Zionism
“Today I end my support of Israel”
Let's support the Palestinians, let's support Peace, let's support Humanity.
Will 2009 get better? I hope so.
Best regards to all of you.
*, **: talk about it better later... maybe.
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