Are Palestinians interested in establishing a nonterrorist country that coexists with Israel?
6 April 2025
The Palestinians in Gaza are bravely challenging Hamas:
In a rare and perilous public show of anger against Hamas, hundreds of Palestinians marched through Beit Lahia in northern Gaza this week, demanding that the militant group relinquish control of the territory and end the war with Israel, according to four witnesses.
. . .
The march went forward despite widespread fear in Gaza of Hamas, which in the past has cracked down violently on challenges to its rule. After the recent protests, however, Hamas’s response has appeared more muted, reflecting what analysts said was both the group’s fear of further inflaming an already angry population and its diminished ability to mobilize forces, with thousands of its members killed and with Israeli drones and warplanes overhead.
But the threat of retribution by Hamas remains.
On Friday, one of the protesters, Oday al-Rabi, 22, was abducted overnight by Hamas operatives from a shelter for displaced people in Gaza City, according to his brother, Hassan.
Hassan, 32, said he received a call hours later to pick up his brother from Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City. He said Oday was bruised, bloodied and barely able to walk or talk.
“My whole brother’s body was blood,” he said, adding that the Hamas operatives were dragging him with a leash. “It was as if I didn’t know him.”
The operatives said that anyone who “curses” Hamas’s military wing would meet the same fate, Hassan said. He took his brother to another nearby hospital, but Oday died a few hours later. Full article.
Are Palestinians interested in establishing a nonterrorist country that coexists with Israel? I have sent this email to everyone I know who might be interested, with no response to date:
I am a Jewish business owner and activist, retired pathologist and attorney (see NatPernick.com) interested in establishing a nonterrorist Palestinian country that coexists with Israel. Specifically, I want to work with Arabs and Palestinians interested in the nation building aspects for a prosperous Palestinian country.
This idea is to set up lectures, workshops, seminars or classes, possibly in Southeast Michigan (where I reside), to establish the infrastructure for this country. This includes establishing a draft constitution and a mechanism for Palestinians to "buy into" it, proposals to set up the necessary governmental departments and policies, economic development plans and similar activities.
This is something that we can start today through our own actions. It does not require changes in political leadership. I believe this effort will build a constituency for a nonterrorist Palestinian country that will change the regional dynamics and make this vision possible. Those working on this project will be capable of working in or leading this country and encouraging others to participate.
Please advise if you or your contacts are interested.
If you are Palestinian or support a nonterrorist Palestinian country, there is a lot of work you can do now other than pointing your finger at others. Please email me at NatPernick@gmail.com if interested.
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I understand that people have strong opinions on this issue and what needs to be done. But typically those opinions are what OTHER people should do. This is something that we can work on ourselves and that will make a contribution, even if a small one, towards peace.