Dear all, I am attaching a letter ofsupport and encouragement, that mightconvey some impression your work hasbeen creating in Germany.On behalf of Pax Christi, Germany,Middle East Committee
Dirk Biestmann-KOtte
Pax Christi, German Section, Middle East Committee
Steinstr. 10
51429 Bergisch Gladbach
Germany
Dear all,
on behalf of the Middle East Committee of Pax Christi, Germany, I am writing thisletter to you to let you know that we are with you, even more: We want you toknow that we totally agree with your recent actions. To us, it is a brilliant idea toconfront those who destroy and kill seemingly for the taste of it and who considerthemselves in the right position to be fishing for compliments for it, with the impactof their actions. We are appalled, even though not really surprised, about those incharge of governing the country who do their best to denounce you as traitors andliars (? maybe even ?cockroaches in a bottle?), who need to be silenced and legallypunished. If this is democracy, it is, as Edward Said puts it, ?a democracy withoutconscience?. To many people in Germany who struggle for acceptance of what youcall ?the other Israel? and who feel obliged to defend the concept of peace andjustice for all, rather than peace only for one side, it is rather encouraging andinspiring to know that the vision and the embodiment of a suchlike different Israelcan be found with Gush Shalom.
We feel it as being our obligation to, in Germany, speak in favour of you and tomake your voice, as being the voice of a different Israel, heard and your activitiesknown. The inclusive vision of a Jewish-Palestinian peace which is based on justiceand reconciliation, a vision which is spread by people as you, is currently, in themidst of the governance of Ariel Sharon, going through a major crisis. What elsecould we do but to send you all our loving support and appreciation! As saidabove, we are with you! And we want you to refer to us as friends.
Let us work hard together for a just peace for Jews and Palestinians, and for abetter future, one which is not in victory and surrender, in occupation, dislocation,and atrocity, but, as Marc Ellis puts it, in the ?creation of a new identity for Jewsand Palestinians in Israel/Palestine that will carry aspects of each people?s past andelements of joint experiences forged in blood, struggle and solidarity?.
On behalf of the whole committee
Lots of love
Dirk Biestmann-Kotte