Mahatma Gandhi said: "we must be the change we wish to see in the world". To end cultural, structural and direct violence in India he initiated a nonviolent movement and it worked. Martin Luther King, Jr. said: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." To end the oppression of African Americans by the establishment, he followed in Gandhi's footsteps and as a result the civil rights movement had many nonviolent victories.

Many Palestinians and Israelis are following Gandhi and Dr. King's leadership, creating a nonviolent movement that will bring peace in their region. However, they have to overcome huge obstacles.

• The unacceptable violence perpetrated by the Israeli military must stop, and the occupation must end. http://www.anis-online.de/pages/_bild/Latuff5.htm
• The unacceptable violence perpetrated by the suicide bombers must stop, and the vicious cycle of hatred must end. (Note: I include only these TWO cartoons, NOT the other ones on this website, some of which are really distasteful). http://cagle.slate.msn.com/news/mideast/mid15.asp

Where are the leaders of the massive nonviolent movement which will end the bloodshed in the region? Let me introduce some of them.

• First the Khalil Sakakini Cultural Centre, promoting Palestinian arts and culture. Please take some time admiring this wonderful website and its links. http://www.sakakini.org/first.html
• Next the Not In My Name organization, promoting authentic Jewish values, including nonviolence. There are many links here too. http://www.nimn.org/

This is the only way forward, a massive nonviolent and cultural movement organized by the people of Palestine and of Israel, to stop the cycle of hatred.

The truth is starting to come out about the threatened war on Iraq. It is not about democracy, human rights or any ethical values. It is not even about the eradication of Weapons of Mass Destruction. It is partly about this: http://www.anis-online.de/pages/_bild/Latuff1.htm
and partly about controlling the only country which might prevent the present Israeli government from continuing its occupation of Palestinian land and massacre of the Palestinian people. With Iraq out of the way, the extremists and hard-liners of the Likud hope they will be able to pursue their imperialist policies without hindrance. If they do, retaliation from the other side will be no less violent. http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/action/moreinfo.asp?item=2319

NO. THEY MUST BE STOPPED. How?

Through nonviolence, art and peace.

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