George N. Rishmawi is my Palestinian boss for these three weeks that I am volunteering for the International Middle East Media Center (IMEMC), which delivers a daily English-language radio broadcast of Palestinian news. George is a peace activist, a promotor of nonviolence and the Director of the Rapproachment Center, the umbrella NGO for the radio station. On October 8 my friend Doris was interviewing George for her Tampa Bay, Florida radio program, while I took notes.
George was an English literature and translation major at Beir Zeit University, but as soon as he graduated in 1991 he started working with the newly formed Palestinian Center for Rapproachment Between People (PCR). Starting during the First Intifada when tensions ran high, PCR tried to bring Israelis and Palestinians together in dialogue groups to get to know each other. A large group of activists and intellectuals from both sides met for 12 years. "Human recognition is needed for any progress to be made," says George, "and, while we had other options for how to deal with the occupation, we chose dialogue." This attitude is still at the heart of the work of the Center, including the radio station.
"Our mission is to close the gap between Palestine and the rest of the world, to create understanding and to stop the sterotypes. We reach out beyond our borders and encourage people to come here. ' Alternative Tourism' is the work of another branch of PCR, the Siraj Center. Come to enjoy the culture, yes, see the holy and historical sites, AND get to know the people."
Doris asked George about the peace process now going on. "Peace process? The term is tricky. Everyone wants peace, but we need a 'just peace' that will provide a place to live in dignity, security and safety on our own land." The current talks are not between equals; solutions will be imposed. So why should Palestine sign on? If the leaders do sign, it will because of money and support. "Are the leaders honest? It's hard to judge."
George believes that the whole discourse has gotten sidetracked by the issue of freezing the settlements. Palestinian negotiators are now focusing on continuing the freeze instead of demanding removal of the settlements and ending the occupation. While the official position of the Palestinians calls for the two state solution, George says that a viable state is not possibe while the West Bank is chopped up by settlements and the wall - entities that also increase separation and misunderstanding. He advocates for one state --"a human solution" for all Israelis and Palestinians. A country based on one religion or ethnicity is inherently racist. "How can we recognize Israel as a "Jewish state"?
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