This week I spoke at the Batavia Public Library on the issue of Palestine. I started my 20 minute remarks with a simple question.
Why is it we never hear media report that in the year prior to 10/7/23, Hamas killed 240 Israeli civilians including 47 children, kidnapped 800 more Israeli children, held 8000 Israelis hostage, and illegally built more than 12,000 homes on Israeli land?
The Answer: Because Hamas did none of those things to Israelis. Instead, the Israeli government did and is doing this to Palestinians. Let’s Address This.
If we are serious about peace, we must be serious about truth and justice. We must recognize the equal humanity of both Jews and Muslims, and we must demand accountability against those who threaten and harm civilian lives.
Especially at a time when this administration is censoring conversations on Palestine, disappearing those who dare to speak up, and terminating employment for those who refuse to remain silent—it is more critical than ever before we unapologetically speak up for human rights and justice.
As a human rights lawyer and a student of international law over the last 15 years, it is both my duty and my moral imperative to speak truthfully about one of the most protracted and devastating crises of our time—the occupation and destruction of Palestine and the genocide of its people. In these remarks, I present a historical timeline of modern Palestine and Israel, a factual record of atrocities, and a legal analysis that demands we recognize the reality on the ground and act in the pursuit of justice and peace.
I hope you watch and share this, and share your questions and comments in the discussion below. You can also watch the video on YouTube here.
Your lecture was so informative. I did not know the facts...now I do.
It is unconscionable that NO ONE is standing up for Palestine. It is wrong that
Thank you for your work and for sharing so much factual information.
Over the years, it had become increasingly frustrating to hear anyone who criticized Netanyahu, the actions of the Israeli government or military be branded an antisemite by the government. It is now cause for alarm as deportation is a reality for some or loss of research funding in the multi-millions for universities.
How long can Netanyahu continue this assault on the Palestinian people without anyone from the international community stopping him?? How long can he continue to ignore international law??
I know I will stay on my representatives about this. As a nurse, I have been horrified every time a hospital has been bombed. The most recent attack and murders of ambulance service providers angers me more than I can put into words. I don’t want my tax dollars funding any of this.
Years ago I listened to an in-depth, fantastic podcast about the history of the formation of Israel and how the conflict between the newly formed Israeli state and local Arab communities started. Well worth a listen for anyone interested.
https://www.martyrmade.com/featured-podcasts/fear-loathing-in-the-new-jerusalem
Thank you Batavia Library.. well done Qasim! Eloquently summarized backed by facts. It’s a must share. Educate people of the reality vs what the media chooses to feed us. It’s the least we can do for the utter misery and brutality the Palestinians are suffering.
Qasim Rashid: Excellent coverage of the history and situation. Watching this genocide live is oft times more than I can bear. The intentional stupidity of US politicians and many of the public leaves one speechless. Standing vigil every week for Palestine we are met with rabid pro-Zionists who attempt the same bullying against us as those in Israel. Fortunately we are still able to pressure the police to provide a presence to contain that violence but that is difficult as they prefer to not be there. At a showing of the Palestine Exception that portrays the use of censoring free speech a Jewish woman who lived in Israel for many years reported she was having a hard time coming to grips with this alternative view of Israel and Jewish Zionists. She came to learn and find support. That was heartening. An Arab-American attendee, a retired teacher/professor expressed shock at having to question whether we actually had free speech in the US. People can do change but oh so slowly at times. I can only hope we can build a movement based on education and ethical/moral duty to create this change before it is too late for the Palestinians and Americans where fascism now blatantly sits in the White House!
I too thank you.
Last week I heartily congratulated one of my Senators for being 1 of the few who voted "no" on shipping further arms to Israel, and conveyed my disappointment to the other Democratic Senator who voted "yes". Is is permissible for me to ask you to outline talking points for a petition or a letter writing campaign to our congresspeople? I'm not incapable of generating one myself, but there are so many fires burning, flames bursting out everywhere, that it's daunting to keep up.
Thank you Qasim, EVERYONE should here you speak truth to power! Facts matter...
Appreciate you, Thea.
Thank you!! This needs to be heard in every American household.
Thank you, Celia!
Thank you, Qasid, for your presentation. I listened very intently as I am trying to get a broader perspective on a conflict I will neither truly understand nor on which I will never intelligently or justifiably opine. I am a retired woman in Southern California, born and raised in a devout Catholic family and very culturally tied to my Judeo Christian roots. I grew up, however, in a very Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Los Angeles, and have come to have a deep respect for the many families I have known during the course of my upbringing, their faith and their traditions. The neighborhood where I grew up as a young child was designated a safe zone for Jewish WWII refugees. So as I try to understand as best as I can this horrible slaughter that is going on, I frankly am at a loss to sift through the competing narratives and/or propaganda. Some perceptions have shifted over time, including coming to know a Palestinian woman in the neighborhood who remembers leaving her home as a very young child with her family during the Nakba. What do I do, I ask myself, with all this experience and information? How do I become more grounded in a larger perspective that sees both side that at the same time condemns the atrocities and barbarity of both Hamas and Netanyahu? Who are the peacemakers who are immersed on both sides of the conflict? You insights that can guide me to further learning will be most appreciated. Thank you.
There is an overload of information available to us but you might find this interview of relevant significance to your quandry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l93PiMG6uc8
I can also tell you that more and people, Jewish people are waking up. One such writer for the Jewish newspape Ha'aretz began his post saying he was raised in traditional Jewish education but now he knows that everything he was taught was a LIE!
You might also want to listen to Ilan Pappe, an ex-patriot Israel who speaks out often and is teaching at a prestigious UK university (I forget which). Gabor Mate is another excellent independent voice. And there is always the Electronic Intifada to which you can get a free subscription. These are a tiny handful of important independent voices that will help you on your journey.
Good on you for your investment in the journey towards growth and understanding. I can recommend reading Palestinian Muslim, Palestinian Christian, and Jewish scholars. The three that come to mind right now are The 100 Years War by Rashid Khalidi, anything by Edward Said, and Palestine Nexus by Dr. Zachery Foster.
Thank you, Qasim. I hope you don't mind if I occasionally pester you with further questions. I promise to be brief. Wishing you all the best in your efforts as well. I support all peacemakers and truth is the way there.
Hey, that’s why I’m here. Grateful for the opportunity to engage.
Thank you for your clear and concise lecture, backed up with pertinent information.
Kudos to Batavia Library and professor Gaddis for hosting.
This a great account, really useful to share with those sceptical that Israel is ‘really as bad as I make out’. In fact, it is worse. I’m impressed with the venue allowing the lecture and hope that neither you nor they suffer any repercussions.
This should be required viewing - thank you Qasim for all you do - what a brilliant lecture. Your calm, reasonable voice is much needed, we need more like you. Thank you again
Thank you, Roger. Appreciate you taking the time to watch.
Thanks, Qasim, for giving that jam-packed lecture. And thanks to Batavia Library for having the courage to have you speak on that topic.
Thank you. Kudos to Batavia Library and to Professor Vincent Gaddis for coordinating the event.
After October 7th, I went out of my way to look up the history of what is now labeled on maps as Israel. By "out of my way," I mean that I searched for information from a number of sources, from different countries and from a variety of political standpoints. I've been tracking the news daily since then. You did an excellent job of distilling the available information into pertinent categories and backing your statements up with references to the sources of materials. Now if only everyone receiving this information was capable of listening and learning instead of parroting what they want to be true....
Thank you for investing the time to watch.
That was an excellent presentation! (Don't tell my cardiologist I watched. 🤭) You should be very proud of all you do! 🕊️♥️🤲
Thank you friend
Netanyahu is behaving like the tyrants of the past who oppressed The Jewish people, from Torquemada in The Spanish Inquisition, to the Russian Czars, the Nazis before World War II started. Has he forgotten about the Secret Jews in Spain, The Pale of Settlement, the Cossacks, and The Warsaw Ghetto?
I knew Israel was committing atrocious crimes, but never did I realise just how barbaric they have been behaving. Thank you for the incredible insight you have provided🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Netanyahu is not interested in human rights or democracy. He's a grave threat to the region.
Nice one and in only 20 minutes. WS that Batavia, Illinois?
Yes, at the Batavia Public Library.