A new poll by Dr. Nader Said confirms that Palestinians are disenchanted with those who govern them.  Even though Palestinians are traditionally very loyal to one political faction or another, they are fed up with corruption and destruction and are increasingly favor independent technocrats.  Below are some of the highlights from the poll:

• A vast majority (82 percent) support an immediate PLC election.
• Two thirds of Palestinians support the position of Fayyad Government to hold local election in July.
• 37 percent in the West bank and 27 percent in Gaza feel that corruption is on the increase.
• 57 percent of Gazans view negatively the performance of the Haniyeh Government in improving the economy.
• 51 percent of Gazans negatively evaluate the performance of the Haniyeh Government in respecting personal and civil freedoms; while 38 percent of West Bank respondents feel the same way about the Fayyad Government.
• Gazans are much more critical of the Haniyeh Government than West Bank respondents; while the Fayyad Government receives lower evaluation in the West Bank than in Gaza.
• 73 percent support the appointment of a woman (Dr. Laila Ghannam) as Governor.
• Only 8 percent feel that Mr. Obama is serious about establishing a Palestinian state.
• A PLO list will win over an Islamist one in an upcoming PLC election.
• Abbas, Fayyad, and Mustafa Barghouti win over Haniyeh in an upcoming presidential election.
• Independents will play a decisive role in local and national elections.

Tags: Democracy and Freedom (or lack of), Palestine, Gaza, Leadership, Middle East, Mideast Negotiations, OneVoice Movement by daniel
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In a remarkable sermon, Syria’s highest Sunni religious authority spoke courageously and powerfully about religions requiring humanity and respect, including these statements:

“If the Prophet Mohammed had asked me to deem Christians or Jews heretics, I would have deemed Mohammed himself a heretic."

Sheikh Ahmed Hassoun also “said Islam was a religion of peace, adding: ‘If Mohammed had commanded us to kill people, I would have told him he was not a prophet.’”

Tags: Syria, Israel, Leadership, Religion, Middle East by daniel
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My friend Naif Al-Mutawa is one of the best and most impressive social entrepreneurs, and greatest hopes for this century.  He created a compelling series of Comics, headquartered out of Kuwait and primarily aimed at Muslim youth – creating positive role models with a foundation from Islamic religion.  The 99 is a group of super-heroes, each of whom possesses a super-power derived from the 99 attributes of Allah in the Koran.   The execution and story are so well done, they should appeal to all. Check out this trailer…

Tags: Entrepreneurship and Management, Media and Alternative Media, Religion, Middle East by daniel
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Afshin Ellian wrote an excellent piece in the Wall Street Journal.  He concludes it with:

The emergence of a democratic Iran is therefore not only a moral imperative but should be the foreign policy priority of every cold-hearted realist as well as multicultural engager. That’s why it is so incomprehensible that the Obama Administration still prefers dialogue with the apocalyptic ayatollahs over uncompromising support for the people crying out for freedom.

If the protesters shake off the yoke of theocracy and savagery, their success could herald the failure of political Islam way beyond Iran. At this turning point in history the West has no logical alternative but to unequivocally support the Green Revolution. The fate of this movement far outweighs the useless nuclear talks that will only buy the regime time and undeserved international legitimacy. The demonstrators in Iran on Dec. 7 rightfully exclaimed: "Obama, are you with them [the regime] or with us?" History will not judge him lightly if he chooses the wrong side.

For years I have wondered how so many diplomats (including many who are esteemed friends that I admire) delude themselves into believing they can actually get the Iranian regime to drop their quest for nuclear weapons.  Never mind that the regime has invested its entire reputation into asserting that the nuclear option is its G’d-given right.  And never mind that their entire geo-strategic existence relies on nuclear hegemony, not to mention the scary messianic imperatives they seem to want to accelerate with nuclear holocaust, as Ahmadinejad himself explicitly avowed.  If history teaches us anything is that we should take people in power at their word when they proclaim threatening visions in the public fora.

Several years ago, pundits dismissed "regime change" as naive and advocated nuclear containment with Iran instead.  I remember thinking they all had it upside down.  Nuclear containment is unlikely with the present regime.  Admittedly it may also be difficult with a future Iranian leadership.  But at least we won’t have apocalyptic messianics holding on to the red button.  Now that a viable grassroots opposition has risen in Iran demanding freedom and democracy, it will be devastating if they are not given all forms of global support, moral AND otherwise.

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Tags: Democracy and Freedom (or lack of), Iran, Religion, United States, Middle East by daniel
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Amman (the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan) recently hosted a comedy festival organized by Arab-American comedians.

Beyond being a constructive exercise, it exposed the need to encourage more introspection and independent thinking in Arab education, which is not just valuable to comedy (self-deprecating humor, sarcastic humor) as the article points out, but would also strengthen democratic institutions and foster entrepreneurial values, innovation, and balance of power.

Tags: Jordan, Introspection, Middle East, Funnies by daniel
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Bono just wrote an opinion piece advocating, among other things for 2010:

• A Festival of Abraham where artists celebrate Muslim, Jewish and Christian traditions (similarities to OneVoice’s OneMillionVoices campaign)
• The World Cup as tool for political change (similar sentiment to OneVoice’s Goal2018 Campaign)
• People Power, in line with the What Are You Willing to Do To End the Conflict campaign
• Non-violent revolution (in tune with why OneVoice was created)

So it seems OneVoice should invite Bono to join its Honorary Board, alongside music and change icons like Sir Paul McCartney.

Article pasted below…

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Tags: Music, Mideast Negotiations, Middle East, OneVoice Movement by daniel
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Very much in OneVoice, and very much with a sentiment like that of the KIND Movement, Starbucks bested all videos I got this season with this awesome compilation (which I received from Jason Alexander): musicians and ordinary citizens across the world joined on the same day at the same time to sing the same song:

Among all of KIND’s retail partners, Starbucks certainly ranks among the classiest, most professional and most sincerely committed to truly make this a better world.  In this case the above is part of a partnership with Project RED to fight AIDS.

Tags: Europe, Health, United Kingdom, Philanthropy, Kinded, Latin America, Music, Middle East, United States, Global, Art, KIND Snacks by daniel
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The Jerusalem Post TV bureau covered Keith’s visit with Israeli and Palestinian youth leaders of OneVoice.

Tags: Middle East, OneVoice Movement by daniel
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Interesting IPF discussion with Gen. Shaul Mofaz about his new peace proposal…

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Tags: Palestine, Israel, Gaza, Mideast Negotiations, Middle East by daniel
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There are doubts whether Mahmoud Abbas will truly resign, as he has claimed he will.  He has threatened to do so several times before, but he does seem exhausted by lack of momentum and a partner – on the Israeli side and among his own people.  This could strengthen him as his people start to appreciate him more and the international community and Israel do more to strengthen his course for peaceful negotiations.

If he does resign, analysis ranges from:

· A return to a third intifadah as Fatah resorts to violent or non-violent popular resistance

· Disbandment of the Palestinian Authority amidst a power struggle within Palestinian leadership, with serious repercussions for Palestinians and Israelis

· A major democratic step as a key Palestinian leader institutes an orderly election from a democratically elected successor

· Release of Marwan Barghouti, who claims the leadership mantle

· Introspective evaluation about how Israelis, Palestinians and the international community take the “peace process” for granted

· Emboldened Hamas momentum, amidst lack of leadership within Fatah

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Tags: Palestine, Israel, Leadership, Mideast Negotiations, Middle East by daniel
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