Xenophobia in the West Bank

On a Saturday in the middle of October a Palestinian from a neighboring village to Yitzhar, Asira al Qibliya, set fire to a house whose residents were away for the weekend and stabbed a 9-year old settler boy. As a result, men from Yitzhar hurled rocks and fired guns, rampaging through the Palestinian village. Several Palestinians were hospitalized from gunshot wounds. This past Wednesday night outside Zeev Sternhell’s Jerusalem residence, a pipe bomb exploded, leaving him lightly wounded and resulting in a minuscule stir in comparison to other large scale violent attacks throughout the nation. Zeev Sternhell is noted for the critiques he made about Jewish settlements in the West Bank. He claimed Palestinians should try and concentrate their struggle against the settlements. Around his home fliers made by militant Israeli settlers whom were behind the attack were found by authorities. In November of last year, pledges to reach a historic agreement for a Palestinian state in the West Bank of Gaza by the Israeli and Palestinian leaders were made. Unfortunately, few Israeli settlement outposts have been removed as promised, and at the same time extremists towards the settlement movement have grown more radical.
In my opinion, the matter of militant Israeli settlers violently resisting possible ousters from the West Bank is a core example of xenophobia. This left-wing Israeli advocacy group has an unreasonable fear and hatred towards possible ousters from the West Bank. I think that these radical militant Israeli settlers believe it is their duty to violently destroy houses in Yitzhar to residents of illegal West Bank outposts. The article in the New York Times states, “more than 250,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank among roughly 2.4 million Palestinians.” It is evident that Palestinians vastly outnumber the Jewish settler population in the West Bank and are contemptuous of those who are Jewish settling in their nation. By illustrating their xenophobia towards these possible ousters from the West bank, these Palestinians are causing many of these Jews to become refugees. Considering the geography of the West Bank, I believe these Jews are entitled to the land just as the Palestinians are. I think it is ridiculous how Israeli and Palestinian leaders have still yet to come to a conclusion on the Palestinian state in the West Bank of Gaza. These leaders are causing even more violence to a nation which has plenty to speak of already by not coming to an agreement. I put the blame squarely on their shoulders because it stems from their reluctance to coexist with each other. I believe that if they do not come to an agreement soon, this nation will continue to be stricken by violent radical settlers taking on Israel to thwart possible ousters from the West Bank.

Attack on Publishers House

The article I am reviewing this week is about a book that is coming out soon. The original publisher wouldn’t publish it because of the controversy surrounding it. Another publishing house picked it up so that it will still come out. In the article a professor condemns it, but then later in the article she says that it is a fascinating portrait of A’isha, child bride of the prophet Muhammad.” In my opinion, this article shows the American spirit because an American publisher decides to pick up the book, despite the potential for attack from terrorist. The fact that they would do this amazes me. It shows that there are still some people that believe in freedom of speech, even though the constitution doesn’t really apply to terrorist per say.

Employment Pipeline

Henry Schein Inc. is finally a company which values its employees. The company has a facility in the Northwest side of Indianapolis. Henry Schein Inc. is a worldwide distributor of medical, dental, and veterinary supplies. The company has over 550,000 customers, which earns the company revenue of $5.9 billion dollars. The company has over 12,000 employees nationwide and 275 employees at the Indianapolis distribution facility. From the 275 employees in Indianapolis, 48% of those employees are immigrants. I did not find that shocking at all, but what I did discover in the article was the fact they are not hiring some random immigrants from the streets; rather they were hiring well educated immigrants with a great educational background. Just so you get an understanding of what I mean by “well educated” immigrants, Viet Pham, an employee at Henry Schein Inc., recently emigrated from Vietnam, where he was a pediatrician. Elisa Santos, another immigrant worker from Philippines is a teacher back in her native land. The company also expressed its satisfaction for having such a diverse background of employees. From the Philippines, Central America, the Caribbean, India, Pakistan, the list seems to go on and on. Also note that not only are these immigrants well educated, but they are legal US citizens.

As mention earlier, Henry Schein Inc. values all of its employees including their base of immigrant workers. Not only do these immigrants enjoy a safe working environment, but the company helps fund employee programs, such as diversity training, English as a Second Language classes, health and wellness programs, computer training and health benefits. I would have never expected to find a company, especially such a successful company like Henry Schein, to spend their own money to help these immigrants find their feet in America as well as help them integrate into American Society. Remember, this company is paying these expenses so that they have the opportunity to further develop the English language, to have technological skills and most importantly, to have the ability to blend into American society so that they are less likely to be exiled by their surrounding society. I also found more encouraging material in the article when I read about the company`s scholarship program for employees’ children. These scholarships are extremely helpful, especially for the first generation immigrants because it can help relief some of the financial issues that the family may face in the future. It said in the article that there were 75 scholarships available nationwide, with six given away locally in Indianapolis. Just by reading this article, it was quite evident that this company really does care about its employees, especially its large base immigrant workers. They are helping each and every one of the immigrants adapt to life in America, as well as helping their children have a brighter and more prosperous life.

Finally, the last thing I would like to comment about Ashley Petry’s article was something beyond all mention in the article. The company has done something truly amazing for these immigrants trying to live a better life in America. Henry Schein helps their employees prepare for their citizenship tests, which a large majority of them pass. Because of such generosity from the company, the immigrants were able to adjust to the country as well as a new line of work. I think there are few and far people, let alone companies, would go to such extent to help immigrants. They’ve helped them with offering free English courses, scholarships for their children, vital benefits and most importantly, a chance to have a US citizenship. I know from reading this article that these workers are truly grateful to be working for Henry Schein. This company has been a true inspiration for them. Helping them have a career in America, helping each individual and their family integrate into American Society. Henry Schein Inc. should deserve some national recognition for what they’re doing. It’s no surprise why so many immigrants want to work for them. For all the help they’ve provided for their immigrants, it’s really no surprise why it is such an in demand job for immigrants. I’m glad to see that not everyone has lost their respect for immigrants. If everyone would treat each immigrant with the respect that Henry Schein gives them, then it wouldn’t be so hard for many immigrants to adjust to a new way of life in America. If everyone would lend a helping hand, then maybe, just maybe, that poor stereotype about immigrants will one day vanish.


Article Written by: Ashley Petry
The Indianapolis Star
Monday, September 29, 2008
Section C1 and C3

Bombs Kill 5 In India Cities, Adding to Toll Across Nation

In New Delhi, five people dead and dozens wounded from two bombings on Monday September 29, 2008. The first bomb was set off in Malegaon, a city of Maharashtra. The article explains that a remote controlled bomb killed four people and wounded at least 20 people. In the city of Malegaon, there is a history of fighting between two groups of people, the Hindus and the Muslims.
The other bomb was set off in a market, in Modasa, a town in Gujarat. The explosion only killed one person, but wounded several people. In both instances, the bombs were attached to a motorcycle and were remotely detonated.

In the city of Malegaon, their population is around 700,000. More than 60 percent of the population is Muslim. After the explosion, more than 20,000 people rushed the police in anger. They argued that the police failed to protect the citizens from militant groups.

I agree with the people of Malegaon. The police should do a better job cracking down on militant groups. The bombings were done out of hatred bred from misunderstanding. These bombings need to come to a halt because ethnic cleansing should never take the lives of innocent people.

Writen from an article in Reuters

New York Times

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Page: A14

“French Muslims Find Haven in Catholic Schools”

“There is respect for our religion here,” said Nadia Oualane, a fourteen year old student of Algerian descent who wears her hair hidden under a black head scarf. “In the public school,” she added, “I would not be allowed to wear a veil.” The Article “French Muslims Find Haven in Catholic Schools” that was published on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 shows us, the reader, that this young girl’s statement is an accurate one. The article discusses how in the nation of France, which has only four Muslim schools, some of the country’s 8,847 Roman Catholic schools have become refuges for the youth of Muslims residing in nation, who are seeking what an overburdened, secularist public sector often lacks. Like spirituality, an environment in which good manners count alongside mathematics, and higher academic standards that are not available in their Muslim schools or local public schools. There are no accurate national statistics for this information, but many Muslim and Catholic educators estimate that Muslim students now make up more than ten percent of the two million students makeup of Catholic schools in the nation. The silent migration of Muslims students to private Catholic schools highlights how hard it has become for state supported public schools, long France’s tool for integration, to keep their promise of equal opportunity. This silent migration of Muslims students to private Catholic schools is a result of Catholic schools taking steps to accommodate different faiths. One school in the city of Dijon even allows Muslim students to use the chapel for Ramadan prayers. Catholic schools are also free to allow girls to wear head scarves. Many honor the national ban on head scarves, but several, which include the Catholic school of St. Mauront, tolerate a discreet covering. Imam Soheib Bencheikh, a former grand mufti in Marseille and founder of its Higher Institute of Islamic Studies, said that “It’s ironic,” he said, “but today the Catholic Church is more tolerant of — and knowledgeable about — Islam than the French state.”

My opinion of the Article “French Muslims Find Haven in Catholic Schools” is that it is about time that France, as a nation, realizes that its nation is now home to around five million Muslims, Western Europe’s largest such community, and it’s about time the nation accepts them as fellow citizens with equal rights to higher spirituality, academic standards of education and life. Mr. Chamoux, a slow-moving, jovial man, said it best “If I banned the head scarf, half the girls wouldn’t go to school at all.” He also added that “I prefer to have them here, talk to them and tell them that they have a choice. Many actually take it off after a while. My goal is that by the time they graduate they have made a conscious choice, one way or the other.” So it shouldn’t matter what religion a person is in the world education, just as long as the person is not forcing their religion upon another student.

Article written by: Katrin Bennhold

The New York Times

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Article on page A6 of the New York edition.

"Attack on Publisher's House May Be Linked to Book About Muhammad and Wife"

In this article is an occurrence of the publication of a book, that to some could come across as being offensive. When I say offensive, I mean that it takes certain figures of a Religion and uses them as characters in the novel. “The Jewel of Medina” was originally going to be published by Ballantine Books, but after canceling the publication, it was bought by Beaufort Books. Martin Rynja of Gibson Square’s Publishing says that it is necessary to publish this book. Martin quotes “In an open society there has to be open access to literary works, regardless of fear”. Mr. Rynja had his Northern London estate, which shared property with Gibson Square’s Headquarters, was set on fire early Saturday morning. Shortly after, three men were arrested due to suspicion of terrorism. The police were also able to arrest one more person, and she was charged with “obstructing police.” The fire was caused by a small fire bomb that was placed through the mail slot of the estate. Shortly after, firefighters arrived on the scene to seize the fire which caused little damage. They say this book has created a similar outcome to the events following the publication of “The Satanic Verses”, in 1988. The book is structured around the Prophet Muhammad and A’isha. To some followers of the Muslim Religion, believe that the book goes against their Religion and that it is not a topic to write fictionally about. The book tells how the two struggle through obstacles to reach their full potential. To me the book seems in no way to poke fun at the Muslim Religion, but rather tell an epic story. Thomas Perry says he believes that the publication of this book “could incite acts of violence by a small, radical section.” Denise Spellberg, who edits a Muslim web site, also offered graphic descriptions of how the novel was not proper and portrayed harmful material, both of which the novel was not intended. The President of Beaufort books, Eric M. Kampmann, says that the book has already been shipped out, although precautions have been set forth. Ms. Jones, the author of the novel, states something very passionate about freedom of speech: “I don’t spend my time worrying about how I’m going to die, but how I am going to live.” She further states, “I think a life where you can’t express yourself and you can’t speak is a life worse than death.” In other words, she believes very strongly that one can express their freedom of speech no matter what religion it is portrayed through. The novel is about a Religion but in no way does she portray it in a negative way. Just because somebody uses a Religious figure in a fictional novel, does not mean that she is speaking badly of the Religion. The people that are being affected by the novel are those that are Muslim Religion extremists and they believe strongly in their Religion. Overall, I believe the novel should be published free of worry due to the fact that in America we have freedom of speech no matter what the subject is.

Article By: Sarah Lyall
Published in Monday September 29th Edition of NY Times

Attack on Publisher's House may be linked to book about Muhammad and Wife

Despite the controversy surrounding it's Muslim subject matter, "The Jewel of Medina" has finally been published. The attacks against the publisher's house are, what I think, a relatively minute reaction compared to the similar events surrounding the publication of Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses", which was also widely hated throughout Islamic culture. "The Jewel of Medina" is a book following the life of A'isha, moving from her early years to her marriage to Muhammad to her development as a leader. Unfortunately, it's mixed reviews have varied from soft core pornography to epic love story about women's empowerment. I think it is ridiculous that someone would publish this book, given the sensitivity of the subject matter. Should you be allowed to publish it? Of course. Freedom of speech is one of the greatest things we have as it ensures us the ability to make our voices heard without fearing repercussion from the government. However, just because you can publish something, doesn't mean you should. A book about Muhammad and his wife that includes physical aspects, however innocuous they may seem, is crying out for controversy. Using a militant religion's most important figures in a light that the religion will dislike to sell books is a disgusting marketing ploy. When taken into account the success of stories like "The Satanic Verses" and "The Da Vinci Code", it makes perfect sense business-wise, yet the when seeing the amount of animosity created between the Islamic world and the publisher, publishing the book does not seem rational. I don't know if the Islamic world will embrace this novel as an accurate piece of historical fiction or not. I do know that given the prompt reaction of the several Muslim individuals involved with the fire bomb that the likelihood of Islam accepting the literature is close to nil. 

The New York Times

Sarah Lyall

September 29, 2008

page A6