Global Business Perspectives

This is the second interview with Faris Alami from Integration Systems Management.  I asked him to talk again because I was excited to speak to him about his heritage as a Palestinian.  One of the things that I find very worrisome is the way the media portrays people.  Often times the media uses certain images to tell stories that can be very damaging.  In that process they can cause the public to sway their opinions of a whole group of people.

For example:  The media typically shows Israel in a more positive light.  They will show victims of the Gaza conflict as martyrs and with weeping mothers over dead bodies.  However, they will show Palestinians as terrorists in turbans and waving automatic weapons.  I can for a fact say that there are Palestinian mothers weeping and there are Israelis with machine guns too.  This conflict has been happening for over 60 years and certainly the U.S. government’s foreign policy is favorable toward Israel.

Do NOT get me wrong - there are atrocities happening on both sides.  Both sides has a valid argument regarding their points.  All I wanted to do with this podcast is show the “other” often untold or even unheard of story of living as a Palestinian.  I hope you find this perspective interesting, enlightening and that it humanizes this conflict in the Middle East.  With peace comes more opportunities for free trade and business for everyone.

 

 Living As A Palestinian: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In the podcast we discuss some reading materials that you can enjoy. 

“Reel Bad Arabs” Documentary on how Hollywood and the media vilify Arabs

http://www.arabamericannews.com - Written right here in Dearborn, Michigan

Additional Resources Faris recommends:

The Middle East Research and Information Project:
Covers the entire Middle East
http://merip.org/
2. Electric Intifada:
Information about Lebanon, Palestine/Israel, and Iraq
www.electronicintifada.org
3. Palestinian Monitor:
Current information about Israel/Palestine
http://www.palestinemonitor.org/
4. Al-Awda:
The Palestine Right to Return Coalition
http://al-awda.org/
5. B’TSELEM:
The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories
http://www.btselem.org/English/
6. International Relations Center & Institute for Policy Studies:
Human Rights, Women’s Issues, Economic Development
http://www.fpif.org/indices/regions/mideast.html
7. If Americans Knew:
Statistics about the Palestinian/ Israeli conflict
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/
8. United for Peace and Justice:
protest the immoral and disastrous Iraq War
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/
9. The Christian Sciences Monitor:
Independent reporting
http://www.csmonitor.com/
10. Stop The Wall Campaign:
A movement to stop the wall in Palestine/Israel
http://www.stopthewall.org/
11. Jews Against the Occupation:
Jews of all ages throughout the New York City area advocating peace
http://www.jatonyc.org/UNresolutions.html
12. Israeli Committee against house demolishment:
Israelis helping build Palestinian homes
http://www.icahd.org/eng/
13. Iraq Body Count:
Counting Iraqi’s Civilians
http://iraqbodycount.net/
14. Council for the National Interest:
Advocating a new direction for U.S. Middle East policy
http://www.cnionline.org/
15. Jewish Voice for Peace:
A diverse and democratic community of activists inspired by Jewish tradition to work together for peace, social justice, and human
rights.
http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/

Books you can Read:

1. The Question of Palestine By Edward Said
2. Palestine: Peace not Apartheid By Jimmy Carter
3. Leap of Faith By Queen Noor
3. Iran Awakening By Shirin Ebadi
4. Obstacle to Peace By Jeff Halper

Magazines and other resources:
1. Washington Report on Middle East Affairs - Magazine
You can buy it at some selected books stores or www.wrmea.com/
2. Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land - Movie
To order:
http://www.mediaed.org/videos/MediaRaceAndRepresentation/PeacePropaganda

Action you can take today:
1. Contact your local government representative and ask to speak with them about even hand policy in the Middle East
2. Read Carters book and all the websites above
3. Call your media and ask for better and fair coverage about the Middle East
4. Join any of the peace organizations above or locally contact Palestine Office at 313-945-9660