I checked out to see what Robert is up to currently. I noticed in the link from the clip above he was one of the supporters of the Shministim, the Israeli conscientious objectors. In 1990 Robert founded The Rosenberg Fund for Children
to help children of targeted activists in the U.S. today- children who are experiencing the same nightmare he and his brother endured as youngsters.
Since then, the RFC has awarded millions of dollars to benefit hundreds of children in the U.S. whose parents have been targeted because of their involvement in progressive movements including the struggles to preserve civil liberties, wage peace, safeguard the environment, combat racism and homophobia , and organize on behalf of workers, prisoners, immigrants and others whose human rights are under threat.
On March 25, 2009, at the Green Mountain Film Festival, Montpelier, VT., City Hall, 6PM, there will be the first U.S. screening of the recently-released French documentary, THE BROTHER WHO SENT HIS SISTER TO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR, exploring the Rosenberg Case and featuring the Rosenbergs' son, Robert Meeropol, and others. Robert will attend the screening and answer questions.
Hey...great to see Knickerbocker Village online. I have lived here for a few years and love it. I saw the video you posted on Shministim in Israel. I have to say, as a progressive who believes in the rights of all indigenous people...that video way over simplifies a complicated situation and is misleading. Those in the video are entitled to their opinion, but they should be jailed if they refuse to serve in he IDF...as military service is mandatory in Israel. Jews have been living in Judea and Samaria for 3,000 years...so kinda hard to sell the line about Jews living on this land as occupiers...Jews are indigenous to this land. The truth is, the land is disputed. Both peoples have valid claims to said land. Israel IS occupying Palestinian people...and that is a shame. But you can't stop there. You have to ask why this "occupation" goes on in 2009? How did it begin? Do not forget that Jordan attacked Israel in 1967 and lost the land. Do not forget that Israel offered Arafat a Palestinian State in 98% of Judea and Samaria (the west bank), all of Gaza, almost half of Jerusalem and vast sums of money to develop the newly formed state of Palestine...not to mention a right of return for all who want to live in the new state of Palestine. Arafat said NO and started another intifada...this all according to Dennis Ross and Bill Clinton.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is, the Arab/Israeli conflict is not about the so called "occupation," as there was no peace prior to 1967 when Jews liberated Judea and Samaria. The conflict is really about the refusal of Ababs to accept the right of Jews to self-determination in their historical homeland--on which they have lived as an oppressed minority for over a thousand years. And on which they have lived for over 3000 years.
Notwithstanding, great to see a fellow Knickerbocker online. Be well!