Do You Have What It Takes?

by Charles Lenchner · 2009-03-18 03:34:00 UTC
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Do you have what it takes to write for Peace in the Middle East? That's right, I/we are looking to expand our selection of guest authors. And it could be you! Many will will apply, only a few will get in, but if selected, all the fame and fortune we can generate will be YOURS.

It's not easy though. As a PME guest blogger, you'll have to adjust to the mysteries of what we call "new-fangled media." That means your posts cannot resemble, not even a little, the writing style of a newspaper op-ed or weekend feature article. Most of the posts on Electronic Intifada or the Huffington Post are not what we want; on the other hand, OpenLeft and Tikkun Olam often have great blog writing.

We value the little known perspective, the counter-narrative, the reference to events and people that the MSM can't be bothered to remember, and the heroic bloggers toiling away in relative obscurity. Ever hear the dictum that Dog Bites Man is not news, but Man Bites Dog is? For us, understanding the Dog's story is the important part, not all that biting part so many others find interesting.

Here's a list of stories I wish we could feature:

Critique of the pro-Israel, pro-peace camp, written by a left-Zionist author active in a Jewish peace organization.

A defense of the Palestinian Authority and/or President Mahmoud Abbas. Tell us why Abbas' strategy is bound to work, even with Netanyahu as Israeli Prime Minister.

Explain Hamas' medium and long term strategy. How exactly do they see the future unfolding? Israel gives up in the face of sumoud? Hamas decides that 6 million Jews in Palestine is no longer an obstacle to victory?

How does the current wave of Palestinian solidarity activism in the US compare to previous waves - during the 1st Intifada and/or the Oslo years? What's different? How is the relationship between the community of Palestinian and non-Palestinian activists changing over time?

Where is the Palestinian left? What are the vibrant, grassroots and well known institutions of the Palestinian left? The emergence of elections on the Palestinian Authority has shrunk the Palestinian left, as they can't seem to get very many votes. What's the long term prognosis? Who are the current heroes, and why don't we hear about them?

What is the outlook for the Israeli left? With Labor and Meretz shrunk to the size of a vestigial organ, will Hadash emerge as a valid option for American Jewish solidarity? How will labor Zionists express support for an Israel with Lieberman as Foreign Minister?

Are there other stories you would like to see here? Comment below and make a request. If you know of articles posted on the web that answer these questions - post them as well!

Charles Lenchner
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