By Karu Jayasuriya –
Karu Jayasuriya
The aspiration of the Palestinians are well known to the world. What they aspire is the liberation and establishment of a unity government. We can’t see any rationale in marking time and delaying this matter of vital importance. I sincerely hope that the People of Palestine will achieve what they are struggling for without further delay. On behalf of the government of Sri Lanka and its people on this very special day I wish Palestinians every success in their endeavours.
*Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s speech at UN Day for Solidarity with Palestine at Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute Auditorium on 27th November 2017 – 3.30 p.m:
I am extremely happy to be here with you as Chief Guest on the occasion of commemorating the UN Day for Solidarity with Palestine, organized by the Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity. The Palestinian Liberation Organization was established five decades ago in 1964 and was the embodiment of the Palestinian National Movement.
The Arab Summit in 1974 recognized the PLO as the “sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people” and since then the PLO has represented Palestine at the United Nations, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries (NAM), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and many others.
The PLO was considered by the United States and Israel to be a terrorist organization until the Madrid conference in 1991. In 1993 the PLO recognized Israel’s right to exist in harmony, accepted UN Security Council resolutions and rejected violence and terrorism, in response, Israel officially recognized the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people.
Until 1993, the only promoted option of PLO was armed struggle. From the signing of the Oslo Accords, negotiation and diplomacy became the only official policy.
The core of the PLO’s ideology was the belief that Zionists had unjustly expelled the Palestinians from Palestine and established a Jewish state in place under the pretext of having historic and Jewish ties with Palestine. They demanded that Palestinian refugees should be allowed to return to their homes. This is expressed in the National Covenant.
Article 3 of the Covenant reads; ″The Palestinian Arab people possess the legal right to their homeland and have the right to determine their destiny after achieving the liberation of their country in accordance with their wishes and entirely of their own accord and will″.
The international Day of Solidarity with the Palestine People is observed by the United Nations on or around 29 November each year. In accordance with mandates given by the General Assembly in December 1977, December 1979 and subsequent resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on the Question of Palestine. The date of 29 November was chosen because of its meaning and significance to the Palestinian People.
In response to the call of the United Nations, various activities are undertaken annually by Governments and civil society in observance of the Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. These activities include, among other things, the issuance of special messages of solidarity with the Palestinian people, the organising of meetings, the dissemination of publications and other information material, and the screening of films.
The aspiration of the Palestinians are well known to the world. What they aspire is the liberation and establishment of a unity government. We can’t see any rationale in marking time and delaying this matter of vital importance.
As we know well the State of Palestine appreciates the consistent goodwill and support it has received from Sri Lanka throughout its struggle for international recognition, and should always be counted on as a steadfast friend of Sri Lanka. For many years Sri Lanka had worked very closely with the aspiration of the Palestinian people.
The Palestinian Foreign Relations Commission also expressed solidarity with Sri Lanka during its war against terrorism and continues to support Sri Lanka in all its initiatives after the achievement of peace as well.
Several fields appropriate for close collaboration between Sri Lanka and Palestine have been identified. This include mutual support in international fora, especially in the context of Sri Lanka’s focus on strengthening bilateral relations with the Arab world. Stronger links between two countries, in the areas of economic collaboration, political consultations, technical co-operation and the training of primary education teachers.
There are projects launched such as Organic Farming in Sri Lanka with Palestinian expertise. Palestine is providing scholarships annually to Sri Lankan students while Sri Lanka is accommodating Palestinian graduates for post graduate studies in Sri Lankan universities.
Friendly relations between Palestine and Sri Lanka commenced in early seventies and the solidarity with Palestine was strengthened although there were numerous threats and barriers. The Opening of the PLO embassy in Colombo in July 1975 was a significant milestone in this respect and Palestine was supported by Sri Lanka and continues to be a strong advocate for the Palestinian cause.
At the same time Sri Lanka chaired the U.N. Committee on Human Rights of Palestinians for 38 years continuously. It is a unique record, especially since Sri Lanka is a non-Muslim country.
Sri Lanka supported the State of Palestine to join as a full-fledged member of UNESCO. And, Sri Lanka’s support was extended for the early realization of a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine existing within secure and recognized borders side-by-side and at peace with Israel.
It is with much appreciation we note that state of Palestine reciprocates all support to Sri Lanka, voting in all international bodies to support Sri Lanka’s candidacy and continues to have a close and warm friendship between the two countries, further the lobbying for Sri Lanka to have its membership in the Executive Committee of UNESCO.
I sincerely hope that the People of Palestine will achieve what they are struggling for without further delay. On behalf of the government of Sri Lanka and its people on this very special day I wish Palestinians every success in their endeavours.
Let me also thank the Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity with Palestine for inviting me to this pleasant evening. Thank you.
Amarasiri / November 27, 2017
Dear Karu Jayasuriya,
Yes, the Palestinians , Philistines, should have a state. So, do the Kurds.
Yes, the Palestinians and Cannonites were the original natives of Palestine, like the Native Veddah Aethho were the original natives of the Land of Native Veddah Aethho.
The Isrelites, the Hebrews, were Paras, Paradeshis, foreigners.
The book, the Bible Says so, and describes the ethnic clensing that took place
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k.soysa / November 28, 2017
IF as you claim, the Israelis were “paras”, “paradeshis”, “foreigners” etc. from where did they come? We are told that the Sinhalese came from North India, and that we are of Aryan stock, like the Germanic nation . The Tamils came from South India. According to history, when the forefathers of the Sinhala nation, namely Vijaya came, there were a native presence in this country.
The existence of, and the history of Israel and the Jewish race goes back six thousand years. Many attempts were made to wipe them out, by the Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, and finally by Hitler. The progroms in Russia and Spain accounted for several millions killed. To explain very briefly, the Holy Bible states that about six thousand years ago, God (of the Bible) called a man named Abram to leave the land he dwelt (modern North Iraq) and go to a country God will show. Thats how the Jewish nation emerged. The name “Jew” is based on the name of Judah, a son of the Patriarch Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham. The Palestinians like the Tamils and the Sinhalese and all living beings need a homeland. But to say that the Israelites are “foreigners” in their own land is like saying that the Sinhalese are foreigners in Sri Lanka.
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old codger / November 28, 2017
Dear K. soysa,
Saying that the Jews are foreigners in Palestine and calling the Sinhalese foreigners in SL cannot be compared. The Sinhalese have been resident here CONTINUOUSLY for at least 2300 years. The Jews were driven out of Palestine about 1900 years ago and were a minority until EUROPEANS of jewish faith were planted in the land by colonial powers starting in the 19th Century .That would be comparable to planting Arab Muslims in Malaysia. After 1945 there was a flood of Polish, German, East European and other refugees. It is, plain and simple, a settler state like apartheid South Africa.
You are free to believe everything the Bible says, but do not do so selectively. You should also then condone stoning to death as in Leviticus, or believe the story of the Flood.
I presume you are a Christian. I really fail to understand why some Christians, disregarding their own persecution of the Jews for centuries, now act as hurrah-boys for Israeli actions. Remember that Muslims respect Jesus as a Prophet, but he is nothing to the Jews!
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k.soysa / November 29, 2017
Dear Old Codger,
The Israelites have been in the land of Israel for well over 4000 years. That is historical, not only Biblical. Yes, they were plundered by the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians and finally the Romans. They were constantly taken captive by invaders but, as persistently they returned to the land that was given to them by God. The flood of Polish, German and East Europeans who came to Israel after the the U.N Mandate re-established the nation of Israel were all Jews who survived the holocast of 1939 to 1940. Yes, I am Christian but those who persecuted the Jews in their own land, like the Crusaders from Europe did so not realizing what they did was wrong. I do not condone it, Neither do we or even the Israelis persecute the Palestinians IF they the Palestinians integrate and live in peace with the Jews. Let me quote to you verses from the Book of Jeremiah, Ch. 12. Verse 15, “(God speaks) Then it shall be that if they (the foreigners in the land of Israel) learn the ways of My people (the Jews), to swear by My Name, ‘As the Lord lives’, as they taught My people to wear by Baal, then they shall be established in the midst of My people”.
I believe in the Great Flood, and yes, stoning was practiced during the period referred in the Old Testament but not anymore, though under Shariah Law, stoning and beheading is still practiced.
Jesus did not come to seek “respect” from anyone. He came to save the world from sin.
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oldcodger / November 30, 2017
Dear K.soysa,
So you do believe in the Geat flood, do you? But you don’t believe in stoning for adultery? Now, I find that passing strange, in that you can pick and choose what you want to believe in the Bible. Don’t you think that should apply to your Biblical world-view of the Israelis too? Note: ISRAELIS not ISRAELITES.
Just 75 years ago, it was quite fashionable for good Christians to murder Jews, apart from Africans, Arabs, Indians ,etc. What has changed ?
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Rev. Dr. Yohan Heenatigala / November 30, 2017
Dear Old Codger
What has changed? I am glad you asked.
I hope you will open your heart to understand the following.
The change came because of Jesus Christ (Heb; Yeshua Hamashiach), the only “begotten” Son of God who came to change the hearts of men.
Yes. it is sad to note that many who call themselves as Christians ARE NOT followers of Jesus Christ. (just like many Buddhists who are not followers of the Buddha’s teachings).
This is the evil nature of man, harboring hatred towards those who don’t look like you.
PS: By the way, regarding stoning for adultery – Jesus Christ dealt with it. (John 8:1-11).
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oldcodger / November 30, 2017
Dear Rev. Rohan,
You have added more confusion. I was asking what changed Christian attitudes towards the Jews after 1945. Surely Jesus Christ could not have anything to do with it.
Regarding stoning ,etc, why is it that religious scholars pick and choose different things at different times to believe in, and then claim that the Bible is absolute Truth?
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Rev. Dr. Yohan Heenatigala / December 1, 2017
Dear OC
It is Yohan and NOT Rohan.
When one does not look closely one tends to misread!
Christians (who follow Jesus Christ – I hope you will get it – compared to those who call themselves christians) received the Gospel from JEWS WHO BECAME FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST (aka Messianic Jews).
A little bit of Christian history can help avoid confusion.
A person who hates Jews (or any other) is not a true follower of Jesus Christ.
The Bible is the truth – even the parts that are not pleasant reading. That is why it stands as the TRUTH AS IT IS.
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Atticus / December 2, 2017
Rev Yohan, fairy tales often make for Grimm reading. The truth cannot have contradictions, it cannot include the monstrous cruelty of God in the Old Testament.
God getting rather annoyed: “Their infants shall be dashed in pieces and their women with child shall be ripped up” (Hosea 13:16)
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k.soysa / December 1, 2017
Dear Old Codger,
Yes, there is clear evidence (the Ark built by Noah on God’s instructions has been located, on a high hill in North Iraq. Do a web search.)
No, committed Christians, commonly identified as ‘Born Again” never pick and choose what they want to believe in the Bible. Every verse and Chapter of the Bible is perfect. Even aethists have said so. The Jews were sometimes identified during the Old Testament times as “Israelites”.The modern day term is “Israelis”, like Ceylonese being called Sri Lankans.
Murder committed by anyone is not fashionable. No good person would murder. Not Christian, Buddhist or Hindu. But when we open the newspapers we see much chaos.
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oldcodger / December 2, 2017
REv. Yohan and K.soysa,
It will take more than 300 words to discuss your apparently sincere belief in Noah, Floods, etc. Probably including an Earth with 4 corners to boot!
But what I am really interested is is why you devout Christians seem to have more sympathy for the Jews who were driven out of Palestine centuries ago than for millions of suffering Arab men, women and children who were driven out of their own homes just 70 years go. Does not your boundless compassion include these people? Does not the fact that it doesn’t show that your attitudes are influenced by Israeli/Western interests ? Search your hearts.
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Native Vedda / December 2, 2017
oldcodger
–
Be careful.
Your humanitarian consideration for Palestinians will be deemed antisemitic and anti Israel/Jews. Bibi reserves the right to nuke you with the support of Saudi Arabia.
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oldcodger / December 2, 2017
N.V,
I spent many moons in Saudi Arabia way back then. The Saudis are really not bad people when they are not beating their Sri Lankan slaves.
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Native Vedda / December 2, 2017
oldcodger
–
SJ types”Well Said OC”
Now that SJ agrees with you then you must be wrong.
–
He also implies that you live off others (Others’ Cost) by addressing you with abbreviation OC. This is too much.
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Rev. Dr. Yohan Heenatigala / December 4, 2017
OC
Your views on Christianity, Israel and the Jews is understandable due to your dependance on human intelligence and the lack of spiritual understanding of the Bible. This is not intended by any means as an insult.
The Bible and Christianity has been challenged over thousands of years. However what is written in it remains written, including the future of Israel and the return of Jesus Christ. You may say only fools believe in these things and you are entitled to your opinion.
PS: The Bible does talk about fools in Psalm 53:1.
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oldcodger / December 4, 2017
Dear Rev. Yohan,
You have not commented on why some Christians (not including the Pope) have taken to cheering Israel in recent times.
As to the Bible, it has been used at various times to justify colonialism, racism, slave ownership, misogyny and ironically anti-semitism besides a whole lot of other unpleasant stuff that Christians prefer not to talk about nowadays. If the Bible is as immutable as you say, how could this be possible? I put it to you that, in common with other “holy” books like the Quran , Tripitaka, etc, the Bible is cleverly designed so that one can read anything into it, according to the current inclinations of the reader.
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Atticus / December 5, 2017
OC the Tripitaka is not a holy book. Buddhism has no holy book. It is a matter of trial and error to prove to oneself whether what the Buddha discovered is true or not.
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Atticus / December 3, 2017
Soysa, the ark discovery was a hoax. Check it on Snopes, the myth destroyer.
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Rev. Dr. Yohan Heenatigala / December 4, 2017
The discovery “maybe” a hoax.
If you are keen on finding out about the “flood and the ark” there is plenty material beyond Snopes. Google might be helpful.
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oldcodger / December 5, 2017
Atticus,
I don’t know much about the Tripitaka, but the Vinaya Pitaka has some interesting inclusions, such as the one prohibiting monks from having sex with disembodied heads in cemeteries. Literally, I am not kidding!
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Ralli Ameen / December 7, 2017
The history you are stating her is mythology. There are enough book written by reputed western historians busting the myth of Jewish Kingdom. Even reputed Jewish historian said the same thing. Our local Christian modayas does not know this. Do you know those days Christians slaughtered Jews like animals, even during crusades wherever they came across Jewish settlement they completely wiped them out calling them killers of Jesus Christ. During Islamic rule only they were safe in Palestine and later majority of them converted to Islam (present day Palestinians). There were only about 4-5% Jews were there in Palestine at that time. Old name was Phylistine and later became Palestine. The name Israel was kept by Ben Gurion in 1948 and 90% of Israel population are invaders known as Zionist (Caucasian Kazhars converted to Judaism). You know the Rabbis (Jewish Priest) incited Roman Emperor to crucify Jesus because he was preaching a new religion. That means not the Roman but Jews were the killers of Jesus. Do you still love your god’s killers?
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SJ / November 29, 2017
Well Said OC.
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Ralli Ameen / December 7, 2017
So you believe in those mythologies created by Zionist who are not Semitic Jews but Caucasian Kazahks converted to Judaism. Around 6000 years back the people of Palestine were of Greek origin and later on the Kazhak Jews migrated from Babylonia and they carried with them the Babylonian Myths on which they built Judaism but still they were a minority there. The ruins there were of Greek origins but they cunningly changed them as Jewish origin. There are enough books by reputed western historian busting the existence of Jewish kingdom. Anyway Israel was created around 1947 and they carried ethnic cleansing of the natives and now occupying 3/4 the Palestinians land. In 1947 there were only around 3% Jews but they were original Semitic Jews. Now 90% are Zionist invaders. Only 60 odd years history. Aren’t they foreigners occupying Palestinian’s land forcefully. If you say no the donkey is better than you.
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Kumarathasan Rasingam / November 28, 2017
Tamils in Sri Lanka deserves Freedom – Genocide of Tamils clearly provides legitimate rights for Tamils self determination;
Please view Academia Edu. for more details:
https://www.academia.edu/29486541/Importance_of_an_Independent_Homeland_for_Tamils_in_Sri_Lanka_Genocide_of_Tamils_in_Sri_Lanka
https://www.academia.edu/34151481/SRI_LANKAS_CREDIBILITY_AND_UNS_RESPONSIBILITIES
https://www.academia.edu/34202740/SRI_LANKAS_GENOCIDE_OF_TAMILS
https://www.academia.edu/28419263/chemical_weapons_used_to_wipe_out_the_Tamils_in_Sri_Lanka
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Rev. Dr. Yohan Heenatigala / November 30, 2017
Amarasiri’s knowledge on Middle eastern history is as bad as his knowledge on the Bible. There were no Palestinians (as a nation) prior to the birth of Israel in 1948.
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K.Pillai / November 27, 2017
Thank you Karu Jayasuriya for expressing your honest views.
Palestinians have shown that it may be possible to keep them in servitude but it is NOT possible to smother their thirst for freedom.
The creation of Palestinian refugees in their own homes was a huge mistake but the bigger mistake was the step-motherly treatment they received and still receiving. The instability that resulted is still with us.
One wonders what Lakshman Kadirgamar would have said
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Anpu / November 27, 2017
Then what is the problem in devolving power to N&E for Tamils?
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Rajash / November 27, 2017
creation of a Tamil state in Sri Lanka should also be motioned and supported…this is a cloak veil implication by Karu Jayasuriya
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Jim softy / November 27, 2017
Sri lankan people are paid and fatten these people and more to preach this BS. when the opportunity came what did the LGBTQ boy said ?. All these whiners were silent. IF you were removed when are you going to have your own three wheeler party ?
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Kumarathasan Rasingam / November 28, 2017
Tamils in Sri Lanka deserves Freedom – Genocide of Tamils clearly provides legitimate rights for Tamils self determination;
Please view Academia Edu. for more details:
https://www.academia.edu/29486541/Importance_of_an_Independent_Homeland_for_Tamils_in_Sri_Lanka_Genocide_of_Tamils_in_Sri_Lanka
https://www.academia.edu/34151481/SRI_LANKAS_CREDIBILITY_AND_UNS_RESPONSIBILITIES
https://www.academia.edu/34202740/SRI_LANKAS_GENOCIDE_OF_TAMILS
https://www.academia.edu/28419263/chemical_weapons_used_to_wipe_out_the_Tamils_in_Sri_Lanka
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Shenal / November 28, 2017
Their is already a Palestinian state called Jordan. I don’t know why people don’t like to accept the hard facts as it is.
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K.Anaga / November 28, 2017
Karu! Do you see any rationale in marking time and delaying the establishment of a federal state for the Tamils in the North and East of Srilanka.? What you are doing is
exactly what Israil did to the Palestinians, including colonization.
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SJ / November 28, 2017
Strange Tamil nationalist responses!
Tamils nationalists still look up to Israel as their model.
(There was a brief spell between 1980 and 1983 when some Tamil groups were helped by the PLO. But that is fading memory.)
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Goldstein / November 28, 2017
Trump has his not a foreign policy expert Jewish Son In Law leading the negotiations.
But with the exception of Egypt and Jordan, no other Arab nation recognizes Israel’s right to exist.
But there are strong secret ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia. US has secret bases and stockpiles of weapons in Saudi Arabia.
Saudis want to start a war with Iran because of their stupid Wahabi Sunni-vs-Shia Persian long standing feud. Iran is stabler but also views Saudis as American puppets who are corrupt.
Lebanon will soon go up in flames because of the Saudi-vs-Iran proxy war to be aided and abetted by Jewish Israel.
If Iran stops threatening Israel we will have peace. If Arabs who can never militarily defeat Israel, start diplomatic ties with Israel we will have peace. If Jews do not act so racist towards Arab Palestinians we will have peace.
Expect turmoil in Lebanon soon with Saudis in secret coordination with Jewish Israel starting another war. Just like Indians ruined Sri Lanka, Saudis will ruin Lebanon
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Percy / November 30, 2017
Some hope there Karu Jayasuriya. Do you not know that your leader RW is a supporter of the state of Israel and has made public remarks on how much he admires the leadership of Netnayanu? Unfortunately you are not well known for your intellectual prowess having worked as a govt clerk before you got into business.So please don’t step into territory beyond your comprehension.
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