Palestinians and we all should pay attention to how similar the arguments of President Andrew Jackson in 1829 and the Prawer act (the resettlement of the Palestinian Beduins) are. Very likely additional letters with like arguments exist in other countries that tried to convince the indigenous populations that the move planned for them has at its core in the government concern for the welfare of its indigenous population. President Andrew Jacksons Case for the Indian Removal Act December 8, 1829 Toward the aborigines of the country no one can indulge a more friendly feeling than myself, or would go further in attempting to reclaim them from their wandering habits and make them a happy, prosperous people. I have endeavored to impress upon them my own solemn convictions of the duties and powers of the General Government in relation to the State authorities. For the justice of the laws passed by the States within the scope of their reserved powers they are not responsible to this Government. As individuals we may entertain and express our opinions of their acts, but as a Government we have as little right to control them as we have to prescribe laws for other nations… And is it supposed that the wandering savage has a stronger attachment to his home than the settled, civilized Christian? Is it more afflicting to him to leave the graves of his fathers than it is to our brothers and children? Rightly considered, the policy of the General Government toward the red man is not only liberal, but generous. He is unwilling to submit to the laws of the States and mingle with their population. To save him from this alter-native, or perhaps utter annihilation, the General Government kindly offers him a new home, and proposes to pay the whole expense of his removal and settlement. . . . In 1838, Congress voted to displace 12,000 Cherokee from their native land. Israel’s “Prawer Plan” currently being debated in the Israeli Knesset will do the same to 40,000 of its own Bedouin citizens. THIS THANKSGIVING, COMMIT TO NOT ALLOWING HISTORY TO REPEAT ITSELF..
Posted on: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 15:35:36 +0000