Working with Mohamed Farraj in Balata on the last two episodes was fascinating and heart breaking at the same time. There is so much life and so much pain in that camp. Mohamed and I will be continuing to work together in the coming months to get a “Balata Podcast” up and running.

There has been no overt reaction to the decision of the CPC in this matter, and even the NDP position is not very strong, nor did it affirm even the principle that the Canadian government should take a wait and see approach and engage Hamas as the legitimately elected representative of the Palestinian people, until such a time as they do something egregious.

Instead Alexa McDonough played into the Zionist propoganda framework by talking about the dilema of Mamoud Abbas, having to work with a cabinet that does not recognize Israel. No affirmation of the necessity of Israel to open negotiations with the Hamas government, etc etc.

Thanks Chris for being there for us. You reperesent what is best about this country.

[ 01 April 2006: Message edited by: Cueball ]

quote:

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Originally posted by siren:
There is some debate on the topic occurring in this babble thread; Canada cuts relations with Palestine Government .

Off to download the podcast . . .

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Thanks for pointing me towards that thread. There were some great points made. Too bad a few people let it degenerate into insults.

Would be great to hear your thoughts on the Podcast. I am working on Episode 4 this week...

[ 04 April 2006: Message edited by: Chris Cowperthwaite ]

quote:

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I thought that point "a governments poltical position is only changed when the laws and by-laws of the government are changed, not just because the cabinet espouses a position at variance with the lawful position of the government" was great. It's interesting that I haven't heard it discussed in the local media here in the West Bank.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Cueball:
The feeling is neutral. Hamas is very far away for Canadians, and generally categorized in that box with all those things that one does not understand and so therefore make one uncomfortable because they are potentially dangerous (which I suppose they are.)

There has been no overt reaction to the decision of the CPC in this matter, and even the NDP position is not very strong, nor did it affirm even the principle that the Canadian government should take a wait and see approach and engage Hamas as the legitimately elected representative of the Palestinian people, until such a time as they do something egregious.

Instead Alexa McDonough played into the Zionist propoganda framework by talking about the dilema of Mamoud Abbas, having to work with a cabinet that does not recognize Israel. No affirmation of the necessity of Israel to open negotiations with the Hamas government, etc etc.

Thanks Chris for being there for us. You reperesent what is best about this country.

[ 01 April 2006: Message edited by: Cueball ]

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I understand your disappointment that the NDP did not take a stronger stand on this issue. However, what exactly do you mean by "Alexa McDonough played into the Zionist propoganda framework"? I have heard the point about the "dilema of Mamoud Abbas" voiced by a wide range of people... not only Zionists.

quote:

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Originally posted by Cueball:
On that point though, it is doubtful that the PA would continue to have legal standing if Hamas were to rescind its recognition of Israel, as that is a key basis of the Oslo accords, and it is Oslo which constitutes the Palestine Authority as a legal body.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Chris Cowperthwaite:

I understand your disappointment that the NDP did not take a stronger stand on this issue. However, what exactly do you mean by "Alexa McDonough played into the Zionist propoganda framework"? I have heard the point about the "dilema of Mamoud Abbas" voiced by a wide range of people... not only Zionists.

I thought that your point in the other post that "a governments poltical position is only changed when the laws and by-laws of the government are changed, not just because the cabinet espouses a position at variance with the lawful position of the government" was great. It's interesting that I haven't heard it discussed in the local media here in the West Bank.

---

Just that it is a problem to do with the Palestinians and who they elect, and not something to do with the occupation. You know something about dilemma might be ok, but then it should be kept in the context of the Palestinian dilemma as well.

So one might say something like: "Abbas's dilema of being trapped on the one hand by having a cabinet made up of people who do not recognize Israel's existance, while trapped on the other hand by Israel's refusal to abide by 242, after 38 years."

Something like that would be more fair, I think.

[ 04 April 2006: Message edited by: Cueball ]

The action was symbolic. Drummers on both sides communicated 'through' the wall and two large video projectors allowed groups on both sides to see each other.

What do people think about these types of grassroots efforts to bring Israelis and Palestinians together?
(edited because I did not like the my wording...)

[ 12 April 2006: Message edited by: Chris Cowperthwaite ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Sven:
What ARE podcasts?

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Interesting question. In short, "Podcasts are short, web-based audio shows you can download as MP3 files." There is more information on the RPN site.

You can also check out 'Podcasting FAQs' on myblog.

[ 13 April 2006: Message edited by: Chris Cowperthwaite ]

[ 13 April 2006: Message edited by: Chris Cowperthwaite ]

However, many Podcast receiver's require versions of Windows newer than 98.

quote:

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Originally posted by BCseawalker:
It seems like podcasts are largely for people who have iPods, since regular computers need to have this or that software to manage them. Maybe it's that my computer is too old - 6 yrs. Are computers newer than that ready-to-go for podcasts?

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It's actually pretty easy to get set up for podcasts. As long as your computer has speakers, you can easily download podcasts, either by going to the podcast's site itself and clicking on the sound file (which is kind of the long way of doing it), or downloading iPodder from here - it seems to be called "Juice" now - do you know anything about that, Wayne?

Anyhow, for a full explanation of what a podcast is, you can also read more here.

The easiest app to use right now, I think, is iTunes. You need any version 5.9 or higher. You just enter the Podcast area and search for podcasts you're intersted in. Then hit the subscribe button. Depending on how you set up your iPod, the shows will be automatically sent to it when you sync. If you don't have an iPod or other mp3 player, you can listen on your computer via headphones or with speakers.

I'm thinking that a more focused 5min show might be easier for people to get through. Rather than do extended interviews with several people; I could focus on highlights from interviews with one or two people. I would also try to relate the show directly to current events.

quote:

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Originally posted by Wayne MacPhail:
Can you tell us a bit about the gear you use?

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I was worried someone was evenually going to ask me this!! Let's just say I'm on a tight budget!

For all the voice recordings (except for the interviews in episode 4) I use the built-in microphone on my digital camera (Pentax Optio S5Z). I record my own voice in the laundry room at the college where I live... The buildings are mostly stone, with no carpet, so the piles of sheets in the laundry room reduce some of the echo! (I was inspired by your story on DIY about the woman who records in her closet!)

For editing I use Syntrillium's "Cool Edit Pro". I find it has more powerful features and is easier to use than Audacity.

I have been thinking about purchasing a more sophisticated recording device and found the DIY Podcast episodes very helpful! Recording devices are hard to come by here in the West Bank.

For Episode 4, I borrowed an mp3 recorder from a local news organization (The International Middle East Media Center - www.imemc.org) to record the audio in the 'field'. I forget what the recorder was called (I can find out if you're interested). I used a sony stereo mic to capture the drumming (it was very windy and the mic was GREAT because it cut out most of the destructive wind sound).

I used the built-in mic to record the interviews because I was not able to get a strong enough input signal with the stereo mic to capture the voices. I took the "wind sock" off a dynamic microphone and put it over the built-in mic to get rid of some of the wind sound.

[ 19 April 2006: Message edited by: Chris Cowperthwaite ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Wayne MacPhail:
Juice used to be called iPodder Lemon. Apple asked them to change the name. It was one of the first "podcatchers" or podcast aggregators.

The easiest app to use right now, I think, is iTunes. You need any version 5.9 or higher. You just enter the Podcast area and search for podcasts you're intersted in. Then hit the subscribe button. Depending on how you set up your iPod, the shows will be automatically sent to it when you sync. If you don't have an iPod or other mp3 player, you can listen on your computer via headphones or with speakers.

---

I find the whole matter of podcasts confusing. Tried downloading and installing iTunes on my desktop (I have WinXP), but couldn't understand how the program works. Previously, I installed Juice and when I clicked the little icon on the rabble podcast page, the audio file started playing. Which was great.

quote:

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Originally posted by Naci_Sey:
[QB]
I find the whole matter of podcasts confusing. Tried downloading and installing iTunes on my desktop (I have WinXP), but couldn't understand how the program works. Previously, I installed Juice and when I clicked the little icon on the rabble podcast page, the audio file started playing. Which was great.
[QB]

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Yes, it took me a while to figure it out when I first heard about Podcasts too!

Which 'icon' on the RPN page did you press? Was it the 'download' icon? If so, you haven't actually 'subscribed' to the Podcast, you just downloaded the individual episode. Do the Podcasts you listen to appear and update when you open Juice?

If you want to give it another try, go to the Rabble Podcast page of your choice (for Beyond the Wall it is www.rabble.ca/rpn/btw). Click on "XML subscribe". You should get to a page with a URL like http://www.rabble.ca/rpn/btw/feed/. Copy this URL:

If you are using Juice, open the program and choose the "subscriptions" tab. Click on the green "+" sign. Paste the Podcast URL in the text box that opens.

If you're using iTunes, open the program and click on "Advanced". Then click "subscribe to Podcast.." and paste the URL in the text box that opens.

quote:

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Originally posted by Michelle:
I have to use iTunes because I have an iPod shuffle, so I don't use Juice anymore.

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Really? I don't have an iPod... so this is very interesting. Doesn't iTunes recognize if you have downloaded new files anywhere on your computer? If so, would it not find the files you download with Juice and then add them to your Shuffle when you 'sync'?

I've never used a Shuffle... so I'm curious to know!

quote:

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Originally posted by BCseawalker:
It seems like podcasts are largely for people who have iPods, since regular computers need to have this or that software to manage them.

---

Don't be fooled by MAC and MSM marketing...podcasts are simply audio files like Mp3s, OGG, even audio only .avi, .wma, etc etc (The media just doesn't like to bring attention to the 'black market' aspects of audio file sharing if you get my drift

Here is a whole list of windows compatible and mostly FREE 'podcast' software...

A lot of times you might find that IF the podcast 'file' is too big for a dial-up, you might go and search for the Bit version of it.

There is a good list of P2P client's
Here

I recommend uTorrent for advanced users or ABC for newer users. Both are freely distributed under GNU.

If you have winamp...that will play most of them over your computer...or I recommend the free version of Ace Media Player, which to my experience, seems to play virtually anything I have shoved into it, where other players hang or go look for 'newer' codecs.

Fear-ah, I downloaded the Ace Media Player, but it's now shareware, free only for 30 days. So I ditched that idea.

Per Wayne's and Michelles recommendations, I had downloaded and installed Juice. That works fine when I click one of the Juice icons on the Rabble Podcast page. But what about the podcast sections of the page that don't include that icon, which is the case for many?

All I want to be able to do is click and have the things run. That's why, after seeing that Juice icons weren't available for every podcast, I installed iTunes - and then uninstalled it when I saw how complicated it looked. iTunes also failed to run the podcast automatically at a single click of the iTunes icon.

It's disappointing about Ace, since it may well have been the solution.

quote:

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Originally posted by Naci_Sey:
Thank you everyone.

Fear-ah, I downloaded the Ace Media Player, but it's now shareware, free only for 30 days. So I ditched that idea.

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Episode 5 - Us Against Them
April 25, 2006 | 6.4 Mb| 06 Min.

Things are getting more 'tense' here in the West Bank. The PA is a month overdue on its salaries and there are growing divisions between Fatah and Hamas members. The tragic suicide boming in Tel Aviv and continued assassinations in the West Bank and Gaza are causing dismay, anger, and fear for both Palestinians and Israelis.

On Thursday, they aired a show about Artists Without Walls here in the West Bank. If you are interested, it will air again this weekend:
CBC Radio Two: Saturday April 29th at 6:30 p.m. (7:30 AT, 8:00 NT)

[ 09 May 2006: Message edited by: Peech ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Peech:
How about a Podcast such as "Beyond the Intifada or How to reach out and create Peace?".
[ 09 May 2006: Message edited by: Peech ]

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Thanks for your note. Things have been pretty hectic here the past few weeks.

I would suggest you check out the most recent Episode of Beyond the wall:

Episode 6 - Combatants for Peace I
May 17, 2006 | 12.6 Mb| 13 Min.

One of the questions I ask Israeli and Palestinian ex-combatants is what they think about the word 'peace'.

Some examples of good work in this area are:

Teach Kids Peace

The Film: Another Side of Peace

The Parents Circle

PS:

I listened with great interest to the pod cast. Thanks again.

[ 18 May 2006: Message edited by: Peech ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Peech:
Chris:
peace and work toward it can only come when mutual blame ceases and mutual respect starts. I think all participants need to reconcile.
[ 18 May 2006: Message edited by: Peech ]

---

It is great to hear your thoughts and I appreciate you taking the time to listen to Beyond the Wall. The Podcast does not try to provide answers to any of these issues. It is trying to talk with people on the ground and ask them questions about issues related to the conflict and to 'peacebuilding'.

In talking with Palestinians and Israelis, I have heard time and time again that people are very skeptical of individuals or organizations that say people 'need' to, or 'have' to, reconcile.

Reconciliation is such a personal process and involves a huge amount of trust. That trust just doesn't seem to exist on the ground and I do not think it can be imposed on any individual or people.

Thank you for the links you forwarded. I am aware of the work of the Parent's Circle. I also work one day a week with an organizaiton called Jerusalem Peacemakers (www.jerusalempeacemakers.org) that is involved in interfaith dialogue. These may be great initiatives, but they are small scale. In order for them to grow, people need to meet and need to communicate.

It is currently illegal for all Israelis to enter the West Bank. It is illegal for most Palestinians to enter Israel (without permission). The Israeli government has increased the speed of construction of the separation wall and there are an increasing number of segregated roads in the West Bank. It is simply becoming more and more difficult for Israelis and Palestinians to meet.

At Jerusalem Peacemakers, we are trying to organize an interfaith dialogue in the West Bank before the wall is closed, any week now. But a very small number of people are involved in these types of meetings (and that is not to say they are not important! They're just small).

We may hope, or like, people to reconcile. It might be 'nice'. But, on the ground, the majority of people on both sides don't seem to be there yet.

So, what I'm hearing from Israelis and Palestinians working towards peaceful relations is that if Palestinians were given some 'breathing' room, and if it were easier for Israelis and Palestinians to meet, there might be some real progress.

A side note:
I find the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that was set up in South Africa after the Apartheid ended, an interesting precedent.

I agree it isn't possible to impose reconciliation.From my own experience in the legal system both sides need to consent and at least be willing to "listen" to what each has to say without expecting results. I still have family in the region so I know what baggage is, but I believe that the work these peace activists do is the only way. It must start at a grass roots level and then hopefully catch on.
It's the dialogue that is important. The site(Jerusalem) you provided is excellent! It must be fascinating work! Thanks for all your great work and I am looking forward to the next podcast. It's people like you who truly make a difference. Keep it up!

[ 24 May 2006: Message edited by: Peech ]

Episode 7 - Combatants for Peace II
June 4, 2006 | 14.8 Mb| 16 Min.
Resisting the Israeli Occupation through nonviolent resistance is an uphill battle. Avichay and Bassam share their personal stories and talk about strategies for the future.

I'm experimenting with a new recording device and used it for the 'narration'. It would be great to hear what people think.