Are demonstrations the typical way to help Palestinians?
I wonder with those who demonstrate against Zionism and the oppression of the Palestinian civilians. I’m shocked whenever I see someone calling for demonstration, which seems to me insignificant action. Since the establishment of the Israel government until now, hundreds of demonstrations have taken place in Arabic world, and we hoped that these demonstrations might change something. However, let me put this question to those who still believe that there is a benefit from these demonstrations. What results have we achieved? This question raises the eyebrows and lacks for a proper answer. Someone may say “we are showing these Israeli atrocities to the world and we are standing with our brothers”.
I say, how many years have we been protesting? Isn’t it enough that the world is aware of this for the past three decades? Why don’t we confess that we failed in that matter?
I believe the only ones who get interest are those businessmen who sell the Israeli and American flags so that they are burnt out.
Ironically, we may see the Israelis complaining about some trivial actions like theaters, movies, demonstrations, and articles which are not in their mood, just to show us that they detest them. We think that this is the typical way to annoy the Jews and we forget to take any other means. Maybe that is why we detect ourselves doing such trivial actions and because of that Some people believe that whenever thy protest is whenever they annoy Israel. At last, let me put these questions.
Why do we have a dove in our hands, and they have a hawk in theirs? Why do we prefer peace and discussion to war and Israel the opposite?
Abdourahman Robleh Doualeh
English department,
Sana’a University, Yas00Mak@yahoo.com

A suggestion to the press
In respect to the firearms dilemma Yemen is facing, I think regulating firearms in the country is impossible no matter what. “How can you regulate 60 or so million firearms?”
One approach to the problem is for the Yemen Times to organize a petition signed by leading figures in the country demanding the government to prohibit firearms nationwide. Also, intellectuals and faithful citizens supporting such a petition should hold peaceful demonstrations and rallies. The lawlessness of the country should no longer be tolerated; we must join the 21st century. Tribal influence is another hurdle Yemen needs to overcome, such influence is directly linked to the spread of firearms and the havoc our country has been experiencing for the past few decades.
Finally, the presence of open illegal markets through out the country shows the policymaker’s attitude towards the problem and thus, the only solution is for peaceful steps to be taken by the patriotic citizens of Yemen to salvage what remains of the country’s image and economy in the international community.
Khalid A.
ye_2002@yahoo.com