Travelling all the
time, making appearances in Europe, Africa, Australia, Malaysia,
 returning to West Bank to participate in demonstrations against Israel,
getting arrested,  standing in Israel and saying: ”Zionism must go, Israel
is an Apartheid regime”, Miko Peled, author of “The General’s Son”, is probably
the most outspoken proponent of Palestinian rights and right of return in the
whole world.

At a time when Gaza
is under siege and has more than 410,000 displaced Palestinians living in
schools, churches and mosques, with no water, electricity, medicine or food and
are struggling for survival under the Israeli siege, Miko Peled will be the keynote
speaker at a fundraiser dinner  to benefit Gaza on August 21, 6 pm, at the
Wayne Tree Manor in Wayne.

Peled is the
grandson of one of the generals that signed the declaration of the State of
Israel, the son of a general in the Israeli army who fought the 1967 and 1973 wars
and a former Israeli army officer, himself. He switched sides to join the
struggle of the Palestinians after his niece was killed in a suicide bomber’s
attack in Jerusalem and the mother of the “Martyr” came to offer her
condolences.

Peled spoke recently
with The Arab American News:

The Arab American
News: What do you say to the world in light of the massacre in Gaza?

Miko Peled: Shame
on you allowing this bloody massacre, that is criminal. Shame on Egypt and U.S
who are complicit in this “criminal act.” Shame on Turkey, the Gulf and Arab
states for watching and not lifting a finger.

TAAN: The U.S. is
dropping “Humanitarian Aid” to Kurdish people in Iraq fleeing ISIS, while it just
passed over $670 million to aid Israel and doing nothing for the victims of
Gaza. What do you say to that?

MP: The U.S
government has a double standard that is hypocritic and criminal.

TAAN: What is your
outlook for the prospects of peace in Palestine?

MP: There will
never be peace with the Zionist, Apartheid Israeli regime. It must go. Then the
Palestinian and Israeli people can live together in peace. Same as the
Apartheid regime of South Africa, you could not make peace with them,
regardless that they were supported by C.I.A and Zionist’s money.

TAAN: What is your
opinion of Abu Mazen and the Palestinian Authority?

MP: I never met
him. But the Palestinian Authority was created by the Oslo Accords to control
the Palestinian People, whom Israel couldn’t control during the Intifada, and
they’re doing just that. They work for Israel

TAAN: You have
participated in demonstrations with the Palestinians. Have you ever been
arrested?

MP: I’ve been
arrested five or six times, the latest of which was recently protesting the war
on Gaza, and I have a trial awaiting me for “disturbing the peace.”

TAAN: You have met
many Palestinians and made friendships. What do you think of Palestinians?

MP: Of course I
like Palestinians. if I didn’t I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. As Mahmoud
Darwish says, they’re infected with the bug of eternal hope and optimism. I am
amazed by their attitude; they’re always talking about peace and moving
forward.  I have a friend, Nadeem Zawara, who lost his 16-year-old son—
killed by Israeli soldiers— and he holds no grudge. He says there are good
people in Israel, they’re not all bad, and speaks of living in peace and
getting justice, and is full of hope and optimism for the future!

TAAN: Did you speak in any of the Arab countries?MP: I spoke in Jordan. The rest say they can’t allow me in because I hold an Israeli passport, even though I am also a U.S. citizen.TAAN: This will be your first appearance in the Dearborn area, what are your expectations?

MP: I’ve heard a lot about the good people of Dearborn, and its wonderful community, and I look forward to meeting many of them, and getting to know them. I’m honored to be the Keynote speaker in such an important event.”Peled will be the keynote speaker at a fundraising dinner held by Gaza Orphans, a Michigan-based group of activists. The event will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21.

A panel discussion will follow the dinner. Panelists include The Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani, pastor Father Rani Miseeh and Imam Mohamad Mardini. The dinner will take place at Wayne Tree Manor at 35100 Van Born Rd in Wayne. For tickets, information and sponsorship, visit the event page on Facebook,  “We are Gaza” Dinner, or call Dr. Nidal Jboor  at 313.354.1400.