Archbishop rejects normal relations, including sports with Israel
PA TV youth program Speak Up
As part of discussion on normalization, a recording of Archbishop Atallah Hanna is broadcast:
Hanna: "Normalization – it's impossible for us to agree to it. We cannot accept normalization, in the sense that everything is normal, while our people is being killed every day and oppressed every day. Therefore, I am among those who call for boycott of the occupation through all means. I am among those who demand not to maintain normalization with the occupation, because normalization with the occupation is recognition that it's not doing something evil to the Palestinian people. If we treat the occupation in a normal manner, it's as though we recognize its existence, its policy, and its actions, while its existence is illegal and illegitimate, and its actions are illegal, illegitimate, and inhuman. […] The phenomenon of resistance to normalization in all ways and forms is a healthy phenomenon that testifies to awareness, belonging, and rootedness. I support these actions, which are hostile to normalization, and think that dealing with normalization and resistance to normalization are among the peaceful and cultural means to resist this oppressive occupation. We, in Jerusalem, must – for example, concerning electricity and concerning telephones: there are some public services which we are forced to receive from the body that controls Jerusalem. And the body that controls Jerusalem, in an illegal and illegitimate manner, is the oppressive occupation authorities. However, we can boycott the occupation culturally; we can boycott the occupation politically, we can boycott the occupation in the realm of sports. There are many means through which we can boycott the occupation."
As part of discussion on normalization, a recording of Archbishop Atallah Hanna is broadcast:
Hanna: "Normalization – it's impossible for us to agree to it. We cannot accept normalization, in the sense that everything is normal, while our people is being killed every day and oppressed every day. Therefore, I am among those who call for boycott of the occupation through all means. I am among those who demand not to maintain normalization with the occupation, because normalization with the occupation is recognition that it's not doing something evil to the Palestinian people. If we treat the occupation in a normal manner, it's as though we recognize its existence, its policy, and its actions, while its existence is illegal and illegitimate, and its actions are illegal, illegitimate, and inhuman. […] The phenomenon of resistance to normalization in all ways and forms is a healthy phenomenon that testifies to awareness, belonging, and rootedness. I support these actions, which are hostile to normalization, and think that dealing with normalization and resistance to normalization are among the peaceful and cultural means to resist this oppressive occupation. We, in Jerusalem, must – for example, concerning electricity and concerning telephones: there are some public services which we are forced to receive from the body that controls Jerusalem. And the body that controls Jerusalem, in an illegal and illegitimate manner, is the oppressive occupation authorities. However, we can boycott the occupation culturally; we can boycott the occupation politically, we can boycott the occupation in the realm of sports. There are many means through which we can boycott the occupation."