The New Rugged Cross

About This Poem

Last Few Words: This is obviously based on the famous evangelical Christian hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" - the original hymn has several verses, but this version only reflects a single verse and the chorus. It is indeed ironical that the Jews, so tragically persecuted through so many hundreds of years of history, should now see fit to impose cruel persecution upon the poor Palestinian peoples, whose lands they have stolen (and continue to steal by illegal settlement to this day). And how ironic is it that the United States of America, a nation founded on the principles of freedom from persecution, a land which once offered refuge to the huddled masses of old Europe, should give support to the neo-fascist military Zionist regime which has used its military might (funded by the USA) to slaughter Arab women and children in the slums of Gaza, using white phosphorus and other illegal weapons of war. And how dare the militant Israelis use as an excuse for their refusal to discuss peace and a two-state solution the allegation that a few home made rockets from Hamas extremists are the real problem? Do they not see that Israeli cruelty and selfishness is the cause of Hamas? Possibly most disgraceful is the fact that the Israelis and their supporters should call anyone who criticises their aggressive behaviour and brutality towards the Palestinian people "anti-semitic". By doing so, modern Israelis bring shame on their tragic co-ancestors who died in the Russian pogroms and in the Nazi genocide. Do people not know that the Arabs are a semitic people too? And all this is in the so-called "Holy Land".

Style/Type: Structured: Western

Review Request Direction: How does this theme appeal to you?

Review Request Intensity: I appreciate moderate constructive criticism

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft