<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Occupied Palestine | فلسطين]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[occupiedpalestine]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/author/hajarhajar/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Palestinian song &#8220;Blue Chair&#8221; mocks PA&#8217;s UN statehood bid ~ by @LinahAlsaafin &#8211;&nbsp;video]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<div class="submitted"> L<span><span class="username">inah Alsaafin</span> | September 17, 2011 | The Electronic Intifada</span></div>
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A group of Palestinian youth activists who were sick of the western media protraying the Palestinians as a collective entity regarding the Palestinian Authority’s <span class="caps">UN</span> bid have produced a satirical video and song titled “Blue Chair”. In its simple sing-song lyrics, the video highlights sarcastically the fact that supporters of statehood have become obsessed with “magical” chairs rather than basic human rights. The lyrics, translated from Arabic, are below.</p>
<p>In one of the many Palestinian Authority (<span class="caps">PA</span>) campaigns to draw up support for <span class="caps">UN</span> membership, a <a href="http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=416906">mock Palestine <span class="caps">UN</span> chair</a> was sent to travel around the world before reaching its final destination, naturally the United Nations building in New York. In the increasingly contested discourse about the <span class="caps">PA</span>’s bid for recognition of statehood, the symbolism the chair held won over many people as it carried with it the romanticized connotations of the world finally recognizing a Palestinian state.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the same supporters fail to realize that this is basically just a <span class="caps">PR</span> stunt designed by the <span class="caps">PA</span> (who have forgotten the little scandal called the <a href="http://electronicintifada.net/tags/palestine-papers">Palestine Papers</a> and have vowed to resume negotiations with Israel) as the <span class="caps">US</span> will make good on its promise and veto such a request. Additionally, “statehood” is but a nonsensical diversion, drawing the attention of many to belittle the Palestinian cause — either knowingly or not — to a mere question: “Should Palestine be granted the right to statehood or not?”</p>
<p>A state on the <a href="http://electronicintifada.net/tags/1967-lines">1967 borders</a> is fruitless in that it cancels out the <a href="http://electronicintifada.net/tags/right-return">refugees’ right of return</a> and impossible in that the land in the West Bank is not contiguous by virtue of the hundreds of illegal Israeli settlements and outposts. Furthermore, there are no specific “Arab only” roads or means that connect the West Bank to Gaza, which remains <a href="http://electronicintifada.net/tags/gaza-siege">under siege</a>. What is most sickening is the fact that the campaign carries the slogan “Palestine 194” signifying Palestine as the 194th member of the United Nations, while simultaneously abusing the number that holds so much significance for refugees as it is <a href="http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/C758572B78D1CD0085256BCF0077E51A"><span class="caps">UN</span> resolution 194 passed in 1948</a> that guarantees the Right of Return.</p>
<p>Compounded by the fact that the <span class="caps">PA</span> carries no legitimacy over the majority of the Palestinian people, in the diaspora and from within, the bid for statehood is nonrepresentative and fails to address the occupation directly, the crux of the whole conflict.</p>
<p><strong>Translated lyrics:</strong></p>
<p>The blue chair</p>
<p>This is the story of a magical blue chair… A blue chair that will<br />
travel, soar and fly!<br />
It comes in dark blue…and in white, Palestine, is drawn (2X)</p>
<p>This chair…is not just any chair (2X)<br />
This chair is an extraordinary and magical kind!</p>
<p>This blue chair…can rise high<br />
This blue chair…can achieve<br />
It can a bring us a state<br />
This chair is one magical blue chair!</p>
<p>This is the story of a magical blue chair…a blue chair that will<br />
travel, soar and fly<br />
It comes in dark blue…and in white, Palestine, is drawn<br />
This Chair…is not just any Chair (2X)<br />
This chair is an extraordinary and magical kind!</p>
<p>This blue chair… a chair for our refugees<br />
This blue chair…will give us our “Right of Return”<br />
This chair…will give us back Jerusalem and Palestine</p>
<p>This is the story of a magical blue chair…a blue chair that will<br />
travel, soar and fly<br />
It comes in dark blue…and in white, Palestine, is drawn<br />
This Chair…is not just any Chair (2X)<br />
This chair…is of an extraordinary kind</p>
<p>We’ve got our blue chair…with its own number too<br />
An enemy to the settlements it serves</p>
<p>We are the Palestinians…with our magically dangerous blue chair<br />
We are people…not like any other people<br />
We are people… who have fallen in love with chairs!</p>
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<p><a href="http://electronicintifada.net/blog/linah-alsaafin/palestinian-song-blue-chair-mocks-pas-un-statehood-bid">Source</a></p>
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