American Educational Trust Publishers’ Page

Police Training

The body cam video from Memphis, TN shows a familiar scene, starting with a traffic stop for a 29-year-old Black motorist, Tyre Nichols. Police shout expletives at him and yank him from his car. Then they beat him senseless, ignoring his cries for his mother, and taking their time before providing first aid. Nichols died three days later in the hospital. Memphis is one of hundreds of cities that have sent their law enforcement officials to Israel to learn policing strategies. These trainings with an occupying force that rules a population deprived of human and civil rights do not promote security. These programs facilitate an exchange of methods of state violence and control, including mass surveillance, racial profiling and suppression of protest and dissent. Everyone who has taken part in these brainwashing trainings needs to be de-programmed.

Omar Removed from Committee

As we went to press, the House of Representatives voted to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) from her position on the Foreign Affairs Committee. As Daniel Larison notes (p. 24), Omar has long been targeted and defamed as an anti-Semite for challenging the U.S.-Israel relationship and questioning the bipartisan norms of U.S. foreign policy. The successful Republican effort to oust Omar from the powerful committee prompted impassioned responses from many of Omar’s Democratic colleagues.

“The Hypocrisy is Obvious”

“Don’t tell me that this is about a condemnation of anti-Semitic remarks when you have a member of the Republican caucus who has talked about Jewish space lasers,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said, referring to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). “As a proud Jew and a proud friend and colleague of Ilhan Omar, I don’t need any of you to defend me against anti-Semitism,” Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) told her Republican colleagues. “My fellow Minnesotans and I see this for what it is: a petty vendetta,” Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) remarked. “Where are the free speech warriors today?” asked a tearful Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). “The hypocrisy is obvious to the American people,” she added. Omar believes she was targeted both due to her views and her ethnicity and religion. She said her ouster does not surprise her, “because when you push power, power pushes back.”

New Congress

After getting off to a slow start due to Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) inability to quickly consolidate support for his speakership bid, the new Congress eventually ramped-up its work and began introducing a bunch of new legislation pertaining to the Middle East. Congressional correspondent Julia Pitner (p. 26) provides an overview of the pertinent legislation, as well as brief profiles on the newest members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. (Sneak preview: Most of the new committee members have solid pro-Israel bona fides. Surprise, surprise!)

A Word to Freshmen Members

You may have never heard of the Washington Report before, but from now on you’ll be receiving this magazine regularly! We’re watching if you stand up for peace and justice and serve your constituents.

Please don’t disappoint us. Read these articles and think long and hard about sending our tax dollars to Israel.

Blinken Upholds Status Quo

Rep. Omar’s ouster came just after Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned from a trip to Israel and Palestine. During his brief trip, Blinken uttered the typical American talking points: support for a twostate solution and calling for “both sides” to deescalate rising tensions. This issue features three views (p. 8) on the new Israeli government and the tepid response of U.S. officials.

Exclusive AIPAC Gathering

Prior to COVID-19, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) annual Policy Conference in Washington, DC attracted thousands upon thousands of individuals. Three years later, the organization appears headed in a new direction, as they are now deep in the game of funding and influencing political campaigns, having recently launched their own PAC and Super PAC. As such, they appear to no longer value having an annual megaconference. This January, AIPAC did host a smaller gathering of 1,000 invited guests to strategize and hear from U.S. officials, such as Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (p. 49). We tried to attend the event, but were denied entry (again, surprise, surprise). AIPAC has changed tactics, but it remains highly influential, and you can count on the Washington Report continuing to track and report on its every move.

Thank You Angels!

Thank you to our 2022 Angels Choir (see pp. 73 and 74)! Some of you sent contributions totalling under $100 for the year and are not named, but we value and put to good use every dollar you send! To those of you who already donated in 2023, we will list your name in the May 2023 issue—unless you choose to be anonymous. You’re the reason this community-supported magazine and independent bookstore are still standing and entering our 41st year.

Make a Difference Today!

Executive Editor: DELINDA C. HANLEY

Managing Editor: DALE SPRUSANSKY

Contributing Editors: WALTER L. HIXSON

JULIA PITNER

IDA AUDEH

Other Voices Editor: JANET McMAHON

Middle East Books and More Director: NATHANIEL BAILEY

Finance & Admin. Dir.: CHARLES R. CARTER

Assistant Bookstore Dir.: HAJIRA ASGHAR

Art Director: RALPH UWE SCHERER

Founding Publisher: ANDREW I. KILLGORE (1919-2016)

Founding Exec. Editor: RICHARD H. CURTISS (1927-2013)

Board of Directors: HENRIETTA FANNER

JANET McMAHON

JANE KILLGORE

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs (ISSN 87554917) is published 7 times a year, monthly except Jan./Feb., March/April, June/July, Aug./Sept. and Nov./Dec. combined, at 1902 18th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009-1707. Tel. (202) 939-6050. Subscription prices (United States and possessions): one year, $29; two years, $55; three years, $75. For Canadian and Mexican subscriptions, $35 per year; for other foreign subscriptions, $70 per year. Periodicals, postage paid at Washington, DC and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, P.O. Box 292380, Kettering, OH 45429.

Published by the American Educational Trust (AET), a nonprofit foundation incorporated in Washington, DC by retired U.S. foreign service officers to provide the American public with balanced and accurate information concerning U.S. relations with Middle Eastern states. AET’s Foreign Policy Committee has included former U.S. ambassadors, government officials, and members of Congress, including the late Democratic Sen. J. William Fulbright and Republican Sen. Charles Percy, both former chairmen of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Members of AET’s Board of Directors and advisory committees receive no fees for their services. The new Board of Advisers includes: Anisa Mehdi, John Gareeb, Dr. Najat Khelil Arafat, William Lightfoot, George W. Aldridge and Susan Abulhawa.

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The Lobby And Progressive Support For Israel

Too many progressive Democrats voice support for Zionist Israel, despite its designation as an apartheid state and its failure to abide by the Oslo Accords.

One such example is recently elected Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA). This is what Fetterman told Jewish Insider in April 2021: “Whenever I’m in a situation to be called on to take up the cause of strengthening and enhancing the security of Israel or deepening our relationship between the United States and Israel, I’m going to lean in.” Fetterman added that he was “dismayed” by some in Congress voting against funding for Israel’s Iron Dome.

There is nothing progressive about supporting a settler colonial state like Israel. And, if these lawmakers are willing to abet Israel’s crimes, why should we have any confidence in their positions on domestic issues?

America is a free country, however it often feels as if the country is hostage to Israel. Hundreds of lobbies, think tanks and media outlets are working at the behest of the Zionist state to keep unlimited support flowing. The work of the lobby is the only explanation for continued U.S. funding for Israel. How else can one justify $3.8 billion a year in aid to Israel when it is a violator of human rights?

Mohammed Khaku, Allentown, PA

TIME FOR THE U.S. TO ACT ON ISRAEL’S CRIMES

Israel is in violation of multiple U.N. resolutions, international law and the U.S. Leahy Law due to its brutal occupation of the Palestinians.

America must find the courage to confront Israel with an ultimatum: Either agree to a just two-state peace settlement with the Palestinians, based on pre1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, or the U.S. ends all financial, military and diplomatic aid to apartheid Israel. We need less talk and more action.

Ray Gordon, Venice, FL

Author Displeased With Book Review

Walter L. Hixson’s review of my book, We Are Not One: A History of America’s Fight Over Israel, printed in the January/February issue, is driven by his ideology, and has many inaccuracies about both me and the book.

For instance, nowhere do I claim that the “book is the first to systematically examine the relationship between American Jews and Israel.” Rather it’s the first book to systematically examine the history of the U.S. debate over Israel (and goes well beyond just American Jews).

In addition, when he says I make the point “Israel is an oppressive and ultimately apartheid state,” those are his words, not mine. Moreover, he insists that “Alterman’s book echoes the very problem he describes,” because, “in New York publishing, which is the milieu in which Alterman operates, there are limits as to how far one can go in condemning Israel’s violent apartheid regime and demanding meaningful change.” This is nonsense. Once again, he simply does not understand the book’s topic. It is about the history of the debate over Israel in the United States. It’s not about what is to be done about Israel, Palestine or anything else. As for the “millieu” in which I allegedly “operate,” now he’s just making things up.

Eric Alterman, via Twitter

TIME FOR U.S. TO CRACK DOWN ON GROUPS FUNDING THE IDF

Donations to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are not tax-deductible. Under the U.S. Patriot Act, whoever knowingly provides material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization shall be fined or imprisoned for no more than 20 years, or both. The IDF is a foreign terror organization. Let me explain.

The year 2022 was the deadliest year for Palestinians living under Israeli occupation in decades: 231 Palestinians were killed by the IDF. The victims were men, women and children who were killed in their own country.

It is mind-boggling to hear that the IDF officer who killed a 24year-old Palestinian with autism in 2021 just got a promotion and raise.

That news led Miko Peled, an Israeli-American author, to refer the IDF as a “terrorist organization” that has been engaged in the crimes of ethnic cleansing and genocide against Palestinians for decades.

I should note here that when Israeli settlers harass Palestinian children on their way to school, destroy their crops and/or chant “death to Arabs,” they are typically protected by the police and IDF, but if Palestinians stand up for themselves, they are often shot by the IDF. Whoever provides support to the IDF is complicit in crimes against Palestinians and in violation of U.S. laws that ban support for any terror group. Now it’s time for the U.S. to enforce these laws.

Mahmoud El-Yousseph, via email

A U.N. PROTECTION FORCE FOR PALESTINE?

Jeff Halper wants all the “Palestine” organizations to push for a U.N. Protection Force for the Palestinians in the occupied territories. I think I favor it, given that the alternative is no protection against the Israeli settlers, soldiers and police.

A Palestinian friend of mine favors it, and I think some other Palestinians do too. They point out that the U.S. has always vetoed U.N. bills critical of Israel, meaning it’s unlikely Washington would allow the establishment of a U.N. protection force. (This is another argument in its favor!)

The Palestinians ultimately have very few options.

My local chapter of the Middle East Committee of Women Against Military Madness is divided on the idea of a U.N. protective force, because of course such a force would be armed.

One possible alternative would be a nonviolent peace force, but I don’t see that happening, either.

Lisa Marrow, St. Paul, MN

ANTI-SEMITISM ALLEGATIONS IN TEXAS AND CANADA

According to the chair and executive director of the Texas Holocaust, Genocide

KEEP THOSE CARDS AND LETTERS COMING!

Send your letters to the editor to the Washington Report, P.O. Box 53062, Washington, DC 20009 or e-mail <letters@wrmea.org>.

and Anti-Semitism Advisory Commission, progressives and far-left critics of Israel possess an “anti-Israel ideology rooted in anti-Semitism.” Nonsense. Their critiques of Israel are based on its mistreatment of native Palestinian Arabs, who are themselves Semites.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Presbyterian Church, several Israeli human rights organizations such as B’Tselem and numerous American Jews have criticized Israel for practicing apartheid and collective punishment.

Claiming they are antiSemites or self-hating Jews is a smear tactic designed to shield Israel from legitimate criticism.

George Aldridge, Belton, TX

Canadian legislator Joel Harden, a member of Ontario’s New Democratic Party, has been attacked by Israeli advocacy groups for alleged “anti-Semitic comments.” In 2021, Harden said, “the single greatest origin of violence in the Middle East, it is unquestionably the state of Israel and the way in which they feel absolutely no shame in defying international law.”

Harden was referencing the fact that the Israeli state has defied many U.N. resolutions and the Geneva Conventions to maintain control of conquered Palestinian territory. Israel has committed military aggression against all its neighbors and exists in a self-imposed state of permanent militarism.

Peace will only be possible when the U.S. government ceases its military, economic and diplomatic support for Israel’s total domination of Palestinian society. Only that will allow the beginning of fair-dealing. The cynical twostate fantasy must also eventually be replaced by a binational state with equal rights for all.

Rather than attempt to silence and shame Harden and others, it might be wiser to examine the facts behind their statements.

For the time being at least, such attacks will continue to be mounted by those determined to shield Israel from the consequences of its unethical and illegal conduct.

Morgan Duchesney, Ottawa, ON ■

OTHER VOICES is an optional 16-page supplement available only to subscribers of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. For an additional $15 per year (see postcard insert for Wash ington Re port subscription rates), subscribers will receive Other Voices inside each issue of their Washington Report on Middle East Affairs.

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