Washington Report on Middle East Affairs | November 2010

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ON ELECTION DAY, “JUST SAY NO” TO CONGRESSIONAL ISRAEL-FIRSTERS

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On Middle East Affairs Volume XXIX, No. 8

November 2010

Telling the Truth for 28 Years…

Interpreting the Middle East for North Americans

■

Interpreting North America for the Middle East

THE U.S. ROLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION OF PALESTINE 8 Peace Talks and Troop Withdrawals, But No Peace in Sight—Rachelle Marshall 11 Negotiating for a Framework Agreement: “The Opposite of a Peace Treaty”—Uri Avnery

22 Two States, One Holy Land: A Framework for Peace—John V. Whitbeck 24 Fully Understanding Implications of Kosovo, Rule Of Law, Israel Ignores and Obstructs—Ian Williams

13 The Rains Came—Eric S. Margolis 14 In Gaza, Apathy and Skepticism Over Peace Talks Abound—Mohammed Omer 16 East Jerusalem’s Shu’fat Refugee Camp: “For All Practical Purposes, Ramallah”—Ben White 18 Ground Zero and Islamophobia in America: Three Views—Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, George S. Hishmeh, Paul Findley

CONGRESS AND THE 2010 ELECTIONS 26 Anti-War Amendments to Supplemental Funding Bill Get Support—But Not Enough—Shirl McArthur 28 Nov. 2 Election a Chance to “Just Say No” to Congressional Israel-Firsters—Janet McMahon 33 Pro-Israel PAC Contributions to 2010 Congressional Candidates—Compiled by Hugh Galford

SPECIAL REPORTS 38 Beating Death of Young Egyptian Leads to Protests, Trial of Policemen—Ellen Baugh 39 The Tenuous Presence of Religious Diasporas in Singapore—John Gee 41 A Conversation With R. Hakan Tekin, Turkey’s Consul General in Los Angeles—Pat McDonnell Twair 74 Thanks-Giving Chapel’s Islamic Design a Visual, Spiritual Gem in Downtown Dallas

—Elaine Pasquini

ON THE COVER: A Palestinian mother and her son stand in line in an enclosure at Ramallah’s Qalandia checkpoint waiting for Israeli soldiers to allow them to enter Jerusalem to perform Lailat al-Qadr prayers, which commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Mohammed through the angel Gabriel, Sept. 5, 2010.

AFP PHOTO/ABBAS MOMANI

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(A Supplement to the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs available by subscription at $15 per year. To subscribe, call toll-free 1-800-368-5788, and press 1.

For other options, see page OV-3 in this issue.)

Other Voices

Compiled by Janet McMahon

The Illusion of a “Limited War” Against Iran, Mahan Abedin, www.juancole.com

OV-1

Mossad in America, Philip Giraldi, The American Conservative

OV-3

Try Assange Under the Espionage Act, Grant Smith, www.antiwar.com

OV-11

Wikipedia Editing Courses Launched by

Why Iran’s Jews Are Better Off Than Gaza’s Palestinians, Mike Whitney, www.counterpunch.com

Zionist Groups, Rachel Shabi & Jemima Kiss, The Guardian

OV-12

150 Academics, Artists Back Actors’ Boycott OV-4

Of Settlement Arts Center, Chaim Levinsonk & Or Kashti, Haaretz

The Tears of Gaza Must Be Our Tears, Chris Hedges, www.truthdig.com

OV-5

Cutting off Aid to The Lebanese Army Hurts U.S. Interests, Juan Cole, www.juancole.com

Israel & the Anti-Muslim Blow-Up, M.J. Rosenberg, http://politicalcorrection.org

OV-7

OV-13

OV-14

Mosque-Issippi Burning, Amy Goodman, www.truthdig.com

Coming Nuclear Flashpoint, Michael Scheuer, http://the-diplomat.com

OV-8

Wikigate, Eric Margolis, www.ericmargolis.com

OV-15

9 Years After 9/11,

OV-10

Mowahid Hussain Shah,The Nation

OV-16

DEPARTMENTS 5 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 7 PUBLISHERS’ PAGE

52 HUMAN RIGHTS: Torture

68 BOOK REVIEW:

Victims Will Appeal Ruling to the

This Time We Went Too Far:

Supreme Court

Truth and Consequences of the Gaza Invasion

43 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHRONICLE: Bethlehem University Graduate From Gaza City Visits San Francisco—Elaine Pasquini 45 NEW YORK CITY AND TRISTATE NEWS: Successful FundRaiser in New York Harbor for U.S. Boat to Gaza Project

—Jane Adas

54 MUSLIM-AMERICAN

—Reviewed by Ian Williams

ACTIVISM: Muslims in America: Myths and Realities 57 MUSIC & ARTS: “Amreeka” Screening and

69 NEW ARRIVALS FROM THE AET BOOK CLUB

Discussion With Executive Producer Alicia Sams 58 WAGING PEACE:

71 BULLETIN BOARD

Kathy Kelly Talks About the 47 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHRONICLE: Activists to Take Case to Congress After Supreme Court Ban on “Terror” Contact

—Pat and Samir Twair

Killing Fields in Afghanistan and Pakistan

72 2010 AET CHOIR OF ANGELS

64 DIPLOMATIC DOINGS: Libya’s Celebration Is Fun for All

49 ISRAEL AND JUDAISM: Conversion Bill Debate Evidence Of American Jews’ Increasing Discontent With Israel

—Allan C. Brownfeld

50 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS 65 OTHER PEOPLE’S MAIL 67 THE WORLD LOOKS AT THE MIDDLE EAST — CARTOONS

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Publisher: Executive Editor: Managing Editor: News Editor: Book Club Director: Circulation Director: Art Director:

ANDREW I. KILLGORE RICHARD H. CURTISS JANET McMAHON DELINDA C. HANLEY ANDREW STIMSON ANNE O’ROURKE RALPH U. SCHERER

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs (ISSN 8755-4917) is published 9 times a year, monthly except Jan./Feb., May/June and Sept./Oct. 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 53062, Washington, DC 20009-9062.

Published by the American Educational Trust (AET), a non-profit 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 Washington Report on Middle East Affairs does not take partisan domestic political positions. As a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli dispute, it endorses U.N. Security Council Resolution 242’s land-for-peace formula, supported by seven successive U.S. presidents. In general, it supports Middle East solutions which it judges to be consistent with the charter of the United Nations and traditional American support for human rights, selfdetermination, and fair play.

Material from the Washington Report may be reprinted without charge with attribution to Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. Bylined material must also be attributed to the author. This release does not apply to photographs, cartoons or reprints from other publications.

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CONTACT INFORMATION: Washington Report on Middle East Affairs Editorial Office and Bookstore: P.O. Box 53062, Washington, DC 20009-9062 Phone: (202) 939-6050 • (800) 368-5788 Fax: (202) 265-4574 E-mail: wrmea@wrmea.com bookclub@wrmea.com circulation@wrmea.com advertising@wrmea.com Web sites: http://www.wrmea.com http://www.middleeastbooks.com Subscriptions, sample copies and donations: P.O. Box 53062, Washington, DC 20009-9062 Printed in the USA

NOVEMBER 2010

LetterstotheEditor In Election Years, Money Talks Are the Palestinian people being treated fairly?

Why is Israel able to keep control of the occupied territories in the West Bank?

Why does American policy favor Israel at the expense of the Palestinians?

Why is AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) so powerful?

Could it be that Israel and American Jews put their money where their mouth is?

The Congress of the United States bends over backward to ensure that it does not offend Israel.

Why don’t Americans of Palestinian, Lebanese, Syrian, and other Middle East countries put their “money where their mouth is”?

My name is Ken Capalbo, and I am running for the United States House of Representatives from Rhode Island.

In all of America, are there not 100 of you who could donate $1,000, or 1,000 $100 donations, or even 10,000 $10 donations. If you believe in the cause of the Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians and others, please go to my website at <www.voteforkencapalbo.com> and make a donation. I will work very hard to right the wrongs that are taking place in Palestine. Are you willing to do your share?

Ken Capalbo, via e-mail According to the Center for Responsive Politics (<www.opensecrets.org>, as of the eve of Sept. 14 primary elections, of the six Independent candidates, only one had raised any money at all (Frank Carter, $500), compared to the Democratic nominee, Providence Mayor David Cicilline, who had raised $1.3 million, and his Republican opponent, John J. Loughlin ($470,000). Obviously there’s a long way to go! You are not the first congressional candidate, however, to lament the lack of support from a seemingly natural constituency. Even if only symbolic at first, as an expression of solidarity it surely would be most welcome, not to mention something on which to build.

For a look at close congressional contests nationwide, see p. 28 of this issue, followed by a compilation of pro-Israel PAC contributions on p. 33.

Money for Free Gaza, Not Uncle Sam Please find enclosed a check for $471 made out to the American Educational Trust LiTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

brary Endowment and earmarked for “Free Gaza.” It is our contribution to the important and inspiring efforts of the Free Gaza Movement.

By way of explanation, we are long-time conscientious objectors to paying taxes for weapons and war, and thus we annually redirect our entire federal income tax liability to non-profit groups doing peaceful, constructive work that attempts to meet basic human needs. In recent years, we’ve given a third of our tax money to groups helping victims of U.S. war-making overseas; a third to groups here in our own community who are helping the hungry, the homeless, and

soldiers returning from war; and a third to groups that are working to develop nonviolent alternatives to war and armed conflict.

We very much see Palestinians, and particularly the people of Gaza, as victims of U.S. war-making, by virtue of U.S. military and political support of Israel’s war against the Palestinian people.

Please be assured that the enclosed check for $471 is, from a legal standpoint, simply a contribution from us to the American Educational Trust; it cannot be seized by the IRS in lieu of taxes owed by us.

Many thanks for all that you do.

Betsy Corner and Randy Kehler, Colrain, MA And thanks to you for putting your money where your sense of justice is!

“The Big Lie” Thank you for sending out the whole text of Ambassador Chas W. Freeman’s forthright speech from a deeply concerned and incredibly knowledgeable member of the U.S. Foreign Service. I read the entire speech aloud to my spouse who also appreciated Chas Freeman’s cogent review and clear (and measurable) set of next steps.

The latter would require imagination, empathy, resolve and courage but they could, 5

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if heeded, lead to the beginning of a just and durable peace in the region.

It is our hope that Secretary of State Clinton was sent a copy of this speech along with the claim that hundreds of thousands of Americans share the ambassador’s assumptions and are turning to international campaigns (e.g., BDS) as a way to register citizen discontent with U.S. foreign policy today. It is critical that American leaders stop their participation in this intermittently running “Peace Process” drama (or farce) and get a new script. The consequences of their failure to do so can only increase the violence that we claim to abhor and make both the region and the world even less safe for civilians everywhere than it is in the fall of 2010.

Again, thank you.

Jean Martensen, via e-mail Recipients of our Action Alerts received the text of Ambassador Freeman’s Sept. 1 speech in Oslo, Norway to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To join our email list visit our Web site, <www.wrmea.org>.

Whose Fantasy?

I read the article “Fantasy” by Uri Avnery in the July 2010 Washington Report.

It is difficult to understand how the author can so ignore the facts of history. He writes, “Who in 1945 foresaw the creation of the state of Israel?” Zionists for some 50 years had been foreseeing and predicting the State of Israel. As early as 1910, Israel Zangwill was stating, “If the Arabs will not leave Palestine on their own, they should be driven out by the sword.” I think he meant by machine guns. Zionism in the 1910s and the 1920s split Judaism. AntiZionist Jews, such as Professor DeHaan in

1924, were assassinated by Zionists. Many prominent American Jews, such as Professor Morris Jastrow, saw through the false historical claims of the Zionists.

The author also writes, “Who in 1939 foresaw the Holocaust?” Actually, earlier but certainly by 1939, when the Zionist Irgun group was active, anti-Zionist Jews predicted that a tragedy faced the Jews of Europe because the entire Jewish people were being held responsible for Zionist crimes in Palestine and elsewhere. Furthermore, as early as 1917, Lord Montague of Britain, a Jew, predicted that Zionism could cause every nation to desire “to get rid of its Jewish citizens.”

Avnery writes, “Who in 1989 foresaw the collapse of the Soviet Union?” Before that date, over the radio I heard a Russian history expert from Texas A&M University speak on that very subject. I recall thinking after the collapse that experts often are experts, and pseudo-experts always are pseudo-experts.

William H. Strange, M.D., Fort Garland, CO As a matter of fact, Washington Report publisher Andrew Killgore also predicted the fall of the Soviet Union, so we tend to take his predictions seriously around here. We hope you’ll read Uri Avnery’s latest cautionary tale, on the difference between a peace treaty and a framework agreement, on p. 11 of this issue

Never Too Late Enclosed is $55 for a 2-year subscription to the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. If it is possible, could you start the subscription with the August 2010 issue? I saw the list of topics for this issue and definitely want to read them. Perhaps I can buy this issue separately.

Other Voices is an optional 16I found out about your magapage supplement available only zine many months to subscribers of the Washington ago, when radio Report on Middle East Affairs. For host Mark Glenn an additional $15 per year (see interviewed your postcard insert for Washington publisher, AmRe port subscription rates), bassador Andrew subscribers will receive Other Killgore. Sorry it took me so long to Voices bound into each issue of subscribe. their Washington Report on I look forward Middle East Affairs. to truthful Middle Back issues of both publicaEast news. tions are available. To subscribe telephone 1 (800) 368-5788 Patty Goldstein, (press 1), fax (202) 265-4574, e-mail <circulation@wrmea.com>, Bronx, NY or write to P.O. Box 53062, Washington, DC 20009.

We have indeed begun your sub-

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THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

scription with our August 2010 issue, and welcome your support. Our subscribers, after all, are our reason for being—without them we would not exist even as tenuously as we do.

Never Too Late Part II Since January I have been sitting on your e-mail appeal of Jan. 17, and I am ashamed to say I can’t even explain why. You people have worked so hard for so long that I can well understand your dismay at your contributions plummeting just as the need for your truth telling is going up—though every now and then somebody in the mainstream media publishes something that would only have appeared in the Washington Report before. But those little breakthroughs are still too rare for those in the know to be looking to them for our real news. I’ve fallen off your subscription list for lack of time to read your weighty contribution each month, not because I have lost interest, but because I’m getting much of my news via e-mail these days, from Jerusalem, Beirut, London, Canada, etc., and keeping up with pressure on our representatives through e-mails on this and the other causes that have been so infuriatingly blocked by vested interests this year.

But one of the most encouraging developments of the past year from my vantage point is the growing body of American Jews who are paying more attention to JStreet, Not in My Name, etc., and a group we have started here, Philadelphia, Christian Jewish Allies for peace with justice in Israel/Palestine than to AIPAC. Though I can’t say I can say with assurance that I’ll see it in my lifetime, I do believe that we are winning, slowly but surely. So keep up the good work, and here’s my pittance to encourage you along the way (my income has gone down and my expenses up, and I’m trying to live within my monthly income).

Marilyn Sutton Loos, Haverford, PA Every contribution, no matter the amount, is important to us—especially in these economically difficult times—so we thank you very much. We, too, are encouraged by the increasing chorus of voices, Web sites and other outlets questioning U.S. financial and diplomatic fealty to Israel. While it’s been suggested that we’re too reluctant to toot our own horn, we’re quite certain that, had the Washington Report not been raising these issues since 1982—when, in our very first edition, we reported on AIPAC’s Capitol Hill lobbying—these voices would have taken even longer to emerge. ❑ NOVEMBER 2010

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American Educational Trust The Cordoba Initiative Uproar…

Brought out the worst in America. A wave of anti-Muslim “demagogic buffoonery” hit the U.S. during this midterm election silly season. Rather than uniting to condemn the verbal and physical attacks on Islam—and, by implication, Muslims—in America, former presidents, party leaders and politicians running for office kept their mouths shut. The Wiesenthal Center’s Museum of Tolerance and the Anti-Defamation League—both of which, according to their stated principles, should have championed the interfaith Cordoba Initiative—spoke out against the community center. However, the controversy…

Also Brought Out the Best.

Who can forget New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s speech in front of the Statue of Liberty surrounded by men and women of many faiths and colors? President Barack Obama, as well as Jewish, Christian, and Muslim writers and faith leaders, including Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf (see p.

18), stepped up to the challenge. Their words will continue to inspire all Americans—including the next targets of xenophobia, racism or intolerance, whomever they may be—long after people have forgotten the names of such hate-mongers as Newt Gingrich, Charles Krauthammer, Laura Ingraham, Ann Coulter, Pamela Geller, Glenn Beck, and Franklin Graham.

It’s These Words We Will Remember:

Publishers’ Page

We hope that Muslim Americans—and Arab Americans—move faster and try harder to reach out to their fellow citizens. That means using their financial clout and mental gifts to build stronger institutions to protect civil rights in this country. Support politicians who stand up for your interests as Americans (see p.

28) and unite to unseat others who put the interests of a foreign country above our own. Train more leaders and writers.

Help publications (hint, hint) and organizations that help put your best foot forward. Let’s help each other correct what has gone wrong—but could be so right—in America.

Cohen’s Words Apply to Palestinians As Well.

Since the “peace process” began nearly two decades ago, Washington has asked Palestinians to wait patiently for a final peace treaty—after leaders decide on yet another “framework” agreement that would lay out the main compromises each side would need to make (see Uri Avnery’s analysis on p. 11). We are reminded of lines from “Mississippi Goddam,” a song written and performed by the iconic American singer/pianist/civil rights activist Nina Simone, who died in 2003. In her song she railed about making only incremental changes to end racism in America: “Keep on sayin’ ‘go slow’...Why don’t you see it? Why don’t you feel it? I don’t know, I don’t know. You don’t have to live next to me,” she sings…

We’d Like to Introduce You to...

Andrew Stimson, our new AET Book Club director, who succeeds Adam Chamy (who has set off on a travel adventure before attending grad school).

Andrew is all fired up and eager to make the AET Book Club <www.middleeastbooks.com> your preferred source for books, films and music. Browse the titles in the enclosed Book Club order form to find the best new selections (or old favorites that you loaned but never got back!). Don’t forget we also offer pottery from Jerusalem, Palestinian olive oil, olive oil soaps, embroidery, greeting cards and other gifts to make your holiday shopping at once easy and meaningful.

Help Us Rev Up. You should have recently received our first donation appeal for 2010. As we’ve mentioned once or twice (or 200 times), we cannot exist without your financial help. We are running a barebones operation right now, and need a few additional staff members (an administrator to pay the bills, for example) and interns to cover daily events and unfolding developments in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Kashmir, the Gulf, Yemen, not to mention North America. The Washington Report trains interns who become the future leaders, journalists, scholars, educators and diplomats this country needs.

We need your help to find and equip the next generation of peace workers.

Challenges and Opportunities

Richard Cohen, in his column “No Room for Compromise on Mosque Near Ground Zero” in the Aug. 26 Washington Post, got us thinking. “Those of us who are of a certain age remember the days when African-Americans and their champions were being cautioned to go slow, compromise,” he wrote. “They were being told to take into consideration the tender feelings of whites, no matter how ugly their racism, and protect their dewy Scarlett O’Hara way of life. Leading politicians espoused this course. Wrong was somehow to become a little less so, but right would be postponed. What was compromise?” Cohen asked:

We say 62 years of living under racism and occupation is long enough, and sincerely hope that, by starting early in his administration, President Barack Obama will succeed in bringing equality and justice to the Holy Land. It’s imperative that we unite to ensure that this last opportunity to create peace is not destroyed by domestic partisan politics, and religious extremists at home and abroad. If talking once again comes to naught, it is time for Palestinians simply to declare statehood and get on with building their country.

Righting this moral and historic wrong…

While forecasters once predicted doom and gloom for newspapers, magazines and other print media, it turns out that as readers become more educated they have a larger appetite for news—both online and on paper. That means it’s time to ramp up both the print and digital versions of the Washington Report and increase our Internet presence. Use this and every issue of the Washington Report to get the information the mainstream media won’t provide, and to elect representatives who will work for peace and justice. Help us use words, not war, to make this world a better place and....

“The Middle of the Bus?”

Can No Longer Be Postponed.

Make a Difference Today!

NOVEMBER 2010

“Just Give me my Equality!”

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Peace Talks and Troop Withdrawals, But No Peace in Sight SpecialReport

By Rachelle Marshall

AFP PHOTO/MENAHEM KAHANA

The major question hanging over the negotiations is how to achieve a two-state solution in view of Israel’s “red lines.” Netanyahu insists that the major West Bank settlements remain part of Israel along with an undivided Jerusalem; that Israel retain control of the borders with Jordan and Egypt; and that a Palestinian state be demilitarized.

Above all, Netanyahu has emphasized, Palestinians must recognize Israel as “the national state of the Jewish people,” meaning they must give up the demand for the refugees’ right of return.

None of these terms has in the past been acceptable to the Palestinians.

Notably missing as the Settlement freeze, Israeli style: Palestinian laborers work at the site of a new neighborhood in the illegal talks began was a detailed White House proposal for West Bank settlement of Givat Ze’ev, Sept. 13, 2010. the two sides to consider. he muted ceremonies that took place transigent Israeli government, and a Con- Abbas was forced to rely on the hope that across America on Aug. 15 were a sad gress in thrall to a powerful pro-Israel if no agreement is reached by the end of the 12-month period Obama has set as a reminder that—although the U.S. has been lobby.

Instead of continuing to demand that Is- time limit for the talks, the American presengaged in almost continuous warfare since World War II—V-J Day 1945 was the raeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ident will come up with an acceptable last time Americans celebrated a war’s end. abide by international law and stop settle- peace proposal and—more important—the Sixty-five years later, the U.S. is at war in ment construction, Obama pressured the will to see that it is implemented.

Meanwhile, Abbas is in a lose-lose situaIraq and Afghanistan, waging covert war- Palestinians into resuming peace talks with fare in Yemen and Somalia, and providing Israel—an approach based on the assump- tion. Israel’s 10-month partial settlement arms and other support for Israel in its spo- tion that a heavily armed occupier and the freeze (during which 400 units were radic wars against Gaza and Lebanon. landless occupied could bargain as equals. begun) was due to expire on Sept. 26, and After a 20-month hiatus, Netanyahu and Netanyahu has repeatedly said he would None of these conflicts show signs of endPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas not renew it. Abbas warned that any form ing.

The longest-lasting of the current con- came back together at the White House on of settlement expansion will bring negotiflicts is rooted in Israel’s defiance since Sept. 1, “for the first of a series of meetings ations to a halt. Netanyahu’s deputy prime 1967 of U.N. Security Council resolutions that will be held at 2-week intervals minister, Dan Meridor, has suggested that and its refusal to end its illegal occupation throughout the year.” The pomp and Israel continue building only in areas it inand theft of Palestinian land. President rhetoric of the occasion did little to dispel tended to control permanently, such as Barack Obama began his presidency by the shadow of 17 years of failed peace ef- Ariel, a huge settlement bloc that juts far pledging to work for a just peace between forts, especially since Obama in his open- into the West Bank. If Abbas agrees to the two sides, but almost immediately ing speech paid tribute to former Prime such a deal he will outrage Palestinians and came up against familiar obstacles: an in- Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Menachem undermine his own credibility. If he turns Begin, both of whom had overseen the il- it down, he will be accused in the West of Rachelle Marshall is a free-lance editor liv- legal seizure of Palestinian land for Israeli scuttling a chance for peace.

The issue crucial to lasting peace, howing in Mill Valley, CA. A member of A Jew- settlements. Obama did not mention the ish Voice for Peace, she writes frequently on many Palestinians who had devoted their ever, was not whether Israel would renew a settlement freeze but whether Israel the Middle East. lives to achieving a just peace.

T

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NOVEMBER 2010

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Meanwhile, right-wing Jewish settlers would withdraw to its 1967 borders. Even University, cites four occasions between if no more settlements are built, Ne- 2000 and 2008 when Israel deliberately es- carry out increasingly destructive actions tanyahu’s peace terms would leave a future calated the violence and broke a cease-fire. against Palestinians, from constant harassPalestinian state with only a shrunken That policy remains in force. Hamas has for ment to burning crops and beating chilpatch of territory surrounded by half a more than a year stopped rocketing Israel, dren. Many of the settlers are represented million Israeli settlers and thousands of sol- and clamped down on more radical groups. by the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, an indiers. It would be a state in name only, Nevertheless, Israel continues to blame fluential member of Netanyahu’s coalition with no control over its borders, and with- Hamas for any primitive rocket that lands government. Three days before peace talks out enough agricultural land or water to in Israel, and retaliate with air strikes and began, Shas’ spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef delivered a sermon calling on God to cross-border shooting. sustain its citizens.

In a 2007 op-ed for The New York Times, “strike these Ishmaelites and Palestinians A major obstacle to success of the peace talks is that Abbas cannot speak for a Ahmed Yousef, political adviser to Hamas with a plague.” He added,“Abbas and all united Palestinian people. Since any agree- Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, proposed a these evil people should perish from the ment he signs will undoubtedly require 10-year cease-fire “to create an atmosphere earth.”

Especially damaging during the hot cooperation from Hamas, logic suggests of calm in which we can resolve our differthat its representatives be included in the ences.” It is a statement any rational states- summer has been Israel’s denial of water to Palestinian farmers. In one incitalks. That message was made dent described in Haaretz, on clear on the eve of the talks, Another Reply to “Where is the Aug. 8 a convoy of military jeeps when Hamas members shot to Palestinian Gandhi?” and bulldozers arrived in the death four Israelis from a small field near Hebron where Badran right-wing settlement near HeOn Aug. 24, an Israeli military court convicted Abdullah Jabari grows vegetables and bron—an act that reinforced NeAbu Rahme, a 39-year-old school teacher, of organizing grapes. Soldiers charged Jabari tanyahu’s claim that Israel’s secuand participating in illegal demonstrations and inciting with tapping into the water pipes rity must be the priority of any protesters to damage the separation barrier that cuts that cross his field to supply agreement. through the village of Bil’in. Human Rights Watch condemned the conviction of the nonviolent activist with nearby illegal settlements, and Middle East experts point out, the following statement: “Israel’s conviction of Abu began tearing up his pipes and however, that Hamas includes Rahme for protesting the unlawful confiscation of his vilcrops. As Jabari’s five grandchilmoderate and hard-line members, lage’s land is the unjust result of an unfair trial...The Isdren looked on, the Israelis threw as well as pragmatists, and its raeli authorities are effectively banning peaceful expreshis wife to the ground and called participation in negotiations sion of political speech by supporters of nonviolent rehis daughter a “slut.” would be the most effective way sistance.”

When Jabari’s teenage son Israel has imprisoned dozens of nonviolent protesters to strengthen the moderates and against the separation barrier, and continues to do so. emerged from the house, an offireduce the possibility of violence.

The barrier itself was declared illegal by the Internacer said, “The S.O.B. has boys.

Constantly overlooked is the fact tional Court of Justice in 2004.

—R.M. Arrest the son.” A photo at the that Hamas leaders have for more scene shows a young boy with than 10 years expressed willingness to accept a two-state solution based man would welcome, and act on, as he his face pushed flat against the wall as an began mediating negotiations between two Israeli soldier handcuffed him. He was on the 1967 borders.

Zvi Sela, an Israeli psychologist and po- bitter adversaries. But American presidents thrown in a truck and taken, still barefoot, lice investigator, interrogated Hamas know they cannot make rational decisions off to jail. Badran Jabari, a former profesfounder Sheikh Ahmed Ismail Yassin in his when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian sor of sociology, said to the soldiers, “Arprison cell in 1995-96 and recalled those conflict without arousing a storm of rest me as well. What shall we live on? You sessions in an interview with Haaretz. protest from vociferous supporters of Israel are harder than the stones. You have no Yassin was a “very smart, also very de- and jeopardizing their political careers. heart. You have no brain.”

Obama has repeatedly urged President cent” man, Sela said. He told the Israeli, “I This fact alone threatens to doom the rehave no interest in destroying you. All I newed peace talks unless Obama possesses Abbas to discourage Palestinian “incitement.” Israel’s actions make that an imposwant is a state.” Israel assassinated the courage he has yet to show.

Negotiations between Israel and the sible assignment. wheelchair-bound Yassin as he was leaving Friday prayers in March 2004, with a Palestinians would be difficult even under bomb that killed several bystanders as ideal conditions, but instead of responding Noncombatants in Iraq? to the reduction of Palestinian violence with With peace between Israel and the Paleswell.

In 1997 Hamas political leader Khaled conciliatory gestures, Israel accelerated its tinians further away than at any time since Meshal, then living in Jordan, proposed a demolition of Palestinian homes and confis- 1993, the Obama administration was at 30-year truce in return for Israel’s with- cation of Palestinian land. Israeli soldiers de- least able to claim an end to the U.S. comdrawal to its 1967 borders. The offer was stroyed hundreds of homes in the Negev bat role in Iraq. But as the tanks and other transmitted to the Israelis by Jordan’s King this summer, with more scheduled to fol- vehicles of the U.S. Army’s 4th Stryker Hussein, who was infuriated when Israel low, in an effort to drive Bedouins from land Brigade rolled across the border into responded by attempting to assassinate they have inhabited since the 19th century. Kuwait, peace in Iraq was still a long way Israel also continued evicting Palestinians off.

Meshal in Amman.

In his book Defending the Holy Land, from the Jordan Valley and East Jerusalem, Even though the role of U.S. soldiers in Zeev Maoz, former head of the Graduate making sure neither can ever become part Iraq will officially be as trainers and inSchool of Government Policy at Tel Aviv of a Palestinian state. structors to the Iraqi military, Americans NOVEMBER 2010

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

9

marshall_8-10_Special Report 9/16/10 1:37 PM Page 10

brought us a can of Coke and a beer.”

A More Modest Goal

AFP PHOTO/ALI AL-SAADI

The U.S. goal in Afghanistan is far more modest than creating democracy. According to Obama, U.S. troops must remain in the country to help create stability and a degree of security. But stability requires a trustworthy government, and Afghanistan’s government is crippled by corruption. President Hamid Karzai has refused to fire the officials chiefly responsible; instead he fired the chief prosecutor who indicted them. Two of the most prominent of the corrupt officials, Mohammed Zia Salehi and Karzai’s half-brother Ahmed Wali Karzai, turned out to be on the CIA payroll.

Meanwhile the Pentagon’s efIraqi children look on as Iraqi troops, U.S. soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, and forts to recruit and train a dethe Kurdish Peshmerga walk around a school while on a joint patrol in Gorga Chal in northern Iraq, pendable Afghan army are hamAug. 27, 2010. Some of the American soldiers were scheduled to remain on the frontline despite the of- pered by the fact that a vast maficial end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq on Aug. 31. jority of the recruits are illiterate, the attrition rate is close to 50 perAlthough Operation Iraqi Freedom offi- cent, and drug use is prevalent. On several are certain to be in Iraq for years to come.

It will be a benevolent occupation, to be cially ended on Aug. 31, the suffering it in- occasions the Afghans have turned their sure, for those in a position to benefit—a flicted continues. While state-of-the-art guns on their trainers, either because they list that includes arms manufacturers, cor- weapons flow into the country, the electric were Taliban infiltrators, or to avenge the rupt Iraqi officials, and tens of thousands power grid remains broken, supplying death of a relative. Gen. David Petraeus of private contractors who have reaped a power only a few hours a day. Drinking nevertheless dashed any hope of a troop major share of the $800 billion American water is polluted, 80 percent of Iraqis lack withdrawal starting next year when he said taxpayers already have spent on this war. adequate sanitation and, despite billions on the BBC that, despite Obama’s promises, Private security guards will be assigned allocated for reconstruction, bombed-out 2011 “is not the date when American forces to defend five fortified compounds across buildings remain unrepaired. Unemploy- begin an exodus and look for the exit.”

As the war drags on, over the border the country, operate radars, search for ment is at between 30 and 50 percent, and millions of Pakistanis driven from their roadside bombs, and operate reconnais- half of all Iraqis live in poverty.

Six months after elections, there is still homes by floods are struggling to survive sance drones. Civilians employed by the State Department will also be stationed in no functioning government, as quarreling what a U.N. spokesman called “a disaster two $100 million outposts in northern Iraq politicians, many of them former protégés of almost unprecedented magnitude.” Only to head off clashes between Iraqi and Kur- of Washington, maneuver for power. The a fraction of the homeless had received dish forces. Thousands of U.S. troops will result is not only a lack of essential services emergency shelter by the end of August, remain in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar as but a volatile atmosphere in which rival and the rains were still falling. The U.S. has Shi’i and Sunni factions, and an al-Qaeda contributed $82 million in aid, but will well as on ships in the region.

The 50,000 U.S. soldiers remaining in offshoot that didn’t exist in Iraq before spend 700 times that amount—$60 bilIraq will be augmented by an additional 2003, carry out daily bombings across the lion—on the war in Afghanistan this year.

4,500 Special Forces members who will country. More Iraqi civilians were killed It is tempting to think that if the U.S. spent carry out “counterinsurgency missions,” by insurgents this year than in the previ- those billions on aid and reconstruction rather than war, terrorism would be far such as pre-dawn raids and assassinations. ous two years.

New York Times columnist Bob Herbert, less of a threat.

No additional withdrawal of troops is in Instead, the policy of military intervensight. Ryan C. Crocker, who served as U.S. recalling the rhetoric used by the Bush adambassador to Iraq until 2009, predicts ministration to propel America into two tion in Muslim countries angers Muslims that “For a very long time we’re going to disastrous wars, recently concluded, “The around the world and provides training be on the ground, even if it’s solely in sup- fantasy of democracy blossoming at the grounds for militants. An Aug. 25 report port of U.S. weapons systems.” Troops sta- point of a gun in Iraq and spreading from Somalia described the gruesome murtioned at permanent American bases will blithely through the Middle East has been der of 32 people in a Mogadishu hotel. Not also be necessary to assure U.S. access to obliterated.” Iraqi shopkeeper Haitham surprisingly, the killers were members of a Iraq’s oil deposits, and to patrol Iraq’s bor- Farhan put it more succinctly just after the militant Islamist group who had gained lights in his shop went out: “Democracy their experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. ❑ ders with Iran and Syria.

10

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

NOVEMBER 2010

avnery_11-12_Special Report 9/15/10 10:08 PM Page 11

Negotiating for a Framework Agreement: “The Opposite of a Peace Treaty” SpecialReport

By Uri Avnery here is a story about a man

Twho dictated his will. He di-

AFP PHOTO/POOL/ALEX BRANDON

vided his property generously, provided for all the members of his family, rewarded his friends and did not forget his servants.

He finished off with a short paragraph: “In case of my death, this will is null and void.”

I rather fear that such a paragraph will be added to the “framework agreement” that Binyamin Netanyahu promises to sign within a year, after honest and fruitful negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, mediated by Hillary Clinton, to the greater glory of President Barack Obama.

At the end of 12 months, there will be agreement on a perfect framework. All the “core issues” will be settled—the founding of the Palestinian state, borders based on the Green Line, the division of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu arrives in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt for a meeting with Jerusalem between two capitals, se- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and U.S. Special curity arrangements, settlements, Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell, Sept. 14, 2010, during the second round of Middle refugees, the division of water. East peace talks.

Everything.

And then, on the eve of the impressive paragraph of it allows for at least a dozen recognized the existence of the Palestinian signing ceremony on the White House different interpretations, since the agree- people and its liberation movement.

(This is the place to remark that the 1993 lawn, Netanyahu will ask for the addition of ment glosses over fundamental differences Oslo agreement was hatched behind the a short paragraph: “With the beginning of with verbal compromises.

It can well be said that the negotiations backs of the Americans, much as the 1977 the negotiations for the permanent peace treaty, this agreement will be null and void.” for the framework agreement are but the Sadat initiative was hatched behind the A framework agreement is not a peace prologue for the real negotiations, a corridor backs of the Americans. In both cases, history was made without U.S. participation— leading to the drawing room. treaty. It is the opposite of a peace treaty.

If a framework agreement is achieved and, indeed, in fear of it. Anwar Sadat deA peace treaty is a final agreement. It contains the details of the compromises that within a year—blessed be the believer—the cided on his unprecedented flight to have been achieved in long and exhausting real negotiations for the final treaty can last Jerusalem without the American ambasnegotiations. Neither of the two parties will for 5 years, 10 years, 100 years, 200 years. sador in Cairo knowing anything about it, and the negotiators in Oslo took great care be completely happy with the results, but Ask Yitzhak Shamir.

How do I know? We have already been to keep their activities secret. American pareach of them will know that he has ticipation started only very late in the achieved much and that he can live with it. to this opera.

The Oslo “Declaration of Principles,” process, when there was already a fait acAfter the signing, the time will come for implementation. Since all the details have which was signed 17 years ago, was such a compli.)

What happened after the two parties been worked out in the treaty itself, there framework agreement.

At the time it was called an historic agree- signed the Oslo framework, with the trumwill be no more controversy, except about negligible technicalities. These will be ad- ment, and rightly so. The solemn ceremony pets blaring?

Negotiations started. on the White House lawn was quite justijudicated by the American referee.

Negotiations on every detail. Controversy A framework agreement is the very op- fied. Its importance was derived from the posite. It leaves all the details open. Every event that preceded it, on Sept. 10 (which on every detail.

For example: the agreement said that four happened to be my birthday), when the Uri Avnery, a former member of the Israeli leader of the Palestinian liberation move- “safe passages” were to be opened between Knesset, is a founder of the peace organiza- ment formally recognized the state of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Israel fultion Gush Shalom. and the prime minister of Israel formally filled this undertaking thus: along the proNOVEMBER 2010

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

11

avnery_11-12_Special Report 9/15/10 10:08 PM Page 12

12

unforgettable Golda Meir repeatedly declared.

When the Palestinians recognized the State of Israel, this caused a revolution in the Arab worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perceptions, a revolution that cannot be turned back.

When the leader of the Israeli right recognizes, before the entire world, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;two states for two peoplesâ&#x20AC;? solution, he draws a line from which there is no way back. Even if he says so without really meaning it, as a gimmick for the moment, the words have a life of their own. They have become a political fact: from here on no Israeli government can turn back.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why the extreme rightists were correct when they recently accused Netanyahu of executingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;God forbid!â&#x20AC;&#x201D;the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Uri Avnery design.â&#x20AC;? They do not want to pay me a compliment, they want to condemn him. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like accusing the pope of acting in the service of the ayatollahs.

If Netanyahu would be compelled in the end to sign a â&#x20AC;&#x153;framework agreementâ&#x20AC;? or a â&#x20AC;&#x153;shelf agreementâ&#x20AC;? saying that a Palestinian state will be set up on the June 4, 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem, with limited swaps of territory, it would direct every future diplomatic process. However, I do not believe that he will signâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and even if he did, that does not mean that he would implement it.

Therefore I insist: there should be no agreement on a process that is designed to lead to a â&#x20AC;&#x153;declaration of principlesâ&#x20AC;? or a â&#x20AC;&#x153;framework agreement.â&#x20AC;?

There should beâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;here and now!â&#x20AC;&#x201D;negotiations for a full and final peace treaty.

Satan resides in framework agreements.

God residesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;if anywhereâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in a peace treaty. â?&#x2018;

final agreement, the conflict continued in all its fury. Israel set up settlements at a frantic pace, so as to create â&#x20AC;&#x153;facts on the groundâ&#x20AC;? before the opening of the real negotiations.

The Palestinians started violent attacks, in order to speed the Israelis on their way out, believing that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Israel understands only the language of force.â&#x20AC;?

The devil, whoâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as is well knownâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;resides in the details, took revenge on those who postponed the decision on the details.

Every detail turned into a road mine on the way to peace.

That is the nature of a framework agreement: it allows for negotiations about every single issue again and again, starting every time from the beginning. The Israeli negotiators used this possibility to the hilt: each Israeli â&#x20AC;&#x153;concessionâ&#x20AC;? was sold in successive negotiations again and again. First in the negotiations for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Declaration of Principles,â&#x20AC;? then in the negotiations for interim agreements, we will sell them again, to be sure, for a third, fourth and fifth time in the negotiations for the permanent agreements.

Every time for a hefty price.

Does this mean that a Declaration of Principles is worthless?

I would not say so. In diplomacy, declarations are important even if they are not accompanied by immediate acts. They turn up again and again. Words that have been spoken cannot be unspoken, even though they are only words. The genie cannot be returned to the bottle.

When the Israeli government recognized the Palestinian people, it put an end to an argument that had dominated Zionist propaganda for almost 100 years: that there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, and never has been, a Palestinian people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no such thing,â&#x20AC;? as the (alas)

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posed passages, eye-catching road signs were erected, proclaiming in the three languages: â&#x20AC;&#x153;To Gaza.â&#x20AC;? Here and there, such rusting signposts can still be detected.

And the passages? They were never opened.

Another example: in long negotiations, the West Bank was divided into three areas: A, B and C. (Ever since Julius Caesar started his book about the conquest of France with the words, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gallia is divided into three parts,â&#x20AC;? statesmen have been prone to divide every territory into three.)

Area A was turned over to the Palestinian Authority, which was set up under the agreement, and the Israeli army invades it only from time to time. Area B is governed formally by the Palestinian Authority, but ruled in practice by Israel. Area C, the largest one, remained firmly in the hands of Israel, which acts there as it wishes: expropriates land, sets up settlements, builds walls and fences, as well as roads for Jews only.

Furthermore, it was declared that Israel would withdraw (â&#x20AC;&#x153;redeployâ&#x20AC;?) in three stages. Stage 1 was implemented, and so, more or less, was stage 2. Stage 3, the most important one, was not even started.

Some provisions led to farce. For example, there was no agreement about whether the official title of Yasser Arafat would be only â&#x20AC;&#x153;chairman,â&#x20AC;? as demanded by Israel, or â&#x20AC;&#x153;president,â&#x20AC;? as demanded by the Palestinians. Absent agreement, it was set down that in all three languages he would be called â&#x20AC;&#x153;raâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;isâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D;an Arab term that denotes both chairman and president. Last week, Netanyahu addressed Abu Mazen as â&#x20AC;&#x153;President Abbas.â&#x20AC;?

Or the long debate about the Palestinian passport. Israel demanded that it would be only a â&#x20AC;&#x153;travel document,â&#x20AC;? while the Palestinians demanded that it be a full fledged â&#x20AC;&#x153;passport,â&#x20AC;? as befits a real state. It was agreed that on top it would say â&#x20AC;&#x153;travel document,â&#x20AC;? and at the bottom â&#x20AC;&#x153;passportâ&#x20AC;?!

Israel agreed to the setting up of a Palestinian Authority. The Palestinians wanted to call it the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Palestinian National Authority.â&#x20AC;?

Israel refused. When the Palestinians, contrary to the agreement, printed stamps with the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;nationalâ&#x20AC;? on them, they had to be scrapped and new stamps printed.

According to the Oslo agreement, the negotiations about the core issuesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;borders, Jerusalem, refugees, settlements, etc.â&#x20AC;&#x201D;were to begin in 1994 and end with a permanent peace treaty within five years.

The negotiations did not end by 1999, because they never started.

Why? Very simple: without a real and

Abstracts, not to exceed two (2) pages, should be submitted that relate to any aspect of Islam. Subjects may include, but are not limited to: history, Muslim religion, Islam and other religions, concept of jihad, beliefs and practices, role of women, Muslim voice in western media, Islam in popular culture, etc. . Please indicate the time required for presentation of your paper (25 minutes OR 45 minutes). $%675$&76 :,7+ 7,7/( 2) 3$3(5 35(6(17(5Âś6 1$0( +20( $1' &2//(*( $*(1&< $''5(66 AND E-MAIL SHOULD BE POSTMARKED BY: Friday, November 5, 2010.

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THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

NOVEMBER 2010

margolis_13_Special Report 9/16/10 4:15 PM Page 13

The Rains Came SpecialReport

AFP PHOTO/RIZWAN TABASSUM

By Eric S. Margolis

Holding an infant, a Pakistani woman guides two young children through floodwaters in the village of Mubarak Jatoi, in Sindh province’s Dadu District, Sept. 13, 2010. akistan’s “biblical floods,” as my friend

PArnaud de Borchgrave aptly calls

them, are having a potent effect on the twisted geopolitics of the region.

According to the U.N., the vast floodwaters have affected 20 million Pakistanis.

Over 1,500 people have died, 800,000 homes have been destroyed. Pakistan’s government reports that 10 percent of this nation of 180 million is now destitute and 20 percent of Pakistan’s land is submerged by the filthy, contaminated floodwaters. Two more waves of monsoon flooding are on the way.

Biblical indeed. And now come mounting reports of cholera caused by ingesting contaminated water.

Washington, increasingly concerned by Pakistan’s stability and loyalty, is accelerating delivery of $1.5 billion in aid, of which only $260 million is for flood relief. Other nations have also promised some aid, so far totaling around $230 million.

That’s a drop in the bucket for Pakistan, one of the poorest places anywhere and the Eric S. Margolis is an award-winning, internationally syndicated columnist and author of American Raj: America and the Muslim World (available from the AET Book Club).

Copyright © Eric S. Margolis 2010.

NOVEMBER 2010

world’s sixth most populous nation. By contrast, quake-ravaged Haiti got over $1 billion in aid. Israel gets over $3.2 billion annually from the U.S. Congress. The U.S. war in Afghanistan is costing at least $17 billion monthly.

Pakistan was already teetering on the edge of bankruptcy before the floods. Islamabad was kept barely solvent by steady injections of cash from Washington and from U.S.-controlled financial institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

The military, Pakistan’s shadow government, has been more or less rented by the U.S. by $1.5 billion per annum payments and all sorts of secret stipends from the CIA and other intelligence agencies. Without Washington’s aid, debt-laden Pakistan would probably collapse in short order.

Making matters worse, Islamabad’s major cash-earner, cotton, has been severely damaged by the floods. Important food crops have been destroyed, meaning Pakistan will require emergency food aid in the coming 12 months.

The monsoon floods ravaging Pakistan could not have come at a worse time for Washington. The U.S.-led war in Afghanistan is at best stalemated as Taliban and its allies gain strength.

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

In one of the Pentagon’s worst nightmares, a ragtag force of lightly-armed Pashtun farmers and part-time fighters has managed to tie down 105,000 heavily armed, lavishly equipped U.S. and NATO troops and has even has put the Western armies on the defensive.

There are even whispers in the bazaar that the Western powers may face defeat in Afghanistan. As a result, Russia, the last invader, is giving increasing military and logistical help to the Western powers in Afghanistan.

The U.S. and NATO could not continue their occupation of that nation without the use of Pakistan’s ports, supply depots, air bases, roads, intelligence agencies, and 140,000 Pakistani troops.

In 2001, the U.S. threatened all-out war against Pakistan, according to its former strongman, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, unless it joined the fight against Taliban and accepted a high degree of U.S. control. The sweetener: up to $15 billion in aid.

It was the classic Italian mafia offer: “lead or gold.”

Now, Pakistan’s cataclysmic floods have left the government in Islamabad of President Asif Ali Zardari isolated and despised by the public. The government response to Continued on page 42 13

omer_14-15_Gaza on the Ground 9/16/10 1:47 PM Page 14

In Gaza, Apathy and Skepticism Over Peace Talks Abound Gazaon the Ground

PHOTO M. OMER

By Mohammed Omer

A grocery store owner in Gaza who cannot afford a generator lights candles in his shop when the electricity goes out. o a stranger, the sight of a Gaza beach

Tcrowded with children, women and

men may make him think he is in Chicago or Hawaii instead. People from every neighborhood in Gaza are here, it seems— some swimming or kicking a ball on the sand, others playing tennis, smoking water pipes, or simply sitting on the beach. But, explains Umm Fouad, a 46-year-old mother from Deir al Balah in the central Gaza Strip, “This is the only place for us to escape” the frequent electricity shortages and resulting sweltering interiors.

Because the amount of fuel allowed into Gaza is not sufficient to operate the electrical transformers at full capacity, electricity shortages have became part of daily life here. Gaza’s electricity distribution company in Gaza is forced to ration electricity by area. Some households know at what time they will have power, others can only guess from day to day, but the formula is the same: the power is only on for 6 hours a day, and off for 12 to 16 hours.

Expressing the view of many Gazans, Umm Fouad says: “Leaders are out there Award-winning journalist Mohammed Omer reports on the Gaza Strip, and maintains the Web site <www.rafahtoday.org>. He can be reached at <gazanews@yahoo.com>.

14

talking about peace, while our lights and water are out. What these talks brought us in the past are more destruction and devastation. There is no reason why I should be optimistic.” Moreover, she adds, “talks are futile, given that they are bound by Israeli and American conditions.”

Her husband, Abu Fouad, standing on the beach in wet, sandy shorts, is asked if he was more hopeful after Israel’s announcement following its May 31 attack on the Gaza aid flotilla that it would ease the blockade. “What ‘ease’?” he replies quietly. “We are still waiting for this ‘ease’ to happen.”

Abu Fouad does not feel there has been an “ease,” he explains, when his son-inlaw has been waiting for several months to get out of Gaza just to get to a West Bank hospital for important medical treatment.

“Our problem is never with Jews,” he says, “but with the mentality, and the system, of oppression and occupation.” Indeed, Abu Fouad used to work in a construction shop in Jaffa, where he enjoyed a long and friendly relationship with his Israeli employer. His children, however, have never met Israelis, except for soldiers at Israelicontrolled military checkpoints.

In the opinion of Mohammed Al Jamal, whose home in Rafah was destroyed in a January 2009 Israeli missile attack during THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Operation Cast Lead, participants in the socalled peace talks seem more concerned with waving to the cameras, while “Gaza homeless are waiting for international community action.” Little has changed in the 19 years since the Oslo agreement, he notes—except that Israel now “exercises even greater control over our lives.”

Reflecting the skepticism of many Gazans, Al Jamal adds, “Food is not what we need—what we need are construction materials, gravel, cement and iron.”

Israel’s four-year siege of Gaza has kept many families trapped within its borders, away from their families on the outside.

Salah Al Khalidi is one of 5,000 Palestinians stuck in Gaza without Palestinian I.D. papers—and only the Israeli Civil Administration can give him clearance to get his Palestinian ID. “It was in 2000 when I arrived in Gaza from abroad,” Al Khalidi says. “I feel as if I am now an inmate in a huge prison camp who has no right to cross the borders of the Gaza Strip.” Without his ID, he can’t exit any border crossings, not even for his wife to receive needed medical care abroad. “My wife fears that if she leaves she won’t be allowed to come back,” Al Khalidi explains.

“Damn Oslo, we came here from abroad thinking the Oslo agreement guaranteed that we would be issued our Palestinian I.D.s,” says another man who returned to Gaza from the Gulf following the Oslo agreement. He had left before being issued his Palestinian I.D. at the age of 16. “It feels like we are illegitimate even in our own land,” he adds, raising his arms in frustration.

Working in his shop on Gaza City’s eastern Salah al-Din Street, car mechanic Zuhair Marouf is cautious. “Let’s see what these [latest] promises bring,” he says. Because of the Israeli blockade, many spare parts for cars must be smuggled through the lifeline tunnels between Gaza and Egypt. Not only is there still a shortage of parts, however, but their high cost makes them more expensive for the business.

As he lifts his head from the hole in the shop floor while his assistant presses on the accelerator of the broken Volvo he is fixing, Marouf adds that Gaza is still waiting for more items to be allowed in, including oil, tires and other spare parts. He is not happy with the tunnel system, he says, because in NOVEMBER 2010

omer_14-15_Gaza on the Ground 9/16/10 1:47 PM Page 15

tunnels has dropped from $300 addition to insufficient and exto $10, according to Abu Ghalib, pensive parts, in most cases his Israeli Attacks on Gaza Continue who prefers not to give his famorders are not filled correctly. ily name due to the nature of his When he orders a new windOn Sept. 12, Israeli artillery fire targeting northern Gaza killed work. shield, for example, the order three Gazans—91-year-old shepherd Ibrahim Abdullah Abu Abu Ghalib is proud that his often gets mixed up and the Saeed, his 17-year-old grandson, Hossam Khaled Abu Saeed, and workers were able to dig deep glass he receives does not fit.

Ismail Walid Abu Oudeh, 20. Two Palestinians were wounded. underground and cut through “If I call my Israeli supplier, I Israel charged that a number of home-made rockets had been the U.S.-funded steel wall intell him the code of the car fired from Gaza into Israel’s southern Negev region (with no retended to halt smuggling. Carrybrand, and he would know ported casualties). Two days earlier, however—as the Jewish ing a pair of Chinese-made resiwhat I am talking about,” New Year holiday was ending and Eid el-Fitr, marking the end of dential electricity generators just Marouf said. But because the the Muslim month of Ramadan, about to begin—Israeli F-16s had smuggled in through his tunnel, tunnels diggers operate in fear bombed targets throughout the Gaza Strip.

Abu Ghalib says he will stop and secrecy, incorrect deliveries Israel also has increased its attacks on Rafah, targeting the working on and through tunnels are common. smuggling tunnels between the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt “only when the borders are open Accusing Israel of using the which serve as a lifeline to 1.5 million Gazans. A Palestinian was and the flow of goods is normal media to “spread propaganda,” killed and two others wounded in a strike in early September. and smooth. It is only then,” he —M.O. Marouf said that if Israel were sevows, “that we will consider rious about opening the border, changing work from underhe would not need to buy an ambulance windshield for 1,600 shekels (NIS), Gaza’s shops were stocked with many ground to aboveground again.”

As for his views about the direct talks but could order it through an Israeli-con- Egyptian products—including new 2010 car models not allowed through Israeli-con- with Israel, Abu Ghalib states: “It has been trolled crossing for no more than 380 NIS. If there is anywhere people may not be trolled crossings, but instead smuggled un- 19 years of both direct and indirect talks eager to see Israel’s siege on Gaza eased, it derground from Egypt. While this has pro- between both sides. Leaders come and go would be here on the Rafah-Egypt border, vided tax revenues to Gaza’s de facto Hamas and new generations are born in waves of where hundreds of individuals have in- government, since Israel’s announcement in violence. This time,” he concludes, “we vested everything they have in Gaza’s tun- June that it was easing its blockade, the cost wait for more than beautiful words from nel industry. In late 2009 and early 2010, of smuggling 50 kilos of goods through the Obama.” ❑ (Advertisement)

NOVEMBER 2010

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

15

white_16-17_Special Report 9/16/10 1:52 PM Page 16

East Jerusalem’s Shu’fat Refugee Camp: “For All Practical Purposes, Ramallah” SpecialReport

PHOTO BEN WHITE

By Ben White

Sister and brother Nada and Ahmad Anati in the Shu’fat refugee camp. Visible at bottom left is Israel’s apartheid wall, while illegal settlement buildings loom in the background. rom routine clashes in the streets, to the

Ftalk of “final status issues” by interna-

tional diplomats, Arab East Jerusalem continues to be at the center of the struggle in Palestine/Israel. In recent years, there have been some particularly prominent foci: right-wing Jewish settlers and the demolition of Palestinian homes in Silwan; evictions of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah; Israel’s apartheid wall in Abu Dis. Off the radar, however, there are many localized battles as Palestinians face an intensified Israeli regime of control and colonization.

One such place is the Shu’fat refugee camp. While the fact that it is the only Palestinian refugee camp in East Jerusalem makes it unique, Shu’fat’s reality reflects a number of key Israeli strategies in East Jerusalem and the West Bank as a whole: it is surrounded by illegal Jewish-only colonies, choked by the wall and checkpoints, and considered “separate and unequal.”

The camp dates back to 1965, when it was established on land from Shu’fat village. At the time, the refugees were being relocated from a camp in Jerusalem’s Old City, but its Ben White is a free-lance journalist and the author of Israeli Apartheid: A Beginner’s Guide (available from the AET Book Club).

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residents originally came from dozens of villages in pre-1948 Palestine. UNRWA lists around 11,000 registered refugees in Shu’fat camp, but the population is now around 20,000. The area of the camp also has more than doubled in size over 40 years. As residents within the Israeli-defined Jerusalem municipality, most Palestinians living in Shu’fat camp hold Jerusalem ID (although some Palestinians with West Bank ID live in the camp). Yet conditions in the camp are a world away from the streets of West Jerusalem—overcrowding and sewage problems being just two examples.

On opposite sides of the camp are the Israeli settlements of Pisgat Ze’ev and French Hill. To the east, Shu’fat camp and the neighboring Palestinian village of Anata are hemmed in by an Israeli-controlled road, a military base, and the municipal boundaries of the enormous settlement of Ma’ale Adumim. Visit the camp today, though, and the most striking definition of the camp’s outer limits is Israel’s apartheid wall. Despite the fact that the camp is part of the Jerusalem municipality, the wall’s route has been designed to leave Shu’fat on the “wrong” side, meaning the camp’s residents share the same fate as some 50,000 Palestinians with Jerusalem IDs who now THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

must cross military checkpoints in order to enter the city.

Dr. Salim Anati, director of Shu’fat’s AlQuds Charitable Society for Disabled and Special Education, lives in the camp with his wife and six children. His community center is going through a financial crisis, and is now open only three days a week. Sitting in his living room, I see a bag of clothes that he’s collected to take to the center.

Discussing the route of the apartheid wall, Salim explained that Israel’s “great project is to make a continuity of settlements on the east side of Jerusalem, linking up Pisgat Ze’ev and French Hill. Shu’fat camp is a problem for this plan, because we are in the middle. So we’ll be on the wrong side, though many of us have Jerusalem ID. But in a few years, Israel can turn around and say that those on the other side of the wall are no longer part of the city. The wall,” he observed, “is intended to be a border.”

Furthermore, construction work is proceeding on a new “crossing point” checkpoint outside the camp—the checkpoint was closed at night for three weeks in April for “structural improvements”—further consolidating restrictions on Shu’fat residents’ freedom of movement. According to a report this year by the U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the expansion of the Shu’fat checkpoint will mean it operates like the massive ones at Qalandiya, Zeitoun, and Gilo. Even the existing checkpoint is bad enough: as the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) noted this year, it is “frequently closed arbitrarily” and the site of “incidents of harassment.”

While, on the one hand, Shu’fat camp is being excluded and cut off from the city, Israeli authorities remain keen to flex their muscles in demonstrations of authority.

One such example was a large-scale raid in February that went on for days, carried out by hundreds of police officers, border forces and municipal officials. Over the course of the operation, dozens of Palestinians (as many as 90, according to UNRWA) were detained, on charges including non-payment of taxes and stonethrowing. Local estimates were that of all those picked up during the first evening, all but one was under 18 years old. Salim NOVEMBER 2010

Anati described how a cousin was in a shop buying chicken when soldiers came by, saw him, and took him. “For two days, the family didn’t know his whereabouts,” Salim said. “Then he was accused of throwing stones, and his family had to pay NIS 3,000 for his release.” For Salim, the raid was all about “wanting to show that they are the main power and can do what they want.”

Amir Cheshin, former senior advisor on “Arab Affairs” under Jerusalem mayors Teddy Kollek and Ehud Olmert, wrote that the raid reflected “sheer stupidity,” and that while the camp is “in Jerusalem and under Israeli sovereignty,” Shu’fat is, in fact, considered “external to the city.” This interpretation is supported by the kind of remarks made in January by Yakir Segev, the Jerusalem city councilman responsible for the East Jerusalem portfolio, when he described Palestinian areas east of the apartheid wall as “no longer part of the city.” The Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted Segev as saying that the hall was built for political and demographic reasons, not just for security, and that “the State of Israel has given up” with these neighborhoods “outside the jurisdiction of the state, and certainly the municipality.”

He added that “for all practical purposes, they are Ramallah.”

In the spring of this year, when the talk was of a U.S.-Israeli “rift” centering on Israeli settlement construction in East Jerusalem, the city’s mayor, Nir Barkat, and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu were keen to drive home the same message: that Jerusalem is an “open” city, with equal rights for all, Jewish and Arab alike. This has been thoroughly debunked, however, particularly by the fact that Palestinians with East Jerusalem ID are prohibited by law from leasing Israel Land Administration-owned property—a category that includes the vast majority of land zoned for housing in West Jerusalem and East Jerusalem settlements.

Yet the Israeli government and Zionist lobby lie about “united Jerusalem” also is exemplified by the Shu’fat refugee camp, where thousands of the city’s residents are being walled out by a barrier ostensibly intended for “security purposes” and face an uncertain future for themselves and their children. From Shu’fat’s vantage point, it is easy to see why Salim Anati describes the peace process as “a joke.”

“To be honest,” he said, “I am deeply

PHOTO BEN WHITE

white_16-17_Special Report 9/16/10 1:52 PM Page 17

Shu’fat resident Dr. Salim Anati. upset—and I have lost my hope. I don’t think I will live in a free country. I remember my parents having this hope, and they died. My conclusion is that no one wants us to have our freedom—especially Arab countries. It’s just propaganda, all this talk of human rights and independence.”

From within one of many walled-in enclaves in occupied Palestine, this pessimism seems only justified. ❑

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THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

17

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Three Views

AFP PHOTO /FILES/LUKE FRAZZA

Ground Zero and Islamophobia in America

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf.

Helping Moderate Muslims

By Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf t is customary for Muslims to begin by Iandfirst invoking the name of the all-merciful all-compassionate creator, the creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the God of Abraham, the God of Ishmael and Isaac, the God of Moses and Aaron, the God of Jesus Christ and his mother, Mary, and the God of Mohammed.

Peace and blessings upon all of these noble prophets and messengers.

We come together at a time of great crisis and danger. What began as a dispute over a community center in lower Manhattan has spawned and grown into a much larger controversy about the relationship between my beloved religion and my beloved country, between Islam and America.

The events of the past few weeks have really saddened me to my very core. I regret that some have misunderstood our intentions. I’m deeply distressed that in this heated political season, some have exploited Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, chairman of the Cordoba Initiative, spoke at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Sept. 13, 2010.

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this issue for their own agendas. And I’m deeply disappointed that so many of the arguments have been based on deliberate misinformation and harmful stereotypes.

But despite the disappointments, there is much I am thankful for. First, I’m grateful to our mayor, Michael Bloomberg, and to so many others who have spoken out in favor of our project. Their positive responses have filled my heart, and I thank them all.

To our president, Barack Obama: Mr. President, I thank you for your support, for speaking out so forcefully and repeatedly on behalf of religious tolerance and the values that make our country great.

And I’m deeply grateful for your robust, persistent efforts in making peace in the Middle East a priority in your first term.

And for all of those who have voiced their objections to our plans with civility, with respect and with open minds and hearts, I am also grateful. You affirm my belief in the decency and morality of the American people.

I do recognize that among the critics are some who have lost loved ones on 9/11. To all of them, I offer my heartfelt sympathy and my prayers upon their departed souls.

Every year, we mark the anniversary with great sadness, but with even greater resolve THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

to fight against the radical philosophies that have been used to justify these acts.

My goal here today is twofold: first, to reach out to my brothers and sisters of different faiths in America, to explain and to share my love of my religion; and second, to reach out to my Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world, to explain and share my love of America. This is my personal mission, and is anchored in my own experience.

Allow me, please, to begin by telling you my story. Like many of your ancestors, I came to America by boat when I was only 17 years old. We sailed into New York Harbor on a sunny and cold winter day in December 1965, three days before Christmas. I remember seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time—that beacon of freedom rising and looming majestically in the harbor. I remember admiring her strength and her beauty and her colors in that morning, crisp sunlight. I had no idea what life would be like in America, but I looked forward to it.

I was born in Kuwait to Egyptian parents. My father was a religious scholar who studied and graduated at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, an Islamic institution of great distinction and learning. He was sent to this country by Al-Azhar to head a growing Muslim community in New York City.

He was active in what used to be called the ecumenical movement, promoting understanding between different religions.

Today, we call it interfaith dialogue.

For me, coming from a country where the majority was Muslim, I found this society remarkably nonreligious, even anti-religious. In the 1960s, religion was considered by many to be passé; a crutch for the feeble-minded. I remember the cover of Time Magazine that screamed out, “Is God Dead?” This was shocking to me, extraordinary. And I thought to myself, “Wow, this place sure is different!”

I got my bachelor’s in physics at Columbia University. I married, raised my children here, and I had a number of occupations: a high-school teacher, a salesman of industrial products, and a struggling writer. I’m a typical New Yorker, ladies and gentlemen. I am an American.

In 1979, I became a naturalized U.S. citizen. I believed, and still believe, and pledged allegiance to the values of the United States Constitution, and I know NOVEMBER 2010

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that these sacred rights were won by the blood of brave American soldiers. My own niece—my own niece—currently serves in the United States Army.

I know that this country was founded by individuals who left their countries of origin because they were unhappy with their government and with the restrictions imposed on religious life and liberties. They wanted something better. Participatory government; freedom of speech; separation of church and state: these were among my earliest lessons in American civic life.

In America, we do protect these differences. We protect different expressions of faith. We assemble in our various houses of worship to pray, to chant, to recite our sacred scriptures, or simply to come together in communion and draw together and draw strength as a community. But religion in America is not imposed on us: We can be as devout or as agnostic as we like.

That choice—to be or not to be religious, or anything else for that matter—forced me to think about who I was, who I am, what I truly wanted and chose to be; and has given me a profound appreciation for the country that provides these freedoms. In that sense, you could say that I found my faith in this country. So for me, Islam and America are organically bound together.

But this is not my story alone. The American way of life has helped many Muslims make a conscious decision to embrace their faith. That choice, ladies and gentlemen, is precious, and that is why America is precious.

I discovered that the country that at first had seemed so anti-religious in fact has a profoundly spiritual base and a religious purpose. The Founding Fathers of this nation were men of faith. Within the governing documents they created, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, they affirmed their most sacred spiritual values. These documents are legal expressions of in fact a religious ideal, nonparochial but substantively religious, that is rooted in the commandments and principles of the three faiths practiced by the People of the Book—Jews, Christians and Muslims. And to remind us, even when we’re in the markets, they imprinted on our currency “In God we trust.”

Since 1983 I have served as imam, or prayer leader, of a mosque in Tribeca. It is in the same neighborhood as the World Trade Center, just 12 blocks north. The twin towers defined our skyline and our neighborhood and were part of our daily lives. Our congregants come from all over the world and from every walk of life, from congressmen to taxi drivers.

NOVEMBER 2010

On Sept. 11, a number of them tragically lost their lives. Our community grieved alongside of our neighbors, and together we helped slowly rebuild Lower Manhattan.

I belong to this neighborhood, ladies and gentlemen.

I’m a devout Muslim. I pray five times a day, sometimes more, if I can, and I observe the rituals required by my faith.

And I’m also a proud American citizen.

Let no one forget that. I vote in elections. I pay taxes. I pledge allegiance to the flag.

And I’m a Giants fan. [Laughter.] I’m glad they won yesterday. [Laughter.]

Both this country and the teachings of my faith have nourished me in fundamental, essential ways, have shaped me. Both have shaped up and made up my core identity as a human being.

But ladies and gentlemen, as I intimated earlier, this is not just my story. It is THE immigrant—it is THE American immigrant story. It is your story and that of your parents and your grandparents.

As President Obama made clear in his remarks in Cairo last year, American Muslims have enriched this country throughout its history. Since the 1800s American history has been intertwined with the history of Muslims. Many thousands of African Muslims were brought here as slaves, and this became their home.

In the 1950s and 1960s, from the music of the blues and jazz, they took up the cause of freedom in the civil rights movement, and we witnessed the emergence of Islam in the African-American community. Their struggle and their story is central to the story and the narrative of Islam in America.

From them to the more recently immigrated Sudanese in Minnesota, to the Syrians and Lebanese in North Dakota, to the Egyptians and North Africans in Astoria, Queens, they are Americans. We are Americans. It’s not about them. It’s about us and who we are and who we want to be as Americans.

When we fast, pray, donate to charities, observe our commandments, we exemplify not only the ideals of the Founding Fathers but also the deepest values of our faith traditions.

As immigrants, we absorb American culture, from generation to a generation. But the challenge of fitting in is often made more difficult by rejection. Other groups and faiths have found themselves targets of such prejudice—Jews and Catholics, Irish and Italians, blacks and Hispanics. In time each group has overcome these challenges, and our core values have been affirmed. We must overcome. We shall overcome. Now it is our turn, as Muslims, to drink from this cup.

Let me now address the subject of extremism. Every religion in the world has THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

extremists. Sadly, Islam is among them. All faiths have among their members those who distort and twist the core values for their own agendas. They advocate positions that we here and that decent people all over the world—and, I assure you, 99point-whatever percent of the Muslims in the world absolutely, totally find this abhorrent. Let there be no mistake, ladies and gentlemen. Islam categorically rejects the killing of innocent people. Terrorists violate the sanctity of human life and corrupt the meaning of our faith. In no way do they represent our religion, and we must not let them define us.

Radical extremists would have us believe in a theory of a worldwide battle between Muslims and non-Muslims. And some intellectuals and thinkers have furthered that idea. That idea, ladies and gentlemen, is false. The real battle front, the real battle that we must wage together today, is not between Muslims and non-Muslims. It is between moderates of all the faith traditions against the extremists of all the faith traditions. We must not let the extremists, whatever their faith, whatever their political persuasion, hijack the discourse and hijack the media. That only fuels greater extremism. It is a dangerous, destructive cycle, and we must break it. How? By creating a coalition of moderates from all of the faith traditions to combat the extremists. And I seek your help.

When irresponsible individuals or some in the media equate Muslims with antiAmericanism or extremism, and when they say that Islamic values are fundamentally violent or domineering, all of us are obliged to refute it and to refute it loudly, clearly and unequivocally.

For 35 years, I have been explaining the faith of Islam at schools and universities, churches and synagogues—and, yes, in mosques too. And in recent years I’ve traveled abroad explaining the values and institutions of America to people of other nationalities, Muslim and non-Muslim. Skeptics might ask—and they have—why spend time in dialogue? From experience, I can tell you, talking can be powerful. As Churchill said, better to jaw-jaw than to war-war.

But genuine understanding can only happen when there is honesty, sincerity of motive, and an open heart. For when issues are politicized or used as fodder for commentators on the right or on the left, we just pour fuels on the flames of misunderstanding.

The need to clear up the many misconceptions about Islam and America is greater now than ever. Haven’t we seen, these last few weeks, how hurtful and how destruc19

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tive the power of extremist acts and language can be? That is why I remind you that the story is not yet over. What happens right here, right now, in this city, in our city, matters. And it matters more than ever.

The way we confront our problems, the way we speak about them, the way we seek to reconcile our differences, is watched and is resonating all over the world. I recently returned from a trip abroad, on a mission by the State Department. I went to Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. It was my fourth trip representing the U.S. government and the American people. On two occasions, I was asked to go on this mission by the Bush administration, and twice by the Obama administration. I’m bipartisan.

These trips are important, ladies and gentlemen, because people all over the world admire and look up to our freedoms and our institutions, and—[inaudible word]—really want them for themselves, within their own cultural expression.

As an American and as a Muslim, I believe—and I’ve been told—I can make and have made an important contribution by serving as a messenger, as a bridge; by explaining what life is like here in the United States; and by helping clear up the many misperceptions and false ideas.

And I hope and am committed to continuing with this work.

In recent days, some people have asked is there really a need for an Islamic community center in Lower Manhattan? Is it worth all this firestorm?

The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is a categorical yes. Why? Because this center will be a place for all faiths to come together as partners, as stakeholders in mutual respect. It will bring honor to the city of New York, to American Muslims across the country and to Americans all over the world. The world will be watching what we do here. And I offer you my pledge—we will live up to our ideals.

That is why eight years ago I also founded a multifaith organization called the Cordoba Initiative, named for the time in Cordoba, Spain when Jews, Christians and Muslims lived together and built together the most tolerant and enlightened society on earth.

The goal of the Cordoba Initiative is to repair the damage done to Muslim-American relations in recent years and to use this formula of a partnership between faith traditions to build such a new Cordoba.

Inspiring the initiative and our projects are the two commandments, the two most important commandments at the heart of the Jewish, the Christian and the Muslim faiths: to love the lord our God with all of our hearts, all of our minds, all of our souls and with all of our strength. And the 20

second, as Jesus said, co-equal to the first, to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Let us therefore reject those who would use this crisis and the sacred memory of 9/11 to achieve their own ends. Let us especially not exploit the memories of the victims of that tragedy or the suffering of their families and friends. Let us condemn the use of holy texts or religious symbols for political or financial gain or even for fame. Let us affirm that the values of Islam co-exist in harmony with tolerant, peaceloving nations everywhere.

I therefore, ladies and gentlemen, call upon you—upon each of you—to think of what you can do to make a difference. To the heads of government, some of whom have already reached out to me, make the spirit of Cordoba multinational. Let us share it with the world.

To the politicians among us, reject those who would sell America’s soul for shortterm gains in public opinion.

To the media, remember that while the campaign against terrorism is fought with troops and armaments, the campaign against radical ideologies is about winning hearts and minds. You, the media, can fuel the radicals or you can limit their airtime.

To the business community, do I need to remind you that in supporting moderation and peace, there is really even greater profit and prosperity?

To my fellow faith leaders, many of whom I see here, let us continue the extraordinary dialogue that has emerged from this crisis.

To my fellow Americans, Muslims and non-Muslims, I call upon you to reach out to each other in your communities. Open your homes; break bread together and extend your hearts in the spirit of friendship and goodwill.

In closing, I want to remind you of an incident from the presidential campaign of 2008 involving Gen. Colin Powell, a man I deeply respect. In October 2008, General Powell talked about seeing a photo essay on American troops serving abroad. One picture was of a mother grieving in Arlington National Cemetery.

She had her weeping head on the headstone of her son’s grave. You could see the writing on the headstone. It gave his awards—the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star—showed that he died in Iraq. He was only 20 years old. And then, at the top of the headstone, it didn’t have a cross, didn’t have a Star of David. It had the Crescent and the Star of Islam. His name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, and he was an American from my home state of New Jersey. He was 14 years old when 9/11 happened, and he couldn’t wait till he was old enough to serve his country. And he gave the ultimate sacrifice: his life.

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

The photo came out around the time that a controversy had broken out over President Obama’s faith—an issue that still hasn’t gone away till today. “He is a Christian,” Powell said, speaking about President Obama, “He has always been a Christian.”

But then, General Powell added, “But the really right question is: So what if he were a Muslim? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country?” Our answer as a nation, then and now, is, no, there’s nothing wrong with being a Muslim in America. Our answer as a nation, then and now, is, there is everything right with being an American Muslim.

I pray to the Almighty God, creator of us all, to bless you, to bless America, to bless all nations on Earth, and to bless all of those who are committed to peace on Earth; for, as He has said, blessed are the peacemakers.

Amen. And thank you very much.

Isn't Tolerance an American Virtue?

By George S. Hishmeh bserving the shameful and venomous O debate raging in the U.S. over plans for a Muslim civic center and a mosque in downtown Manhattan two blocks from Ground Zero, I could not help but recall the time when my father took me to visit Syria and Jordan while I was a student at the American University of Beirut.

One of the most striking revelations for me, as a Christian, was seeing the tomb where the head of John the Baptist was said to lie inside the famous Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.

Many years later, after I moved to the U.S., I took my family on an extensive tour of Spain. My youngest child, Leila, was fatigued by the number of churches, mosques, synagogues and other historic buildings we visited.

I could only convince her to make one more sightseeing and educational stop when I told her that this building in Cordoba, described as a city that was “tolerant, interfaith oriented, [and known for] embracing diversity,” housed a beautiful mosque and a church in the same building, adjacent to a synagogue.

Leila was convinced, especially after she learned that we would then feast on paella, a sumptuous Spanish dish—then her favorite.

There are other examples of religious tolerance, especially in Istanbul and Jerusalem, where the Caliph Omar once refused to pray inside the Church of the Holy George Hishmeh is a Washington, DC-based columnist for Gulf News and Jordan Times.

Contact him at: <hishmehg@aol.com>.

Reprinted with permission.

NOVEMBER 2010

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Sepulchre lest his fellow believers turn this all-important church, which is believed to house the tomb of Jesus, into a mosque. Instead, the Caliph stepped outside into the square and prayed there. The Mosque of Omar still stands today on this very spot.

The unfortunate hoopla in the U.S. surfaced because of growing, unjustified Islamophobia and the approach of mid-term elections. The American right, led by the Republican party and extremist groups, is trying to shake up the Obama administration and his Democratic party. None of the critics are aware of the background of the proposed Cordoba House.

Although an argument can be made that the center could have been located in other parts of Manhattan, the fact remains that it was not, as has been claimed, envisioned as a “victory monument” in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist massacre in 2001, perpetrated by 19 terrorists linked to al-Qaeda— in itself a minority group that does not have any significant support among Muslims in the Arab world and elsewhere.

More striking are the impressive credentials of Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf, the architect of the Cordoba Initiative, which envisions an inter-religious community center in Lower Manhattan that will focus on improving relations between the Muslim world and the West. In 1997, the Kuwaitiborn cleric founded the American Society for Muslim Advancement and is considered “a leader in the effort to build religious pluralism and integrate Islam into modern society.”

Interestingly, he traveled to Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE recently as part of a U.S. government-sponsored initiative to discuss “Muslim life in America and religious tolerance issues.”

Cordoba House has been endorsed by New York’s Jewish Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose approval of the project was essential to bring it to fruition, and President Barak Obama—despite what some mistakenly saw in his off-the-cuff remark to a journalist that he was not commenting on “the wisdom of making the decision to put a mosque there.”

The president’s ringing declaration, much to the satisfaction of attendants at an iftar dinner at the White House, left no doubt about his feelings. “Let me be clear,” he declared, “as a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country.”

He went on, “That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.”

Though the media and officialdom in the NOVEMBER 2010

U.S. gave the Muslim undertaking in New York their top attention, and the Jewish-run Anti-Defamation League its surprise condemnation, there was hardly any mention, let alone criticism, of what the Israelis are doing to a famous Muslim site in occupied Jerusalem—the historic Mamilla Cemetery.

The Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center has unlawfully started working on a Museum of Tolerance and Human Dignity on the grounds of the cemetery just as its director, Rabbi Marvin Hier, sounded off on a U.S. television program about the Manhattan project.

With police protection, the workers began their digging at 2:30 a.m. in the hope that Arab residents of the city would not notice their disgraceful action on the hallowed ground of this ancient cemetery, which dates back to the 7th century.

In fact, a previous Israeli regime had recognized it as “one of the most prominent Muslim cemeteries, where 70,000 Muslim warriors of [Salah Al Deen’s] armies are interred along with many Muslim scholars.”

Jeff Helper, director of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, pointed out that “some 1,500 Muslim graves have been cleared in several nighttime operations.” And to add insult to injury, the digging began on the eve of Ramadan.

What “tolerance and human dignity” is this?

The Angry Tide Against Muslims

By Paul Findley

he sustained outcry against the Islamic

TCommunity Center two blocks from

Ground Zero in New York City is not the first time U.S. Muslims have been on the defensive. During the 1990s, long before 9/11, they were suffering discrimination in the workplace and often the target of physical threat and attack. Places of worship were the target of vandalism and crude graffiti, and sometimes arson.

While lecturing across America during those years, I became convinced that antiMuslim passions based on false stereotypes are a cancer that threatens the well-being of all Americans, not just followers of Islam. At home, they nurture bigotry and fear. In the Middle East, they are a massive Paul Findley, who resides in Jacksonville, IL, served 22 years as a U.S. representative from Illinois. He is the author of six books, including the bestseller They Dare to Speak Out: People and Institutions Confront Israel’s Lobby and Silent No More: Confronting

America’s False Images of Islam (both available from the AET Book Club). His latest, a memoir, will be published in April.

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

roadblock to balanced, fair U.S. policies.

Hoping to ease these dangerous passions I wrote Silent No More: Confronting America’s False Images of Islam, a book inspired by personal acquaintance with hundreds of Muslims here and abroad.

It was published one month before 9/11, the day professed Muslims carried out the horrible suicide bombings in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC that killed nearly 3,000 innocent Americans.

The bombings were a gross violation of Islamic doctrine, which condemns suicide and injury to innocent people, but they left millions of misinformed Americans convinced Muslims approved the massacre.

Three years later, a Cornell University poll disclosed that 44 percent of those surveyed were so apprehensive about Islam they wanted the civil liberties of all U.S. Muslims curtailed. This year, Gallup polls reported nearly half our citizens fearful of Islamic intentions.

At the same time, anti-American passions have risen worldwide, especially in Muslim countries. Our government makes no effort to explain why foreigners protest our policies. Nor does it lift a finger to correct legitimate Muslim grievances.

9/11 was payback by a few people infuriated over our pro-Israel bias. Anti-American protests rise mainly from the same bias: U.S. complicity in Israel’s brutal treatment of mostly-Muslim Palestinians and its illegal seizure of their land. Wars initiated by the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan, both Muslim countries, magnified the outrage.

Although Israel’s daily conduct clearly violates international law, massive, unconditional U.S. aid keeps flowing to Tel Aviv.

The chief planner of 9/11, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, plainly and publicly stated his motivation. It was his “violent disagreement with U.S. policies that favored Israel.” This significant revelation was buried in the report of the 9/11 Commission but mentioned nowhere else. The commission twice voted against holding hearings on motivation.

Nothing could justify 9/11, but the American people deserve to know why it happened and why our government made no serious effort to stop Israel’s criminal policies.

If our government had refused to help Israel when it decided to destroy Palestine and brutalize its people, 9/11 would not have happened, our government would not have started wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Israel would not have been able to carry out its illegal takeover of Arab land. The main motivations for anti-Muslim passions in the United States and anti-American passions abroad would not exist.

The revelation by the chief planner of Continued on page 23 21

whitbeck_22-23_Special Report 9/16/10 4:20 PM Page 22

Two States, One Holy Land: A Framework For Peace SpecialReport

By John V. Whitbeck

idence in each Holy Land state could be limited to that state’s citizens, to citizens of the other state residing there on an agreed again in an atmosphere of profound pesdate, and to their descendants. (In this simism bordering on hopelessness, what is way, deeply felt principles could be mainmost sadly missing is any compelling vitained. Israelis could have the right to live sion of how a Holy Land at peace could be in all of Eretz Israel—but not all Israelis in structured so as to enhance not only the all of Eretz Israel. Similarly, Palestinians physical security of Israelis and the human could have the right to live in all of histordignity of Palestinians but also the future ical Palestine—but not all Palestinians in quality of day-to-day life for both peoples. all of historical Palestine.) A comThe Declaration of Principles so mon currency (perhaps printed in optimistically signed on the White Hebrew on one side and Arabic on House lawn in September 1993 EDITOR’S NOTE: On Sept. 5, Binyamin Netanyahu the other) could be issued by a proclaimed as its goal a “historic urged a new approach to issues that have defied resocommon central bank. reconciliation” between the two lution in past negotiations, telling reporters that, for the To ease Israeli security concerns, peoples. Today, even optimistists new round of negotiations to succeed, “we will have the Palestinian state could be fully seem to hope only for a definitive to learn the lessons of 17 years of experience from nedemilitarized, with no one other separation of the two peoples begotiations and to think creatively—what’s called ‘outthan Palestinian police allowed to hind high walls and fences. side the box.’” Between 1988 and 2000, international bear arms within its territory. As Can Israelis and Palestinians relawyer John Whitbeck’s “Two States, One Holy Land” an essential counterpart to the abally do no better than this? Might framework for peace was published 40 times, in varisence of border controls within the it not still be possible to blend the ous lengths and in the Arabic, Dutch, English, French, Holy Land, Israel could conduct practical and psychological preferGerman and Hebrew languages, including, in 1992, in immigration controls for entry into ences of both peoples for a twothe Washington Report. In response to the Israeli prime Israel, at the same time that Palesstate solution with some of the minister’s call for creative, “outside the box” thinking tine conducts immigration controls best aspects of a humane one-state and in the hope of stimulating such thinking, we are for entry into Palestine, at the fronsolution to produce a vision of a publishing an updated version of Mr. Whitbeck’s frametiers of the Palestinian state with possible future so bright and apwork for a two-state solution which, rather than sepEgypt and Jordan, with any nonpealing that both Israelis and arating Israelis and Palestinians, would bring them toPalestinian visitors restricted to the Palestinians would be inspired to gether in “a new society of peaceful coexistence, muPalestinian state by the Israeli auact on their hopes and dreams, tual respect and human dignity.” thorities facing penalties if found rather than their memories and in Israel. The settlement agreement fears, and to seize this future totinian citizenship, thus determining which could be guaranteed by the United Nations gether and make it a reality?

Sharing the Holy Land is not a zero-sum state’s passport they would carry and in and relevant states, with international trigame in which any development advanta- which state’s national elections they would bunals to arbitrate disputes regarding comgeous to one side must be disadvantageous vote. All citizens of either state could vote pliance with its terms.

The status of Jerusalem poses the toughto the other. One can envisage a society in in municipal elections where they actually which, by separating political and voting live—a matter of particular relevance to est problem for any settlement plan—causrights from economic, social and residential current Palestinian citizens of Israel opting ing many to assume, for this reason alone, rights in a negotiated settlement, both the for Palestinian citizenship and to Israeli set- that no settlement acceptable to both sides legitimate national aspirations of Palestini- tlers choosing to continue to live in Pales- can ever be reached. When the U.N. Genans and the legitimate security interests of tine while maintaining their Israeli citizen- eral Assembly adopted Resolution 181 in ship. Each state could have its own “law of 1947, it addressed the problem by suggestIsraelis could be simultaneously satisfied.

The Holy Land could be a two-state return” conferring citizenship and residen- ing an international status for Jerusalem, tial rights within that state on persons not with neither the Jewish state nor the Arab state to have sovereignty over the city. Yet John V. Whitbeck is an international lawyer currently resident in the Holy Land. joint undivided sovereignty, while rare, is Borders would have to be drawn on who has advised the Palestinian negotiating team in negotiations with Israel. This frame- maps but would not have to exist on the not without precedent.

Chandigarh is the joint undivided capiwork for peace was the subject of a three-day ground. The free, non-discriminatory conference of 24 prominent Israelis and movement of people and goods within the tal of two Indian states. For half a century, Palestinians, including four Knesset mem- Holy Land could be a fundamental princi- Sudan was a condominium of Britain and bers, held in Cairo in November 1993 under ple subject only to one major exception: to Egypt, officially named “Anglo-Egyptian the sponsorship of The Middle East Institute ensure that each state would always main- Sudan.” For more than 70 years, the Pacific tain its national character, the right to res- Islands state of Vanuatu (formerly the New (Washington). s the Israeli-Palestinian “peace

Aprocess” struggles to inch forward

22

“confederation,” a single economic and social unit encompassing two sovereign states and one Holy City. Jerusalem could be an Israeli-Palestinian “condominium,” an open city forming an undivided part of both states, being the capital of both states and being administered by local district councils and an umbrella municipal council.

All current residents of the Holy Land could be given the choice of Israeli or Pales-

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

NOVEMBER 2010

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Hebrides Condominium) was under the joint undivided sovereignty of Britain and France. For more than 700 years, until a 1993 constitutional revision, the Principality of Andorra was under the joint undivided sovereignty of French and Spanish “co-princes.” In March 1999, the arbitrator appointed by the International Court of Justice ruled that the contested Bosnian municipality of Brcko should be a condominium shared by Bosnia’s Serb Republic and its Muslim-Croat Federation.

As a joint capital, Jerusalem could have Israeli government offices principally in its western sector, Palestinian government offices principally in its eastern sector, and municipal offices in both. A system of districts or French-style arrondissements could bring municipal government closer to the different communities in the city (including the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community), with local district councils dealing with all matters best dealt with locally and an umbrella municipal council dealing only with those matters requiring city-wide coordination. To the extent that either state wished to control people or goods passing into it from the other state, this could be done at the points of exit from, rather than the points of entry to, Jerusalem. In a context of peace, particularly one coupled with economic union, the need for such controls would be minimal.

In a sense, Jerusalem can be viewed as a cake which could be sliced either vertically or horizontally. Either way, both Israelis and Palestinians would get a share of the cake, but, while many Israelis could never voluntarily swallow a vertical slice, they might just be able to swallow a horizontal slice. Indeed, by doing so, Israel would finally achieve international recognition of Jerusalem as its capital. Embassies to Israel, all of which are currently located in Tel Aviv in a reflection of the non-recognition by the international community of Israel’s claim to sovereignty over Jerusalem, could be expected to move there.

Jerusalem is both a municipality on the ground and a symbol in hearts and minds.

Undivided but shared in this way, Jerusalem could be a symbol of reconciliation and hope for Jews, Muslims, Christians and the world as a whole. It would be so even if the “condominium” principle of joint undivided sovereignty were formally applied only to the contested heart of Jerusalem, notably the Old City and the Mount of Olives, with sovereignty over the other parts of an open city being assigned to one or the other of the two states.

Such a framework would address in NOVEMBER 2010

ways advantageous to both sides three of the principal practical problems on the road to peace: Jerusalem (through joint sovereignty over an undivided city), settlers (through a separation of citizenship rights from residential rights in a regime of free access to the entire Holy Land for all citizens of both states under which no one would be compelled to move), and borders (through a structure of relations between the two states so open and non-threatening that the precise placement of borders would no longer be such a contentious issue and the internationally recognized pre-1967 borders—subject only to the expanded borders of Jerusalem, under joint sovereignty—might well be acceptable to most Israelis, as they would certainly be to most Palestinians).

For Jewish Israelis, the rapidly approaching inevitability of living in a state with either a majority of Arab voters or an inescapable resemblance to pre-1990 South Africa and world-wide pariah status would be replaced by the assurance of living in a democratic state with fewer Arab voters than today. Israel’s security would be enhanced by assuaging, rather than continuing to aggravate, the Palestinians’ grievances and the hatred throughout the Arab and Muslim worlds based upon the perpetuation of those grievances. By escaping from the role (so tragic in light of Jewish history) of oppressors and enforcers of injustice, Israel would save its soul and its dreams.

For all Palestinians, human dignity would be restored. They would cease to be a people treated (and not only by Israelis) as uniquely unworthy of basic human rights. For those in exile, an internationally accepted Palestinian citizenship, a Palestinian passport and a right to return to all of pre-1948 Palestine, if only to visit, would have enormous significance.

Furthermore, if the Palestinians themselves accepted a settlement, all Arab states would establish normal diplomatic and commercial relations with Israel, as has been made clear in the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, which remains on the table, waiting to be seized by Israel. If a Palestinian flag were peacefully raised over Palestinian government offices in Jerusalem, few Arab or Muslim eyes would still see Israel through a veil of hatred. The immovable obstacle to a lasting region-wide peace would have been removed.

While implementation of such a framework for peace would be relatively simple (far more so than traditional “two-state solutions” premised on the separation of Israelis and Palestinians), its acceptance THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

would require a moral, spiritual and psychological transformation from both Israelis and Palestinians. Yet, given the decades of hatred, bitterness and distrust, aggravated by the past 17 years of a failed and seemingly perpetual “peace process,” any settlement would require such a transformation.

Precisely because such a transformation would be so difficult, it is far more likely to be achieved if both peoples can be inspired by a truly compelling vision of a new society of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and human dignity, in which both peoples are winners, than if they are left to contemplate painful programs for a new partition and an angry separation in which both peoples must regard themselves, to a considerable degree, as admitting defeat.

Israelis, Palestinians and the true friends of both must now resist the temptation to despair, raise their sights and pursue a compelling vision of a society so much better than the status quo that both Israelis and Palestinians are inspired to accept in their hearts and minds that peace is both desirable and attainable, that the Holy Land can be shared, that a winner-take-all approach produces only losers, that both Israelis and Palestinians must be winners or both will continue to be losers, and that there is a common destination at which both peoples would be satisfied to arrive and to live together. ❑

Three Views…

Continued from page 21

9/11 should have served as a wake-up call for every American, but the members of the president-appointed 9/11 Commission, like most other Americans, tip-toed in silent retreat rather than embarrass Israel and risk being called anti-Semitic.

It is never too late to do the right thing.

Our president should suspend all aid until Israeli forces withdraw from all Arab territory seized in June 1967. Barack Obama— any president—will win massive public support for this showdown if he explains the crisis in clear language directly to the American people. Based on my years in Congress, where I was a close witness of presidents in crisis, I know Obama could prevail.

Congress is populated with puppets for Israel, but enlightened public opinion will change their behavior overnight.

Future historians will be amazed at the utter stupidity of our government. Rather than end bias in Middle East policy, our officials keep our nation in the black hole of war, fear, hate, and bankruptcy. ❑ 23

williams_24-25_United Nations Report 9/15/10 8:41 PM Page 24

Fully Understanding Implications of Kosovo, Rule of Law, Israel Ignores and Obstructs

By Ian Williams n the previous issue of the Washington

IReport this reporter mentioned the Inter-

national Court’s okaying of Kosovo’s declaration of independence and its relevance for Palestine—which is why, of course, Israel disdained to repay all of Washington’s diplomatic favors and join the 70 other countries recognizing the new republic.

In September even stubborn Belgrade succumbed to EU pressure and withdrew yet another General Assembly resolution condemning the Kosovar declaration, persuaded by the force of numbers and a firm indication that, if it wanted to achieve its cherished aim of joining the European Union, sticking its thumb up the collective nostrils of most European states was not the way to do it.

I wish I could recommend the Kosovar course of action to the Palestinian Authority, if it ever gets around to legitimizing itself with passable elections (by which, of course, I do not necessarily mean those that produce a result desired by Israel and the U.S.).

However, while the EU has made it clear that arresting war criminals and not rocking the boat over Kosovo are the price for Serbia’s access to the funding, markets and membership of the organization, sadly Israel once again gets a free pass. Despite the caution of the elected European Parliament, the national politicians and EU bureaucrats consistently extend Israeli privileges, no matter how often European diplomats are insulted or harassed.

In 2008, for example, Israeli companies exported €12 billion ($16.8 billion) in goods to Europe, its biggest market after the U.S. An estimated one-third of these goods are either fully or partially made in the occupied territories and have been, in effect, smuggled in.

However, the European Court has supported German customs officials who levied duties on products they identified as coming from settlements. The big problem, of course, is that most of the manifests rely upon information provided by the Israeli exporters, and—one hopes this does not come as too big a shock to sensitive readers—they often lie. Perhaps confiscaIan Williams is a free-lance journalist based at the United Nations and has a blog at <www.deadlinepundit.blogspot.com>.

24

tion of the products as stolen property might work as a deterrent.

In the meantime, Israel has open access to EU scientific research funds, is a close partner of NATO and has been accepted into the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)—all while occupying territories and settling them in contravention of the Geneva Conventions. It must rankle the Serbs that they can’t get away with that.

he only thing Israel has T not managed to achieve is legal title to its spoils.

The only thing that Israel has not managed to achieve is legal title to its spoils, which it is denied because of the residual attachment to international law at the U.N. To his credit, Ban Ki-moon reiterated a call for a settlement freeze to facilitate peace talks, which builds on his previous unequivocal restatements of U.N. determination that the settlements are illegal.

However, that in some ways reinforces the Alice-in-Wonderland nature of U.S. and Western policy. All accept that the settlements are illegal in themselves, and often built on land stolen even according to Israeli law, but consider it too bold to ask the thief to stop stealing for a while, even as they extend him every courtesy and credit. It is as if the traditional hue and cry of “Stop, thief!” were greeted with calls to hush in case the perpetrator’s feelings be hurt. No wonder the Arab world wonders about Western attachment to the rule of law it preaches for everyone else.

The uncertain grasp of reality was demonstrated in Washington’s attempts to fight the good fight on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). To his credit, President Barack Obama’s administration has been firm on the need for the world to keep to the MDG target of halving world poverty by 2015, in the face of the financial crisis.

But how to explain U.S. efforts to remove or alter the following phrase in the proposed declaration: “We acknowledge that the persistence of foreign occupation is a major obstacle to the realization of the Millennium Development Goals for people living under THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

United Nations Report such occupation. We underline the need to take concrete and concerted actions in conformity with international law to remove the obstacles to the full realization of the rights of peoples living under foreign occupation, so as to ensure their achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.”

Of course, the phrase is a coy reference to Israel and the occupied territories (although indeed it could apply with equal force to Western Sahara). To object out loud, however, entails the U.S. accepting that Israel is occupying the territories— which, of course, it denies, claiming they are “disputed”—and then denying that the occupation harms the population.

In fact, in September the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development reported that “the economy of the occupied Palestinian territory continued to perform well below potential. Its per capita GDP remains more than 30 percent below its level 10 years ago.” It adds that “prospects for establishing a viable, contiguous Palestinian state appear bleak in the light of the diminishing access to natural and economic resources as well as the separation and fragmentation of the Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem.”

What little growth there was, the report continued, is “driven mainly by unprecedented aid inflows. However the restrictions on the movement of Palestinian goods and labor and the destruction of much of the productive base substantially reduced the economic benefits of this massive aid and limited it to the short-term assistance to the Palestinian people.”

Countering those who try to blame the state of the Palestinian economy on Palestinian corruption and incompetence, the report lauds the PA for having demonstrated competence at running the public sector and delivering public services within areas under its control in spite of unprecedented challenges. “However, in the realm of state-building, there are limits to what technocratic competence can achieve without a political settlement that results in Palestinian sovereignty and removing the multiple structural constraints on Palestinian development.”

It is worth remembering that the aid flows do not come from the occupying power, but from the U.S., EU and other NOVEMBER 2010

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powers whose dogged generosity involves continually rebuilding facilities destroyed

by IDF action without demanding or indeed receiving compensation. In the case of the U.S., moreover, it would be easy to secure payment: a simple deduction from the annual aid check would be salutary.

Despite this political pusillanimity in the face of Israeli transgressions, and Obama’s stepping back from the higher hopes many of us held for him on the Middle East, there are still signs that Washington is steadily re-engaging with international law. Not only has the U.S. successfully run for a seat on the Human Rights Council, it has recently taken an activist role and moved for the appointment of an observer on the exercise of the right to assembly. One looks forward with interest to see the observer’s comments on how that right is exercised, for example, by peaceful protesters at the wall in the West Bank (see box p. 9).

The rule of law is being at once accentuated and extenuated in the various examinations of Israel’s murderous attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. Even Israel was shamed into setting up a simulation of an independent inquiry into it, albeit carefully insulated from coming to any adverse

conclusions about military mayhem by being prohibited from talking to any of the IDF personnel who actually did the killing, or even the planning.

Despite attempts to head it off, the U.N. Human Rights Council with respected jurists from investigators from Britain, Trinidad and Malaysia has started its sessions—but, amazingly enough, Israel has refused the team entry, let alone access to its military.

Under pressure from Ban Ki-Moon, however, and facing the risk of totally, instead of just mostly, alienating Turkey, Israel agreed to the secretary-general’s international probe, set up following a statement by the Security Council. But the very composition of the panel that might have induced Israel’s cooperation has led to criticism from human rights groups.

While former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer was welcomed even by pro-Palestinian groups back in New Zealand, the naming of Alvaro Uribe, the outgoing president of Colombia, has raised eyebrows.

The International Federation of Human Rights worries that “Thousands of extrajudicial and summary executions, massacres, enforced disappearances, internally displaced persons and other grave international crimes

have been documented by the United Nations themselves in Colombia under Uribe’s presidency,” and pointed to his attempts to develop security cooperation with Israel.

The panel also includes an Israeli and Turkish nominee, but once again they are precluded from interviewing the IDF personnel involved. As a result they might just restrict themselves to weighing the separate reports from the Turkish and Israeli investigations into the incident—which, as we have seen, also did not interview Israeli participants.

It is highly likely that the only people to be prosecuted as the result of the May 31 incident that killed nine people and did such damage to Israel’s waning reputation, will be the Israeli soldiers who stole laptops and credit cards from the flotilla for their own benefit.

The theft of land and water is more likely to be rewarded than punished. Even some peace proponents suggest that massive international aid should compensate the thieves for returning the property they have stolen. While the U.N. does indeed stand for the rule of law, it is difficult for it to stand at all when the U.S. veto keeps knocking its feet from under it. ❑

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mcarthur_26-27_Congress Watch 9/15/10 8:37 PM Page 26

Anti-War Amendments to Supplemental Funding Bill Get Support—But Not Enough CongressWatch

By Shirl McArthur he August issue of this magazine described how the Senate transformed T H.R. 4899, a relatively modest $6 billion disaster relief and summer jobs bill, into an “emergency” supplemental appropriations bill to provide about $35 billion for the military operations and economic support in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan—plus money for Haiti, veterans, and victims of hurricanes, floods and oil disasters— bringing the total to about $59 billion. The House added several billions of dollars more to the bill and passed its expanded version on July 1. However, in an apparent effort to gain the support of anti-war House members for the full bill, the House leadership allowed votes that day on three anti-war amendments. The first, and strongest, called Amendment 3, would simply have deleted most of the war funding. It failed, however, by a roll call vote of 25-376, with 22 voting “present.” The second, called Amendment 4, said that funds for military operations in Afghanistan could be used only for providing protection of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and for beginning a withdrawal of forces from there. It failed by a roll call vote of 100321. The third, called Amendment 5, was the most comprehensive, and received the most support. Among other things, it would have required the president to submit “a plan for the safe, orderly, and expeditious redeployment of the Armed Forces from Afghanistan” by April 4, 2011. It failed by a roll call vote of 162-260.

Then, rather than calling for a conference to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the bill, the Senate took up the Housepassed version, stripped it of all the extra domestic spending the House had added, passed it on July 22, and sent it back to the House. The House passed it, unchanged, on July 27, and President Barack Obama signed it on July 29. The final version still included $100 million in economic aid and $50 million in military aid for Jordan.

The previously described H.R. 5015, introduced in April by Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), is very similar to Amendment 5 described above but with a tighter deadline, and it continues to gain support. It would require the president to “submit to Congress a plan for the safe, orderly, and expeditious redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces from Afghanistan, including military and security-related contractors, together with a timetable for the completion of that redeShirl McArthur, a retired U.S. foreign service officer, is a consultant based in the Washington, DC area.

26

ployment and information regarding variables that could alter that timetable” not later than Jan. 1, 2011 or 90 days after the enactment of the bill, whichever is earlier.

The bill has gained 10 co-sponsors, and now has 105, including McGovern.

Similarly, on July 30 Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), with 20 co-sponsors, introduced H.R. 6045, which is similar to Amendment 4 described above. It would “provide that funds for operations of the Armed Forces in Afghanistan shall be obligated and expended only for purposes of providing for the safe and orderly withdrawal from Afghanistan of all members of the Armed Forces and Department of Defense contractor personnel who are in Afghanistan.”

Regarding Pakistan, on July 22 Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), with two cosponsors, introduced H.Con.Res. 301, which would require the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from Pakistan.

The resolution cites a provision of the War Powers Resolution that requires the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces engaged in hostilities outside the U.S. without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization if Congress directs such removal by concurrent resolution. The resolution was voted on by the full House on July 27 and was defeated by a vote of 38-372, with four voting “present.”

47 House Republicans Would Say It’s Okay for Israel to Attack Iran In a striking display of arrogant irresponsibility, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), with 46 Republican co-sponsors, on July 22 introduced H.Res. 1553 “expressing support for the State of Israel’s right to defend Israeli sovereignty, to protect the lives and safety of the Israeli people, and to use all means necessary to confront and eliminate nuclear threats posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the use of military force if no other peaceful solution can be found within reasonable time to protect against such an immediate and existential threat to the State of Israel.” National Iranian American Council President Trita Parsi immediately attacked the resolution, saying it would send “a dangerous signal” to Israel. “Obviously we are reaching silly season in Washington,” he added, “with the elections in November.”

Meanwhile, months after Israel’s fatal May 31 raid on the Gaza humanitarian flotilla, members of Congress continue to pander to their large Zionist donors by introducing or co-sponsoring various flotilla-related measures defending “Israel’s right to defend itTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

self.” The previously-described S.Res. 548, introduced in June by Sen. John Cornyn (RTX), was passed by the Senate on June 24 with 15 co-sponsors, including Cornyn.

However, the previously-described H.Res. 1440, introduced in June by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), still has no co-sponsors.

Three new measures, while defending Israel’s “right to defend itself,” also include other provisions. Two of those, H.Res. 1532, introduced July 15 by Rep. Dina Titus (DNV) with 18 co-sponsors, and H.Res. 1599, introduced July 30 by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) with one co-sponsor, condemn the role Turkey’s Insan Hak ve Hurriyetleri ve Insani Yarkim Vakfi (IHH) played in the incident and urge the State Department to place the IHH on the list of foreign terrorist organizations. (For a discussion of neoconservatives’ efforts to condemn Turkey, see Jim Lobe’s article on p. 27 of the August 2010 Washington Report.) The third new measure, H.R. 5501, introduced June 10 by Rep. Peter King (R-NY), would prohibit the secretary of state from contributing any funds to the U.N. for an investigation into the flotilla incident. H.R. 5501 has received the most congressional support, with 91 co-sponsors including King.

The incident has also given life to H.Res. 1241, introduced in April by Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), “supporting the right of Israel to defend itself against terrorists and the Israeli construction of new security fences along the border of Egypt.” It has gained 10 cosponsors, and now has 71, including Garrett.

Punitive Iran Sanctions Bill Becomes Law The conference committee appointed to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of H.R. 2194, the irresponsible, punitive and counterproductive “Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment” bill, finally issued its report on June 23. The next day the Senate passed the conference report unanimously and the House passed the report by a vote of 408-8, with one voting “present.” Obama signed it into law on July 1. The eight who voted no were Reps. Brian Baird (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), John Conyers (DMI), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Kucinich, Ron Paul (R-TX) and Pete Stark (D-CA). Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) voted “present.”

While the final bill includes some improvements over the previously described House and Senate bills, it still is designed to cripple the civilian economy and cause hardship on Iran’s population. The bill exNOVEMBER 2010

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pands energy sanctions, imposes financial sanctions, bans most imports from and exports to Iran, prohibits licenses for nuclear cooperation, limits the diversion of technology, and supports state divestment of investments in Iran’s energy sector.

The most important of the improvements to the bill is the addition of presidential waiver authority—although circumscribed in several cases—to many of the bill’s provisions. The treasury secretary may waive certain sanctions on financial institutions. The bill also specifically authorizes the president to waive sanctions for a period of 12 months “on a case by case basis for persons under the jurisdiction of governments that are closely cooperating with the U.S. in multilateral efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring or developing chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons or related technologies.” Other new provisions include one explicitly permitting the export to Iran of a wide range of goods, including those related to humanitarian needs, Internet and online communications, safe operation of commercial aircraft, and other goods whose export is in the U.S. national interest. There are also provisions imposing sanctions on human rights violators and on people who help Iran censor communications and the Internet.

And “to ensure that U.S. and international sanctions on Iran are fully implemented [and] effectively enforced,” House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Howard “Even before I was a Democrat, I was a Zionist” Berman (DCA) and ranking Republican Ileana RosLehtinen (R-FL) on Aug. 3 announced the formation of a “bipartisan working group on Iran sanctions implementation.”

Other recently introduced, Iran-related bills include H.R. 5833, introduced July 22

by Rep. Theodore Deutch (D-FL), with four co-sponsors. It would “amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require issuers to make disclosures related to Iranian investments.” Separate Senate and House resolutions were passed marking the oneyear anniversary of Iran’s June 12, 2009 presidential elections. S.Res. 551 was introduced June 14 by Sen. Ted Kaufman (DDE), with 10 co-sponsors, and passed by the Senate the same day. Among other things, it urges the president and secretary of state to work with the international community to make sure that violations of human rights are part of discussions with and regarding Iran. H.Res. 1457 was introduced by Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), with 20 co-sponsors, June 24 and passed by the House the same day. In addition to condemning Iran’s human rights abuses, it also condemns Tehran’s “pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability and unconventional weapons and ballistic missile capabilities.”

Military Aid to Lebanon Comes Under Fire On Aug. 3 an Israeli military officer, two Lebanese soldiers and a Lebanese journalNOVEMBER 2010

ist were killed in a skirmish on the IsraeliLebanese border during an Israeli treepruning operation. This prompted an immediate call by some of Israel’s staunchest supporters to curtail U.S. military aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). (Apparently the killing of one Israeli soldier by one Lebanese soldier, possibly using an American rifle, which even the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) termed “an isolated incident,” is cause for congressional outrage, but the killing of scores of Arab civilians by the IDF, probably using American weapons, doesn’t even cause a congressional ripple.)

Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) announced that she had placed a “hold” on the $100 million in U.S. military aid to the LAF, and Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Ron Klein (D-FL), Buck McKeon (R-CA), Ros-Lehtinen and Edolophus Towns (D-NY) expressed concerns about the aid. Cantor said he would move to block FY ’11 military aid to the LAF, ignoring the fact that FY ’11 aid appropriations probably won’t be considered

by Congress until next year. House Armed Services Committee chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) wrote to Defense Secretary Robert Gates asking for a briefing on military aid to the LAF. On Aug. 2, the day before the border skirmish, Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Berman announced that he was placing a hold on military aid to the LAF because of his concern that Hezbollah’s influence over the Lebanese army had grown.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley defended the aid, saying “it serves our interest, it serves Lebanon’s interest, it serves the region’s interest.” Foreign Policy’s “The Cable” reported that the State Department is working to reassure Berman and Lowey, and cited an unnamed State Department official as saying he expects the holds to be lifted soon. Nevertheless, bills and resolutions condemning Lebanon can be expected shortly after Congress returns from recess in mid-September.

Anti-U.N./UNRWA Bills Fail to Generate Much Support In July Ros-Lehtinen circulated a “Dear Colleagues” letter soliciting co-sponsors for H.R. 557, the deceptively named “U.N. Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act” which she introduced back in January 2009. Its title is misleading in that the whole thrust of the bill is about the treatment of Israel in the U.N. It would shut down most Palestinian-related organizations, including the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Her memo had little effect, however: the bill gained one co-sponsor and now has 107, including Ros-Lehtinen. As described in the August 2010 Washington Report, her H.R. 5065, the “UNRWA Humanitarian Accountability Act,” which essentially would gut UNRWA, has gained only three co-sponsors and now has 27, including Ros-LehtiTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

nen. On July 13 Gohmert introduced H.Res. 1510 calling for the consideration of H.R. 4636, which he introduced in February, prohibiting assistance to any country that opposes the U.S. position in the United Nations. H.Res. 1510 was referred to the Rules Committee, where it will remain.

H.R. 4636 has gained no co-sponsors since May and has 14, including Gohmert.

Other Pro-Israel Measures Also Make Scant or No Progress The previously described Jerusalem measures have made little or no progress. H.R. 3412, which would strip the presidential waiver authority from the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 and require the U.S. Embassy in Israel to be established in Jerusalem, has gained two co-sponsors and now has 11. The similar S. 2737 still has only nine co-sponsors, and the non-binding H.Res. 1191 calling upon the president to fully implement the Jerusalem Embassy Act has gained two co-sponsors and now has 24. H.Con.Res. 271, introduced by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) in April, “commemorating the 43rd anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem,” which also would “urge” the president to discontinue using the waiver authority and begin the process of relocating the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, has gained no co-sponsors and still has 48.

And H.Con.Res. 260, introduced in April by Ros-Lehtinen, “recognizing the 62nd anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel, and reaffirming unequivocal support for the alliance and friendship between the U.S. and Israel,” remains buried in the Foreign Affairs Committee, probably because of its implicit criticisms of the Obama administration’s dealings with Israel. It has gained no cosponsors and still has 192.

H.Res. 1285, introduced in April by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), would “condemn the Government of Syria for transferring Scud missiles to the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” but it also implicitly criticizes Obama’s Syria policy by urging him to reconsider sending an ambassador to Damascus and to “tighten and enforce” all sanctions against Syria. It has gained three cosponsors and now has 20, including Engel.

Feingold Introduces Measure Supporting Human Rights in Egypt On July 20 Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), with nine co-sponsors, introduced S.Res. 586 “supporting democracy, human rights, and civil liberties in Egypt.” Among other things, it would urge “the president and secretary of state to (1) make respect for human rights and democratic freedoms a priority in the U.S.-Egypt relationship; and (2) broaden engagement with the people of Egypt and support human rights and democratic reform efforts in Egypt.” ❑ 27

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ELECTION WATCH

By Janet McMahon

Nov. 2 Election a Chance to “Just Say No” to Congressional Israel-Firsters Packard CEO Carly Fiorina is viewed as a strong indicator of whether Republicans may retake control of the can regain control of the House, which they lost in Senate. Her incumbency in 2006—two years before itself makes Boxer the faBarack Obama was elected vored candidate of pro-Ispresident—and possibly rael PACs, from whom she even the Senate, the uphas received a career total of coming Nov. 2 election is $267,044—despite having getting much more attenvoted in 2002 against the tion than the average conU.S. invasion of Iraq. Fiorgressional midterm. Despite ina, who spent $5 million of the fact that much of the her own money on the Recampaign is focused on dopublican primary alone, mestic issues, certain races “wants a share of the Jewish offer the opportunity for voters to make their voices Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), who is running for the Illinois Senate seat formerly vote as well,” noted Globes, heard on whether they held by President Barack Obama, has received more pro-Israel PAC contri- Israel’s Business Arena (<www.globes.co.il>). Its want their representatives butions this year than any other House or Senate candidate.

Aug. 20, 2010 edition to put the interests of a foreign country ahead of their constituents’. pose a threat to both the United States and quoted Fiorina as saying, “I want to renew Members of the Washington Report’s Hall our important regional allies, including Israel, my acquaintances with Israeli leaders, some of Fame and Hall of Shame are indicated whose security and right to exist we need to of them I already know. I met Prime Minister [Binyamin] Netanyahu and President by color, with the names of 2010 candi- firmly and unequivocally stand behind.” dates in bold. Close races where this House District 8: Jewish Democratic in- [Shimon] Peres, and I know Ehud Barak. So choice is particularly clear are indicated cumbent Gabrielle Giffords, who repre- if the schedule will permit I’ll [visit Israel by . sents a traditionally Republican district, and] meet them and convey directly to the will face Iraq war veteran Jesse Kelly, people of Israel that they will not have a who, according to Congressional Quarterly stronger friend in the U.S. Senate than me.”

(CQ), “is a political newcomer with a thin CQ rates the race a toss-up.

Alaska House District 3: As of late August, ReJoe Miller, the Sarah Palin-endorsed can- résumé, but…[has] excited the GOP base didate who upset Republican incumbent and will have plenty of establishment sup- publican incumbent Dan Lungren—who Sen. Lisa Murkowski in the state’s August port.” As of early August, however, Gif- missed being a “Hall of Shame” member by primary, has raised $283,000 to Democrat fords had nearly $2 million cash on hand only one vote, and cast no positive ones— had raised less money ($1.2 million) than Scott McAdams’ $16,000 (see charts be- to Kelly’s $79,000. his Democratic challenger, Indian-Ameriginning on p. 33 for pro-Israel PAC contriArkansas can physician Dr. Ami Bera ($1.6 million). bution amounts).

Senate: After eking out a victory in the On his campaign Web site, <www.beraforArizona Democratic primary, incumbent and Hall congress.com>, Bera, who has received House District 3: The race for this open seat of Shamer Sen. Blanche Lincoln is being small donations statewide as well as contripits Republican Ben Quayle (son of the for- challenged by Republican Rep. John butions from Indian Americans across the mer vice president), who in a campaign ad Boozman. While neither cast a positive country, focuses primarily on domestic iscalled Barack Obama “the worst president vote according to the Washington Report’s sues. “I’m not the candidate of Nancy ever,” against Democrat Jon Hulburd, who “Report Card for the 111th Congress” (see Pelosi,” he told The Sacramento Bee. “If I has been running ads on Christian radio sta- Sept./Oct. 2010 issue, pp. 25-37), pro-Israel thought the Democrats were doing the tions attacking Quayle for posting to a sala- PAC money talks—and it says that Lincoln right job in this country with moving forcious Web site, TheDirty. has received a career total of $54,077 to ward, I wouldn’t be running. I’d be back com. Hulburd’s stance on national security Boozman’s $2,000. Nevertheless, her seat is practicing medicine.” Nevertheless, he and fellow Democrat Barbara Boxer both seem includes the statement, “Iran continues to considered vulnerable. to have an aversion to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR): in mid-AuJanet McMahon is managing editor of the California Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. Senate: The tight race between Democratic gust, under strong pressure from the CaliAs a resident of the nation’s capital, she has incumbent Barbara Boxer, running for her fornia Republican Party, Bera returned a no voting representation in Congress. fourth Senate term, and former Hewlitt- $250 contribution from Basim Elkarra, the ith the possibility

WWW.KIRKFORSENATE.COM

Wthat the Republicans

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THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

NOVEMBER 2010

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popular and respected executive director of CAIR’s Sacramento chapter. In December 2006 Senator Boxer rescinded a Certificate of Appreciation she had bestowed on Elkarra a mere six weeks earlier (see April 2007 Washington Report, p. 50).

House District 11: Two-term Democratic incumbent Jerry McNerney has a similar voting record to Lungren—except he did manage to cast one positive vote in the 111th Congress. Like Lungren, he has raised less money ($1.7 million) than his challenger, Republican banking attorney David Harmer ($1.8 million). In 2006 McNerney was endorsed by former Republican Rep. Paul N. “Pete” McCloskey, one of several members of Congress targeted by the Israel lobby for daring to speak out, who had unsuccessfully challenged thenincumbent Richard Pombo in the 2006 Republican primary.

House District 37: Democratic incumbent Laura Richardson, elected in a 2007 special election to fill the seat of the late Juanita Millender-McDonald, has been an opponent of the George W. Bush administration and the war on Iraq since 2003—although she cast four negative votes and only one positive one according to our 2010 Congressional Report Card.

She is being challenged by conservative author and syndicated columnist Star Parker, who has been endorsed by, among others, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Karl Rove, Rep. Michele Bachmann, Grover Norquist, Alan Keyes and Gov. Mike Huckabee. Perhaps because Richardson has been embroiled in controversy over her dealings with Washington Mutual Bank, which canceled the sale of a foreclosed home she owns in Sacramento—the House Ethics Committee cleared her of charges on July 1—the incumbent is only slightly ahead of Parker in fundraising ($370,000 to Parker’s $320,000).

More ominously, as of early September Richardson’s re-election campaign Web site was “coming soon!” Also running is Independent candidate (and friend of the Washington Report) Nick Dibs, who has raised just over $2,000.

House District 44: In 2008, Republican incumbent and Hall of Shamer Ken Calvert beat Corona-Norco Board of Education president Bill Hedrick by a slim 3-point margin—despite having outspent his Democratic challenger by more than $950,000. Two years later Calvert again faces the progressive Demo crat—who supports a clear exit strategy from Afghanistan and U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, where his two sons and NOVEMBER 2010

daughters-in-law have served a total of nine deployments. Hedrick recently received $5,000 from former Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean’s PAC, and has been endorsed by, among others, CAIR-PAC, Peace Action West, the Sierra Club and numerous state and national labor unions.

House District 45: Republican incumbent Mary Bono Mack faces a well-funded challenger in Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, who has raised $1.3 million to Mack’s $1.7 million. According to the Los Angeles Times, Bono Mack and Dan Lungren (see House District 3) are “the Democrats’ top two targets” in the state, and Bono Mack has challenged her opponent to “denounce House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s refusal to condemn plans” for a Muslim community center in lower Manhatten.

House District 47: Also according to the Times, “Republicans believe they have a shot at finally unseating” Democratic incumbent Loretta Sanchez, one of 54 House members to sign a letter to President Barack Obama calling for a lifting of Israel’s crippling siege of Gaza. However, Sanchez has almost $1 million more in the bank than her challenger, California Assemblyman Van Tran.

House District 50: Democrat Francine P. Busby is making a third try to defeat current Rep. Brian Bilbray, who holds the House seat vacated by the now imprisoned Randy “Duke” Cunningham. Bilbray bested her in the 2006 special election following Cunningham’s resignation, and went on to win the 2006 and 2008 general elections. When she ran against him in the 2006 general election, Busby received $5,050 in pro-Israel PAC contributions. As of July 15, Bilbray had received none—even though he cast no positive votes according to the 2010 Congressional Report Card.

Colorado Senate: Incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet, appointed to fill the seat of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, faces Tea Party-backed Republican opponent Ken Buck, who defeated establishment candidate and former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton in the state’s Aug. 11 primary, despite having raised less than half her campaign funds. According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), “Bennet’s mother is a Holocaust survivor, but he did not acknowledge his Jewishness until recently, raising Jewish representation in the U.S. Senate from 13 to 14.” The JTA described Bennet as “outspoken in [his] support for Israel and on isolating Iran.” CQ rates this race a toss-up.

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

House District 4: Another race considered a toss-up is the one between Democratic incumbent Betsey Markey—who has received a total of $12,100 in pro-Israel PAC contributions since first being elected in 2008—and her Republican challenger, state legislator Cory Gardner. Gardner has raised a record amount for a challenger in this moderately Republican district— but Markey has raised nearly $1 million more than Gardner.

Connecticut Senate: Running to fill the open Senate seat of retiring Chris Dodd, Connecticut’s Democratic Attorney General Richard Blumenthal will face multimillionaire Republican candidate Linda McMahon, former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO. According to JTA, “If Blumenthal succeeds the retiring Chris Dodd, also a Democrat, he will join Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) in making Connecticut’s U.S. Senate representation all Jewish.”

House District 4: Incumbent Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, as one of the 54 signers of the House letter on Gaza, was one of the first targets of attack ads by the recently formed Emergency Committee for Israel. William Kristol and his neocon buddies obviously prefer Republican challenger Dan Debicella, who has criticized Himes’ stance on Israel. On his campaign Web site Debicella describes his support for Israel as “unequivocal,” and promises to “speak strongly and clearly for our allies in Israel.” Despite the fact that as of June 30 Himes had $1.9 million cash on hand to Debicella’s $492,000, the race made CNN’s list of the top 100 most vulnerable congressional seats.

Delaware Senate: A special election will be held Nov. 2 to fill the seat of Sen. Ted Kaufman. Appointed when then-Sen. Joe Biden became vice president, Kaufman had announced he would not be a candidate to complete Biden’s term, which expires in 2014. Although former governor and moderate Republican Rep. Mike Castle, who had raised $3 million in campaign funds—including $5,500 from pro-Israel PACS—had been favored to win over Democratic county executive Chris Coons, who has raised $1.35 million, Castle was knocked out of the running in the Sept. 14 primary by Tea Party candidate Christine O’Donnell, who received no support from the Republican Party. A post-primary poll showed that Castle supporters were likely to vote for Coons in November.

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Florida Senate: Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek will face two opponents for this open seat: former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, who is endorsed by former Vice President Dick Cheney, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), Florida Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, among others; and Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who decided to run as an Independent after falling behind Rubio in the polls. Meek has raised slightly less than $7 million, compared to Crist’s $12.5 million and Rubio’s $12.8 million. Crist, whose endorsers include Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl—but not, apparently, pro-Israel PACs—appears to be losing support, with Rubio ahead in the polls, but CQ rates the race a toss-up.

House District 8: The JTA describes Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson, one of only two Florida House members (the other being Rep. Alcee Hastings) to cast a positive vote according to our 2010 Congressional Report Card, as a Jewish member of Congress whose seat is vulnerable—not only because “his Orlando-area district is seen as naturally Republican,” but because he “has become a lead Democratic bomb-thrower, calling Republicans ‘Neanderthals,’ describing the GOP health care plan as ‘dying quickly’ and calling the health care crisis a ‘holocaust’”—for which he later expressed regret. Grayson, who has raised $3.7 million in campaign funds, will face another former Florida House speaker, Daniel Webster ($313,653)— named a “Young Gun” running against a vulnerable Democrat by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC)—and Tea Party candidate Peg Dunmire ($43,569).

House District 22: According to the JTA, incumbent Democratic Rep. and Hall of Shamer Ron Klein is seen “as likely to retain his South Florida seat, which he wrested from years of GOP control in 2006.

In 2008 he defeated his current opponent, Allen West, by 8.5 percentage points.

However, West—a retired Army lieutenant colonel seen as one of the GOP’s best chances to reintroduce a black Republican into Congress—has hammered Klein in this heavily Jewish district by going after President Obama over his recent tensions with Israel over settlements. It might help Klein that he is one of the more hard-line Democrats in Congress when it comes to Israel, and has distanced himself from Obama’s Israel policies.” West, however, 30

has raised $4 million to Klein’s $2.5 million.

Heads you win, tails I lose.

Georgia House District 2: Blue Dog Democratic incumbent Sanford Bishop, one of only four of 36 Congressional Black Caucus members who voted for the 2002 joint resolution authorizing the Iraq war, will face Tea Party-endorsed state Rep. and Baptist preacher Mike Keown, who easily won the Republican primary. Keown has raised $370,000 to Bishop’s $670,000.

Illinois Senate: Pro-Israel PACs protégé Republican Rep. Mark Kirk makes no bones about describing himself as a “proIsrael champion.” Among the efforts on behalf of a foreign government—and at the expense of American taxpayers—of which he boasts is the fact that “Earlier last year, Kirk helped reverse the administration’s cuts to Israel’s Arrow-3 upper tier missile defense system—securing full funding for the program to continue.” It’s no wonder he’s received more pro-Israel PAC contributions than any other congressional candidate this year—including embattled Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

Kirk’s Democratic opponent for President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat is Greek-American banker Alexander Giannoulias, who has raised $5.7 million to Kirk’s $9 million. Nevertheless the race is considered a toss-up, with an August poll giving each candidate 40 percent of the vote.

House District 9: Jewish incumbent Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky is being challenged by Republican co-religionist Joel Pollack, who charges that Schakowsky is not sufficiently pro-Israel.

His evidence? That Schakowsky has been endorsed by J Street, the “pro-Israel, propeace” lobby, and that reporter Helen Thomas, former dean of the White House Press Corps, headlined a Schakowsky fund-raiser just weeks before she resigned.

Pollak’s credentials include backing by Harvard Law School Prof. Alan Dershowitz, the Israel attack dog and former member of O.J. Simpson’s defense team.

Even though Dershowitz raised $30,000 at a fund-raiser for his former “research” assistant, however (in response to which J Street raised $35,000 in an online fundraiser for Schakowsky), it appears the professor may not be putting his own money where his mouth is: Pollak has raised $221,119 to the incumbent’s $1.2 million.

House District 10: Running for Mark THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Kirk’s now open House seat, Democratic African-American businessman (and former intern for Sen. Joseph Lieberman) Dan Seals is running ahead in the polls against Republican fellow businessman Robert Dold. Alas, it’s another case of being more pro-Israel than thou, with Dold accusing Seals of being insufficiently proIsrael and anti-Iraq, and Seals vigorously denying the charges. Dold is slightly behind in fund-raising as well, with $1.5 million to Seals’ $1.7 million. Pro-Israel PACs are sitting on this electoral fence, having given $500 to Dold and none to Seals.

Indiana Senate: Vying for the seat of retiring Sen. Evan Bayh are fellow Democrat Rep. Brad Ellsworth, who did not cast a single positive vote according to our 2010 Congressional Report Card, and former Republican Sen. Dan Coats, who, prior to his retirement in 1999, traveled to Israel to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1998, and co-sponsored the May 1997 resolution congratulating the residents of Jerusalem on the 30th anniversary of the city’s “reunification.” CQ considers the race a toss-up.

Iowa House District 2: While he did not make it into our Hall of Fame, incumbent Democrat David Loebsack cast several positive votes according to our Congressional Report Card. He is being challenged for the second time by ophthalmologist Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who lost to Loebsack in 2008 by 39 to 57 percent. Joining MillerMeeks on the campaign trail is the wife of incumbent Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, also up for re-election this year.

Kansas Senate: Another congressional Hall of Shamer who’s looking to move to the Senate to advance Israel’s interests is Republican Rep. Jerry Moran, who has raised $2.7 million in his bid for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Sam Brownback. As winner of the Aug. 3 Republican primary, beating fellow Rep. Todd Tiahrt, Moran is expected to be the next senator from Kansas, which for more than 70 years has elected only Republicans to the Senate.

His opponent, Baker University Assistant Dean Lisa Johnston, has raised slightly more than $10,000.

House District 4: Competing to fill the seat vacated by Representative Tiahrt are Democrat state legislator Raj Goyle and former Republican National Committeeman Michael Richard Pompeo. On NOVEMBER 2010

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Aug. 12 Pompeo issued an apology for his Twitter and Facebook link to a post— which he described as a “good read”—by retired Marine Sgt. Bob Pinkstaff, who called the Indian-American Goyle “just another ‘turban topper.’” Pinkstaff continued, “This guy could be a Muslim, a Hindu, a Buddhist, etc., who knows…

One thing’s for sure...Goyle is not a Christian!” Nevertheless, a poll showed Goyle only 7 points behind Pompeo in this heavily Republican district, and ahead of Pompeo in fund-raising.

Kentucky: Senate: Pro-Israel PACs were putting their money on Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson to succeed retiring Sen. Jim Bunning, but Grayson was defeated in the Republican primary by Dr. Rand Paul, son of Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX).

Paul’s opponent is Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway. The closeness of the race is reflected in the candidates’ fund-raising totals: Conway’s $3.7 million to Paul’s $3.5 million.

House District 3: Two-term incumbent John Yarmuth, who also signed the letter to President Obama calling for a lifting of Israel’s siege on Gaza, suddenly finds himself in a close race with Republican challenger Todd Lally, who, according to Louisville television station WHAS, “appears to be riding an anti-incumbent, conservative wave.” As of early September, Yarmuth had raised $997,000 to Lally’s $380,000.

House District 6: Democratic incumbent Ben Chandler, who cast not a single positive vote according to our Congressional Report Card, is being challenged by Republican attorney Garland Hale “Andy” Barr, IV, a one-time intern for Sen. Mitch McConnell. On his campaign Web site, Barr says, “Rather than seeking to negotiate with terrorists and the corrupt leadership of Iran, we should immediately impose tough economic sanctions to prevent that rogue regime from acquiring a nuclear weapon.” Barr has raised $811,000 to Chandler’s $905,000.

Louisiana Senate: Republican incumbent Sen. David Vitter clearly is the Israel lobby’s favored candidate. He’s received $40,500 for this race alone, compared to Democratic challenger Rep. Charlie Melancon’s career total of $32,100—none of it for this year’s Senate race.

House District 2: Freshman Republican incumbent Joseph Cao has attracted NOVEMBER 2010

$10,000 in pro-Israel PAC contributions, even though the Vietnamese-American is running for re-election in a traditionally Democratic and heavily African-American district. Then again, he didn’t cast a single positive vote according to our Congressional Report Card. Cao, who has a good relationship with President Obama, has raised $1.5 million to $500,000 by his Democratic opponent, African-American state legislator Cedric Richardson.

House District 3: Running for the seat vacated by Rep. Charlie Melancon is Democratic candidate Ravi Sangisetty, an IndianAmerican attorney whose father came to the U.S. 30 years ago with $7 in his pocket. While he awaits the result of the Oct. 2 run-off election between Republicans Hunt Downer, former speaker of the Louisiana House, and attorney Jeff Landry, Sangisetty can decide when it’s the best time to start spending the $600,000 he’s raised, compared to Landry’s $534,000 and Downer’s $411,000—much of which they’ll have to spend against each other between now and Oct. 2.

Maryland House District 1: Freshman Democratic incumbent Frank Kratovil Jr. will again face Republican state legislator Andy Harris, who barely lost to Kratovil in 2008. The two have raised similar amounts of money but, unlike Harris, the incumbent had no opponent in the Sept. 14 primary election.

CQ rates the race a toss-up.

House District 4: With her primary win, incumbent Democratic Rep. Donna Edwards, the only Hall of Famer in Maryland’s entire congressional delegation, seems assured of re-election. As of early September, Republican Robert Broadus reported no campaign contributions.

House District 5: House Majority Leader Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, a frequent visitor to and acolyte of Israel, has a nearly $4 million war chest—in no small part because his ascent to a leadership position has been accompanied by increasing contributions from pro-Israel PACs. Hoyer has little to fear from Republican opponent Charles Lollar—unless his constituents decide he’s shown more interest in representing a foreign country than his own district.

Massachusetts House District 6: Incumbent Democratic Rep. and Hall of Famer John Tierney is being challenged by attorney Bill Hudak, who, according to The Boston Phoenix, reportedly “once put a sign in his yard depicting Barack Obama as Osama bin Laden, and told reporters he had evidence THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

that Obama was born in Kenya.” Although dismissed by many as a “wacko,” Hudak is no slouch in the fund-raising department: he’s raised $582,000 to Tierney’s $637,000.

Michigan House District 3: Running for the seat being vacated by Republican Rep. Vern Ehlers—and once held by former President Gerald Ford—are Democratic attorney Patrick Miles Jr., a Harvard Law School classmate and supporter of President Obama, and state legislator Justin Amash, a Tea Party favorite who has been endorsed

by Rep. Ron Paul. Because Amash already has spent much of the $380,000 he has raised on the Republican primary, which he won by just a handful of votes, as of Sept.

12 he had only $112,000 in cash on hand, compared to Miles’ $227,000.

Minnesota House District 6: Republican incumbent, Tea Party favorite and Hall of Shamer Rep. Michelle Bachman is being challenged by state legislator Tarryl Clark. While Clark has raised $2.4 million to Bachman’s more than $4 million—including more pro-Israel PAC contributions this year than any other member of her state’s congressional delegation—a July poll showed the right-wing incumbent ahead of Clark by only 9 points.

Missouri Senate: In a close rase for the open seat of retiring Republican Kit Bond are former Republican Majority Leader Rep. Roy Blunt and Democratic Secretary of State Robin Carnahan. The latter would not be the first member of her family elected to the Senate: her father, Gov. Mel Carnahan, defeated incumbent Sen. John Ashcraft two weeks after perishing in a plane crash. His wife, Jean, was appointed to serve a two-year term in his stead. Both were recipients of pro-Israel PAC contributions; curiously, the late governor received $3,500 following his death (for a career total of $15,693), and his wife received $87,422 for her failed bid to be elected in 2002. In his six terms in the House, however, Blunt has been a loyal foot soldier, as evidenced by his career total of $74,350 in pro-Israel PAC contributions, and he is the favored recipient in this race. Overall he’s raised $8.1 million to Carnahan’s $7.3 million.

House District 3: Three-term Democratic incumbent Russ Carnahan is being challenged by Edward Martin, Jr., who told a conservative radio talk show host that 31

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Carnahan and President Obama are trying to interfere with Americans’ freedom to worship, and that Secretary of State Carnahan (Russ’ sister) is doing the “devil’s work.” Martin has raised $835,000 to Carnahan’s $1.2 million (including $6,000 in pro-Israel PAC contributions).

Nevada Senate: Despite his powerful position as Senate majority leader, and having raised $19 million to his challenger’s $3.6 million, Sen. Harry Reid and his Sarah Palin-endorsed Republican challenger, former state assemblywoman Sharron Angle, are running neck-and-neck. Winning the state’s Hispanic vote is considered crucial in this race, deemed a toss-up by CQ.

New Hampshire Senate: Democratic Rep. Paul Hodes is the Israel Lobby’s pick for this open seat. At press time, former state Attorney General Kelly Ayotte had a narrow lead over attorney Ovide Lamontagne for the Republican nomination.

New Jersey House District 12: As one of the 54 House members signing the letter to President Obama calling for a lifting of Israel’s siege of Gaza, incumbent Democratic Rep. Rush Holt has been the subject of attack ads by the neocon Emergency Committee for Israel and charged by his challenger, conservative Republican Scott Sipprelle, with not being sufficiently pro-Israel. Both are described by the New Jersey Jewish News as having “influential Jewish support,” although Holt’s $1,000 in pro-Israel PAC contributions seems rather tepid.

As of June 30 he had raised $1.2 million in campaign contributions to Sipprelle’s $830,00, and had $1 million cash on hand, more than twice as much as Sipprelle.

New York House District 1: Democratic incumbent Timothy Bishop is being challenged by businessman Randy Altschuler, who described the plan to construct the Cordoba Center in lower Manhattan as “a direct affront to the memories of those who perished on 9/11.” Perhaps it’s no coincidence, then, that he’s received more pro-Israel PAC contributions than the incumbent–not the Lobby’s typical modus operandi.

Ohio: Senate: The race for the open seat left by the retirement of Republican Sen. George Voinovitch is deemed a toss-up between 32

former Rep. Rob Portman—who served in Congress between 1993-2005, when he left to become a member of President George W. Bush’s cabinet, and whom JTA describes as “close to the state’s Jewish community”—and Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Irwin Fisher. Both candidates have received pro-Israel PAC contributions (although, as of June 30, Portman had raised $11 million to Fischer’s $5 million). While Fisher doesn’t give his religion on either his official lieutenant governor or campaign Web site, he told the Dayton Jewish Observer that he “was raised at Suburban Temple in Cleveland. I’m still a member of the temple to this day. My wife is on the board of the temple. I was confirmed at that temple and my children were Bat Mitzvahed, Bar Mitzvahed and confirmed at that temple. And during the inauguration, I asked my rabbi to be one of the speakers at the ecumenical service that we had on the Saturday morning of the inaugural.” Regarding state development projects, he said, “Ohio has an office in the state of Israel that we will continue to invest in.…I want to continue that kind of effort but spread it around the state and basically transplant some of the best and brightest ideas and minds in Israel to the state of Ohio, either by convincing them to move their headquarters to Ohio or at a minimum co-locate their businesses so that they have offices both in Ohio and in Israel.” (Ohio has international trade offices in 11 countries, and corporations from 28 countries have investments in Ohio.)

House District 9: While Hall of Fame incumbent Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D) trails Republican challenger Rich Iott in fund-raising, $313,129 to $877,067, she has more than $1 million cash on hand. We doubt if any of that is from pro-Israel PACs, who last gave her $500 in 1998, for a career total of $2,750. Although the Toledo Examiner describes Iott as “being typecasted [sic] as the most formidable candidate to challenge Kaptur over her period in office,” CQ considers her seat safe.

House District 15: Freshman Democratic incumbent Mary Jo Kilroy is being challenged by Republican Steve Stivers In a race deemed a toss-up by CQ. As one of the 54 signers of the letter calling for an end to Israel’s siege of Gaza, Kilroy has been the target of ads by the Emergency Committee for Israel. Moreover, according to The Columbus Dispatch, Stivers raised more than twice as much as Kilroy during the second quarter of 2010. As of June 30, he had $1.2 million in cash on hand to Kilroy’s $933,000.

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Pennsylvania: Senate: Another signer of the Gaza letter (which he says he now regrets having signed), former Navy admiral and two-term congressman Joe Sestak, who defeated incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter in the Democratic primary, also is being targeted by the Emergency Committee for Israel. According to the Jewish weekly Forward, “The committee’s ad…asked, ‘Does Congressman Joe Sestak understand Israel is America’s ally?’…The committee’s ad claims that Sestak raised funds for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which it calls ‘an anti-Israel organization the FBI called a front-group for Hamas.’ It also accuses Sestak of signing a letter that termed the blockade of Gaza ‘collective punishment,’ and of declining to sign a letter ‘affirming U.S. support for Israel.’”

Sestak’s Republican opponent, the former congressman and investment banker Pat Toomey, recently reiterated his opposition to hate crimes legislation, which in 2004 he called “an attempt to criminalize thought.” Toomey has raised $10 million to Sestak’s $5.5 million, and CQ calls the race a toss-up.

House District 6: Three-term Republican incumbent and Hall of Shamer Jim Gerlach is being challenged by Indian-American Manan Trivedi, a former battlefield surgeon in the Navy who served in Iraq. On his campaign Web site Trivedi says: “The invasion of Iraq was unnecessary and immoral. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, posed no imminent threat to our nation, and al-Qaeda did not enter Iraq until after our occupation.” Gerlach aide Mark Campbell accused Trivedi of playing “the race card” by raising money from his fellow Indian Americans, saying the physician doesn’t share the “common-sense values” of his constituents. As of June 30, Trivedi had $329,000 cash on hand to Gerlach’s $541,000.

House District 7: Vying for the open seat vacated by Joe Sestak are Republican Pat Meehan, a former U.S. attorney and campaign manager for former Sen. Rick Santorum, and Democratic state representative Brian Lentz, a former army officer and Iraq vet. Meehan has raised $1.6 million to Lentz’s $1 million, and CQ rates the race a toss-up.

South Carolina House District 2: Incumbent Rep. Joe Wilson achieved notoriety on Sept. 9, 2009, when he yelled “You lie!” to President Obama during the State of the NOVEMBER 2010

election_watch_28-37_Pac Charts for November 2010 9/15/10 7:22 PM Page 33

Union address. Both he and his Democratic challenger, Rob Miller, a businessman and former Marine Corps captain who served in Iraq, have become symbols for Republicans and Democrats alike in this heavily Republican district.

Wilson has raised $4 million in campaign contributions to Miller $2.6 million, making him the only nonincumbent among the House’s top 10 fund-raisers.

As of June 30, each had $1.7 million cash on hand.

TOP TEN 2010 AND CAREER RECIPIENTS OF PRO-ISRAEL PAC FUNDS Compiled by Hugh Galford HOUSE: CURRENT

SENATE: CURRENT

Skelton, Ike (D-MO) Cantor, Eric (R-VA) Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana (R-FL) Hoyer, Steny H. (D-MD) Deutch, Theodore E. (D-FL) Berkley, Shelley (D-NV) Lowey, Nita M. (D-NY) Berman, Howard L. (D-CA) Hastings, Alcee L. (D-FL) Burton, Danny L. (R-IN)

Virginia:

43,000 40,500 39,500 39,000 32,250 28,500 28,000 27,000 23,000 22,500

Kirk, Mark S.# (R-IL) Reid, Harry (D-NV) Wyden, Ronald Lee (D-OR) Inouye, Daniel K. (D-HI) Specter, Arlen (D-PA) Feingold, Russell D. (D-WI) Bennett, Robert F. (R-UT) Gillibrand, Kirsten E. (D-NY) Vitter, David (R-LA) Thune, John (R-SD)

77,104 60,000 59,400 57,000 56,000 52,000 50,000 44,200 40,500 40,500

House District 2: First-term DemocraHouse: Career Senate: Career tic incumbent Glenn Nye, another of the 54 signers of Berkley, Shelley (D-NV) 318,555 Levin, Carl (D-MI) 728,737 the Gaza letter and hence a Engel, Eliot (D-NY) 251,418 Specter, Arlen (D-PA) 559,473 target of attack ads by the Hoyer, Steny H. (D-MD) 232,275 Harkin, Thomas R. (D-IA) 552,950 Emergency Committee on Cantor, Eric (R-VA) 216,730 Lautenberg, Frank R. (D-NJ) 503,578 Israel, is being challenged Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana (R-FL) 203,240 McConnell, Mitch (R-KY) 485,151 by car dealer Scott Rigell, Lowey, Nita M. (D-NY) 177,238 Reid, Harry (D-NV) 380,301 who has been endorsed by Obey, David R. (D-WI) 163,600 Durbin, Richard J. (D-IL) 373,421 former Sen. George Allen of Burton, Danny L. (R-IN) 143,000 Lieberman, Joseph I. (Ind.-CT) 367,851 “macaca” fame. Nye has Levin, Sander M. (D-MI) 131,727 Baucus, Max (D-MT) 349,648 raised $1.8 million (including $9,000 from pro-Israel Skelton, Ike (D-MO) 131,450 Wyden, Ronald Lee (D-OR) 336,962 PACs) to Rigell’s $1.7 million. Despite the fact that as of June 30 Rigell had just over $225,000 left, gold “maintains a narrow lead over his by the FreedomWorks PAC as part of while Nye still had $1.2 million, CQ consid- opponent, Republican Ron Johnson, a the Take America Back in 2010 camers the race a toss-up. plastics executive, but one-third of paign. Even though Senator Feingold the voters have told pollsters that they has raised $12.6 million—including Wisconsin are undecided. That’s not good news for $52,000 from pro-Israel PACs—to JohnSenate: According to the JTA, the incumbent...” Johnson has been son’s $2 million, CQ rates the race a tossDemocratic incumbent Russ Fein- endorsed by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and up. ❑

PRO-ISRAEL PAC CONTRIBUTIONS TO 2010 CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES State Alabama

Alaska Arizona

Arkansas California NOVEMBER 2010

Office District S H H H H S S S H H H H S H H S

2 3 5 6

1 5 7 8 1 3

Candidate Shelby, Richard C.* Bright, Bobby Neal, Sr. Rogers, Michael Griffith, Parker Bachus, Spencer T. Murkowski, Lisa* McCain, John S.* Kyl, Jon L. Kirkpatrick, Ann Mitchell, Harry E. Grijalva, Raul M. Giffords, Gabrielle Lincoln, Blanche L.* Causey, Chad Boozman, John Boxer, Barbara*

Party

Status

2009-10 Contributions

Career

Committees

R D R R R R R R D D D D D D R D

I I I N‡ I N‡ I I I I I I I O I I

6,000 5,000 2,500 2,500 2,500 8,500 31,500 1,000 4,000 4,000 1,000 14,500 10,550 1,000 1,000 38,250

200,825 11,000 18,325 7,500 17,000 62,100 207,000 166,525 7,000 10,000 2,000 45,224 54,077 1,000 2,000 267,044

A (D, HS) AS AS, HS, I

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

A (HS) AS, HS, I HS AS, FR FR C, FR (NE) 33

election_watch_28-37_Pac Charts for November 2010 9/15/10 7:22 PM Page 34

PRO-ISRAEL PAC CONTRIBUTIONS TO 2010 CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES State California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware Florida

Florida

Office District H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H S S H H H H H S S S H S S H S S H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

3 6 8 11 12 15 17 20 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 31 32 33 33 36 45 45 47 47 51 53 3 4 5 6 7

4 At-L. 2 5 5 6 8 9 12 15 17 18 19 19 20 21 21 22 23 24 25

Candidate Lungren, Daniel E. Woolsey, Lynn C. Pelosi, Nancy McNerney, Jerry Speier, Jackie Honda, Mike Farr, Sam Costa, Jim McCarthy, Kevin Capps, Lois G. Gallegly, Elton McKeon, Howard P. Buck Sherman, Brad Berman, Howard L. Schiff, Adam Becerra, Xavier Cedillo, Gilbert Watson, Diane E. Bass, Karen Harman, Jane Bono Mack, Mary Pougnet, Stephen P. Sanchez, Loretta Tran, Van Filner, Bob Davis, Susan A. Bennet, Michael F.* Udall, Mark E. Salazar, John T. Markey, Elizabeth H. Lamborn, Douglas Coffman, Mike Perlmutter, Edwin G. Dodd, Christopher J.* Blumenthal, Richard* Lieberman, Joseph I. Himes, Jim Castle, Michael N.*#† Carper, Thomas R. Carney, John Charles Jr. Meek, Kendrick B.* Rubio, Marco* Boyd, F. Allen Jr. Brown-Waite, Virginia Nugent, Richard B. Stearns, Clifford B. Grayson, Alan Mark Bilirakis, Gus Michael Ross, Dennis Alan Posey, Bill Williams, Andre L. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana Deutch, Theodore Eliot† Wexler, Robert Wasserman Schultz, Debbie Diaz-Balart, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Mario Klein, Ron Hastings, Alcee L. Kosmas, Suzanne Garcia, Jose A.

Party

Status

2009-10 Contributions

R D D D D D D D R D R R D D D D D D D D R D D R D D D D D D R R D D D Ind. D R D D D R D R R R D R R R D R D D D R R D D D D

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I O N O I I C I C I I I I I I I I I N O I I O I O O O I I C I I I O I O I I N I N O I I I O

10,000 1,000 19,500 6,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 17,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 9,000 27,000 3,500 1,000 2,000 1,000 2,500 19,000 1,000 1,000 7,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 5,500 1,000 1,500 5,000 1,000 250 2,000 8,000 13,000 1,500 4,000 5,500 1,000 2,000 9,500 3,000 5,000 2,500 1,000 3,000 5,500 5,000 7,000 1,000 250 39,500 32,250 500 20,500 500 3,500 16,500 23,000 4,000 2,000

Career

Committees

10,000 HS 3,500 FR 122,300 Speaker of the House 19,000 C 4,000 10,000 A 9,150 A (HS) 35,500 FR (NE) 1,000 17,917 C 49,250 FR, I 5,500 AS 68,930 FR (NE) 116,050 FR 62,917 A (FO), I 3,000 B, W 2,000 13,500 FR 2,500 122,771 C, HS 6,000 C 1,000 58,200 AS, HS 1,000 91,514 10,163 AS 5,500 48,250 AS 28,100 A 12,100 2,500 AS 250 9,224 242,178 FR (NE) 13,000 367,851 AS, HS 4,000 HS 5,500 37,600 HS 2,000 31,000 W 3,000 14,700 A (D), B 10,800 W 1,000 13,500 C 7,500 41,316 FR (NE), I 7,000 1,000 250 203,240 FR 32,250 33,750 52,300 58,000 46,500 B 64,024 FR (NE) 93,850 I 6,000 4,000

KEY: The “Career Total” column represents the total amount of pro-Israel PAC money received from Jan. 1, 2009 through July 15, 2010. S=Senate, H=House of Representatives. Party affiliation: D=Democrat, R=Republican, Ref=Reform, DFL=Democratic Farmers Labor, Ind=Independent, Lib=Libertarian. Status: C=Challenger, I=Incumbent, N=Not Running, O=Open Seat (no incumbent). *=Senate election year, #=House member running for Senate seat, †=Special Election, ‡=Defeated in primary election. Committees: A=Appropriations (D=Defense subcommittee, FO=Foreign Operations subcommittee, HS=Homeland Security, NS=National Security subcommittee), AS=Armed Services, B=Budget, C=Commerce, FR=Foreign Relations (NE=Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs subcommittee), HS=Homeland Security, I=Intelligence, IR=International Relations, NS=National Security, W=Ways and Means. “–” indicates money returned by candidate, “0” that all money received was returned, “[]” = independent expenditures on behalf of candidate (not included in candidate totals).

34

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

NOVEMBER 2010

election_watch_28-37_Pac Charts for November 2010 9/15/10 7:22 PM Page 35

PRO-ISRAEL PAC CONTRIBUTIONS TO 2010 CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES State

Office District

S H H H Hawaii S H Idaho S H Illinois S S S H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H Indiana S S S H H H H H H Iowa S H H H Kansas S S H Kentucky S S Louisiana S S H H H H H H Maine S H H Maryland S S H H H H Massachusetts S S Massachusetts H H H H Georgia

NOVEMBER 2010

4 6 12 1 1

3 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 13 14 17 18 19

1 2 4 5 6 9 1 2 3 1

1 2 4 5 6 7 1 2 1 4 5 7 3 4 5 8

Candidate Isakson, Johnny* Johnson, Henry C. (Hank) Jr. Price, Thomas E. Barrow, John J. Inouye, Daniel K.* Djou, Charles K. Crapo, Michael D.* Minnick, Walter C. Giannoulias, Alexander* Kirk, Mark S.*# Durbin, Richard J. Lipinski, Daniel W. Feigenholtz, Sara Quigley, Mike Roskam, Peter J. Davis, Danny K. Bean, Melissa Luburich Schakowsky, Janice D. Dold, Robert James Jr. Hamos, Julie Halvorson, Deborah Biggert, Judy Foster, G. William (Bill) Hare, Philip G. Schock, Aaron J. Shimkus, John M. Bayh, Evan* Ellsworth, Brad*# Coats, Daniel R.* Visclosky, Peter J. Donnelly, Joseph S. Rokita, Theodore E. Burton, Dan L. Pence, Mike Hill, Baron Paul Grassley, Charles E.* Braley, Bruce L. Loebsack, David W. Boswell, Leonard L. Moran, Jerry*# Tiahrt, Todd W.*# Wasinger, Robert K. Bunning, Jim* Grayson, C.M. (Trey)* Vitter, David* Landrieu, Mary L. Scalise, Steve Cao, Anh (Joseph) Fleming, John C. Jr. Alexander, Rodney M. Cassidy, William Boustany, Charles Jr. Collins, Susan M. Pingree, Chellie M. Michaud, Michael H. Cardin, Benjamin L. Mikulski, Barbara* Kratovil, Frank M., Jr. Edwards, Donna Hoyer, Steny H. Cummings, Elijah E. Brown, Scott P.*† Coakley, Martha*† McGovern, Jim Frank, Barney Tsongas, Nicola S. Capuano, Michael E.

Party R D R D D R R D D R D D D D R D D D R D D R D D R R D D R D D R R R D R D D D R R R R R R D R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D R D D D D D

Status I I I I I I I I O O I I C I I I I I O O I I I I I I N O O I I O I I I I I I I O O O N N‡= I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I O O I I I I

2009-10 Contributions 16,000 2,000 1,000 500 57,000 2,500 11,000 2,500 2,000 77,104 1,000 -250 2,000 1,000 3,500 1,000 3,500 2,145 500 500 5,000 3,000 8,000 2,500 7,500 2,000 12,250 3,500 1,500 1,000 1,000 1,500 22,500 20,000 7,500 16,500 1,000 1,000 2,000 6,600 21,050 2,000 10,940 32,000 40,500 -1,000 9,000 10,000 2,500 5,000 4,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,500 1,000 35,500 2,000 2,500 39,000 2,000 3,000 17,000 1,000 1,000 2,000 1,000

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Career

Committees

41,500 C, FR (NE) 32,200 AS 2,000 49,074 C 262,425 A (D, FO, HS), C 2,500 53,000 B 5,500 2,000 298,186 A (FO, HS) 373,421 A (D, FO) 5,400 2,000 1,000 12,750 W 6,250 W 55,029 32,145 C, I 500 500 15,500 13,227 13,000 13,650 14,000 14,500 C 96,500 AS 83,750 AS 45,700 16,700 A (D) 8,000 1,500 143,000 FR (NE) 77,750 FR 41,465 C 157,823 B 6,000 C 5,000 AS 36,675 6,600 21,050 A (D) 2,000 100,690 B 32,000 82,000 AS, C 205,389 A (FO, HS), HS 19,000 C 10,000 HS 5,000 AS 16,000 A 4,000 11,000 W 109,000 A, AS, HS 3,676 AS 11,750 93,015 B, FR (NE) 213,099 A (D, FO, HS), I 7,000 AS 3,500 232,275 House Majority Ldr. 22,500 3,000 17,000 7,075 B 23,433 6,000 AS, B 2,000 35

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PRO-ISRAEL PAC CONTRIBUTIONS TO 2010 CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES State

Office District

H H H H H Minnesota S H H H H H H Mississippi H Missouri S S H H H H Montana S S Nevada S H H New Hampshire S S H H New Jersey S H H H H H H H H H H New Mexico H H New York S S H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H North Carolina S H North Dakota S S Ohio S S Michigan

36

7 9 11 12 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 3 4 5 8

1 3 1 2 1 2 3 5 6 7 9 10 12 13 1 2 1 1 2 3 5 7 8 13 17 18 20 20 22 23 23 24 25 29 4

Candidate Schauer, Mark H. Peters, Gary McCotter, Thaddeus G. Levin, Sander M. Conyers, John Jr. Franken, Al Walz, Timothy J. Kline, John Paul Jr. Paulsen, Erik P. McCollum, Betty Ellison, Keith M. Bachmann, Michele M. Childers, Travis W. Blunt, Roy*# Carnahan, Robin* Carnahan, Russ Skelton, Ike Cleaver, Emanuel II Emerson, Jo Ann Baucus, Max Burns, Conrad Reid, Harry* Berkley, Shelley Titus, Dina Ayotte, Kelly A.* Hodes, Paul W.*# Shea-Porter, Carol Swett, Katrina Lautenberg, Frank R. Andrews, Robert E. LoBiondo, Frank A. Adler, John H. Garrett, Scott Pallone, Frank Jr. Lance, Leonard Rothman, Steven R. Payne, Donald M. Holt, Rush D. Sires, Albio Heinrich, Martin Teague, Harry Gillibrand, Kirsten E.*† Schumer, Charles E.* Altschuler, Randolph Bishop, Timothy Israel, Steve King, Peter T. Ackerman, Gary L. Crowley, Joseph Nadler, Jerrold L. McMahon, Michael E. Engel, Eliot Lowey, Nita M. Murphy, Scott M.† Tedisco, James† Hinchey, Maurice D. Owens, William† Scozzafava, Dierdre K.† Arcuri, Michael A. Maffei, Daniel B. Massa, Eric J.J. Burr, Richard* Price, David Dorgan, Byron L.* Hoeven, John* Fisher, Lee Irwin* Portman, Robert J.*

Party D D R D D D DFL R R D DFL R D R D D D D R D R D D D R D D D D D R D R D R D D D D D D D D R D D R D D D D D D D R D D R D D D R D D R D R

Status

2009-10 Contributions

Career

I I I I I I I I I I I I I O O I I I I I N I I I O O I O I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I C I I I I I I I I I I O I I N I I N I I N O O O

6,500 7,000 1,000 3,000 1,000 3,000 2,000 3,000 3,000 1,000 1,000 8,500 1,000 28,500 16,000 6,000 43,000 2,500 500 1,000 -1,000 60,000 28,500 4,000 12,000 19,400 2,000 11,000 1,000 18,000 3,000 14,000 1,000 1,000 2,000 4,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 4,000 4,000 44,200 8,000 2,500 2,000 10,500 1,000 3,850 12,000 2,000 6,000 16,000 28,000 8,000 2,500 1,000 6,000 1,500 6,500 1,000 10 23,000 1,000 27,000 24,500 19,500 10,500

11,000 14,000 13,500 131,727 2,500 5,680 2,000 17,500 7,500 5,750 2,000 27,500 6,000 74,350 16,000 22,100 131,450 5,500 3,500 349,648 210,210 380,301 318,555 9,100 12,000 41,037 4,000 76,000 503,578 81,025 25,750 17,000 41,200 71,550 7,000 77,503 28,750 16,741 1,000 9,000 6,000 60,450 65,635 2,500 5,000 49,059 26,500 54,350 105,657 27,000 8,000 251,418 177,238 8,000 2,500 5,280 6,000 1,500 18,500 10,000 11,110 33,750 55,827 166,350 24,500 19,500 10,500

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Committees

W

AS A (FO), B FR (NE) C, I FR (NE) AS HS A I FR (NE), W HS AS A (FO, HS), C AS, B AS B C A (D, FO, HS) FR I FR AS FR B A (FO) HS, I FR (NE) FR (NE), W FR (NE) C, FR (NE) A (HS) AS A (D) AS, HS

AS, HS AS, I A A (D), C

NOVEMBER 2010

election_watch_28-37_Pac Charts for November 2010 9/15/10 7:22 PM Page 37

PRO-ISRAEL PAC CONTRIBUTIONS TO 2010 CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES State

Office District

H H H H H H H H H H H Oklahoma S Oregon S S H H Pennsylvania S S S S H H H H H H H H H H H South Carolina S H H South Dakota S Tennessee H H Texas H H H H H H Utah S S S H Vermont S H Virginia S H H H H Washington S H West Virginia S Wisconsin S H H H H Ohio

1 1 8 11 13 14 15 15 16 17 18

3 5

1 3 4 6 6 6 8 10 12 13 15 5 6 5 9 7 12 16 20 23 28

3 At-L 2 5 7 11 1 2 3 7 8

Candidate Chabot, Steve Driehaus, Steven Leo Boehner, John A. Fudge, Marcia L. Sutton, Betty S. LaTourette, Steve C. Kilroy, Mary Jo Stivers, Steve E. Boccieri, John A. Ryan, Timothy J. Space, Zachary T. Coburn, Thomas A.* Wyden, Ronald Lee* Merkley, Jeffrey Alan Blumenauer, Earl Schrader, Kurt Sestak, Joseph A., Jr.*# Specter, Arlen* Toomey, Patrick J.* Casey, Robert P., Jr. Brady, Robert A. Dahlkemper, Kathleen Altmire, Jason Cohen, Howard A. Pike, Douglas A. Gerlach, Jim Murphy, Patrick J. Carney, Christopher P. Critz, Mark Schwartz, Allyson Y. Dent, Charles W. DeMint, James W.* Spratt, John McKee Jr. Clyburn, James E. Thune, John* Cooper, James H.S. Cohen, Stephen Ira Culberson, John A. Granger, Kay Reyes, Silvestre Gonzalez, Charles A. Rodriguez, Ciro D. Cuellar, Henry R. Bennett, Robert F.* Bridgewater, Tim* Lee, Mike* Chaffetz, Jason Leahy, Patrick* Welch, Peter Warner, Mark R. Nye, Glenn Carlyle III Perriello, Thomas S.P. Cantor, Eric Connolly, Gerry Murray, Patty* Inslee, Jay R. Warner, Andrew McCoy* Feingold, Russell D.* Baldwin, Tammy Kind, Ron Obey, David R. Kagen, Steven L.

Party

Status

2009-10 Contributions

Career

R D R D D R D R D D D R D D D D D D R D D D D R D R D D D D R R D D R D D R R D D D D R R R R D D D D D R D D D R D D D D D

C I I I I I I C I I I I I I I I C N‡ C I I I I C C I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I N‡ C C I I I I I I I I I I O I I I N I

3,000 4,000 14,500 1,000 10,500 2,000 4,012 -1,000 3,000 1,000 10,000 7,000 59,400 12,500 1,000 2,000 2,500 56,000 5,000 1,000 500 5,000 2,000 1,000 1,000 500 5,000 2,500 1,000 1,500 3,000 3,970 4,000 12,500 40,500 1,000 4,500 10,000 15,500 21,000 1,000 3,500 1,500 50,000 6,000 8,000 3,000 27,711 1,000 -4,000 9,000 5,000 40,500 9,000 26,000 1,000 5,000 52,000 1,000 1,000 3,000 5,000

16,500 6,000 71,500 2,000 17,500 26,500 14,012 5,000 5,000 7,500 24,000 9,500 336,962 21,600 4,000 2,000 24,500 559,473 5,750 17,000 9,250 7,000 11,250 1,000 1,000 18,700 23,600 13,500 1,000 45,650 11,250 28,470 38,400 20,600 54,730 26,250 21,500 12,500 15,500 22,000 1,000 14,500 6,000 149,250 6,000 8,000 3,000 145,911 4,000 36,500 9,000 6,000 216,730 12,000 189,293 3,500 5,000 196,310 5,000 1,000 163,600 25,500

2009-2010 Total Contributions: Total Contributions (1978-2010): Total No. of Recipients (1978-2010): NOVEMBER 2010

Committees

House Rep. Ldr. C A HS A C HS, I B, I B B, W B AS A (D, FO, HS) FR (NE) AS

AS, I HS B, W HS C, FR AS, B AS, C AS A (HS) A (D, FO) AS, I A (HS) HS A (D, FO), HS

A (D, FO, HS) C B, C AS W B, FR (NE) A (D, HS), B C B, FR (NE), I C W A

2,254,442 50,104,285 2,234 THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

37

baugh_38_Special Report 9/16/10 1:55 PM Page 38

Beating Death of Young Egyptian Leads to Protests, Trial of Policemen SpecialReport

AFP PHOTO/KHALED DESOUKI

By Ellen Baugh

Security forces block a road in Alexandria as thousands of Egyptians demonstrate after Friday prayers on June 25 against the June 6 killing of 28-year-old Khaled Said. haled Said was killed on June 6 after

Kpolice in Alexandria, Egypt grabbed

him from an Internet café and two plainclothes policemen allegedly beat him to death.

At first, Egyptian authorities claimed that Khaled had died from swallowing a packet of drugs. But eyewitnesses stated that he was brutally beaten to death. Cellphone photographs of Khaled showing his badly beaten face were posted on the Internet, and autopsy photos of his battered face were leaked to the media. They showed that Khaled had a fractured skull, dislocated jaw, broken nose, missing teeth and numerous other signs of trauma.

Police authorities have since asserted that Khaled had been wanted for theft and possession of weapons and that he resisted arrest outside the cafe. Others, however, say that Khaled had been targeting local police corruption and posting photographs of some officers online at the Internet café.

Ellen Baugh, an attorney and specialist in Middle East affairs, was in Alexandria, Egypt at the time of Khaled Said’s beating death.

38

Khaled’s killing led to large demonstrations in Cairo on June 20, where dozens of people were arrested, and in Alexandria on June 25. News of the Alexandria demonstration was circulated on Facebook, attracting a crowd of protesters estimated at between 2,000 and 5,000 people. Signs displayed such messages such as “Long Live Egypt,” “Killed by barbarians,” and “Condolences to Freedom,” and some people chanted, “Down with [Egyptian President Hosni] Mubarak.”

Among those at the demonstration was Nobel Peace Laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, former director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency and now a political leader in opposition to the government.

ElBaradei made his much-publicized appearance at the Alexandria protest after visiting Khaled’s family and attending Friday prayers at the Sidi Gaber mosque. As police officers and other security officers surrounded the demonstrators, ElBaradei called for the end of the regime of President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled the country for 29 years. “This should be the last time we witness torture in Egypt,” ElBaradei demanded.

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Khaled’s beating death is said to be evidence that Egypt’s emergency laws, imposed after the 1981 assassination of President Anwar Sadat, have created a culture of police impunity. More than 225,000 have joined a Facebook group named “We are all Khaled.”

Finally, on June 30, prosecutors ordered the detention of two plainclothes policemen pending further investigation into Khaled’s death. Lawyers at the Al Nadim Centre for Victims of Torture argued that the charges against the officers—illegal arrest and excessive use of force—were too lenient, and said they would try to change the charges to premeditated killing.

Khaled’s family is seeking to have the charges upgraded to murder.

The policemen’s trial began on July 27, with the defendants wearing white prison uniforms and standing in a cage surrounded by guards. Protesters demonstrated outside Alexandria’s Criminal Court, with riot police at the ready. The trial was adjourned to Sept. 25, with the officers to remain in custody until then. If convicted on the current charges, the policemen could be sentenced to 3 to 15 years in prison.

In Washington, Sen. Russell Feingold (DWI) put forward a resolution on July 20 condemning Egypt’s record on human rights and free elections. “Authorities in Egypt continue to harass, intimidate, arbitrarily detain and engage in violence against peaceful demonstrators, journalists, human rights activists, and bloggers,” it states, and calls on the Mubarak government to “make respect for basic human rights and democratic freedoms a priority.”

Egypt—which receives about $1.5 billion a year in U.S. foreign aid as a reward for signing a peace agreement with Israel—has hired lobbyists to vigorously oppose this resolution.

Not only are many Egyptians outraged over the killing itself and the light charges brought against the defendants, but ElBaradei is using the apparent torture and misuse of emergency laws to fuel his opposition to President Mubarak. With parliamentary elections scheduled for this fall and the presidential election for next year, the stakes couldn’t be much higher. ❑ NOVEMBER 2010

gee_39-40_Special Report 9/16/10 1:58 PM Page 39

The Tenuous Presence of Religious Diasporas in Singapore

By John Gee

Islam and the Near East in theFar East

The Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator.

The oldest surviving church in Singa-

Tpore, and the second to be built there,

is the Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator. It marks its 175th anniversary this November. The church sits at the foot of Fort Canning Hill, first seat of administration of the British founders of the modern city, with Armenian Street to its rear. It is generally open to the public to visit, but Armenian services are rarely held there these days, as the resident community is now very small.

Not that it ever was large: 12 families collected half the money for its construction, and the rest was donated by Armenians in India and Java, with smaller contributions from local European and ChiJohn Gee is a free-lance journalist based in Southeast Asia, and the author of Unequal Conflict: The Palestinians and Israel.

NOVEMBER 2010

nese businessmen in Singapore. The first Armenians came to Singapore in 1820, a year after the modern city was founded.

They were descendants of Armenians deported to Iran from their original homeland when Shah Abbas I warred with the Ottoman Empire. Although the community did not grow beyond a hundred people, and numbers around 40 people now, it has made its mark in this island country.

The founder of the main national daily newspaper, The Straits Times, was Cat chick Moses, an Armenian, who sold it after one year because it was unprofitable.

The Raffles Hotel, Singapore’s most prestigious, is often said to have been built by brothers from an Armenian family called Sarkies, but their role has been disputed by members of one of Singapore’s most prominent Arab families, the Alsagoffs. They say that their great grandTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

father, Syed Mohamed Alsagoff, bought a beach house in 1870 and later expanded it into a modern hotel. The Sarkies brothers leased the property and developed the hotel’s business and reputation after having run two successful hotels in Penang, now in Malaysia. Their role in the hotel ended when they went bankrupt during the Depression in the 1930s and none of their descendants now live in Singapore.

Though Armenian services at the old church are rare, two other communities, both with old Middle Eastern connections, have monthly services there. They are the Jacobite Syrian Church (predominantly Indian, despite its name, but acknowledging the authority of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, now resident in Damascus) and the Coptic Orthodox Community of Saint Mark.

Singapore’s present-day Jewish commu39

gee_39-40_Special Report 9/16/10 1:58 PM Page 40

nity numbers 300, but that includes a large number of expatriates. Its one and only rabbi, Mordechai Abergel, grew up in the U.S. and serves in both of Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s synagogues. Neither of them is on Synagogue Street, now a small road overshadowed by tall office buildings, whose name preserves the memory of the first Jewish place of worship on the island. In 1878 the growing community built the Maghain Aboth synagogue, which is still in regular useâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as is the Chesed El synagogue, founded in 1905 by multi-millionaire Menasseh Meyer, originally as a private place of worship after he quarrelled with a member of Maghain Aboth.

The Jewish presence in Singapore began with the settlement of a number of Arabicspeaking families from the Middle East, particularly Baghdad. They were the predominant element in the Jewish community until well after the Second World

War. One of the most prominent families was the Sassoons, of Iraqi/Iranian ancestry. Jews of Middle Eastern origin and Arabs were so successful in business in Singapore that, by the 1930s, members of these two communities were the biggest property owners on the island. The number of Jews peaked at 1,500 at the end of the 1930s. During the Second World War, some managed to escape to India before the Japanese army reached Singapore in 1942, but the majority who stayed were interned throughout the occupation. After the war, the majority chose to migrate to Britain, Australia, the U.S. and Israel.

Among the few who stayed on was David Marshall, whose family was of Iraqi/Iranian Jewish descent. He became chief minister when Britain gave Singapore internal self-rule in 1955, but resigned the following year in protest at Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s refusal to give it full independence.

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Of Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original Middle Eastern communities, the largest by far today is the Arab one, numbering around 10,000 people and maintaining a living connection with the Hadhramaut area of Yemen, their place of origin. There has been no major exodus of Arabs since they first arrived.

Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Women Syariah (Shariah) Judges Take Office Five years after Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Muslim religious authorities issued a fatwa saying that women could become syariah judges, Surayah Ramlee and Rafidah Abdul Razak started work in August.

Shortly before that, a panel of judges appointed to decide on their powers had said that women judges would be barred from giving rulings on marriage and divorce cases, but a later meeting reversed that decision and declared that they would have equal powers to male judges.

This was a significant step for all concerned. The first hurdle to be overcome was that of the opposition of those who did not think women were competent to be syariah judges at all. Women had long qualified for and taken office in Malaysian civil courts, and around half of the membership of the Syariah Lawyers Association is reported to be female by the time the appointments were made.

Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population is more than 60 percent Muslim. Non-Muslim legal cases are heard in civil courts, while Muslim family and criminal cases are heard in syariah courts. Women have complained that in family cases such as divorce or child custody, judges have tended to show bias toward their husbands. It is hoped that the presence of women judges will mean a more balanced attitude from the courts in the future. â?&#x2018; (Advertisement)

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THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

NOVEMBER 2010

twair_41-42_Special Report 9/16/10 2:00 PM Page 41

A Conversation With R. Hakan Tekin, Turkey’s Consul General in Los Angeles SpecialReport

By Pat McDonnell Twair ood will between the people of the

an all time high since May 31, when Israel commandeered the humanitarian aid flotilla to Gaza and killed at point-blank range nine Turkish citizens, including a young Turkish American, aboard the Mavi Marmara, a passenger ship owned by the Turkish charity IHH (Foundation for Freedom and Humanitarian Relief).

“This is the first time in the history of the Republic of Turkey that our civilians have been killed by a foreign army—ever,” stated R. Hakan Tekin, Turkey’s consul general in Los Angeles. “Israel is not our enemy,” he added. “That’s why this is even more shocking.”

Nevertheless, he continued, “We lost nine citizens to IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] fire and we expect an official apology, reparations for the dead and wounded, and an independent international investigation into the events of May 31.”

The United Nations established a fourmember investigative panel co-chaired by New Zealand’s former Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer and Colombian ex-President Alvaro Uribe. Also on the panel are Ozdem Sanberk of Turkey and Joseph Ciechanover of Israel.

Tekin questioned Israel’s approach to the panel because Israel insists its troops who participated in the deadly attack in international waters cannot be interviewed.

“This is counterproductive,” he pointed out. ”Why even hold an investigation if the participating parties can’t be questioned? We expect a more constructive stand on this.”

The envoy was quick to note that the Mavi Marmara is not a government ship but the property of IHH, a non-governmental organization and Turkish charity that provides relief in areas of war, earthquake, hunger and conflict.

In early August—more than two months after the attack—Israel returned the Mavi Marmara to Turkey, where authorities exhaustively examined it as a crime scene.

Blood stains were clearly visible on the elegant passenger ship, Tekin said.

“We would be the first to take action if Pat McDonnell Twair is a free-lance writer based in Los Angeles.

NOVEMBER 2010

STAFF PHOTO SAMIR TWAIR

GArab world and Turkey has been at

Turkish Consul General R. Hakan Tekin. rumors of a terrorist link were to be proven,” he said regarding Israel’s spin that the ship was carrying terrorists and arms to Gaza. The ship’s 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid, food and construction materials destined for beleaguered Gaza were meticulously investigated by neutral authorities before the ship set sail with 579 civilian passengers—half of them internationals— on the Mavi Marmara,” he added.

“We are a democracy which reflects the will of the people,” the consul general explained. “There was a huge reaction on the part of the people when Israel began its military operation in Gaza in December 2008. Shortly after Israel’s attack on Gaza which continued for three weeks, our Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan voiced his disapproval publicly to Israel’s President Shimon Peres at Davos.

“We object to the policies of Israel, but we have nothing against Israel itself,” Tekin elaborated. “In fact, just before Israel launched its Operation Cast Lead on Gaza, we were negotiating between Syria and Israel. The Israeli foreign minister was in Ankara at this sensitive time and gave no THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

indication of the imminent strike on Gaza.

“This caused serious damage. Israel has much more to lose than Turkey [in this rift]. Just look at the map. Israel is surrounded by hostile Arab countries. Turkey has the respect of most nations.”

Asked about predictions that Turkey is turning away from the West and making a shift eastward, he replied, “We don’t view our foreign relations as favoring any direction. We’re no longer in a Cold War climate.”

However, he noted, in 2002, Turkey’s exports to Middle Eastern countries were valued at $2.2 billion. By 2009, they had grown to $28 billon.

Tekin did not dismiss the idea of a common market for the Middle East. “Why not?” he asked. “At the present, the economies of Middle Eastern states don’t have enough diversification, but perhaps in time…”

According to the consul general, tourism is a vital factor in Turkey’s economy—one which brought in 30 million visitors and $26 billion in revenue last year alone. Europeans and Russians lead the pack to 41

twair_41-42_Special Report 9/16/10 2:00 PM Page 42

Turkey, which ranks as one of the world’s top 10 tourist destinations. Americans accounted for only 900,000 tourists in 2009, but this number may increase when Turkish Airlines inaugurates direct flights from Washington, DC to Istanbul on Nov. 7, and from Los Angeles to Istanbul on March 3.

Many Arab tourists are strolling the streets of Istanbul these days because of the raging popularity of the Turkish TV series “Nour,” which has captivated Arab viewers just as the American soap opera “Dallas” did in the late 1970s. Fans from Beirut to Bahrain fly to Turkey to view sites where “Nour’s” romantic scenes are filmed.

The world famous Ciragan Palace Kempinsky resort on the Bosporus is popular with wealthy families of the Arab Gulf and India, who bring hundreds of guests at a time for lavish wedding feasts there.

Turkey has looked to both the east and west for more than tourism, Tekin noted, as evidenced in its new role as international negotiator. Ankara partnered with Brazil, for example, to attempt to broker a solution to the controversy over Iran’s efforts to develop nuclear power. Working in close coordination with Western nations, Turkey and Brasilia unveiled the Tehran Declaration on May 17 of this year (see August 2010 Washington Report, p. 28).

The document essentially reflected the same steps earlier approved by the Obama administration, whereby Iran would deliver its low 3.5 percent enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for 20 percent enriched uranium from France to be used for nuclear medicine purposes. (Weaponsgrade uranium is 90 percent enriched.)

“We looked at the Tehran document as a window of opportunity on confidence building,” Tekin said. “However, the next day, a resolution was submitted in the Security Council to tighten sanctions on Iran.

“We do not believe that further sanctions will help to resolve the issue—we believe in diplomacy and negotiations. Prime Minister Erdogan has also emphasized the need for a consistent policy—not one that picks and chooses who can or cannot be a nuclear power. Iran has sent a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna promising it will stand by its commitments regarding the Tehran Declaration. Iran will start talks in mid-September with the IAEA and European Union. We are ready to receive the uranium deposits if an agreement is reached.”

Regarding speculation that Israel will strike Iran’s nuclear sites, Tekin was diplomatic: “I can’t comment on a hypothetical situation,” he said. “Iran is our neighbor; 42

it will be our neighbor forever. It must have a transparent nuclear program in line with international law.”

As the conversation drew to an end, I raised the thornier question of the Kurds.

“Over the past 30 years, we’ve lost more than 30,000 citizens to terrorism by the radical Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK),” Tekin replied. “Our problem is with Kurdish terrorists, not the Kurdish people. We are a nation of 72 million. We don’t look at the 10 to 12 million Kurds in Turkey as a minority, but as equal citizens of Turkey.”

Tekin cited extensive human rights reforms in his nation over the past eight years, including public Kurdish-language TV and radio stations as well as numerous privately owned broadcast outlets. Kurdish publications also are readily available—but instruction in schools still is in the Turkish language.

Regarding another sensitive issue—the Armenians—Tekin said, “We have no problem with Armenians in Turkey, but we do not as yet have diplomatic relations with Armenia. Azerbaijan is also our neighbor, and Armenia occupies 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory, so our border with Armenia has been closed since 1993 due to this conflict.

“In 2006, with a view to overcoming the historical differences between the two nations, Turkey offered to form a joint commission of historians with Armenia to examine the events of 1915,” Tekin added.

“We did not receive a positive reply from Armenia. The ice was somewhat broken thanks to so-called soccer diplomacy when the two nations happened to be in the same group for World Cup qualifiers.”

After a series of negotiating sessions, two protocols on the establishment of diplomatic relations and development of bilateral relations between Turkey and Armenia were signed in Zurich in October 2009.

However, Tekin said, “Radicals in Yerevan and the diaspora, including Southern California, objected, portraying this process as a sellout. So now we’re at a standstill.”

But with an average annual economic growth rate of seven percent in the last seven years, the nation of Turkey is clearly on the move. ❑

The Rains Came…

Continued from page 13

the inundations has been feeble and inept.

Most of the rescue operations were conducted by the military, which still remains popular.

Washington recently arm-twisted the THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Zardari government into violating military tradition by extending, by an unprecedented three more years, the terms of the armed forces’ powerful chief of staff and intelligence director, who are viewed with much favor by the U.S. The result is unrest in the military’s senior ranks as promotions are frozen.

President Zardari made an ill-timed trip to Britain during the floods, reminding Pakistanis that he still owns a lavish country mansion there acquired with funds Swiss prosecutors claimed were obtained by massive kickbacks when his late wife, Benazir Bhutto, was in power. She told me the mansion was bought with legitimate family funds. Zardari also owns a 16th century chateau in Normandy.

Pakistanis were furious at Zardari for swanning around Europe while half the nation was drowning. Pakistan’s parliament has stripped Zardari, whose popularity has plummeted to minus zero, of most of his important powers, handing them over to the amiable but weak prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, another U.S. ally.

Washington promised some more aid, but its primary concern was not humanitarian but political: that Islamic charities and other Muslim groups opposing the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan were delivering effective emergency aid while efforts by the corrupt, U.S.-supported Zardari regime were failing.

This concern, however, seems beside the point since 95 percent of Pakistanis already hate the United States and see it as even a bigger enemy today than India. Islamic groups, some of them militant, have provided effective humanitarian aid in many nations whose U.S.-backed authoritarian governments do next to nothing for their people. This is the primary reason why groups branded “terrorists” by the U.S. and its allies are so popular – such as Hamas in Palestine, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Pakistan’s militant Islamic parties.

So another black eye for Washington.

Unless Washington keeps pumping billions into Pakistan, the war in Afghanistan cannot be sustained. But how will demolished Pakistan ever be able to afford to rebuild all the roads, dams, irrigation canals, bridges, factories and houses destroyed by the floods?

Everyone remembers how the New Orleans disaster deflated the arrogant President George W. Bush. Zardari and his allies certainly seem next in line for divine retribution.

It’s just tragic that poor Pakistan has to pay the price. ❑ NOVEMBER 2010

pasquini_43-44_Northern California Chronicle 9/15/10 7:27 PM Page 43

Bethlehem University Graduate From Gaza City Visits San Francisco

By Elaine Pasquini

Northern California Chronicle

even months after receiving her bach-

tion from Bethlehem University, Gaza City resident Berlanty Azzam made her first visit to San Francisco. Accompanying her was Bethlehem University vice president for development Brother Jack Curran, FSC, Ph.D., and Kate Casa, executive director of the school’s development office for North America.

Speaking Aug. 8 at St. Thomas More Church, the home of Northern California’s Arab-American Catholic Community helmed

by Monsignor Labib Kobti, the young graduate related her struggle to complete her education at Bethlehem University, where she began her studies in 2005.

Since 2000, Israel has enforced a ban preventing Gaza students from attending universities in the West Bank. Azzam was arrested by the Israeli military following an Oct. 28, 2009 job interview in Ramallah, she said, and taken—blindfolded and handcuffed—to the Gaza border. Assisted by the Israeli NGO Gisha, whose goal is to protect freedom of movement and restore rights guaranteed to Palestinians, especially Gaza residents, by international and Israeli law, Azzam appealed to the Israeli high court for a permit to return to the Bethlehem campus. Despite the fact that she needed only two months to meet her graduation requirements, however, the court denied her request.

Frustrated and sad, Azzam was left with no choice but to complete her studies from Gaza City. Connecting with her teachers by e-mail, phone, or fax, she completed her courses and fulfilled her graduation requirements.

Even though she was unable to graduate with her classmates at her side, Azzam was thrilled when Bethlehem University officials—including the Papal Nuncio H.E. Archbishop Antonio Franco, chancellor, and the pope’s highest ranking representative to Israel and Palestine; Vice Chancellor Brother Peter Bray; Vice Chancellor Emeritus Brother Joe; and Trappist Abbott Thomas—traveled to Gaza to present her with her certificate. The ceremony was held Jan. 10 at Gaza City’s Holy Family Elaine Pasquini is a free-lance journalist based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

NOVEMBER 2010

STAFF PHOTO PHIL PASQUINI

Selor’s degree in business administra-

Bethlehem University graduate Berlanty Azzam (l) and Monsignor Labib Kobti.

Church following Mass celebrated by the Papal Nuncio.

“I’m grateful that Bethlehem University stood by me and helped me,” the graduate told her San Francisco audience. “Many other students are waiting in Gaza. Please try to help these students who are trying to get to Bethlehem University.”

Joy Totah Hilden on Bedouin Weaving For centuries, Joy Totah Hilden told an appreciative audience at San Francisco’s Arab Cultural and Community Center on Aug. 5, Bedouin in the Middle East have created colorful items from handmade yarn on their simple looms, passing their techniques from generation to generation. In the years following the discovery of oil in Saudi Arabia, however, as various tribes adopted a less nomadic and more settled lifestyle, the weaving of handmade items lost popularity. “Weaving skills have been with us since mankind first began to make tools and shape its environment,” the Palestinian-born Hilden said. “It would be a shame knowingly to let them disappear and still worse to let them pass unreported.”

In order to highlight this age-old tradition, Hilden wrote Bedouin Weaving of Saudi Arabia and its Neighbours (2010, Arabian Publishing of London and Al-Turath of Riyadh). For 12 years, while her THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

husband taught English at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran, Hilden traveled throughout Saudi Arabia meeting Bedouin weavers— mostly women—and learning their techniques of spinning, weaving and dyeing, which she would then practice on her own. “Weaving gave many women a sense of purpose and a sense of self,” she noted.

Hilden’s 270-page book contains fascinating accounts of these trips, along with photographs and descriptions of the woven items, including saddlebags, rugs, and tents, and also provides weaving techniques and instructions for creating a loom.

Explaining to her audience how tents are handmade from the hair of goats or wool of sheep, then assembled, the textile enthusiast pointed out, “Settled Bedouin still have tents as a vestige of their nomadic life. People sort of construct their own version of what ‘Bedouin’ means in the modern age.”

And while they do not need camels as they did in the past, she added, “They love their camels, and create elaborate camel gear and ornamentation for them.”

One audience member asked if young girls are learning to weave. “Not very many,” Hilden lamented. “In Saudi Arabia, girls want to get a college education.” But, she noted, in Kuwait and Qatar classes are offered which teach the techniques of Bedouin weaving.

43

Prior to her talk at the Arab Cultural and Community Center, Joy Totah Hilden gave a weaving demonstration on her handmade ground loom. INSET: A Bedouin rug.

Hilden’s interest in weaving dates from her childhood in Palestine, prior to the establishment of the state of Israel, where she watched Bedouin weave on their ground looms near her family’s orange groves in Gaza.

At the urging of attendees, Hilden concluded the evening with a reading of excerpts from her book. For more information, or to order a book, visit <www. beduinweaving.com/toc.htm>.

Paul Larudee Inspires Lively Discussion at Seniors’ Event Free Palestine Movement (FPM) co-founder Paul Larudee gave a well-received talk at The Redwoods Retirement Community in Mill Valley on Aug. 9. Seniors for Peace member and Washington Report writer Rachelle Marshall introduced the speaker to the large audience.

Larudee began his remarks by reviewing the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from 1948 to the present, then moved to his highly anticipated comments about his experience as a passenger on the Sfendoni, one of the six civilian vessels attempting to deliver aid to Gaza and attacked in international waters by the Israeli military on May 31. Other Americans accompanying Larudee on the Greekflagged ship included USS Liberty survivor 44

Joe Meadors, FPM co-founder Janet Ko- “We delivered hearing aids—which were bren, Gene St. Onge, and 81-year-old Am- forbidden by Israel to come into Gaza—to a deaf children’s society.” bassador Edward L. Peck.

The FPM is a human rights organization, “There is an image that has been projected that there was only one ship, the not a humanitarian aid organization, Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, that re- Larudee explained. “We help to deliver the sisted,” the activist said. “The truth is that aid that goes to Gaza in the ships and hopeall of the ships resisted and people got fully by other means as well,” he said. A beaten, injured and suffered broken flotilla with a larger U.S. delegation will be bones.” Ultimately, Israeli commandos heading to Gaza in October. Future projects killed eight Turkish citizens and one include a peace concert, a “Return From American, 19-year-old Furkan Dogan, Exile” project, and an aid delivery by airlift.

In the lively question-and-answer sesaboard the Mavi Marmara.

“But I’m pleased that, according to polls sion, some questioned Hamas’ failure to I have seen, most Americans do not accept recognize Israel’s right to exist. Reminding the story that Israeli commandos, armed to the audience that the Palestinian Authorthe teeth, but nonviolent, went to the mid- ity, Fatah and Yasser Arafat all had recogdle of the Mediterranean, came across nized Israel, Larudee asked, “What benesome humanitarian aid workers who were fit has been achieved as a result of this unarmed, but violent, and were attacked recognition?” Secondly, he pointed out, by them,” Larudee continued. “According when one country recognizes another it to Fatima Mohammadi—an American from recognizes a sovereign nation that abides Idaho of Iranian origin who was on the top by certain international standards and deck of the Mavi Marmara—there were which has recognizable borders. “What are Israeli commandos who actually killed two the borders of Israel?” he queried. “It has people by shooting from the helicopters settlements all throughout the West Bank.”

Asked for his long-term solution to the before they ever came down onto the ship.” Other passengers on the Turkish aid problem, Larudee replied: “I think essenvessel corroborated Mohammadi’s state- tially there is only one meaningful solution to the root of the problem and that is that ment, Larudee said.

As to why he jumped off the Sfendoni everyone must be treated the same, reinto the sea, Larudee, a piano tuner by pro- gardless of whether they are Muslim, Jewfession, downplayed the danger of that act. ish, Christian, Arab, or of European origin.

“It was in broad daylight, in front of every- There should be no preference for anyone. one, and not in the middle of the night. There should not be segregation based on What we were trying to do was nonviolent religion, race or ethnicity. If Israeli Jews resistance. I thought that by putting myself treat Palestinians or everyone else the same in the sea it would slow things down, and as Jews and, if, in return, Palestinians treat it did. It was a major interruption and they everyone like Palestinians, then I think the had to send for another ship. I was kind of problem is solved. The real solution is not hoping some others might jump in, too,” he separation. I think it is only integration.”

For more information, or to make a dochuckled, “but no one did!” During the ordeal and his subsequent arrest and incar- nation, visit <www.freepalestinemoveceration, however, he was beaten and ment.org>. ❑ kicked in the head.

Larudee and other members of the California-based Free Palestine Movement—founded in 2006 as the Free Gaza Movement, but renamed to avoid confusion with the Cyprus-based group of the same name—first broke Israel’s 41-year naval blockade of the Palestinian enclave on Aug. 23, 2008 by sailing two wooden fishing boats from Cyprus into the port of Gaza. “It was an amazing experience,” he said. Rachelle Marshall and Paul Larudee.

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

NOVEMBER 2010

STAFF PHOTO PHIL PASQUINI

STAFF PHOTOS PHIL PASQUINI

pasquini_43-44_Northern California Chronicle 9/15/10 7:27 PM Page 44

adas_45-46_New York City and Tri-State News 9/15/10 7:35 PM Page 45

Successful Fund-raiser in New York Harbor For U.S. Boat to Gaza Project

By Jane Adas

New York City and Tri-StateNews

espite a scary moment, in the end the

dlewheel Queen in New York Harbor, a fund-raiser to benefit the U.S. Boat to Gaza campaign, was a huge success. The cruise sold out, with 450 people purchasing tickets, and raised $50,000—including $5,000 for two original paintings donated by Emily Henochowicz. She is the 21-year-old American art student who lost her left eye to an IDF bullet on May 31, during a demonstration in the West Bank protesting Israel’s deadly assault on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla that had taken place only hours earlier.

The night before the cruise, the manager of the shipping company called organizers to say that the event might have to be cancelled because of a faulty engine part. Laurie Arbeiter, a moving force behind the campaign, said that by the time the organizers rushed to the pier, the crisis seemed to be solvable. She had no idea if outside pressure played a part in the engine trouble. There was indeed a counterdemonstration prior to the cruise, but the antiHamas and anti-flotilla signs seemed to outnumber the people there to hold them.

At a dockside press conference before the cruise, retired Army Col. and Code Pink activist Ann Wright told reporters she was one of only 14 Americans who had been on the flotilla Israel attacked. Because U.S. government complicity enables Israel’s abusive policies toward Palestinians, she explained, many people felt that having a strong and committed American delegation on a U.S. boat would increase the possibility of amending U.S. policies. Thus activists from several organizations came together in June to launch a campaign to raise money for an American boat that will join the next international flotilla, scheduled to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza in the autumn. The boat will be christened The Audacity of Hope.

Attorney Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights described the legal context to the assembled media. Because only slave or pirate ships may be boarded on the high seas, Israel’s takeover of the flotilla was an act of piracy. The Jane Adas is a free-lance writer based in the New York City metropolitan area.

NOVEMBER 2010

STAFF PHOTOS J. ADAS

DAug. 5 sunset cruise aboard the Pad-

Preparing to board the Paddleboat Queen in support of The Audacity of Hope. Inset: Journalist Chris Hedges. right to selfdefense applies only to people on the illegally boarded ships, not the attackers. Even if Israeli commandos had boarded the ships within 12 miles of Gaza’s coast, Ratner said, Israel’s seizure of the ships still would have been illegal because its occupation of Gaza is illegal. Its blockade of Gaza is collective punishment, and hence a war crime. “Sadly,” he concluded, “Israel has become an outlaw state. The countries of the world talk a good game, but do nothing. The only way to get change is by doing it ourselves.”

The cruise got underway. The weather was clear, the food delicious, the ship crowded, and the mood cheerful. Journalist Chris Hedges then eloquently reminded the passengers of the solemnity of their purpose (see “The Tears of Gaza Must Be Our Tears” in this issue’s “Other Voices” supplement). Addressing the pro-Israeli infiltrators certain to be among the passengers, Hedges warned, “You may have the bulldozers, planes and helicopters that THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

smash houses to rubble…the vast power of the state behind you. We have only our hands and our hearts and our voices. But note this well. It is you who are afraid of us. We are not afraid of you. We will keep working and praying, keep protesting and denouncing, keep pushing up against your navy and your army, with nothing but our bodies, until we prove that the force of morality and justice is greater than hate and violence. And then, when there is freedom in Gaza, we will forgive you.”

Quoting Muslims—Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, whose three daughters and niece were killed by an Israeli tank shell during Operation Cast Lead, and the Palestinian poet Taha Muhammad Ali; Christians— Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the late Prof. Edward Said, and Rachel Corrie, killed by an Israeli bulldozer while trying to protect a Palestinian home from demolition; and Jews—philosopher Hannah Arendt and Israeli poet Aharon Shabtai—Hedges ended each section with, “And if this is what it means to be a Muslim/Christian/Jew, and I believe it does, name me too a Muslim/ Christian/Jew.” Hedges closed with one last name for “those who send these tanks and fighter 45

jets to bomb the concrete hovels in Gaza with families crouching, helpless, inside… those who deny children the right to a childhood and the sick a right to care, those who torture, those who carry out assassinations in hotel rooms in Dubai and on the streets of Gaza City, those who deny the hungry food, the oppressed justice and foul the truth with official propaganda and state lies. Let me call them, not by their hon- Standing with fellow members of New York Neighbors for American Values, New York Civil Liberties Union exorific titles and posi- ecutive director Donna Lieberman speaks at the coaliton’s Aug. 25 press conference. tions of power, but by the name they have earned for themselves old pregnant daughter in the second tower consideration for “the sensitivity of Newt by draining the blood of the innocent into of the World Trade Center. Many 9/11 fam- Gingrich or Harry Reid.”

Judson Memorial Church’s Rev. Dr. the sands of Gaza. Let me name them for ilies fully support the planned Islamic Center, she said: they left loved ones at Donna Schaper opened her remarks with a who they are: terrorists.”

According to Laurie Arbeiter, the re- Ground Zero, but do not want to leave prayer that included the words, “Draw sponse to the U.S. Boat to Gaza campaign their country’s values buried there. In re- near and teach us the meaning of truly halhas been heartening. Fund-raisers are being sponse to a question from Fox News, lowed ground.” She then quoted Lincoln’s held in other U.S. cities and contributions O’Connor responded that each of the 3,000 Gettysburg Address, in which the words have come in from all over the country, in- diverse families still experiences post-9/11 “we can not hallow this ground….We here cluding one for $7 with apologies that it pain. She implored the media not to “ex- highly resolve that these dead shall not could not be more. The campaign is ploit us” and not to try to pit 9/11 families have died in vain” are strikingly pertinent. halfway toward its goal of raising $370,000 against one another. Urging that sensitiv- Schaper concluded simply with, “That is to purchase and outfit The Audacity of ity be applied to Muslim families raising what is at stake.”

When asked why he supports the IsHope, but more is needed and time is short. children in the midst of this debate, To learn more and become involved with O’Connor noted that we already have seen lamic Cultural Center, Rabbi Arthur Waskow of Shalom Center said he could what promises to be an historic endeavor, anti-Muslim violence.

Referring to the overcast weather, Imam refer to the Torah, or to George Washingvisit <www.ustogaza.org>.

Abdul Baqi of the Islamic Leadership ton’s letter to a Rhode Island synagogue: A New Coalition: New York Council of New York declared that the “to bigots, no sanction; to persecution, no Neighbors for American Values dark clouds of intolerance, racism, and the assistance.” But, he said, his deepest inspiOn Aug. 25 civic and religious leaders, attempt to perpetuate hatred against the Is- ration came when he was seven. He was sheltered from rain under the arches of the lamic community hang over America. But with his grandmother in a kosher butcher Federal Building in lower Manhattan, held America is better than that, he continued: shop when they overheard derogatory talk a well-attended press conference announc- it stands for freedom, justice, and equality. about “schwartze” (blacks). His granding the creation of a new coalition “in sup- The Muslim community expects nothing mother interrupted the customers: “That is port of religious freedom and diversity and less, he said. The current controversy, the the way they talked about us in Europe. to rebuff the increasingly strident opposi- imam concluded, is a distraction from the This is America. You must not talk like tion to a proposed Islamic center near real issues in America today, which are re- that.”

Faiza Ali, NY community affairs director Ground Zero.” The coalition, New York vitalizing the economy and putting Amerof the Council on American-Islamic RelaNeighbors for American Values, comprises icans back to work.

Observing that anti-Muslim prejudice tions (CAIR), said the suggestion that the more than 40 organizations and is still growing. Susan Lerner, executive director already has halted other Islamic projects Cultural Center move farther away from of Common Cause/NY, read the founding nowhere near Ground Zero, Donna Lieber- Ground Zero is an insinuation of collective statement (available at <www.nyneigh- man, executive director of New York Civil guilt, which is un-American. Noting that bors.org>), and announced plans for a Liberties Union, rejected the refrain of the center will include a memorial to the Sept. 10 candlelight vigil and a letter-writ- “freedom of religion, but not in my back- victims of 9/11, Ali urged Americans to not yard.” Therefore the coalition is committed let extremists and opportunists exploit the ing campaign.

Donna Marsh O’Connor, national to resisting efforts to push the cultural cen- tragedy of 9/11, warning that “To oppose spokeswoman for September Eleventh ter out of downtown. Adherence to the any house of worship without evidence of Families for Peaceful Tomorrows (<www. Constitution is not optional, she stated, wrongdoing makes mockery of the First peacefultomorrows.org>) lost her 29-year- and Americans must not violate it out of Amendment.” ❑ 46

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NOVEMBER 2010

STAFF PHOTO J. ADAS

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Activists to Take Case to Congress After Supreme Court Ban on “Terror” Contact

By Pat and Samir Twair

Project, making it a crime to provide any “material support” to an organization designated as “terrorist,” has had a chilling effect on human rights, peacebuilding, development, aid, and civil liberties groups (see August 2010 Washington Report, p. 19).

Judge Ralph Fertig is president of the Humanitarian Law Project, the lead plaintiff in the first case challenging the PATRIOT Act to reach the Supreme Court (on appeal by Attorney General Eric Holder).

Since the court’s ruling, he has been explaining the ramifications of the decision at many public gatherings in Los Angeles.

“The case is closed with the Supreme Court; now it must be presented to Congress,” stated the retired federal administrative judge and University of Southern California (USC) professor of social work. In essence, he explained, the highest court in the land decreed that any American who teaches or associates with a group defined as “terrorist” furthers the agenda of the terrorists and therefore is breaking the law.

Under this ban, Fertig noted, the Red Cross may not deal with guerrilla groups holding prisoners, nor may peace mediators negotiate with Hamas, Tamil Tigers, Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) or any group Washington designates as “terrorist.”

In the 1980s, in his capacity as president of the Humanitarian Law Project, which focuses on human rights in national liberation struggles, Fertig visited Kurds in eastern Turkey and witnessed the suppression under which they lived. He determined the PKK met the criteria for a legitimate liberation movement in that it had broad popular support, a chain of command, was willing to negotiate, take and exchange prisoners, and did not target civilians.

Fertig submitted his findings on the PKK to the United Nations and recommended that the Kurds present their plight to the world body. In 1996, then-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was authorized to identify terrorist groups—but she was not obliged to provide the reason for this designation. The PKK was named as a terrorist group, even though Fertig avows it did not Pat and Samir Twair are free-lance journalists based in Los Angeles.

NOVEMBER 2010

target civilians, while the Irish Republican Army, well known for striking innocents, did not appear on the list.

In 1998, Fertig recruited the aid of David Cole, a nationally respected human rights attorney and constitutional scholar.

For the ensuing 12 years, the two sought an injunction against criminal prosecution for training the PKK and Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger separatists on how to use international law to peacefully resolve disputes. ACLU attorney Alilan Arulanantham (l) and Judge Ralph Fertig.

Six federal courts ruled favorably on their case. Following the MEF Focuses on Palestine Justice Department’s appeal, the Supreme “The colonization of Palestine is comCourt agreed to hear oral arguments on Feb. plete,” stated Nasim Khoury, one of three 23. Its June 20 decision reversed the earlier Palestinians discussing recent stays in findings of the six courts.

Palestine at an Aug. 8 meeting of the MidNow, if Fertig were to speak to the PKK dle East Fellowship of Southern California he could be tried for breaking the law—as in Pasadena’s Knox Presbyterian Church. could former President Jimmy Carter if he “Bethlehem is enclosed,” he elaborated, were to visit Gaza during a future election “Ramallah is enclosed, Nablus is enclosed, and interact with Hamas, which is the Jerusalem is surrounded by settlements, Palestinians’ legitimately elected govern- Jericho is encircled by a deep ditch and ment. there is real hunger in villages. The PalesFertig’s appeal to Congress to enact legis- tinians have lost the battle—but they may lation negating the Supreme Court decision win the war.” is being guided by the Charity and SecuKhoury bases this on the Boycott, Divest, rity Network (CSN). “So now the policy Sanctions (BDS) movement that is surging ball is in the Congress’s court,” explains in Europe and mushrooming in the U.S., CSN program director Kay Guinane. “It and on the illegitimacy of the state of Israel. needs to look at the consequences of curRizek Abusharr traces his family roots rent policy and decide if this is the smart back 500 years in Jerusalem, where he was way to go. I think once they take a look, that city’s first indigenous director general they’ll see it’s counterproductive and needs of the YMCA. Now retired in Claremont, to be changed.”

CA, he travels annually to Palestine. “RecThe lower courts also put the question of onciliation can only happen when both due process for charities accused of sup- sides feel comfortable,” he said. porting terrorism on the congressional “This is an impossibility,” he added, deagenda, Guinane noted, holding that the scribing circumstances he experienced this procedures used to list groups is unconsti- summer, “when a Bethlehem residence is a tutional. She expressed hope that Congress few yards from a turret in the Israeli would conduct hearings on the issue this apartheid wall where sensitive radio equipfall, but with November elections pending, ment is monitoring Palestinian conversasaid they may not occur until 2011. tions in homes.”

STAFF PHOTO S. TWAIR

he U.S. Supreme Court’s June 20 deci-

Tsion on Holder v. Humanitarian Law

Southern California Chronicle

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KinderUSA Observes Ramadan

American University-educated Vivien Sansour, who was born in Bethlehem, recently took up residence in Jenin to promote the products of 1,700 farmers whose olive oil, za’atar, maftoul (couscous) and other organic foods are sold by Canaan Fair Trade.

Since the farmers became organized in 2003, they’ve seen a fair return for their crops, she noted, and many young people are taking a new interest in earning a living in agriculture. To learn more about how to purchase these organic products available in the U.S., please go to <www.canaanfairtrade.com> or visit the AET Book Club, <www.middleeastbooks.com>.

Palestinian writer Ramzy Baroud was the keynote speaker at an Aug. 28 iftar hosted by KinderUSA in Omar Ibn al-Khattab Mosque near USC. “Why are we here?” asked Baroud, the editor of Palestine Chronicle. “The one thing that unifies us is our love for Palestine. The fact we can’t get the truth to people makes us angry,” he continued.

“How do we deconstruct the fantasy that Hamas suppresses the people of Gaza? Look how the media distort the flotilla attack and portray the victims as bad guys defending themselves with sticks and kitchen knives.”

Baroud, who teaches at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, said the Palestinians must not be viewed as charity cases.

“Don’t pity the Palestinians,” he urged, “empower them.”

KinderUSA chairperson Dr. Laila al-Marayati said her organization is preparing Ramadan baskets filled with fresh produce, eggs, cheese, yogurt, honey and pressed dates for impoverished Palestinian families.

Owing to electricity failures and lack of refrigeration, live chickens are distributed so recipients can prepare them for meals themselves.

KinderUSA also is opening cystic fibrosis care units in Gaza and organizing playgrounds and therapeutic theaters for war-traumatized children. Women are given jobs in the rural Gaza areas of Shejeaya and Zaitoun to prepare nutritious iftar meals for families to take home. ❑

Shura Council Iftar

STAFF PHOTOS S. TWAIR

It was a landmark occasion Aug. 22 when the highest prelate in the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, spoke at the annual Ramadan iftar dinner of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California in the Anaheim Disneyland Sheraton Hotel.

Shura Council President Dr. Maher Hathout opened the interfaith program by expressing concern that anti-Islamic hysteria is at an unprecedented pitch in the U.S. “Will we have the America of our dreams,” he asked rhetorically, “or one of exclusion and bigotry?”

Rev. Norman Copeland, presiding elder of the Los Angeles African Methodist Episcopal Church; Rabbi Jonathan Klein, executive director of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice; and Imam Sayed Moustafa Qazwini spoke about spiritual enlightenment attained through fasting.

In addressing the crowd of more than 250 diners, Archbishop Derderian discussed how faith draws the individual closer to God, and that fasting and prayer are spiritual tools common in all religions to unite the believer with God. A standing ovation was given to Imane Boudlal, 26, who has filed a discrimination case with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission because a Disneyland restaurant has refused, since the onset of Ramadan. to allow her to wear hijab while working as a hostess. Although she has held the job for two years, when she ar48

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TOP: MEF speakers (l-r) Nasim Khoury, Vivien Sansour and Rizek Abusharr. MIDDLE: Shura Council Ramadan Iftar speakers (l-r) Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Dr. Maher Hathout, Rev. Norman Copeland, Rabbi Jonathan Klein and Shakeel Syed.

ABOVE: KinderUSA Ramadan speakers (lr) Dr. Laila al-Marayati, Ramzy Baroud and Dr. Basil Abdelkareem. rived at work Aug. 15, Boudlal was told she could work in a back room or go home without pay. The Moroccan-American has made national headlines in her personal battle to dress religiously on the job in defiance of Disney’s strict dress code.

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Conversion Bill Debate Evidence of American Jews’ Increasing Discontent With Israel Israel andJudaism

By Allan C. Brownfeld n July, an Israeli parliamentary committee

Iadvanced a bill that would give the chief

rabbinate, the religious authority in Israel run by ultra-Orthodox Jews, the sole power to decide which conversions to Judaism are accepted. The bill overturns an Israeli Supreme Court decision ensuring eligibility for Israeli citizenship by Jews converted by rabbis from all branches of Judaism.

“Representatives of the Reform and Conservative movements, which have been battling for years for more rights in Israel, saw the committee vote as a threat to their efforts to strengthen their legitimacy in Israel,” reported The Washington Post on July 13. “The chief rabbinate already holds a monopoly on such rituals as marriage and divorce.”

Rabbi Steven Wernick, executive vice president of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, declared: “It sets us back 20 years in terms of the advances that were made. The practical implication of this bill is one that we are very, very concerned and angry about. The bill delegitimizes most of North American Jewry.” Beyond this, he said, it brings back the question of “who has the authority to determine anyone’s Jewish identity.”

In an op-ed in the July 15 New York Times titled “The Diaspora Need Not Apply,” Alana Newhouse, editor of Tablet Magazine, which covers Jewish life and culture, noted that, “If passed, this legislation would place authority over all Jewish births, marriages and deaths—and, through them, the fundamental question of Jewish identity—in the hands of a small group of ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, rabbis.

The problem is not simply that some of these rabbinical functionaries, who are paid by the state and courted by politicians, are demonstrably corrupt. Rather, it is that the beliefs of a tiny minority of the world’s Jews are on the verge of becoming the Israeli government’s definition of Judaism for all Jews.…

“If this bill passes,” Newhouse warned, “future historians will inevitably wonder Allan C. Brownfeld is a syndicated columnist and associate editor of the Lincoln Review, a journal published by the Lincoln Institute for Research and Education, and editor of Issues, the quarterly journal of the American Council for Judaism.

NOVEMBER 2010

why...Israel chose to tell 85 percent of the Jewish diaspora that their rabbis weren’t rabbis and their religious practices were a sham, the conversions of their parents and spouses were invalid, their marriages weren’t legal under Jewish law, and their progeny were a tribe of bastards unfit to marry other Jews.”

he bill delegitimizes “T most of North American Jewry.”

Jewish U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) circulated a letter asking fellow American Jewish lawmakers to join him in condemning the controversial Israeli measure.

Among those signing were Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Carl Levin (D-MI) and Ben Cardin (D-MD). The Jewish Federation of North America expressed support for the Senate letter: “We welcome any expression of commitment from influential Jews to maintain the unity of the Jewish people and the dangers posed by this divisive legislation,” said William Daroff, vice president for public policy.

As a result of the American Jewish opposition to the legislation, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced that he would oppose the controversial bill, saying that it would “tear apart the Jewish people.” He proposed a six-month moratorium, during which Natan Sharansky, chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, would convene what some described as a “dialogue table.” To date, however, there has been no visible progress toward the proposed deliberation.

Writing in her column in the Aug. 11 National Jewish Post and Opinion, Mary Hoffman asked: “So what happens if Israel...chooses to formally reject a sizeable portion of us? Jews have, historically, been a resilient and determined people, surviving in the face of all kinds of external threats. But internal threats? It’s frightening to consider the possibility that the rejection of the majority of Jewish converts (and, by extension, of the Jews who accept them) by a minority of Jews whose vision is tightly limited could become the Law of the Land of Return. I fear not only a possibly terminal rupture for the future of Israel in this but of Judaism itself.”

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Cautioned Jerusalem Post editor David Horovitz, “What we are facing is an explosive global crisis over Jewish identity—a huge, snowballing disaster that is ripping Israeli-Diaspora relations.”

In the opinion of Rabbi Donald Hartman, president of Jerusalem’s Shalom Hartman Institute, “This issue is a place where they [American Jews] can express the displeasure they might not be willing to state on the flotilla and other political matters.

There is increasing discontent among American Jews with Israel.”

For while Israel claims to be a Westernstyle democracy with religious freedom, its actions often tell a different story—one which is increasingly disturbing to American Jews.

On July 12, Anat Hoffman, chairwoman of the women’s prayer group Women of the Wall (see May/June 2010 Washington Report, p. 44), was detained as she was leading about 150 worshippers from the Western Wall Plaza to Robinson’s Arch, the portion of the Wall where the group is permitted to read from the Torah.

Hoffman, executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center, was interrogated for five hours, fined the equivalant of $1,300 and placed under a restraining order that bars her from visiting the Western Wall for 30 days. She contends that she was acting within the law, under which women are not permitted to read from the Torah or to wear a prayer shawl as an outer garment within the Kotel (Western Wall) Plaza.

“We were not reading from the Torah,” Hoffman told the July 23 Forward. “We were merely holding it on our way to Robinson Arch to complete the service.”

Rabbi Steven Wernick of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism was at the prayer service. “I was about two people away from Anat as she was pulled by the police—quite forcefully, I might add,” he said. “It was just heart-wrenching to watch a Jewish woman arrested on Rosh Hodesh (the first day of the Hebrew month) for holding a Torah in her prayer services. And it’s unfathomable that the police in the Jewish state will arrest a Jewish woman for that.”

Kotel Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, who has been leading a campaign to make the entire plaza gender segregated, said earlier 49

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this year that the women are being “provocative, trying to turn the Kotel into a place of controversy.”

According to The Forward, “This turn of events has infuriated many American Jews, particularly those affiliated with non-Orthodox streams of Judaism. The arrest happened on the very same day that the Knesset law committee passed the ‘Conversion Bill.’”

“We love Israel, and we support Israel,” Rabbi Wernick stated, “but we’re reaching the boiling point in terms of the way our religious expression is allowed to be discriminated against because of the will of the ultra-Orthodox.”

In a July 30 editorial, The Forward declared: “Why herald Israel as the only true democracy in the Middle East when a woman is thrown in jail for holding a Torah?

Never mind the hurt feelings of a few liberals; Israel has a strategic imperative to behave as a modern, pluralistic state if it is to maintain the high ground in the ongoing global struggle against religious fanaticism.”

Beyond the growing alienation of nonOrthodox Jews with Israel because of its denial of religious freedom to their expressions of Judaism, and to women, there is growing concern with, among other things, Israel’s role in Gaza.

Concerns Over Gaza “If a people who so recently experienced

such unspeakable inhumanities cannot understand the injustice and suffering its territorial ambitions are inflicting, what hope is there for the rest of us?” asked Henry Siegman, director of the US/Middle East Project who, from 1978 to 1994, was national director of the American Jewish Congress.

Writing in the Israeli daily Haaretz, Siegman related that, “Following Israel’s bloody interdiction of the Gaza Flotilla, I called a life-long friend in Israel to inquire about the mood of the country. My friend, an intellectual and a kind and generous man, has nevertheless long sided with Israeli hard-liners.

Still, I was entirely unprepared for his response. He told me—in a voice trembling with emotion—that the world’s outpouring of condemnation of Israel is reminiscent of the dark period of the Hitler era. He told me that most everyone in Israel felt that way, with the exception of Meretz, a small Israeli pro-peace party. ‘But for all practical purposes,’ he said, ‘they are Arabs.’”

Both he and his friend, Siegman wrote, “experienced those dark Hitler years, having lived under Nazi occupation, as did so many of Israel’s Jewish citizens. I was therefore stunned by the analogy...It struck me that the invocation of the Hitler era was actually a frighteningly and apt and searing analogy, although not the one my friend intended. A million and a half civilians have been forced to live in an

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open-air prison in inhuman conditions for over three years now, but unlike the Hitler years, they are not Jews but Palestinians.

Their jailers, incredibly, are survivors of the Holocaust, or their descendants. Of course, the inmates of Gaza are not destined for gas chambers, as the Jews were, but they have been reduced to a debased and hopeless existence.”

Expressing a view being heard more and more among thoughtful American Jewish observers, Siegman concluded: “Who would have believed that an Israeli government and its Jewish citizens would seek to demonize and shut down Israeli human rights organizations for their lack of ‘patriotism,’ and dismiss fellow Jews who criticized the assault on the Gaza Flotilla as ‘Arabs’ pregnant with all the hateful connotations that word has acquired in Israel, not unlike Germans who branded fellow citizens who spoke up for Jews as ‘Juden’? The German White Rose activists, mostly students from the University of Munich, who dared to condemn the German persecution of the Jews (well before the concentration camp exterminations began), were also considered ‘traitors’ by their fellow Germans who did not mourn the beheading of these activists by the Gestapo...If a people who so recently experienced on its own flesh such unspeakable inhumanities cannot muster the moral imagination to understand the injustice and suffering its territorial ambitions—and even its legitimate security concerns—are inflicting on another people, what hope is there for the rest of us?” ❑

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Human Rights Torture Victims Will Appeal Ruling To the Supreme Court

STAFF PHOTO E. PASQUINI

The lawsuit of five men against Jeppesen Dataplan, Inc. for its role in the Bush administration’s extraordinary rendition program was dismissed in a ruling handed down by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco Sept. 8. The decision was not a unanimous one: five members of the 11-judge panel voted against dismissal of the case.

“This is a sad day not only for the torture victims whose attempt to seek justice has been extinguished, but for all Americans who care about the rule of law and our nation’s reputation in the world,” said American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) attorney Ben Wizner on behalf of the plaintiffs. “To date, not a single victim of the Bush administration’s torture program has had his day in court.”

The plaintiffs have been seeking justice since 2007, when the ACLU filed an action on their behalf against Jeppesen, a San Jose flight-planning company and subsidiary of Boeing Commercial Aviation Services, for assisting in the CIA’s rendition program. The lawsuit charged that Jeppesen provided critical flight planning and logistical support services to the aircraft and crews used by the CIA to carry out their extraordinary rendition, which included the plaintiffs’ forced disappearance and secret transfer to U.S.-run prisons or foreign intelligence

Standing in front of local legislators and community leaders outside the Sacramento state capitol building, CAIR-SV executive director Basim Elkarra condemns the increasing acts of Islamophobia across the nation and in California. agencies overseas, where they were interrogated under torture (see April 2008 Washington Report, p. 50).

On behalf of the plaintiffs—Binyam Mohamed, Abou Elkassim Britel, Ahmed Agiza, Mohamed Farag Ahmad Bashmilah and Bisher al-Rawi—the ACLU will refer the case to the Supreme Court. “If today’s decision is allowed to stand, the United States will have closed its courtroom doors to torture victims while providing complete immunity to their torturers,” Wizner said.

“The torture architects and their enablers may have escaped the judgment of this court, but they will not escape the judgment of history.”

—Elaine Pasquini

STAFF PHOTO PHIL PASQUINI

California Legislators, Interfaith Leaders Condemn Rise in Islamophobia

A poster displays portraits of three of the five plaintiffs (clockwise from l): Ahmed Agiza, Abou Elkassim Britel and Binyam Mohamed.

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California Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada and the Sacramento office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) sponsored a Sept. 1 press conference outside the state capitol building to condemn the growing Islamophobia across the United States.

“Our interfaith and civil rights community has always come together when any group has been under attack,” CAIR-SV executive director Basim Elkarra told a group of print, television and radio reporters. “Today we are sending a loud and clear message that we will not tolerate hate crimes in our area.”

The legislators and community leaders of various ethnicities and faiths were united in one common message: that the attacks on Muslims are unacceptable and that any racial, ethnic or religious group, not just Muslims, could be a target of violent hate crimes.

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

“Let us never forget that an injury to one person is an injury to all,” Bill Camp of the Central Labor Council reminded the crowd.

In recent weeks, anti-Muslim attacks have been committed across the nation, including in California, where a brick was thrown at an Islamic center in Madera and vandals left signs reading “Wake up America, the enemy is here.” In New York, apart from the controversy of an Islamic center being built in lower Manhattan, a cab driver’s throat was slit after he told a passenger he was Muslim; a man urinated on prayer rugs in a mosque in Queens; and a teenager drove into a crowd of worshipers in Orleans County, New York, while his passenger fired a weapon into the air.

Rev. Dr. David Thompson of the Interfaith Service Bureau pledged support for the Muslim community. “This is a united community and we will not permit those who want to divide us to succeed,” he said.

Echoing that sentiment, Steven Meinrath of Jewish Voice for Peace averred, “We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Muslim community against bigotry, racism, Islamophobia, violence and terrorism.”

Summing up her feelings. Elizabeth Sholes of the California Council of Churches, simply exclaimed, “God bless the world—no exceptions!”

Other speakers included Dr. Tom Bhe of the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association; Georgette Imura, Council of Asian Pacific Islanders Together for Advocacy and Leadership; John Reiger, Veterans for Peace; Linda Ng, Organization of Chinese Americans; Tyrone Netters, NAACP; and Marielle Tsukamoto, Japanese American Citizens League.

—Elaine Pasquini NOVEMBER 2010

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Marking 9/11 with Scarves

they have to prove their loyalty to the U.S.?

Yet, in recent weeks, she observed, the prospect of an Islamic Center near Ground Zero has sparked a virulent wave of hatred toward Muslims. “Have these people read the book they want to burn?” she asked.

—Samir Twair

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Exasperated with the spiraling anti-Muslim media frenzy as the ninth anniversary of 9/11 approached, non-Muslim women from Whittier to Los Angeles decided to wear head scarves on Sept. 11. Twelve of the women carpooled to The Grove, an upscale West L.A. mall, where they wrapped their heads in a variety of covers from the traditional hijab to diaphanous scarves.

Commented Los Angeles attorney Patricia Barry, “We’re sick and tired of seeing respectable Muslim women wearing the hijab being yelled at in cars or insulted at the market or in the bank. This is one way to demonstrate that covering one’s head doesn’t mean you’re a terrorist or someone who’s bad.”

The good news is the throng of shoppers and tourists took no notice of the scarved women on 9/11—which may signify that in Los Angeles, all faiths and nationalities are accepted. The one exception was a curious visitor from Bangladesh who asked if they were Anglo Muslims.

—Pat McDonnell Twair

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Thousands of people joined the Rev. Al Sharpton from the National Action Network and other leaders on Aug. 28 at Dunbar High School in Northwest Non-Muslim women don headscarves to walk through Los Ange- Washington, DC to commemoles’ posh The Grove mall on 9/11. rate the 47th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington. Participants, who came to the event to “Reclaim the Dream,” listened to government officials and civil and human rights leaders address concerns about education, jobs, health care, gun violence, gay rights, immigration, xenophobia, Islamophobia and congressional voting privileges for the District. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who worked as an aide for King at the 1963 9/11 Commemoration at march, and Education Secretary L.A. Islamic Center Arne Duncan both discussed edRabbis, priests, Buddhist monks, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca speaks at an interfaith and ucation, which they agreed is Mormons, Muslims, consular of- law enforcement 9/11 commemoration program at the Islamic Cen- the civil rights issue of this generation. ficials and law enforcement lead- ter of Southern California on Sept. 11.

Members of the Americaners from the FBI and LAPD, Rev. Ed Bacon of Pasadena’s All Saints Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the along with L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, stood united on the podium at the Islamic Episcopal Church, who said he grew up in Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Center of Los Angeles at noon on Sept. 11 the South, admitted he’s sick and tired of Rights, Act Now to Stop War and End to commemorate the victims and families of preachers who lie about God and say He’s Racism (ANSWER) Coalition, and numerous a segregationist God. 9/11/2001.

Salam al-Marayati, president of the Mus- “This is the same distorlim Public Affairs Council-L.A., noted that tion when a pastor tries while many have been exploiting anti- to demonize a religion,” Muslim sentiments in the days leading to Bacon continued. “We Sept. 11, those present wanted to share the don’t need to burn the spirit of unity all Americans felt during the Qur’an, we need to study it.” initial aftershock of 9/11/2001.

Sarrah Shahawy, presStated Rabbi Steve Jacobs: “We celebrated the [Jewish] high holidays Thurs- ident of the USC Student day and Eid al-Fitr Friday, and I wish the Interfaith Council, comworld could see how we get along. During mented that even the Nazi period, the people remained silent though she was a child when books were burned. When books when 9/11 occurred, she were threatened to be burned now [in the sensed Muslims feared U.S.] we did not remain silent when a they could lose their alpreacher who was not historical, but hys- ready precarious stand- Participants prepare to march from Dunbar High School to the ing in the U.S. Why did National Mall. terical, called for it.”

NOVEMBER 2010

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Muslim-American organizations attended.

Many participants showed great interest in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, and took home sample copies.

—Delinda C. Hanley

Tunisia’s Nabiha Gueddana on Gender Equality

Muslim-American Activism Muslims in America: Myths and Realities The Congressional Muslim Staffers Association (CMSA) sponsored a lively discussion on Capitol Hill on Aug. 31 about the image of Muslims in America in the wake of the Park 51 controversy. The association’s president, Assad Akhter, welcomed attendees to the second discussion on faith his organization has sponsored—its first event having been in the wake of the cartoon controversy. “Regardless of the adversity we face, we are blessed to be American and practice our faith,” Akhter said, reminding listeners that without adversity there can be no progress.

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At a Sept. 8 program at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, DC, Dr. Nabiha Gueddana, president and director-general of Tunisia’s National Agency for Family and Population, discussed the state of women’s rights and empowerment in Tunisia and elsewhere. Haleh Esfandiari, director of the Center’s Middle East Program, introduced Dr. Gueddana, who is being considered for the position of under-secretary-general for a new U.N. gender equality agency that would combine the four U.N. entities that currently specialize in gender issues.

Gueddana described growing up in the 1950s, before Tunisia’s independence, in a land where most women were poor and illiterate. Under the pretext of Islam, she said, women were repressed and treated as second-class citizens. Dr. Gueddana described her shock in seeing Habib Bourguiba, the first president of independent Tunisia, remove the veil of a female supporter to demonstrate liberalization and freedom for women. The women around her expressed both joy and apprehension at Bourguiba’s act, she said, sensing that the removal of the veil was inevitable in the modernization of Tunisian society. She also recalled her big sister removing her veil, and her father slapping her.

Dr. Gueddana cited some of the important changes that took place following independence: a ban on polygamy, the entry of women into the economic life of the community and country, nearly universal edu-

cation, better health care, and better access to family-planning services. Tunisia is a beacon for other Muslim societies in terms of its openness and progressive stance on women’s rights, she asserted.

Dr. Gueddana expressed the hope that her own story—in which she witnessed her country move from a society that repressed women to one that empowers them—can demonstrate to other women that their situations can improve and change, and that women can be agents in that process.

Dr. Gueddana was Tunisia’s secretary of state in charge of women and family affairs (see Richard Curtiss’ interview with her in the Nov./Dec. 1996 Washington Report, p.

72), as well as the chair of “Partners in Population and Development: South-South Initiative.” Next, she says, she wants to use her extensive national and international experience on this topic in the U.N. to promote the status and empowerment of women at the global level.

—Delinda C. Hanley

Prof. Nabiha Gueddana (l) with moderator Haleh Esfandiari, director of the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Middle East Program.

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Akhter introduced moderator Suheil Khan, senior fellow at the Institute for Global Engagement and a former Bush administration political appointee. Khan challenged the panelists to address the misconceptions and myths Americans have about Islam and the viewpoints—once held only by the fringe—which have bubbled up into mainstream conversations.

Salam Al-Marayati, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), highlighted the misinformation circulating about Islam and the Park 51 Muslim community center in lower Manhattan. He criticized the popular terminology used to describe the center as “the ground zero mosque” when, in reality, it’s “blocks away where you can’t even see ground zero.”

Al-Marayati expressed concern about the rising anti-Muslim sentiment across the country, especially the “Burn a Qur’an Day” event planned for Sept. 11 in Florida, which he argued would provide recruiting materials for anti-American extremists outside the U.S. “As anti-Muslim sentiment spikes here in America,” he warned, “then you can expect a spike of anti-American sentiment abroad. Anti-Muslim rhetoric in America is a mirror of anti-American sentiment abroad.” He advised Muslims to ignore the Gainesville, Florida pastor and “keep doing the good work you’re doing.”

Al-Marayati also spoke about the challenges moderates face compared to extremists in getting their message out in the mainstream: if an extremist “in some cave” makes a tape preaching hate and violence, he said, then “you get that video played over and over again in America.” Meanwhile the ongoing efforts of American Muslims to build partnerships, promote interfaith understanding and contribute to U.S. national security go unnoticed. However, America is still the best place for Muslims to live, Al-Marayati concluded.

Dr. Azizah Al-Hibri, chair of KARAMA, Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights, pointed out that anti-Muslim sentiment is not a new phenomenon, and can be traced as far back as the 18th century in the U.S. She also noted the similarities between the Muslim experience in the U.S. today, and that of Jews, Catholics, Baptists and many others who experienced exclusion or prejudice before being fully accepted as part of American society.

Al-Hibri called upon Americans to “take a deep breath and begin a healthy discussion about how we are going to relate to each other.” She called on the public to “reassert our commitment to the First Amendment” and to pursue understandNOVEMBER 2010

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(L-r) Dr. James Zogby, Salam Al-Marayati and Azizah Al-Hibri.

NOVEMBER 2010

passport…you get an identity” and become an integral part of society. “That’s who we are as a country.”

Zogby concluded, “What is at stake in this Park 51 story is not about a building… it’s about the narrative of who we are as a people…But if these [anti-Muslim forces] win, then America won’t be America anymore…and that would be devastating to the social fabric of our country.”

To watch the full briefing, including the question-and-answer session, visit <http:// www.c-spanvideo.org/program/2952601>.

—Delinda C. Hanley

Statement of Muslim American Imams and Community Leaders Eight influential American Muslim leaders and imams visited former Nazi concentration camps in Germany and Poland, from Aug. 7 to 11, on a trip led by Rabbi Jack Bemporad of the Center for Interreligious Understanding, a co-sponsor of the tour, and Marshall Breger of the Catholic University of America. The Washington Post, the Jewish weekly Forward, the Baltimore Sun, Politico and a few other newspapers published reports on the trip, co-sponsored by

PHOTO COURTESY AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STATE MUSEUM

ing through dialogue. Bad information about Islam is coming from both non-Muslims and Muslims who are misinformed about their own religion, she asserted. AlHibri advocated educating Americans about what the Qur’an really says about women’s rights and tolerance, and noted Islam’s historical compatibility with democracy, as evidenced by the democratic principles found in Islamic law.

Dr. James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, shared anecdotes of American Muslims—their individual struggles and aspirations in the U.S. He cited polls that show a correlation between Muslim and Catholic-American values, indicating similar opinions on healthcare and education as well as conservative tendencies on social issues. Zogby also talked about the diversity of the American-Muslim community, which consists of many ethnicities: African Americans, Arabs, South Asians, Turks, and others.

Zogby criticized the influence of antiMuslim “experts” who are always invited to discuss Islam in mainstream media outlets and congressional hearings, describing the lies they tell and the bigotry they spread as horrific. He also noted a troubling shift in American attitudes toward Islam since Sept. 11. Immediately following the attacks, he said, Americans were more interested in learning about Islam, but that attitude has changed. Now there is a heightened sense of false knowledge, combined with a lack of motivation to educate oneself on the true nature and beliefs of the Islamic faith. What has ensued is a perpetually negative view of Islam. “Ignorance and certitude are probably the most dangerous combination of all,” he said.

The panel closed with Zogby highlighting the unique differences in the immigrant experience between the U.S. and Europe. While many ethnic groups continue to be viewed as outsiders in many European countries regardless of citizenship, in America, he said, “you don’t just get a

Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

President Barack Obama’s envoy to combat anti-Semitism, Hannah Rosenthal, who lost many family members at Auschwitz, accompanied the group. She told Politico, “The participating imams ‘were totally aware that they were visiting my family cemetery, and they were very loving about it.’”

The imams and public leaders were accompanied by Rashad Hussain, Obama’s envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference; Nasreen Badat, a State Department official working on religious freedom issues; Marshall Breger, former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan for public liaison and his liaison with the Jewish community; and Suhail Khan, an official in President George W. Bush’s public liaison office. Organizers of the trip told Politico they were dismayed that the Anti-Defamation League’s Abe Foxman lobbied U.S. officials against participating. They also say the Investigative Project’s Steve Emerson, author of American Jihad, also lobbied against the tour.

Following their trip, the American Muslim leaders issued the following statement regarding the Holocaust and the dangers of prejudice and religious intolerance: “O you who believe, stand up firmly for justice as witnesses to Almighty God.” (Holy Qur’an, al-Nisa “The Women” 4:135) “On Aug. 7-11, 2010, we the undersigned Muslim American faith and community leaders visited Dachau and Auschwitz concentration camps where we witnessed firsthand the historical injustice of the Holocaust.

“We met survivors who, several decades later, vividly and bravely shared their horrific experience of discrimination, suffering, and loss. We saw the many chilling places

Prominent American Muslim leaders and others walk through the gate of Auschwitz on their emotional visit.

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International Al-Quds Day in DC

Al-Quds Day protesters leaving Dupont Circle.

survived Israel’s attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, Medea Benjamin (co-founder of CODEPINK and Global Exchange), Rabbi Yisoroel Dovid Weiss (Neturei Karta International), Chuck Carlson (founder of We Hold These Truths), Hajj Mauri’ Saalakhan (director of the Peace and Justice Foundation), Imam Abdul Alim Musa (Masjid al-Islam, DC), and Imam Abolfazl Nahidian (Manassas Mosque, Manassas, VA). Spoken word artists Safiyyah Abdullah and Ebrahim Mohseni rapped about injustice in the Israeli-occupied territories.

After nearly two hours of speeches, marchers—most of them fasting and hot in the midday sun—walked on to the Islamic Center on Massachusetts Avenue chanting “Israel Out of Palestine.” The Investigative Project on Terrorism, a non-profit research group founded by the Islamophobe Steven Emerson, filmed the most outspoken speakers and released an article entitled, “Another Islamist Rally for Hate in DC.” —Delinda C. Hanley

The Role for Muslim Think Tanks

The topic for the American Muslim Alliance International Day of Al-Quds is an annual Foundation’s monthly forum, held Aug. 9 at protest held on the last Friday of the holy the Martin Luther King Library in Washmonth of Ramadan in most Muslim and ington, DC, was “Capacity Formation: Arab countries, and by Muslim and non- Emerging Roles of Think Tanks in Muslim Muslim communities around the world. Countries/Communities.”

Professor Sulayman Nyang, chairman of The word “Quds,” Arabic for “the holy place,” is the Arabic name for Jerusalem. African Studies at Howard University, deAl-Quds Day is not an Islamic religious scribed the rich history of think tanks or holiday, but a political event open to Mus- policy institutes in the Muslim world, inlims and non-Muslims alike where demon- cluding Dar Al Hikhmah, the library and strators express opposition to Israel’s con- translation institute in Abbassid-era Baghdad, Iraq, which collected knowledge from trol of Jerusalem.

Al-Quds Day events were held on Fri- all over the world. Following President day, Sept. 3 in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Woodrow Wilson’s presidency, public policy Detroit, Toronto and other cities. The organizations and think tanks began surfacWashington, DC event at Dupont Circle is ing in the United States and now number convenient to the Washington Report of- 40,000, from conservative think tanks like fices and a perfect spot to draw curious the American Enterprise Institute to liberal crowds headed to lunch (or not, if they are ones like the Brookings Institution. The U.S. fasting). This reporter was a little late and Conference of Catholic Bishops and Branmissed a few speakers because policemen stationed around the event were suspicious about the boxes filled with copies of the Washington Report I had piled up to distribute to passersby. After they verified my identity, and lectured me on the need to take extra precautions for “this kind of protest,” I was released with a warning.

(Counter-clockwise from right) Dr. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, Speakers included Am- Prof. Sulayman Nyang, Dr. Agha Saeed, Dr. Jamal Barzbassador Edward Peck, who inji and Shireen Zaman.

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where men, women and children were systematically and brutally murdered by the millions because of their faith, race, disability and political affiliation.

“In Islam, the destruction of one innocent life is like the destruction of the whole of humanity, and the saving of one life is like the saving of the whole of humanity (Holy Qur’an, al-Ma’idah “the Tablespread” 5:32).

While entire communities perished by the many millions, we know that righteous Muslims from Bosnia, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, and Albania saved many Jews from brutal repression, torture and senseless destruction.

“We bear witness to the absolute horror and tragedy of the Holocaust where over 12 million human souls perished, including six million Jews.

“We condemn any attempts to deny this historical reality and declare such denials or any justification of this tragedy as against the Islamic code of ethics.

“We condemn anti-Semitism in any form.

No creation of Almighty God should face discrimination based on his or her faith or religious conviction.

“We stand united as Muslim American faith and community leaders and recognize that we have a shared responsibility to continue to work together with leaders of all faiths and their communities to fight the dehumanization of all peoples based on their religion, race or ethnicity. With the disturbing rise of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hatred, rhetoric and bigotry, now more than ever, people of faith must stand together for truth.

“Together, we pledge to make real the commitment of ‘never again’ and to stand united against injustice wherever it may be found in the world today.”

Signed by: Imam Muzammil Siddiqi of the Islamic Society of Orange County, CA, chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America; Imam Muhamad Maged, AllDulles-Area Muslim Society Dulles, VA and vice president of the Islamic Society of North America; Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, national director of the Office of Interfaith and Community Services, Islamic Society of North America, Washington, DC; Imam Suhaib Webb, Muslim Community Association, Santa Clara, CA; Laila Muhammad, daughter of the late Imam W.D. Muhammad, Chicago, IL; Shaikh Yasir Qadhi, dean of academics at Al Maghrib Institute, New Haven, CT; Imam Syed Naqvi, director of the Islamic Information Center, Washington, DC; and Imam Abdullah T. Antepli, Muslim Chaplain at Duke University, Durham, NC. —Delinda Hanley

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Islam relevant to their children and grandchildren who are here to stay in their country—America.

—Delinda C. Hanley

“Amreeka” Screening and Discussion With Executive Producer Alicia Sams The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in Washington, DC held a special screening of the award-winning film “Amreeka” at its Georgetown headquarters on Sept. 1, 2010. Executive producer Alicia Sams was on hand to answer questions about this chronicle of a Palestinian single mother searching for a home.

“Amreeka” follows the adventures of Muna, who leaves the West Bank with her teenage son Fadi to join relatives in the American Midwest. Set in 2003, the film draws on the personal experience of writer-director Cherien Dabis and her family’s memories of rural America during the first Iraq war. Muna tries to make a living flipping burgers at White Castle and selling herbal supplements to people who order Diet Coke. Fadi has to contend with high school bullies and the dictates of teen fashion. Meanwhile, financial pressures build as Muna’s brother-in-law loses patients who suddenly prefer to see a nonArab doctor. In spite of the hardship, there’s a pervading sense of resiliency, hope and heartfelt humor.

National Geographic Entertainment released “Amreeka” in September 2009. It made its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and was screened in New York City on Opening Night of New Directors/New Films, a co-presentation of The Museum of Modern Art and The Film Society of Lincoln Center. It made its international debut at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Critics Prize at the

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Music & Arts

Following a special screening of “Amreeka,” executive producer Alicia Sams answers questions.

Director’s Fortnight.

Sams helped explain the chemistry between the mother and son in the film.

Muna is played by Nisreen Faour, a member of an acting company in Haifa. The role of Fadi is played by Melkar Muallen, the son of the couple who runs the same company. Sams said that while it is always difficult for independent films to get attention, she has been pleased with the positive reviews and National Geographic’s decision to distribute it to 135 cities. The availability of the film on Netflix should help reach more people, especially since it is now available on Netflix instant streaming.

With regard to her own plans, Sams said she has been occupied the past couple of years with producing “By the People,” the story of the Obama campaign, that recently won an Emmy. Documentaries continue to be her primary interest, she said, and announced her collaboration on an upcoming series on Arab Americans that will air soon on Detroit public television.

—Anne O’Rourke

Ajyal Performs at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens

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deis, a private Jewish research university, produce scholarly papers and advice.

Muslims in America are highly educated, Dr. Nyang pointed out, but not yet as organized. “It’s vital to get Muslims to invest in research and develop think tanks,” he concluded. “It’s great that Muslims are getting Ph.D.s at Harvard, but their research shouldn’t be a one-time event. Muslim think tanks need to organize these scholarly works.”

Nuh Yilmaz, Washington, DC director of the Turkish think tank Foundation for Political, Economical and Social Research (SETA), discussed how think tanks start from a political position, form an organization, next do research and produce strategies, and finally recommend policies. He said America is now out-sourcing policymaking and even journalism to think tanks.

Shireen Zaman, executive director of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding in Washington, DC, described her organization, which she said is not a Muslim think tank. Traditionally, Zaman said, immigrant communities first focus on fulfilling their basic needs, then build religious schools, and finally create advocacy groups, like the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) or Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Getting the important information these think tanks produce into the right hands is the biggest challenge, she said. “U.S. domestic and foreign policy need our viewpoints,” she concluded.

Dr. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, founder of the Bethesda, MD Minaret of Freedom Institute, discussed the challenges of operating an effective think tank on a shoe-string budget.

Next to speak was Ambassador Clovis Maksoud, who was introduced by moderator Dr. Agha Saeed as a “one-man think tank.” Extremist Muslims have sought to project themselves as mainstream Muslims and, with the assistance of neocons in the U.S., distorted the Muslim image and disrupted the interfaith dialogue in this country, Ambassador Maksoud said. “We cannot allow the lunatic fringe to attack essential U.S. legislation...and stir up inherent lingering racism,” he added, and called upon American Muslims to help unite and restore the Muslim world, and become the “incubator” or “yeast” of what the Muslim world should be.

Dr. Jamal Barzinji, vice president of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) in Herndon, VA, said Muslim think tanks like his need funding to build the muscle to speak out. For example, President Barack Obama should have turned to Muslim doctors to help with his health care initiatives, Barzinji said. He closed the session by urging Muslim think tanks to make

Aiyal (”Generations”) perform at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens esplanade.

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Ajyal (“Generations”), a group of prominent Bay Area Arab and American musicians, performed before an appreciative audience at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens esplanade on Aug. 12. The free noontime concert was co-sponsored by the Arab Cultural and Community Center and the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.

The group’s repertoire includes popular as well as lesser known songs from throughout the Arab world. Sharing a passion for Arabic music, the musicians strive to preserve and present the various genres and eras of Arabic music, ranging from classical to pop.

The multifarious ensemble includes percussionist Faisal Zedan, oudist Nazir Latouf and violinist Hussain Resan, along with Susu Pampanin on frame drum, Laurie Eisler on qanun (arched harp) and riqq (tambourine), and Terri Anne on daf (large —Elaine Pasquini frame drum).

Waging Peace

Kathy Kelly Talks About the Killing Fields in Afghanistan and Pakistan Activist, author and three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Kathy Kelly spoke at Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines on July 30 about her concern over civilian deaths in the U.S. war in Afghanistan and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, in the U.S. targeted assassination campaign in Southwest Asia.

Kelly recalled and described several attacks in which large numbers of Afghan civilians were killed by U.S. military forces.

“General [Stanley] McChrystal was known, he was legendary for his ability to coordinate night raids—death squads—assassinations, the kind of killing that is done in the dark of night, that is much less visible to people who might have cameras,” said Kelly, co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Non-Violence (VCNV).

“Basically, General [David] Petraeus, President [Barack] Obama, Admiral [Michael] Mullen, in collusion, were all saying to General McChrystal, ‘Here’s your job: Create terror, create fear, create the killing fields, but do it in a way that won’t be so noticeable,’” Kelly told an audience of about 75 who gathered in the church basement.

Kelly noted that McChrystal was sacked “because of insubordination, not because of the killing of civilians, not because of the ghastly attacks and these various atrocities that were committed by U.S. forces.

“Did you know that when the United States first went to war there, Afghanistan 58

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Kathy Kelly speaks in Des Moines July 30.

was the world’s third-worst country in the world in terms of mothers dying during childbirth?” Kelly asked. “Now it’s the worst. It was also the third-worst country in the world into which a child could be born.

Now it’s the worst, after our nine going-onten years of warfare.”

Along with her VCNV and Catholic Worker colleagues, Kelly believes that nonviolence necessarily involves simplicity, service, sharing of resources, and nonviolent direct action in resistance to war and oppression. She lived in Baghdad during the U.S. bombardment and invasion of that country in 2003 and visited Gaza during Israel’s 2008-09 assault on the tiny, besieged coastal enclave which killed some 1,500 Palestinians, mostly civilians, women, and children.

Kelly, who visited Pakistan for a month in 2009 and traveled there and in Afghanistan again this year, told her Des Moines audience what she had learned in her conversations with survivors of drone attacks.

“The force of the explosion causes human beings to be flung, and eventually they might be flung into a wall,” she said.

It’s possible to save some of those injured, she noted, “but the people who are close to the place where the Hellfire missile hit, their bodies are carbonized. It wasn’t possible even to pick up the body parts, which would crumble, and it was very difficult to identify who had been killed,” Kelley said.

A journalist and a social worker told Kelly of secondary missile strikes aimed at those who might come to the aid of those wounded in the initial strike. Rescuers who might come and help those who did survive are afraid to go to the scene because of the likelihood of a second drone attack. For the THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

same reason, Kelly said, people are afraid to gather for funerals.

“They asked me, ‘Do people in the United States understand about these drones? Do they know? What kind of democracy do you have? Why don’t your people know what’s happening to our people?’ And then they said, ‘The hatred is rising. It’s a very big problem,’” said Kelly.

Kelly and two other speakers, Catholic Worker members Brian Terrell of Maloy, IA and Rene Espeland of Des Moines, said that reliance on robotic aircraft has escalated along with increasing numbers of civilian casualties in Afghanistan and Pakistan under the Obama administration, with very little significant public debate in the United States. For that reason, the two explained, they are looking forward to an opportunity to bring the matter to wider public attention.

In April 2009, Kelly, Terrell, Espeland and 11 other activists walked onto Creech AFB in Nevada, a major drone training and control base, where they were arrested and charged with trespassing. Others arrested include John Dear, S.J.; Dennis DuVall; Judy Homanich; Fr. Steve Kelly; Mariah Klusmire; Brad Lyttle; Libby Pappalardo; Megan Rice, SHCJ; Eve Tetaz; Fr. Louie Vitale; and Fr. Jerry Zawada. The trial of the Creech 14 is scheduled to begin Sept. 14.

—Michael Gillespie

Afghanistan’s Untapped Riches Fueling Conflict?

In light of the recently publicized findings that Afghanistan has an estimated $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, DC held a July 14 panel discussion titled “High-Value Resource Contracts, Conflict, and Peace in Afghanistan.”

Focusing on the link between mismanagement of resources and violent conflict, the panelists offered their advice on how to avoid an unfavorable outcome for the country. Moderator Dr. Raymond Gilpin, who directs USIP’s Sustainable Economies Centers of Innovation, introduced the discussion by describing controversies surrounding the awarding of the lucrative Aynak copper mines to the Metallurgical Corporation of China in 2007.

Most critical of the Chinese (and nonWestern) ambitions in Afghanistan was James Yeager, former adviser to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines. He described the different standards of Eastern and Western companies and the almost “impossible” competition private companies face when bidding against state-owned enterprises.

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(L-r) Dr. Raymond Gilpin, James Yeager, Dr. Graciana del Castillo and Scott Worden.

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its technology is more adaptable to Afghanistan, Castillo concluded.

—Imaan Ali

Israel’s Hysteria Over the Prospect of Iranian Nuclear Weapons In Capitol Hill’s Cannon House Office Building July 13, the Middle East Policy Council (MEPC) held the 61st presentation of its Capitol Hill Conference Series, titled “U.S. Policies toward Israel and Iran: What are the Linkages?” Introduced by MEPC president Frank Anderson and moderated by executive director Thomas R. Mattair, a panel of four experts explored the connection between the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Iranian nuclear issue.

Hillary Mann Leverett, a senior research fellow at Yale University, began by criticizing what she called the “conventional wisdom” in Washington: that Syria, Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas are the “ultimate spoilers” for peace efforts in the Middle East, and that they thus should be marginalized. However, she argued, it is almost impossible to achieve peace when excluding important regional players. Both Hamas and Hezbollah win elections “because they represent unavoidable constituencies with legitimate grievances,” she stated. Leverett added that the idea of launching a military confrontation in Iran to achieve Middle East peace is as delusional as the idea held by many prior to the invasion of Iraq—that “the road to Jerusalem runs through Baghdad”—and that such an action may rather “enhance Iran’s regional standing.” She emphasized

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The Chinese include money for infrastructure development in their bid—what Yeager termed a “Chinese Marshall Plan”— and, since they do not have to deliver results to investors, their projects can operate at a loss. In addition, Afghan frameworks and conditions are not set. Western companies are thus discouraged from competing against Chinese companies and investing in Afghanistan. Praising Chile’s late Westernleaning dictator Augusto Pinochet as a “strong leader,” and Chile under him as a success story, Yeager concluded by arguing that development in Afghanistan must be Western, not Eastern.

Scott Worden, senior rule of law adviser at the USIP, also discussed the importance of improving governance and rule of law, particularly the implementation of a regulatory regime. Contract awarding and mining within the current nontransparent environment could potentially worsen the situation, he argued, with bribes strengthening Afghan warlords. He also criticized China for “free riding” on U.S. security, saying that the American military has to keep Chinese railroads and plants in the country safe.

Dr. Graciana del Castillo, senior research scholar at Columbia University, warned that U.S. interests are very different from the Afghan government’s interests, and that previous success stories with mineral extraction and exploration included advisers with no interest, stake, or agenda in the project so as to guide the governments in the best way possible. There will be no peace in Afghanistan without development, she cautioned, stating that “[we] are not going to win the war militarily.”

Castillo opined that it may be necessary not to condone, but to realize, the existence of limited corruption in order to begin the exploitation of minerals and get revenues to build up the impoverished country. Citing Vietnam as a good model for Afghan development, with similar levels of corruption, income and development at the start of its development process, she underscored the importance of building and utilizing local human capital. China is doing very well in the world economy, and

that U.S. success in achieving regional goals depends on sincere rapprochement to normalize U.S.-Iranian relations—a “grand bargain” as was done with China and Egypt in the early 1970s—as well as including Hamas and Hezbollah in serious negotiations for Arab-Israeli peace.

Australian-born Martin Indyk, vice president of the Brookings Institution’s foreign policy program and formerly U.S. ambassador to Israel and AIPAC deputy research director, argued for the isolation of Iran and its regional allies. Indyk, architect of the dual containment policy against Iraq and Iran first outlined in May 1993, was quick to defend and call for further sanctions against Iran. His scare tactics included attempting to convince the audience of “certain inconvenient truths” regarding Iran, such as its quest “to dominate the Middle East” and to spread its revolution throughout the region, as well as his “reminder“ that to Iran, America is the “great Satan” and an “enemy.”

University of Pennsylvania professor Ian Lustick discussed the roots of Israel’s highly politicized hysteria about the prospect of Iran developing nuclear weapons. Aside from what he called Israelis’ “constant PTSD” as a result of the Holocaust, an Iranian bomb would threaten Zionist beliefs that “the Middle East would develop in Israel’s image” and also jeopardize Israel’s nuclear ambiguity, forcing the country into a situation of “having to either give up nuclear weapons or go public with its capacity.”

According to Professor Lustick, the Israeli government’s “Iran is Nazi Germany” rhetoric demonizes Iran “in an effort to find some way to position Israel as a country within the world community facing an enemy, rather than as the enemy of the world community which…is its current fate.” He refuted the idea of trading U.S. pressure on Iran for Israeli concessions toward the Palestinians would work, reminding the audience that Netanyahu will

(L-r) Paul Pillar, Martin Indyk, Frank Anderson (not pictured), Thomas R. Mattair (at podium), Prof. Ian Lustick and Hillary Mann Leverett.

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never say “sure, we’ll get out of the West Bank. It never will happen…This is for foreign consumption.”

Paul Pillar, visiting professor at Georgetown University, acknowledged the political constraints imposed “on the making of U.S. policy toward Iran” by strong domestic political support for Israeli interests and policies associated with the Israeli right, warning against such U.S.-Israeli common strategies to handle the issue. The use of military force “would be a disaster for U.S. foreign policy interests in the Middle East,” he said, suggesting that the main U.S. goal should be to prevent an Israeli military strike on Iran, as well as to encourage deterrence between the two states, should Tehran decide to go nuclear. We “assume that when one of the parties to a relationship wears a beard and a turban that the principles of deterrence somehow get repealed,” Pillar noted, adding that Iran is not showing itself to be suicidal. He recalled how Mao Zedong, who led China from 1949-76, talked about nuclear war being not really that bad, as there would be more Chinese than Americans left. “That scared me a lot more than anything…coming out of Iran,” Pillar asserted.

More information, transcripts and a podcast of the event are available at <www.mepc.org>.

—Imaan Ali

Beyond Arab Poll Results

In the aftermath of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla massacre and world-wide scrutiny of Israel’s attack on and continued siege of Gaza, a coalition of organizations and individuals joined together to launch a U.S. Boat to Gaza, called The Audacity of Hope, which will join a flotilla of ships from around the world. The cost of the ship is $370,000, of which only $200,000 has been raised. On July 28, U.S. Boat to Gaza organizer Dina Kennedy (l) and Free Gaza Movement organizer Ramzi Kysia met at Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC to plan a local fund-raiser for the U.S. Boat to Gaza. A Northern Virginia fundraiser was scheduled for Sept. 19 at the Busboys in Arlington, VA. To join this international effort to break the blockade of Gaza and end the occupation of Palestine, while adhering to the principles of nonviolence and nonviolent resistance, visit <www.ustogaza.org>, <www.freegaza.org> or <www.facebook.com/USBOATTOGAZA>. ternational in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Morocco, Lebanon and Jordan—at an Aug. 26 panel discussion at the New America Foundation in Washington, DC. The discussion took place a week before Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Washington, DC. Arabs who were polled between June 28 and July 20 of this year (before the Aug. 20 announcement of a new round of peace

talks to be held Sept. 1 and 2) have been disappointed in President Barack Obama largely due to dashed expectations on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, Telhami said. The change in attitudes toward Obama went from 45 percent favorable in 2009 to only 20 percent in 2010.

Telhami also recorded a striking drop in optimism among Arabs toward American policy in the Middle East. While at the beginning of the Obama administration, 51

PHOTOS WILLIAM HUGHES

Arab support for the two-state solution remains surprisingly high, according to Dr. Shibley Telhami, who discussed the results of the University of Maryland’s annual public opinion poll—carried out by Zogby In-

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Human rights activists staged a “Peace Charade” skit at noon outside the White House on Sept. 1, 2010. Its purpose, according to a CODEPINK press release, was to serve as a theatrical parody of the “farce masquerading as [Mideast] peace talks,” hosted by the White House.

(Above left, l-r) Palestine’s Mahmoud Abbas (played by Andy Anas Shallal), U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (played by CODEPINK founder Medea Benjamin), and Israel’s Binyamin Netanyahu (played by Jay Marx). Gazans, played by Marjan Shallal (above right) and others, were not invited to the White House. Watch the skit on YouTube: <www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJNv33F2Tlg>.

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(L-r) Amjad Atallah and Daniel Levy, co-directors of New America Foundation’s Middle East Task Force, talk with Dr. Shibley Telhami about his latest University of Maryland poll.

HCEF Conference to Examine Business Opportunities in Palestine Along with its traditional, and very popular, annual conference, the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) is organizing a Nov. 5 and 6 forum at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center NOVEMBER 2010

in Washington, DC to examine “Business Opportunities and the Investing Environment in Palestine.” The Investment Forum, co-sponsored by the Pope John Paul II Foundation, Inc. and the Bank of Palestine, will add a new dimension to HCEF’s 12th international conference this year.

In announcing the Investment Forum, HCEF president and CEO Rateb Rabie noted that “HCEF is committed to building bridges of peace through dialogue and action. Indeed, this year’s conference theme is ‘Living the Faith: Promoting Peace and Human Security in the Holy Land.’ This forum is a key part of this bridge-building and offers a unique opportunity to build dynamic economic cooperation between the U.S. and Palestine.”

Forum speakers will include Hashim Hani Shawa, chairman and general manager of the Bank of Palestine; Dr. Juan José Daboub, former managing director of the World Bank; Dr. Samir Hazboun, chairman of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Youssef Habesch, country officer with the International Finance Corporation; Faris Hadad-Zervos, adviser to the World Bank; and William Corcoran, president of American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA).

HCEF’s annual conference has always been a means for HCEF to build support in the United States among people who want

Interns Tell a “New Story”

PHOTO COURTESY IRMEP

percent of respondents expressed a positive outlook on U.S. regional policy, the new poll indicates that only 16 percent of respondents still felt hopeful, with 63 percent describing themselves as “discouraged.” Significantly, 61 percent of those polled identified the Arab-Israeli conflict as the issue they are most disappointed with in Obama’s foreign policy. “The data leaves little doubt that the deciding factor in the shift of opinion toward the Obama administration is disappointment on the Israeli-Palestinian issue,” Telhami said.

In another striking shift from last year, a majority of Arabs polled—57 percent—also believe that Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons would prove “positive” for the region, versus only 29 percent in 2009.

Amjad Atallah and Daniel Levy, co-directors of New America Foundation’s Middle East Task Force, discussed how President Obama may address these viewpoints in a Middle East that is ever-more discouraged

by U.S. policy. Can the White House win the confidence of both Arabs and Israelis as it works to secure a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace, transition out of Iraq and Afghanistan, and advance nonproliferation efforts in Iran and the rest of the region?

Telhami, Atallah and Levy agreed that a genuine diplomatic breakthrough in the Arab-Israeli conflict would transform both Arab and Israeli public opinion of the Obama administration. The complete discussion can be viewed online at <www.newamerica.net/ events/2010/beyond_arab_poll_results>.

—Delinda C. Hanley

to make a significant impact by promoting peace and human security in the Holy Land. Organizers hope that by adding the Investment Forum they can offer attendees specific ways to help Palestinians and become key players in improving economic prospects in the Holy Land.

This multifaceted Investment Forum will cover a wide range of information with regard to business opportunities and the investment environment. Some objectives include introducing to Palestinian and ArabAmericans and other interested parties, potential investors’ ideas for economic development projects in Palestine, as well as existing business and investment opportunities. Panelists will delineate practical, stepby-step explanations for how to invest and how to gain transparency in the transactions relating to investments.

Additionally, the forum will provide specific information about safe investment opportunities (group funds) in Palestine, as well as information about the Bank of Palestine, including its upcoming Jubilee Celebration and optimistic outlook for the future.

Recently returned from a visit to the occupied territories, Rabie said that people wanted him to deliver a message to their brothers and sisters in the Diaspora and to the rest of the world: “They need us to be a part of the development process and to invest ourselves and some portion of our resources in the future of Palestine. They do not need single-impact acts of philanthropy.”

The 12th International Conference and the Investment Forum offer important opportunities for business leaders and individuals to become engaged in building an independent, prosperous, peaceful future in Palestine. For more information about the Investment Forum and the complete conference program visit <www.hcef.org>. Interested parties and organizations can also contact Rula Dababneh, HCEF’s Palestine/Arab- American outreach coordinator, at (301) 283-1600 or via e-mail at: <rdababneh@hcef.org>.

—Karen Gainor

Dr. Samir Hazboun (l), and Faris Hadad-Zervos will speak.

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Five Israeli and five Palestinian young people participated in New Story Leadership for the Middle East (NSL)‘s pioneer project this past summer. For six weeks, groups of two interns, one Israeli and the other Palestinian, lived together and worked in offices in Washington, DC (including the 61

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Israeli and Palestinian New Story Leadership interns at the French Embassy on Aug. 6. given the chance to tell their story to large audiences (which included host families, host organizations and donors to the new program) at a Congressional Forum at the Rayburn Building on July 20 and at the French Embassy in Washington, DC on Aug. 6.

Paul Costello, president, CEO and founding director of NSL, who met with hosts before the interns arrived in DC, explained that he is a proponent of the narrative method, which is based on the concept that people “live” inside stories that give meaning to life and shape to their actions.

“The future will be a repeat of the past,” Costello warns everyone who asks about the project, “unless we find a new story.”

Costello said he wants to reach the next generation of leaders and to expand these college students’ sense of possibility. “In Northern Ireland, we went in thinking it’s all about the Protestants and Catholics hating each other for thousands of years, but we came to realize that 22-year-olds care less about that and more about their future,” he said. “In conflict regions, the focus is usually on healing old wounds, but in the end it’s the future that’s most at stake for the younger generation.”

Executive vice president Gregory Robison stressed that NSL is not-for-profit and nonpartisan, and doesn’t work toward any particular political solution. Instead, he said, they hope young Israeli and Palestinian students bond with each other in a way they couldn’t at home as they experience the rich complexity of American life.

For the Palestinians, they got to speak with and get to know the first Israeli who wasn’t standing at a checkpoint or holding a gun. For the Israelis, they discovered that Palestinians have hopes and dreams just like theirs.

For more information, or to contribute to next summer’s program, visit <www.newstoryleadership.org>.—Delinda C. Hanley

the West Bank City of Jenin (see page 43) when she drove three hours to Ventura on July 28 to deftly debate two Israel apologists in Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Jet lag didn’t deter her from winning over the audience during the third program in a series entitled “Hot Topics: Israel and Palestine.”

Hal Miner, who says he was born a Gentile but is now a member of the Messianic Synagogue in Agoura Hills, cited prophesies, chapters and verse from the Old Testament that decree the Jews are a chosen people and that their home is Israel.

When it was her turn to speak, Sansour commented: “I don’t believe in a chosen people, I think we’re all chosen. It’s hard to believe God would select one group to be superior over all others. I’m not talking tonight about who was there, but about the oppression going on there now.”

Sansour’s PowerPoint presentation featured slides of Israel’s apartheid wall which is desecrating the beauty of Christian sites in Bethlehem as well as separating Palestinians from their farmlands and olive groves. She also showed photos of a forested hilltop overlooking Jerusalem which Israel has turned into the cement and cinderblock settlement of Har Homa, as well as slides of highways on which Jews only are allowed to drive.

“Whether Christian or Muslim, we

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Washington Report’s). NSL’s fledgling operation is an offshoot of a group that brought together Protestant and Catholic youths during the conflict in Northern Ireland, as well as young South Africans. Supporters wanted to see whether the idea of pairing youths from opposing sides could be replicated.

The internship program got some good publicity: Glenn Kessler’s article, “Program joins Palestinians and Israelis as interns in the District,” appeared in the Aug. 12 Washington Post. He interviewed Mariam Ashour, a 20-year-old Gazan who interned at Americans for Peace Now, and Noam Rabinovich, a 26-year-old Israeli who had spent nearly three years in the Israel Defense Forces, and who interned at the American Task Force on Palestine. On the local Fox 5 News station, Tony Perkins interviewed Palestinian Hanan Abushanab, 20, and Israeli Liel Maghen, 25.

Maghen, who attends Ben-Gurion University, roomed with Washington Report intern Jacoub Sleibi, 22, who “came from the Little town of Bethlehem” and is a computer science and business administration major at Bethlehem University in Palestine. Sleibi produced a YouTube video about the Washington Report, met foreign policy experts, photographed panel discussions and conducted research—as well as performing typical internship duties like stuffing renewal notices and helping staff our bookstore, full of Palestinian handicrafts, olive oil and pottery.

Sleibi kept saying that before his visit he’d had no idea how many Americans really cared about peace in his homeland. At an office lunch after he returned from a weekend trip to New York City, Sleibi marveled, “I traveled to New York five hours back and forth by the bus and I wasn’t stopped at a single checkpoint, I even didn’t see any checkpoints. I even didn’t see any walls that separate people from each other.”

Ala’ Sharif, who will also be a senior at Bethlehem University this fall, and Sleibi’s roommate Maghen came to watch their friend introduce Palestinian Ambassador Afif Safieh at his July 8 book launch for The Peace Process: From Breakthrough to Breakdown at the Jerusalem Fund. After the introductions, Ambassador Safieh told Sleibi, “You are the representative of the new generation. You are the keeper of the flame, Jacoub. And if I have one piece of advice for you, it is the following: don’t allow my generation to colonize your generation. Don’t allow my generation to colonize your future.”

Each New Story Leadership intern was

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Bethlehemite Wins Debate Vivien Sansour had hardly returned to Southern California from her new home in

Vivien Sansour.

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country, the goal of which, he Palestinians share the same culsaid, is to strengthen a civilianture and have lived harmoled U.S.-Iraqi partnership while niously for centuries,” Sansour simultaneously “deepening continued. She explained to Iraqi sovereignty.” the Presbyterian audience that Placing the current policy Christian Palestinians have emchange in context, Blinken igrated from their homeland stated that “politics have because Israel has destroyed emerged as the basic currency their traditional sources of infor doing business in Iraq.” He come. challenged the media’s portrayal Gil Ramot, director of outof unrelenting violence, claimreach and programs for the ing that the number of weekly Jewish Federation of Ventura or monthly “security incidents” County, said that, as an Israeli, is at its lowest level since 2003, what he calls the security fence enables Jews to feel safe from Free Lynne Stewart advocates Chuck Anderson (l) and Jim Lafferty of when the U.S. invaded. This downward trend in violence suicide bombers when they the National Lawyers Guild. may hold the promise that “the board a bus. He added that it quiet blessings of a normal life are increaswas painful for Jewish settlers to be re- ous defense attorneys, he continued.

“To my knowledge, no lawyer has been ingly within reach,” Blinken said, claiming moved from Gaza and claimed that all they received in return were rockets shot from disbarred or criminally prosecuted for that recent attacks by al-Qaeda have not this…until Lynne Stewart, who now has managed to relight the sectarian fuse or unGaza into Israel.

Sansour replied that Palestinians are per- been sentenced to 10 years in prison,” Laf- dermine confidence in the government.

Addressing the difficulties surrounding petually terrified by the prospect of Israeli ferty declared.

He concluded by noting that Stewart’s the most recent elections, Blinken noted aerial bombs and missiles as well as violent IDF raids into homes at any time of the husband told him that some attorneys that the process of forming a new governnight or day.

—Samir Twair working pro bono for detainees at Guan- ment already had survived a number of tanamo have been accused of similar viola- “sky is falling” moments. Moreover, despite NLG Picnic for Lynne Stewart tions but—apparently because they are em- the fact that “the sun has yet to rise on a More than 60 activists turned out Aug. 29 ployed by some of the nation’s most power- new Iraqi government,” the country has for a picnic and program in support of con- ful corporate law firms—they have not managed to avoid a power vacuum, he said, due to the presence of a caretaker governvicted human rights attorney, Lynne Stew- faced prosecution as Stewart has.

—Samir Twair ment. Blinken cautioned, however, that a art (see Sept./Oct. 2010 Washington Report, new government must be formed in order to p. 11) in Glendale’s showcase Brand Park. maintain the Iraqi people’s trust in democSponsors of the event were KPFK radio sta- Iraq: Mission Transformed? tion and the National Lawyers’ Guild (NLG), At a Sept. 7 program at the United States In- racy and resolve the status of Kirkuk, the Los Angeles chapter. stitute of Peace in Washington, DC, two distribution of oil revenue, and the integraArabic food was served while entertain- speakers discussed the end of combat oper- tion of Kurdish and Sunni militias into the ment was provided by the Irish Celtic ations in Iraq and the changing nature of national security forces.

Dr. Laith Kubba, director of the Middle American Acoustic Band, singer Ross Alt- the U.S. mission there. man and hip-hop artist Taps Billy. NLG Antony Blinken, security adviser to Vice East and North Africa Program at the Nachapter executive director James Lafferty President Joseph Biden, began by stating tional Endowment for Democracy and a forwas the keynote speaker. that the end of combat operations was part mer senior adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister “The U.S. government fully intended of President Barack Obama’s commitment to Ibrahim al-Jaafari, agreed with Blinken on a Lynne Stewart’s indictment to have a chill- end the war responsibly. While Iraqis now number of points, but also expressed serious ing effect on other attorneys who might have “lead responsibility” for their own concerns—his first being the Iraqi percepdare to follow in her footsteps,” Lafferty safety, he said, the U.S. intends to remain tion of the U.S. withdrawal. According to said. “Remember, when Lynne was in- engaged in Iraq. According to Blinken, per- Kubba, Iraqis viewed the reduction in troops dicted, it was with great fanfare in front of a haps the most significant change in mission as the result of a bad U.S. economy and an national TV audience by then-Attorney are the new responsibilities given to the overstretched military, rather than of the General John Ashcroft. In announcing the State Department, which will assume many readiness of the Iraqi government and secuindictment, he made it clear he was doing of the tasks performed by the military, in- rity forces to take control. On top of this, the so as part of the government’s post-9/11 so- cluding a police-training program starting current political impasse has compounded Iraqi disillusionment, he said, explaining called ‘war on terrorism.’” in October of 2011.

Lafferty explained that the government Meanwhile, he said, U.S. forces will con- that “the novelty of democracy is wearing indicted Stewart for violating an adminis- tinue to advise and work with Iraqi security off” for the Iraqi people due to rampant cortrative order forbidding her to convey the forces on counter-terrorism operations, as ruption and a dysfunctional government.

Kubba also questioned Blinken’s optimism thoughts and words of her client, Sheikh well as to provide protection to American Omar Abdel Rahman, to the outside world. civilians and to critical infrastructure. over the ongoing political process, arguing No harm was done by this action, the NLG Blinken also cited various efforts to that Iraqi politicians were weakening the director emphasized. In fact, these dracon- strengthen commercial, agricultural, inter- constitution to the point of making it irreleian orders frequently are ignored by vigor- governmental and cultural efforts in the vant. “If there was a strong Iraqi army NOVEMBER 2010

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today and that Iraqi army staged a coup,” he hypothesized, “it would be welcomed by a lot of Iraqis who want to see a functioning government.” If, however, the political process fails or integration talks among the government, Kurdish forces and the Sons of Iraq break down, Kubba expressed concern that the Iraqi army is not strong enough to step in and maintain order. The resulting power vacuum would see mass violence and would necessitate foreign intervention.

If the U.S. should choose not to intervene, Kubba implied that other powers would, possibly sparking a regional conflict.

Finally, Kubba stated, the U.S. withdrawal would unavoidably strengthen Iran’s influence in Iraq. He urged U.S. policymakers to strengthen cooperation or possibly form a stability pact with Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Syria in order to avoid a vacuum in which Iran could grab significant power.

In response, Blinken pointed to a number of polls in which 75 to 80 percent of Iraqis consistently wanted U.S. troops out of Iraq. The withdrawal therefore should

strengthen Iraqi perception that the U.S. makes good on its commitments, he reasoned. “Many Iraqis did not believe that we would be out of the cities a year ago and we did,” he said. “Many Iraqis did not believe that we would end our combat mission and draw down to 50,000 troops and we did; there are some who do not believe we will remove our troops pursuant to an agreement with the government of Iraq by May 11—we will.” The evidence of the new emphasis on U.S. civil engagement with Iraq should allay negative Iraqi perceptions of the withdrawal, he added.

Dismissing the possibility of a coup, Blinken claimed that Iraqis and their politicians were committed to a political process to resolve their differences. He further argued that Iraqi politicians had perhaps pushed the constitutional envelope but still remained within the framework of the constitution.

Responding to the issue of the integration of armed internal groups, Blinken described the Kurdish party’s current status as pivotal in the formation of a new government. Such

a status, he felt, helped strengthen their participation in the current system and diminished any chance of direct armed conflict.

Blinken conceded that Iran would inevitably have influence in Iraq, but pointed out that “Iraq has developed very strong antibodies” to foreign influence and intervention, including the U.S., Iran or any other power. Moreover, he noted, the Iranian regime spent a large amount of money attempting to influence the recent elections “and got very little to show for it”—perhaps revealing a burgeoning Iraqi nationalism. Blinken defended the Obama administration’s efforts to strengthen ties with regional partners, but stressed that, in the end, Iraq’s politicians and people had to be involved in such decisions. In any regional negotiations, he concluded, “our basic approach is nothing about you, without you.”

To read more about this event, visit <www.usip.org/events/mission-trans formed-antony-blinken-the-us-policy-to wards-iraq>.

—Andrew Stimson

Libya’s Celebration Is Fun for All Wearing national dress, Libya’s Ambassador to the U.S. Ali Suleiman Aujali, his wife, Naima Bseikri, and their granddaughter Daniya Ali (ABOVE) greeted guests P.J. Crowley, assistant secretary of state for public affairs at the U.S. Department of State, and his wife in Washington, DC celebrating Libya’s 41st anniversary of the Great First of September Revolution. Ambassador Aujali addressed guests briefly, describing the slow but steady march toward finally restoring full diplomatic relations in May 2006 between the U.S. and Libya. He ended his remarks by inviting American tourists and 64

businesspeople to visit his country.

The Four Seasons H o t e l wa s t r a n s formed into a desert palace where Muslim revellers broke their Ramadan fast and other guests, including diplomats, journalists, educators and many friends of Libya, also enjoyed excellent food, juices, coffee, tea and desserts. Colorful decorations added a festive backdrop, including an ice sculpture, exotic plants, inviting posters showcasing Libya’s desert, beaches and palmfringed lakes, as well as the splendid Roman ruins at Leptis Magna. Attendees appreciated a display of Libyan dresses and jewelry on both mannequins and guests. Guests, including Mary Clarke, (ABOVE RIGHT) had their hands painted with henna in a Bedouin tent. Among those attending the Libyan festivities were (RIGHT) Syria’s Ambassador Imad Moustapha, his wife, Rafif, and their daughter Sidra.

—Delinda C. Hanley THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

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Diplomatic Doings

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Other People’s Mail Compiled by Kate Hilmy and Delinda C. Hanley The Intractable Middle East To The Washington Post, Sept. 6, 2010 Regarding George Bisharat’s op-ed, “Israel and Palestine: A true one-state solution”: For too long, the debate over how to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been frozen in time. It would be as if we were still trying in 2010 to end Jim Crow by designating one or two of the 50 states as “black states” or responding to calls to end apartheid in South Africa by partitioning that country.

Palestinians and Israelis are no different than any other groups of humans on this planet. What works for others will work for them: constitutional guarantees of equality and access to political power exercised for the benefit of all in a non-sectarian state that protects the rights of Jews, Muslims and Christians as citizens regardless of their ethnicity. Only by respecting the rights of all can we begin to unravel the decades of bitterness and bloodshed that will otherwise see no end.

Ali Abunimah, Chicago, IL

Israel Colonizing Palestine To the Los Angeles Times, Aug. 3, 2010 If President Obama and our government really believe our country supports the rule of law, he must speak out against these home demolitions and other stealing of land from the Palestinians.

As a Jew, I have a hard time justifying the actions of the state of Israel to my nonJewish friends, who clearly see American hypocrisy in supporting such abuses. How can Obama continue to speak about “shared values” between Israel and the United States?

Lillian Laskin, Los Angeles, CA

How Will Muddled the Picture To The Washington Post, Aug. 24, 2010 Regarding George F. Will’s op-ed “Skip the lecture on Israel’s ‘risks for peace’“: Mr. Will began by enumerating the number of Israelis killed during the second intifada, while ignoring the far greater number of Palestinians killed during the same period. Rewriting history, including the talks at Camp David in 2000, Mr. Will claimed that Israel captured the occupied territories “in the process of repelling the 1967 aggression.” In fact, it was Israel that initiated the 1967 war, not the Arab states.

But the most egregious of Will’s many misleading statements was that the “creNOVEMBER 2010

ation of Israel did not involve the destruction of a Palestinian state.” While technically correct—there was no Palestinian state prior to the creation of Israel in 1948—it is breathtaking in its intellectual dishonesty.

A Palestinian “state” may not have been destroyed, but more than 700,000 Palestinian Arabs were systematically expelled and more than 400 Palestinian towns and villages wiped off the face of the earth. Today we call this “ethnic cleansing.”

Will concluded that “patronizing American lectures” about peace are “obscene.”

The real obscenity is Will’s astonishing ignorance of history and his callous disregard for the suffering of millions of human beings.

Amal Jadou, Washington, DC, PLO’s general delegation to the U.S.

On the Eve of Mideast Talks To The New York Times, Aug. 30, 2010 Thanks for printing “Hamas, the I.R.A. and Us,” by Ali Abunimah. Only by including all of the representatives of the Palestinian people, including the democratically elected Hamas, can a durable agreement between Israel and Palestine be worked out.

Negotiations need to be based on the equality of both peoples. The United States needs to become an honest broker and stop acting as Israel’s lawyer. If we are to impose preconditions that Palestinian parties need to recognize Israel’s right to exist, we must also insist on the same preconditions—that the Israelis recognize Palestine’s right to exist.

Better yet, we must insist that both Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs have the same rights to exist as equal human beings in the Holy Land: that both people deserve liberty and justice for all.

William L. Dienst Jr., Omak, WA

Victims of War To The Independent, July 28, 2010 It should come as no surprise that Task Force 373, a clandestine special operations unit, has been accidentally killing Afghan women and children. After all, robot drones piloted by CIA officers have been accidentally killing Pakistani women and children, and Pakistan is our ally. In the fog of war, it’s often hard to distinguish a foe from a friend, or a child. Our senior generals have explained publicly why the war cannot be “won”; if only we had the ears to hear and the powers of reason to THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

comprehend.

They have explained that every civilian death strengthens the Taliban (obviously, because young Afghani and Pakistani boys rush to enlist in the effort to drive out the women- and child-killing foreign invaders). Of course Americans know that we are the “good guys” and the Taliban are the “bad guys.” Unfortunately, the young men we force into the Taliban’s arms know just the opposite.

Mike Burch, Nashville, TN

WikiLeaks’ Accomplishment To the Los Angeles Times, Aug. 3, 2010 Doyle McManus is correct that almost all of the information contained in the WikiLeaks documents was available from official sources, so the usual culprit—government secrecy—is not entirely to blame for this information being missing from the national debate on the war in Afghanistan.

If the media had gotten off their collective butt and done some research, they might have fulfilled their true role of informing the electorate.

The only service WikiLeaks performed was to repackage the information in the shiny tinsel of controversy to attract the attention of the feckless media and to distract them from their preferred role as stenographers for the powerful.

Charles Berezin, Los Angeles, CA

Politics Behind Foreign Aid To The Washington Post, Aug. 27, 2010 It should come as no surprise that the Pakistanis are skeptical of American intentions in their country. We dole out aid with one hand and deadly drone strikes with the other. Development should not be viewed as a mere extension of security policy.

Imagine how Americans would react if the tables were turned. Remember when Hugo Chávez lavished low-income households in New York with oil? I doubt many New Yorkers believed Chávez was helping them out of the goodness of his heart.

The Pakistanis are not fools. They know that our generosity hinges on our security concerns, and they are right to expect the flow of aid to slow to a trickle once we no longer view Pakistan as a strategic priority.

So long as we treat development as just another front in the war on terror, the Pakistanis will as well.

Robert Blair, New Haven, CT 65

opm_65-66_Other People's Mail 9/15/10 8:39 PM Page 66

A Plea to Aid Pakistan

Media Hype Pastor

Muslim Friends in 5th Grade

To The New York Times, Aug. 28, 2010 Pakistan is in crisis. This is not the moment for public discussions about politics, terrorism, the effectiveness of international assistance or corruption. All of that matters. But, today, my plea is for the international community to give, and to give generously, to a people in dire need of the world’s help and attention.

Once the waters have receded and the rebuilding begins, the world can go back to its focus on political action and inaction.

Pakistan needs our help because its people are suffering. We are interconnected, and our shared dignity rests on how we treat our fellow human beings.

The country needs the international community to stand beside it with extended arms, expecting nothing in return.

Pakistan needs us to give generously, to send a message of caring, of hope, of love.

Jacqueline Novogratz, New York, NY

To The Washington Post, Sept. 10, 2010 For the past few weeks, the media have treated us to live theater of the absurd: The Rev. Terry Jones of Gainesville, FL, proposed to burn Qur’ans on the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, before backing down Thursday.

Jones’s church has fewer than 50 members. He belongs to no denomination, has held no regional or national office for any church organization and has never held an academic position at a seminary or Bible college. His only book is self-published.

Yet, because of a single posting on Facebook, he is treated as a major spokesman and representative of the Christian faith by every news organization on the planet.

Heads of state, military commanders, diplomats and even the Vatican have responded to a man whose credibility is no more than that of a person walking the street with a sign saying “Repent: The world is coming to an end.” On second thought, the world of credible sourcing and journalism standards has come to an end.

Rev. Earl D. Trent Jr., Washington, DC

To the San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 11, 2010 We are fifth-grade students from Francis Scott Key Elementary School in San Francisco. We are writing because we have our own opinion about the pastor in Florida who wanted to burn the Muslim holy book, the Qur’an.

He shouldn’t burn it because it would create more trouble. He wouldn’t want his Bible to be burned. We should respect other people’s religions if we want them to respect ours. The 9/11 attack was only done by the men who did it, not people from the whole religion.

We have two Muslim classmates, and they are very nice. They are respectful and very kind, intelligent kids. They don’t do bad stuff. In fact, one classmate explained her religion and the tradition of fasting for Ramadan. She showed us the henna designs on her hands and explained them to us. We learned about it, so now we understand, and we don’t think it’s strange.

We think we should compromise and not create more war. We could try some of their traditions to understand how they feel.

We could make a United States holiday where we gather to learn about, and show respect for, all religions.

Sara Saldana, San Francisco, CA on behalf of my class

The Mosque and the Imam To The New York Times, Aug. 24, 2010

As a practicing American Muslim, I am deeply grieved by the attitudes being displayed by my fellow Americans who are opposed to the Islamic center and mosque near ground zero. The words and behavior of these opponents show a total misunderstanding of the Islamic faith.

It is unfair that 1.5 billion people are being lumped together as terrorists. I vehemently condemn terrorism of any sort.

And I object to being viewed as a terrorist simply because I am a Muslim. It is high time that Americans put aside their prejudices and come together as a nation of tolerance that stands as a model of peace for the world. The only way for healing to take place is to reach out to the moderate Muslims and learn about Islam from them and not from those who have hijacked the religion.

Shahina Bashir, Germantown, MD

9/11/10: Reflection To The New York Times, Sept. 10, 2010 How cool that the downtown community center will be named Cordoba House, after the city in Spain where, as Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf writes, “Muslims, Christians and Jews co-existed in the Middle Ages during a period of great cultural enrichment created by Muslims.”

One can only hope that the vitriol surrounding this issue hasn’t ruined any chance, centuries down the road, of a similarly inspired New York House.

Jeremy Nathaniel, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 66

WRITE OR TELEPHONE THOSE WORKING FOR YOU IN WASHINGTON. President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20500 (202) 456-1414 White House Comment Line: (202) 456-1111 Fax: (202) 456-2461 Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Department of State Washington, DC 20520 State Department Public Information Line: (202) 647-6575 Any Senator U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-3121 Any Representative U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-3121

E-MAIL CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE E-mail Congress: visit the Web site <www.congress.org> for contact information.

E-mail President Obama: <president@whitehouse.gov> E-mail Vice President Joe Biden: <vice.president@whitehouse.gov>

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Responsibility for Torture To The New York Times, Sept. 6, 2010 “Legacy of Torture” rightly notes that court rulings rejecting coerced evidence may “help repair this country’s battered reputation.” Missing still, though, is a government commitment to hold accountable the senior Bush administration officials who authorized torture.

In one of the cases you highlight, a judge granted Farhi Saeed bin Mohammed’s habeas corpus petition because the government’s evidence came from the tortureinduced testimony of Binyam Mohamed. It is worth noting that Binyam Mohamed was detained based on the torture-induced testimony of Abu Zubaydah.

The Bush torture program was thus a kind of Ponzi scheme of torture, with one prisoner’s tainted confession supplying the basis for the detention of another, and that prisoner’s tainted confession supplying the basis for the detention of still another. This repugnant scheme is what the courts are now uncovering. Truly repairing America’s reputation will require demonstrating that the architects of such schemes are not above the law.

J. Jaffer & L. Siems, New York, NY ❑ NOVEMBER 2010

cartoons_67_November 2010 Cartoons 9/15/10 7:00 PM Page 67

THE WORLD LOOKS AT THE MIDDLE EAST

WWW.BENDIB.COM

cws/cartoonarts international www.cartoonweb.com

Nationa

The Economist, London

cws/cartoonarts international www.cartoonweb.com

cws/cartoonarts international www.cartoonweb.com

The Muslim Observer, Livonia

Al Ahram, Cairo

cws/cartoonarts international www.cartoonweb.com

cws/cartoonarts international www.cartoonweb.com

The Glove and Mail, Toronto

De Angelis, rome

NOVEMBER 2010

The Courier Mail, Brisbane

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

67

book_review_68_Book Review 9/16/10 2:03 PM Page 68

Books This Time We Went Too Far: Truth and Consequences of the Gaza Invasion

By Norman G. Finkelstein, OR Books, 2010, hardback, 208 pp. List: $20 (Web only).

Reviewed by Ian Williams D r. N o r m a n Finkelstein’s deadpan delivery makes Noam Chomsky sound like Demosthenes—but the latter happily became a tenured professor before addressing the Middle East. Finkelstein’s forthright positions on the issue thwarted his attempts at professorship and led to unusually scurrilous ad hominem attacks even beyond the usual “self-hating Jew” tropes.

Since his parents were Holocaust survivors, this took more than usual chutzpah from his attackers, but Alan Dershowitz rose to the occasion. The Harvard Law School professor took time off from defending torture to claim that Finkelstein’s mother was a collaborator with the Nazis, and—with even more chutzpah than usual—falsely cited Finkelstein as the source for this posthumous libel. Dershowitz, who lobbied furiously, and successfully, to prevent Finkelstein getting tenure at DePaul University, reputedly is being considered as Israeli ambassador to the U.N. Dershowitz and his fellow travelers condemn Finkelstein as a “Holocaust revisionist,” not because he has in any way disputed the horrors of the Shoah—far from it, in fact, as his eloquent memoirs of his mother’s survival suggest. Rather Finkelstein has incisively and effectively questioned the abuse of the Holocaust, both politically and financially, by Israel and its supporters.

This Time We Went Too Far is equally unlikely to get Dershowitz’s imprimatur. It is short, well-sourced, and remarkably restrained in the light of its author’s reputation for acerbity. He demonstrates, as did the Goldstone Report and numerous human rights observers, that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was reckless of civilian casualties.

In fact, their reports document in much Ian Williams is the Washington Report’s United Nations correspondent.

68

more detail than Finkelstein’s book what the IDF did in Gaza in its operations there.

The book is editorial commentary on their dispassionate recording of allegations and evidence. But that is not to discount it. It is asking not “how?” and “what?” but rather “why?” Most infuriating for the likes of Dershowitz is Finkelstein’s habit of quoting Israeli sources to make his points about the intentions of the operation. He does them the honor of believing what they say, unlike Israel’s American boosters, who simply ignore anything that does not fit their metaphysical image of Israel the good.

Finkelstein quotes, for example, Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai, “Even if the [Hamas] rockets fall in an open air [sic] or in the sea, we should hit their infrastructure, and destroy a hundred homes for every rocket fired.” It is a statement whose candor matches its accuracy as a description of what actually happened. Based on such statements, Finkelstein concludes that Israel “intentionally raised the level of destruction to a degree that was unpredictable, even insane.”

He steers the discussion away from considering the civilian casualties as unfortunate side effects, collateral damage from the military operations. He points out the almost complete lack of military operations in any real sense: Hamas hardly fought at all, according to testimony from many Israeli soldiers, and in fact the IDF’s mortality of ten, at least four of whom were from “friendly fire,” meant Israel killed almost as many of its own soldiers as Hamas. Over a thousand Palestinians died in the 22-day battle, many and probably most of them civilians.

Finkelstein tends to underestimate the effect of domestic electoral politics on military planning—although Labor has an abysmal record of regularly shoring up its security credentials on Lebanese ruins and corpses, and the Labor-Kadima coalition showed every sign of acting from the same script.

Even if that were the case, however, he shows that there was little resistance inside Israel to the militarily pointless operation, and demonstrates the role of the Israeli security services in ensuring THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

that any negotiations with Hamas were sabotaged with assassinations and similar provocations. But he also argues convincingly that the target of Operation Cast Lead was not Hamas, and not even to stop the Qassam Missiles. Instead the purpose was to staunch the bloody nose Israel’s military reputation incurred from Hezbollah.

Finkelstein quotes Israel apologist Anthony Cordesman that the purpose of Cast Lead was “to restore Israeli deterrence, and to show the Hezbollah, Syria and Iran that it was too dangerous to challenge Israel.”

“This time we went too far,” is not just an ethical conclusion from a concerned Israeli.

It also summarizes the political failings of the operation. As Finkelstein points out, dropping white phosphorus on children is not the way to cement the support of the overwhelming liberal and humanitarian American Jewish community. He might be too optimistic: some of us hoped for a similar epiphany after Sabra and Shatila.

But the Goldstone Report will not go away, Israeli ministers and officers will be haunted by fear of arrest almost anywhere they travel, and the carefully contrived frightfulness of the operation has accentuated the divide abroad among Jews and other friends of Israel who are increasingly abandoning the Zionist version of the Mafia tradition of omerta about Israeli crimes. ❑ (Advertisement)

NOVEMBER 2010

book_catalog_69_November 2010 9/15/10 7:51 PM Page 69

AET Book Club Catalog Literature

*

Music

*

Film

*

Monographs

*

More

New Fa l l 2 0 1 0 The Palestinian Communist Party 1919-1948: Arab and Jew in the Search for Internationalism by Musa Budeiri, Haymarket Books, 2010, paperback, 304 pp. List: $18; AET: $12.

Palestinian political scientist Musa Budeiri follows the complex history of the Palestinian left prior to the formation of the Israeli Zionist state. Upending the idea of two sides in perpetual conflict, Budeiri shows how Arab and Jewish workers banded together under ideals of socialism, solidarity and internationalism.

The Devil You Don’t Know: Going Back to Iraq by Zuhair al-Jezairy, translated by John West, Saqi Books, 2010, paperback, 288 pp. List: $15; AET: $12.50. A powerful memoir by Iraqiborn journalist Zuhair alJezairy about his journey home to post-U.S.-invasion Baghdad to realize his dream of creating the first independent Iraqi news agency. Powerful and arresting.

IraqiGirl: Diary of a Teenage Girl in Iraq by Iraqigirl, Haymarket Books, 2009, paperback, 208 pp. List: $13; AET: $10.50. The anonymous teenage blogger “IraqiGirl” writes about her life growing up in war-torn Mosul, Iraq. Effortlessly, she describes her average life as a teenager, focused on exams and friends, and the struggles she faces daily living in a war zone.

A powerful and honest account of the effects of U.S. military intervention in Iraq.

The Arabs and the Holocaust: The Arab-Israeli War of Narratives by Gilbert Achcar, Metropolitan Books, 2010, hardback, 200 pp.

List: $30; AET: $19.50. Achcar traces the Arab-Jewish conflict from the 19th century to today. Referencing a wide range of opinions, he explores how, by World War I, opposition to Zionism was central to Palestinian identity and Arab nationalistic consciousness.

Arguing that Palestinian Arabs saw Jewish settlement during that period as another form of European colonization, Achcar shows that the conflict was not xenophobic or anti-Jewish in nature, but the predictable outcome of the expulsion of Palestinians.

Journey into Islam: the Crisis of Globalization by Akbar Ahmed, Brookings Institute Press, 2008, paperback, 323 pp. List: $19.95; AET: $13.50. Responding to the tensions between the West and the Muslim world, scholar Akbar Ahmed’s compelling book explores Muslim diversity in the face of globalization. From Indonesia and India to Turkey and Syria, Ahmed demonstrates how dialogue and understanding can transcend race, religion and tradition to create lasting peace.

Gaza: Stay Human by Vittorio Arrigoni, translated by Daniela Filippin, introduction

by Ilan Pappe, Kube Publishing, 2010, paperback, 184 pp. List: $12.95; AET: $9. Written between Israeli raids, with intermittent Internet access, this is an authoritative account of Israel’s 22-day assault on the Gaza Strip in December 2008 and January 2009. Arrigoni’s account includes new entries reflecting life in Gaza after the offensive and the pervasive psychological and human cost of the conflict.

Lebanese Cuisine: More than 200 Simple, Delicious, Authentic Recipes

by Madelain Farah, Running Press, 13th edition, 2001, paperback,192 pp. List: $16.95; AET: $11.50. Now in its 13th edition, this time-tested book of Arabic cookery has delighted readers for years.

Using her mother’s traditional recipes, Madelain Farah brings the best Lebanese and Middle Eastern recipes to cooks and foodlovers.

Midnight on the Mavi Marmara: The Attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and How It Changed the Course of the Israel/Palestine Conflict edited by Moustafa Bayoumi, OR Books, 2010, paperback, 256 pp. List: $16; AET: $12.

A wide range of accounts by activists, journalists and analysts pieces together the events of May 31, unraveling the meaning and long-term impact of Israel’s deadly attack on the Mavi Marmara on the future of Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Contributers include Ali Abumimah, Omar Barghouti, George Bisharat, Noam Chomsky, Norman Finkelstein, Amira Hass, Nadia Hijab, Rashid Khalidi, Gideon Levy, Stephen Walt, and more.

Palestinian Politics After Arafat by As’ad Ghanem, Indiana University Press, paperback, 2010, 208 pp. List: $24.95; AET: $18.

Ghanem analyzes the internal and external events that unfolded after Arafat’s death in November 2004, as the Palestinian national movement became a “failed national movement,” marked by internecine struggle and collapse, the failure to secure establishment of a separate state and achieve a stable peace with Israel, and the movement’s declining stature within the Arab world and the international community. His book provides new analytical tools for understanding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and opens the door for fresh interpretations of other nationalist movements.

Shipping Rates Most items are discounted and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Orders accepted by mail, phone (800-368-5788 ext. 2), or Web (www.middleeastbooks.com). All payments in U.S. funds. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. Please make checks and money orders out to “AET.”Contact the AET Book Club for complete shipping guidelines and options.

U . S . s h i p p i n g r a t e s : add $5 for the first item and $2.50 for each additional item. Canada & Mexico shipping charges: Please add $11 for the first item and $3 for each additional item. International shipping charges: Please add $13 for the first item and $3.50 for each additional item. We ship by USPS Priority unless otherwise requested.

NOVEMBER 2010

L i b r a r y p a c k a g e s (list value over $240) are available for $29 if donated to a library, or free if requested with a library’s paid subscription or renewal. Call the Book Club at 800-368-5788 ext. 2 to order. AET policy is to identify donors unless anonymity is specifically requested.

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

69

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bulletin_board_71_November 2010 Bulletin Board 9/16/10 4:26 PM Page 71

Announcements, Upcoming Events, Awards —Compiled by Adam Chamy & Obituaries Announcements Dr. Michael Hudson, who help found and organize Georgetown University’s highly respected Center for Contemporary Arab Studies (CCAS), which he has led intermittently for more than 35 years—is leaving the institution to serve as director of the National University of Singapore's Middle East Institute.

The Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) Multi-Country Research Fellowships are open to U.S. doctoral candidates and scholars who have already earned their Ph.D. in fields in the humanities, social sciences, or allied natural sciences and wish to conduct research of regional or trans-regional significance.

Fellowships require scholars to conduct research in more than one country, at least one of which hosts a participating American overseas research center. It is anticipated that approximately 11 fellowships of up to $9,000 each will be awarded. Applications will be available in early October; deadline is Jan. 15, 2011. For more information and to download the application form, visit <www.caorc.org/programs>.

To contact CAORC by e-mail, write <fellowships@caorc.org>; by phone, call (202) 633-1599; by mail, CAORC, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 178, Washington, DC 20013-7012.

The American Center for Oriental Research (ACOR) will host one of the 2011 Critical Language Scholarship Program’s Intensive Summer Arabic Language Institutes. Those interested in applying to the CLS Program to study Advanced Beginning, Intermediate, or Advanced Arabic in Amman, Jordan are invited to visit <www.

CLSscholarship.org>.

Upcoming Events Arab Heritage Month will be observed

by Michigan and California in October, and by Illinois in November. Check local newspapers and Web sites for events honoring the achievements of Arab Americans in these communities.

The National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA) will hold its 32nd National Medical Convention in New York City, at the Times Square Westin, Oct. 9 through 11. For more information visit <www.naama.com>.

The American Task Force on Palestine’s Fifth Annual Gala will take place Oct. 20 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Washington, DC. For more information visit <www.americantaskforce.org>.

NOVEMBER 2010

The Arab American and Chaldean Council will hold its 31st Annual Civic and Humanitarian Awards Gala Oct. 16 at the Detroit, MI Marriott Renaissance Center. For more information call (248) 559-1990.

The Arab American Chamber of Commerce will hold its 18th Annual Building Economic Bridges Banquet in Dearborn, MI, Oct. 22 from 6 to 7 p.m. For more information call (313) 945-1700.

The Middle East Institute will hold its 64th Annual Conference, on the theme “Rethinking a Middle East in Transition,” Nov. 3 and 4 at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Washington, DC. The Nov. 3 banquet will feature al Jazeera English host Riz Khan, and present an award to Issam M. Fares, former deputy prime minister of Lebanon, for his outstanding humanitarian contributions. Chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat will be the keynote speaker at the Nov. 4 luncheon. For more information or to RSVP, call (202) 785-1141 ext. 236 or e-mail <programs@mei.edu>.

The 2010 World Affairs Council National Conference, on “U.S. Foreign Policy: Into the Next Decade,” will take place Nov. 3 to 5 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. for more information visit <www.worldaffairscouncils.org>.

Obituaries William “Bill” Christison, 82, a former senior analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency and outspoken critic of Israel’s occupation of Palestine, died June 13 of a rapidly advancing neurological disease. A Princeton graduate, he joined the CIA in 1950, serving in the agency’s analysis branch for almost 30 years. In his early years there, he worked as a national intelligence officer focusing on Southeast Asia, South Asia and Africa. During a tour in Saigon he met his future wife, Kathleen—a CIA officer herself. By the time he retired in 1979 he had risen to become director of the CIA’s Office of Regional and Political Analysis, leading a 250-person unit of analysts and researchers. Following his retirement, he and Kathleen moved to Santa Fe, NM. After the fall of the Soviet Union he became increasingly critical of U.S. foreign policy, especially in regard to Israel-Palestine. His articles about Palestine, the War on Terror and the 9/11 truth movement regularly appeared in the online magazine CounterPunch and on <www.dissident voice.org>. His and Kathleen’s last book together, Palestine in Pieces: Graphic PerTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

BulletinBoard

spectives on the Israeli Occupation, is available from the AET Book Club (see December 2009 Washington Report, p. 68). In addition to his wife, survivors include three children and three grandchildren.

Harold M, Keshishian, 81, an Armenian rug expert and art patron, died July 23 in Washington, DC. Known for his incredibly photographic memory and astute ability to unravel the history and importance of rugs, he was born in London to a family fleeing the Armenian genocide. The shop that his father, Mark Keshishian—a rug merchant when the family lived in Istanbul—opened in the District in 1931 was cleaning, repairing, and selling rugs to the White House by 1935. After a stint in the Army and the Colorado School of Mines, Harold joined his father and middle brother in the family business, and wrote two well-regarded books on textiles. In the 1970s he played a prominent role in redecorating the State Department’s diplomatic reception rooms, and was appointed to the Cultural Properties Advisory Committee by Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He was one of the first recipients of the prestigious Joseph V. McMullan Award, and served on the board of the Near Eastern Art Research Center and as trustee emeritus at Washington, DC’s Textile Museum.

Tony Judt, 62, a well-regarded scholar of European history who was known for his critical statements about Israel, died Aug. 6 at his home in New York of Lou Gehrig’s disease. An English-born historian, he was the son of a Russian mother and Belgian father who was descended from a long line of Lithuanian rabbis. As an avowed leftwing Zionist, he spent much of his youth supporting Israel by helping to promote immigration of Jewish people from the United Kingdom and spending a year working on a kibbutz. In the aftermath of the Six-Day War he worked as a driver and translator for the Israel Defense Forces.

Over time he drastically changed his views—in 1983 describing Israel as a “belligerently intolerant, faith-driven ethnostate” and by 2003 calling for a one-state solution. While he was a strong commentator on the politics of Israel-Palestine, the bulk of his work focused on European history, especially French economics. His most famous work, the landmark Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1948, was a fiContinued on page 73 71

angels_72-73_Angels List November 2010 9/16/10 4:27 PM Page 72

AET’s 2010 Choir of Angels Following are individuals, organizations, companies and foundations whose help between Jan. 1, 2010 and Sept. 10, 2010 is making possible activities of the tax-exempt AET Library Endowment (federal ID #52-1460362) and the American Educational Trust, publisher of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. We are deeply honored by their confidence and profoundly grateful for their generosity.

HUMMERS ($100 or more) Sami Abed, South Lyon, MI Jeff Abood, Silver Lake, OH James Abourezk, Sioux Falls, SD Robert Ackerman, New Alexandria, PA Richard Adamiak, Ph.D., Chicago, IL** Dr. & Mrs. Salah Al-Askari, Leonia, NJ A.M. Al-Shadhan, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Mohammad Alhatou, M.D., Orangeburg, SC Dr. Mohamad Alkhayat, Geneva, Switzerland Arthur Alter, Goleta, CA Hamid & Kim Alwan, Milwaukee, WI Michael Ameri, Calabasas, CA Dr. Nabih Ammari, Cleveland, OH Dr. Robert Ashmore Jr., Mequon, WI Khaled Bachour, Farrell, PA Donna Baer, Grand Junction, CO Jamil Barhoum, San Diego, CA Stanton Barrett, Ipswich, MA Peter Bentley, Sebastian, FL Antoine Boghossian, Belmont, MA Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Peter Bolton, Alexandria, VA Michael Boosahda, Worcester, MA Karen Ray Bossmeyer, Louisville, KY Abbey Bourghei, Van Nuys, CA Carole Brown, Branford, CT Prof. & Mrs. George Wesley Buchanan, Gaithersburg, MD Mr. & Mrs. H.B. Bullard, Guilford, CA Katherine Bullock, Mississauga, Canada William Carey, Old Lyme, CT John Carley, Pointe-Claire, Canada Ted Chauviere, Austin, TX Jean & Donald F. Clarke, Devon, PA Basil Collins, Holland, MI Dr. Robert Collmer, Waco, TX Carole Courey, Cataumet, MA Walter Cox, Monroe, GA David D’Antonio, Amityville, NY Paul Daher, Lincoln, CA Taher & Sheila Dajani, Alexandria, VA Hon. John Gunther Dean, Paris, France Ambassador Francois M. Dickman, Laramie, WY Robert & Tanis Diedrichs, Cedar Falls, IA Lee & Amelia Dinsmore, Elcho, WI Dr. David Dunning, Lake Oswego, OR Lewis Elbinger, Tampa, FL Gloria El-Khouri, Scottsdale, AZ Kassem Elkhalil, Arlington, TX Barbara Erickson, Berkeley, CA M.R. Eucalyptus, Kansas City, MO Albert Fairchild, Bethesda, MD Dr. Richard Falk, Santa Barbara, CA Dr. Ramzi Freij, Nottingham, UK Donald Frisco, Wilmington, DE 72

Joseph & Angela Gauci, Whittier, CA Dr. Abdollah Gilani, W. Los Angeles, CA Carl Greeley, Barefoot Bay, FL Herbert Greider, Dauphin, PA Daniel Grunberg, Amsterdam, Netherlands Nabil Haddad, North Wales, PA Ray Hanania, Orland Park, IL Erin K. Hankir, Ottawa, Canada Delinda Hanley, Kensington, MD Shirley Hannah, Argyle, NY Katharina Harlow, Pacific Grove, CA Dr. & Mrs. Sammy Hassan, Lake Oswego, OR Janice Hawwa, Gates Mills, OH Samir M. Hawwa, Prangins Vaud, Switzerland Alan Heil, Alexandria, VA Rich Hoban, Cleveland Heights, OH Zaghloul Kadah, Los Gatos, CA Issa & Rose Kamar, Plano, TX Elias Kawas, Madisonville, KY Dr. M. Jamil Khan, Bloomfield Hills, MI Eugene Khorey, West Mifflin, PA Lafayette Kirban, Philadelphia, PA Shafiq Kombargi, Houston, TX Donald Kouri, Westmount, Canada Ronald Kunde, Skokie, IL Raymond Joseph Kyriakos, Hatfield, PA Michael Ladah, Las Vegas, NV William Lawand, Mount Royal, Canada Edward Lesoon, Pittsburgh, PA Joseph Louis, Los Gatos, CA Jeanie Lucas, Thebarton, Australia A. Kent MacDougall, Berkeley, CA Farah Mahmood, Forsyth, IL Richard Makdisi & Lindsey Wheeler, Berkeley, CA John McGillion, Greenwich, CT Bill McGrath, Northfield, MN Charles Murphy, Upper Falls, MD Ralph Nader, Washington, DC Jacob Nammar, San Antonio, TX Mr. & Mrs. W. Eugene Notz, Charleston, SC Elaine Pasquini, Novato, CA Grace Perolio, Demopolis, AL Sam Rahman, Lincoln, CA Mr. & Mrs. Duane Rames, Mesa, AZ Marilyn Raschka, Hartford, WI Howard A. Reed, W. Palm Beach, FL Paul Richards, Salem, OR Neil Richardson, Randolph, VT William Rives, Siler City, NC Denis Sabourin, Dubai, UAE Anthony Saidy, Los Angeles, CA Dr. Ahmed M. Sakkal, Charleston, WV Asha Samad, New York, NY Irmgard Scherer, Fairfax, VA Elizabeth Schiltz, Kokomo, IN THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Richard Shaker, Annapolis, MD Henry Schubert, Damascus, OR Kathy Sheridan, Mill Valley, CA David Shibley, Santa Monica, CA Glenn Smith, Santa Rosa, CA Norman Smith, Exton, PA Gregory Stefanatos, Flushing, NY Mubadda Suidan, Atlanta, GA Beverly Swartz, Sarasota, FL Kristin Szremski, Plainfield, IL Dr. Joseph Tamari, Chicago, IL Dr. Yusuf Tamimi, Hilo, HI Dr. Rabi Tawil, Pittsford, NY Charles Thomas, La Conner, WA Col. Lawrence Thompson, Arlington, VA Mary Abusharr Trolan, Dallas, OR Jane Voigt, Tucson, AZ Paul Wagner, Bridgeville, PA Carol Wells & Theodore Hajjar, Venice, CA Arthur & Marianne Whitman, Auburn, ME Tina Wong, Sacramento, CA Nabil Yakub, McLean, VA Dr. Robert Younes, Potomac, MD Vivian Zelaya, Berkeley, CA Hugh Ziada, Garden Grove, CA Fred Zuercher, Spring Grove, PA

ACCOMPANISTS ($250 or more) The Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund on behalf of Ronald & Mary Forthofer, Longmont, CO Abdulrahman Alsadhan, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia A.R. Armin, Troy, MI Kamel Ayoub, Hillsborough, CA Elizabeth Boosahda, Worcester, MA Dr. & Mrs. Issa Boullata, Montreal, Canada Mr. & Mrs. A.L. Cummings, Owings Mill, MD Mervat Eid, Henrietta, NY Paul & Lucille Findley, Jacksonville, IL Eugene Fitzpatrick, Wheat Ridge, CO* E. Patrick Flynn, Carmel, NY Ray Gordon, Bel Air, MD H. Clark Griswold, Woodbury, CT Fahd Jajeh, Lake Forest, IL Michael Keating, Olney, MD Barbara LeClerq, Overland Park, KS Jack Love, Escondido, CA Anthony Mabarak, Grosse Pointe Park, MI Eric Margolis, Ontario, Canada Jean Mayer, Bethesda, MD Alice Nashashibi, San Francisco, CA Howard & Mary Norton, Austin, TX Rev. John O’Neill, Olema, CA** John Parry, Chapel Hill, NC Frank & Mary Regier, Strongsville, OH Dr. Mohammad H. Said, Ephrata, WA Theodore Shannon, Green Valley, AZ NOVEMBER 2010

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Michel & Cathy Sultan, Eau Claire, WI Mae Stephen, Palo Alto, CA Linda Thain-Ali, Guneykoy, Turkey Charles & Letitia Ufford, Princeton, NJ John Van Wagoner, McLean, VA David Willcox, Harrison, AR Ziyad & Cindi Zaitoun, Seattle, WA**

TENORS & CONTRALTOS ($500 or more) Mohamed Alwan, Chestnut Ridge, NY Dr. Joseph Bailey, Valley Center, CA Graf Herman Bender, North Palm Beach, FL Rev. Rosemarie Carnarius, Tucson, AZ Richard Curtiss, Boynton Beach, FL Shuja El-Asad, Amman, Jordan Douglas A. Field, Kihei, HI** Grace Guthrie, Falls Church, VA Michael Habermann, Hackettstown, NJ* Salman & Kate Hilmy, Silver Spring, MD

Bulletin Board…

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nalist for a Pulitzer Prize and referred to by Yale historian Timothy Snyder, as “the best book in its subject that will ever be written by anyone.” Judt spent the bulk of his professional life in the United States, serving since 1987 as a professor at New York University and director of its Remarque Institute. He was a frequent contributor to the New York Review of Books and other publications on subjects ranging from his personal struggles with Lou Gehrig’s disease to politics and society. His final book, Ill Fares the Land, critiques societal and political changes in America. Judt is survived by his third wife, dance critic Jennifer Homans, and two children.

Ghazi Algosaibi, 70, a former Saudi Arabian cabinet member, poet and author, died Aug. 15 at a hospital in Riyadh of stomach cancer. He was known for his poetry and liberal religious views, which often put him at odds with the conservatives in the country. During his tenure as cabinet member, he headed the ministries of health, electricity, water, industry, and labor. As his country’s ambassador to Britain from 1992 to 2002, he aroused some controversy by writing a poem defending Palestinian suicide bombers at the height of the second Palestinian intifada. Many of his works were banned in Saudi Arabia because of their satirical depiction of ruling regimes, politics and social norms. Algosaibi often spoke out publicly against terrorism and extremism, calling for gradual democratic reform in the Kingdom and region. The Saudi Culture Ministry recently lifted its ban on his writing, citing its contribution to the Kingdom’s cultural heritage.

Dimitrios Ioannidis, 87, the controversial security chief who led a coup against NOVEMBER 2010

Ambassador Holsey G. Handyside, Bedford, OH Brigitte Jaensch, Carmichael, CA Trini Marquez, Beach, ND Rachelle Marshall, Mill Valley, CA Anees Mughannam, Petaluma, CA Robert Norberg, Lake City, MN William O’Grady, St. Petersburg, FL Patricia & Herbert Pratt, Cambridge, MA Dr. Mohammed Sabbagh, Grand Blanc, MI Gay Schroeder, Boston, MA Mahmud Shaikhaly, Hollywood, CA Cheryl Tatum, Cincinnati, OH Donn Trautman, Evanston, IL

BARITONES & MEZZO SOPRANOS ($1,000 or more)

Linda Emmet, Paris, France Dr. & Mrs. Clyde Farris, West Linn, OR Gary Richard Feulner, Dubai, UAE Evan & Leman Fotos, Istanbul, Turkey Hassan Fouda, Berkeley, CA Les Janka, Arlington, VA Vincent & Louise Larsen, Billings, MT Barry Musser Memorial Gift, Goshen, CA

CHOIRMASTERS ($5,000 or more) Richard & Donna Curtiss, Chevy Chase, MD*, *** John & Henrietta Goelet, Meru, France Ambassador Andrew Killgore, Washington, DC*** John McLaughlin, Gordonsville, VA

A.J. & M.T. Amirana, Las Vegas, NV Asha Anand, Bethesda, MD G. Edward Brooking, Jr., Wilmington, DE

*In recognition of Rachelle Marshall **In memory of Rachel Corrie ***In memory of James E. Akins

Greece’s military leaders, provoking Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus in 1974, died Aug. 16 at an Athens hospital after experiencing breathing problems in his cell in a special wing of a maximum security prison built during his military regime where he spent the last 35 years. As head of the brutal ESA military police, Ioannidis was the key military figure during a dictatorship that seized power in 1967 after years of political instability. The ultraconservative junta imposed martial law, cracked down heavily on political opponents, and tortured countless citizens. While the junta was largely condemned by the West, a 1971 visit to Greece by Vice President Spiro Agnew was viewed by many Greek pro-democracy leaders as evidence of Washington’s approval of the dictatorship.

After some pro-democracy reforms in 1972, Ioannidis and a group of army hardliners staged a successful coup, ruling Greece for the next eight months. Under the regime, relations with Turkey and President Makarios of Cyprus quickly fell apart. In June 1974, the military overthrew Makarios, prompting a Turkish invasion of the island. By that August, Turkey controlled nearly 40 percent of the island, and Cyprus remains a major thorn between Greece and Turkey to this day. The invasion also prompted the fall of the military government in Greece and a return to democratic civilian rule.

Arafat appointed him general security and intelligence chief of the Palestinian Authority. During his tenure, he had frequent contacts with Israeli security officials and was respected for his efforts to forge peace.

He attempted to resign from his post in 2004, citing the lack of government reforms and chaos within Fatah, but stayed on until Arafat’s death in November of that year. He eventually was replaced when Mahmoud Abbas assumed power in 2005.

According to the Palestinian news agency Ma’an, al-Hindi was buried at an official military funeral held at the presidential compound in Ramallah attended by President Abbas, Premier Salam Fayyad and other PLO officials.

Amin al-Hindi, a former Palestinian intelligence chief and associate of PLO leader Yasser Arafat, died Aug. 17 in Amman, Jordan of cancer. Born in Gaza in 1940, he spent many years in exile as a security officer for Fatah, and was widely suspected of having played a role in organizing the attack on Israeli athletes during the 1972 Munich Olympics. Because his link to the attack was never made clear, he was spared the series of Mossad reprisals and, following the 1983 Oslo accords, eventually allowed back into West Bank. In the 1990s THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Edmond N. Howar, 81, a Washingon, DC-area real estate developer active in Arab-American and Islamic organizations, died in Washington Sept.1 of Lewy body disease, a degenerative neurological disorder, and dementia. A native of Washington, DC he was a graduate of George Washington University and, after serving in the Army from 1953 to 1955, began working for his father’s company, Howar Properties.

He was a co-founder of the National Association of Arab Americans, which later merged with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, and a member of the Islamic Center of Washington. In 1975 he attended the official state dinner for Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. His marriage to author and television personality Barbara Dearing Howar ended in divorce, as did a second marriage. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Margot Reid Howar, three children, three sisters and four grandchildren.

Peter Gubser, 69, former president of American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), died Sept. 2 of prostate cancer at a Bethesda, MD hospital. An “In Memoriam” will appear in the December 2010 issue of the Washington Report. ❑ 73

pasquini_74_In Memoriam 9/16/10 2:16 PM Page 74

Thanks-Giving Chapel’s Islamic Design a Visual, Spiritual Gem in Downtown Dallas TravelTips

By Elaine Pasquini itting amid the steel and glass

Sskyscrapers of the Dallas business

STAFF PHOTOS P. PASQUINI

STAFF PHOTOS P. PASQUINI

district, Thanks-Giving Chapel’s white spiral building is a beautiful—and unusual—sight. A curvilinear chapel resembling the 9th century

A verse from the Qur’an is engraved on a granite column at the entrance to Thanks-Giving Square.

Al-Malwia (snail shell) freestanding minaret of the Great Mosque of Samarra, Iraq, built by the Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawakkil, is not a building a visitor to Dallas expects to see.

Another pleasant surprise is the Qur’anic verse “Grateful praise is due to God alone, the Lord and Nourisher of the worlds” engraved on a granite column at the entrance to ThanksGiving Square. A portion of Psalms 100 appears on the Wall of Praise, also at the square’s entrance.

In 1971, the Dallas-based nonsectarian Thanks-Giving Foundation hired renowned American architect Philip Johnson to design a chapel that would celebrate the value and spirit of the institution of thanksgiving. Completed in 1976, Johnson’s white marble aggregate building dominates the three-acre triangular site that is dedicated to spiriElaine Pasquini is a free-lance journalist based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

74

Thanks-Giving Chapel in Dallas resembles the freestanding minaret of the great Mosque of Samarra. tual reflection. A sloping bridge built over a cascading waterfall connects the courtyard to the chapel. From his study of art history, Johnson was inspired by the spiral form of the Samarra minaret—which is similarly connected to the Great Mosque by a bridge.

“The spiral design perfectly conveys the foundation’s dual mission of offering a place for all people to give thanks to our creator and celebrating the value and spirit of thanksgiving for both sacred and secular cultures throughout the world,” Tatiana Androsov, Thanks-Giving Square’s president and executive director, told the Washington Report.

Inside the chapel, a visitor’s attention is immediately drawn to the Glory Window (above), a multi-colored stained glass ceiling created by Gabriel Loire. This striking creation was memorialized in a United Nations stamp in 2000, the International Year of Thanksgiving. In one area of the room is a large white Carrara marble cube mounted on a sandstone circle made of local Austin

stone. The cube is symbolic of the unification of mankind; the circle symbolizes eternity.

The Hall of Thanks-Giving, located on the ground floor beneath the interfaith chapel, features permanent and temporary exhibits on the history and role of Thanksgiving in the United States and the global importance of the concept of thanksgiving.

During the week, the chapel is a convenient and tranquil location in an otherwise busy city for Muslims working in the downtown business district to pray. “Although there are 22 mosques in the Dallas area, many Muslims working in this part of town like to come here, especially for Friday prayers,” Androsov explained.

Visitors from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa come to the chapel as part of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program, she added. The ThanksGiving Foundation is a Department of Public Information NGO with the United Nations. For more information, visit <www.thanksgiving.org>. ❑

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

NOVEMBER 2010

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Because when others say nothing can be done, we see people like you helping us make a better life for families in the Middle East.

www.anera.org

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American Educational Trust The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs P.O. Box 53062 Washington, DC 20009

November 2010 Vol. XXIX, No. 8

On a damaged road in flood-hit Chandan village, in the Dadu district northeast of Karachi, Pakistanis displaced by floods rush toward a U.N. helicopter distributing relief supplies, Sept. 10, 2010.

AFP PHOTO/RIZWAN TABASSUM