Washington Report on Middle East Affairs - September 2013 - Vol. XXXII, No. 7

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IN MEMORIAM: HELEN THOMAS (1920-2013)

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Investing in our greatest asset “To study in my own country with a scholarship was a miracle for me; I felt a responsibility to succeed and get the highest marks. I feel there are people around the world who wish me to have this opportunity. You offered your trust in me. Honestly, you changed my life!� – Shireen, UPA Scholarship Fund recipient, Hebron, West Bank Change a life forever. Donate to the UPA Scholarship Fund:

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On Middle East Affairs

Volume XXXII, No. 7

September 2013

Telling the Truth for More Than 30 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 The Coup That Wasn’t: When Policy Overrides

18 Gaza Wedding Filmmaker Documents Israeli Assaults on Her Family, Friends and Neighbors—

The Facts—Rachelle Marshall

11 Will European “Earthquake” Lead to Israeli-Palestinian Peace?

—John V. Whitbeck 12 Same Old, Same Old “Negotiations”?—Two Views —Uri Avnery, Richard Falk 15 Gaza Hit Hard by Regime Change in Egypt—Mohammed Omer

16 “The Lab”: Israel Tests Weapons, Tactics on Captive Palestinian Population—Jonathan Cook

Jane Adas 22 Racism and the Jewish State—Two Letters —African Americans for Justice in the Middle East and North Africa, Roger Waters 24 Making a Difference: The Mazen Afifi Park for the Children of Nahr El Bared—Delinda C. Hanley 26 Notes of an Ecumenical Accompanier—George Meek 29 Dueling Principles: National Sovereignty vs.

Responsibility to Protect—Ian Williams 30 Swedish National Archive Documents Shed New Light on Bernadotte Assassination—Göran Burén 32 Congress Can’t Agree on How to Respond to Events in Syria or Egypt—Shirl McArthur

SPECIAL REPORTS In Memoriam: 20 Helen Thomas (1920-2013) —Paul Findley, Delinda C. Hanley 71 Rear Admiral Merlin Staring (1919-2013) —Peter Viering

36 Despite Ongoing Protests, Cautious Hopes Persist In Kurdish Peace Process—Marvine Howe 38 The Map Is Not the Territory: Parallel Paths— Palestinians, Native Americans, Irish

—Dagmar Painter 40 Srebrenica’s Returning Muslim Residents Win Local Victory in Serb Republic Town

—Peter Lippman

SAUL LOEB/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

35 Clash in Sabah Testifies to Colonialism’s Lingering Legacy—John Gee

Helen Thomas (1920-2013).

ON THE COVER:Shadows on a checkpoint wall show an Israeli soldier gesturing at a Palestinian boy on the outskirts of the occupied West Bank town of Bethlehem, as Muslim Palestinians tried to travel to Jerusalem to attend Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan, July 19, 2013.

MUSA AL-SHAER/AFT/GETTY IMAGES

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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 1-888-881-5861.)

Other Voices

Compiled by Janet McMahon

The Road to Nowhere—Kerry’s Mideast Journey, Eric S. Margolis, www.ericmargolis.com

OV-1

After the Peace Talks Fail, Amira Hass, Haaretz

OV-2

U.S. Obsession With the Importance of the

Liz Cheney-Founded Neocon Group Quietly Scrubbed From the Internet, Hayes Brown, http://thinkprogress.org

OV-7

Advocates of Iran Engagement Get Unexpected Boost, Jim Lobe, www.lobelog.com

OV-8

Egypt’s Coup-Friendly Liberal Democrats, Rajan Menon, http://nationalinterest.org

OV-9

Mideast and Solving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Ivan Eland, www.antiwar.com

OV-3

Do U.S. Generals Have Pro-Arab Slant?, Nathan Guttman,The Forward

OV-4

The New Israeli Ambassador, Paul R. Pillar, http://nationalinterest.org/blog/paul-pillar

OV-5

Dusty Espionage Law With Jewish History Takes Center Stage in Snooping Scandal, Nathan Jeffay and Nathan Guttman, The Forward

OV-6

On Those Protest Numbers in Egypt, Jack Brown, www.counterpunch.com

OV-11

Islamism After the Coup in Egypt, Mohamad Bazzi, The Nation

OV-12

At a Standstill, Mowahid Hussain Shah, The Nation (Pakistan)

OV-13

The Two Sides of Nelson Mandela, Dana Evan Kaplan, The Forward

OV-14

Muslims Love Jesus, Too, Hesham Hassaballa, Agence Global

OV-16

DEPARTMENTS 5 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

48 THE WORLD LOOKS AT THE MIDDLE EAST — CARTOONS

7 PUBLISHERS’ PAGE 49 OTHER PEOPLE’S MAIL

65 MUSIC & ARTS: Susan Abulhawa’s Poetry Captivates DC Busboys Audience

42 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHRONICLE: Activists Call for

52 HUMAN RIGHTS: Senate Holds Guantanamo

No Intervention in Syria by U.S.,

Hearing

68 BOOK REVIEW: The Almond Tree

—Reviewed by Delinda C. Hanley

NATO or Israel—Elaine Pasquini 54 MUSLIM AMERICAN 44 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

69 NEW ARRIVALS FROM THE AET BOOK CLUB

ACTIVISM: Maryland Mosque CHRONICLE: Experts Theorize

Holds Interfaith Ramadan Iftar

70 BULLETIN BOARD

Turkish Protest for Reforms, not Revolution, as in Arab States

—Pat and Samir Twair

55 ARAB AMERICAN ACTIVISM: Arab Americans Face Discrimination at the Israeli Border

46 ISRAEL AND JUDAISM: Kerry Urges American Jews to

73 2013 AET CHOIR OF ANGELS

56 WAGING PEACE:

Support Peace Process, but Gets

Washington Think Tanks Discuss

Little Response—Allan C. Brownfeld

Egyptian Crisis

47 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

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Publisher: Managing Editor: News Editor: Book Club Director: Admin. Director: Art Director: Assistant Editor: Executive Editor:

ANDREW I. KILLGORE JANET McMAHON DELINDA C. HANLEY ANDREW STIMSON ALEX BEGLEY RALPH U. SCHERER DALE SPRUSANSKY RICHARD H. CURTISS (1927-2013)

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs (ISSN 8755-4917) is published 9 times a year, monthly except Jan./Feb., June/July and Oct./Nov. 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.

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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 nine 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.

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Phone: (888) 881-5861 • Fax: (714) 226-9733 Printed in the USA

SEPTEMBER 2013

LetterstotheEditor A Heartfelt Return I have returned to the Washington Report after a long absence, but in my heart I always cared. I just watched the video on your site which depicted the November 2012 Israeli attack on Gaza. I am 70 and wept.

Would you be so kind as to send a sample copy to another supporter and friend of Palestine? Thank you!

Robert Pisapia, via e-mail We are most happy to welcome you back—especially since we know how difficult it can be to confront the horrors Israel inflicts on the Palestinian people it continues to dehumanize, degrade and dispossess. But we find inspiration in the Palestinian spirit of sumud (steadfastness), and as our numbers grow—thanks to referrals such as yours—we have faith that the American people will do the right thing and demand that their government finally stand on the side of justice and international law.

Return to Occupation I hope my message finds you well.

I have returned to Bethlehem, where I’ll be doing fieldwork until September, and guess what? We still have no water here. It is summer, and Israel continues to withhold water supplies from us.

Lets stay in touch.

Jacoub Sleibi, via e-mail We love to hear from our former interns, and shall indeed stay in touch! This year we again had two interns—one from Ramallah, the other an Israeli Canadian—from New Story Leadership. See their account of their experience on p. 64 of this issue, and news editor Delinda Hanley’s report on p. 65.

Still Unable to Return I appreciate your using one of my photos for Jonathan Cook’s article on Iqrit (see August 2013 Washington Report, p. 38). The photos were sent as a courtesy, to promote the case of my village and the struggle of its people for justice. I’m so very grateful for this unique opportunity, and for your continued immense efforts to present the truth to the public.

Please accept the fee you offered me as a small donation to the journal; in fact, I would like to match it, and you may add my name to the “Angels’ List”; the check will be in the mail shortly.

Dirgham H. Sbait, Portland, OR Thank you so much for your contribution and support. We are fascinated by your reTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

search on Zajal, the Palestinian art form of improvised folk poetry often sung at weddings (by, we wonder, Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf, among others?). We applaud your personal and professional dedication to the preservation of Palestinian history and culture. In the interest of full disclosure, managing editor Janet McMahon would like to attest to your linguistic expertise as well—since you were her first Arabic teacher, at Portland State University!

“Nakba Survivors” First, I would like to thank you for everything you do to support my people through your publication. Every single effort is very appreciated.

Earlier today I read Delinda Hanley’s fine article in the June/July issue (p. 53) about Annemarie Jacir’s movie, “When I saw You.” Well done!

Also, her article about the 65th Anniversary of the Nakba (p. 36) gave me an idea I would like to share with you: What if Palestinians start introducing themselves as “Nakba survivors” instead of being labeled as refugees? Perhaps Palestinians should also build museums focusing on the Nakba in countries around the world— even if they are not supported by taxpayer dollars, as is the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. Manal Hilana, via e-mail We very much like your premise: that the term “Holocaust survivors” as well as the presence of Holocaust museums (of which there are many throughout this country) tend to reinforce the perception that the European Holocaust is the only historically important event of its kind. A change in language can indeed result in an important and sorely needed change in thinking.

A New Alliance The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a faith-based coalition of 34,000 churches comprising 15 demoninations and 5

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15.7 million African-American churchgoers, is happy to work with the Washington Report to make copies of your informative and important magazine available to NBCI members. The Middle East is important to our faith because it is where Jesus walked and taught the early Christians who shaped our Christian faith. We all need to know the truth about the Holy Land.

Rev. Anthony Evans, Washington, DC We look forward to a productive working relationship with you and NBCI members, with whom we share basic values and principles. In addition to providing information the mainstream media seems committed to withhold from Americans, we know we will learn from you as well.

Never Surprised I am never surprised any longer regarding the many unkind acts and deeds of Israel supporters. People who are open and “progressive” on nearly every issue suddenly clam up and switch to drastic positions when it comes to Israel. I always hear statements like, “They are surrounded by enemies” or “They are victims of the Holocaust and must do this to protect themselves from so many enemies.”

All kinds of folks who were livid about apartheid in South Africa now “understand apartheid” if Israel deems to practice segregation. The fear of being anti-Semitic has a real hold on so many usually reasonable thinking people.

Only one time have I been in Israel, and that was at least 25 years ago when without a tour I wandered around for a little over a week. I stayed for the most part in the Armenian Christian section of

Jerusalem. It was during the summer and the host embarrassingly told me that the water to the small hotel-restaurant was basically turned off. I liked the location and people at this inn and even returned there a few days later after additional travels.

The water was still a trickle. The owner told me that the government frequently did this during the height of the tourist season. He added that just a few streets away, in the Jewish section, there would be no water problems.

Richard H. Curtiss, Boynton Beach, FL As you note, supporters of Zionist Israel would not tolerate such acts of segregation and cruel discriminaton here at home!

A Patriotic Duty I am relieved to know that my $100 donation check was not lost! There is no question of my giving up on the Washington Report, because by championing the Palestinians’ long-waged struggle for justice your magazine is rendering a great patriotic service to our country in ways too obvious to need mention. I see supporting the Washington Report as my patriotic duty.

M. Habib Quader, via e-mail Thank you for your vote of confidence! It has always been our strong belief that justice for the Palestinians means justice for Americans as well. In the latter case it’s a matter of Washington not putting the interests of a foreign country above those of its own citizens.

A “Spontaneous” Overthrow?

Please find enclosed a check for the AET Library Endowment. I want to thank you again for all the work you do in the name of justice.

The events in Egypt concern me: Other Voices is an optional I am afraid that a few years from 16-page supplement availnow we will find able only to subscribers of the out that the “spontaneous” overWashington Report on throw of MoMiddle East Affairs. For an adhamed Morsi will ditional $15 per year (see be proven to be similar to the postcard insert for Wash “spontaneous” ington Re port subscripoverthrow of Mohamed Mosadegh tion rates), subscribers will in Iran. I suspect receive Other Voices bound into each issue of their that American and Israeli fingerprints Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. will be found on Back issues of both publications are available. To subthe scheme that deposed Egypt’s scribe telephone 1 (888) 881-5861, fax (714) 226-9733, first democratically e-mail <circulation@wrmea.org>, or write to P.O. Box elected president.

91056, Long Beach, CA 90809-1056.

Clyde Farris, West Linn, OR

6

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

We are extremely grateful for your steadfast support over the years. Without the support of you and your fellow angels, the Washington Report would never have survived for three decades—and counting!

When we heard that the July 3 overthrow of Egypt’s democratically elected president seemed to bring an immediate end to gasoline shortages and the paucity of police protection, we were reminded of the 1973 overthrow of Chile’s President Salvador Allende

by Gen. Augusto Pinochet. That coup, widely acknowledged to have been supported and assisted by Washington, was followed by decades of repression. We fervently hope the people of Egypt do not suffer the same fate, and that the U.S. government will realize that the suppression of democracy is against its interests—not to mention its principles.

The Power That Be The Ian Williams piece on President Obama’s nomination for U.S. permanent representative to the U.N. (August 2013 Washington Report, p. 18) seems to be confused whether Ms. Power(s) is singular or plural.

The first two columns style her as “Power,” but the third column consistently refers to her as “Powers.”

Since the Washington Report will be writing extensively about her in coming issues you may want to ask someone to check it out and then post a sign in the newsroom.

Amb. Holsey Handyside, via e-mail Our newsroom is indeed where such a reminder would belong! When U.N. correspondent Williams valiantly submitted his August column despite suffering from a concussion, he warned us to check it carefully—a warning we clearly failed to heed. We were somewhat consoled by a recent Washington Post “In the Loop” column in which Al Kamen referred only to Samantha “Powers”—at least we got it right some of the time! On the other hand, we like to think that we hold ourselves to higher standards than the Post.

Casey Kasem Not Late Tony Saidy, M.D., who reads the Washington Report as soon as it arrives, just called to tell me that on p. 6 of your August issue there’s a letter that, among other things, refers to “the late Casey Kasem.” Casey is 81 years old but is not yet “late.”

Don Bustany, via e-mail We are familiar with—and grateful for— the eagle eye of Dr. Tony Saidy (see Sen. James Abourezk’s profile of the international chess master on p. 38 of the May/June 2009 Washington Report). The good news is that Casey Kasem is indeed alive—and that letter writer Erna Lund was right when she described him as a “pioneer in justice for the voiceless and vulnerable.” ❑ SEPTEMBER 2013

publishers_7_SEPTEMBER 2013 Publishers page 8/8/13 3:10 PM Page 7

American Educational Trust

Publishers’ Page

Road to Another War?

Repeat of History…

PHOTO BY CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY IMAGES

In recent weeks we’ve seen Congress ignore expert advice and instead cast votes for even tougher new sanctions against Iran that will undermine its newly elected president, Hassan Rowhani, and boost hardliners opposed to a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear standoff. This seems distressingly like a…

LEFT: Among this summer’s Washington Report interns were (l-r) Tessa Martin, Coral Kasirer, Abby Sherburne, Mallika Patkar and Manaal Farooqi, who may be future journalists who will ask “Why?” RIGHT: Helen Thomas in her front-row seat in the White House press room, July 11, 2007.

When harsh U.S. sanctions closed the door to diplomacy with Iraq and ultimately led to war. “Why aren’t we at least curious to find out whether or not President Rowhani means that he wants to pursue this course of peace?” asked Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) before the vote. ”Why are we slapping his hand down, when apparently the Iranian people are willing to support a candidate who is willing to extend a hand?”

Peace Talks or More of the Same?

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry finally convinced the Israelis and Palestinians to hold talks on so-called “final status” issues that would settle the Arab-Israeli conflict once and for all. But then he named Martin Indyk, former research director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and co-founder of its spinoff Washington Institute for Near East Policy, as U.S. special envoy to the Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations. Is this the equivalent of asking the wolf—and one with a long record of failure at that—to tend to the Middle East chicken coop? See p. 12 for “Two Views” on the question.

And if an Agreement Is Reached?

On July 28 the Israeli government approved a measure that would require a public referendum on any peace agreement that involves withdrawing from land Israel captured in 1967, when it launched the Six-Day War. But a recent poll conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University found that 63 percent of Israeli Jews oppose a withdrawal to the 1967 lines, with land swaps, as any part of a peace agreement—even assuming Israel hangs onto Ariel, Ma’ale Adumim and other settlement blocs. A majority (58 SEPTEMBER 2013

percent) oppose dismantling the other settlements; half oppose the transfer of Arab neighborhoods in Jerusalem to Palestinian control with a special arrangement for Jewish holy sites; three-quarters (77 percent) oppose any agreement that recognizes the principle of the right of return for Palestinian refugees; and just under half (49 percent) say Arab Israelis should have no say in this national referendum. Perhaps Indyk is merely presiding over…

An Exercise in Futility.

Al Jazeera America Coming to Town.

As the new U.S. network Al Jazeera America (AJAM) prepares to launch what it promises will be a serious, hard-hitting news channel on Aug. 20, there is some debate as to whether Americans will even watch it. “This is an age of celebrity journalism,…of talking heads and opinion,” said Lawrence Pintak, a former Middle East correspondent for CBS News and an expert on the future of journalism in a digital/globalized world. AJAM plans to do what CNN once did: broadcast nonpartisan, boots-on-the-ground reporting from cities and towns across the country and around the world, 24/7. We believe our readers, young and old, are the news-thirsty audience AJAM hopes to find and serve.

Helen Thomas Asked “Why?” When we spoke with Helen Thomas over the past few years, she railed against the state of American media. News reporting has gotten “more one-sided,” she said.

Journalists have “lost impartiality”; “Media is so distorted that truth will not prevail”; THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

America has lost its ethics thanks to being “bombarded by tabloid journalism,” she lamented on various occasions. On the other hand, she applauded Al Jazeera English for doing a “bang-up job.” She continued to ask the core questions: “Why aren’t Americans asking the right questions? Why don’t they ask why we’re going to war across the world? Why?”

Inspirational Interns.

This summer nine interns passed through our doors, each of them spending part of their summer making a real difference. Our intern coordinator, Alex Begley, and assistant editor, Dale Sprusansky, helped them navigate a rigorous training program. In turn, these young people taught us a thing or two about the power of social media, infographics, and the joy of working with the next generation of journalists, entrepreneurs, diplomats and leaders. We’d like to thank Hanna El-amrawi, Manaal Farooqi, Coral Kasirer, Basil Khoury, Tessa Martin, Mallika Patkar, Antoine Rigaut, Awrad Saleh and Abby Sherburne for their commitment and hard work. They put on successful events (see p.

65) and located contact information for special outreach programs aimed at locating new subscribers, including student groups, heads of NGOs, writers of terrific letters to newspaper editors across the country, and potential advertisers and donors. They inspired us—and, as they head back to school or launch their careers, we hope the feeling was mutual.

A Helen Thomas Internship.

In the future we’d like to do more than pay our interns for each story they write and photo they take. They’re dedicating their time to help the Washington Report, and we want to do right by them. We would love to launch (and fund) a Helen Thomas internship program. Please help us train the next generation of lawmakers and journalists— not to mention media consumers—to honor the legacy of Helen Thomas, ask the right questions and...

Make a Difference Today!

7

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The Coup That Wasn’t: When Policy Overrides the Facts SpecialReport

AFP/GETTY IMAGES

By Rachelle Marshall

Egyptian children in Alexandria hold masks of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi as families gather to perform the Eid al-Fitr prayer ending Ramadan, Aug. 8, 2013. uestion: When is a military takeover

Qof a democratically elected govern-

ment not a coup? Answer: When Israel’s security is thought to be at stake. Question: When is the president of the United States free to violate federal law? Answer: When it stands in the way of his policy.

There is no disagreement over what happened in Egypt on July 3. The Egyptian military suspended the constitution, forcibly ousted President Mohamed Morsi from office, imprisoned him and dozens of members of his government, and ordered the arrests of more than 600 members of the Muslim Brotherhood. All have since been held incommunicado. Al Jazeera and other media deemed “dangerous to the public order” were shut down, and the government is preparing to charge Morsi with treason.

Adli Mansour, a senior judge under Hosni Mubarak, was quickly appointed president, with Mohamed ElBaradei, Nobel laureate and former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, named vice president. On July 16 Mansour swore in a cabinet that included three women and three Christians, but Egypt’s de facto Rachelle Marshall is a free-lance editor living in Mill Valley, CA. A member of Jewish Voice for Peace, she writes frequently on the Middle East.

8

ruler is Gen. Abdul Fattah el-Sisi, the leader of the coup and the army’s top commander. He will act as deputy to the prime minister as well as defense minister.

A Brotherhood spokesman said the party was not offered a post but in any case would have refused to join what it regards as an illegitimate government. The fact that the military holds ultimate power is reassuring news for Israel and the U.S., which have close ties to el-Sisi. He studied at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is a familiar presence in Washington, and has overseen Egypt’s participation in a number of joint war games and intelligence operations with Israel.

The army takeover was not such good news for Egyptian women. When soldiers broke up anti-Mubarak demonstrations in Tahrir Square last March, women were beaten and manhandled. El-Sisi ordered those who were arrested to be stripsearched and forced to undergo virginity tests (see May 2012 Washington Report, p.

44). The state-owned newspaper Al Ahram said the purpose was “to protect girls from rape as well as protect soldiers and officers from rape accusations.”

After ousting Morsi, the army quickly indicated it would tolerate no opposition.

Mass arrests continued, and Fahmy Bahgat, a spokesman for the security services, THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

warned that “Whoever tries to show any support for the ousted president will be met with the utmost resolve.” But the worst was yet to come. On July 8, as demonstrators held a peaceful sit-in outside the headquarters of the Republican Guard demanding Morsi’s release, soldiers fired into the crowd, chasing those who tried to flee. By the time the shooting stopped, 51 protestors were dead and at least 400 were wounded. One soldier and two policemen were killed, one of them by friendly fire.

Witnesses, evidence from video footage, and Amnesty International agreed that soldiers had fired without provocation, but government prosecutors blamed Morsi supporters for inciting the violence and hinted strongly that the Muslim Brotherhood might be banned, as it was under Mubarak. On July 28 Egyptian security forces again fired into a crowd of Brotherhood supporters, this time killing 72 people and wounding hundreds more. Despite videos clearly showing police firing, 73 pro-Morsi protestors were arrested and many charged with murder.

“It’s the same old story,” a Brotherhood spokesman said. “They kill a few of us and stick the charge on us, the criminal police manufacture the necessary evidence, the judiciary complies, and they put us in jail.”

The Obama administration’s first reaction was to deny that a coup had taken place. White House spokesman Jay Carney referred to the “tens of millions of Egyptians [with] legitimate grievances” who had demanded a new government. “They do not believe this was a coup,” he said.

But Prof. Emad Shahin of American University in Cairo disagreed. “What do you call it when police, state security, old members of the National Democratic Party all rally to bring down the regime?” he asked.

Even congressional hawk Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said, “The United States should not be supporting this coup.”

The day after the massacre by the Egyptian army, the White House announced that the U.S. would continue to send $1.3 billion a year in aid to the Egyptian military. The Foreign Assistance Act prohibits all aid except for democratic purposes to “any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup d’état or where the military plays a decisive role in a coup.”

It allows for no presidential waiver. With Israel’s interests at stake, however, the law took second place.

The long-standing aid package to the SEPTEMBER 2013

Egyptian army is an insurance policy that guarantees Egypt’s adherence to the 1979 peace treaty with Israel and its cooperation in clamping down on Hamas and other Palestinian resistance forces. In an interagency conference call on July 8, the White House emphasized that aid to Egypt’s military was necessary to safeguard U.S. security, Israel’s safety, and stability in the Middle East.

It’s true that Morsi had made serious mistakes. He failed to appoint officials from a diversity of political and sectarian groups, and rushed through a constitution that lacked sufficient protections for minority groups. But the massive anti-Morsi demonstrations in Cairo and other cities that preceded the army’s takeover were mainly a reaction to the worsening economy, the shortage of gasoline, frequent blackouts, and the rising crime rate.

As soon as Morsi was gone, conditions magically improved. Almost overnight police returned to the streets, gasoline was in full supply and power cuts came to an end.

The reason for the seeming miracle was all too clear. The state bureaucracy and judiciary established during the 30 years of Mubarak’s rule remained in place after Morsi’s election, and the military continued to control major sectors of the economy. All of these were in a position to undermine Morsi and did.

Egypt’s overnight recovery was substantially aided by Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Emirates, whose rulers see the rise of Islamic democracy as a threat to their own regimes, and for whom regional stability is a first priority. They had withheld muchneeded funding from Egypt as long as Morsi was in office, but as soon as he was ousted billions of dollars began flowing to the new regime.

The Egyptian public was meanwhile becoming increasingly polarized, as crowds continued to demand Morsi’s return to office and increasingly bloody confrontations took place between Brotherhood supporters and security forces. The Obama administration sent Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns to Cairo in mid-July to urge both sides to reconcile and enter negotiations. “We have called on the military to avoid any politically motivated arrests,” Burns said. “If representatives of some of the largest parties in Egypt are detained or excluded, how are dialogue and participation possible?”

The military ignored Burns’ message, and as crowds continued to demand Morsi’s release, el-Sisi called for massive street demonstrations against the Brotherhood, saying they would give him “a mandate” to confront what he called terrorism.

This was too much for Obama. Alarmed at the increasingly chaotic situation and Morsi’s continued detention, he sent anSEPTEMBER 2013

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Israeli police on Road 65 near Arara, Israel, fire tear gas at Arab citizens protesting the government’s Prawer-Begin Plan, which, if implemented, will displace tens of thousands of Bedouin citizens from their homes in the Negev desert, Aug. 1, 2013. other message to the military canceling delivery of the F-16s. “Trying to break the neck of the Brotherhood is not going to be good for Egypt or for the region,” a White House official explained.

For Israel, the ousting of Morsi was a mixed blessing. Israel’s closeness to the Egyptian military, and especially to Gen. el-Sisi, means the Zionist state is assured of a strong ally on its border. On the other hand, continuing turmoil in Egypt could be a source of future danger. While Morsi was in power, Israeli-Egyptian security coordination in the Sinai was closer than it had been under Mubarak, and Morsi had proved helpful in arranging a cease-fire last November between Hamas and Israel.

For Hamas, the future looks bleak. Last October the emir of Qatar visited Gaza and pledged $400 million for housing and other infrastructure. But because travel restrictions imposed by the military make it difficult to get to Gaza, the aid projects have been suspended. The army also has shut down most of the tunnels Gazans relied on for basic goods, construction materials and fuel. (See story on p. 15 of this issue.) Taxes collected from the tunnel traffic normally make up a third of Hamas’s budget. Gazans now have to pay twice as much for fuel from Israel, and the shortage of constructions materials has thrown 50,000 Gazans out of work.

The most worrisome aspect of Egypt’s military coup is that it could lead to more extremism in the region. Millions of Egyptian Muslims have learned once again that the political process doesn’t work for them, and victory at the polls can be snatched away while the Western democracies look THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

the other way. They undoubtedly remember that Algeria’s Islamic Salvation Front won a fair election in 1992 only to have the army nullify the results and throw thousands of Islamists into prison.

Hamas won a fair election in 2006—in both Gaza and the West Bank—only to have Israel imprison some 30 Hamas legislators and deny Hamas any role in governing the West Bank. A year later, Hamas successfully resisted a U.S.-Israeli effort to oust it from Gaza, and Israel retaliated by imposing collective punishment on the the people of Gaza with a blockade.

Unless the Egyptian coup leaders restore full democracy soon, militants will have little difficulty in persuading disaffected young people that the political process is a sham and that violence, not peaceful organizing, is the way to gain their rights. If President Obama is truly determined to prevent terrorism he should pressure elSisi to release all political prisoners, allow the media to operate freely, and restore Morsi to office until early elections can be held—a compromise Morsi’s supporters may well agree to.

As events in Egypt unfolded, Israeli leaders were unusually quiet, reluctant to fan anti-Israel sentiment on either side. But a long overdue decision by the European Union in mid-July to ban EU financial, educational, and cultural cooperation with Israeli settlements and institutions connected with them (see p. 11) aroused cries of outrage. Housing Minister Uri Ariel called it “racist” and compared it to Nazi boycotts of Jews; Israeli newspaper editorials and other cabinet members called it “discriminatory” and “hypocritical.” An 9

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Iran’s New President Offers Reconciliation, as Netanyahu Calls for War IN ANGRILY REJECTING the EU’s decision to ban dealings with Israeli settlements, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said he would not accept what he called “external dictates.” He has no compunction, however, when it comes to imposing dictates on the U.S. Hardly a month after the surprise election of liberal reformer Hassan Rowhani as Iran’s president, Netanyahu was on CBS’ “Face the Nation” demanding that Iran be forced to abandon its nuclear program. Rowhani, he said, was “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Netanyahu declared that Iran must stop all enrichment of nuclear material, remove all enriched uranium from the country, and shut down its nuclear facilities, and he urged that these demands be backed up by increasingly harsher sanctions. Addressing President Barack Obama directly, he said, “They have to know you’ll be prepared to take military action; that’s the only thing that will get their attention.” Since there is no chance that any Iranian leader would agree to give up Iran’s right under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, Netanyahu was in effect urging Obama to go to war.

The day after the broadcast, a group of 29 prominent American diplomats, military officers and national security experts sent a letter to Obama that was clearly a response to Netanyahu. They called Rowhani’s election “a major potential opportunity to reinvigorate diplomatic efforts to resolve the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program,” and urged the U.S. to respond positively.

The final decision on whether Iran builds a bomb is up to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has repeatedly declared that Iran has no intention of doing so. Rowhani does, however, have considerable leeway in negotiating with the West, and he clearly wants improved relations with the U.S. As a negotiator in 2004, he was behind Iran’s decision to suspend uranium en-

unnamed U.S. official said the EU decision was “unhelpful.”

The Israelis also accused the EU of undermining Secretary of State John Kerry’s peacemaking efforts by leading the Palestinians to believe they could get what they want without negotiating. “Why enter the give and take of negotiations when you can just take what is offered by international bodies?” a senior official asked— conveniently ignoring the fact that a close, nonbinding vote by the U.N. General Assembly in 1947 became the justification for Israel’s creation and subsequent expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

Kerry resumed his efforts in late July with a visit to the Middle East that concentrated on Arab leaders and included a fivehour session with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Kerry’s aim was limited to bringing the Palestinians back to the negotiating table, and this time he succeeded.

The carrot was development aid for the Palestinian economy, an offer backed up by the Arab League, which undoubtedly offered to provide additional funds.

For Palestinians it was a bargain based on desperation. It calls for the U.S. to declare the pre-1967 borders as the basis for talks, along with recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, but does not require either Netanyahu or Abbas to agree to those terms. The Palestinian Authority’s financial straits left Abbas little choice but to accept what the Authority’s planning director, 10

richment in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, but withdrew the offer when the Western powers demanded more concessions.

In 2005 Rowhani and French President Jacques Chirac proposed a plan whereby the West would recognize Iran’s legitimate rights under the NPT, including the right to enrich uranium. Iran in turn would give guarantees to be monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency that its nuclear program was solely for peaceful purposes. The Bush administration turned down the proposal and insisted that Iran give up all enrichment.

Iranian negotiators have since hardened their position.

Talks between Iran, the U.S. and five aditional nations are expected to resume in August, but this time without Saeed Jalili, the hard-line conservative who led Iran’s previous negotiating teams and who ran far behind Rowhani in Iran’s recent elections. The fact that the Iranian people overwhelmingly supported a moderate suggests they are as tired of rigidity on the part of their leaders as they are of the hardships imposed by the West.

The sooner the sanctions are lifted the sooner Rowhani will be able to fulfill his promises to the Iranian people of a more open society, with greater freedom and less intrusion into their personal lives. He blamed extremists for many of Iran’s troubles, saying tolerance was necessary in order to achieve progress. “We must accept various trends and tastes,” he said shortly after his election.

Iranians and others in the Middle East can only hope Obama will resist pressure from Israel and its U.S. supporters and press for an agreement that recognizes Iran’s legitimate rights while requiring Iran to allow international inspection of its nuclear facilities. Iran is a nation with a rich culture and the potential to be a major influence in the Middle East. But only when friendship is restored between the U.S. and Iran can there be lasting peace in the region.

—R.M.

Ahmad Abbas, said was “the best option among evil ones.”

Negotiations were scheduled to begin in Washington in early August but are certain to run aground on the same issues that bogged down previous talks: Israel’s 1967 borders, the future of Jerusalem, the refugees’ right of return, release of prisoners, and an end to settlement construction.

There is no evidence the Obama administration will press Israel on these issues.

On the contrary, Kerry named as mediator of the talks Martin Indyk, an open supporter of Israel who has twice served as U.S. ambassador to Jerusalem and was former president Clinton’s special assistant for the Middle East (see p. 12). He was an early member of AIPAC and a founder and director of its think tank, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Indyk has at times been critical of Israeli leaders, however. As a negotiator at the Camp David peace talks in 2000 he joined Clinton in blaming Yasser Arafat for the failure of the talks, but in his book Innocent Abroad, published nine years later, he admitted that no Arab statesman could have accepted what then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak had offered—a collection of water-starved enclaves on the West Bank separated by highways, Jewish settlements, and military bases.

The Israelis are likely to take an even harder stand in the coming negotiations.

“There is no majority for a two-state soluTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

tion within Israel’s governing coalition,” Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon said on the Times of Israel website. Naftali Bennett, head of the Jewish Home party, agrees. “The idea that a Palestinian state should be established within the land of Israel has reached a dead end,” he told a settlers’ group. Centrist Israelis who favor a two-state solution are all but invisible.

Netanyahu is less straightforward than Danon but he has made his intentions clear. Speaking at a newly built elementary school in a Jewish settlement in late June, the prime minister told the children, “We are here today to deepen our roots,” and promised them, “We will continue to develop our land.” That message is certain to be delivered to Americans as well by Israel’s new ambassador to the U.S., Ron Dermer, when he takes office next fall.

Dermer is a native of Miami Beach who renounced his American citizenship in 2005 to take a job in the Israeli Embassy in Washington. He is one of Netanyahu’s closest friends and confidants and his chief speech writer. Dermer also has close ties to right-wing Republicans and was an ardent supporter of Mitt Romney in 2012. Not surprisingly, his appointment was warmly welcomed by Abraham H. Foxman, director of the pro-Israel Anti-Defamation League. “His life epitomizes the relationship between Israel and America,” Foxman said of Dermer. Alas, the statement is all too accurate. ❑ SEPTEMBER 2013

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Will European “Earthquake” Lead to Israeli-Palestinian Peace?

SpecialReport

By John V. Whitbeck

ple traveling on other passports but known to be resident in occupied Palestine would be turned away at directive, to be effective Jan. 1, the EU’s borders.

2014, which, according to the IsUnder both the Geneva Convenraeli newspaper Haaretz, was detions and the Rome Statute estabscribed by a senior Israeli official as lishing the International Criminal an “earthquake.”

Court, settlement activity in occuThis directive forbids any form pied territory is a war crime. of EU funding or cooperation with Surely, the EU will not wish to any entity established or operating open its gates to and welcome war in “the territories occupied by Iscriminals and those complicit in rael since 1967,” which “comprise war crimes. the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip It is also clear and important that and the West Bank, including East most non-Arab Israelis do not seek Jerusalem.” Furthermore, the dito integrate into their region but, rective requires that any future rather, view their country as an agreements between EU states and oasis of European civilization in a Israel or any Israeli entity must injungle of primitive Arabs and Musclude a clause specifically asserting lims. They take great pleasure in that those occupied territories are their participation as a European not part of the State of Israel. state in European football and basThis directive constitutes powerketball competitions and even in ful evidence that European pathe annual Eurovision Song Contience with Israeli intransigence test. (Suspending Israeli participaand defiance of international law is tion in all these competitions running out and that the EU may would also be a hugely construcnow have embarked on a course of tive step.) Some even aspire to EU action which will lead to further membership for Israel. and stronger initiatives consistent Accordingly, such a visa policy with international law and a more would have profoundly construcethical foreign policy.

Two potential initiatives imme- The SodaStream carbonation device is largely manufactured tive consequences on both the in the industrial zone of Ma’ale Adumim, the giant illegal practical and psychological levels. diately come to mind.

Illegal settlers finding the gates of In light of the clear and unam- settlement built to the east of Jerusalem with the intention of Europe closed to them would have biguous EU position that Israel’s sealing Israel’s permanent hold on the city. a clear and compelling incentive to borders are exclusively those existing prior to the 1967 Six-Day War, there is ognize the State of Palestine within its full move back to the “right side” of the Green no legal or logical reason for those EU pre-1967 borders, notwithstanding its 46- Line, and Israelis (and others) not yet on states not yet among the 132 U.N. member year-long occupation by the state of Israel, the “wrong side” of the Green Line would states which already have extended diplo- the writing would be clearly on the wall— have a clear and compelling incentive not matic recognition to the State of Palestine and the end of the occupation and the to move to an illegal settlement. This could within its full pre-1967 borders to continue transformation of the current two-state le- only enhance the chances for peace.

Those Israelis living in Israel would be to refrain from doing so. Those borders, as gality under international law into a derecognized in the U.N. General Assembly’s cent two-state reality on the ground would annoyed and inconvenienced by these new resolution of Nov. 29, 2012, confirming become only a question of when, no longer visa requirements, which would exact from them a practical and psychological Palestine’s state status, comprise precisely of whether.

In addition, the EU should require all Is- “cost” for their government’s continuing and exclusively that portion of the former Palestine Mandate which the EU does not raelis wishing to visit any EU country to occupation of Palestine and which should obtain a visa for which documentary evi- increase the proportion of Israelis on the recognize as Israel’s sovereign territory.

If all or almost all EU states were to rec- dence of residence in Israel (or in another “right side” of the Green Line who believe country other than occupied Palestine) that the occupation is having an adverse John V. Whitbeck is an international lawyer would be required. Those Israelis resident impact on the quality of their own lives who has advised the Palestinian negotiating in occupied Palestine would not be allowed and that the time has come to end it. team in negotiations with Israel. to visit any EU country, and any such peoContinued on page 14 n July 18, the European

JONATHAN LEIBSON/GETTY IMAGES FOR PMC

OUnion published a binding

SEPTEMBER 2013

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

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Two Views

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Same Old, Same Old “Negotiations”?

At a July 29 press conference, Secretary of State John Kerry (r) announces that he has selected former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk to head Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that began later that evening.

The Turkey Under the Table

By Uri Avnery

hen you have a conflict between two W parties, the way to solve it is clear: you put them in the same room, let them thrash out their differences and emerge with a reasonable solution acceptable to both.

For example, a conflict between a wolf and a lamb. Put them in the same room, let them thrash out their differences and emerge with…

Just a moment. The wolf emerges. Now where’s that lamb?

If you have a conflict between two parties who are like a wolf and a lamb, you must have a third party in the room, just to make sure that Party 1 does not have Party 2 for dinner while the talks are going on.

The balance of power between Israel and the Palestinian Authority is like that between a wolf and a lamb. In almost every respect—economic, military, political— Israel has a vast advantage.

This is a fact of life. It is up to the Third Uri Avnery, a former member of the Israeli Knesset, is a founder of Gush Shalom, <www.gush-shalom.org>.

12

Party to balance this somehow.

Can it be done? Will it be done?

I have always liked John Kerry. He radiates an air of honesty, sincerity, that seems real. His dogged efforts command respect.

The announcement that he has at long last achieved even the first stage of talks between the parties can give some room for optimism.

As Mao said: A march of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

A meeting of delegates to work out the preliminary details began in Washington July 29. So far so good.

The first question is: who will be the third person? The person named to this delicate task is Martin Indyk, a veteran former State Department officer.

This is a problematic choice. Indyk is Jewish and very much involved in Jewish and Zionist activity. He was born in England and grew up in Australia. He served twice as U.S. ambassador to Israel.

Right-wing Israelis object to him because he is active in left-wing Israeli institutions. He is a member of the board of the New Israel Fund, which gives financial support to moderate Israeli peace organizations and is demonized by the extreme THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

rightists around Binyamin Netanyahu.

Palestinians may well ask whether among the 300 million U.S. citizens there is not a single non-Jew who can manage this job. For many years now it has been the case that almost all American officials dealing with the Israeli-Arab problem have been Jews. And almost all of them later went on to be officials in Zionist thinktanks and other organizations.

If the U.S. had been called upon to referee negotiations between, say, Egypt and Ethiopia, would they have appointed an Ethiopian-American?

I have met Indyk several times, generally at diplomatic receptions (not U.S. Embassy receptions, to which I was not invited). Once I sent him a letter connected with his name.

The story about the Indyk is well known to anyone versed in Jewish folklore. It was told by a very influential Jewish rabbi, Nachman of Braslaw (1772-1810), who has many followers even today in Israel.

Once upon a time there was this prince who suffered under the delusion that he was an indyk (turkey in Yiddish—from the Hebrew for Indian hen). He was sitting naked under a table and eating only crumbs thrown to him.

After all the doctors failed to cure him, a wise rabbi undertook the task. He stripped off his clothes, sat naked under the table and started acting like an indyk too. Step by step he convinced the prince that an indyk may wear clothes, eat regular food and, in the end, sit at the table instead of under it. That way the prince was cured.

Some might say that this story has a direct bearing on his new job. Two naked Indyks are now under the table, and his job will be to get them to sit at the table and talk seriously about peace.

True, the Palestinians are used to having crumbs thrown to them, but they may now demand some real food.

The chances for any peace negotiations may be assessed by the atmosphere prevailing on both sides, the terminology they use and the internal discussions they conduct.

These are not very inspiring.

In Israel almost nobody uses the word “peace.” Even Tzipi Livni, who will be in charge of the negotiations on our side, talks only about a “final-status agreement” that would “put an end to the conflict,” not “put an end to the occupation.”

Most Israelis ignore the event altogether, believing that Netanyahu’s and Mahmoud SEPTEMBER 2013

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Abbas’ sole aim is to abort the negotiations in such a way as to put the onus on the other side. Most Palestinians believe the same. Peace is definitely not in the air.

However, a poll conducted in July showed that a large majority of Israelis—55 to 25 (or, to percentualize it, 69 to 31)— would vote in a referendum for a peace agreement achieved by the prime minister.

I have never had any doubt about this.

The idea of holding a referendum about a peace agreement is now being advocated by the right and resisted by the left. I am in favor. Without a solid majority, it would in any case be almost impossible for any government to remove settlements. And I believe that any concrete agreement accepted by a credible Palestinian leadership and recommended by the U.S. will receive a resounding “Yes” in a referendum.

Most of the experts say that Israel should not strive for an endgame agreement, but for a more modest “interim” agreement.

They cite the old Jewish adage: “He who wants to catch too much catches nothing.”

I beg to disagree.

First, there is the saying that you cannot cross an abyss in two jumps. No stopping in the middle. We quoted this saying to Yitzhak Rabin after Oslo.

The fatal flaw of the Oslo agreement was that it was all interim. The final aim was not stated. For the Palestinians it was clear that the aim was the setting up of the State of Palestine in all the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem. For the Israeli side, this was not clear at all. Absent an agreement on that, every interim step became a point of contention. If you want to go by train from Paris to Berlin, the intermediate stations are different from the ones on the way to Madrid.

Oslo gave up its poor soul somewhere along the way with the endless wrangling about the “safe passage” between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the “third withdrawal” and such.

The only way to proceed is first of all to reach an agreement on the “core issues.”

This can be implemented over some time— though I would not recommend that either.

Israeli-Palestinian peace is a huge step in the history of the two peoples. If we have the courage to do it, let’s do it, for God’s sake, without lying down along the way and crying.

At the moment, the great riddle is: what has Kerry promised each side in secret?

The method seems sound. Since the two sides could not agree on anything, and each demanded that the other start negotiations “without pre-conditions” while posing a lot of pre-conditions themselves, SEPTEMBER 2013

Kerry chose a different way.

It is based on a simple logic: in the American-Israeli-Palestinian triangle, almost all decisions will have to be made two-to-one.

In practice, each side needs American support to get its demands accepted.

So, instead of trying to achieve the impossible—Israeli-Palestinian agreement on the basis of the negotiations—America gave each side a promise to support it on certain points.

For example, at a guess: a promise that the U.S. will support the Palestinians on the border issue. The border will be based on the Green Line with reasonable land swaps. Also, on freezing settlements while the negotiations go on. On the other hand, the U.S. will support Israel on the definition of Israel as a “Jewish” state and on the (non-)return of Palestinian refugees.

In the past, the U.S. has broken such promises without blushing. For example, before the Camp David meeting, President Bill Clinton gave Yasser Arafat a solid promise that he would blame neither side for a failure. (Since the meeting was convened without the slightest preparation, failure was predictable.) After the conference, Clinton put the blame squarely—and wrongly—on Arafat, a vile act of political opportunism, designed to help his wife get elected in New York.

In spite of such experiences, Abbas put his trust in Kerry. It seems that Kerry has the gift of inspiring such trust. Let’s hope he does not squander it.

So, with or without a turkey to keep the wolf from devouring the lamb, and in spite of all the past disappointments, let’s hope that this time real negotiations get going and lead toward peace. The alternative is too dismal to contemplate.

Reviving the Israel-Palestine Negotiations: The Indyk Appointment

By Richard Falk

ppointing Martin Indyk as Special A Envoy to the ongoing peace talks was to be expected. It was signaled in advance.

And yet it is revealing and distressing.

The only other candidates considered for the job were equally known as Israeli partisans: Daniel Kurtzer, former ambassador to Israel before becoming commissioner of Israel’s Baseball League, and Dennis Ross, co-founder in the 1980s (with Indyk) of the AIPAC-backed Washington Institute for Near East Policy; he handled the 2000 Camp David negotiations on behalf of President Bill Clinton.

The winner among these three was Martin Indyk, former ambassador to Israel (1995-97; 2000-01), onetime AIPAC employee, British born, Australian educated American diplomat, with a long list of proIsraeli credentials.

Does it not seem strange for the United States, the convening party and the unconditional supporter of Israel, to rely exclusively for diplomatic guidance in this concerted effort to revive the peace talks on persons with such strong and unmistakable pro-Israeli credentials?

What is stranger, still, is that the media Richard Falk, an international law and international relations scholar who taught at Princeton University for 40 years, is U.N. special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. He blogs at <http://richardfalk. wordpress.com>, where this article was first posted June 30.

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13

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never bothers to observe and the prospects for a uni‘Nuff Said: this peculiarity of a negotified Palestinian leadership ating framework in which will be put on indefinite APN Welcomes Indyk Appointment the side with massive adhold. Not a pretty picture. vantages in hard and soft This picture is made Washington, DC—Americans for Peace Now (APN) welcomes the appower, as well as great more macabre when acpointment of Ambassador Martin Indyk to be Secretary Kerry’s special envoy diplomatic and media count is taken of the wider to Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and welcomes the Israeli and Palestinian neleverage, needs to be furregional scene, especially gotiating teams to Washington.

APN’s President and CEO Debra DeLee said: ther strengthened by the horrifying civil war in “Ambassador Indyk is an experienced diplomat and a brilliant analyst. He having the mediating third Syria and the bloody milihas the skills, the depth of knowledge, and the force of personality to serve party so clearly in its tary coup in Egypt. Not to Secretary Kerry as an excellent envoy. He knows the issues, he knows the corner. Is this numbness or be forgotten, as well, are Isleaders and the negotiators, and he has a proven record of commitment to bias? Are we so accusraeli threats directed at peace and to a progressive Israel that lives up to its founding fathers’ vision of tomed to a biased frameIran, backed to the hilt by a state that is both Jewish and a democracy.”Source: APN press release, work that it is taken for the U.S. Congress, and the July 29, 2013 granted, or is it overlooked terrible legacy of violent because it might spoil the sectarian struggle that is PR effect of reviving the moribund peace create a more positive format if he had done ripping Iraq apart. Naturally, there is specprocess? either of two things: appointed a Palestin- ulation that some kind of faux solution to John Kerry, the U.S. secretary of state, ian or at least someone of Middle Eastern the Israel/Palestine conflict would release whose show this is, dutifully indicated background as co-envoy to the talks. political energy in Washington that could when announcing the Indyk appointment Rashid Khalidi, President Obama’s onetime be diverted to an anti-Assad intervention in that success in the negotiations will depend Chicago friend and neighbor, would have Syria and even an attack on Iran. We cannot on the willingness of the two sides to make been a reassuring choice for the Palestinian rule out such infatuations with morbid “reasonable compromises.” But who will side. Admittedly, having published a book geopolitical projects, but neither should we decide on what is reasonable? It would be a few months ago with the title Brokers of assume that conspiratorial scenarios foretell criminally negligent for the Palestinians to Deceit: How the U.S. Undermined Peace in the future. ❑ risk their future by trusting Mr. Indyk’s the Middle East, the appointment of Khaunderstanding of what is reasonable for the lidi, despite his stellar credentials, would EU “Earthquake”… parties. But the Palestinians are now poten- have produced a firestorm in Washington. tially entrapped. If they are put in a posi- Agreed, Khalidi is beyond serious contem- Continued from page 11 tion where Israel accepts, and the Palestin- plation, but what about John Esposito, It was “pariah” status in the eyes of that ian Authority rejects, “(un)reasonable Chas Freeman, Ray Close? None of these alcompromises,” the Israelis will insist they ternatives, even Khalidi, is as close to the portion of humanity with whom white have no “partner” for peace, and once more Palestinians as Indyk is to the Israelis, and South Africans personally identified which hasbara will rule the air waves. yet such a selection would have been seen caused them to conclude that their own It is important to take note of the lan- as a step taken to close the huge credibility apartheid system was having an adverse guage of reasonable compromises, which as deficit. Yet such credibility remains outside impact on the quality of their lives and in earlier attempts at direct negotiations, the boundaries of the Beltway’s political that the time had come to end it. Few excludes any reference to international law imagination, and thus inhabits the realm of white South Africans (or others) regret today the transformation of their country or the rights of the parties. Such an exclu- the unthinkable. sion confirms that the essential feature of It may be that Kerry is sincere in seeking into a fully democratic, non-racist state.

Similar sustained and intensified “tough this diplomacy of negotiations is a bargain- to broker a solution to the conflict, yet this ing process in which relative power and in- way of proceeding does not. Perhaps, there love” toward Israelis on the part of those fluence weighs heavily on what is proposed was no viable alternative. Israel would not with whom Israelis personally identify by and acceptable to the two sides. If I were come even to negotiate negotiations with- could produce a similar result, and, if it advising the Palestinians, I would never out being reassured in advance by an did, few Israelis (or others) would subserecommend accepting a diplomatic frame- Indyk-like appointment. And if Israel had quently regret it.

It is often argued that American support work that does not explicitly acknowledge signaled its disapproval, Washington is all that really matters to Israel, and it is the relevance of international law and the would be paralyzed. rights of the parties. In the relation of Israel The only remaining question is why the true that Washington’s blind support has and Palestine, international law could be Palestinian Authority goes along so until now permitted Israel to continue on the great equalizer, soft power neutralizing meekly. What is there to gain in such a set- a self-destructive and ultimately suicidal hard power. And this is precisely why ting? Having accepted the Washington path. However, Europe is geographically, Israel has worked so hard to keep interna- auspices, why could they not have de- economically and emotionally closer to tional law out of the process, which is what manded, at least, a more neutral or bal- Israel and Israelis than is the United States.

I would certainly recommend if in Tel anced negotiating envoy? I fear the answer Europe has the potential to play an enorAviv’s diplomatic corner. to such questions is “blowin’ in the wind.” mously constructive role in ending the ocCan one even begin to contemplate, And so we can expect to witness yet an- cupation and achieving peace with some except in despair, what Binyamin Ne- other charade falsely advertised as “the measure of justice, in the best interests of tanyahu and his pro-settler cabinet consider peace process.” Such a diversion is costly both Israelis and Palestinians.

The EU’s new directive is a modest first reasonable compromises? On what issues can for the Palestinians, beneficial for the Iswe expect Israel to give ground: borders, raelis. Settlement expansion and associated step, but any journey must have a first Jerusalem, refugees, settlements, security? projects will continue, the occupation with step. One may hope that the best is yet to It would have been easy for Kerry to all its rigors and humiliations will continue, come. ❑ 14

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

SEPTEMBER 2013

omer_15_28_Gaza on the Ground 8/8/13 10:36 AM Page 15

Gaza Hit Hard by Regime Change in Egypt Gazaon the Ground

By Mohammed Omer

gas. The drivers scan the horizon, hoping to catch a glimpse of a fuel tanker coming from the tunnels which connect Gaza with Egypt. The gasoline is sorely needed for taxis, ambulances, auto rickshaws, cars and delivery trucks, as well as for in-home electricity generators. But Gazans have been waiting for days, and it looks like there’s no end in sight.

It’s summer here in Gaza, hot, sticky and dry. Houses are cramped in this destitute coastal enclave of 1.7 million people, now suffering through the seventh year of Israel’s siege. Multiple generations often squeeze into apartments built for a family of four. Unreliable utilities, primitive sewage and plumbing, and the lack of fuel to run emergency generators means there is no refrigeration. Homes are hot, leaving the vulnerable young, old and sick susceptible to heat stroke. Businesses cannot open.

Garbage collection trucks are no longer seen in most of Gaza. Waste is piling up, threatening to spread disease and other health hazards. In most areas, the nighttime air is suffocating with the smell of rot.

Taxi driver Ahmed Abdelkareem joined the gas line on a Tuesday. Two days later, his tank remains empty, with hundreds of vehicles in line ahead of him. When and if fuel arrives, he has no idea if there will be any left by the time his taxi reaches the pump.

“I have been waiting each day in this unbearable heat because I want to make a living for my children,” Abdelkareem explains.

Another taxi driver interjects: “We have no other option but to sell our taxis. Then our children will go hungry and feel desperate. We cannot be responsible for what they do when they get hungry.”

Nodding in frustration, Abdelkareem adds: “This is life in Gaza—daily crises!

Shortages of fuel, water, electricity and cooking gas. One cannot live in comfort!

We spend our life running around in crisis Award-winning journalist Mohammed Omer reports from the Gaza Strip, where he maintains the Web site <www.rafahtoday.org>.

He can be reached at <gazanews@yahoo. com>. Follow him on Twitter: @MoGaza.

SEPTEMBER 2013

PHOTO M. OMER

three-kilometer-long line of vehicles is parked outside the empty Faris PeA troleum station in Gaza City, waiting for

Palestinian children wait in line at a Gaza City gas station to fill their gas cans with desperately needed fuel. just to have some comfort.”

Gesturing toward Egypt, the second taxi driver adds, “Whatever happens there affects our lives too.” Sighing, he leans back on his taxi and resumes his wait.

Egypt’s Impact Egypt’s current political crisis began with the military’s July 3 ousting of President Mohamed Morsi. Its aftermath spilled over into Gaza when, under pressure from Israel and the United States, the Egyptian army began destroying the tunnels between Gaza and Egypt. These tunnels are a lifeline— one of the few ways Gazans are able to get everything from baby formula and soap to petrol and spare parts.

A Gaza official estimates that 1,000 tunnels run under the Gaza-Egyptian border.

Some still exist, although few are large enough to accommodate fuel canisters.

Most allow for not much more than a man, or perhaps a donkey, to carry parcels through one at a time.

Tunnel jobs provide a living for 7,000 families in Gaza. Another 20,000 people are THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

fed and supported as a result of the work generated by smuggled goods, especially in construction. Over the years multiple Israeli air raids, ground assaults, missile attacks and the occupation and siege have left once-prosperous and self-sufficient Gaza not only a shadow of its former self, but one of the poorest areas on earth. Nearly everything is in need of rebuilding or repair.

Some 105,669 gallons of fuel—enough to fill 7,044 vehicles with 15-gallon tanks— were transported through the tunnels daily.

In addition, legal shipments of Israeli fuel are allowed in through the checkpoints, but due to additional tariffs the Israeli fuel is very expensive.

In a press conference, Ministry of Transport spokesman Khalil Alzayyan said that “20,000 public vehicles and 30,000 private cars have been affected by the fuel outages.” If the situation continues, he warned, all transportation may be affected.

Alzayyan estimated that the current fuel shortage has forced the layoff of 70,000 taxi Continued on page 28 15

cook-16-17_Special Report 8/8/13 9:50 AM Page 16

“The Lab”: Israel Tests Weapons, Tactics On Captive Palestinian Population SpecialReport

By Jonathan Cook

Scenes from “The Lab”: ABOVE: Israeli soldiers on patrol. INSET: Director Yotam Feldman fires an Israeli-manufactured weapon. himon Peres, Israel’s president and the

development of a nuclear bomb in the 1960s, held a star-studded 90th birthday party masquerading as a presidential conference in June (see August 2013 Washington Report, p. 12).

Aside from the cloud cast by the decision of the renowned British physicist Stephen Hawking to boycott the event, it was an unabashed celebration of Peres’ life and work by a long list of the international “great and good,” from former U.S. President Bill Clinton to songstress Barbra Streisand.

However, as one Israeli website noted, this $3 million salute to the head of the Israeli state was financed chiefly by the arms industry. The three biggest funders were major arms dealers, including the honorary chair of the conference, Aaron Frenkel.

That was fitting given Israel’s stunning ascent through the international rankings of the arms trade over the past decade. Despite having a population smaller than New York City, Israel has emerged in the last few years as one of the world’s largest Jonathan Cook is a journalist based in Nazareth and a winner of the Martha Gellhorn Special Prize for Journalism. His most recent book is Disappearing Palestine.

16

GUM FILMS

Sman who oversaw the country’s secret

exporters of weapons.

In June defense analysts at Jane’s put Israel in sixth place, ahead of China and Italy, both major weapons producers. Surveys that include Israel’s growing covert trade put it even higher—in fourth place, ahead of Britain and Germany, and beaten only by the United States, Russia and France.

The extent of Israel’s success in this market can be gauged by a simple mathematical calculation. With record sales last year of $7 billion, Israel earned nearly $1,000 per capita from the arms trade—up to 10 times the per capita income the United States derives from its weapons industry.

The Israeli economy’s huge reliance on arms dealing was underscored in July, when local courts forced officials to reveal data showing that some 6,800 Israelis are actively engaged in exporting arms.

Separately, Ehud Barak, the defense minister in the last government, has revealed that 150,000 Israeli households—or about 10 percent of the population—depend economically on the weapons industry.

Aside from these disclosures, however, THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Israel has been loath to lift the shroud of secrecy that envelopes much of its arms trade, arguing that further revelations would harm “national security and foreign relations.”

Traditionally Israel’s arms industry was run by the Defense Ministry, as a series of state-owned corporations developing weapons systems for the Israeli army.

But with the rise of the hi-tech industries in Israel over the past decade, a new generation of officers recently discharged from the army saw the opportunity to use their military experience and their continuing connections to the army to develop and test new armaments, for sale both to Israel and foreign buyers.

In the process Israel’s arms industry was reinvented as a major player in the Israeli economy, now accounting for a fifth of all exports.

Or as Leo Gleser, who runs an arms consultancy firm that specializes in developing new markets in Latin America, observes: “The [Israeli] defense minister doesn’t only deal with wars, he also makes sure the defense industry is busy selling goods.”

Gleser is one of several arms dealers interviewed in a new documentary that lifts the lid on the nature and scope of Israel’s arms business.

“The Lab,” which won a recent award at DocAviv, Israel’s documentary Oscars, is due to premiere in the U.S. in August. Directed by Yotam Feldman, the film presents the first close-up view of Israel’s arms industry and the dealers who have enriched themselves.

The title relates to the film’s central argument: that Israel has rapidly come to rely on the continuing captivity of Palestinians in what are effectively the world’s largest open-air prisons.

The reason is that there are massive profits to be made from testing Israeli military innovations on the more than four million Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

According to Feldman, that trend began with Operation Defensive Shield, Israel’s re-invasion of the West Bank and Gaza in 2002, which formally reversed the process of Israeli territorial withdrawals initiated by the Oslo accords.

SEPTEMBER 2013

cook-16-17_Special Report 8/8/13 9:50 AM Page 17

Following that operation, many army officers went into private business, and starting in 2005 Israel’s arms industry started to break new records, at $2 billion a year.

But the biggest surge in sales followed Operation Cast Lead, Israel’s month-long assault on Gaza in winter 2008-09, which killed more than 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis. Record sales in the wake of that attack reached $6 billion.

These military operations, including the most recent against Gaza, last year’s Pillar of Cloud, the film argues, serve as little more than laboratory-style experiments to evaluate and refine the effectiveness of new military approaches, both strategies and weaponry.

Gaza, in particular, has become the shop window for Israel’s military industries, allowing them to develop and market systems for long-term surveillance, control and subjugation of an “enemy” population.

Given that most Palestinians are now tightly contained in urban settings, traditional policies designed to maintain a distinction between civilians and fighters have had to be erased.

Amiram Levin, former head of the Israeli army’s northern command in the 1990s and now an arms dealer, is filmed at an arms industry conference observing that Israel’s goal in the territories is punishment of the local population to create greater “room for maneuver.”

Considering the effects, he comments that most Palestinians “were born to die— we just have to help them.”

The film highlights the kind of inventions for which Israel has become feted by foreign security services. It pioneered robotic killing machines such as the airborne drones that are now at the heart of the U.S. program of extra-judicial executions in the Middle East. It hopes to repeat that success with missile interception systems such as Iron Dome, which goes on display every time a rocket is fired out of Gaza.

Israel also specializes in turning improbably futuristic weapons into reality, such as the gun that shoots around corners. Not surprisingly, Hollywood is also a customer, with Angelina Jolie marketing the bulletbending firearm in the film “Wanted.”

But the unexpected “stars” of “The Lab” are not smooth-talking salesmen but former Israeli officers turned academics, whose theories have helped to guide the Israeli army and hi-tech companies in developing new military techniques and arsenals.

SEPTEMBER 2013

Theorists of Death Shimon Naveh, a manically excited philosopher, paces through a mock Arab village that provided the canvas on which he devised a new theory of urban warfare during the second intifada.

In the run-up to an attack on Nablus’ casbah in 2002, much feared by the Israeli army for its labyrinthine layout, he suggested that the soldiers move not through the alleyways, where they would be easy targets, but unseen through the buildings, knocking holes through the walls that separated the houses.

Naveh’s idea became the key to crushing Palestinian armed resistance, exposing the only places—in the heart of overcrowded cities and refugee camps—where Palestinian fighters could still find sanctuary from Israeli surveillance.

Another expert, Yitzhak Ben Israel, a former general turned professor at Tel Aviv University, helped to develop a mathematical formula that predicts the likely success of assassination programs to end organized resistance.

Ben Israel’s calculus proved to the army that a Palestinian cell planning an attack could be destroyed with high probability by “neutralizing” as few as a fifth of its fighters.

It is precisely this merging of theory, hardware and repeated “testing” in the field that has armies, police forces and the homeland security industries of the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America lining up to buy Israeli know-how.

The lessons learned in Gaza and the West Bank have useful applications, the film makes clear, in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Or as Benjamin Ben Eliezer, a former defense minister turned industry minister, explains in the film, Israel’s advantage is that “people like to buy things that have been tested. If Israel sells weapons, they have been tested, tried out. We can say we’ve used this 10 years, 15 years.”

Yoav Galant, head of the Israeli army’s southern command during Cast Lead, points out: “While certain countries in Europe or Asia condemned us for attacking civilians, they sent their officers here, and I briefed generals from 10 countries so they could understand how we reached such a low ratio [of Palestinian civilian deaths— Galant’s false claim that most of those killed were Palestinian fighters].

“There’s a lot of hypocrisy: they condemn you politically, while they ask you what your trick is, you Israelis, for turning blood into money.”

The film’s convincing thesis, however, offers a disturbing message to those who THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

hope for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine.

That is because, as Israel has made its arsenal more lethal and its soldiers ever safer, Israeli society has become increasingly tolerant of war as the background noise of life. If Israelis pay no price for war, then the army and politicians face no pressure to end it.

Rather, the pressure acts in the opposite direction. With the occupied territories serving as an ideal laboratory, regular attacks on Palestinians to test and showcase its military systems provide Israel with a business model far more lucrative than one offered by a peace agreement.

Or as Naftali Bennett, the far-right industry minister, observed—both hopefully and euphemistically—after a trip to China in July: “No one on earth is interested in the Palestinian issue. What interests the world from Beijing to Washington to Brussels is Israeli high-tech.”

But possibly worse still, as foreign governments line up to learn from Israel’s experience, the question arises: who else among us faces a Palestinian future? ❑ (Advertisement)

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adas_18-19_New York City and Tri-State News 8/8/13 10:38 AM Page 18

Gaza Wedding Filmmaker Documents Israeli Assaults on Her Family, Friends and Neighbors

New York City and Tri-StateNews

“Where Should the Birds Fly” filmmaker Fida Qishta (inset). ida Qishta’s documentary about life in

FGaza, “Where Should the Birds Fly,”

was screened at the Manhattan Film Festival on June 21. Qishta took the film’s title from a 1983 poem by Mahmoud Darwish: The Earth is closing on us, pushing us through the last passage, and we tear off our limbs to pass through….

Where should we go after the last frontiers? Where should the birds fly after the last sky?

The film begins in Qishta’s neighborhood in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza. The area is now only rubble. Beginning before dawn on Jan. 21, 2004, without warning, Israeli bulldozers demolished 60 homes in 6 hours. Qishta, at the time a novice wedding videographer, filmed the destruction—her family and neighbors struggling to get to safety, boys throwing rocks at the D-9 bulldozers. Her mother fainted. After reviving her, Qishta’s father told the family to walk away without looking back, because if they looked back, their hearts Jane Adas is a free-lance writer based in the New York City metropolitan area.

18

would be filled with hate. Qishta didn’t have the heart to watch what she had filmed until years later, when the sight of her cousin waving a white flag in a useless appeal to stop the bulldozers allowed Qishta, for the first time, to cry.

Qishta explained in an interview that the family had to split up to find shelter, because no one could host eight people at once. It took three years of hard work by every family member to afford a place where they could reunite. Soon after the demolition, Qishta and her older sister Faten founded The Lifemakers Center, a free facility where 300 children affected by war come to be in a safe place where they can play, learn, and receive counseling. (This reporter visited The Lifemakers Center in 2009 and found it one of the happiest places in Gaza.)

The need for a safe place for children was made clear to Qishta by an incident that happened four years earlier, which THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

haunts her still. She was walking home after a long day at college and decided to take the direct route to her house, even though Israeli soldiers were patrolling and some children were throwing stones.

When she hesitated to cross the street, a boy asked if she were scared. She replied no, in a shaky voice. The boy said, “Yes you are, but I will show you how to do it.” As he darted across the street, an Israeli sniper shot him in the head. Qishta carried him to a nearby paramedic, but the boy died.

In addition to managing and teaching at The Lifemakers Center, Qishta carried on as a wedding videographer, happy to film people still able to dance and sing even while in a virtual prison under constant threat from air, land and sea. In 2006 she was able to leave Gaza for a speaking tour in England and New York.

Upon returning, she had to wait three weeks on the Egyptian side of the border for Israel to open the Rafah crossing. Nine people died during the wait. She filmed the misery and wrote to friends in London, who forwarded it to the London Observer, which published her report.

When members of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) were able to return to Gaza with the Free Gaza boats in 2008, Qishta worked with them as translator and videographer. She filmed Israeli soldiers shooting at farmers trying to work their land near the Israeli-imposed 1,000-meter-wide buffer zone, 95 percent of which is on the Gaza side of the border, resulting in a 30 percent loss of Gaza’s arable land. Israel bulldozed everything within the buffer zone—homes, trees, fields. On board a fishing boat, where she confessed to being more afraid of the deep water than of the IDF, she filmed, with a steady hand, Israeli gunboats shooting at them not more than two miles from the shore.

According to one fisherman, “Going fishing is like entering a battleground.” Says another, “No one in the world cares about us. No laws protect us.”

Then, on Dec. 27, 2008, Israel began its STAFF PHOTO J. ADAS

WHERESHOULDTHEBIRDSFLY.ORG

By Jane Adas

SEPTEMBER 2013

adas_18-19_New York City and Tri-State News 8/8/13 10:38 AM Page 19

to leave Gaza to travel to London in the spring of 2009.

After her training, Qishta came to New York, bringing with her all the footage she had shot in Gaza. She has spent the last two and a half years editing and fund-raising to complete “Where Should the Birds Fly.” Living in New York, Qishta said, has changed her heart. In spite of her father’s warning when their home was demolished, Qishta described herself as a sad and angry

WHERESHOULDTHEBIRDSFLY.ORG

war on Gaza with F-16 and drone attacks. Qishta was the first journalist on the scene in Rafah. People were terrified and screaming, but Qishta couldn’t leave. She explains, “My camera is the only weapon I have against these attacks on the people of Gaza. Despite my own fear and anger, I felt safe behind the camera. I know if I’m shot, my camera will capture the bullet that kills me.” With his permission—because he wanted the world to know—a 15-year-old

TOP: A wounded Mona Samouni. ABOVE: Scenes from “Where Should the Birds Fly.” allowed Qishta to film him being treated for horrific white phosphorus burns. His father had been cut in two, his sister burned to death. Qishta’s camera captured a child stumbling along the street past corpses. At the New York screening, an audience member suggested that showing such images is in poor taste.

Qishta replied that people ought to see and know what happens at the receiving end of a military assault; they need not live it.

In Gaza City’s Zaitoun neighborhood, Qishta was introduced to 10-year-old Mona Samouni. On Jan. 4, 2009—while Operation Cast Lead continued unabated—Israeli soldiers ordered the extended Samouni family, more than 100 people, into one building, then bombed it, killing half of them, including Mona’s parents. The survivors were trapped inside for three days with the dead, the dying and the wounded. Mona told Qishta, without any emotion, who was killed or wounded by each of the four missiles. Each time Qishta visited Mona, the young girl took the filmmaker to the site of the missile attack and repeated SEPTEMBER 2013

what happened with more and more detail, numb and without tears. Mona said, “The soldiers killed them as though they are not people, but those they killed were precious to us. I ask the children of the world to take good care of their parents.” In 2011, a friend of Qishta’s visited Mona, who now wants to be a doctor.

She loves birds because they have freedom. “In Gaza we are locked in a cage of sorrow.” Qishta asked Mona to sing a song. She chose one by the poet Lutfi Yassini. “Where Should the Birds Fly” closes with Mona singing: I’m the Palestinian Child I carried the grief early, All the world forgot me, They closed their eyes to my oppression I’m steadfast. I’m steadfast.

Throughout Operation Cast Lead, Qishta kept a diary and sent it to a friend in England. The Observer and The Guardian published almost everything she wrote, photographed and filmed.

This led to The Guardian selecting Qishta for training in filmmaking. She was able THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

person when she first arrived in the U.S. Living in a conflict zone, she explained, makes it difficult to keep your heart free of hate; everything keeps coming and you can barely breathe. Living here, among people who have been generous and encouraging, and learning about other people’s tragedies at first confused her and made her ask, “Why do we keep hurting each other?” Now she is guided

by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

In addition to the Manhattan Film Festival, “Where Should the Birds Fly” was an official selection at the Al Jazeera International Documentary Film Festival, the 2013 winner of the Aloha Accolade Award, and will be screened in September at the Third World Indie Festival in San Francisco. She is hoping to take the film to the next level, including making it available on DVD. In the meantime, to arrange a screening in your area, contact Qishta at <Fida.qishta@gmail.com> and visit the website at <whereshouldthe birdsfly.org>. ❑ 19

thomas_20-21_In Memoriam 8/8/13 3:13 PM Page 20

In Memoriam Helen Thomas (1920-2013) Death of a Giant

end the hell experienced there for nearly a half century by disenfranchised Palestinians.

The evening of Helen’s death, CBS news reported, erroneously, that Helen had retired after her debacle. Perhaps the fib was deliberate. It might spare news colleagues from being reminded that they fled ignominiously while Helen stood her ground without blinking.

By Paul Findley

elen Thomas, a peerless H journalist who challenged presidents fearlessly for 50

years, stuck to the truth even when almost everyone she had counted as friends fled from her side like scared rabbits headed for high grass. She died July 20 at 92, broken in body but not in spirit.

Honoring Helen Thomas She will be mourned by those who filled to capacity RamBy Delinda C. Hanley melkamp Chapel at Illinois Colhe death of trailblazing lege in Jacksonville, Illinois in White House journalist April 2010, when she spoke as Helen Thomas on July 20 at her Phi Alpha Lecturer. Two Washington, DC apartment made months later, she was the victim front-page headlines around the of a rabbi posing as a journalist world. News stories called the who filmed her in a brief inter92-year-old Arab-American a: view as she waited for a ride on “Pioneering front-row journala hot day after a Washington, ist,” and the “Feisty scourge of DC event. Irritated, Thomas anpresidents,” and applauded her swered one question about West for “50 Years of Tough QuesBank settlers by saying, “Tell tions.” CNN declared, “Thomas them to get the hell out of Palescovered 10 presidents over nearly tine.” Asked where they should half a century, and became a go, she said, “Back home to legend in the industry.”

Poland and Germany—and Thomas worked for the United America.”

Press and its successor United Although many millions of people, including many Jews, Helen Thomas in her DC apartment, wearing a Palestinian bracelet Press International (UPI) for 57 years, first as a correspondent, agree that Jewish settlements in given to her by Loyolla University students in Chicago in 2011. and later as White House bureau Palestine are illegal and should be vacated, her mention of Poland and Anti-Discrimination Committee sponsored chief. She resigned after Unification Germany, once sites of Jewish extermina- a dinner in her honor, where Sam Donald- Church leader Rev. Sun Myung Moon tion camps, set off fiery rebuke. She was son, Helen’s former ABC colleague, de- bought UPI, then was a columnist on naplagued with unwarranted charges of anti- fended her. He may have been the only tional affairs and the White House for Semitism and dismissed from the White former news colleague to do so. The rest Hearst Newspapers from 2000 to 2010. She House Correspondents’ Association by col- were still too frightened to emerge from the wrote an exclusive weekly political affairs column for the Falls Church (VA) Newsleagues, many of long and harmonious ac- tall grass. quaintance with Helen. She was deDuring one of several conversations with Press from January 2011 to February 2012, nounced by President Barack Obama and Helen, I asked, “Did you resign?” Her until failing health forced her to stop. fired by her employer, Hearst Newspapers. answer, “No, I was booted out. I was Thomas was the first female officer of the Almost all of her news colleagues should fired.” She wanted to keep working, and National Press Club, the first female have known she was devoid of anti-Semi- accepted a job offer from a neighborhood member and president of the White House tism but they abandoned her to unde- weekly newspaper editor in Falls Church, Correspondents’ Association, and the first served venom. There was one exception. Virginia. She continued writing until ill- female member of the Gridiron Club.

Her work ethic was legendary. “She’s Soon after the storm, the American-Arab ness brought this giant down.

In a public statement, Helen said she always the first one in the White House Paul Findley (R-IL) was a member of the U.S. “regretted” her controversial comments and the last one to leave,” Frances Lewine House of Representatives from 1961 to 1983, but immediately predicted peace in the said in a 2007 Associated Press interview. serving most of that time on the Foreign Affairs Middle East will not occur until all parties After her death thousands signed an Committee. The author of four books on Middle “engage in mutual respect and tolerance.”

East policy (all available from the AET Book Her words may mean peace must wait until Delinda C. Hanley is news editor of the WashClub), he resides in Jacksonville, IL. illegal settlers get out of Palestine and thus ington Report on Middle East Affairs.

STAFF PHOTO D. HANLEY

T

20

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

SEPTEMBER 2013

thomas_20-21_In Memoriam 8/8/13 3:13 PM Page 21

online petition asking the White House to declare Aug. 4 (the birth date she shared with President Barack Obama) “Helen Thomas Day.” Along with adding their signatures, people from around the world explained why they want America to remember her each year. This tribute would “honor integrity, honesty and fearlessness,” one signer wrote, and another insisted, “her bravery needs to be memorialized somehow.” Yet another stated, “Helen was one of the last true reporters with enough ‘moxy’ to ask the important questions about what our elected leaders were really doing and not doing,” while another commented that Thomas “spoke the truth.”

Not bad at all for the seventh of nine children born to Lebanese immigrants who couldn’t read or write English. Helen Amelia Thomas was born Aug. 4, 1920 in Winchester, KY. Her parents moved to Detroit to open a small grocery store when she was 4. They always told Helen she could do anything she wanted—she didn’t need to get married or have children to be successful. (She did get around to marrying Douglas Cornell, a reporter for the Associated Press, in October 1971. Cornell became ill and died in 1982. Thomas called her marriage “probably the most unexpected and wonderful thing that ever happened to me.”)

Helen Thomas started writing early, reporting for Detroit’s Eastern High School newspaper, and graduating with a degree in English in 1942 from what is now called Wayne State University in Detroit. Thomas moved to Washington, DC and found a job as a “copyboy,” doing grunt work at the now-defunct Washington Daily News.

Soon she was working at United Press— later UPI—assigned to cover local news, especially “women’s news,” including weddings, births and society events.

Playboy magazine, which isn’t exactly famous for its focus on older women, interviewed Thomas for an in-depth article published in April 2011. (The Washington Report was especially impressed by this interview. Every time we tried to interview her, the veteran reporter turned the tables on us and asked questions or deftly turned the conversation to current events!) In Playboy she divulged how she broke through the glass ceiling that kept female journalists from covering politics: “I sort of assigned myself to the White House. I went to cover the Kennedy family on Inauguration Day. I covered men, women, children, animals, everything that moved in the Kennedy White House. I was like the woman who came to dinner; I never left.”

Soon she was covering White House politics and writing about the civil rights movement and war. Her questions chalSEPTEMBER 2013

lenged 10 presidents and their press secretaries, and for nearly 30 years she closed presidential news conferences with “Thank you, Mr. President.”

In a statement, President Barack Obama said Thomas “never failed to keep presidents—myself included—on their toes.

What made Helen the ‘Dean of the White House Press Corps’ was not just the length of her tenure, but her fierce belief that our democracy works best when we ask tough questions and hold our leaders to account.”

Nearly every obituary mentioned her encounter with Rabbi David Nesenoff on May 27, 2010. The most informative account, “42 Seconds That Sullied Helen Thomas— and New Media,” published July 31 on RealClearPolitics, was written by Paula Cruickshank, who was present when the incident occurred. Cruickshank, a reporter for Wolters Kluwer, a global information publishing company, described Thomas as “frail, but also too proud to accept her physical limitations.” So when President Obama held a news conference that fateful day, “Helen was determined to negotiate the steep cement steps leading from the press room up to the East Room. Seeing her struggle on the stairs, on a day when temperatures hovered in the 80s, I offered my assistance, which she accepted.”

After the news conference, Cruickshank continued, she walked Thomas back along the sidewalk on the North Lawn, where they ran into Rabbi Nesenoff, his 17-yearold son and his son’s friend. “As they approached us, Nesenoff asked, ‘Any advice for these young people over here for starting out in the press corps?’ Despite the heat, Helen stopped in her tracks and encouraged the young men to pursue the field of journalism. ‘Go for it. You’ll never be unhappy,’ she said. ‘You’ll always keep people informed.’”

The rabbi told Helen they were on their way to a White House reception celebrating Jewish Heritage Month. “‘Are they going to meet the president?’ she asked.

Before the boys could answer, Nesenoff suddenly switched topics. ‘Any comments on Israel? We’re asking everybody today,’ he said while the young men stood next to him wordlessly...”

As everyone knows, her answer, captured on video, suggesting Jewish settlers should “get the hell out of Palestine” and go back to Poland, Germany, America and everywhere else went viral on YouTube. “I was taken aback,“ Cruickshank admits.

“Only a few seconds ago, they were discussing journalism. Why the sudden shift in gears?” After shaking hands with the rabbi’s son and friend, Thomas repeated her advice, Cruickshank wrote. “Go for THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

journalism. You’ll never regret it.”

Cruickshank was bothered by the affair and in her article, like Thomas, she asks a lot of “whys.”

Why did news reports depict the exchange as a White House interview instead of a conversation? Why is it Nesenoff never identified himself by name or news outlet to the women, or mention that he had just launched a video project on his website RabbiLive? Why did he not ask if he could record a personal interview? Instead he used a flip camera, which neither Cruickshank nor Helen ever saw. And finally, why did the rabbi edit the video, cutting out most of Helen’s comments, including her helpful advice for future journalists?

Nesenoff answered some of these questions in a Washington Post article published on June 20, 2010. The rabbi thought if he could “create videos of short anecdotes about Israel—the food, archeology, history and personal experiences— they might go viral on the Internet and be a nice promo campaign for the country.”

The incident and the reaction of her colleagues deeply hurt Thomas, who had received more than 30 honorary degrees, and whose living room shelves were full of awards. When the news broke, the Washington Report delivered flowers (as well as a job offer) to the amusement of her concierge, who announced: “Ha! Another bouquet! Her apartment is already full of flowers and chocolate!”

“I cried for two weeks. Then I pulled myself together,” Helen Thomas later told the Washington Report. “I couldn’t believe that a two-minute video could take away all my honors I’d earned for nearly 50 years as a White House correspondent. I couldn’t believe that my own colleagues decided I don’t have a right to my own opinion. You can call any person in the United States, including the president, anything in the book—but you can’t say anything about Zionism.”

Nicholas Benton, owner-editor of the weekly Falls Church News-Press, where she worked after being fired from Hearst, was “outraged” when the Society of Professional Journalists voted on retiring a scholarship award named for Thomas. Benton defended Thomas, scoffing at charges that she was an anti-Semite. She “is herself a Semite,” he pointed out, and was “expressing a political point of view [in the interview with Nesenoff], and not a bigoted racial sentiment.” After her death Benton tried, once again, to set the record straight.

She did not “retire” after the YouTube incident. She kept writing, without fail—for him. “Ms. Thomas did not allow the firestorm of controversy that flared up in June 2010 to finally compel her to retire....

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Two Letters

DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Racism and the Jewish State

Israel’s newly elected Chief Ashkenazi (European) Rabbi David Lau referred to African-American basketball players as “kushim,” the Hebrew equivalent of “nigger.” He was defended by Minister of Religious Services Naftali Bennett.

A Reply to Rabbi David Lau

serve a 10-year term as one of two official chief Israeli rabbis, made the offensive reBy African Americans for Justice in the Middle marks to young Jewish religious students East and North Africa while warning them against watching telee, the undersigned, condemn in the vised sports like basketball. Following critstrongest possible terms recent icism from anti-racism activists, Rabbi Lau racist comments made by Israel’s newly- was defended by Natfali Bennett, Israel’s elected chief Ashkenazi rabbi, David Lau, minister of religious services and leader of who referred to African-American basket- the Jewish Home party. ball players playing in Israel as “kushim,” Regrettably, the sentiments expressed by a derogatory term that is akin to “nigger.” Rabbi Lau reflect a larger problem of Rabbi Lau, a government official who is racism in Israeli society. In recent years, paid by the state and who is scheduled to Israel has witnessed a rising tide of socially acceptable bigotry, particularly against African Americans for Justice in the Middle African asylum seekers and Palestinians, East & North Africa grew out of a concern fanned by senior religious and political figthat the African-American voice was not ures. In June 2012, Israel’s then-interior being heard on matters of foreign policy, in- minister, Eli Yishai, declared that Israel cluding but not limited to the Middle East “belongs to us, to the white man,” in reand North Africa. Both in the context of the sponse to a question about Muslim asylum Arab democratic uprisings as well as the Pal - seekers. The previous month, Israeli politiestinian Freedom Struggle, African Amer - cians, including Prime Minister Binyamin icans were not being sought out for our analy- Netanyahu and members of his Likud ses of these various situations. Additionally party, helped incite a wave of violence it was felt that African Americans have a against Africans after making fear-mongerspecial role to play in pushing for a democra- ing and incendiary comments about tic foreign policy on the part of the USA and asylum seekers. In one instance, Likud that that role flows from our own history of parliamentarian Miri Regev described fighting for an expansion of democracy.

African refugees as a “cancer in our body”

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at a rally in Tel Aviv that degenerated into what local media described as a “race riot” in which random individuals of African descent were attacked in the street.

Around the same time, a series of arsons and other violent attacks were carried out against Africans in Israel. The situation was so bad that a group of ambassadors from African countries complained to Israel’s Foreign Ministry that African diplomats were afraid to walk down the street.

The situation for Palestinians living in Israel and the occupied territories is no better. Those who are citizens of Israel suffer systematic discrimination as nonJews living in a self-defined “Jewish state,” while those living under Israeli military rule are denied the most basic of political and civil rights, which are accorded to Jewish settlers living in illegal settlements right next to them, simply because they are not Jewish. Increasingly, the world is recognizing the regime that Israel has instituted in the territories that it controls between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea as a form of apartheid.

As African Americans and as citizens of the United States, which provides enormous economic, military, and diplomatic support to the state of Israel, we are appalled by Rabbi Lau’s racist statement, the lack of condemnation from senior Israeli and American officials that it engendered, and by the disturbing growth in openly racist attitudes expressed in Israel against Africans, Palestinians, and others. We call on Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama, and all peoples of conscience, to condemn Rabbi Lau’s comments and the growing culture of intolerance and naked racism in Israeli society that they represent, and to demand his immediate removal from his position as chief Ashkenazi rabbi. As negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians begin again under the rubric of the U.S.sponsored peace process, which reportedly includes a demand supported by the Obama administration that Palestinians officially recognize Israel as a “Jewish state,” we also urge politicians and all others concerned to acknowledge and address the worsening racism and discrimination suffered by Palestinian and other non-Jewish citizens of Israel. Failure to do so will mean the perpetuation of the injustices done to the Palestinian people, and the conflict beSEPTEMBER 2013

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tween Israelis and Palestinians, regardless of the results of any negotiations.

Signed, Kali Akuno Dr. Adisa A. Alkebulan Carl Bloice Dr. Eduardo Bonilla-Silva Rev. Dr. Carolyn Boyd Dr. Gloria Brown Christopher Cathcart Felicia Eaves Bill Fletcher, Jr. Patricia Ford Dr. Rhone Fraser Dr. Angela Gilliam Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler Dr. Jennifer F. Hamer Mark Harrison Dr. James Jennings Dr. Robin Kelley Mel King Rev. Dr. Phil Lawson Gerald Lenoir Dr. Charles Pinderhughes Dr. Russell Rickford Dr. Lynn Roberts Jamala Rogers Roger Toussaint Dr. Elijah Ward

An Open Letter From Roger Waters

By Roger Waters

here has been some comment on the InT ternet about the Wall Show in Belgium to which I feel I should respond.

One Alon Onfus Asif, an Israeli living in Belgium, came to The Wall show in Belgium last week and being an observant sort of chap Alon noticed a Star of David on the Pig that is destroyed by the audience at the end of the show. Then Alon dutifully videoed our Pig on his phone, posted this video, and alerted Israeli daily, Yediot Ahronot. This story was duly picked up by the ever-watchful Rabbi Abraham Cooper, dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and the entirely predictable resulting rant can be viewed here: <www.algemeiner.com/2013/07/24/mas sive-pig-balloon-at-roger-waters-concert-fea tures-star-of-david-video>.

Roger Waters is an English musician, singer, songwriter and composer, and co-founder in 1965 of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. The Wall Live is his worldwide concert tour representing the first time the Pink Floyd album “The Wall” has been performed in its entirety by the band or any of its former members since Waters performed the album live in Berlin on July 21, 1990.

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Often I can ignore these attacks but Rabbi Cooper’s accusations are so wild and bigoted they demand a response.

Dear Rabbi Cooper, I hold your outburst to be inflammatory and un-helpful and would suggest it can only impede progress toward peace and understanding between people. It is also extremely insulting to me personally in that you accuse me of being “Anti Semitic,” “A Jew Hater” and “Nazi Sympathizer.”’

I have three specific points to make: 1). Your use of the adjective “ANTI-SEMITIC.” First I direct you to an announcement by “The Anti-Defamation League,” an American organization, whose declared aim is to defend Jewish people and Judaism from attack. They recently said: “While we wish that Mr. Waters would have avoided using the Star of David, we believe there is no anti-Semitic intent here.”

I should point out that in the show, I also use the Crucifix, the Crescent and Star, the Hammer and Sickle, the Shell Oil Logo and The McDonald’s Sign, a Dollar Sign and a Mercedes sign.

2). JEW-HATING? I have many very close Jewish friends, one of whom, interestingly enough, is the nephew of the late Simon Wiesenthal. I am proud of that association; Simon Wiesenthal was a great man. Also I have two grandsons who I love more than life itself. Their mother, my daughter-in-law, is Jewish and so, in consequence, I’m told, are they.

3). NAZI? Not only did my father, 2nd Lieutenant Eric Fletcher Waters, die in Italy on Feb. 18, 1944 fighting the Nazis, but I was brought up in post-war England, where I received the most thorough education on the subject of Nazism and where I was spared no horrific detail of the heinous crimes committed in the name of that most foul ideology. I remember my mother’s friends Claudette and Maria, I remember their tattoos, they where survivors, two of the lucky ones.

My mother spent the whole of the rest of her life involved politically to make sure the future for her children and grandchildren, in fact for everyone’s children and grandchildren, black, white, Gentile, Jew, Latino, Asian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, et al., had no Sword of Damocles in the form of the despised Nazi Creed hanging over their heads.

I for my part, as best I can, have continued along my parents’ path. At the age of nearly 70, in the spirit of my father and mother and all they did, I have stood my ground, as best I can, in defense of Mistress Liberty.

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

The Wall Show, so lamely attacked by you, is many things. It is thoughtful, lifeaffirming, ecumenical, humane, loving, anti-war, anti-colonial, pro-universal access to the law, pro-liberty, pro-collaboration, pro-dialogue, pro-peace, anti-authoritarian, anti-fascist, anti-apartheid, anti-dogma, international in spirit, musical and satirical.

It is not: ANTI-SEMITIC or PRO-NAZI I have often come under attack by the pro Israel lobby because of my support for BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions), which I won’t go into here. Anyone interested can access a speech I made at the United Nations on Nov. 29 last year.

However I will say this: in a functioning theocracy it is almost inevitable that the symbol of the religion becomes confused with the symbol of the state, in this case the State of Israel, a state that operates Apartheid both within its own borders and also in the territories it has occupied and colonized since 1967.

Like it or not, the Star of David represents Israel and its policies and is legitimately subject to any and all forms of nonviolent protest. To peacefully protest against Israel’s racist domestic and foreign policies is NOT ANTI-SEMITIC. Your contention that because I criticize the policies of the Israeli government I should be lumped in with the Muslim Brotherhood is risible, and again a personal affront. I have spent my whole adult life advocating separation of church and state.

At every Wall Show I invite 20 vets from whatever country we are in backstage at halftime to meet, exchange handshakes and good wishes and mementos. At one show, a year or so ago, an older vet, Vietnam era, at a guess, blocked my exit. He put out his hand, which I took. He did not let go. He looked me in the eyes and he said, “Your father would be proud of you.”

Tears burn my eyes.

The Wall is reaching out to you and all the other Rabbi Coopers out there.

Come to the show!

Love Roger P.S. For the sake of some perspective, the inflatable pig that so offended young Alon has appeared at every Wall Show since September 2010, some 193 shows. Yours is the first complaint. Also the pig in question represents evil, and more specifically the evil of errant government. We make a gift of this symbol of repression to the audience at the end of every show, and the people always do the right thing. They destroy it. ❑ 23

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Making a Difference: The Mazen Afifi Park for the Children of Nahr El Bared SpecialReport

By Delinda C. Hanley

STAFF PHOTO D. HANLEY

side the rubble—was even worse.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has rebuilt 1,350 of 4,591 housing units and 350 of 880 shops destroyed during the bombardment, but donor funds dried up after the Syrian crisis began. Rebuilding costs skyrocketed when UNRWA discovered 12,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance in the rubble, not to mention ancient ruins, according to a recent article in Lebanon’s Daily Star newspaper.

Last year Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria already were pouring into Nahr El Bared, sharing cramped living quarters—including dark cargo crates, piled two-stories high— with relatives who were awaiting new apartment units. The long-time Palestinian refugees we spoke with groused about unemployment (around 80 percent) and the endless wait for new apartments, which are an average of 10 to 35 percent smaller than their original homes.

Kids enjoy normal childhood fun at the Mazen Afifi Amid this scene of unhappiPark for the Children of Nahr El Bared. The park is a ness and rubble I was stunned haven in a depressing, overcrowded environment with to open a gate and step into no other diversions. the “Mazen Afifi Park for the ast fall Ellen Siegel and I visited the Children of Nahr El Bared,” and see chilNahr El Bared Refugee Camp on the dren playing without a care in the world. coast of northern Lebanon, less than 10 Boys and girls of all ages swayed on miles from Tripoli and 19 miles from the brightly painted swings shaded by blue Syrian border. Much of the camp had awnings, while their moms chatted been destroyed in 2007 during heavy nearby. Kids clambered up and rocketed shelling between the Lebanese army and down slides, and big brothers and sisters Fatah al-Islam militants hiding inside the helped little ones join a raucous merrycamp. Walking through the wreckage of go-round (pictured). Colorful murals feshomes and buildings with Siegel, an tooned the walls surrounding this joyful American nurse who had witnessed an- spot, which also featured newly planted other tragedy in Lebanon—the 1982 eucalyptus trees and climbing roses.

It’s like entering a different world far Sabra and Shatila massacre—was horrifying. To see families with little children from grownup troubles. I asked Siegel walking past the ruins—or living along- how this haven appeared in the midst of such a hellish environment. She told me Delinda C. Hanley is news editor of the to look more carefully at the sign outside.

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. It says the playground was “established

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by the generosity of Mary and Jamal Afifi, Beit Atfal Assomoud, American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), Playgrounds for Palestine (PfP) and Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA).” I already knew about these excellent American charities, and we had just visited the Lebanese NGO Beit Atfal Assomoud Center in the Baddawi refugee camp in Tripoli, which provides health and social services on a shoestring budget to refugees. I didn’t know the Afifi family— so Siegel promised to introduce us.

Mary Lou Dunford Afifi was born in San Mateo, CA, but told me over a cup of coffee in our DC offices that she’d attended 14 schools around the country before high school—her father worked for American Express and their family relocated as he was promoted throughout his career. Even in high school she was especially interested in meeting foreign students, so she took Arabic classes when she enrolled in Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. She transferred to the University of Colorado in Boulder, where she got to know Arab students who were studying engineering. After returning to Vassar and graduating in 1975 she got a job at the U.N. Secretariat, typing for the General Assembly and Security Council—one of only five or six Americans in a 25-person typing pool.

It was there she met Mazen, a Palestinian who worked for the printing office and was assigned to her typing pool.

Mazen was born in Akka (Acre), raised in Lebanon, and attended high school in Libya, where he became head of a Palestinian student union. During their fiveyear courtship, Mary Lou learned that Mazen’s siblings were scattered all over the world—in Palestine, Libya, the UAE, Oman, Morocco, Belgium and Vietnam. In 1980, she and Mazen were married at the U.N. Chapel, by a minister and a sheikh, with a cross and a crescent. “Mazen and I were going to save the world together,” Mary Lou recalled.

For 32 years they did just that. When they lived in California, they helped establish the House of Palestine in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Each country has an international cottage, participates in an ethnic food fair, and hosts a popular arts SEPTEMBER 2013

STAFF PHOTO D. HANLEY

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tinues to support the playground annually.

“My son and I felt a playground in Mazen’s honor was the perfect tribute to him,” said Mary Lou. “It gives them a bit of light-hearted fun and physical activity on a daily basis and a place to laugh and let out their energy, so important for children who might have been emotionally damaged by Mary Lou Dunford Afifi says building the playground has the struggles of living in the camp. It gives parents made her own life better. a place to go and socialize. festival—this year’s Palestine festival was I feel like it’s made my life better.”

Today Mary Lou is using her years of Aug. 25. The couple also sponsored free medical treatment for sick and disabled expertise in the human resources field children through Palestine Children’s Re- to help recently incarcerated women and homeless or abused teens in Alexandria, lief Fund (PCRF).

Mary Lou worked at the U.N., Stanford VA obtain skills training, mental health Research Institute (SRI) and Exxon, then services, housing and jobs.

“I’m a lucky person and I’m grateful had a successful career as group human resources director at Science Applications for everything I have,” she told the International Corporation (SAIC) while Washington Report. “I was married to a she and Mazen raised their son, Jamal. great guy for 32 years. I have a son SAIC relocated the family to Vienna, VA with a heart of gold, I had a successful in 2004, where they became active mem- career and I am in a position to give bers of the American-Arab Anti-Discrim- back. I like knowing that Mazen and I have made a difference.” ❑ ination Committee.

In September 2007 Mazen attended the 25th commemoration of the anniversary of Helen Thomas… the Sabra and Shatila massacre in Lebanon and met Siegel, who attends every year. Continued from page 21 He returned with a renewed passion to do something to help Palestinian kids and The beauty of Helen Thomas is that she teens in the camps. Three months later he never gave up. Even after her setback, she was diagnosed with cancer, and died on continued working...she got back on her Feb. 3, 2008 at the age of 63. feet at 90,” Benton emphasized.

Mazen’s wife and son had promised to He described traveling with her to carry out his plans to help Palestinian New York for an interview on CNN, saychildren. In September 2008 they made ing she was “besieged with fans and their own journey to Lebanon with well-wishers the entire way—up, there Siegel and saw the destruction at Nahr El and back. It was as if she were a rock Bared Refugee Camp that had so shocked star. Those who knew what had hapMazen the previous year. They decided pened to her expressed contempt and that would be the ideal place to make disgust for how she was treated.”

Mazen’s wish a reality.

Over the past few years Washington ReThe Afifis leased land (which was port staff and boardmembers enjoyed being used as a garbage dump at the lively lunches and dinners with Thomas. time) for a significant monetary donation. When she entered Washington, DC’s someTogether, with the help of Beit Atfal As- what stodgy Cosmos Club, heads turned as somoud Center, ANERA, MECA and PfP, usual. One time a member called out as she in 2009 they installed a playground and was leaving, “We love you, Helen!” soccer field in the heart of the camp, next The last time we saw Helen, on Valento buildings pockmarked with bullets. tine’s Day this year, she’d accidentally Mary Lou visited the playground again double booked lunch—and we left bereft. in 2010 and made arrangements for en- Benton and her beloved coworkers from hancements in 2012, including a tent and the weekly newspaper had brought a picupdated playground equipment. She con- nic lunch to share in her apartment.

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THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Every time we were able to visit Helen she offered support and advice—especially for us women working in this tough field. She railed against reporters who became stenographers instead of interrogators, and encouraged us to continue to speak for those who had no voice.

Helen Thomas continued to receive numerous awards from her community. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) presented its 2010 Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award to her on Nov. 18, 2010. Testimonials included a special tribute by ABC reporter and news anchor Sam Donaldson, who remained her friend through thick and thin. The Council on American-Islamic Relations gave her a Lifetime Achievment Award on Oct. 9, 2010. During another ceremony, on Land Day, March 30, 2012, Palestinian Ambassador Maen Areikat, his wife, Jumana, and Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi presented Thomas with an award to honor her as a “defender of peace and justice.”

At the Land Day ceremony Albert Mokhiber, a lawyer and former ADC president, spoke for many as he remarked on the pride he felt every time he saw an Arab-American woman in the front row at White House press conferences. In fact, whenever Helen Thomas attended an Arab-American event the audience rose to give her a standing ovation. Young and old crowded around her, hugging, shaking her hand and thanking her for her service.

“Helen’s life is a remarkable American success story, a rich fulfillment of the American Dream,” said Devon Akmon, director of the Arab American National Museum in Michigan. The Dearborn museum displays Thomas’ well-used pale blue portable manual typewriter, vintage media credentials, and a bust created by sculptor and former White House photojournalist Susan Tinsley McElhinney, which was unveiled Oct. 4, 2010. Thomas “did not allow gender, ethnic heritage and, later, her age to limit her goals in any way.”

Ralph Nader remarked upon hearing of her death: ”Her tenacious, forthright approach to journalism stands as a stark contrast to the patsy journalism of too many of her former self-censoring White House presss colleagues. The remarkable combination of skills and perseverance will distinguish Helen Thomas as one of the giants of American journalistic history.”

Helen Thomas was buried Aug. 15 at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in the Detroit suburb of Troy, MI. A National Press Club tribute is planned for the Fall. ❑ 25

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Notes of an Ecumenical Accompanier SpecialReport

By George Meek

PHOTO G. MEEK

daughters, one of whom he never saw: she was born 10 days after his death, in the same hospital.

The family is going to try to file a claim against the Israeli government for wrongful death, but human rights groups told us there is little likelihood it will be successful. B’Tselem reports that between January 2009 and October 2012 Israeli security forces killed 326 Palestinians. During the same period Palestinians killed 5 Israeli security force personnel and 15 Israeli civilians.

Now imagine that your husband, a construction worker and university student, responds to a call for help to protect people in an outlying house from violence

by Israeli settlers. He doesn’t throw stones or carry out any hostile act, but an Israeli settler shoots him in the abdomen with a dum-dum bullet that makes it necessary to remove a large part Israeli forces demolish the Kastero family home in Beit Hanina, north of Jerusalem, leaving 45 Pales- of his liver. I saw Hilme Abdul Azzis Hassan weeks after the tinians homeless. shooting at his home in Qusra. He We witnessed the demolition of the Kas- was recovering, but still not strong enough brought home some indelible impressions from a recent three-month assign- tero family’s large home in Beit Hanina, to go back to work.

Since I was based in East Jerusalem, I ment with the Ecumenical Accompaniment north of Jerusalem, that left 45 people inProgram in Palestine and Israel of the stantly homeless. The children came home was not exposed to the degree of settler vifrom school screaming and crying, trau- olence witnessed by Ecumenical AccomWorld Council of Churches.

Put yourself in the place of a Palestinian matized to see the destruction in progress. paniers in the rural placements: beatings, family. Imagine that authorities will not The family had invested its life savings in theft and poisoning of sheep, and destrucgive you a building permit under any cir- the home, so had no resources to relocate. tion of olive trees. I did visit one Palestincumstances to expand your house to ac- A month later, we visited the extended ian woman in the Old City of Jerusalem commodate your growing family. You family living in tents and a container next who shares a narrow common hallway build it anyway, because you have no al- to the rubble of their home. This is not an with Jewish settlers who moved in next ternative, and spend large sums on lawyers isolated case. The United Nations estimates door four years ago. Each accuses the other to protect it in court. One day, when your that one of three houses in East Jerusalem of harassment. Rayiseh Al-Karaki said the children are in school and you have no clue lacks Israeli-issued building permits, settlers have taken her laundry off the line that today will be the day, police and sol- meaning that at least 93,000 people could and stomped on it, dumped dirty water on her floor, cursed her, struck her, and diers come with a giant bulldozer and de- potentially be displaced.

Next scenario. Imagine that your hus- pushed her head against the wall. She said molish your house. band is a taxi driver with heart problems. she lives in fear and locks the doors when George Meek, a retired American journalist, One day he is returning from a fare when she goes shopping, so her children inside was one of two U.S. citizens in a team of 31 he comes upon a clash between stone- are protected. The settler neighbor (who international volunteers who spent three throwing youth and Israeli soldiers. The declined to give his name or be phomonths this year with the Ecumenical Ac- soldiers shoot tear gas into his cab. He tographed) told us, “Once when I opened companiment Program in Palestine and Is- passes out, and his heart stops for several the door, she spit in my face. She tells lies rael of the Geneva-based World Council of minutes. He is taken to a hospital, but that I cursed her.” He said the hallway is Churches. For more on his impressions, see never comes out of his coma and dies three supposed to be for their joint use, but she his “Palestine Journal” at <http://seekpeace weeks later. This was the story of Moyad put a sofa in it, and threw bread crumbs on Ghazawneh, in Ar-Ram. He had two the floor during Passover. inpalestine.blogspot.com>.

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In another Jerusalem neighborhood, Sheikh Jarrah, several refugee families have lost their homes to Israeli settlers, and others are threatened with eviction. Nabeel al-Kurd has had settlers occupying the front of his home for the last four years. He built the front rooms for his expanding family, but never was able to live in them because the court took over. The settlers are not good neighbors, he told us, and he has had several run-ins with them.

According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, there currently are 532 physical closures in the West Bank, including checkpoints, barriers, gates, earthmounds and trenches. That number does not include the checkpoints on the Green Line.

The barriers and closures seriously hamper the movement of Palestinian workers, farmers and students. At the At-Tayba checkpoint near Tulkarm, in three hours early one morning, I saw more than 5,500 Palestinian workers herded like cattle through cages to get to their jobs in Israel.

Most were understandably angry and frustrated. A couple of hundred workers sulked outside the cages as the line dwindled because, due to the slower processing,

they were too late to reach their jobs. One man said the line was too slow for him to make it through the checkpoint to catch his employer’s 6:15 a.m. bus, and the bus would not wait for him. He just gave up.

Our Jerusalem Team regularly monitored the Qalandiya checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem. The volume of workers there was not as great as at At-Tayba, but the problems were similar. Sometimes workers crossed in less than a half an hour; sometimes it took them more than one hour. Imagine experiencing that aggravation every day.

In the Tulkarm area, farmers have limited access to their fields through half a dozen agricultural gates. They have to apply for permits through Palestinian and Israeli authorities, and the process can take between a week and a month. I visited a gate that is open for only 45 minutes three times daily: morning, noon and afternoon.

If the farmers are late, they cannot enter. A local farmer said the barrier destroyed access roads on which he used to ride a tractor to his almond and olive trees. Now he must go by donkey. He complains that the gates are not open on Jewish and Muslim holidays, even though he would like to

work on holidays. “We were turned back for two days when we were picking olives,” he said. He knows of three people who were injured in the fields and had problems getting medical assistance.

“What is needed,” he said, “is to take down the wall.”

Also in the area of Tulkarm, the village of Kafr Qaddum has restricted access because its main road has been declared offlimits, to protect Israeli settlers. Since 2004 the road blockage has been total, so the Palestinian residents have to travel almost eight miles to the main road instead of less than one mile. Every Friday since July 2011 there has been a demonstration in Kafr Qaddum to protest the roadblock. Israeli soldiers forcibly repress the demonstrators.

Bedouin children in a small community near Jaba, which is hemmed in by settlements, have their own access problems. To get to school, they must crawl through a drainage culvert under a busy highway, then climb over a rock pile and squeeze through a narrow tunnel that might have snakes or a dead sheep. In rainy weather, they get muddy and the teacher sends them home. The Palestinian Authority says it has no money to purchase them a bus. ❑

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Gaza Hit Hard…

Continued from page 15

drivers. To reduce expenses, taxis often have two drivers. Needless to say, when a taxi is out of service as a result of fuel shortages, the livelihoods of multiple families are affected.

Most families in Gaza cannot afford to own a car, so public transportation, whether by hired taxi or by bus, often is the only way to obtain essential services outside the neighborhood. These destinations include medical facilities, commercial centers, universities and social services, as well as distribution points for cooking fuel, food and clean drinking water.

In addition to shortages, inflation has gripped Gaza. A young tunnel worker guarding an entrance explains: “As the goods have the potential to be confiscated

by Egyptian troops at any moment, prices have risen. We used to get a bag of lentils for $13, now it is $22, which makes it unaffordable for people here in Gaza.”

According to Alaa al-Rafati, Gaza’s de facto minister of economy, the Gaza Strip lost approximately $225 million in June due to Israel’s and Egypt’s blocking of imports, including fuel and such basic construction materials as cement, gravel and steel.

Stranded at Home and Abroad Exacerbating the crisis in Gaza were accusations in the Egyptian media that Palestinians are responsible for the turmoil in Egypt. One consequence has been the restricting of human transit through the Rafah border crossing. ”We managed 22 passenger buses daily through Rafah, after Morsi was elected,” a Palestinian border official said. “Now we are down to four buses per day.”

Currently, Palestinians traveling abroad through Egypt are not allowed to board planes to Cairo, according to the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs. This has left thousands of Palestinians stranded in international airports.

Egypt informed Palestinian officials in Gaza it will open the border briefly each day, but only to those with foreign and Egyptian passports, as well as “acute medical cases.” But Egyptian border officials provide no clear definition of this term.

With 20 patients in urgent need of medical help, nobody knows if cancer falls within the “acute” category for a priority permit.

“There are 360 patients waiting in difficult health circumstances needing to travel as soon as possible, 26 needing regular cancer-protocol treatment, which cannot be postponed,” according to the Ministry of Health.

Yahya Khader, head of Gaza’s Ambulance and Emergency Unit, said that urgent cases awaiting transit include patients with tumors or needing cardiac surgery, optical, orthopedic and general surgery, as well as seizure management.

Gaza’s hospital facilities continue to suffer from the crippling siege enforced by Israel beginning in 2006.

Explains Dr. Mofeed Almakhlalaty, Gaza’s minister of health: “Rafah Crossing is the lung, the only lifeline for the entry of donated medications and Palestinian patients. This partial closure has affected the store of medications—if it continues, we face a huge crisis in Gaza Strip.”

In 2010 Israel announced an easing of its blockade on Gaza. Before that, it had permitted fewer than 90 items to enter the Strip. The easing allowed for the import of some previously banned foods and consumer goods, including paper and soap.

Until recently, however, the smuggling tun-

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THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

nels provided approximately 60 percent of PGaza’s daily food and basic necessities.

Gaza continues to rely on help from outside Israel for essential medications and supplies. Almakhlalaty notes that the Rafah border crossing accounts for the receipt of 30 percent of medicines and 25 percent of stock medical supplies sent by outside donor organizations.

Such donors include the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which recently sent $2.7 million in medical supplies, as well as Turkey and Egypt. Since the strife in Egypt began, however, these supplies no longer are allowed through. Also barred from entering Gaza are specialized surgical delegations, which now cannot enter through either the Erez Crossing with Israel or the Rafah border crossing.

Prior to the ousting of President Morsi, requests for medical supplies took 24 to 48 hours to be fulfilled. Under the new regime and rules, Gaza’s health minister fears it may now take weeks or months before medications become available through Israeli-controlled crossings.

Lives in the Balance Gaza’s 27 hospitals are, of course, directly affected by the lack of supplies and specialized personnel. Additionally, blackouts lasting up to 12 hours are normal, and the scarcity of fuel for generators makes it impossible to support many essential healthcare functions. In Gaza’s Shifa hospital, a patient on dialysis now lives with the daily fear that generators could run out of fuel at any moment, causing the power to go out.

As a result of the Egyptian military’s destruction of the lifeline tunnels into Gaza, the fuel needed to keep these patients alive simply may not arrive in time.

“We can’t lose electricity for one minute in our hospital emergency rooms, operating theaters and clinics,” explains Almakhlalaty.

“We rely on electricity generators to ease the burden on the patients and staff.”

Though the political turmoil is taking place across the border, it continues to affect the lives of everyone in Gaza. Each day that goes by, the crisis deepens. People cannot get around. Basic necessities are in short supply. Garbage is piling up. Opportunities for work disappear. Food spoils and reserves go empty. The effect of sporadic power outages on basic services cripples the small coastal enclave.

In late June, the Health Ministry reported that area hospital fuel reserves had dwindled to a mere 20 percent. Once those reserves are depleted, the hospitals will have no alternative but to shut down. ❑ SEPTEMBER 2013

williams_29_United Nations Report 8/8/13 9:37 AM Page 29

Dueling Principles: National Sovereignty Vs. Responsibility to Protect SpecialReport

By Ian Williams ccurate history is messy, because real-

parent than over Syria. The lines between good and bad are never as clear and bold as we would like. Take the example of the Second World War, which most of us accept as about as clear-cut a battle between good and evil as one could conjure up— and so it was, in very broad brush strokes.

But that war was won with the aid of a brutal Soviet Union, which from 1939 was an effective ally of its later enemy, Nazi Germany, and which had, by 1941, far more blood on its hands than did Hitler’s regime. After the war, both sides overlooked collaborators and propped up regimes that left little to choice. In East Germany, first the KGB and then the Stasis took over Gestapo establishments and persecuted opponents with equal fervor—and on occasion the same opponents!

However, as Orwell said, in most wars one side stands more or less for progress, and in the case of the Second World War, that was the Allied side. While the United Nations that emerged from the war has many resemblances to the former League of Nations, there were fundamental differences in its approach. Following the First World War Europe’s former nation states were dissolving, so under the influence of Woodrow Wilson, the League oversaw plebiscites and referenda that dismembered sovereign nation states, with some respect for self-determination of the peoples. One could argue that the multinational Ottoman and Hapsburg realms had more to offer the future of humanity than their squabbling sanguinary successor states, but that is for another time.

There were major exclusions to the application of the principle of self-determination: Wilson was, after all, a racist Southern Dixiecrat, albeit more cerebral than most.

In Europe, German speakers discovered that the rules did not apply to them, and in the rest of the world Arabs, Kurds and others soon discovered that the Great Powers were “only kidding.”

It was this period that saw the invention of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Jewish nationality as opposed to confessionality.

Ian Williams is a free-lance journalist based at the United Nations who blogs at <www. deadlinepundit.blogspot.com>.

SEPTEMBER 2013

ABDULLAH AL-SHAM/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Aity is messy—and that is no more ap-

A man carries two children away from the scene of an explosion in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, Aug. 7, 2013.

When dealing with concepts so subjective and fuzzy it is hardly surprising that logic was lacking, however. Greek-speaking Muslims became Turks, Turkish-speaking Orthodox became Greeks, and Catholic Lebanese/Syrians tried to become French, while other Christian Arabs helped invent Arab nationalism.

The Second World War showed little respect for national self-determination, as peoples from the Baltics southward discovered, and of course the Germans paid all over again. But once the mayhem was done and the boundaries adjusted, the foundational principle of the United Nations was the sanctity of state sovereignty and boundaries—no matter how illogical.

This amounted to restoration of an old principle, enshrined in the messy pragmatic details of the Treaty of Wesphalia that ended Europe’s Thirty-Year War—that of national sovereignty. In the context of the time, it meant that if a monarch was Catholic and persecuting his Protestant subjects, or vice versa, it was nobody else’s business.

Generalized and refined, that principle is now enshrined in the U.N. Charter as “all Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,” and of course emphasized in Security Council Resolution 242 as “the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force.”

That is why, since the arbitrary redrawings of boundaries at the end of World War II, aggressors like Indonesia in East Timor, Morocco in Western Sahara, Iraq in Kuwait, and of course Israel in Palestine have never been able to gain legal recognition of their conquests. It is why, only recently, a federal court ruled that the State Department could refuse to put “Jerusalem, Israel,” as the place of birth on U.S. passports for Americans who want to have their Aliyah and eat it, too.

Ironically, however, while under old style international law Palestinians living in Gaza can claim protection under the Geneva Conventions—even if it does not help them much—Syrians being shelled and strafed by their own regime cannot.

However, since then-Secretary-General Kofi Annan steered the “Responsibility to Protect” (R2P) concept through the 2005 General Assembly, international law has changed, building on the International Criminal Court and its jurisdiction. The Continued on page 34 29

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Swedish National Archive Documents Shed New Light on Bernadotte Assassination SpecialReport

AFP/GETTY IMAGES

By Göran Burén

Count Folke Bernadotte (l) and American diplomat Dr. Ralph Bunche, who succeeded Bernadotte as U.N. mediator in Palestine following the Count’s assassination on Sept. 17, 1948, arrive in Lausanne, Switzerland, Jan. 1, 1948. wedish Count Folke Bernadotte was as-

Ssassinated Sept. 17, 1948 in Jerusalem,

where he was serving as U.N. mediator in Palestine (see Donald Neff’s “Jewish Terrorists Assassinate U.N. Peacekeeper Count Folke Bernadotte,” September 1995 Washington Report, p. 83). Also killed in the attack carried out by Lehi, or Stern Gang, terrorists—and approved by, among others, future Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir—was French U.N. observer Col. André Sérot. The car carrying the U.N. diplomats was stopped by an Israeli military jeep blocking its way on Ha-Palmach St., well within the part of Jerusalem controlled by the new state’s government. Despite the fact that Israeli authorities were obliged to guarantee Bernadotte’s security, Göran Burén is a Swedish writer who recently published Mordet på Folke Bernadotte, a book about the 1948 assassination of Count Folke Bernadotte.

30

he and his colleagues were traveling without armed protection.

A few hours after Bernadotte’s assassination, his deputy, Dr. Ralph Bunche, cabled to Israeli Foreign Minster Moshe Sharett: ”This act constitutes a breach of the truce of utmost gravity for which the Provisional Government of Israel must assume full responsibility.”

The Israeli government condemned the assassination in the most forceful words, and immediately pointed out that the Stern Gang was a banned organization. But once the official condemnations subsided, nothing much happened. History records that the Stern Gang indeed was ultimately responsible. But Swedish documents show that Dr. Bunche’s statement was entirely accurate.

It was the Swedish consul in Cairo, Widar Bagge, who drew his government’s attention to Israel’s lack of interest in finding the perpetrators, as well as to the U.N.’s passivity.

When, after some pressure, the Israeli govTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

ernment produced a report on its investigations into the assassination, it was considered so inadequate that Sweden undertook an investigation of its own, conducted by then-Prosecutor-General Maths Heuman. In March 1950 the Heuman Commission issued its report. The criticism was devastating.

The Israeli investigations were revealed to have been very inferior. Witnesses had not been questioned, the scene of the crime had not been sealed off, obvious clues had been neglected, and so on. According to the Swedish report, ”the shortcomings are of such a serious nature as to cast doubt on whether the Israeli authorities have tried to bring the investigation to a positive conclusion.”

Heuman also addressed the escort issue: ”The troubled circumstances in Jerusalem at the time of the assassination should have caused the Israeli authorities to provide Count Bernadotte with an armed escort. It had done so on one of Count Bernadotte’s earlier visits to Jerusalem, on Aug. 3, when the situation in the town was less tense than on the day of the assassination. It is certainly tragic to be forced to call attention to the fact that the simpliest precautionary measures would have prevented the carrying out of the outrage.”

The release of the Heuman report placed the Swedish government in an awkward position. The Jewish state claimed a strong moral position following the revelation of the European Holocaust’s grotesque cruelties. Moreover, Israel was a member of the U.N. and recognized by several countries.

Among the Western countries, it was only the Scandinavian states that withheld their recognition, citing Israel’s mismanagement of the Bernadotte case. In the long run, however, it was impossible for Stockholm to withhold its recognition.

At the same time, the Heuman report generated wide criticism in the Swedish press which the government could not ignore. After all, Bernadotte was a relative of the king. The government therefore sent Foreign Ministry Director-General Baron Karl Lagerfeld to Tel Aviv to inform the Israelis that if they produced an acceptable reply to Heuman’s criticism and apologized for their oversights, the matter would be settled. The Israelis appointed a commission led by Supreme Court Justice Shimon SEPTEMBER 2013

buren-30-31_Special Report 8/8/13 10:40 AM Page 31

Agranat to examine the Heuman report.

In June 1950 Sweden received the Israeli commission’s report. While Swedish government officials were allowed to read it, the general public was not. It seems fair to surmise that had the officials been satisfied with the Israeli “apology,” it would have been released to the public.

The background material for the Heuman report is stored at the Swedish National Archive. Filed under “Bernadotte investigation,” it was classified until 2000, and contains many interesting details that were never made public. Because it is written in Swedish, it has escaped the attention of previous researchers, including Israeli Amitzur Ilan and American author Kati Marton.

Also housed at the National Archive is the Agranat report. Read together, it is clear that the Israeli “explanations” simply are not credible.

With regard to the lack of protection provided Bernadotte, the Israelis maintained that neither the government nor its representatives in Jerusalem had failed in their obligations by not providing the mediator with an armed guard. Nevertheless the government acknowledged the criticism slightly by saying that ”it is obvious that had the government acted more wisely, had it better learned of Count Bernadotte’s real wishes and attitudes instead of relying on presumptions—regardless of how well founded these were—which led to the understanding that he had not wished an armed protection due to his special position as United Nations mediator…”

Note that Israel expressly assumes responsibility for the lack of protection provided Bernadotte. Clearly, however, it was a deliberate decision not to protect him, not a matter of neglect or carelessness. Nor was it a decision that Jerusalem’s Military Governor Dov Joseph made by himself.

Note also that the Israeli response offers no other reason for the lack of protection other than its “presumptions.”

The Israeli memorandum then addressed the failed police investigation. It accepts (Advertisement)

SEPTEMBER 2013

Heuman’s harsh criticism in principle, but blames the chaotic conditions in Jerusalem at the time.

With regard to the question of armed protection, which is the crucial one, the Israeli commission argued along two lines.

First, concerning the issue of the authorities failing to provide an escort to Bernadotte and his colleagues, the Agranat commission maintained that even if Israeli sympathy for the count’s mission was declining, one could not deduce that Berna dotte was detested. ”It was natural for the authorities to believe that neither the IZL [Irgun terrorist group] nor LHY [Lehi/Stern Gang] would go so far as to plot his actual assassination, having regard for the great personal prestige of the man who represented the Supreme International Organization.”

This argument is pure nonsense. Not only had the Stern Gang repeatedly warned of their plans, but U.S. Ambassador to Israel James G. McDonald had on at least two occasions raised the death threats against Bernadotte with Israeli authorities. The air was abuzz with rumors of an attack.

Secondly, according to the Israeli response, an escort was not offered because the U.N. mediator did not wish one—and this, moreover, was a conscious component of his peace policy. ”To sum up: it was a matter of common knowledge that the system adopted by the mediator absolutely rejected the possibility that he and his staff would circulate in the areas of their duty in the company of armed escort.”

However, several testimonies, including from Bunche and from Bernadotte’s driver, confirm that while Bernadotte never explicitly asked for protection, he never rejected it when offered. There is nothing in either the Swedish or the Israeli report that confirms that the U.N. mediator opposed having an escort. Moreover, according to a special U.N. Security Council resolution adopted a month earlier—and which merely confirmed established international law—the Israelis were obligated to guarantee Bernadotte’s security.

It has been suggested that Israel’s failure to protect the U.N. mediator was due to carelessness on the part of the authorities.

The State of Israel was only four months old, after all, and conditions were still rather chaotic.

But when Count Bernadotte traveled into Jerusalem’s Jewish sector that day, he had a scheduled meeting with the military governor, Dov Joseph—the very person who held the ultimate responsibility for THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

the U.N. diplomat’s security. It seems highly improbable, not to say unthinkable, that under these circumstances Joseph could have “forgotten” to arrange for Bernadotte’s security—especially in light of what Joseph had said to Bernadotte's personal representative, Gen. Aage Lundstrom, only four days before the assassination: “I can’t imagine anything worse than if something would happen to the Count.”

Moreover, according to the U.N.’s chief observer, Col. Nils Brunsson, Joseph had always arranged armed protection on earlier occasions, when “I announced the visit to Dr. Joseph and received information concerning the escort. On none of these occasions did I have reason to object to the security measures."

To summarize: The Israeli authorities were well aware of the imminent risk to Count Bernadotte. Nevertheless they neglected to protect him, which they were obliged to do, and which they had done on earlier occasions.

But the Swedish government chose to accept the Israeli explanations and establish diplomatic relations with the new state. Since then the accepted version has been that Bernadotte was killed by Jewish terrorists and that the Israeli government condemned and regretted the crime. Anyone who studies the Swedish National Archive documents, however, will find it difficult to escape the conclusion that Count Bernadotte was assassinated with, at best, the tacit acquiescence of the Israeli government. ❑ (Advertisement)

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mcarthur_32-34_Congress Watch 8/8/13 9:36 AM Page 32

Congress Can’t Agree on How to Respond To Events in Syria or Egypt CongressWatch

By Shirl McArthur ollowing President Barack Obama’s June 13 announcement that he had apF proved “covert action” to supply limited weapons to Syrian rebels fighting forces supporting President Bashar al-Assad, congressional reaction was decidedly mixed.

As with almost everything else before Congress, events in Syria and Egypt were met with congressional gridlock.

On the more hawkish side, some members of Congress, especially in the Senate, have clamored for more assertive U.S. help for the Syrian rebels. On June 18 Sens. John McCain (R-AZ), Carl Levin (D-MI) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ)—who together have received a total of more than $1 million in pro-Israel PAC contributions—wrote to Obama thanking him for his announcement, but noting that “Assad’s forces are regaining the upper hand on the ground in Syria,” and urging Obama to “take specific steps to change the military balance of power in Syria against the Assad regime and its foreign supporters.” The specific steps they recommended included actions to degrade Assad’s ability to use air power and ballistic missiles. On June 25 Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), in an interview with The Cable, expressed frustration that “there hasn’t been a clearly articulated strategy,” and “the administration has yet to make it clear to the American people what’s at stake here.”

But a significant number of Congress members reject any increased U.S. involvement in Syria, fearing it will lead to being drawn into another Middle East sectarian battle. According to Rep. Adam Schiff (DCA), “there are a great many of us who applauded the president’s caution about not being dragged into this conflict and continue to have great concerns.”

Somewhere in the middle are those, including Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), who support arming the rebels, but object to the covert nature of the proposed actions.

However, in mid-July both the House and Senate intelligence committees approved using the CIA to proceed with the weapons shipments, financing the operation by re-programming previously appropriated funds. This allows the operation, Shirl McArthur is a retired U.S. foreign service officer based in the Washington, DC area.

32

stalled for more than a month, to proceed.

Meanwhile, the several previously described bills that would authorize arms and training to Syrian rebels have made no progress. S. 960, the “Syria Transition Support” bill, introduced in May by Menendez, was passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 21 by a vote of 15-3, but still has only four co-sponsors, including Menendez. It would, among other things, authorize the president “to provide defense articles, defense services, and military training” to specific Syrian rebel forces.

here are a great “T many of us who applauded the president’s caution.”

Similarly, S. 617, the “Syria Democratic Transition” bill, introduced in March by Casey, still has only 11 co-sponsors, including Casey. Among other things, it “would authorize U.S. assistance for Syrian civilians and innocent victims of the conflict,…expand sanctions against the government of Bashar al-Assad, [and] strengthen U.S. support for democraticallyoriented political opposition groups.”

And H.R. 1327, the “Free Syria” bill, introduced in March by Rep. Eliot Engel (DNY), still has only seven co-sponsors, including Engel. This bill would increase humanitarian and economic aid to the Syrian opposition as well as providing arms, training and intelligence support to “vetted” opposition groups.

At least eight measures were introduced that would either flatly prohibit U.S. funds being used to support military intervention in Syria, or would prohibit such intervention without congressional authorization. In the Senate on June 20, Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) with three co-sponsors introduced S. 1201, which would prohibit any funding that “would have the effect of supporting, directly or indirectly, military or paramilitary operations in Syria by any nation, group, organization, movement, or individual.” The bill includes an exception for humanitarian aid. Identical bills, H.R. 2492 and H.R. 2494, were introduced in the House on June 25 by Reps. Scott Desjarlais (R-TN), with one co-sponsor, and THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Chris Gibson (R-NY), with nine co-sponsors, respectively. H.R. 2503, introduced

by Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL) and one co-sponsor on June 25, would prohibit such funding, but without the exception for humanitarian aid.

H.R. 2432, introduced June 19 by Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN), and H.R. 2501, introduced June 25 by Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL) with 13 co-sponsors, would prohibit such funding “absent prior statutory authorization from Congress.” H.R. 2507, introduced June 26 by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) with 13 co-sponsors, would permit such funding “only with a formal declaration of war.” H.Con.Res. 40, introduced June 20

by Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) and two cosponsors, would go one step further. After prohibiting such funding absent express congressional authorization, it goes on to say that presidential violation of such prohibition “would constitute an impeachable high crime and misdemeanor.”

Disagreement on How to React to the Egyptian Coup (or Non-Coup) The Egyptian military’s July 3 takeover of Egypt’s government, ousting President Mohamed Morsi, has led to divided congressional reaction over how the U.S. should react. At issue is the provision in the Foreign Assistance Act, originally enacted in 1961 but subsequently amended several times, that requires the U.S. to cut aid to any country “whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree.” There is no presidential waiver provision.

The July 25 edition of The New York Times, citing “a senior administration official,” reported that State Department and other agencies’ lawyers, in a legal opinion submitted to the White House, concluded that the administration is not legally required to determine whether the military takeover was a coup. The official reportedly said that the finding would allow the $1.5 billion annual aid to Egypt to proceed.

But, he said, the White House would continue to use the aid as a lever to pressure Egypt’s new government to swiftly move to a democratic transition, such as Obama’s July 24 announcement that he had “suspended” the scheduled delivery of four F16 fighters to Egypt.

SEPTEMBER 2013

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While most members of Congress seemed to welcome the end of Morsi’s government, some influential members, including Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Levin, and McCain, said the law is clear and that the aid must be cut, or at least held in abeyance. “I do not want to suspend our critical assistance to Egypt,” McCain said, “but I believe it is the right thing to do at this time.”

Some members took a more cautious approach, apparently hoping that Egypt’s new rulers will transition the country back to democracy before any decision must be made. These included House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and ranking Democrat Engel; House Foreign Operations (foreign aid) Committee Chair Kay Granger (R-TX) and ranking Democrat Nita Lowey (D-NY), and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI),who said that cutting off aid now would make an unstable situation worse. House Speaker John Boehner (ROH) argued that Egypt’s military leaders deserved praise for doing “what they had to do.” In the Senate, Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Menendez said that if you cut aid, “you will take an economy that is already floundering and probably drive it into chaos.”

All of the previously described measures prohibiting or conditioning aid to Egypt have received no additional support. Two new bills were introduced. On June 27 Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) with six cosponsors introduced H.R. 2544, which would prohibit U.S. economic aid to Egypt unless the president certifies to Congress that the government of Egypt has met a list of six conditions. After the military takeover, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on July 11 introduced S. 1278, which would prohibit aid to Egypt until the president certifies to Congress that democratic elections have been held, followed by a peaceful transition of power.

Dueling House Letters Regarding Increased Diplomatic Efforts with Iran Opposing House letters were sent to Obama in July, raising the issue of increased sanctions vs. increased diplomacy in dealing with Iran. On July 1 all but one of the 46 members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee signed a letter, originated by Royce and Engel, urging Obama “to increase the pressure on Iran in the days ahead.” The letter also suggests “extending sector-based sanctions to the mining, engineering, and construction-based sectors.” It dismisses the idea that the June 14 election of Hassan Rowhani indicates more Iranian moderaSEPTEMBER 2013

tion, saying “Iran’s election unfortunately has done nothing to suggest a reversal of Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability.” Regarding diplomacy, the letter argues that to realize the diplomatic goal of reaching a negotiated settlement, “Iran must face intensifying pressure.”

The lone committee member not signing the letter was American Samoa’s Del. Eni Faleomavaega (D), who said that he fully supports the “way the Obama administration is proceeding in handling this matter on Iran.”

In contrast, on July 19, 131 House members (including five who signed the Royce/Engel letter) signed a letter, spearheaded by Reps. Charlie Dent (R-PA) and David Price (D-NC), urging Obama “to pursue the potential opportunity presented by Iran’s recent presidential election by reinvigorating U.S. efforts to secure a negotiated nuclear agreement.” Recognizing that “previous Iranian presidents elected on platforms of moderation have failed to deliver on promised reforms,” the letter continues, “even so, we believe it would be a mistake not to test whether Dr. Rowhani’s election represents a real opportunity for progress toward a verifiable, enforceable agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.” Finally the letter cautions against “engaging in actions that delegitimize the newly elected president and weaken his standing relative to hard-liners within the regime.”

While no new bills regarding Iran were introduced, some of the previously reported bills have gained support. The one most likely to be passed by the full House is the problematic H.R. 850, introduced in February by Royce “to impose additional human rights and economic and financial sanctions with respect to Iran.” As described in the previous issue’s “CongressWatch,” Royce’s committee in May made an already bad bill even worse. Among the changes approved was an amendment by leading Israel-firster Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), eliminating the presidential waiver authority. Among other things, the amended bill strengthens existing sanctions by requiring countries that are currently purchasing crude oil from Iran to reduce their combined purchases of Iranian crude oil by a total of 1 million barrels per day within a year; penalizes foreign persons who engage in significant commercial trade with Iran; expands the list of Iranian economic sectors effectively blacklisted, and limits Iran’s access to overseas foreign currency reserves. The bill still includes the section requiring that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps be declared a foreign THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

terrorist organization. The bill now has 375 co-sponsors, including Royce.

S. 892, the “Iran Sanctions Loophole Elimination” bill, introduced in May by the Senate’s leading Israel-firster, Mark Kirk (RIL), now has 31 co-sponsors, including Kirk.

It would amend “the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 to direct the president to prohibit the opening, and prohibit or impose strict conditions on the maintaining, in the U.S. of a correspondent account or a payable-through account by a foreign financial institution that is a person described” in the bill.

Unfortunately, the more responsible H.R. 783, the “Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons and Stop War Through Diplomacy” bill, introduced in February by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), has gained no co-sponsors and still has 19, including Lee. And on June 13 the full Senate passed the symbolic S.Res. 154, introduced in May by Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND), “calling for free and fair elections in Iran.” When passed, the measure had 33 co-sponsors, including Hoeven. The similar H.Res. 252 was introduced in the House on June 6 by Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) with 16 co-sponsors.

AIPAC-pushed “U.S.-IsraelStrategic Partnership”BillsStillGettingSupport The two AIPAC-endorsed (if not written) “U.S.-Israel Strategic Ally” bills described in previous issues, H.R. 938, introduced in March by Ros-Lehtinen and S. 462 introduced in March by Sen. Barbara Boxer (DCA), continue to gain co-sponsors. Both bills would, among other things, authorize increased U.S. “cooperative activities” in the fields of energy, water, homeland security, agriculture, and alternate fuel technologies. They would also expand U.S.-Israel cyber-security cooperation and extend authority to add to “foreign-based” defense stockpiles and to transfer “obsolete or surplus” Department of Defense items to Israel. H.R. 938 now has 330 co-sponsors, including Ros-Lehtinen. The more problematic S. 462 now has 50 co-sponsors, including Boxer.

Among the problems with S. 462 are that, first, while H.R. 938 says that “it shall be U.S. policy to include Israel in the visa waiver program when Israel satisfies” the program’s requirements, S. 462 would water down the key requirement of granting full reciprocity to U.S. citizens by saying that Israel would only have to make “every reasonable effort, without jeopardizing the security of the State of Israel, to ensure that reciprocal travel privileges are extended to 33

mcarthur_32-34_Congress Watch 8/8/13 9:36 AM Page 34

all U.S. citizens.” Israel consistently refuses to admit Arab Americans or other U.S. citizens—including Jewish Americans—seen as sympathetic to the Palestinians. The second reason is that S. 462 would exempt Israel from the requirement of a low refusal rate for non-immigrant visas. (Too many Israelis come to the U.S. on tourist visas and then stay on illegally.)

The previously described H.R. 1992, the “Israel QME Enhancement” bill, introduced in May by Rep. Doug Collins (RGA), which would update the criteria for maintaining Israel’s “qualitative military edge” to include cyber warfare, now has 17 co-sponsors, including Collins.

H.R. 1130, the previously reported “Iron Dome Support” bill, introduced in March

by Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA), has gained a co-sponsor and now has 85, including Davis. It would authorize the president to provide assistance to Israel for its “Iron Dome” anti-missile system. On July 16 Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) introduced H.R. 1701; then, on July 17 he, along with 20 co-sponsors, introduced the identical H.R. 1717. Both bills, in addition to authorizing Iron Dome support, would authorize “cooperation” on Israel’s David’s Sling, Arrow, and Arrow 3 anti-missile defense systems.

The more responsible and balanced H.Res. 238, “Expressing the sense of the House regarding U.S. efforts to promote Israeli-Palestinian peace,” introduced in May

by Lee, now has seven co-sponsors, including Lee. Among its 11 resolved clauses are some calling on Palestinians and Arab states to take certain positive steps, but it also “calls on the Israeli government to cease support for and to prevent further settlement expansion in the occupied territories.”

Measure Commends Jordan, as Sniping at U.N. Continues On June 27 the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously ordered reported to the full House H.Res. 222, “recognizing the long-term partnership and friendship between the U.S. and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.” The measure, introduced May 17 by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), has 44 co-sponsors, including Meeks.

House and Senate Republicans introduced three measures aimed at undermining the U.N. and its agencies. On May 20 Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced S. 988 “to provide for an accounting of total U.S. contributions to the U.N.” It has 24 cosponsors, including Lee. Then, on May 22 Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) introduced the identical H.R. 2099. It has four co-sponsors, including Brooks. On July 17 Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and two co-sponsors 34

introduced S. 1313 “to promote transparency, accountability, and reform within the U.N. system.” Five of its 10 sections are concerned more with restricting the U.N.’s relationship with Palestinians than with U.N. reform. ❑

Dueling Principles…

Continued from page 29

international community can now hold governments responsible for their failure to protect their own populations and indeed hold them to account for persecuting their “own” citizens.

The big problem with humanitarian intervention, even when called “Responsibility to Protect,” is that it is susceptible to expedient abuse. Hitler justified intervention in Czechoslovakia on the grounds of mistreatment of the Sudeten Germans, who had indeed been denied their right to selfdetermination in the Versailles settlement.

Tony Blair invoked the plight of Iraqi civilians to justify his and George Bush’s crusade against Iraq.

Russia, while it voted with the rest of the world on the general principle of R2P, invokes national sovereignty to ensure that it cannot be effectively implemented, at least against its allies. As in Libya, Moscow can draw support from the ineptitude of American diplomacy, which stands self-evidently guilty of egregious hypocrisy in its dealings with, above all, the Middle East.

Syria, but not Palestine So, while Washington has been instrumental in preventing effective action to stop Israel’s mistreatment of the Palestinians in the occupied territories, American politicians are wringing their hands and saying “something must be done” about Syria. Perhaps the sole concession to rationality is that, apart from the lunatic neocons who gave us Iraq, there seems to be a general concession that U.S. forces cannot play a prominent role in intervention. On the other hand, U.S. diplomacy for decades seems to have specialized in rubbing the wrong way all the other major players, like Iran and Russia.

Washington’s inaction is made easier because of public confusion about who the good guys are, and Russian media in particular highlight the barbarisms committed by the fundamentalists in the Syrian opposition.

There is, sadly, much to highlight. However, that does not negate the reality that the Assad regime began by attacking unarmed protesters and since then has sought to win hearts and minds by bombing and shelling its own cities. Certainly some of the opposiTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

tion have carried out atrocities, but the regime as a whole has pursued a policy of violent wholesale repression.

The reason so many oppose Assad’s regime is because it is ruthless and murderous—so there is absolutely no excuse not to denounce such behavior when committed by some of “our” side. Indeed, there is even more reason to do so, since to be silent implies complicity.

One other, almost unrecognized act of non-partisan balance has come from the U.N., in its reports on Syria, which suggest that people on both sides have used chemical weapons and violated human rights. It has resisted attempts to provide the smoking chemical canisters that neocon hawks pine for, even though it has indeed made plain that the balance of crimes weighs heavily down on the regime side. Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay has called for an investigation into credible allegations of murders by fundamentalist elements of the opposition.

The human rights bodies of the U.N. have often made for strange bedmates. Iran, Syria, Libya and Iraq, when they were each embroiled in bitter conflicts between them, always seemed to unite to ensure that human rights pariahs were represented on the Human Rights Committee and its successor Council. However, their active conspiracy could not survive without the tacit connivance of other members. This year only seven countries—China, Iran, Jordan, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Vietnam—were candidates for the four Asian seats on the Human Rights Council.

Pro-Israel activists harp on about Iran and Syria, because they are more actively anti-Israel than the others. But none of them really pass muster. The Maldives is the only one that has any serious pretensions to democracy, and even there a semicoup recently took place.

If countries with pretensions to human rights and democracy cannot bring themselves to stand for such positions, one can see the difficulties in corralling together an effective bloc that could intervene in Syria.

Sadly, short of spillover into neighboring countries, it is difficult to see what motivation could inspire such a coalition, diplomatic or military.

And the one “indispensable country” that could at least inspire, if not lead, such a move is hopelessly compromised by its record of partisanship in the region. But at the very least, armed with Pillay’s demonstrable non-partisan commitment to human rights, the Security Council should mandate International Criminal Court investigations into crimes by both sides in Syria. ❑ SEPTEMBER 2013

gee_35_Islam and the Near East in the Far East 8/7/13 6:59 PM Page 35

Clash in Sabah Testifies to Colonialism’s Lingering Legacy

By John Gee

Islam and the Near East in theFar East

he East Malaysian state of Sabah is only

in the Philippines, and is not heavily guarded by the Malaysian armed forces, so there was no one to intercept the more than 200 armed Filipino men who landed at the coastal village of Tanduo on Feb. 9. They occupied Tanduo and declared that they were the Royal Army of the Sulu Sultanate. In the Philippines, Jamalul Kiram III, who claims to be the legitimate sultan, said that the men had come to reclaim Sabah for the Sultanate.

The Malaysian army and police reacted slowly. They concentrated their forces in the district of Lahad Datu, around Tanduo, and gave the militiamen an ultimatum to leave.

Before that expired, however, a clash on March 1 resulted in 12 of the invaders and 2 Malaysian police officers being shot dead.

Some militiamen had dispersed into the surrounding area, and there were more clashes in the days that followed, before a full scale Malaysian assault on Tanduo and sweeps of neighboring villages ended with the Malaysian forces announcing that they had regained control. It was not clear whether any militia members had escaped and merged into Sabah’s Filipino community.

While the invasion caught Malaysia unprepared, the dispute over Sabah is an old one, going back to 1963, when Sabah became one of the founders of the Federation of Malaysia. As in many other parts of the region, it is a legacy of the colonial period.

Historically, the easiest way to travel in many parts of Southeast Asia—a region of long coastlines, islands and peninsulas— was by water. Most inland areas were heavily forested, and human habitation was concentrated near the sea and along rivers navigable to boats. A cursory look at the map of the region might lead an outsider to see a region of peoples separated by water, but it is more accurate to understand it as a region where water brought inhabitants together and land tended to be an obstacle.

People on opposite sides of the Straits of Malacca, in Sumatra and the Malay peninsula, maintained strong ties, and the flow of trade and people between northeastern Borneo (modern Sabah) and the adjacent isJohn Gee is a free-lance journalist based in Singapore, and the author of Unequal Conflict: The Palestinians and Israel.

SEPTEMBER 2013

GOOGLE MAPS

Tan hour by boat from the nearest island

lands of Palawan and the Sulu archipelago built links that were then stronger than those with people on the opposite side of Borneo. Political and military intervention followed at times, and one result was the Sultanate of Sulu’s claim to Sabah.

The sea also provided a highway for longdistance trade and by which ideas and beliefs from far away could penetrate the region. Hinduism reached the East Indies by sea from India, and is still the predominant religion in Bali. It is not certain when Arab traders first came to the region, but they were certainly sailing to these parts from southern Arabia and the Gulf area from early in the Islamic era. In the 9th century CE, they were primarily interested in trading with China, but later Malaya, Sumatra and Java came to be seen as valued trading places in their own right. Goods in demand by the Arabs included spices and wood.

Among the trade goods they brought with them was glassware: fragments have been found in excavations in Malaya and elsewhere. As a result of these contacts, Arab writers are a valuable source of information on the pre-colonial societies of Malaya and Indonesia, from the 9th century CE onward.

It was not Arabs, however, but Indian Muslims who were responsible, in the 14th century CE or a little earlier, for the first conversions to Islam on any scale. The Venetian traveler Marco Polo mentions a north Sumatran town called Perlak as havTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

ing been Muslim in 1292, and it seems to have been around then that Aceh, the northernmost part of Sumatra, became predominantly Muslim. When European powers first reached Southeast Asia in the 16th century, they found Islam well established in Sumatra, Java, Malaya and the Philippines.

In Southeast Asia as elsewhere, European intervention ultimately resulted in the establishment of borders that in many cases did not reflect the pre-existing political order or the linguistic, cultural or economic ties between the peoples of the area. The southernmost Thai provinces were inhabited by Malay Muslims, while Thailand had an historic claim to the northern states of British-ruled Malaya. Those states temporarily came under Thai rule during the Second World War, when Thailand allied with Japan. More recently, the predominantly Muslim areas of southern Thailand have been the scene of a simmering conflict with the central government.

As in Africa, the end of colonial rule did not result in a reversion to the status quo before the European conquests: newly independent states inherited their colonial borders. The former Dutch East Indies became independent as Indonesia, which later successfully asserted its claim to the Dutchruled half of New Guinea. That island is consequently split by an almost straight line Continued on page 41 35

howe-36-37_Special Report 8/8/13 10:41 AM Page 36

Despite Ongoing Protests, Cautious Hopes Persist in Kurdish Peace Process SpecialReport

PHOTO M. HOWE

By Marvine Howe

Kurdish parliamentarian Sebahat Tuncel of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party joins Turkish demonstrators in Istanbul’s Taksim Square. or 10 days straight, the Turkish

“Fpublic was able to watch on na-

tional TV groups of Kurds calling for peace and waving banners with the face of leader Abdullah Öcalan right here in Taksim Square,” a Kurdish parliamentarian told this writer exultantly.

The deputy, Sebahat Tuncel of the proKurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), said in an interview that if, as a consequence of the Taksim protests, the government puts a stop to negotiations with Ocalan, “we will understand that it was not sincere about the peace process.”

The process she referred to is a landmark agreement reached late last year between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), officially banned as a terrorist organization, which has waged a devastating rebellion for nearly 30 years, costing more than 40,000 lives and the destruction Marvine Howe, former New York Times bureau chief in Ankara, is the author of Al Andalus Rediscovered: Iberia’s New Muslims and Other Minorities (available from the AET Book Club).

36

of some 4,000 villages in southeastern Turkey.

Because of the sensitivity of public opinion, the peace talks were carried out in utmost secrecy by the chief of the National Intelligence Organization, Hakan Fidan, and Ocalan, who since his capture in 1999 has been serving a life prison sentence as leader of a terrorist organization.

The BDP, the main legal pro-Kurdish organization in Turkey, has been actively engaged in the peace process, serving as a link between the incarcerated nationalist leader Ocalan and the outlawed PKK. As of this writing, details of the accord still had not been made public, raising charges from the opposition that Erdogan was giving away land for peace or even planning to release Ocalan in return for Kurdish votes.

According to independent observers, however, Erdogan may succeed in ending the conflict where earlier attempts have failed, because he has established civilian control over Turkey’s powerful military, which has adamantly opposed negotiating with “terrorists.” Nevertheless, a significant sector of ultra-nationalists still refuses THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

any kind of accommodation with the archenemy Ocalan.

Turks began to express hope in the peace process this past March, when, from his prison cell on Imrali Island in the Sea of Marmara, Ocalan proclaimed a ceasefire, to be followed by a pullout of all PKK forces from Turkey. Then on May 8, the PKK’s military commander, Murat Karayilan, announced the start of withdrawal.

Above all, there have been no Kurdish attacks since the beginning of the year.

These Kurdish moves were to be followed by confidence-building measures from Erdogan’s government, such as the release of PKK prisoners. The dialogue has stalled, however, over Kurdish claims that most of its estimated 17,000 armed forces have gone and Turkish intelligence reports that only 15 percent have left.

But by June, Erdogan’s conservative, Islamic-inspired government faced the first serious challenge to its 11-year majority rule. The prime minister’s dismissive attitude toward the ferocious police crackdown on a peaceful demonstration in Istanbul’s central Taksim Square was widely condemned even in official circles. The victims were environmentalists and mostly young Turks outraged over development plans for Taksim and the transformation of Gezi Park into a shopping mall. Their protest won support from left- and right-wing opposition parties and snowballed into demonstrations around the country against Erdogan’s “increasingly autocratic government” and demands for his resignation.

After a fortnight’s standoff, the prime minister met with a delegation of protesters, agreed to let the court decide the fate of Taksim, and then ordered the forcible eviction of everyone remaining in the park. Shortly afterward, the court ruled in favor of the environmentalists, but the square remained closed. Young Turks, however, have found their voice and have taken their protests to other squares and parks in Istanbul and around the country.

Despite cooperating in the peace process, the BDP took part in the protests because it is critical of the government’s general policies on ecology. BDP deputy SEPTEMBER 2013

howe-36-37_Special Report 8/8/13 10:41 AM Page 37

Sirri Sureyya Onder personally stopped bulldozers from cutting down the linden trees in Gezi Park. But BDP deputy Tuncel said the party’s presence was about much more than trees. “Turkish protesters, who are reacting against oppression, are beginning to realize that our struggles are parallel,” she said. “What we’re saying to them is that Kurds are also fighting for freedom and democracy.”

In fact, the Kurdish cause may have won some respect among the young protesters, who have grown up with the official portrayal of Ocalan and his organization as bloodthirsty terrorists. Initially, there were clashes between Kurds and ultra-nationalist Turks at Gezi Park, but they later marched side by side against “the authoritarian government.”

“At first they didn’t want to see us in the demonstrations, but then they saw they need us because we know how to fight against the police,” explained a Kurdish protester in Gezi Park. Describing himself as “an ordinary Kurdish revolutionary,” he said it didn’t matter if the protests affected the peace talks. “We’ll get our rights; we trust ourselves, the BDP and the PKK. Most of all, we trust Ocalan. He’s the strongest leader in the Middle East. All Kurds trust him, not just in Turkey, but Iran, Iraq and Syria.”

As the protests spread, Erdogan took time out from the daily crises to receive the Commission of Wise People that he’d sent around the country to promote the Kurdish peace process. The group of 63 respected academics, journalists and other prominent figures (minus two members who boycotted the meeting out of solidarity with the Gezi protests) reported back that there was “broad support” for the peace process, albeit concern over future proceedings. According to the report from southeast Turkey, the key Kurdish region, most people demand constitutional guarantees for Kurds’ cultural and political rights.

Veteran journalist Fehmi Koru was a member of the delegation to the Aegean region, where many Kurds have migrated to escape the violence in the southeast. In their two-month mission, Koru told the Washington Report, his group of eight “wise people” visited eight cities and spoke to about 50 NGOs in each city. Their conclusion was that Kurds are ”fed up with injustice,” above all not being able to use their language. “Kurds even in the West feel like second-class citizens and are exploited everywhere,” he said.

Then came the news on June 28 that SEPTEMBER 2013

Turkish soldiers had killed a Kurdish teenager and wounded nine other civilians protesting the construction of a gendarmerie post at Lice, the center of Kurdish nationalism. The BDP immediately organized demonstrations against the killing in various cities. In a rare display of Turkish solidarity with Kurds, some 200 Gezi Park protesters joined the BDP march in Istanbul.

Prime Minister Erdogan suggested that the continuing protests were the work of “forces that sought to sabotage the peace process.” Reaffirming his determination to pursue peace talks, he told his party’s parliamentary group: “We set our hearts on the process. We risked our lives for this process. No sabotage or provocation can deter us from this blessed journey and seeking a solution.”

A Visit to BDP Headquarters To find out what the Kurds want from peace talks, I visited BDP headquarters in Ankara. Initially, Turkey’s Kurdish nationalists had sought independence and union with Kurds from neighboring Iraq, Iran and Syria, but of late, they had spoken of autonomy and equal rights.

BDP spokesman Evren Cevik can see both sides of the cruel conflict, because his father was a Kurdish officer in the Turkish air force. Summing up the Kurdish problem, he said: “You can be a policeman, doctor or military officer, but you can’t be a Kurd in Turkey.”

On six occasions, Kurds have initiated peace talks with different Turkish governments, Cevik noted—but something always occurred to disrupt the talks. He pointed out that the Kurds made their first cease-fire offer in 1993 to President Turgut Ozal, “who was considering it positively” when he died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Kurds and others have suspected Ozal was poisoned, but subsequent investigations failed to confirm the allegations.

According to the BDP spokesman, in Ocalan’s latest peace offer the PKK agreed to disarm after the government provided guarantees of basic human rights: a new constitution with equal rights for all citizens of Turkey, education in the mother tongue, and democratic decentralization. Cevik acknowledged that the PKK’s aim in the beginning was a free Kurdistan, but explained that “Now borders don’t matter anymore; what counts is the Kurdish identity.”

While Ankara and most of the country were still fixated on the fallout from the Gezi Park protests, the PKK held its annual congress on Kandil Mountain in Iraq, near the Turkish border. On July 9, the Kurdish THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Communities Union (KCK), the umbrella group that includes the PKK. announced leadership changes. Ocalan, formerly honorary leader, was named supreme chief.

The new co-chairs are Cemil Bayik, a member of the KCK’s executive, and Bese Hozat, a leader of the PKK’s women’s organization.

Murat Karayilan was appointed head of the military wing.

Turkish political circles suggested the KCK reshuffle could mean the end of peace talks, since Karayilan had been Ocalan’s main partner in the negotiations. Cengiz Candar, an expert on regional conflicts, interpreted the changes as a message from Ocalan to Prime Minister Erdogan to live up to his part of the accord. Writing in the Turkish daily Radikal, Candar pointed out that Bayik was a founder of the PKK in 1978, and since then Ocalan’s second in command. He suggested that the nomination of Ms. Hozat, a well-known member of the Alevis, who follow a Shi’i branch of Islam, could be an attempt by the PKK to woo that important minority away from the socialist opposition.

Most people agree that for the peace process to succeed, Turkey needs a new constitution with basic human rights for all. A parliamentary commission has been working for a year and a half to revise the present charter, drafted under martial law in 1982. Consensus has been reached on 48 of a total of 177 articles, but the process will take time.

But the Kurdish Peace Process nevertheless remains linked to outside developments. Ankara has successfully engaged in good neighborly relations with Iraqi Kurdistan, which supports Turkey’s peace talks with the PKK. In the civil war to the south, however, Syrian Kurdish forces have been making gains against the Syrian opposition, which is backed by Turkey. Reports of a plan to set up an autonomous Kurdish region in northern Syria with the blessings of the Assad regime are seen as a threat to Turkey’s security and, of course, the peace process.

Meanwhile, things are happening on the ground. The independent MetroPOLL reported in July that Turkish public opinion is “warming” to the idea of Kurdish instruction in mainly Kurdish areas, with 48.2 percent in favor, and opposition coming essentially from ultra-nationalist voters, with 71.4 percent against. And for the first time, the Supreme Court ruled the same month that a Kurdish couple from Sanliurfa has the right to name their baby daughter “Kurdistan”—a word heretofore considered taboo. ❑ 37

painter_38-39_Special Report 8/7/13 3:53 PM Page 38

The Map Is Not the Territory: Parallel Paths— Palestinians, Native Americans, Irish SpecialReport

By Dagmar Painter

archival pigment “Print, House and Home.”

In his digital print from his “Forgotten Survivors” series, John Halaka seeks to “make images of the refugees indelible.” Halaka, who recently returned from a Fulbright fellowship in Beirut, is a visual artist, documentary filmmaker, and professor of Visual Arts at the University of San Diego.

“Clearing,” a print by leading Irish artist Rita Duffy, is one of three examining “elements of a post-colonial condition intersecting with post-conflict agendas and our society’s movement from a war/warrior footing toward civil processes.”

Helen Zughaib served as United States cultural envoy to the West Bank, where she worked with Palestinian women artists in 2008. One of her paintings—which are included in the collections of the Library of Congress, World Bank, U.S. State Department and Arab-American National Museum— was chosen as a presidential gift by the Obama administration. Zughaib’s work in this exhibit portrays a powerful female image in her signature style, combining elements of all three cultures.

Mona el-Bayoumi, whose work was recently exhibited at Espace Galerie Europia

major exhibition, “The Map Is

Dagmar Painter is curator of the Jerusalem Fund’s Gallery Al-Quds in Washington, DC. 38

land, and in 1992, the Irish repaid them with great ceremony.

One of the artworks included is a collaboration between Lisamarie Johnson and Fantin el-Tamimi, who describe “Dublin, Palestine 2012” as “a photograph of a protest in solidarity with Gaza, during an Israeli attack.…The protest…took place on O’Connell Street, in front of the General Post Office, which served as the headquarters of Irish rebellion leaders during the Easter Rising in 1916. The 800-year British occupation of what at last became the Republic of Ireland in 1922 closely resembles today’s occupation of Palestine. The Irish strongly empathize with Palestine’s quest for freedom and independence, for the return of the land, and with the long-term generational trauma that has affected Palestinians, Native Americans, and the Irish.”

Among the well-known and world famous artists included in this juried exhibition is Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, who submitted her “The Clearing” by Irish artist Rita Duffy. ©RITA DUFFY 2013

Palestinians, Native Americans, Irish,” will be on view from Sept. 6 through Oct. 18 at the Jerusalem Fund’s Gallery Al-Quds in Washington, DC. That is the first stop on a five-year tour of the exhibit of works on paper by 39 international and U.S.-based artists. This concept show, co-curated by Jennifer Heath of Baksun Books and Arts in Boulder, Colorado, and this writer, explores the profound connections and commonalities among Palestinians, Native Americans and the Irish.

Contemporary artists from all three cultures have created original paintings, photographs, prints, drawings, artist books and films considering their historical and contemporary links. Accompanying the exhibit will be a series of films, an artists’ panel featuring three of the participating artists, and a scholarly panel exploring the topic.

The exhibited works consider such topics as identity, words, persistence, occupation, conflict and resistance, land and food, and diaspora, among others. Each artist includes a personal statement exploring his or her ideas about the concept and their work for the exhibition. A series of text panels illustrate some of the historical connections among the groups, such as their deep reverence for the land; struggles against occupation, oppression and colonization; starvation, disease, exposure; and forced migrations. Among the contemporary connections explored is the fact that the Irish are among the leaders of the Gaza Flotilla movement, and have long been involved in many other aspects of the Palestinian resistance. In the mid-20th century, Palestinian refugees landed in New Mexico, where some have intermarried with the Navajo—whose own forced migration west began in the 1860s on the Long Walk, not unlike the 1948 Palestinian displacement during the Nakba. During the Irish Hunger in the 19th century, the Choctaw people, themselves well acquainted with famine, sent $750 to Ire-

POSTER DESIGNED BY DAGMAR PAINTER

Anot the Territory: Parallel Paths—

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

SEPTEMBER 2013

painter_38-39_Special Report 8/7/13 3:53 PM Page 39

6+Collective, Alan Montgomery, Andrew Ellis Johnson, Claudia Borgna, Donna Schindler, Elena Farsakh, Fatin Al-Tamimi, Hani Zurob, Helen Zughaib, Jane McMahan, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, John Halaka, Kerry Vander Meer, Lisamarie Johnson, Malaquias Montoya, Manal Deeb, Mary Tuma, Matthew Egan, Melanie Yazzie, Michael Elizondo, Jr., Michael Keating, Michele Horrigan, Mick O’Kelly, Mona el-Bayoumi, Nadema Agard, Najat ElKhairy, Najib Joe Hakim, Neal Ambrose-Smith, Norman Akers, Phoebe Farris, Rajie Cook, Rawan Arar, Rita Duffy, Scott Benesiinaabandan, Sherry Wiggins, Susanne Slavick, Tom Quinn Kumpf, Vivien Sansour and Wahsontiio Cross.

©JOHN HALAKA 2013

©JAUNE QUICK-TO-SEE SMITH 2013

Participating Artists

©HELEN ZUGHAIB 2013

©MONA EL-BAYOUMI 2013

Clockwise from above left: “Print, House and Home” by Jaune Quick-to-See Smith; John Halaka’s “Forgotten Survivors”; “Lucky Can’t Find a Piece of Land to Sit and Eat His Falafal Peacefully,” by Mona el-Bayoumi; and Helen Zughaib’s “Woven in Exile.”

in Paris, is represented by an acrylic and mixed media painting, “Lucky Can’t Find a Piece of Land to Sit and Eat his Falafel Peacefully.“ In her artist statement she describes the piece as “attempt[ing] to express how symbols of an appropriated culture are commodified in the form of advertisement.”

SEPTEMBER 2013

Another work, “Mohegan Wigwam,” is by locally based Phoebe Farris, a member of the Powhatan-Renape Nation whose expertise is contemporary Native American art and culture. Dr. Farris has consulted for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian and the EitTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

eljorg Museum of American Indian Art. She was the curator and a participating artist in the five-year traveling exhibition, “Visual Power: 21st Century Native American Artists/Intellectuals,” sponsored by the Cultural Programs Division of the United States Department of State. ❑ 39

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Srebrenica’s Returning Muslim Residents Win Local Victory in Serb Republic Town SpecialReport

ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

By Peter Lippman

A Bosnian boy walks by women holding a banner with pictures of victims of the 1995 massacre at Srebrenica, July 9, 2013. The onlookers were awaiting the transport of the bodies of 408 newly identified victims to the nearby Potocari Memorial cemetery, where they were to be buried two days later, on the 18th anniversary of the massacre. ow did it happen that on the night of

HOct. 7, 2012, dozens of young people

were celebrating joyously in a bar in the middle of Srebrenica—not far from where, 17 years earlier, an act of genocide had been committed?

The jubilant people had just pulled off an electoral victory for municipal representatives of Muslim returnees to Srebrenica. Against the odds, and after several months of hard work, a group of Bosnian citizens had succeeded in helping thousands of displaced Srebrenicans take part in crucial municipal elections in their prewar place of residence.

On that October night the activists, led

by Emir Suljagić, had achieved one step in a struggle for equality for all Bosnians—a struggle waged since the end of the 19921995 war. The October victory heralded an escalation in the long-term campaign for the restoration of basic rights for all people throughout the country. Perhaps the participants in that raucous party could not foresee this, but a nationwide network of rights activists in Bosnia-Herzegovina is Peter Lippman is an independent human rights activist based in Seattle.

40

now coming into a new, heightened phase of cohesion and effectiveness.

The March 1st Coalition During the war approximately 100,000 people were killed, and over half of the 4.4 million population was internally displaced or expelled from the country. One of the most atrocious incidents in the entire war took place with the fall of the U.N.-protected “safe area” of Srebrenica. In July of 1995 the eastern enclave fell to Serb forces, and in the few weeks that followed, more than 8,000 men and boys, and some women, were murdered. The U.N. International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), subsequently deemed the string of massacres around Srebrenica as genocide.

Under the Dayton agreement that ended the war, Bosnia was partitioned into two autonomous “entities”: the Serb-controlled Republika Srpska (Serb Republic) or RS, and the joint Croat- and Muslim-controlled Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Srebrenica is the only municipality in the Serb-controlled portion of Bosnia politically controlled by Muslims. This has been possible due to the right of displaced Srebrenicans to vote in their pre-war home, the popTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

ulation of which, before the war, was 75 percent Muslim. Last year that arrangement was cancelled, however, and the threat was that politicians from Serb-dominated political parties that deny that genocide ever took place would take over Srebrenica.

In response, a grassroots organization calling itself “I Will Vote for Srebrenica” was created in order to register displaced Srebrenicans in their pre-war municipality.

It worked. I was present as an election monitor on Oct. 7, the day of nationwide municipal elections, including Srebrenica’s. I witnessed attempts at fraud, including the arrival of Serbians who had come across the River Drina—part of Bosnia’s international border with Serbia—to vote in Srebrenica.

But the legitimate voters of Srebrenica prevailed, and the deniers were defeated.

Realizing that their local victory could be rolled back in coming years, the Srebrenica campaign activists decided that the best way to protect their gains was to go on the offense by replicating their campaign nationwide. The new campaign is geared toward registering people to vote in the upcoming general elections of autumn 2014. The activists have re-established their organization under the banner of the “March 1st Coalition,” a nationwide—and, indeed, international—organization drawing in activists from the million-or-so postwar diaspora throughout the world.

The March 1st Coalition takes its name from the date of the last elections held in Bosnia-Herzegovina, immediately before the start of the war in 1992. On that date, people voted in the homes from which many of them subsequently were expelled. After the war there was a decade-long movement for refugee return, which in some areas saw a rate of return as high as 60 percent, but in many other places took place only at the symbolic level. By and large, Bosnia today remains an ethnically homogenized country.

The March 1st Coalition aims to at least reverse the power imbalance and chip away at the control of the separatists in 2014, if not to entirely re-create the prewar demographic structure. The plan is to register displaced Bosnians, living in the Federation and abroad, in their pre-war homes in the Republika Srpska, where their votes can make a difference in the political fate of that entity and of BosniaSEPTEMBER 2013

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Herzegovina as a whole. According to coalition calculations, registering some 100,000 voters in the RS should be sufficient to elect a significant minority of nonSerbs not only to the RS parliament, but to the state legislature as well. An increased number of “pro-Bosnian” representatives from the RS could, quite possibly, lead to a crucial constitutional reform that will end the present regime of corruption.

The present campaign represents the arrival and coalescence of a new generation of activists—people who were between roughly 10 and 20 years old during the war. Suljagić is one of these; as a teenager he was employed by U.N. troops as a translator in the Srebrenica enclave. Many of the young activists grew up at least partially in exile, acquiring along the way an education and the preparedness to develop a nationwide mobilization as they came of age in their home country.

Rights Campaigns in Srebrenica Returnees—who now constitute a minority in the country where they used to simply be citizens with equal rights—have had to confront many obstacles in their own pre-war homes. In Srebrenica, for example, refugee return started late, due to obstruction and the weight of the genocide. The first returnees came back in 2000, but only a few thousand returned in the next few years. Today unofficial estimates are that there are 3,000 to 4,000 Muslim returnees and a similar number of Serbs, many of whom were already residents of the municipality before the war.

The pre-war population of Srebrenica was around 37,000, somw 8,000 of whom were killed in the massacre. The identified remains of about 6,000 are interred in the memorial cemetery in nearby Potočari.

Today more Srebrenican refugees live in the United States than in the town itself— but a brave contingent of survivors has returned to re-establish the connection to their ancient home.

Upon return, Muslims have faced discrimination in many forms. The school curriculum in the Republika Srpska, for example, is based on that of nearby Serbia, with Eastern Orthodox Christian icons adorning the walls of the school in Srebrenica. Health care also is problematic for the returnees, as there are very few Muslim caregivers in the medical institutions. Returnees instead opt to travel to Tuzla or Sarajevo for their health care to avoid discrimination against nonSerbs in Srebrenica. And with pensions lower in the Republika Srpska than in the Federation, many returnees simply have not SEPTEMBER 2013

registered their return, remaining legal residents of the Federation. Thus a returnee’s ability to vote and act as a full citizen of Srebrenica has been curtailed by the perceived necessity to retain one’s voting residency elsewhere.

Meanwhile, although Muslims have enjoyed political power in the municipality, the economy is controlled from Banja Luka, the capital of the Serb-controlled entity. Important decisions such as who shall be the local director of a state-controlled firm are made far from Srebrenica, and those decisions routinely favor Serbs. Activists for return to Srebrenica have fought a 15-year battle against this and other forms of discrimination.

Meanwhile, the March 1st Coalition is lobbying among lawmakers in the Federation to secure a guarantee of continued health coverage and pension transfer whenever displaced persons move to Republika Srpska. This was promised in the case of Srebrenica before last fall’s municipal elections; now it must be enacted in favor of returnees throughout the RS. Fortunately, energetic and creative young activists are mobilizing in Bosnia, cooperating across ethnic lines and entity boundaries, and re-injecting a current of sanity into the dysfunctional state of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The grassroots impulse for human rights has seen ebbs and flows throughout the post-war period, of course, and will continue to do so. But it is in a period of renewed strength and purpose today, with people rallying in many venues. There is reason to hope that the time between now and the fall 2014 elections will see continued positive change in Bosnia-Herzegovina. ❑

Clash in Sabah…

Continued from page 35

into an independent eastern half of PapuaNew Guinea and Indonesian-ruled Irian Jaya. When the British were preparing to withdraw from Malaya, Sarawak and North Borneo (later renamed Sabah) and supported their unification in the Federation of Malaysia, Indonesia under then-President Sukarno denounced the proposal as a neocolonial scheme and launched a policy of “Confrontation.” Sukarno wanted to unify these territories with Indonesia, on the basis of the shared Malay language of the biggest population groups, but found no support among Malaysians. Confrontation ended with Sukarno’s overthrow in the 1965 military coup.

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

The colonial borders may be variously described as irrational, artificial and unjust, but the problems in dissolving them and establishing new state entities that might appear to be more organic to the region are so big as to have made such a project completely impractical for the foreseeable future.

The post-colonial regimes throughout the area have largely accepted the status quo.

In the case of Sabah, though, there is dispute about what exactly the status quo is.

The Sultanate of Sulu extended across the Sulu archipelago into northern Borneo. The British North Borneo Company leased North Borneo from the sultan in 1878, but the Sultanate itself was incorporated into the Spanish-ruled colony of the Philippines, a status recognized by Britain and Germany in the 1885 Madrid Protocol. The company’s agreement with the sultan allowed it to hold the territory as long as it continued to pay for the lease. The arrangement was later taken over by the British authorities and then, at independence, by Malaysia, which to this day pays $1,500 annually to the sultan.

The sultan and his supporters claim that the 1878 agreement only provided for a lease and remains in force, as confirmed by the yearly financial payments, and that Sabah therefore rightfully belongs to the Sulu Sultanate. Since Sulu is part of the Philippines, the Philippines government inherited a claim to Sabah. Despite the payments it makes, Malaysia considers that the sultans of Sulu yielded control of Sabah permanently, and that the decision of Sabah to become part of Malaysia was an act of self-determination that set the seal on its political separation from the Sulu Sultanate and, consequently, from the Philippines.

The whole question could be resolved by allowing the people of Sabah to vote in a free referendum, but that would have its own complexities. Most Sabahans would not want to become part of the Philippines, but they are not happy with the federal government in Kuala Lumpur. The great majority of Sabah’s population at independence were neither Malay nor Muslim, but belonged to one or other of the 28 currently recognized indigenous groups, the largest being the Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau and Murut. Most were Christian. Some parties in Sabah accuse the Malaysian government of conniving in the settlement of Filipino Muslims in Sabah since the 1980s, in the belief that they would help create a pro-government Muslim majority: people of migrant Filipino origin now make up 800,000 of Sabah’s 3.1 million people. The Malaysian government denies the charge but, following the recent conflict, has agreed to an investigation. ❑ 41

pasquini_42-43_Northern California Chronicle 8/7/13 7:01 PM Page 42

Activists Call for No Intervention in Syria by U.S., NATO or Israel

Northern California Chronicle

By Elaine Pasquini

piece of the bigger problem—torture, drones, and the Bush Doctrine that has been expanded and refined by Obama.”

Other speakers included Gloria La Riva of the Party for Socialism and Liberation and Richard Becker of ANSWER, among others.

STAFF PHOTO E. PASQUINI

Yoo Protest Outside GOP Dinner

Stephanie Tang of World Can’t Wait speaks at a San Francisco rally against intervention in Syria.

Syria rallied July 10 in San Francisco’s Hallidie Plaza. The speakers and activists attending the rally organized by the ANSWER Coalition vigorously oppose the Obama administration’s plan, as announced by the White House on June 13, to directly supply arms to Syrian opposition forces. Protesters also oppose any intervention in Syria by NATO or Israel and any imposition of a “no fly zone,” which they fear could ultimately prolong the violence and further destabilize the country.

Many believe Washington’s real aim is to carry out a regime change as part of its drive to create a new Middle East.

“The main thing to understand is that no matter what the conflict is within Syria—and there are many factions—this is something that the Syrian people will have to solve on their own,” Sharat G. Lin of the San Jose Peace and Justice Center told the crowd. “It is our responsibility as peace activists to support the Syrian people, but if the U.S. government plays any role, it will be destabilizing, will cause resentment among the Syrian people and it will not promote democracy, that’s for Elaine Pasquini is a free-lance journalist based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

42

sure. That is why we call for no U.S. or NATO intervention in Syria or anywhere in the Middle East. We should encourage a dialogue within Syria, and also in Egypt, so the people within these countries can, over a period of time, develop their democratic institutions and choose leaders that represent their interests alone, not the interests of world capitals or U.S. hegemony.”

In addition to calling for the U.S. to stay out of Syria, Stephanie Tang of World Can’t Wait urged the crowd to s up p o r t E dwa rd Snowden for his courageous action in revealing the U.S. government’s vast, unlawful surveillance programs. “Because of Edward Snowden, t h e e n t i re wo r l d knows that the U.S. has an extensive, unbelievably universal system of political surveillance,” she Outside Villa Taverna where “torture memo writer” John Yoo was said. “It is intolerable; guest speaker at a Republican dinner, Cynthia Papermaster holds it is morally unac- a “Shame on Yoo” banner next to Nancy Mancias. Curt Wechsler ceptable and it’s just a stands at far right.

STAFF PHOTO PHIL PASQUINI

uman rights supporters opposed to

HU.S., NATO or Israeli intervention in

Outside San Francisco’s Villa Taverna, World Can’t Wait and Code Pink activists greeted John Yoo and guests with a rousing protest as they arrived for a Republican dinner on July 10. As deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel during the George W. Bush administration, Yoo helped draft the PATRIOT Act and also provided legal basis for the electronic domestic surveillance program, PRISM, operated by the National Security Agency. Currently a law professor at the University of California at Berkeley and also well-known for his so-called “torture memos” relating to abusive treatment of Guantanamo Bay prisoners, Yoo spoke to the GOP attendees about recent Supreme Court decisions, the NSA surveillance programs, and whistleblower Edward Snowden.

“We defend Edward Snowden for his courageous action in revealing this vast, unlawful surveillance by the United States,” said World Can’t Wait member Curt Wechsler as he stood at the entrance

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

SEPTEMBER 2013

pasquini_42-43_Northern California Chronicle 8/7/13 7:01 PM Page 43

to the elite private club. World Can’t Wait asserts that a large section of the U.S. population and billions of people worldwide are outraged at the unconstitutional and illegitimate surveillance of whole populations by the U.S. which Snowden has now revealed. Speaking through a megaphone under the looming Transamerica Pyramid to grab the attention of passersby leaving their nearby offices, World Can’t Wait member Noel Juan wore a giant sign proclaiming “Stand With Snowden.”

Continuing their long-running campaign to bring Yoo to justice for supporting torture, indefinite detention and other violations of the Geneva Conventions on humane treatment of prisoners, members of World Can’t Wait and Code Pink handed out flyers to passersby. Wearing “Stop NSA” sunglasses, Nancy Mancias of Code Pink held a “Support Whistleblowers” banner, while Cynthia Papermaster held a sign reading “Shame on Yoo.”

SEPTEMBER 2013

STAF

“Arab Talk” radio host Dr. Jess Ghannam interviewed Washington Report staff photographer Phil Pasquini July 11 about the protests in Istanbul and Izmir he and this reporter (his wife) witnessed on their recent trip to Turkey. In his weekly program, airing Thursdays at 2 p.m. on KPOO public radio station 89.5 FM, Ghannam conducts interviews and delivers up-to-date news about the Middle East and the Islamic world.

“When we think of a popular uprising, probably the last place we would think of would be Turkey, with its vibrant economy, middle class and cultural and night life,” Ghannam commented. “When we were speaking with you in Istanbul, you said the situation was reminiscent of the Occupy movement here in the U.S.” “I found it very much so,” Pasquini responded. “I saw a great deal of similarity, because most of the participants were younger people who felt disenfranchised.

They are secular and not interested in any religious agenda.” The photographer recounted conversations with young protesters in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, as well as in Izmir, Turkey’s third largest city, and

F PH OTOS

PHIL PASQ U

INI

STAFF PHOTO PHIL PASQUINI

Turkey a Hot Topic on “Arab Talk”

the seaside resort of Kusadasi, where a handful of protesters came out in the evening along the waterfront to rally in solidarity with their counterparts in Istanbul.

“This protest movement did not happen just because the government decided to reconstruct Gezi Park and Taksim Square,” Pasquini continued. “That was just the linchpin that pushed it over the edge. These protesters had long fomented opposition to [Prime Minister Recep Tayyip] Erdogan’s agenda. Many refer to him as a micromanager, acting as if he was still the mayor of Istanbul. Because of that and threatening to abolish kissing or holding hands on the metro system and drinking alcohol in public, people feel an eroding of their personal freedoms.”

Pasquini went on to describe how the movement morphed from a raucous protest that was brutally put down by the police’s use of water cannons and teargas to a single artist standing quietly in Taksim Square, then to the so-called “Taksim Book Club” with people standing silently reading books, some wrapped in Turkish flags, facing the Ataturk Cultural Center, which was draped in Turkish flags and a portrait of Kemal Ataturk, the beloved founder of modern Turkey.

“I was amazed by the creativity of the protesters,” Pasquini enthused. “Now many of Istanbul’s parks are being used by people to just stand and silently show their defiance. Another example of their inventiveness was an advertisement placed on the Internet to sell ‘one slightly used water cannon.’ The graffiti also showed an ironic humor, such as the one of a storm trooper spraying a woman in the face with the words ‘Gaza Gel,’ meaning ‘to get pumped up.’ These demonstrations have given people feet they never had before. Many told me ‘this is only the beginning for us. There are other issues we are interested in.’ They no longer are intimidated or afraid.”

Ghannam interjected to comment on what he views as the similarities and contrasts between Egypt and Turkey. “Two countries, both of them ostensibly democracies, both unhappy with a leader trying to impose a conservative agenda on the THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

FROM TOP: “Taksim Book Club” protesters; “Media Lies” stencil art on a street in Izmir, Turkey’s third largest city; a tent camp in Izmir recalls “Occupy” protests in the U.S. people, with two very different solutions,” he observed. “But no one in Turkey is talking about Erdogan being removed by military force. I actually have a lot of optimism about Turkey. I believe that there will be elections—vibrant elections. You will see people really buying into the electoral process, and I believe Erdogan will be voted out.”

Pasquini agreed. “Being part of NATO, Europe and Asia, Turkey has a whole different dynamic,” he noted. “On our trip, people consistently said to us that they have had 10 years of a leader and that’s enough. They want their democracy to move forward.” ❑ 43

twair_44-45_Southern California Chronicle 8/6/13 6:44 PM Page 44

Experts Theorize Turkish Protest for Reforms, not Revolution, as in Arab States

Southern California Chronicle

STAFF PHOTO S. TWAIR

By Pat and Samir Twair

Turkish uprising panelists (l-r) Ahmet Onerbay, Ceban Abi, Dr. Metin Mangir and Dr. Asli Bali. he protests in Turkey differ from the so-

Tcalled Arab Spring revolutions in that

the Turks don’t seek to change the secular government so much as they are calling for reforms in the increasingly authoritarian regime of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This was the consensus of a June 18 forum on the Turkish uprising at the Levantine Cultural Center of Los Angeles.

Speakers at the program, co-sponsored

by Los Angeles Jews for Peace, were Prof.

Asli Bali of UCLA School of Law, Dr. Metin Mangir, who teaches at Koc University in Istanbul, UCLA Ph.D. history candidate Ceban Abi, and Ahmet Onerbay, president of the Los Angeles Turkish-American Association.

Dr. Bali gave a summary of the protests, which began with a May 28 sit-in at Gezi Park opposing plans to raze the park, one of central Istanbul’s few remaining green spaces, to create a mall. What started with about 50 demonstrators turned into tens of thousands of angry protesters by May 30. Erdogan’s reaction was to use water cannons and baton-wielding police to disburse the crowds, Bali continued, resulting in deaths, maiming and loss of eyes Pat and Samir Twair are free-lance journalists based in Los Angeles.

44

among the activists.

Protesters demand that the government halt its planned demolition of the park, prosecute police who brutally beat demonstrators, release the estimated 369 people who had been arrested, and allow the right of assembly to protest government policies.

Professor Mangir expressed his outrage at the “cruel and sadistic” behavior of the police. “I salute the protesters,” he averred, “and I put full blame on the police chief for not reining in his men. The West is shocked and saw Erdogan is not good to his people.”

Abi spoke of a “post-crackdown crackdown” and said “the worst is happening now.” More than 400 people are missing and nearly that number are in custody.

One favorable response to the police violence, she added, is the standing man phenomenon initiated June 17 by artist Erdem Gunduz. For eight hours Gunduz stood silently facing the Ataturk Cultural Center in Taksim Square. More than 300 protesters joined him, and the silent protests have been repeated in Ankara and Izmir.

Onerbay said he has talked to protesters in Istanbul who told him the police cruelty was what broke the camel’s back.

Even though the Turkish media didn’t cover the violence, people told him they felt no fear even when tear-gassed.

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Bali, who holds a law degree from Yale and a Ph.D. degree in political science from Princeton, said she was in Turkey during the first week of protests and confirmed that the local media and CNN affiliate did not report on the violent confrontation—probably out of fear of government retaliation.

Earlier, Bali referred to Erdogan as an “accidental democratizer. An economic boom followed his actions encouraging capitalism after his election in 2007, she explained, and his victory in the 2011 elections consolidated his power by bringing more parties into his coalition.

“Now we have a democratically elected government acting in an authoritarian way,” Bali declared. Erdogan has called the social media a threat and refers to the protesters as terrorists; 73 attorneys were arrested in the Caglayan Courthouse for alleged protest activities. “He has adopted a polarizing approach of us versus the disgruntled minority,” she concluded.

In answer to a query if the unrest would hurt tourism and the economy, Mangir said a market crash would likely bring on early elections, but described the majority of Turks as unsophisticated and grateful for the prosperity they associate with Erdogan, and predicted they would vote for him.

Bali interjected that term limits ban Erdogan from being re-elected as prime minister, but he might pull a Vladimir Putin move and run for the office of president to retain control.

Busy in Egypt On June 13, Dr. Nile El Wardani arrived in Los Angeles with her son, Kostya, 13, two cats named Danya and Bossa, a cello and violin, as well as luggage from a year’s residence in Egypt, where she taught at the American University in Cairo (AUC).

El Wardani, who holds a Ph.D. degree from the University of London’s School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (the world’s oldest public health institution), taught three new graduate courses at AUC’s School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. The courses she developed were Global Health Issues and Policies; Strategies and Communications for NGOs; and Raising Public Awareness through Television Production.

SEPTEMBER 2013

twair_44-45_Southern California Chronicle 8/6/13 6:44 PM Page 45

STAFF PHOTOS S. TWAIR

holds his cards close to his chest, Banai Her most innovative class was the latter, said the new president changes his colors in which her students worked in teams to according to the time, but he will be a research handling the issues of domestic voice of moderation compared to Ahviolence, sexual harassment, and the envimadinejadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s threats and alleged Holocaust ronment and trash. This culminated in her denials. students producing 10 public service anAs for regional politics, Banai said nouncements (PSAs) in Arabic to be aired Rowhani canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pull away from Syriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on Egyptian television and used regionBashar Assad, and predicted relations with ally by the United Nations Development Saudi Arabia will be softened in the postProgram.

Ahmadinejad era.

In addition, El Wardani wrote three arIn answer to a query about how the stuticles for ObĂŠlisque magazine, as well as disdent-led revolt against the shah in 1979 cussing Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political situation on Nile was taken over by the mullahs, Tohidi said TV, which offered her a spot as a political the secular reformists werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t organized analyst. During her final two months in and the clerics filled the vacuum, not unEgypt, she also worked as a short-term like the victory of the Muslim Brotherconsultant for the World Health Organizahood in Egypt. tionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eastern Mediterranean Regional â&#x20AC;?In Egypt the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s formal apparaOffice, researching and writing about tus takes a long, long time to go away,â&#x20AC;? the private health sector in 12 regional he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Democracy doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t occur countries. overnight. The ultimate problem in Her views on Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ouster of PresIran is the structure of the system.â&#x20AC;? ident Mohamed Morsi?

Another question dealt with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;The uprising of the Egyptian people Westâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s animosity against Iran becoming on June 30 was real democracy at work. a nuclear power. Banai commented, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re fighting for a government by and it had its way, the West would suspend for the people. More than 30 million enrichment and limit Iranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nuclear deEgyptians took to the streets that day in velopment only to supply electricity.â&#x20AC;? peaceful demonstrations against the Tohidi interjected: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Look at all the performance and failure of the Muslim money Iran has put into its nuclear proBrotherhood regime in tackling serious gram. Some Iranians are open to debate, problems facing Egypt including the Iran has sufficient oil and gasâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m caueconomy, security and social services. tiously optimistic. Some took AhThis wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a coup dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ĂŠtat, but an exhimadinejadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s threats seriouslyâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? bition of true democracy. The Egyptian To which Banai responded: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s army stood behind the will of the peo- TOP: Dr. Nile El Wardani. ABOVE: Iran scholars take it in contextâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Iran has a nuclear ple whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve asked for a second chance to Dr. Hussein Banai (l) and Dr. Nayereh Tohidi. program.â&#x20AC;? As for Israeli Prime Minister get it right.â&#x20AC;?

Unfortunately, budget cuts at AUC pre- member parliament (majlis), Emergency Binyamin Netanyahuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaign for a precluded an extension of El Wardaniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Council, Cabinet, Judiciary (based on emptive strike on Iranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nuclear facilities, teaching contract. To learn more about shariah law), Armed Forces (the army and he lauded President Barack Obama for her activities, visit her blog at <www. Revolutionary Guards) and the Basij mili- keeping Netanyahuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bellicose aspirations â&#x20AC;&#x153;in a box.â&#x20AC;? â?&#x2018; nileelwardani.org>. tia, made up of 400,000 men and women.

Tohidi described Iranian voters as apa(Advertisement) Iranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Election Impact thetic about this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s election, following Scholarly views of Iranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newly elected the 2009 election which led to a brutal president, Hassan Rowhani, were shared crackdown when voters protested the reJuly 18 at the Levantine Cultural Center sults. Rowhani, who announced his canby Dr. Nayereh Tohidi of California State didacy at the last minute, won so overUniversity Northridge (CSUN) and Dr. whelmingly that it was impossible to Hussein Banai of Occidental College. They claim the runner-up was victorious. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We agreed Rowhani will be a much more hope the process will improve and news4HERE S ALOT MORE YOU MIGHT diplomatic leader and less explosive in his papers will begin to reopen,â&#x20AC;? she noted.

NOT KNOW ABOUT YOUR Banai, a professor of diplomacy and rhetoric than his predecessor, Mahmoud MUSLIM NEIGHBORS world affairs, said he takes a cynical view Ahmadinejad.

6JG /WUNKO .KPM VJG NCTIGUV PGYURCRGT HQT CPF CDQWV Tohidi, who was CSUNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founding direc- and sees the Iranian people emerging VJG /WUNKO %QOOWPKV[ KP &% /& CPF 8# #XCKNCDNG CV tor of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, from a state of solitary confinement into OQUV /QUSWGU #TCD +PFQ 2CM CPF 2GTUKCP TGUVCWTCPVU CPF gave an overview of Iranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political system being part of the prison population.

ITQEGTKGU KP VJG ITGCVGT 9CUJKPIVQP $CNVKOQTG OGVTQRQNKVCP CTGC #XCKNCDNG (TGG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rowhani was the least worst option headed by the Supreme Leader, who has the power to approve or veto all decisions. among the candidates,â&#x20AC;? he stated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His role 0HONE &AX Under him are the Guardian Council, Asso- is to be the national center of gravity.â&#x20AC;? SayWWW -USLIMLINKPAPER COM ciation of Experts, the president, the 290- ing Rowhani is a careful character who

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THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

45

brownfeld_46-47_Israel and Judaism 8/8/13 10:42 AM Page 46

Kerry Urges American Jews to Support Peace Process, But Gets Little Response Israel andJudaism

By Allan C. Brownfeld n June, Secretary of State John Kerry

Ispoke to the American Jewish Commit-

tee and warned the audience that the twostate solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is about to expire, so they would do well to do something to advance the peace process he had undertaken. “No one has a stronger voice in this than the American Jewish community,” he said.

He urged them to “speak out in support of this effort,” because if they don’t “much worse” is on the horizon. Kerry directly connected the lack of a Middle East peace agreement to the growth of radical Islamic groups in the region, saying, “The conflict affects all of the recruitment and all of the arguments and radicalism we face.”

Portraying himself as a long-time friend of Israel, Kerry noted that his grandfather was born Jewish, that he had relatives who died in the Holocaust, and that his brother had converted to Judaism. “Each time I go [to Israel] the deep personal connection I feel to the people of Israel is only strengthened,” he said. “Those are actually bonds that reach back into my own family tree, including relatives I never met and never knew about until the last decade, relatives who perished in the Holocaust, relatives I thought about in new and personal ways on Yom Hashoah, when I laid a wreath on behalf of the United States at Yad Vashem.”

He pointed out that, “As President Obama said in Jerusalem, leaders will take bold steps only if their people push them to. You can help shape the future of this process. And in the end, you can help Israel direct its destiny and be masters of its own fate...A realistic one-state solution simply does not exist for either side...Israel will be left to choose between being a Jewish state and a democratic state.”

In response to Kerry’s plea for support, however, several senior American Jewish figures suggested that the sole obstacle came from the Palestinian side. For example, David Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee, told The Forward that he hoped the Palestinians will return to negotiations “in good faith to 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.

46

hammer out tough issues.” Rabbi Steve Gutow, president of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said he saw the Palestinian leadership as the barrier to negotiations and saw no need for American Jews to push Israeli leaders.

eaders will take bold “L steps only if their people push them to.”

The New York Times of June 24 reported: “Highlighting the obstacles to Washington’s push to revive the Mideast peace process, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu...made a rare appearance in the West Bank to dedicate an elementary school in a Jewish settlement...Mr. Netanyahu visited the school, named for his father, three days before...Kerry was scheduled to return to the region for the fifth time in three months, and after two weeks in which right-wing ministers in Israel’s government said the idea of a Palestinian state had reached a ‘dead end’ and promised to block efforts to establish one.”

According to chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, “Every time Kerry comes, Mr. Netanyahu does something to undermine the possibility of a Palestinian state. It’s more than provocative, it’s devastating.

This government’s policies are disastrous for Palestinians, Israelis and the region, I don’t know what purpose it serves to undermine the two-state solution.”

Just before Kerry’s visit in late June, Israel announced plans to build dozens of new homes in a controversial East Jerusalem settlement despite Kerry’s calls for both sides to avoid provocative moves.

Editorially, The Forward on June 28 criticized the lack of Jewish support for the peace process. The leaders of major pro-Israel groups, declared the paper, “know that Kerry is right and that their public is largely behind him. It’s time they got behind him, too.”

Writing in The Jerusalem Report July 15, Alan Elsner, communications director of J Street, observed, “It may be that some in the American Jewish community are waking up to the implications of a possible Kerry failure. Israel needs these negotiations to proceed and so does American Jewry. Without them, the Netanyahu govTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

ernment is likely to find itself more isolated diplomatically than at any time since the 1980s, able to count on support in the U.N. and other international bodies only from the U.S. and a few atolls in the South Pacific. So while there may be little genuine enthusiasm for the two-state solution at the top reaches of American Jewish organizations, few look forward to seeing its demise as an idea and an aspiration.”

Writing in the July 13 issue of The Forward, Seymour Reich, former chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, explained that “Kerry’s appeal was prompted by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s mixed signals as to his sincerity about negotiating an agreement with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Netanyahu has refused to repudiate statements by two of his ministers that undermine peace efforts, leading the Anti-Defamation League’s Abraham Foxman to call Netanyahu’s support of a two-state solution ‘not credible.’

Because of Netanyahu’s actions, Kerry felt the need to call on American Jews to support his efforts, which he was absolutely right to do, especially since poll after poll of American Jews indicate that a large majority favor a two-state solution. It is appalling that only a handful...of American Jewish leaders heeded Kerry. The views of the majority of American Jews have got to be made known loud and clear.”

Evidence that the government of Israel is not inclined to move forward with the peace process is growing. Industry Minister Naftali Bennett told a settlers’ conference in mid-June that Israel should “build, build, build” in the Palestinian territory and annex more than 60 percent of the West Bank immediately. And late in June, the Likud Party elected Danny Danon, Israel’s deputy defense minister, as chairman of its central committee. He declared: “The Likud Party is still the party of the national camp in Israel, still the party that believes we have rights to the land in Judea and Samaria, and I think that the majority of the party still isn’t supporting the idea that there will be a Palestinian state in our backyard.”

Danon publicly rejects the government’s SEPTEMBER 2013

brownfeld_46-47_Israel and Judaism 8/8/13 10:42 AM Page 47

official line on peace negotiations. And according to The Forward, “Danon is no outlier. In the recent Likud elections, all the major positions in the party infrastructure went to Likudniks significantly to Netanyahu’s right.…Danon explained his desire for ‘political power’—and implied that his eagerness to become a lawmaker in the first place stemmed from a need to stop Netanyahu from making concessions...Danon wants Israel to annex significant parts of the West Bank, as does the new head of Likud’s ideological committee, Ze’ev Elkin, the deputy foreign minister.”

Israel has always claimed that it had “no partner for peace”—a view which has been repeated by leading American Jewish organizations. But the truth might be quite the opposite: It may, in the end, be Palestinians who have no partner for peace.

In 2002—more than a decade ago—the Arab League launched a peace initiative, saying that if Israel withdrew to its pre1967 borders it would be recognized by the entire Arab world. More recently, in May, Qatar’s prime minister tried to revive the Arab peace initiative, moderating it to hew closer to the outline presented by the Obama administration since 2011. The updated version pulls back from the 2002 demand that Israel withdraw to the 1967 borders in exchange for a comprehensive peace. Instead, Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani proposed “comparable and mutual agreed minor swaps of land”—a formulation that opens the door to Israel’s retention of several major settlement blocs. Hamad also did not mention the Palestinian “right of return” and the division of Jerusalem, elements of the original Arab initiative.

A State Department official described the new plan as “a sign that the Arab League is a constructive member in the process.” Secretary Kerry hailed what he called the Arab League’s “very big step forward.” The Economist on May 11 said this of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s reaction: “He called for the Arab League first to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, a demand made of neither Egypt nor Jordan before they signed their peace treaties with Israel...Liberal Israelis condemned Mr. Netanyahu for sounding as rejectionist as the Arabs had been before the torturous peace process began.…Although the Americans hoped that the Arab League statement and Mr. Abbas’s cautious acceptance of it would shunt the ball into Israel’s court. Mr. Netanyahu faces little domestic pressure to address it.”

According to columnist Michael Gerson, writing from Tel Aviv in the July 12 Washington Post, Israelis seem to have lost interest in resolving the Palestinian question: “Recent Israeli elections were almost exSEPTEMBER 2013

clusively focused on nation-building at home.…Many Israelis seem content to manage conflict rather than resolve it through negotiations.”

At the same time, extreme right-wing forces are growing in strength within Israel. Examples of racism are mounting— and being met with indifference both in Israel and on the part of American Jewish groups.

Growing Israeli Racism In June, it became known that an amusement park in central Israel segregates students from Jewish and Arab schools by having them attend on different days. According to Nadeem Shehadeh, attorney for the Israeli Arab nongovernmental organization Adalah, the incident simply reflects everyday reality. “What is unique,” he said, “is that it got into the media.” Mohammad Zeidan, director of the Arab Association for Human Rights, told The Forward on June 14 that, “There is no safeguard for equality. And therefore there is a clear opening for discrimination.”

In 2010, dozens of Israeli rabbis, including some who are paid by the state, claimed that renting or selling homes and apartments to non-Jews violates religious law. This has been accompanied by an increase in so-called “price tag” attacks.

Such attacks were initiated, according to right-wing groups, as part of a campaign to extract retribution for actions against Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The idea was that any time the Israel Defense Forces removed an illegal outpost or Palestinian militants attacked settlers, someone would pay a price.

“Now,” reported The Washington Post on July 6, “The attacks are growing and so are the targets, which include not only Muslims in the West Bank and Israel, but left-leaning activists as well as Christian schools and churches and monasteries...In a country where security cameras are ubiquitous and thick dossiers are amassed on Palestinian teenagers who throw rocks, many Israelis suspect the reason why more Jewish vandals are not arrested is that the state is not very interested in doing so.”

In the Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hama, vandals slashed the tires of more than 20 cars and spray painted a Star of David on one in June. Four days earlier, in Abu Ghosh, a community just outside the capital known for its harmonious relationship with Jews, 28 cars were vandalized and homes spray-painted with racist graffiti, including, “Arabs go home.”

Jawdat Ibrahim, the owner of an Abu Ghosh restaurant who set a Guinness World Record in 2010 for the largest serving of hummus (9,016 pounds), said: “It is THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

unbelievable to us that Israel can catch enemies, very sophisticated enemies, overseas, but they can’t catch a bunch of punks who live here. These attacks happen in an atmosphere, maybe an atmosphere that says, ‘Hey, it’s okay, you’re never gonna get caught.’”

Israel also is engaged in an effort to remove tens of thousands of Bedouin—all of them Israeli citizens—from their ancestral lands in the Negev, where most live as pastoral farmers, into a series of “townships,” forcibly urbanizing them. According to Israeli government officials, the Bedouin need to be “concentrated.” As a result the Bedouin have found their communities reclassified as firing ranges, military zones or national forests. According to Jonathan Cook, writing in Mondoweiss.net July 10, “Waiting in the wings are developers ready to build on the Bedouin’s land 10 towns for Jews only...”

The leading American Jewish organizations thus far have not responded to Secretary of State Kerry’s call for them to move Israel toward a renewed peace process and the establishment of two states. Neither have they expressed concern about the growing racism and intolerance within Israel itself, clearly a rejection of Jewish values and in clear contradiction to the advocacy of civil rights by the same groups within the United States. When it comes to Israel, it seems, an “Israel right or wrong” mindset seems to prevail—despite the fact that Israel is pursuing policies which, in the long run, will do it serious harm. ❑

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SEPTEMBER 2013

opm_49-50_Other People's Mail 8/6/13 6:46 PM Page 49

Other People’s Mail Compiled by Dale Sprusansky

Unhelpful Coup To The New York Times, July 8, 2013 “The Perils of a ‘People’s Coup’” by Khaled M. Abou El Fadl (Op-Ed, July 8), is clear, concise and correct. The ouster of President Mohamed Morsi’s government in Egypt, the arrests of Muslim Brotherhood leaders and the shutting down of some media outlets by the Egyptian military are actions in opposition to any real democratic process.

There are better ways to oust an unpopular government, especially one that was democratically elected. Egypt’s march toward democracy has suffered a major setback.

Norton Mezvinsky, New York, NY

Morsi’s Ouster Justified To The Washington Post, July 25, 2013 Egyptians never gave up on democracy, despite what Jackson Diehl suggested in his July 22 op-ed column, “Egypt’s ‘democrats’ abandon democracy.” The Egyptians he wrote about, including me, have been struggling for a true democracy since 2005. True democracy is a result of a long process that ends, not begins, with the ballot box.

Remember the chants two years ago of the Jan. 25 revolution: “Bread! Freedom!

Social justice! Human dignity!” Average Egyptians are well aware that fulfillment of these four demands is necessary for true democracy; without them, there is no democracy. These were the demands of those calling for change, and they supersede the West’s seemingly limited definition of democracy.

Mr. Diehl suggested that our June 30 revolution made a sham of democracy, but the real sham was the presidency of Mohamed Morsi. He usurped the powers of the judiciary and constitutional court. He established an authoritarian state and killed innocent youths. He ignored the calls of the Egyptian people to satisfy the four demands of the Jan. 25 revolution.

For there to be a military coup, there must be military rule. In our case, the Egyptian army did not rule for even an hour. Presidential authority was transferred to the head of the constitutional court, in accordance with the road map set by political forces representing the millions SEPTEMBER 2013

of Egyptians who came out into the streets demanding this change.

As Mr. Diehl said, the current government is holding a number of political prisoners. What Mr. Diehl did not mention is that they are due to face charges of escape from prison; conspiracy with foreign countries; incitement to violence, murder and the killing of Egyptian soldiers in Sinai.

They will face trial for these specific crimes, not indefinite detention.

Esraa Abdel Fattah, Cairo, Egypt. The writer is a member of the June 30 Front, a coalition of groups opposed to the Morsi government, and of the Dostour, or Constitution, Party.

Egyptians when he writes that for a democratic transition, Egypt “seems to lack even the basic mental ingredients.”

Orientalist descriptions of Egyptians’ lack of intelligence, particularly when it comes to self-rule, are as old as the European colonization of Egyptian peoples.

Writing in the early 20th century, Lord Cromer conceived of the “Egyptian mind” as deficient and flawed, and thus incapable of self-governance.

While this is not the first time that writers in the American media have missed the complexity of Egyptian politics, Mr. Brooks’ column is particularly outrageous.

Sarah Waheed, Lisle, IL

Help, Not Arrogance

U.S., U.N. and Israel

To The Washington Post, July 22, 2013 The Post has printed many opinions by many respectable people on the coup in Egypt. Most of the writers don’t get it. It’s about Egypt, not us. Showing U.S. leadership, pumping up Egyptian civil society or cutting aid to demonstrate U.S. rule of law all miss the point. Egyptians are calling the shots in Egypt, not Americans.

The secularists, the Muslim Brotherhood and the army say we are a villain, and, while each has reasons to thank the United States, blaming foreigners is popular in Egypt.

Non-secularists are Egypt’s majority and will win any free and fair election in the foreseeable future. Former President Mohamed Morsi was inept. The secularists prefer demonstrations to the hard work of winning elections. The army has its own interests.

But Egypt needs U.S. help, not arrogance.

Tourism is dying, foreign direct investment is dead, and Egyptian investors either have fled or are investing in politics instead of production. There are too few jobs for too many young and educated Egyptians.

We already have a Syrian civil war that will lengthen as foreigners arm the different sides. The dangers of adding a second fire pit in the Middle East are too many.

We need to help Egypt—and keep pivoting toward Asia.

James Maxstadt, Arlington, VA

To the Los Angeles Times, Aug. 3, 2013 Re: “Israelis and Palestinians to confront tough issues,” July 31.

It is disappointing that the United States continues to show unconditional support for Israel even when our ally violates international law and ignores U.N. resolutions condemning its behavior. From 1972 to 2011, the United States has issued the only vetoes to 42 U.N. Security Council resolutions condemning Israel’s behavior, most of which were related to the occupied territories.

These negotiations would be unnecessary if Israel would respect U.N. resolutions and the International Court of Justice concerning settlements, borders, the right of return, the separation barrier with much of the West Bank and the status of Jerusalem. All of these issues have been debated at length in these respected forums, and Israel would be required to relinquish all territory acquired by war and grant the right of return to the Palestinians who were forced or who fled from their homes in 1947 and 1967.

It is not surprising that Israel demands that these critical issues be resolved by negotiations instead of by international law, or else the ultra-nationalists in the Israeli government could not realize their dream of their country stretching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean.

Joseph Tillotson, Redondo Beach, CA

Egyptians Are Capable

Understanding Palestinians

To The New York Times, July 8, 2013 David Brooks insults the will, humanity and democratic aspirations of millions of

To the Anchorage Daily News, Aug. 1, 2013 How can [this] columnist claim to understand Palestinians?

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

49

opm_49-50_Other People's Mail 8/6/13 6:46 PM Page 50

How is it that Cal Thomas has such a clear understanding of what the Palestinians want (column, Aug. 1)? Does he and the supporters of Greater Israel really believe that every Palestinian “will accept nothing less than the complete annihilation of Israel”? As if that were a possibility.

Or is such an assertion simply employed to deflect criticism of a country that has perpetrated a brutal military occupation for decades? It is insulting to compare the Palestinians, as a whole, to serial killers that have broken into the home of the Israelis. It is much more apt to compare the Palestinians to the Canaanites from whom they descend.

Before Israel is acknowledged to be a “Jewish” state, there needs to be some agreement on the definition of “Jewish.” Is this a religious term, an ethnic term, or a figment of the imagination of those who wish to cleanse the land of its original inhabitants? If Israel is a “Jewish” state, what of those Jews living outside Israel?

Should they be repatriated?

Kenneth Baitsholts, Anchorage, AK

Look Closely at Issues To the Contra Costa Times, July 24, 2013 The author of the recent letter “Progress happens only with respect” should pay some respect to the truth.

The truth of the matter is that the Arabs and the Palestinians acknowledged Israel’s right to exist when they unanimously accepted the Arab peace initiative proposed in 2002. This would have ended the ArabIsraeli conflict and normalized relations between the entire Arab region and Israel, in exchange for a complete withdrawal from the occupied territories. The Israeli government quickly rejected the initiative.

When one begins to pay close attention to the Palestine-Israeli issue, it becomes clear that the letter writer was simply reiterating the same sound bites and propaganda used to deceive us about a major crime taking place in our world, in all of our holy land.

It is not a complicated issue. One only needs to visit the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem, now surrounded by a 26-foot concrete apartheid wall, to see the tragedy that the state of Israel is inflicting upon the indigenous population simply for being born Christian or Muslim. The irony.

Sandra Nasser, Castro Valley, CA

Negotiate Syria To The Washington Post, July 21, 2013 David Ignatius, in his July 18 op-ed 50

column, “It’s not Syria. It’s us,” seemed to have determined that force is the only way to help Syria, arguing that a moderate, secular force will not only topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad but also eradicate all the extremist forces there. Maybe next, Mr. Ignatius will opine that this moderate force will also liberate the entire Middle East.

It is time to abandon the idea of bringing the Assad regime down by force. That would destroy Syria and its people and have far-reaching negative ramifications on the national interests of the United States.

It is time to adhere to the Geneva conference principles agreed on by the U.S. government, which created a framework for a government transition. Dialogue is the only option. It is time to consider that more than 5 million Syrians will face death by famine and disease, not by bullets and guns, if violence continues. Talk of military solutions only prolongs the war and killing.

Enough is enough. Let’s use our moral force to bring everyone to the negotiating table, not to the killing fields.

Ghias Moussa, Jersey City, NJ

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 John Kerry 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

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THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Stay Out of Syria To The Gainesville Sun, July 6, 2013 A famous philosopher once said, “We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.”

And so those who learned nothing from the colossal blunder of the Iraq war are now urging us to intervene in the civil war in Syria.

Let us do something smart: stay out of Syria.

Samuel I. Greenberg, Gainesville, FL

Engage Rowhani To The Economist, July 13, 2013 Iran has not crossed the nuclear threshold, usually defined as weaponization (letter from Simon Henderson and Olli Heinonen, July 6). American authorities regularly confirm to Congress that Iran has not decided to make nuclear weapons, or to produce the highly enriched uranium or plutonium needed for weapons. The British government does not dissent. There should be no place for alarmism in this debate.

Nor should specific risks be exaggerated. Through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the international community has extensive powers to detect any Iranian move in the direction of acquiring nuclear weapons. For instance, the movement to the Fordow or Natanz enrichment plants of uranium hexafluoride gas made from any reconversion of research reactor metal fuel plates would be detected within a matter of days. Iran is the most watched country on earth.

Yes, countries should respond to Iran’s slow increase in its low-enriched uranium stocks and the slow expansion of its centrifuge enrichment capability, including the introduction of more efficient machines. But responses will only be lasting and effective if grounded in Iran’s Non-Proliferation Treaty commitments and recognition that the NPT does not prohibit uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes under IAEA safeguards.

That way verifiable limits and monitoring, and additional non-proliferation guarantees, are obtainable. Getting there will require a grace period for the new Iranian government, with more thoughtful and sustained diplomacy. Fewer misleading interpretations of Iranian actions and fewer threats would help; and above all no new sanctions.

Piling on pressure now would only undermine Hassan Rowhani by re-energizing the hard-line resistance narrative that has just been decisively rejected by his electorate.

Sir Richard Dalton, British ambassador to Iran, 2003-2006, London ❑ SEPTEMBER 2013

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SEPTEMBER 2013

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

51

Human Rights Senate Holds Guantanamo Hearing The Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights held a July 24 hearing at the Hart Office Building on Capitol Hill to discuss “Closing Guantanamo: The National Security, Fiscal and Human Rights Implications.” Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) presided over the hearing.

“I never imagined that in 2013, not only would Guantanamo still be open, but some would be arguing we keep it open indefinitely,” Senator Durbin began. In addition to being a recruiting tool for terrorists, the senator pointed out, the facility is a burden to the American taxpayer: in 2013 the Department of Defense estimates it will cost $454 million to operate the 166-prisoner detention center, or a total of $2.7 million per detainee. By comparison, it costs the government an average of $78,000 per year to house a prisoner at a U.S. supermax prison, Durbin noted.

While stating that President Obama has not done enough to close the facility, Durbin did acknowledge that “the president’s authority has been limited by Congress.” He called on his colleagues to give the president greater flexibility and to ease restrictions on the transfer of detainees.

Noting that more than 500 individuals have been convicted on terrorism-related charges in U.S. federal courts since September 2001, Durbin argued that the U.S. judicial system is prepared to handle Guantanamo detainees. Only six prisoners on the island have been convicted in military trials, he pointed out, and two of those verdicts were overturned. “It’s time to end this sad chapter of our history.

Eleven years is far too long. We need to close Guantanamo,” Durbin concluded.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) expressed doubt that released prisoners would not pose a national security risk. Citing a study, the first-term senator noted that 28 percent of released Guantanamo detainees have re-engaged in terrorism. Cruz also pointed to Lynne Stewart, a New York lawyer convicted of passing on messages on behalf of her client (see the next story), as an example why detainees should not be brought to the mainland. [Stewart’s client, the blind Egyptian Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, convicted in connection with the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, was never incarcerated at Guantanamo.]

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) noted the stain Guantanamo has placed on America’s 52

reputation. “Countries that champion the rule of law and human rights do not lock away prisoners indefinitely without charge or trial,” he said. “We condemn authoritarian states when they do this, and we should, but we should not tolerate the same thing in our country.”

“By the end of President Obama’s second term, the Due to overwhelming interest, Senate staff were forced to open majority of Guantanamo an overflow room (above) for a hearing on Guantanamo Bay. detainees there today will Lt. Joshua M. Fryday, who represents have been held without trial for almost 15 years. I would submit that this is not the Afghan detainee Mohammed Kamin, noted American way,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D- that after 10 years his client still faces no CA) stated. She also urged the U.S. to stop charges. “If my client is guilty of a crime, force-feeding prisoners on hunger strike. he should be tried and given his day in “I believe it violates international norms court,” he urged. “Denying my client a trial and detaining him indefinitely is at and medical ethics,” she opined.

During his testimony, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) odds with our oldest values.”

Lieutenant Fryday reminded the panel Paul D. Eaton said Guantanamo detainees would pose no threat if they were relo- that the right to a fair trial is deeply encated to mainland facilities. “The fear- grained in the American belief system, based argument to keep the Guantanamo pointing out that on the eve of the RevoluBay detention facility open is hard to un- tionary War, founding father John Adams derstand,” he stated. “We as a nation are at represented British soldiers responsible for our strongest when we uphold the Consti- the Boston Massacre. “But today, even tution, the Bill of Rights, the Geneva Con- basic due process in Guantanamo is deventions….We are weakest when we stray nied,” Fryday said.

During the question period, Elisa Masfrom the rule of law.”

According to Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Stephen simino, president of Human Rights First, N. Xenakis, M.D., the U.S. is violating in- pointed out that the 28 percent recidivism ternational law and medical ethics by rate cited by Senator Cruz is flawed, since force-feeding detainees. “The treatment of the figure includes individuals merely sushunger strikers at Guantanamo compro- pected of associating with terrorists.

—Dale Sprusansky mises the core ethical values of our medical profession,” he warned. “Force-feeding completely undermines the physician-pa- Ralph Poynter Calls for the Release tient relationship by destroying the trust Of His Attorney Wife, Lynne Stewart that is essential for all clinical treatment…. The sun beat down on marchers rhythmiIt engages physicians in the use of force cally crying out, “Free Lynne Stewart,” on against detainees.”

June 24. Supporters of the civil rights atFrank Gaffney, president of the neocon torney held signs promoting justice, comCenter for Security Policy, was the sole wit- passion and human rights as they paced in ness in favor of keeping Guantanamo open. front of Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) “We are at war,” he maintained. “This is a headquarters in Washington, DC. This was point that is seemingly lost on a lot of us.” the scene at the rally marking just the secHe went on to warn that, if transplanted to ond week of Ralph Poynter’s vigil outside the U.S., detainees would seek to spread the White House and the BOP to demand shariah law in American prisons. “Those the release of his wife. Almost two months that do adhere to this doctrine [shariah] be- later, his vigil is still going strong. lieve that it is an obligation to destroy us, The 73-year-old Stewart was a defense to force us to submit to their will,” he lawyer for more than 30 years. She was acclaimed. cused of helping pass messages to terrorists Gaffney’s comments prompted a harsh while defending imprisoned Egyptian response from Senator Durbin. “Patriotic cleric Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman (the Muslim Americans do not want to be char- “blind sheikh”). Although she was origiacterized as part of an extremist move- nally sentenced in 2009 to 28 months in ment,” he stated. prison, her sentence was later increased to THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

SEPTEMBER 2013

STAFF PHOTO D. SPRUSANSKY

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STAFF PHOTO M. PATKAR

the language of people who’ve 10 years. Stewart, who is suffering given up,” he stated, recalling that from stage four breast cancer, is when he started the Homeboy Bakbeing held at Federal Medical Cenery, threats and hostility were diter (FMC) Carswell in Fort Worth, rected at the project. “Everyone Texas. Because of her medical condeserves redemption,” Boyle emdition, her compassionate release phasized. “We must get smart, not was recommended by the FMC Cartough, on crime. What if we were swell warden. However, it was ultito invest in giving a second mately denied on June 25 by BOP chance?” general counsel Kathleen Kenney The discussion was opened to on the grounds that Stewart’s educator Mikala Rahn, Dr. Eric health is improving.

Walsh, director of Pasadena Public According to Poynter, not only is Health, and psychologist Wassen El this claim false, but with each passShahed. Picking up on Boyle’s ing day Stewart’s health is deterioRalph Poynter (holding sign) at a rally for his wife, attorrating. Because of Stewart’s age and ney Lynne Stewart, in front of Federal Bureau of Prisons statement, Rahn said it’s wrong to screen out felons on job applicahealth condition, he considers her headquarters in Washington, DC. tions. “Where’s redemption in incarceration essentially a “death sentence.” The cancer has spread to her of a June 30 community forum that drew this?” she asked rhetorically.

Walsh called for more robust afterlungs and shoulder, Poynter said, and be- several hundred people to the sanctuary of cause her white blood cell count puts her Pasadena’s All Saints Church. The Rev. Dr. school programs and more diversity in law at risk for infection, Stewart remains in iso- Ed Bacon was moderator for the opening enforcement, with police talking and monlation, shackled to a bed. Poynter contin- discussion with Father Gregory Boyle, a Je- itoring at schools.

Boyle said with forgiveness, the gang ues his vigil in the hope that it will send a suit priest who founded Homeboy Indusclear message to those with control over tries, the country’s largest gang intervention, member can work his way back. “My Stewart’s incarceration, especially the rehabilitation and re-entry program, and Dr. homeboys feel loved and they show up to Obama administration.

Maher Hathout, senior adviser to the Mus- work every morning.”

The program concluded with a resolu“Lynne was active in the civil rights lim Public Affairs Committee (MPAC). movement, the same movement that made “The solution is to offer hope—not to tion read by Salam al-Marayati, executive it possible for President [Barack] Obama demonize gang members,” stated Boyle. director of MPAC, for “a change within our and [Attorney General] Eric Holder to have They are the same whether in Potsdam, sanctuaries not to turn anyone away; to the positions that they have,” Poynter as- Glasgow or Guatemala, he went on to say, work with law enforcement on a non-inserted. “They are in a position to save a adding that they first must know who they trusion policy; to observe human dignity in all; and to declare independence from life, and they are not taking it.” are to overcome the trauma in their lives.

—Pat McDonnell Twair Stewart is known for representing conHathout said it’s wrong to tell lawbreak- violence.” troversial defendants, sometimes pro bono, ers their grievances aren’t legitimate. “No just to support justice. “Lynne is a freedom one talked about the atrocities going on in International Conventions and fighter,” her husband explained. “She Chechnya. The Boston Marathon bombers Women’s Rights worked for immigrants’ rights, homosexu- thought Americans didn’t see their trauma During the 2011 Arab uprisings, women als, and all other movements that came as legitimate. FBI investigation is not pleas- took to the streets alongside their male about as she came of age in the 1960s. ant. It’s like Big Brother is watching you counterparts, demonstrating their capacity Name the injustice and she was there.” when mosques are under suspicion,” to lead. In many nations, however, they Poynter stands outside the White House Hathout said. have since been marginalized. On July 10, every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and holds Boyle added that no matter how trau- two panels featuring prominent women tributes and rallies in Stewart’s name. He is matized, the transgressor shouldn’t be leaders in the region discussed how existjoined by supporters from the Jericho abandoned as a hopeless case. “Violence is ing international conventions on human Movement, a group dedicated to rights can be used to achieve freeing political prisoners, and other women’s equality. The event was activists. The Jericho Movement also held at the Woodrow Wilson Interhosted a tribute to Stewart and other national Center for Scholars in political prisoners at the Institute for Washington, DC. Policy Studies on July 30. “Our goal Panelist Fatima Sbaity-Kassem, foris to make Lynne Stewart a housemer director of the U.N. Economic hold name,” said Jericho Movement and Social Commission for Asia, inmember Paulette D’Auteil. troduced the existing international —Mallika Patkar frameworks for women’s rights. In particular, she focused on The ConAll Saints Forum on Gangs, vention on the Elimination of All Radicalism Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 “From Despair to Hope: Connecting the Dots Between Gangs and Violent All Saints Community Forum speakers (l-r) Father Gre- by the U.N. General Assembly.

Lilia Labidi, former minister of Extremism” was the tantalizing title gory Boyle, the Rev. Dr. Ed Bacon and Dr. Maher Hathout.

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TOP (l-r): Fatima Sbaity-Kassem, Haleh Esfandiari, Lilia Labidi and Moushira Khattab.

ABOVE (l-r): Fahmia Al-Fotih, Rangita de Silva de Alwis, Kahina Bouagache and Eman Hussein. women’s affairs in Tunisia, discussed the history of CEDAW in Tunisia. The first transitional government officially published articles of the CEDAW in 2011, but the law has not yet been sent to the U.N. to be signed, she noted, a step Labidi described as “critical.”

While women have been involved in social movements throughout Tunisia’s history, media downplay their efforts, Labidi charged. “The result of this is that they create a masculine hero,” she stated.

Moushira Khattab, Egypt’s former minister of family and population, delivered hopeful remarks in relation to the status of women in Egypt, where the military coup had taken place just days earlier. “Because of the commitment of young women and men, the fighters for human rights in Egypt are winning again,” Khattab declared.

Khattab had been worried about the state of women’s rights in Egypt following the passage of the 2012 Egyptian Constitution. Even though women demonstrated alongside men during the 2011 revolution, the constitution was void of any guarantee of equality toward women and children, she said.

While expressing high hopes for the interim Egyptian government, Khattab also underscored the importance of the constitutional declaration implemented in early July. The declaration institutes “a clear prohibition of discrimination on the basis of gender,” she pointed out.

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Following the first panel on human rights conventions and integration, a second panel addressed “Transcending Barriers to Human Rights in the Region: The Way Forward.”

Panelists discussed how guarantees of women’s rights are subject to dilution in the region.

Rangita de Silva de Alwis of the Wilson Center began by stressing the universality of CEDAW. “All of the 192 countries of the U.N. have ratified the convention except for six countries…The Universality of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women is non-negotiable,” she stated.

De Alwis noted that, according to the third draft of the Algerian constitution, CEDAW’s guarantees apply only if they do not violate the country’s religious principles. “The Algerian government declared article two of the CEDAW…will apply only so far as it does not conflict with the provisions of Algerian family law,” she specified.

Algerian lawyer and women’s rights activist Kahina Bouagache observed that the marginalization of women’s rights tends to be most evident immediately after revolutions, as demonstrated by the Arab Spring.

Women initially play an active role in revolutions through protests and demonstrations, only to be “put back in their kitchens” after the unrest, she explained.

Eman Hussein, professor of education at Al-Balqa’ Applied University in Jordan, discussed the cultural, economic, political, THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

legislative and religious barriers facing women in Jordan. She noted that the marriage age there, while legally 18, can be lowered arbitrarily, in many cases to as young as 15. Divorce is another issue, she continued, as Jordanian men are often provided exclusive rights to divorce without legitimizing their request. Hussein added that misinterpretation of Islam often leads to further violations of women’s rights.

Despite these setbacks, Hussein stressed the prominence of grassroots movements that have mobilized women to take action in Jordan. De Alwis concurred, noting that women have mobilized to change article six of the Jordanian constitution, which contains an anti-discrimination clause that covers race but not gender.

Fahmia Al-Fotih of Yemen, communication analyst at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), described her nation’s leaders as suffering from “CEDAW-phobia,” and attributed many of Yemen’s women’s rights issues to the mindset in Yemen rather than its legal framework.

“Yemen’s domestic laws and constitution provide considerable legal protection of human rights,” she explained. “If you are going to make a change in Yemen you have to change the mindset of the people…even the women themselves.”

Although the panelists were generally optimistic regarding the status of women in the region, they all agreed that more work needs to be done. “We need to change the mindset, not the culture,” Fatima Sbaity-Kassem said. “We need to spread the word in all the rural areas that Islam is not anti-women, but needs to be interpreted in a women-friendly way.”

—Mallika Patkar and Tessa C. Martin

Muslim American Activism Maryland Mosque Holds Interfaith Ramadan Iftar The Islamic Center of Maryland, in the Washington, DC suburb of Gaithersburg, held an interfaith Ramadan iftar on July 14. Before the sun set, allowing guests to enjoy the food and drink, radio talk show host Guled Kassim asked the audience, “How many of you are here because of Samira Hussein?” Kassim was referring to the Palestinian-American activist who is very active in the City of Gaithersburg Multicultural Affairs Committee, as well as the Middle Eastern American Advisory Group for the Montgomery County Executive. Nearly every hand in the room shot up. In fact, the Islamic Center’s meeting SEPTEMBER 2013

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down to a wonderful meal. Outside children played tag and kickball while parents chatted—everyone enjoying a community gathering—a vital Ramadan tradition not only around the world, but right next door as well.

—Delinda C. Hanley

SAC-LA Iftar Dinner

ABOVE: Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz speaks at an iftar celebration. LEFT: Families enjoy breaking the fast together at Gaithersburg’s Islamic Community Center.

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which concludes the holy month of Ramadan. That got the attention of many school board members in the audience, since Montgomery County schools close for the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, as well as the traditional Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter.

Mayor Katz, who has attended every Muslim community event in his city that this reporter has covered, described the “outstanding” importance of the cultural committee’s ongoing work in Montgomery County. His advisory committee helps him understand how his neighbors feel about issues, he explained, emphasizing that Gaithersburg is a safe community for all its residents, of every ethnic and reliMembers of the Syrian American Council-Los Angeles hold gious background. Linda an iftar dinner.

Plummer, former president of Montgomery County’s NAACP and past co-chair of the Gaithersburg Multicultural Arab American Activism Affairs Committee, who is running for the state House of Delegates from District 17, spoke about the importance of listening to Arab-Americans Face Discrimination at the Israeli Border all residents.

Montgomery County councilmember The Palestine Center hosted a discussion on George Leventhal said he has received hate “Failed Attempts to Return Home: Discrimmail for endorsing the E4E campaign, but ination Against Palestinian-Americans at the as a person who grew up in a minority reli- Israeli Border” at its Washington, DC offices gion, he said, he understands the concerns on July 24. The panel featured Nour Joudah, of Muslim Americans. “I could get famous assistant editor of the Journal of Palestine on TV by saying bad things about Mus- Studies, and Sandra Tamari, a Palestinianlims,” Leventhal added, “but the truth is American and Quaker peace activist. there are so many similarities between all The panel was held in response to the our faiths, and basically we’re all the same.” U.S.-Israel Partnership Act of 2013, an act At sunset everyone had a drink of water recently introduced in Congress that and dates and accepted an invitation to threatens the civil rights of Arab- and watch the Maghrib prayer before sitting Muslim-Americans by allowing Israel into STAFF PHOTO S. TWAIR

room was full of public officials—including Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz and City Council members—as well as teachers, a principal, Girl Scouts and a large Pax Christi USA contingent.

Following Kassim’s welcoming remarks, participants introduced themselves and settled in to hear Ahsun Dasti give a succinct overview of Islam. Dasti’s PowerPoint presentation illustrated Islam’s long history, including its presence in America, brought by the early slaves, its effect on architecture, sciences, math, literature, sports and music—including Eric Clapton’s classic love song “Layla.” Dasti went on to describe the diversity of the American Muslim community and to talk about some famous examples. He and Kassim also answered questions about how Muslims pray and why they say certain phrases, like insha’Allah, even when they’re promising their boss they’ll meet an important deadline. Nothing happens without the will of God, Dasti explained.

Ramadan is a time to reflect and study scripture, and give more to charity, very similar to Lent in the Catholic church, Dasti concluded.

Saqib Ali, a former Maryland state delegate who currently serves as director of government relations for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Maryland Chapter, described the Ramadan “Equality for Eid” (E4E) campaign, which is urging the Montgomery County Public School system to close for the “Eid” holiday

More than 400 members and friends of the Syrian American Council-Los Angeles gathered July 27 at the Anaheim Hills Golf Course Clubhouse for an iftar dinner and fund-raiser. Keynote speakers were Hussam Ayloush and Hassan Twiet, who recently returned from a two-week visit to a Syrian refugee camp in Reyhanli, Turkey, just inside the border with Syria. The two interviewed refugees who are living in sparse conditions and ascertained that funds sent from the Syrian Sunrise Foundation have been allocated properly.

Imam Selim Ghazali, who comes from Cambodia, offered the iftar prayer. Singer Bassem Rashidi sang a song he had composed about Syria.

—Samir Twair

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Nour Joudah describes being denied entry, despite her possession of a multiple-entry visa.

Sandra Tamari discusses her experience at the Israeli border. a Visa Waiver Program (see this issue‘s Congress Watch). Under this bill, Israelis and Americans could travel visa-free to each others’ countries; however, the language specifies that the Visa Waiver only applies to Americans insofar as it does not jeopardize Israel’s security. Activists including Joudah and Tamari have argued that the language codifies discrimination into law by allowing Israeli security to arbitrarily deny entry to Israel to American citizens of Muslim or Arab descent.

Joudah told of her personal experience at the Israeli border. Last fall, she left the U.S. to teach ninth grade English at the Friends School in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Upon arrival, Israeli authorities granted her a one-year multiple-entry visa. After her first semester teaching, she left Palestine for a short vacation, but when she returned to the Allenby border with Jordan she was denied entry, detained, and deported. She attempted a sec56

ond time to return to Ramallah in coordination with the Israeli Embassy and her congresswoman in Washington, DC, but was once again refused by Israeli border security.

Joudah didn’t go into the details of her detention and deportation, explaining, “We get way too caught up in the logistics of these stories, and of course that’s not what’s important...What’s important for me,” she continued, “is that entry denials are...a sign of increased recognition by the Israeli government that there is a need to tear down the bridges being built between Palestinians living under occupation and Palestinians living in the diaspora.”

Tamari shared a similar story of her experience with entry denial to Palestine.

During a visit with a delegation of American interfaith peace builders last May, Tamari was the only person from the group who was pulled aside by Israeli officials.

She was then interrogated for eight hours, detained, and put on the first plane back to the U.S. the following day.

Under the Visa Waiver Program, Tamari told the audience, the refusal rate into each country must be less than 3 percent. However, the U.S. government refuses to release data on how many Americans are being denied entry at the Israeli border, and the numbers provided by outgoing Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren seem inaccurate and are not supported with any concrete data.

Both speakers agreed on the importance of orally sharing stories like their own to encourage grassroots activists to speak out against discriminatory laws, which Joudah termed “affirmations of exile.” “There are facts that pierce through vocalization that don’t in writing,” Joudah stated. “There is a power in the act of speaking that writing, for all of its strengths and uniqueness, lacks completely.”

Tamari and Joudah said they hope that their activism will challenge not only the Visa Waiver Program, but also Israeli policy on a larger scale. The Visa Waiver Program “is symptomatic of a larger issue: that Israel can operate with impunity and no one will hold them to account,” Joudah concluded. “It’s about challenging that impunity.”

—Tessa C. Martin

Waging Peace Washington Think Tanks Discuss Egyptian Crisis In the wake of Mohamed Morsi’s July 3 ouster as president of Egypt, the Arab THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

world’s most populous country has been in a state of perpetual tension and violence.

More than 260 individuals have lost their lives as political and sectarian violence continues to escalate. To discuss the Muslim Brotherhood’s downfall and Egypt’s uncertain path forward, several Washington, DC think tanks held events in July.

Coup or No Coup?

Because the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 requires the United Sates to suspend aid to any country that experiences a military coup, Washington has fervently debated how to classify the military’s ouster of Morsi. On July 25, however, crafty State Department lawyers informed the White House that it is not required to determine if a coup took place in Egypt, allowing Washington to continue to send $1.5 billion in annual aid to Cairo.

Participants in a July 11 Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars teleconference titled “Egypt in Crisis” argued that no coup had taken place in Egypt.

“Military intervention came at the request of the people, of the masses,” said Moushira Khattab, former minister and former Egyptian ambassador to South Africa and the Czech Republic. “This is not a coup, not at all. This is the will of the people,” she stated.

“There was no democratic rule,” Khattab maintained, charging that Morsi’s ouster was necessary in order to move Egypt’s 2011 revolution forward. Agreeing, Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat, chairman of the Reform and Development Party, said Egyptians were “fed up and tired” with the Muslim Brotherhood’s lack of engagement.

Panelists at a July 11 Brookings Institution event titled “Egypt and Beyond: Military Intervention and the Democratic Process” expressed decidedly different opinions. “This is a textbook coup in a number of different ways,” Shadi Hamid, director of research at Brookings Doha Center, argued via video connection. “He was freely and fairly elected. To me that has to be respected.” While Hamid believes Morsi was governing poorly, he said Egyptians cannot take to the street every time they have an ineffective leader. Ted Piccone, director of Brookings’ Foreign Policy program, agreed with Hamid’s assessment.

At a July 25 Middle East Institute (MEI) event titled “The Future of Democracy in Egypt: Notes from the Ground,” Mirette F. Mabrouk, deputy director for regional programs at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, offered some SEPTEMBER 2013

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view was indeed valid. Like Mubarak, she said, Morsi ruled by law instead of the rule of law.

According to Wickham, it remains unclear as to why Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, whom Morsi appointed minister of defense in August 2012, authorized the coup. Speculating, she said the military likely believed that its economic and security interests were threatened by the country’s instability under Morsi. The military “may never have come around to seeing it [the Muslim Brotherhood] as a legitimate political actor,” Wickham added.

(L-r) Moderator Tamara Cofman Wittes, Kemal Kirisci and Ted Piccone argue that the Egyptian military’s ouster of Mohamed Morsi was unquestionably a coup. perspective. With their country in disarray, she said, Egyptians are not concerned with determining whether a coup took place on July 3 or not. “To Egyptians, I cannot tell you how irrelevant that question is,” she noted.

Brotherhood’s Downfall

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“What’s happening now is not really surprising,” opined Mabrouk, as the Brotherhood “was significantly worried” about the June 30 protests as they approached.

Given this concern, she expressed shock that the organization remained “tremendously intransigent” and did not do more to appease the demands of the opposition.

“They underestimated the overwhelming anger toward them,” she said.

While the Brotherhood proved to be “inept” during Morsi’s one-year presidency, Mabrouk acknowledged that many in the opposition and the “deep state” were determined to see the Brotherhood fail. “There were a lot of people who just refused to work with them,” she noted.

Speaking at a July 31 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace event titled “The

New Political Order/Disorder in Egypt,” Emory University professor Carrie Wickham agreed with Mabrouk’s assessment.

“The failures of the Morsi government were not all of his own making,” she stated.

At the MEI event, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law professor Sahar Aziz cited two suspicious post-coup developments as likely indicators of the extent to which elements of the old regime were working against Morsi. Throughout his presidency, Aziz noted, Egypt experienced many gas and police shortages. The day after the coup, however, both gas and police suddenly were in abundant supply. “It was miraculous, it was surreal,” she commented.

Aziz pinpointed as Morsi’s “fatal mistake” his controversial November 2012 decree making “constitutional declarations, decisions and laws issued by the president…final and not subject to appeal.”

After this decree, he lost support from many of his non-Islamist supporters, who began to see him as “Mubarak with a political Islam face.” In Aziz’s opinion, such a

Mirette Mabrouk (l) and Sahar Aziz pinpoint the failures of the Morsi presidency.

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Path Forward Panelists at all four events stressed the importance of reintegrating the ostracized Brotherhood into the political process.

“You cannot write off 25 to 30 percent of the population,” Aziz emphasized. “I don’t think Egypt can become a democracy without them,” Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat said.

Hamid believes this is easier said than done, however. “It’s very difficult to see what the sequencing of events would be,” he said. “The Brotherhood would have to give up its legitimacy claim somehow.” At the Carnegie Endowment event, George Washington University professor Nathan Brown was also pessimistic. “At a rhetorical level, [the Islamist-secular divide] has already reached the point of a civil war.”

The verbiage the two sides are using reminds Brown of the way Israelis and Palestinians spoke to one another during the second intifada.

Brown predicted that the amending of the constitution will be “rushed” and “nonsensical.” Unlike the previous document, which opponents dismissed as being Islamist-dominated, the new constitution “doesn’t have the prospect of being majoritarian,” he said.

Wickham called on the military to return power to civilians as soon as possible.

“El-Sisi and his henchmen must be persuaded to return to their barracks,” she said. The Brotherhood, she added, “have emerged as the country’s greatest sticklers for democratic procedure.”

Ted Piccone, an expert on Latin American coups, warned that militaries do not perform well when given political power.

When Augusto Pinochet overthrew Chile’s democratically elected President Salvador Allende in 1973, Piccone noted, many believed the general would be able to bring about stability by lowering gas and food prices. Instead, Pinochet ruled undemocratically for 17 years. “This is a common 57

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only granted permanent residency status under the condition that they do not oppose the Syrian government.

Cobban stressed the vulnerability of Palestinian refugees in war-torn Syria, pointing out that they have no nation-state to protect and assist them. Displaced Palestinians are living in schools and tents, Cobban said. “It looks just like 1948 all over again, just like 2008 all over again. I mean this kind of cycle of stuff happens to Palestinians, over and over for decades....”

Of the 529,000 Palestinian refugees in Syria, the number needing assistance has Nathan Brown (l) and Carrie Wickham assess Egypt’s uneasy path forward. increased to 420,000. UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations are giving story throughout Latin America,” Piccone during a July 17 panel discussion at the “hygiene kits” to people whose homes said, citing Peru, Honduras and Argentina Palestine Center in Washington, DC. Cob- have been destroyed, who are living “in as coups gone bad. Kemal Kirişci, director ban, a publisher and journalist, has written the wild,” Cobban lamented. Displaced of the Brookings Turkey project, pointed about Palestinian and Syrian issues for 38 Palestinians are treated separately from disto Turkey’s uneasy history of coups. years and has frequently travelled to Syria. placed Syrians, who—along with all the “These coups have not helped advance There are nine official and three unofficial world’s other refugees—are the responsirefugee camps in Syria, many of them clus- bility of the U.N. High Commissioner for Turkish democracy,” he opined.

Speaking from Cairo via video at the tered around Damascus, she stated, point- Refugees. UNHCR, Cobban explained, has Carnegie Endowment event, Hossam Bah- ing to a map. One camp in southern Syria, “a different, much stronger mandate to gat, director of the Egyptian Initiative for in Daraa, has been a center for the conflict, provide services and protection to Personal Rights, expressed concern about as have a couple up near Aleppo. The most refugees,” while UNRWA is authorized to the forced removal of Brotherhood pro- important and biggest of these camps is provide services but has no protective mandate. testers from the street by the military. Yarmouk.

When Palestinian refugee camps in Syria Using data collected by the United Na“There is rising popular support for a crackdown on this protest,” he observed. tions Relief and Works Agency for Pales- like Yarmouk are destroyed, Cobban said, Bahgat also lamented the fact that numer- tine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), its residents can try to go to Lebanon, or ous members of the Brotherhood have the only body that officially registers Pales- Jordan. “Or, God forbid, they might try to been arrested since July 3. “They are not tinian refugees, Cobban said there are go home to Palestine. How about that? being held under any legal regime,” he 529,000 registered Palestinian refugees in How about creating a state that could be a Syria—more than 50 percent of whom are haven for distressed populations? You pointed out.

Bahgat also questioned the ability of now displaced. [To be a registered refugee, would imagine that many Jewish people “liberals” to unite in the wake of the coup. a Palestinian or his or her forebears had to could perhaps sympathize with this aspi“They have very different visions of where be present in 1950 in one of the areas ration,” Cobban quipped.

Actually, Cobban noted that Palestinian they want to move the country,” he said, where UNRWA was delivering services, predicting that fissures will quickly de- Cobban explained, and had to demonstrate President Mahmoud Abbas had pleaded velop within the opposition. El-Sadat was need. The numbers of actual refugees are with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Neadamant that the opposition has learned always much higher than the numbers of tanyahu to let some of the very distressed Palestinian families from Syria come to the from their post-January 25 failure. “We registered refugees, she added.]

Despite Syria’s reputation as a haven for West Bank. Netanyahu agreed to a small cannot afford a third revolution,” he said.

Both Brown and Mirette Mabrouk refugees, Palestinians living in Syria have number coming—but added the stipulapointed out that the Salafis are politically not enjoyed full citizenship rights, but are tion that they’d have to give up their right to return to their original land and well positioned for the future. Dehome. As a (not surprising) result, scribing the hard-line Islamists as the refugees did not seek shelter in “the smartest political players in the West Bank. Hamas was able to the field,” Mabrouk noted that get 300 families resettled in Gaza they have gained credibility by while the Rafah crossing was open. largely refusing to take part in Dr. Faedah Totah, an assistant Morsi’s government and supportprofessor of international studies ing the June 30 protests. at Virginia Commonwealth Univer—Dale Sprusansky sity in Richmond, VA who has The War’s Effect on made frequent trips to Syria in the Palestinian Refugees in Syria past 10 years, observed that “refugeeness” has become an inDr. Faedah Totah and Helena Cobban explored the impact of the war Helena Cobban (l) and Dr. Faedah Totah describe the plight separable part of Palestinian identity. Furthermore, she argued, in Syria on Palestinian refugees of Palestinian refugees in Syria.

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both Hafez and Bashar al-Assad were very adept at manipulating the Palestinian cause. In June 2011, Israeli soldiers shot and killed 25 Palestinian protesters who breached Israel’s northern border with Syria, prompting Bashar al-Assad to remind Israel and the world that Syria had prevented cross-border clashes over the years.

The Syrians, especially the government, were always quick to point out that Palestinians cannot even trust their leadership, Dr. Totah charged. “The signing of Oslo was a deadly blow to many Palestinians living in Syria,” she said. Not only did they feel abandoned by Arafat, but Arafat and other leaders have never even negotiated the Right of Return.

As for the refugees’ plight in Syria today, Dr. Totah said that UNRWA “is restricted by what it can and cannot do, not only by its mandate but also due to donors, and to the countries in which it operates. Yet in times of crisis like these, we do see that UNRWA is stepping up. It is offering more humanitarian assistance to the displaced Palestinian families in Syria: emergency cash, food as well as medicine, and it is spreading [awareness of] the plight of Palestinians and asking for more donations.” —Coral Kasirer and Delinda Hanley

Elders Discuss Middle East Peace Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, U.N. special envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi and former president of Finland Martti Ahtisaari appeared at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC on July 22 to discuss the Middle East’s two most pressing conflicts: Syria and Israel-Palestine. The trio spoke in their capacity as members of The Elders, a group of seasoned leaders founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007.

President Carter began by noting that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has received backlash from his extreme right-wing coalition for agreeing to resume peace talks with Palestine. Likewise, Carter noted, the de facto Hamas government in Gaza is not supportive of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ decision to re-engage Israel. “Both leaders are seriously constrained by their own constituency,” the former president stated. For this reason, Carter said, both Netanyahu and Abbas are showing courage by returning to the negotiating table.

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(L-r) President Jimmy Carter, Lakhdar Brahimi and Martti Ahtisaari discuss efforts to forge peace in Israel-Palestine and Syria. they are willing to accept a peace negotiation between the PLO and Israel if there is a public referendum,” he said.

While Netanyahu has not publicly stated support for land swaps, President Carter believes the Israeli the prime minister is open to the idea. Carter considers land swaps “the key issue” in negotiations.

If this issue can be resolved, he said, he believes resolutions on issues such as the right of return, Jerusalem and settlements can be reached.

Lakhdar Brahimi turned the audience’s attention to Syria, where he has been attempting to negotiate peace since his appointment as U.N. special envoy in August 2012. Brahimi strongly urged the world’s powers to reach a political solution to the bloody civil war. “There is no military solution, but a political solution is necessary and possible,” he stressed.

While acknowledging that the Assad regime has positive momentum, Brahimi was reluctant to predict that government forces will emerge victorious. Observers made the mistake of predicting that the opposition would prevail when it had the edge last year, he pointed out. “Making progress and winning are two different things,” Brahimi stressed. “You need to get out of this vicious cycle to a political solution that can end this conflict.”

In addition to human costs, the conflict is also decimating Syria’s treasured history, Brahimi lamented. “What they [opposition and government forces] are doing is cooperating to destroy their country,” he charged, noting that historic mosques, churches and markets have been destroyed. “It’s not only the present and future of the country being destroyed, but also the past.”

Brahimi also expressed concern about the impact the civil war is having on Syria’s neighbors, warning that “The crisis is dangerously mutating into a regional conflict.” Jordan and Lebanon “are sinking under the weight of the refugees,” he THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

stated, with Syrians now making up half the population in Tripoli, Lebanon’s second largest city, Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari criticized members of the Security Council for failing to properly respond to the Syrian crisis. Members such as the U.S. and Russia should have been able to find common ground, he argued. “I was disappointed a year ago because I thought there would be an opening,” Ahtisaari said, adding that in his opinion Brahimi’s predecessor, former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, never had the international support he needed to broker a deal.

Nevertheless, Ahtisaari said he believes that the Security Council is beginning to make positive progress. “I see that the permanent members are getting their act together,” he concluded. —Dale Sprusansky

A Jewish and Democratic State?

Rabbi Arik Ascherman of Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR) spoke June 11 at the New America Foundation in Washington, DC on the feasibility of reconciling democracy with a Jewish state. RHR was founded in 1988 in order to remedy the fact that many Jewish religious organizations don’t address the burning moral issues that concern many Jews. Much of the organization’s work is concerned with human rights issues in Israel, such as economic justice, African asylum seekers and unrecognized Bedouin villages, Ascherman said.

RHR also works with Adalah, an organization that tries to protect the legal rights of Arab minorities in Israel.

Arab Bedouin communities on the outskirts of Israel are often cut off and forgotten by the Israeli state, Ascherman said, and unrecognized Arab villages lack such basic municipal services as water. Israel also creates artificial townships in order to relocate Bedouins, he added, which is of concern given the high rates of unemployment and poverty that Bedouins suffer from.

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PHOTO COURTESY YOSEF ROSENBERG

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during the dialogue. Fairbank also emphasized the importance of the final decisionmaking process being inclusive and not driven solely by elites.

Finally, Fairbank said, an agreeable resolution on the southern issue must be brokered. Pointing out that secession is on the minds of many southern Yemenis, he emphasized that they must be more fully included in the dialogue. However, Fairbank noted, there are many divisions among southerners themselves, as they lack a common leader or agenda. “That is problematic in terms of how to negotiate with leaders from the south,” he acknowledged.

If the southern issue is to be resolved, Fairbank believes a long-term approach needs to be adopted. “This is going to take time. This is optimistically going to take 10 Rabbi Arik Ascherman.

Yemen’s National Dialogue years,” he predicted.

If 30 to 50 percent of the issues being “Democracy is not just what the major- The American Security Project (ASP) held ity can do, but also what it cannot do,” As- an event at its Washington, DC office on discussed at the dialogue get resolved, cherman argued, noting that minority July 30 to discuss “Yemen’s Political Tran- Fairbank believes the dialogue should be rights are generally not given the best plat- sition and National Dialogue: Progress and deemed a success. Danya Greenfield, form in democracies. This is particularly Challenges.” ASP CEO Stephen A. Cheney deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, artrue in the case of the Jewish state, he said, moderated the panel discussion. adding that the inherent lack of justice in Mohammed Albasha, spokesman for the gued that success should be measured the Israeli state’s conception of democracy Yemeni Embassy in Washington, DC, began based on which issues get resolved rather “borders on criminality.” by expressing optimism about Yemen’s on- than on the number of issues resolved. “I However, he said, he does believe that going national dialogue. “We are witnessing fear the most contentious issues will be degroups like RHR are able to bridge the gap a remarkable transition where former ene- ferred to a later date,” she stated.

Greenfield also expressed concern that the between the voiceless and the powerful by mies are sitting together in a ballroom,” he being present to help facilitate change. As- said. Describing President Rabbo Mansur dialogue will not resolve issues important to cherman quoted Rabbi Abraham Heschel al-Hadi as “very passionate about the na- young revolutionaries: the end of corrupas saying that in a democratic society tional dialogue,” Albasha added that, “For tion, open political space and greater economic opportunity. “There are a number of “some are guilty but all are responsible”— him, it’s his number one priority.” thereby, according to Ascherman, directly Timothy Fairbank, managing director of processes that have been put in place that linking social responsibility to creating a Development Transformations, outlined have not necessarily advanced these things,” better democratic and Jewish state. three areas where Yemen must be cautious she pointed out. In particular, Greenfield —Manaal N. Farooqi as it winds down its national dialogue, said, the country’s economic situation is dire which is set to conclude Sept. 18. First, he and must receive greater attention.

Neturei Karta International Protest Former U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Barsaid, Sana’a must ensure there are mechaCUFI Gathering nisms in place to enact agreements reached bara Bodine said that Yemen should strive for stability, not security. The latRabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss and ter, she noted, is imposed through members of Neturei Karta Internaweapons, while stability is “a contional, Jews United Against Zionsequence of a consensus-based soism, protested outside the Washciety.” As an example, Bodine said ington, DC Convention Center as that while she was stationed in Pastor John Hagee and his pro-IsIraq in the 1980s, she felt comrael organization, Christians pletely secure but knew the counUnited for Israel (CUFI), held their try was not stable.

“Washington Summit,” July 22-24.

Bodine said the U.S. must push Interestingly, CUFI’s executive diYemenis to develop a long-term virector, David Brog, is not a Christian sion for their country. This process himself. “I am Jewish,” he told the must emerge from the bottom, not Israeli daily Haaretz. In fact, Brog is the top, she added. Bodine cited a cousin of former Prime Minister recent events in Iraq and Egypt as Ehud Barak, who “changed his last examples as to why short-term name from ‘Brog’ to ‘Barak’ during his time in the army.”

Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, far left, and members of Neturei strategies don’t work. “In both CUFI’s Web site urged support- Karta International, protest outside the Christians United for these countries,” she said, “the focus was on a very short-term soers to attend the summit to show Israel convention. support for Israel:“From Cairo to Beirut, from Gaza to Damascus, and from Ramallah to Tehran, the Jewish people are surrounded by enemies who seek to destroy them. These are truly dark and dangerous days for our ally Israel.”

Summit speakers included Reps. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), John Barrow (D-GA) and Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Lindsey Graham (RSC) and Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Malcolm Hoenlein, and radio and TV talk show host Glenn Beck.

—Delinda C. Hanley

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STAFF PHOTO D. SPRUSANSKY

Impact of Rowhani’s Election

(L-r) Mohammed Albasha, Timothy Fairbank, Danya Greenfield and Ambassador Barbara Bodine discuss Yemen’s attempt at national reconciliation. lution to the political problem.”

—Dale Sprusansky

Water Security in Pakistan

STAFF PHOTO A. RIGAUT

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) held a May 30 panel at its Washington, DC headquarters titled “The Water-Security Nexus in Pakistan.” The event was moderated by Andrew Wilder, director of USIP’s Afghanistan and Pakistan programs.

Dr. Daanish Mustafa, a reader in the Department of Geography at King’s College, London, began by citing the United Nations’ prediction that Pakistan will move from being water-stressed to water-scarce by 2030. Climate change, he added, will create an additional “challenge of uncertainty” for Pakistan.

Dr. Majed Akhter, soon-to-be assistant professor of geography at Indiana University, placed water security within the context of land distribution, land rights and unequal access to land. “Water security [must be] framed as direct access of the poorest and the most marginalized to the means of subsistence,” he argued. This means land, he said, since 45 percent of Pakistan’s labor force works in the agricultural sector, because water rights in Pakistan are linked to land holdings.

Three land reforms—in 1959, 1972 and 1977—all placed ceilings on land holdings but included many loopholes, thus accounting for their small impact on land distribution. The purpose of these land reforms was to make farms more efficient, and

in this context, Akhter explained, “water was a tool to make land more productive.”

Equality, however, did not automatically arise from this approach, he noted.

In Akhter’s opinion, land reform must again be put on the table, this time to reduce inequalities and secure access to land for the poorest and most marginalized.

Such a project has little political viability, however, since most of the stake-holders in Pakistan belong to the feudal landowning class or the army. Akhter asserted that the best hope for land reform comes from the “landless Punjabi peasants,” a one-millionstrong movement which has been resisting feudal landlords in Punjab for a decade.

Dr. Winston Yu, senior water resources specialist at the World Bank, views the “water resource management challenge as two-fold: maximize water potential and minimize water extremes”—bearing in mind Pakistan’s vulnerability to extreme events such as floods and droughts. Despite his education as an engineer, Yu argued that technical solutions emphasizing supply-side focus, such as building dams—a wasteful and costly solution, according to many experts—will need to be balanced by greater attention to “the politics of distribution, allocation and access.” Explaining that “It’s all about institution, management and governance,” Yu advocated a balance between supply-side solutions and a demand-side focus encouraging conservation, irrigation improvements and resource behavioral change.

—Antoine Rigaut

(L-r) Andrew Wilder, Dr. Daanish Mustafa and Dr. Winston Yu warn of water scarcity in Pakistan.

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The United States Institute of Peace’s (USIP) Iran Study Group held a July 15 panel discussion entitled “Real Politics of Iran: Views from Within” at its Washington, DC headquarters. More than a month after Iran’s presidential election, analysts were still unsure as to how Hassan Rowhani’s victory will impact Iran’s political future.

Farzan Sabet, a student at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, presented via Skype a brief analysis of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the influence it will have going forward.

Following the 2009 elections, the IRGC stripped Iran of its democratic credentials, and led the nation closer to becoming a security state, Sabet said. Although the IRGC could not secure a victory this year because it is divided, Sabet said he believes that the IRGC, fueled by its well-organized social base, will “remain a powerful security and economic actor.”

He went on to describe the IRGC as “dazed” and “confused” over the election outcome, saying it is “not really sure how to move forward.” As a result, according to Sabet, the IRGC is currently weak, but competition with Rowhani could strengthen it. Sabet predicted that a confrontation between Rowhani and the IRGC would probably take place over the nuclear issue, more specifically the issue of sanctions. The Obama administration’s stance toward Rowhani over nuclear negotiations undoubtedly will impact the IRGC, he speculated, explaining that a hard-line American stance will weaken Rowhani, but strengthen the IRGC’s influence.

Kevan Harris post-doctoral research associate at Princeton University, who was in Iran to witness the election, described the climate in the country leading up to Rowhani’s victory. Emphasizing the unexpectedness of the result, he explained that “Rowhani was not an exciting candidate.

He was made exciting because people were demanding a candidate to vote for with reformist backing.”

According to Harris, the excitement surrounding Rowhani motivated many who were apathetic following the 2009 elections. He credited Rowhani’s win to grassroots pressure on reformists and the “pragmatic alliances” the reformists made by linking Rowhani with previous reformist President Mohammad Khatami and Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

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showed that 46 percent of Iranians who thought that sanctions do not have an effect on the economy voted for Rowhani, he noted, while those who thought sanctions are destroying Iran’s economy only voted for Rowhani by a statistically insignificant greater margin.

Mohseni attributed Rowhani’s domestic popularity to “the public becoming more pragmatic and centrist in their approach and in their demands,” and a “public frustration with factional gridlocks both during [Mohammad] Khatami and [Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad’s presidencies.” In terms of public opinion on foreign policy, Mohseni described Iranians as desiring more pragmatism from their leadership.

Iranians were also asked to identify the single most important issue Iran faces that they hope Rowhani will mitigate during his term. According to Mohseni’s results, 31 percent of the population believe that fixing the economy is Iran’s most pressing issue.

—Tessa C. Martin

STAFF PHOTO T.C. MARTIN

STAFF PHOTO M. PATKAR

for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland, and featured guest speaker Ebrahim Mohseni of the University of Tehran Polling Center.

Mohseni presented the results of data he collected in Iran from May 10 to June 23 using 13 cross-sec(L-r) Kevan Harris, Daniel Brumberg and Fatemeh Haghighatjoo tional national probability sample surveys speculate about Iran’s political future. conducted before and plaining what the election suggests for the after the June 14 elections. He used these future of the reformist movement. She results to determine how Rowhani won, cited three main areas in which Rowhani who voted for him, and what Iranians exwill have to respond to public demand: pect their new president to accomplish civil liberties, economic improvement and during his term.

Mohseni recalled that runner-up MoIran’s relations with the rest of the world.

Haghighatjoo expressed confidence that hammad Bagher Ghalibaf was the frontRowhani has the ability to meet public de- runner until just days before the election, mands, saying, “I consider the 2013 elec- when the tides turned in favor of Rowhani.

Mohseni attributed the sudden swing in tion as a win-win situation for all.”

The panelists agreed that this year’s elec- opinion to several factors, including Motion has the potential to change Iran’s po- hammad Reza Aref’s withdrawal in favor of litical climate if it is handled properly by Rowhani, infighting among principlists Rowhani. Daniel Brumberg, senior pro- [conservatives], and Ghalibaf’s ineffectual gram officer on Iran and North Africa at attacks against Rowhani, most notably USIP, concluded the panel by saying, “A those concerning student protests.

Mohseni also attributed the change in window of opportunity has opened up in Iran, but windows of opportunity in the opinion to the public belief that the elecMiddle East have the habit of closing very tion would go to a second round, which quickly.”

—Mallika Patkar would have been the case if no candidate received a minimum of 50 percent of the Attitudes From Tehran votes. Many of Rowhani’s votes were In the wake of moderate candidate Hassan therefore strategic votes, Mohseni claimed, Rowhani’s recent victory in Iran’s presi- rather than preferential votes.

According to his findings, Mohseni dedential election, the New America Foundation’s Middle East Task Force hosted a sym- termined that Rowhani was able to attract posium on July 31 to discuss Iranian pub- 50 percent of almost all segments of the lic opinion. The event, “Attitudes from Iranian population. There were, naturally, Tehran: Iranian Public Opinion and the some exceptions, he added: “the Kurds Rowhani Presidency,” was moderated by and Baluchs, the predominantly Sunni Shibley Telhami, Anwar Sadat Professor ethnicities in Iran, disproportionately voted in favor of Rowhani, the Lurs voted disproportionately in favor of [Mohsen] Rezayi, and those living in smaller cities and rural areas were slightly more likely...to vote in favor of Rowhani.”

However, Rowhani’s popularity in almost all other segments of society remained 50 percent, illustrating that a broad range of societal sectors found him appealing.

Mohseni found no correlaEbrahim Mohseni says President Hassan Rowhani is sup- tion between sanctions and voting patterns. His polls ported by almost all segments of the Iranian population.

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STAFF PHOTO TESSA C. MARTIN

Responsibility to Protect: In Need of Reform

Former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright discusses how to swiftly solve humanitarian crises.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright and former presidential special envoy to Sudan Richard Williamson discussed their “Working Group on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P),” on July 23 at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. The event was co-sponsored by R2P, the Brookings Institution, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). R2P seeks to remove the political and practical obstacles to the prevention of genocide, war and other human rights atrocities.

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STAFF PHOTO H. EL-AMRAWI

what nationality people were, or what lanand unstable countries by giving outside One Million Bones: Skeletons guage they spoke, everyone on June 8th powers the ability to intervene. R2P con- Depicting Reality was able to see the bones and visually unsists of three pillars: protect people from genocide, ethnic cleansing and war crimes. One million handmade bones laid out on derstand the message being said,” comIt will be recalled that as a result of U.N.- the National Mall in Washington, DC from mented Janet Payne, an organizer and an imposed sanctions against Iraq in the June 8 to 10 were part of an effort to phys- art education teacher at George Mason —Hanna El-amrawi 1990s, an estimated 500,000 Iraqi children ically represent the ongoing genocides and University. under 5 were thought to have died—a mass atrocities taking place in the Democnumber Albright told “60 Minutes” she ratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, South Future of AUMF Questioned thought was “worth it.”

Sudan, Myanmar and Somalia.

Three days after 9/11, Congress acted The working paper emphasizes that The evocative mass grave, called the swiftly to pass the Authorization for Use of there should be a global diplomatic initia- “One Million Bones Project,” is the work of Military Force (AUMF). Passed unanitive that includes regional and international Albuquerque-based photographer and mously in the Senate and by 420-1 in the bodies to strengthen the capacity to pre- artist Naomi Natale, who specializes in House—only Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) vent human rights atrocities. Furthermore, large-scale representation and social art voted against the measure—this law has the working paper calls for an equal shar- projects. Since 2010, Natale has teamed up served as the basis for U.S. foreign intering of the responsibilities in regard to pro- with Students Rebuild and its partners, in- vention for more than a decade. Now, howviding emergency crisis settlement, peace- cluding CARE, Global Nomads Group, and ever, many are wondering if the AUMF is keeping, civilian protection and more. The Architecture for Humanity, to raise aware- dated and unnecessary. To discuss this, the paper also calls for a positive use of the In- ness of mass atrocities in Africa and Asia. Woodrow Wilson International Center for ternational Criminal Court—which the U.S. As a team, they have succeeded in reach- Scholars held a July 11 panel at its Washand Israel opposed and have refused to ing out to people in all 50 states and more ington, DC offices titled “AUMF: Reassertjoin—exploring all options such as modern than 30 countries. ing the Role of Congress.” communication to explore strategies such From South America to the Middle East, The panel consisted of Sen. Bob Corker as early warning mechanisms. Secretary Al- students, teachers and volunteers, inspired (R-TN), ranking member of the Senate Forbright stated that they “…hope that our by this project, have come together to craft eign Relations Committee; Sarah Chayes, recommendations will enhance America’s bones from clay, paper, wood and other senior associate in the Democracy and Rule ability to provide global leadership for the materials. “When we make something of Law Program at the Carnegie Endowprevention of mass atrocities.” with our hands, it changes the way we ment for International Peace; and Neal The working paper on R2P is meant to feel, which changes the way we think, Katyal, professor at Georgetown University advocate a more aggressive approach to the which changes the way we act,” explained Law School. Representative Lee was also prevention of humanitarian crises. Secretary Carl Wilkens, the only American to remain invited, but was unable to attend.

Albright stated that the difficulty with R2P in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide.

Senator Corker opened the discussion by is how to “…analyze who you’re going to Asked why the group picked Washing- expressing concern over the AUMF’s effect help…it is the responsibility of the leader of ton, DC in particular to lay out the bones, on Congress. “Congress has no ownership his country to in fact protect the people in Nancy Walkup, an organizer and editor of whatsoever over the conflicts that exist,” the country.” Secretary Albright further SchoolArts magazine, responded that “DC he stated. He explained that taking Concommented that “the opposite is happening is the living room for America, it’s the peo- gress out of the decision-making process in in Syria…The international community as a ple’s city, everyone can come here.” favor of the Executive Branch not only whole has really failed to find the right With the National Mall being a popular hurts congressional accountability, but also tools” with which to address the major vi- tourist attraction in the nation’s capital, the keeps the public uninformed. olations of human rights. Given the right carpet of bones managed to educate and Indeed, Katyal noted, the AUMF contools and the implementation of the work- empower onlookers on the situation in var- flicts directly with the separation of powing paper, Secretary Albright and Ambas- ious unfortunate countries. “No matter ers specified by the Constitution, which sador Williamson believe that even a delegates decisions regarding the crisis such as the one in Syria can be use of military force exclusively to diplomatically addressed by the inthe legislative branch. “We live in a ternational community via R2P. democracy,” he said. “This is someAn examination of the Web site thing that should be done by our <www.responsibilitytoprotect.org> elected representatives and not by notes that R2P has invoked the docthese other entities, often operating, trine in Darfur, Sudan, Burma, Zimfrankly, in secret.” babwe, The Democratic Republic of Chayes lamented that the law enthe Congo, Sri Lanka, Kenya, courages a kinetic or direct military Guinea, Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, Côte response to international conflicts. d’Ivoire, Libya and Syria. Inexplica“Look at where we’ve been spendbly, the crises in Gaza, Georgia and ing not just our money, but our Somalia have spurred only inconthought, our creativity over the last clusive debates as to whether R2P 10, 12 years. It’s all been on the kiwas applicable to these particular in- Handmade bones lie on the National Mall on June 8 as netic side,” she explained. stances.

Chayes said she believes America part of an effort to educate Americans about atrocities oc—Manaal N. Farooqi curring around the planet. is experiencing an “explosion of SEPTEMBER 2013

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Agency] from its [unlawful] surveillance of Americans and foreigners.”

—William Hughes

NSL Interns Tell Their Own New Story

During our time in DC, we received narrative and leadership training, learned how to network, planned projects for change and created business plans. The projects for change are meant to enhance our involvement in our communities back home and to inspire others to become leaders in their communities. We learned about community development by spending a day working on a Habitat for Humanity construction site in Montgomery County, MD, helping to build affordable housing for those in need. We attended political events, spoke with congressmen and raised funds for our projects.

Our first introduction to public speaking was on July 10 at a Johns Hopkins School

As we made our way to Washington, DC in late June (L-r) Moderator Rachel Martin, Sen. Bob Corker, Sarah of this year, each one of us Chayes and Neal Katyal debate whether the AUMF should came as an individual with a specific set of experiences be amended or voided. and expectations, but with a consciousness” as the war on terror shared mission—to get to know the other evolves. She finds the AUMF unnecessary side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and and believes it should be repealed. That work together to change the Palestinian-Isnotion worries Corker, but he said he believes the AUMF should at least be amended so that the use of military force becomes a “tiered decision” involving multiple entities.

All panelists agreed that the law, as currently written, cannot stand. It is too vague, Katyal emphasized, and allows administrations to use “statutory gymnastics” to deploy unnecessary kinetic force. Corker said he plans to push this issue in Congress and hold hearings to find the best way to modify the AUMF going forward.

“This isn’t some minor…agricultural subsidy or something,” Katyal said. “This is…making major, life-and-death decisions, and we’re using this old thing from New Story Leadership interns (l-r) Basil Khoury, Natan Odenheimer, Naor Bitton, Aseel 12 years ago. It’s not the way to do it.”

Saied, founder Paul Costello, Coral Kasirer, Yarden Karni, Shorouk Badir, Gal Raij, Maisam —Mallika Patkar Abumorr and Nader Jayousi at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel event.

Protesters Rally to Support Snowden

raeli story. We grew up in the shadow of wars and terror, but refuse to give in to pessimism and dire predictions. We made the decision to create change back home by joining New Story Leadership (NSL), a peace and social action program that has been taking place every summer in Washington, DC for the past four years. The program, a charitable organization founded and run by Paul Costello, is struggling to find donors to keep its head above water.

NSL brings Israeli and Palestinian students to Washington, DC, where they live, work and learn together for seven weeks.

For the first few days, we sat down and told stories about ourselves, realizing the interconnectedness of the Israeli and the Palestinian narratives and becoming much more aware of the experiences of those CODEPINK tells Justice Department: “Hands Off Edward people who live on the Snowden & Stop the NSA Spying!” other side.

PHOTO COURTESY W. HUGHES

CODEPINK activists and their human rights allies staged a lively demonstration on July 11 in front of the U.S. Justice Department in Washington, DC. They were there to protest the Justice Department’s “relentless campaign to hunt down and block whistleblower Edward Snowden’s attempt to seek [political] asylum.” They also repeated their demand that the Justice Department “stop the NSA [National Security

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of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) conference, where we delivered powerful and compelling personal stories and shared our visions for the future of the Middle East. Later we spoke at Seekers Church in Takoma Park, and Bradley Hills Church in Bethesda, MD. We spoke on Capitol Hill on July 18 and, a week later, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, DC. Coral’s project for change focuses on an after-school program for underprivileged Palestinian youths in Bethlehem. Basil wants to create a bilingual training program in English and Hebrew for six young Palestinian journalists that would take place in both the U.S. and the West Bank.

The people we met, the experiences we have had and the friendships that were forged are invaluable. We both feel that we now have true partners in creating change in our region for a better future. We entered the program as individuals and came out stronger, as a cohesive group.

—Basil Khoury and Coral Kasirer, interns with the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs SEPTEMBER 2013

STAFF PHOTO D. HANLEY

STAFF PHOTO TESSA MARTIN

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Music & Arts Susan Abulhawa’s Poetry Captivates DC Busboys Audience The Washington Report and Just World Books co-sponsored “An Evening with SEPTEMBER 2013

STAFF PHOTO TESSA MARTIN

New Story Leaders Touch Our Staff This summer Washington Report interns and staff attended almost all the New Story Leadership events and heard stories from each of the five young Israeli and five Palestinian future leaders. Their talks received top ratings from our other interns.

We all got to know our own interns, Basil Khoury and Coral Kasirer, and they in turn got a first-hand look at the Washington Report. We hope they learned to examine and reject the filter that is often placed on news reports about their region. Both interns researched photos, updates and new quotes for our online resource about Israeli and Palestinian children killed since the beginning of the second intifada, <Remember TheseChildren.org>.

Many of the stories we heard from NSL participants made a profound impression, including one told by Nader Jayousi, from Ramallah, about watching 4th of July fireworks on the mall with the NSL group. He said he froze when he heard the booming fireworks and saw the flashes. He looked over at Maisam Abumorr, whose leg was injured during Israel’s winter of 2008–2009 attack on Gaza, and saw the same misery he was feeling on her face. They were both picturing children at home, he explained, who would be running and hiding if they’d heard these sounds. He urged the audience to “Stop this so no other children suffer again.”

Jayousi said he fell in love with boxing as a 5-year-old growing up with his refugee family in Baghdad, Iraq. When he begged for boxing gloves, his father put on his “Arab Daddy Face” and said no. Jayousi finally learned to box in Jordan and wants to bring boxing to Palestine in order to teach kids the discipline and joy of his beloved sport. He plans to be the first boxing coach in Palestine to bring a team to the Olympics, if donors will accept his invitation to help.

Each of the NSL participants told a special story, which readers can read or watch for themselves on the website <www.new storyleadership.org>. With massive funding readily available for weapons and research, it would be terrible to have this program fold for lack of money. Please consider donating to help pay this summer’s bills—and help fund the class of 2014.

—Delinda C. Hanley

Washington Report intern Abigail Sherburne (l) asks Susan Abulhawa about her upcoming poetry collection My Voice Sought the Wind.

Susan Abulhawa,” on Aug. 1 at the 14th Street Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC. The acclaimed author of Mornings in Jenin and founder of Playgrounds for Palestine showed yet another side of her soul as she read from her upcoming poetry collection, My Voice Sought the Wind. The successful event, conceived and organized

by Washington Report summer interns, particularly Abigail Sherburne—who skillfully interviewed Abulhawa onstage— attracted a roomful of young people, many of them interning in NGOs or on Capitol Hill. Sherburne’s questions of the poet sometimes elicited a poem, at other times a recollection from Abulhawa.

Abulhawa, the daughter of 1967 refugees, grew up in Kuwait, Jordan, East Jerusalem and the U.S. She told her rapt audience that she’s been writing poems since she was a child—mostly when she was “in love or in pain, which is often one and the same.” Her childhood poetry was written in Arabic, a language that she said has been stolen from the tongue of refugees. Many of the poems she read expressed her sense of dislocation as a refugee, exiled from her land, straddling multiple cultures and languages.

Abulhawa described visiting Gaza this year for “the miracle” that is the Palestine Literature Festival (PalFest), a traveling festival of some 40 writers who bus from one Palestinian city to the next—since Palestinians are not free to travel to an event in their own country. Abulhawa described young Gazans, caught up in Israel’s siege, as “inspiring and humbling” as they try to get their hands on anything they can read, often smuggling books through the tunnels.

Her poem “Sister Palestinian” describes the role of Palestinian women, beginning THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

with a girl playing hopscotch, until they “pulled land out from under your feet,” and ending up with a woman, abused and alone, raising children in exile. “Profound oppression runs downhill,” she explained.

“Violence snowballs” in every society when men are emasculated by poverty, occupation, landlessness and torture. “When men are humiliated they turn their powerlessness on the weak who are part of their lives—women and children,” she acknowledged. She believes it’s important to write about this issue, Abulhawa said, in order to prevent the disintegration of society.

Her poem for her daughter, “A Wish I Wish For You,” melted the audience, as did the explanation she shared with Sherburne, that Arab- and Muslim-Americans hope for the best as they raise their very American children. They try to inject their identity and culture, but in America “your Arabness, your faith” can be sucked away, Abulhawa warned.

An important discussion on race ensued after she read her poem, ”Black.” Why it is Europeans who make the decision about whether we’re “worthy enough,” she asked. Africans and South Americans are natural allies for Palestinians, she argued, noting that the black and white distinction is not part of the culture where she grew up, in Kuwait.

One of her most haunting poems was “Wala,” a demeaning word for boy, which follows a weary Palestinian laborer through Israel’s crossing, which resembles a cattle cage. He travels on a packed bus “imagining the man you would have been” if his land still belonged to him.

My Voice Sought the Wind will be released in November 2013, and can be preordered from Just World Books, <just65

activisms_52-66_September 2013 Activisms 8/6/13 6:40 PM Page 66

worldbooks.com> for $18. Mornings in Jenin is available from the AET Book Club.

—Delinda C. Hanley

Ali Amr Wows DC With His Sounds Of the Qanun Qanunist and vocalist Ali Amr and his colleagues—Antoine Katz on electric bass and Tareq Rantisi on percussion—captivated a full house at the Jerusalem Fund in Wash-

STAFF PHOTO SAMIR TWAIR

MEF Views “My Neighborhood” Film The Middle East Fellowship of Southern California and Friends of Sabeel met June 22 in Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church to view Ronit Avni’s documentary, “My Neighborhood,” about Jewish settlers’ forcible takeover of a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. A discussion followed on how to inform the world of the Israeli government’s approval of settlers’ flagrant crimes against Palestinians.

The film documents how in 2002 settlers strong-armed their way into a house the alKurd family had lived in since 1956 and took possession of one-half of the residence. Then in 2008, settlers violently evicted the family from the rest of their dwelling. Today the al-Kurd family lives in a tent facing their stolen home as a reminder of Israel’s blindness when it comes to Palestinian human rights. The film also focuses on a liberal Jewish family who demonstrate against this travesty of international and human rights law.

During the subsequent discussion, one viewer noted that while Israelis sometimes object to right-wing government policies, their dissent isn’t reflected in election returns. Another stated that Sabeel tours of the stations of the cross features a stop in Sheikh Jarrah, so tourists can observe the al-Kurd family presence outside their home.

—Pat McDonnell Twair

Middle East Fellowship speakers (l-r) Dr. Brice and Carolyn Harris and the Rev. Darrel Meyers. ington, DC on June 29. Amr’s compositions blend Arabic and jazz music, embracing different textures and styles within each. Discovered by Simon Shaheen at age 7, Amr began touring worldwide by the time he was 9. He’s been honored with three advanced Marcel Khalife Competition Awards, including the National Heritage Award as music performer of the year, from 2004 to 2007. Since then he has been touring worldwide with different groups, including his own ensemble, Ali Amr Experiment.

The qanun is a descendant of the old Egyptian harp, and is related to the ancient Greek psaltery, dulcimer and zither. The name comes from the Arabic word kānun, which means rule, norm or principle. It is essentially a zither with a narrow trapezoidal soundboard.

The musicians performed classical Arabic music like “Zikrayati” (Memories) by Egyptian composer Mohamed el-Kasabji, and Fairouz’s timeless “Zaruni” (Visit Me), which was the highlight of the evening as the audience joined in. It was a memorable night to behold and appreciate the talents of young musicians who know their musical heritage well and can skillfully improvise and experiment with the classics.

—Samirah Alkassim

state of Gujarat. Judy Frater, who has lived in India since 1970, brought an array of hand-manufactured items for Americans to learn more about the unique textiles.

One wall hanging, titled “Mandvi,” created by a woman in her 70s, features appliques and embroidery which recreates themes of life in her hamlet replete with shrines and camels strolling on the beach.

Other objects included evening bags, stoles, runners,and pillow covers.

A former curator at Washington, DC’s Textile Museum, Frater holds two master’s degrees, one in the Marethi language, the other in museum studies. With the help of Fulbright and Ford grants, she has established a school for villagers to learn variations of their handwork traditions and a live-in design school which teaches up to 30 artisans for one year. For more information, visit <www.kala-raksha.org>.

—Pat McDonnell Twair

(L-r) Antoine Katz, Ali Amr and Tareq Rantisi perform at the Jerusalem Fund.

66

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

STAFF PHOTO SAMIR TWAIR

PHOTO COURTESY S. ALKASSIM

Indian Fabrics Viewed Jan Steward opened her Los Feliz home July 7 to members and friends of Textile Museum Associates of Southern California for a trunk show and sale of weaving, traditional Rabari embroideries and resist-dyed fabrics from Kala Raksha in the Indian

Fabric specialist Judy Frater with “Mandvi” wall hanging.

SEPTEMBER 2013

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THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

67

bookreview_68_Book Review 8/7/13 7:06 PM Page 68

Books The Almond Tree

By Michelle Cohen Corasanti, Garnet Publishing, 2012, paperback, 348 pp.

List: $14.95; AET: $12.

Reviewed by Delinda C. Hanley We first meet 7year-old Ichmad Hamid in 1955, as he guides his father through a field of landmines in the West Bank of Palestine to retrieve what’s left of the boy’s tiny sister Amal. As the household prepared for a holiday celebration the toddler climbed out of her crib to follow a red butterfly into their field—which Israel has designated a “Closed Area.” Ichmad guides his “baba” using a map he drew as he watched Israeli soldiers plant mines in the family’s land.

I’m not giving away the plot. Amal is killed in the first three pages of The Almond Tree, and that heartbreak is only the first of many catastrophes to rock this young hero in his painful coming-of-age journey. Ichmad is a gifted boy who works to keep his family together amid the senseless cruelty and overwhelming hardship that is everyday life under Israeli occupation. Along with Ichmad, the reader learns that Israeli settlers can push his family off their land, move into his home, and divert water to build a swimming pool in the illegal settlement he can watch from his favorite almond tree. Soldiers can destroy every hut or tent that shelters Ichmad’s family—but nothing can force this Palestinian, or his artist father, to give up their dreams for a normal future.

As Ichmad steadfastly retains his dignity, decency and resolution and tries to make something of his life, he also discovers friends, including a Palestinian teacher who prods him to pursue his studies, Israelis and Americans, who offer helping hands along the way.

A Spanish journalist, Guillermo Fesser, who lives in Rhinebeck, NY, first sent me The Almond Tree, along with his glowing book review published in Spain’s

Huffing ton Post. In his note he mentioned, “I believe this book could be a useful tool for Americans understanding the conflict, since it is not a political book. It’s fiction...which just happens to be in the context of Israel/Palestine.” He was so impressed by the novel that he’s created The Almond Tree Project, <thealmondtreeproject.com>, with a goal to use the arts—music, film, theater and storytelling—to promote dialogue, awareness and understanding.

Fesser’s website helped answer my biggest question after I read the book: Just who is this first-time author, with a decidely un-Palestinian name, who has the storytelling gift, not to mention the chutzpah, to tell an authentic-sounding Nakba story through the eyes a Palestinian boy? It turned out she has her own important coming-of-age story.

Michelle Cohen Corasanti grew up in a Zionist home in Utica, New York and first traveled to Israel with her rabbi’s daughter during high school in 1982. When she got there she was shocked to learn that everything she’d been taught (i.e., after the Holocaust, the Jews found a land without a people for a people without a land and made the desert bloom) “turned out to be a lie.” She lived in Israel for seven years, earning an undergraduate degree in Middle East studies from Hebrew University. “It’s easy to live there and never notice anything,” Corasanti admits. “We were segregated from Palestinians and taught that they are evil and violent and less than human, that their lives don’t matter.”

The last year Corasanti was in Israel, the intifada broke out. “Things went

Delinda C. Hanley is news editor of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs.

68

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

from horrible to unbearable,” so Corasanti returned to the U.S. to earn an MA from Harvard and train in international and human rights law. At Harvard, she said, she tried to tell her family and friends “about the plight of Palestinians, but no one cared. All the Harvard students I spoke with cared about was boycotting tuna fish because they killed dolphins when they caught the tuna.”

After a summer studying Arabic, Corasanti went with a friend to Walden Pond. Some Palestinians overheard them speaking Arabic, and it turned out one of them had lived in her same dorm at Hebrew University. They knew the same people and had the same birthday—although he was five years older. “It was love at first sight,” Corasanti recalled. He was doing his post-doctorate at Harvard with a Nobel Prize winner. In the end the two didn’t marry, as we can guess by her married name.

Although Corasanti had the seed of her story, she said she buried it for 15 years— until she read The Kite Runner by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini. “One might say it was a defining moment and I decided that I wanted my kids to know that I had seen injustice and tried to do something about it.” No U.S. publisher would touch The Almond Tree, but Garnet in the U.K. took a chance.

It’s clear that Corasanti has done what President Barack Obama asked Jewish students in Jerusalem to do in his March 21, 2013 speech. He urged Israelis to “Put yourself in their shoes—look at the world through their eyes. It is not fair that a Palestinian child cannot grow up in a state of her own, and lives with the presence of a foreign army that controls the movements of her parents, every single day.” In a letter Corasanti penned to the president, thanking him for those words, she warns her fellow Jews: “We cannot turn a blind eye to the truth. We have the power now, but that won’t last if we don’t give others what we want for ourselves...We cannot keep repeating our same history: We are persecuted, we overcome, we abuse and we are persecuted again.”

This story would now be a screenplay for a guaranteed blockbuster if its hero, who endures and overcomes so much, came from anywhere but Palestine.

Corasanti’s tale of resilience, hope and forgiveness is a must-read both for those who are stumbling through the IsraeliPalestinian minefield for the first time, and others who know its sorrows all too well. ❑ SEPTEMBER 2013

book_catalog_69_September 2013 8/7/13 7:31 PM Page 69

AET Book Club Catalog Literature

*

Music

*

Film

*

Monographs

*

More

Summer 2013 The Almond Tree, by Michelle Cohen Corasanti, Garnet Publishing, 2012, paperback, 348 pp. List: $14.95; AET: $12. Ichmad Hamid is a mathematical genius who struggles with the knowledge that his intellectual gifts can’t save his family and friends from Israeli house demolitions and indiscriminate detentions. With his father imprisoned, his family’s home and possessions confiscated, and his siblings swept into the vortex of war, Ichmad races to save his family and transcend poverty and hatred to understand the people who have caused him so much grief.

Walking Out into the Sunshine: Recollections and Reflections: A Palestinian Personal Experience, by Ghazi Q. Hassoun, Windy City Publishers, 2013, paperback, 357 pp. AET: $15.99. Born in Haifa, Ghazi Q. Hassoun was 13 when he and his family became refugees in Tyre, Lebanon during the 1948 Nakba. Walking Out into the Sunshine is the story of his emigration to the U.S., his success as a professor of theoretical physics, his devotion to his family, and his struggle to reconcile the pain of his childhood dislocation and his experience as an Arab American.

A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Middle East, by Dilip Hiro, Olive Branch Press, 2013, paperback, 756 pp. List: $29.95; AET: $24. Well-respected and prolific author on Middle Eastern, Islamic, and central Asian affairs Dilip Hiro has compiled a comprehensive dictionary with more than 1,200 clearly written entries on everything from the Arab Spring to Zionism. This must-have and upto-date reference is perfect for anyone interested in understanding more about the history and current state of the Middle East.

Zionism through Christian Lenses: Ecumenical Perspectives on the Promised Land, edited by Carole Monica Burnett, Pickwick Publishing, 2013, paperback, 228 pp. List: $25; AET: $20.

This collection challenges Christian readers to re-examine the currently prevailing theological approach to Zionism and the often unquestioning support for Israel by many congregations. Through pan-denominational perspectives grounded in history, tradition and scripture, these essays make the compelling argument that all people of faith must support a just solution to the ongoing crisis.

The World Through Arab Eyes: Arab Public Opinion and the Reshaping of the Middle East, by Shibley Telhami, Basic Books, 2013, hardcover, 240 pp. List: $27.99; AET: $24. Prominent political scientist Shibley Telhami draws upon a lifetime of groundbreaking opinion polling work to illuminate the complexities of Arab perspectives and attitudes, providing invaluable analysis on the driving forces behind Arab uprisings and the new stage of Arab politics. This important work charts the conflicting contexts that are reshaping an often-misunderstood region and its people.

Dirty Wars: The World Is a Battlefield, by Jeremy Scahill, Nation Books, hardcover, 680 pp.

List: $29.99; AET: $24. Veteran journalist, author and filmmaker Jeremy Scahill reveals the shocking extent of America’s secret and unaccountable global war.

Based on unprecedented access, Dirty Wars uncovers the myriad covert wars funded by “black budgets,” characterized by extrajudicial killings and kidnappings, conducted without congressional oversight and public debate, and threatening the U.S. and the world with destabilization and blowback.

Tunjur! Tunjur! Tunjur!: A Palestinian Tale, by Margaret Read MacDonald & Alik Arzoumanian, Two Lions, 2012, paperback, 32 pp. List: $7.99; AET: $6. In this retelling of a Palestinian folktale, a lonely woman is granted a child in the form of a little pot. “Tunjur! Tunjur!

Tunjur!” is the sound the pot makes as it rolls everywhere, getting into trouble. Delightfully illustrated and written, Tunjur! follows the little pot as he learns that there are consequences for taking things that don’t belong to him.

Looking for Palestine: Growing Up Confused in an ArabAmerican Family, by Najla Said, Riverhead Books, 2013, hardcover, 272 pp. List: $27.95; AET: $23. In Najla Said’s amusing and poignant memoir, she relates her struggle with identity as a second-generation Arab American, daughter of the prominent Palestinian scholar Edward Said, a baptized Episcopalian, and student at a wealthy Upper East Side school in New York. Dealing with the potentially heavy themes of self-hatred, authenticity and injustice, Looking for Palestine is balanced with good doses of levity and the author’s disarming frankness.

The Girl Who Stole My Holocaust, by Noam Chayut, trans. by Tal Haran, Verso Books, 2013, hardcover, 256 pp. List: $24.95; AET: $20. Startled by an encounter with a frightened 10year-old Palestinian girl while he served on the front line during Israel’s 2002 reinvasion of the West Bank, Chayut begins his transformation from a fervent Zionist soldier to a prominent campaigner against the Israeli occupation. The Girl Who Stole My Holocaust is a powerful and beautifully written memoir that effectively questions Israel’s emotional appeals to historical victimhood as justification for invasion and occupation.

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.middleeast books.com). All payments in U.S. funds. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. Please send mail orders to the AET Bookstore, 1902 18th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009, with checks and money orders made 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 : Please add $5 for the first item and $2.50 for each additional item. Canada & Mexico shipping charges: Please add $15 for the first item and $3.50 for each additional item.

International shipping charges: Please add $15 for the first item and $4 for each additional item. We ship by USPS Priority unless otherwise requested.

SEPTEMBER 2013

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 800-3685788 ext. 2 to order. AET policy is to identify donors unless anonymity is specifically requested.

THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

69

bulletin_board_70_September 2013 Bulletin Board 8/6/13 6:48 PM Page 70

Upcoming Events & Obituaries —Compiled by Andrew Stimson

BulletinBoard

cisco, CA 94132. Single event tickets start at $22.50, with multi-event and full passes available as well. For more information visit <www.roomforhope.me>, call (312) 9857797 or e-mail <info@roomforhope.me>.

Baker, had two daughters, Aya, a pro-Palestinian political activist based in the West Bank, and Naomi, a Tai Chi therapist. The author of more than 30 books, Kaniuk was known for subversively deconstructing Zionist narratives of Israeli identity in such books as Confessions of a Good Arab (1984). In one of his last works, 1948 (2011), he grappled with his experience in the Palmach and what he referred to as the mistakes of the past and “senselessness of war.” Over the years, Kaniuk grew increasingly cynical of Israel’s political policies, arguing that Israel was in the grip of “the religion of Israel”—namely ultra-religious Zionists— and said he had no desire to live in a “Jewish Iran.” In 2011, he won a landmark case allowing him to be classified as “without religion” in the population registry, a challenge to Israel’s self-proclaimed identity as a “Jewish State.” His victory motivated other secularists opposed to the dominance of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish establishment “to get Kaniuked” as well. Since the ultra-Orthodox establishment manages funerals in Israel, Kaniuk chose to donate his body to science.

Upcoming Events The American Arab Chamber of Commerce will host the 19th Annual American Arab Golf Open, Aug. 26 at the Northville Hills Golf Club, 15565 Bay Hill Dr., Northville, MI 48168. For more information contact Sandy Wilton at (313) 945-1700 or <swilton@ameri canarab.com>.

The Islamic Circle of North America–New Jersey will present The Great Muslim Adventure Day, on Sept. 6 at Six Flags amusement park, Jackson, NJ 08527. Attendees will have the entire park and rides to themselves, and will have access to several halal food vendors and an Islamic goods bazaar. Activities will also include sea lion shows and an offroad safari. Tickets for the all-day event are $27. For more information visit <www.muslimyouthday.com> or call (877) 363-ICNA. Joining Hands For Justice: Palestine/Israel will host a conference titled Stop Ignoring Injustice in Palestine & Israel! Changing the Interfaith Dialogue, Sept. 7, 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30327. The event will feature keynote speeches by author and Prof. of Jewish Studies Marc Ellis and Rev. Donald Wagner, director of Sabeel USA. Conference workshops will be facilitated by Dr. Elizabeth Corrie, Dr. Joanne Nurss, and Interfaith Peacebuilder delegate Sarah Humphrey. Registration is $30 per person and $15 for students. For more information contact Rev. Fahed Abuakel at (404) 441-2702 or <fabuakel@gmail.com>.

The Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) will screen the film “Welcome to Hebron” Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St., Berkeley, CA. The film depicts daily life for Palestinians attempting to lead normal lives in this occupied West Bank city. Tickets are $10, $5 for Berkeley City College students; proceeds will benefit MECA’s children's projects in Palestine. For more information visit <www.mecafor peace.org> or call (510) 548-0542.

Bright Stars of Bethlehem proudly announces Room for Hope, a cultural festival that shares the story of the Holy Land and celebrates Palestinian creativity. The festival will be held Sept. 26 to 28 at San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave., San Fran70

American Friends of UNRWA and the Ramallah Club of San Francisco will co-sponsor the 1st annual San Francisco Gaza Solidarity 5K Walk/Run, Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. at Lake Merced, San Francisco, CA 94132. Proceeds from this event will benefit UNRWA’s mental health program for children in Gaza. For more information, visit <www.unrwausa.org> or call Laila Mokhiber at (202) 223-3767.

American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA)’s Annual Dinner will be held Oct. 4 at 6 p.m., at the Renaissance Washington, 999 9th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001.

Funds raised will support ANERA programs across the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon and Jordan. For more information e-mail <dinner@anera.org> or call (202) 266-9718.

Announcements The American Muslim Alliance (AMA) has appointed Imam Mahdi Bray as its national director for development, organization and outreach and as AMA DC director. The long-time human rights activist, author, television and radio host has served on the boards of several important Islamic and interfaith organizations. He will lead AMA’s efforts to restore and preserve civil and human rights, combat Islamophobia, educate the public about the contributions of American Muslims, and engage the American Muslim community in the public square and political arena.

Obituaries: Yoram Kaniuk, 83, Israeli writer, painter, journalist and theater critic, died of cancer June 8 at a hospital in Tel Aviv. Born in Tel Aviv, at the age of 17 he joined the Jewish underground Palmach militia, and was wounded during the 1948 war. He later served as a sailor on ships transporting European Holocaust survivors to Israel. Following Israel’s creation, he left to study art in Paris, then moved to New York’s Greenwich Village in 1951, returning to Israel 10 years later. He and his wife, Miranda THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Roscoe S. Suddarth, 77, former U.S. ambassador to Jordan and president of the Middle East Institute from 1995 to 2001, died June 29 at Washington, DC’s Georgetown University Hospital following a long battle with leukemia. Born in Louisville, KY and raised in Nashville, TN, he graduated summa cum laude from Yale University and, after completing military service in the U.S. Air Force, joined the Foreign Service in 1961. In 1963 he met his future wife, Michele Lebas, in Niger and later married her in Bamako, Mali. Fluent in Arabic, French and Spanish, he served in Mali, Lebanon, Yemen, Libya, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. While serving as second secretary to the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen he was a “selected” hostage for three weeks in 1967, protecting USAID workers from possible execution after they were accused of plotting to overthrow the government. He also helped arrange the evacuation of Wheelus Air Force Base in Libya. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan nominated Suddarth to be U.S. ambassador to Jordan, a position he held until 1990, retiring from the Foreign Service in 1995. In addition to serving as president of the Middle East Institute, he served as president of the American-Iranian Council and on the Board of Advisers at Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies. ❑ SEPTEMBER 2013

viering_71-72_In Memoriam 8/7/13 7:10 PM Page 71

Rear Admiral Merlin Staring (1919-2013) Worked to Expose USS Liberty Cover-up InMemoriam

By Peter Viering

ear Admiral Merlin Staring, former

RJudge Advocate General of the Navy,

who played a key role in exposing the cover-up of Israel’s 1967 attack on the USS Liberty, died June 3, 2013 in Palm Desert, California, at the age of 94.

Merlin Staring was born March 20, 1919, in Frankfort, New York. A 1941 graduate of Louisiana State University, he was named outstanding ROTC field-artillery cadet and was elected to Phi Kappa Phi and numerous other scholastic honorary societies.

His distinguished naval career spanned 34 years. Commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve on May 26, 1941, Staring was called to active duty in December and reported to Washington. As a young officer at the U.S. Naval Observatory, he recalled seeing Japanese diplomats descending the steps of the State Department on Sunday, Dec. 7. In 1947, he received his law degree with honors from Georgetown University, where he was associate editor of the Georgetown Law Journal. In 1949, he was assigned as judge advocate and defense counsel in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He attended the Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island in 1951, after which he served as trial counsel and law officer of general courts-martial at the Potomac River Naval Command in Washington, DC. In 1952, he received his master of laws degree from Georgetown.

During his career, he served in the Office of the Judge Advocate General Administrative Law Division; as special assistant to the Judge Advocate General; on the staff of Commander in Chief, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean in London; Commander Service Force SIXTH Fleet/Commander Service Squadron SIX; Fleet Legal Officer for Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet at Peter Viering served as staff attorney and program coordinator for the Moorer Commission, and is currently a director of the Council for the National Interest Foundation.

SEPTEMBER 2013

COURTESY INDEPENDENT COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

“…I am of the firmest conviction that the Liberty survivors have suffered an unprecedented injustice at the hands of our very own Navy and government…”

—Rear Admiral Merlin Staring, JAGC, USN (Ret), former Judge Advocate General of the Navy

Independent Commission of Inquiry members (l-r) Ambassador Edward Peck, Admiral Thomas Moorer and Admiral Merlin Staring present the commission’s findings on Capitol Hill in 2003.

Pearl Harbor; Force Legal Officer for Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe; and Special Counsel to the Secretary of the Navy. On Feb. 1, 1971, he became the Navy’s Deputy Judge Advocate General.

Attaining the rank of Rear Admiral in 1972, he was appointed Judge Advocate General of the Navy, the Navy’s chief attorney—a position he held until his retirement in 1975. Following his retirement, he practiced law in the Washington, DC area.

Admiral Staring is best known for his support of Liberty veterans and his work to correct the official record and expose the cover-up of the true circumstances about the attack on their ship.

The Attack on USS Liberty Israeli aircraft and surface vessels attacked the USS Liberty, an American intelligence ship under the direction of the National Security Agency—and possibly the most easily recognizable ship in the world, with a towering radio antenna and giant satellite dish, and flying a large American flag— in international waters in the eastern Mediterranean on June 8, 1967, during the Six-Day War. The two-hour air and naval attack inflicted more than 200 American casualties—70 percent of the crew. With 34 killed and more than 170 wounded by IsTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

raeli gunfire, napalm, rockets and torpedoes, it was the heaviest attack on an American ship since World War II. The Liberty sustained the highest casualty rate of any ship that remained afloat after an attack in American naval history. After the air attack, Israeli torpedo boats machine-gunned at close range life rafts that had been lowered to rescue the most seriously wounded.

Navy investigators, including Capt.

Ward Boston—the Navy Court of Inquiry’s chief counsel—concluded unanimously that the nature of the attack indicated a deliberate intent to sink the clearly marked American ship and leave no survivors.

Badly damaged with a 40-foot diameter hole in its side, the Liberty miraculously remained afloat and limped to Malta due only to the heroic efforts of its crew and captain, Commander William McGonagle (who would receive the Medal of Honor for his actions). The Liberty became the most decorated ship in U.S. Naval history for awards for valor in a single action. The attack so devastated the $40 million ship that she was ultimately sold for scrap.

An Official Cover-up Although a hastily conducted U.S. Navy Court of Inquiry accepted the Israeli explanation that the attack was “a case of 71

viering_71-72_In Memoriam 8/7/13 7:10 PM Page 72

mistaken identity,” this had long been disbelieved by leading figures in Washington’s military and intelligence communities, and has now been fully discredited by the Navy Court’s own counsel as a coverup ordered by the White House. The severity and duration of the attack (which had been coordinated by combined Israeli air and naval forces jamming Liberty’s five American emergency radio channels) precluded any possibility the attack was intended for an Egyptian vessel. Israeli aircraft had closely studied the ship for more than eight hours prior to the attack. In the days that followed, surviving members of Liberty’s crew were threatened with imprisonment by government personnel if they spoke about it, and the matter was officially hushed up by the White House.

For many years, conflicting and implausible explanations for the attack by the government of Israel were the only information available to the American public.

At the time of the attack, Rear Admiral (then Captain) Staring was serving in London as the senior Navy Judge Advocate on the staff of Admiral John S. McCain, Jr. , Commander-in-chief of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe. It was Admiral McCain who convened the Navy Court of Inquiry to investigate the attack, an administrative proceeding that ordinarily takes six months to complete. However, the Court (comprising Admiral Isaac Kidd as president, Capt. Ward Boston as chief counsel, and two junior JAG officers, Capts. Bernard Lauff and Bert Atkinson) was given only a week to complete its report. A day or two after the attack, Admiral Kidd and Captain Boston flew with a stenographer to Crete, where a destroyer took them out to the Liberty, then limping to Malta. They boarded the Liberty at sea, collected evidence on-scene, and returned to London

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to complete their report. The “official” conclusion of the report that the attack was accidental, dated June 18 and endorsed by Admiral McCain without the required legal review, was accomplished at the London headquarters.

Before transmitting the report to the Department of the Navy in Washington, it was delivered to Merlin Staring, as Force Legal Officer for Admiral McCain, for his examination and endorsement. It was here, within 10 days of the attack, that Staring became an eyewitness to the unprecedented irregularities that surrounded the creation of the Navy’s official record. After having had less than 24 hours to review the 700-page document, he was asked to return the file to Admiral Kidd. Staring was convinced the report was withdrawn from him because of statements he had made that he was having serious problems with the evidence available to support the conclusion that the attack was a case of mistaken identity.

In “Loss of Liberty,” a documentary he would later make, he stated, “In the course of my career as a Navy lawyer, I have been called upon to review and take action upon hundreds of investigations of various degrees of importance and volume. This is the only instance in which a record of such an investigation was withdrawn from me before I had been given an opportunity to complete my advice to the convening authority.”

Not until many years had passed did Staring learn from Liberty survivors and other competent witnesses the full facts of the attack and the whole truth concerning the fraudulent findings of the official investigation. Capt. Ward Boston, a former FBI agent, revealed to him, “It was a political thing.

We were ordered to ‘put a lid on it.’ The facts were clear. Israel knew it was an American ship and tried to sink it and murder its entire crew. The outrageous claims by Israel’s apologists who continue to claim the attack was a mistake pushed me to speak out. The official record is not the one I certified. My initials are not on it.”

The Cover-up Exposed Staring joined forces with a growing number of flag officers seeking to shed light on the tragedy as further revelations became known. Of special concern was a disclosure by senior officers that efforts by the Navy to rescue Liberty had been overruled by the White House. Statements by Rear Admiral Lewis Geis, the Sixth Fleet Carrier Division commander, and Capt. Joseph Tully, commanding officer of the Saratoga, revealed that Navy fighters launched from the aircraft carriers Saratoga and America to resTHE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

cue Liberty had been recalled at the personal intervention of President Lyndon B. Johnson while the ship was still under attack.

Admiral Staring worked with Admiral Thomas Moorer, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gen. Ray Davis, former assistant commandant of the Marine Corps; and Ambassador James Akins, former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, to bring public attention to the matter. With other prominent Americans and Liberty survivors, they formed the Liberty Alliance, an organization dedicated to informing the American public about the truth of the attack and seeking an honest investigation into the reasons behind both the attack and President Johnson’s decision to cancel the rescue. They produced “Loss of Liberty,” a documentary containing interviews with Liberty survivors, former senior government officials, and Medal of Honor recipients. Admiral Staring introduced the film before numerous public, veterans’ and university audiences. At the request of more than 50 retired senior Naval and Marine Corps officers, and the growing outrage over the cancellation of the rescue mission, Admiral Staring joined Admiral Moorer, General Davis and Ambassador Akins to form an Independent Commission of Inquiry (known as the Moorer Commission) to formalize their conclusions about the attack and cover-up, and its implications for America’s national security.

In 2003, the Independent Commission reported its findings on Capitol Hill, where Admirals Moorer and Staring presented a screening of “Loss of Liberty” for congressional staffers. Admiral Staring read the affidavit of Capt. Ward Boston, the original Navy Court of Inquiry’s chief counsel, which was published in the Congressional Record with the Commission’s findings the following year, and subsequently incorporated into a Report of War Crimes filed by the Liberty Veterans Association with the Department of Defense. This was Admiral Staring’s final public appearance on Capitol Hill, although he would work passionately on behalf of Liberty survivors until his death to correct the official record of the attack.

At this writing, the Department of Defense has taken no action on the Liberty Veterans’ War Crimes Report, and no government agency has been willing to conduct an honest investigation of the attack.

Nevertheless, the Findings of the Independent Commission of Inquiry now stand as a permanent record exposing the official cover-up of the attack on USS Liberty (Congressional Record, Oct. 11, 2004, Vol. 150, No. 130, E1886 to E1889). ❑ SEPTEMBER 2013

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AET’s 2013 Choir of Angels Following are individuals, organizations, companies and foundations whose help between Jan. 1 and July 23, 2013 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) Americans for a Palestinian State, Oakland, CA Rizek Abusharr, Claremont, CA James C. Ahlstrom, Stirling, NJ Bulus Paul Ajlouny, San Jose, CA Dr. & Mrs. Salah Al-Askari, Leonia, NJ Mustafa Amantullah, Los Angeles, CA Nabil & Judy Amarah, Danbury, CT Dr. Nabih Ammari, Cleveland, OH* Sylvia Anderson de Freitas, Phoenix, AZ Anace & Polly Aossey, Cedar Rapids, IA Huwaida Arraf, Macomb, MI Dr. Robert Ashmore Jr., Mequon, WI Mr. & Mrs. Sultan Aslam, Plainsboro, NJ Mazen Awad, Gainesville, FL Dr. & Mrs. Roger Bagshaw, Big Sur, CA Alma Ball, Venice, FL Jamil Barhoum, San Diego, CA Allen & Jerrie Bartlett, Philadelphia, PA James Bennett, Fayetteville, AR Robert E. Billings, Walterville, OR Kate Bisharat, Carmichael, CA Syed & Rubia Bokhari, Bourbonna, IL Robert A. Boyd, Binghamton, NY John Carley, Pointe-Claire, Quebec Rev. Ronald C. Chochol, St. Louis, MO Patricia Christensen, Poulsbo, WA James Cobey, Washington, DC Joan & Charles Collins, Willard, MO Dr. Robert G. Collmer, Waco, TX Robert & Joyce Covey, La Cañada, CA Darcy Curtiss, Herndon, VA* Hanna Danfoura, San Francisco, CA Amb. John Gunther Dean, Paris, France Lee & Amelia Dinsmore, Elcho, WI John Dirlik, Pointe Claire, Quebec* Dr. David Dunning, Lake Oswego, OR Mervat Eid, Henrietta, NY M.R. Eucalyptus, Kansas City, MO Dr. & Mrs. Hossam Fadel, Augusta, GA Albert E. Fairchild, Bethesda, MD SEPTEMBER 2013

Yusif Farsakh, Arlington, VA Mr. & Mrs. Majed Faruki, Albuquerque, NM P. Michele Felton, Winton, NC Bill Freij, Plymouth, MI Joseph & Angela Gauci, Whittier, CA Peter Grasso, Bernardston, MA Raymond E. Haddock, Spotsylvania, VA Dr. Wasif Hafeez, W. Bloomfield, MI Erin K. Hankir, Ottawa, Ontario Shirley Hannah, Argyle, NY Robert & Helen Harold, West Salem, WI Prof. & Mrs. Brice Harris, Los Angeles, CA Mr. & Mrs. Sameer Hassan, Quaker Hill, CT Mr. & Mrs. John Hendrickson, Tulsa, OK Dr. & Mrs. Sam Holland, North Eastham, MA Hala Deeb Jabbour, Herndon, VA Rafeeq Jaber, Palos Hills, IL Mustafa Jamal, Hyde Park, NY Anthony Jones, Jasper, Alberta Omar & Nancy Kader, Vienna, VA Mohamed Kamal, North York, Ont. Michael J. Keating, Olney, MD* Dr. M. Jamil Khan, Bloomfield Hills, MI Majid Khan, Bloomfield, MI Samir Khoury, Hasbrouck, NJ Tony & Anne Khoury, Danville, CA Ernestine King, Topsham, ME Shafiq Kombargi, Houston, TX Ronald Kunde, Skokie, IL John Lankenau, Tivoli, NY Mary Lou Levin, Mill Valley, CA J. Robert Lunney, Bronxville, NY Anthony Mabarak, Grosse Pointe Park, MI Richard Makdisi & Lindsay Wheeler, Berkeley, CA John B. Malouf, Lubbock, TX Ted Marczak, Toms River, NJ Martha Martin, Paia, HI Melinda Mason, Lubbock, TX Carol Mazzia, Santa Rosa, CA THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Nijad Mehanna, Roseville, MI John & Ruth Monson, La Crosse, WI Evemarie Moore, Chicago, IL Maury Keith Moore, Seattle, WA Charles Murphy, Upper Falls, MD Mohamad Nabi, Union, KY Ralph Nader, Washington, DC Joseph Najemy, Worcester, MA Sara Najjar-Wilson, Reston, VA Mr. & Mrs. David Nalle, Washington, DC Jacob Nammar, San Antonio, TX Neal & Donna Newby, Mancos, CO Marianne Nuseibeh, Aurora, IN Kamal Obeid, Fremont, CA Carol Gay Olson, Lafayette, CA Khaled Othman, Riverside, CA Amb. Ed Peck, Chevy Chase, MD Jim Plourd, Monterey, CA Barbara A. Porter, Boston, MA* Mr. & Mrs. James G. Porter, Takoma Park, MD* M. Habib Quader, Harrisburg, PA Cheryl Quigley, Toms River, NJ Dr. Amani Ramahi, Lakewood, OH Mr. & Mrs. Duane Rames, Mesa, AZ Marjorie Ransom, Washington, DC Nayla Rathle, Belmont, MA Vivian & Doris Regidor, Pearl City, HI Frank & Mary Regier, Albany, CA Mr. & Mrs. Edward Reilly, Rocky Point, NY Paul Richards, Salem, OR Neil Richardson, Randolph, VT Amb. Christopher Ross, Washington, DC Amb. Bill Rugh, Garrett Park, MD Hameed Saba, Diamond Bar, CA Dr. Ahmed M. Sakkal, Charleston, WV Kazi Salahuddin, San Jose, CA Ramzy Salem, Monterey Park, CA Walter & Halina Sasak, Northborough, MA Dr. Dirgham Sbait, Portland, OR Irmgard Scherer, Fairfax, VA Dr. Abid Shah, Sarasota, FL Lt. Col. Alfred Shehab, Odenton, MD Kathy Sheridan, Mill Valley, CA 73

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Dr. Mostafa Sherif, Tinton Falls, NJ David Shibley, Santa Monica, CA Lucy Skivens-Smith, Dinwiddie, VA David J. Snider, Airmont, NY Jean Snyder, Greenbelt, MD P. & J. Starks, Greensboro, NC Gregory Stefanatos, Flushing, NY Mae Stephen, Palo Alto, CA Dr. William Strange, Fort Garland, CO Mubadda Suidan, Atlanta, GA Beverly Swartz, Sarasota, FL Ayoub & Ghada Talhami, Evanston, IL Doris Taweel, Laurel, MD J. Tayeb, Shelby Township, MI Charles Thomas, La Conner, WA Ned Toomey, Bishop, CA Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Totah, Fallbrook, CA Tom Veblen, Washington, DC Peter & Liz Viering, Stonington, CT Joseph Walsh, Adamsville, RI Edwina White, Sacramento, CA Raymond Younes, Oxnard, CA Bernice Youtz, Tacoma, WA Munir Zacharia, La Mirada, CA Rafi Ziauddin, West Chester, PA Fred Zuercher, Spring Grove, PA Elia K. Zughaib, Alexandria, VA ACCOMPANISTS ($250 or more) Louise Anderson, Oakland, CA Dr. Abdullah Arar, Amman, Jordan Rev. Dr. Lois Aroian, Willow Lake, SD Dr. & Mrs. Issa Boullata, Montreal, Quebec William Coughlin, Brookline, MA Mr. & Mrs. John Crawford, Boulder, CO Joseph Daruty, Newport Beach, CA Dr. Rafeek Farah, New Boston, MI Eugene Fitzpatrick, Wheat Ridge, CO Dr. William Fuller, Valdosta, GA Ray Gordon, Venice, FL H. Clark Griswold, Woodbury, CT Alan and Dot Heil, Alexandria, VA* Dr. Colbert & Mildred Held, Waco, TX* Salman & Kate Hilmy, Silver Spring, MD Islamic Center, Westbury, NY Fahd Jajeh, Lake Forest, IL Martha Katz, Youngstown, OH 74

Gloria Keller, Santa Rosa, CA Faisal Kutty, Valparaiso, IN* Sandra La Framboise, Oakland, CA Kendall Landis, Media, PA John Lankenau, Tivoli, NY Joe & Lilli Lill, Arlington, VA Nidal Mahayni, Richmond, VA Amb. Clovis Maksoud, Washington, DC Joseph A. Mark, Carmel, CA Charles McCutchen, Bethesda, MD Corinne Mudarri, Cambridge, MA Mary Norton, Austin, TX Arthur Paone, Belmar, NJ Sam Rahman, Lincoln, CA Dr. M.H. Salem, Amman, Jordan Russell Scardaci, Cairo, NY* Henry & Irmgard Schubert, Damascus, OR*** David Shibley, Santa Monica, CA Mae Stephen, Palo Alto, CA William Strange, Fort Garland, CO Michel & Cathy Sultan, Eau Claire, WI Norman Tanber, Dana Point, CA Linda Thain-Ali, Kesap Giresum, Turkey Dr. Robert Younes, Potomac, MD* Ziyad & Cindi Zaitoun, Seattle, WA TENORS & CONTRALTOS ($500 or more) Kamel Ayoub, Hillsborough, CA Donna Baer, Grand Junction, CO Graf Herman Bender, North Palm Beach, FL Gary L. Cozette, Chicago, IL Richard Curtiss, Boynton Beach, FL Shuja El-Asad, Amman, Jordan Paul Findley, Jacksonville, IL Eileen Fleming, Clermont, FL Amb. Holsey Handyside, Bedford, OH Richard Hoban, Cleveland Heights, OH* Brigitte Jaensch, Carmichael, CA Curtis Jones, Chapel Hill, NC Zagloul & Muntaha Kadah, Seattle, WA David & Renee Lent, Woodstock, VT* Jack Love, San Diego, CA Rachelle Marshall, Mill Valley, CA Patricia & Herbert Pratt, Cambridge, MA Ruth Ramsey, Blairsville, GA Gabrielle Saad, Oakland, CA THE WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS

Dr. Mohammed Sabbagh, Grand Blanc, MI Betty Sams, Washington, DC*,** Yasir Shallal, McLean, VA David Solomon, Orange, CA John Van Wagoner, McLean, VA John V. Whitbeck, Paris, France BARITONES & MEZZO SOPRANOS ($1,000 or more) Asha A. Anand, Bethesda, MD Dr. Joseph Bailey, Valley Center, CA G. Edward & Ruth Brooking, Wilmington, DE Rev. Rosemarie Carnarius and Aston Bloom, Tucson, AZ* Luella Crow, Eugene, OR Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Curtiss, Herndon, VA* Shuja El-Asad, Amman, Jordan Linda Emmet, Paris, France Dr. & Mrs. Clyde Farris, West Linn, OR* Gary Richard Feulner, Dubai, UAE Evan & Leman Fotos, Istanbul, Turkey Dr. & Mrs. Hassan Fouda, Berkeley, CA Hind Hamdan, Hagerstown, MD George Hanna, Santa Ana, CA Nicholas Hopkins, Washington, DC Judith Howard, Norwood, MA* Vincent & Louise Larsen, Billings, MT * William Lightfoot, Vienna, VA John McLaughlin, Gordonsville, VA Bob Norberg, Lake City, MN* Yusef & Jen Sifri, Wilmington, NC CHOIRMASTERS ($5,000 or more) Henry Clifford, Essex, CT Donna B. Curtiss, Kensington, MD* John & Henrietta Goelet, Meru, France Andrew I. Killgore, Washington, DC William & Flora McCormick, Austin, TX* Mahmud Shaikhaly, Hollywood, CA *In Memory of Richard H. Curtiss **In Honor of Andrew I. Killgore ***To Free Palestine SEPTEMBER 2013

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American Educational Trust The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs P.O. Box 53062 Washington, DC 20009

September 2013 Vol. XXXII, No. 7

Afghan children wearing new clothes for Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, look on during a festival in Kabul, Aug. 8, 2013. In 2012 their country was the target of 494 U.S. drone strikesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;more than the total number of strikes on Pakistan over the past eight years. The Pentagon stopped releasing statistics for Afghanistan in March of this year.

SHAH MARAI/AFP/Getty Images