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An Uneasy Mood

As we collectively limp toward Election Day, most Americans are likely feeling beleaguered by the pandemic, economic and health uncertainties, and a divisive political environment. Many of us simply want a time out from the endless chaos and rancor, but instead we remain largely isolated in our homes, perhaps masochistically subjecting ourselves to more and more news stories that leave us feeling hopeless about the world. lars. (They usually come back!) Even more frequently, however, we receive letters from individuals across the country thanking us for giving them hope in the knowledge that other Americans actually do care just as much as they do about justice in Palestine and the Middle East. And, while we can’t guarantee the Washington Report will be an uplifting read, we believe the pages of the magazine offer another reason to hope. Page after page shows the endurance and strength of people—from Palestine to Iran—refusing to let war, occupation, sanctions, corruption, authoritarianism, and now COVID-19, stymie their determination to secure a better future. As we fight a myriad of battles here at home, we ought to view their determination as a source of strength and a blueprint to follow. Of course, our primary duty at the Washington Report is to arm subscribers (who are hopefully also dogged voters) with the information they need to be effective citizens that they can’t find in the mainstream press. To that end, we are pleased to present 14 pages of voting records in this issue (pp. 16-29) that show how each member of Congress voted on critical issues impacting the Middle East. We hope this data provides you with the information needed to cast a knowledgeable vote—and also serves as an impetus to regularly call your elected officials, particularly if you are displeased with their voting records. When Americans make their voices clear and are armed with the facts, it’s increasingly hard for lobbies to do their dirty business (see pp. 14-15)! The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and we hope our bookstore, MiddleEastBooks.com, will be a hub for your gift giving. Our books, art prints, olive oil, soap, coffee and stunning pottery offer a great option for anyone on your list. We encourage you to place your order earlier this year, given the flood of packages set to hit a postal service already struggling with logistics.

A Special Gift to You

You’ll notice that this issue includes “Other Voices,” our 16-page supple-

We Understand

For those who care deeply about the Middle East, feelings of desolation are likely nothing new. Indeed, over the years we’ve received letters from subscribers telling us they were taking a break from reading the magazine because they could no longer stomach reading about seemingly endless and senseless wars, occupations and other injustices often paid for by their tax dol-

Staying Hopeful

ment, for everyone—not only those

PHOTO BY MAJDI FATHI/NURPHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES There are protests calling for justice across our country. A Palestinian woman, wearing a protective face mask, takes part in a demonstration to show support for prisoners held in Israeli jails, in Gaza City on Oct. 5, 2020.

who pay an extra $15 a year! We hope you’ll decide to use the postcard, also enclosed in this issue, to add this gem to your yearly subscription.

More Ways to Show Support

A gift subscription to the Washington Report would also be a perfect present for any social justice-oriented person on your shopping list. Now that bookstores and newsstands inexplicably stopped carrying this magazine, it is especially important for our readers to give gift subscrip-

tions to their favorite house of worship, libraries, schools, universities,

Hoping for Holiday Angels

doctors, friends and family. Of course, above all, we rely on your donations to keep the magazine and bookstore going. Plans for the coffee shop ad-

dition to Middle East Books and More

Practical Information

Holiday Shopping

bookstore are on hold until we can raise more funds. The plans are in hand, and we’re now filing for the building permit but we need your support now. Once life gets back to normal we hope to be ready to host events and sip some brew together again in our revitalized space. After what may be more than a year of isolation we want to be ready to gather again. During these difficult times, we are grateful to all of you for digging down deep so that together we can...