2 - 8 May 2002
Issue No.584
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 2 - 8 May 2002 Issue No.584 |
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Cartoon by Ossam QassimIsrael in court
Sir- Would it not be beneficial for representatives of the Palestinian Authority to sue the State of Israel for economic damages in the International Court of Justice in the Hague, as well as to have groups of jointly represented Palestinian individuals sue the State of Israel for personal injuries as well as the loss of family members within the federal courts of the United States?
American courts in recent years found the government of Cuba liable for a sum in excess of $200 million, payable to surviving relatives, after the Cuban Air Force destroyed American civil aircraft over international waters, resulting in six deaths.
Given that the Israeli offensive was excessive, unwarranted and illegal under international law, a legal outcome might prove beneficial.
Ken Richard
San Francisco
USA
They came...
Sir- First they came for the Palestinian freedom fighters, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a freedom fighter.
Then they came for the Palestinian civilians, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Palestinian.
Then they came for the journalists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a journalist.
Then they came for the Israeli refuseniks, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a refusenik.
Then they came for the protestors, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a protestor.
Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.
K Russo
New Jersey
USA
People come first
Sir- I am Australian and Jewish.
I state this as my Australian heritage inculcates in me the belief in a "fair go," adherence to multiculturalism, and that everybody has a right to be heard; and my Jewish experience has given me a universal appreciation and understanding of suffering and what ignorance and intolerance can lead to. Israel's right to exist is self-evident, as I believe is the right of the Palestinians to a homeland.
I believe that what is happening in Israel/Palestine transcends any conflict within the modern period. To me, from afar, it looks like a 12th century war, a conflict that has no borders, a conflict that brings into sharp focus communal hatred that even demonises the innocent, a conflict that will need creative, lateral, and courageous leadership on both sides to solve. No doubt there have been many mistakes made on both sides. What I want to address is what I see as the underlying gulf that separates the two sides. To me it is not a question of territory versus peace, or suicide bombers versus retaliation, it is far more fundamental. What I am talking about is the adherence to a zero- sum game by any side will only lead to disaster, especially if one of the sides is so much weaker militarily and politically than the other.
I am not here to arrogantly apportion blame, to me the eyes of a Palestinian child and an Israeli child are the same, and somehow the impact of Realpolitik is washed away with the tears of both.
To me the paradox is that the best hope for the Palestinian people lies with a dynamic and open relationship with Israel. The solution must first come from within. There must be a universal acceptance on both sides that each other's children have a right to live in peace and prosperity.
Opinion influencers and leaders who slavishly adhere to ideological precepts to the detriment of their own people's physical and social well-being are not only stupid and ineffective, but such action indicates gross negligence and incompetence as leaders. The leadership on both sides are responsible for their respective people's interests, they are not empowered to reflect broader interest be it Pan-Arab aspirations or US hegemony. And finally Israel is here to stay, and so are the Palestinians, it takes two to tango, get used to it!
Leon Levin
Victoria
Australia
Sharing in shame
Sir- I am an Egyptian American who has been living in the United States for the last 33 years. I love my adopted country, but I am ashamed that a great country that once championed the struggle of all people, for freedom, justice and human rights can turn such a blind eye for the atrocities committed by its "very special ally" Israel.
I am ashamed that the president of the most powerful country on earth can be held hostage by the Zionists and their right wing allies for fear of loosing an election. I am ashamed that the murderer of Jenin, Sabra and Shatilla is received in the White House as a head of state when he should be behind bars for every imaginable crime. I am ashamed that the Congress of my country has just approved billions of dollars in aid to Israel that will surely finance the killings of more innocent unarmed Palestinians. I am especially ashamed that my tax dollars are being used to finance those killings.
I am ashamed, but I am not alone. Millions in this country share my shame, and we all wonder, will we ever be proud to be Americans again?
Fikry B Salib, M.D.
Stamford, Connecticut
USA
Uncovering the reality
Sir- I think that for those of us in Europe who are deeply concerned with the desperate plight of the Palestinians and who are disgusted with US support of Israel, regardless of how badly and brutally Israel behaves, it is imperative that the US attitude is brought out in the open. Then, not only will the whole world can how they are behaving but, more importantly, the American people themselves will see what they are doing. There is an increasing feeling of concern and an increasing accuracy in media reporting in US.
I agree strongly with on of your recent articles, which said that there should be little or no compromise on Security Council resolutions. The recent threat by the US to veto the call for an enquiry into what happened in Jenin is a case in point. I believe that if the Arab countries had stuck stronger to their demands, they would have been successful. Europe is largely pro-Palestinian and the Americans do not want to be seen supporting a brutal and indefensible regime. Ultimately, it was US itself which introduced the resolution for an enquiry. They doubtless still want to avoid that but I think they can still be pushed further.
When the enquiry reports, it will doubtless recommend further and stronger investigations which the facts on the ground will justify. The US will not want to be seen exercising its veto on that either.
Christopher Leadbeater
Oxford, England
UK
London rally
Sir- Although Al-Ahram Weekly does an excellent job highlighting the Middle Eastern situation, I feel that it is necessary to add a European voice.
Increasingly here in London people are becoming aware, frustrated and angered by Mr Blair's position with regard to Palestine. Protests and rallies, although seemingly insignificant, attract mass attention. A march in London took place in solidarity for our Palestinian brothers and sisters on Saturday 13 April. It was a resounding success. There was mass support from all across the country. There was also some media coverage, although unfortunately (as is often the case), they failed to pick up on the main point of the rally, PALESTINE.
I am now writing to ask anyone in London on the 18 May to rally for Palestine. We must keep up constant pressure and maintain the little media coverage that we currently have. It is necessary to tell our governments that we will not allow them to give a green light to Sharon's genocide.
Details can be found at www.palestinecampaign.org
Please show solidarity.
Vivian Ismail
London
UK
Making a move
Sir- In the US, the media always ask the Latin community to go home because they do not blend with the Anglo-Saxon (white) culture. Maybe it is time for Western Jews to move to the US, Canada and Europe because they do not blend with Arab culture.
Arab Jews are welcome to stay in Palestine.
Louis Lopez
Texas
USA
Bush out
Sir- Please give a thank you to Mustafa Barghouthi for his fine article "Final blow" (Al-Ahram Weekly, 18-24 April). Our present government in the US must go in the next elections and this I can work toward.
Although a Republican, I and many of my friends intend to vote for the Democratic ticket. I do believe there is more hope with this ticket. In the meantime, keep up the good work.
Mary Boersig
North Carolina
USA
How generous?
Sir- The constant rationale to wage war against the Palestinian people has been that Arafat rejected the generous offer made at Camp David. Where are the details of why it was not acceptable -- aside of no right of return, no aviation rights and no water rights. There must be more -- but I have not seen it published.
The Zionist view of Palestine is "a land without a people for a people without a land."
Genevieve Katz
California
USA
An accurate picture
Sir- It appears to me that the Palestinians, desperate as they are, have served as pawns for the rest of the Arab world. From what I have read and studied, the rest of the Arab world would like to expand its empire and would never truly offer the land to Palestinians, even if they drove Israel out.
That said, the Palestinians are given arms and awards for "martyrdom," but not the resources needed to develop the West Bank and Gaza, to beat Israel at its own game.
If the Palestinians were able, they would build great universities, hospitals and business centres, but instead are given weapons and money for destruction and told by their brothers that Israel is the source of their problems. What I have described strikes me as an accurate picture of what is happening.
Jay Rice
Boston, Massachusetts
USA
Heal thyself
Sir- I am amazed at all those Op-ed articles where no mention is made of the suicide terror that has taken place against Israel. That was the cause of the invasion of the Palestinian areas. Only when we Arabs condemn this terrorism which is morally repugnant and contrary to Islamic teaching will we be able to move toward peaceful relations.
All this talk of bashing America and Israel without looking at our own failings will not bring us to a positive result.
Ahmed Abboud
New Jersey
USA
Foiling extremism
Sir- I would like to say that, as an American and as a philosophical Christian, I am deeply troubled by what my tax dollars are funding in the West Bank. To see what has been done in the West Bank by the misnamed Israeli Defence Force -- once again, with my tax dollars -- literally sickens me. I also know that the Palestinians are being treated very badly by the Israelis, and have been for a very long time.
That said, I would also like to say that, to me, it appears that extremists on both sides of the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict are purposefully keeping the situation in a state of chaos and emotional turmoil because each side sees a chance for political gain in all the confusion.
I believe that the vast majority of people, on both sides of this conflict, and around the world, want the blessings of peace and prosperity. All of us, the normal, moral human beings that make up the bulk of every human society, must figure out how to reign in the actions of the extremists in our own cultures. The first step, for each of us, is not to allow ourselves to become enraged by the purposeful, calculated efforts of those extremists.
Eugene Hayman
Texas
USA
Prayer for justice
Sir- I just would like to express a solid conviction about Israel's government. Only Yitzhak Rabin was willing to do it fairly. Nobody else. Ariel Sharon and Binyamin Netanyahu want only one thing: land, land, land.
If it was 1943, Sharon would have killed all the Palestinians. I pray for justice for the Palestinian people.
Giorgio Carpi
Nova Scotia
Canada
Shifting focus
Sir-- We can continue to dispute the facts of 1948 ad nauseam, as Mr Shukrallah has done in "Back to basics" (Al-Ahram Weekly, 18-24 April). The existence of a completely different telling of the story is at least suggestive of a far more complex historical reality than Mr Shukrallah would likely concede.
Not only is this largely a waste of time, but it is extremely dangerous as well. To focus on the "original sin" of Israel's founding and the "right" of Palestinians to relocate within the Green Line eliminates any chance for a political solution. It is worth it for Arabs to take seriously the Israeli assertion that the Right of Return is unacceptable.
The Nazi imagery Mr Shukrallah inappropriately conjured is pure demagoguery. It is hyperbolic, offensive and unproductive. Even if Israel is a modern Nazi state, the Arabs still have to make peace with it if they have any desire to raise themselves out of their centuries-old economic depression.
Writers like Mr Shukrallah do their constituents a major disservice by encouraging rabid anti-Israeli sentiments rather than preparing an ignorant populace for peace.
Daniel Horowitz
Virginia
USA
Informative exposé
Sir- I have read the article by Edward Said (Al- Ahram Weekly, 18-24 April) and would like to express my admiration for the clear exposé he makes of the situation in Palestine.
It is an excellent article, I learnt a lot from it and I believe it deserves to be translated in many languages to reach as many people as possible.
We need this quality of information about Palestine.
Thank you Mr Edward Said.
Nadia Laribi
Montreal
Canada
Sharon's shoulders
Sir- Thank you for providing a source for news from another perspective. I am an American and a pastor in one of the Christian denominations. I do not believe that either side of this conflict is without fault; but to me the blame for the current conflict seems to rest squarely on the shoulders of the Israelis and Sharon.
I pray for more open reporting of the news in all countries.
J Michael Mansfield
Kentucky
USA
Diplomatic outrage
Sir- We are deeply offended and embarrassed by the controversial actions of Dr S Shaker who currently occupies the post of the Egyptian ambassador to Montreal. Regrettably, Dr Shaker has consistently displayed an alarming degree of utter disdain to the community, and lack of understanding of her official obligations as the accredited representative of the Egyptian government.
The ambassador outraged the whole Arab community when she unfairly equated the pain and sufferings of Palestinian mothers with that of the Israelis who lost their loved ones due to the tragic events in occupied Palestine.
The ambassador has chosen to lower the Egyptian flag to half-mast, apparently to offer her personal condolences to the Canadians who lost four soldiers as a result of an American bombing accident in Afghanistan. It is worth mentioning that the ambassador did not lower the Egyptian flag to half-mast while hundreds of Palestinians were and are being massacred, since the beginning of the barbaric Israeli assault in the occupied territories.
We sincerely believe that Egypt deserves competent, non-controversial and better representation in Canada. Therefore, we request that you kindly call on Prime Minister Atef Ebeid and Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher to look into this tragic and damaging situation by taking the necessary action to censure or recall the Egyptian ambassador to Montreal.
Dr A M Abdel-Latif
Ottawa
Canada
Shocked by Larouche
Sir- As an Australian who works for solidarity and practical assistance for the Palestinians, I have come to rely on news and analysis from Al-Ahram Weekly every week. Even when the times are at their bleakest, I need to learn from what Said, Bishara, Barghouthi, Usher, Shukrallah, Nafie and others are saying and thinking.
I am shocked and saddened that you have run an interview with Lyndon Larouche (Al-Ahram Weekly, 18-24 April), described simply as an "American leader." He is the head of a tiny but nasty extreme-right- wing cult, and a convicted criminal. He runs several minute but fanatically racist and bigoted sects in other countries, even in Australia. His coverage in Al- Ahram is surely an embarrassment to the distinguished Arab intellectuals, writers and political analysts who contribute so wonderfully to your world- respected newspaper.
Ken Davis
Sydney
Australia
World action
Sir- It's very obvious that "Sharonism" stands for barbarian patterns of violence and brutal policy against unarmed civilians.
Sharon seeks to wipe out the Palestinian "natives" using savage schemes to stop the peace process, and hinder any peaceful attempts to prevent this.
The whole world -- especially the powerful countries -- are witnessing his brutality, violence, genocide, destruction, devastation and sabotage, but there isn't any determined opposition to what he is carrying out every day in the Holy Land.
We need all countries to impose penalties against Israeli war crimes and boycott Israel politically and economically.
Sameh Fandy
Cairo
Egypt
Boycott from within
Sir- I read your article, "The Boycott backlash" (Al- Ahram Weekly, 25 April-1 May) and found it very good and informative. We Muslims in the US are also taking a stand to boycott products as others are around the world. Anything to help our dear brothers and sisters who are suffering in Palestine.
May God continue to guide us all and strengthen us against those who oppress us.
Once again, thank you again for the article.
Laurie Aly
Ohio
USA
Writing on the wall
Sir- Gamil Mattar's article, "Reading between the lines" (Al-Ahram Weekly, 25 April-1 May) was well worth reading, and his analysis insightful. However, with due respect to the academic "game" in which we have all engaged for one lofty reason or another, his analysis throws a thin cover over the real problem.
Whatever the reasons for the failure of governments to protect their people, such failures are in need of more than an "apologia." The failure of Arab governments (with precious exceptions) is precisely why the situation in the Middle East is what it is today. True, the worst of it is now in occupied Palestine, but yesterday it was in Beirut, Southern Lebanon, and Iraq. Tomorrow it may be in Damascus or in Amman.
The Arab people have not only a right to be outraged, they have more than good reason to be outraged. I have followed Arab and Arab/Israeli affairs for over 30 years. The "handwriting," as the saying goes, was on the wall. If for no other reason than their short-sightedness, the Arab governments have been utter failures in not only physically protecting their citizens, but in protecting their dignity, their rights, and their destiny.
Faith T Zeadey
Onset, MA
USA
Arab reconstitution
Sir- As an Arab American I believe that the first step for the Arab world is to rid itself of arcane institutions and leadership and develop purely Arab forms of social, economic and political systems consistent with their history, religion and national identity.
In particular, the strengthening of the Arab League, adoption of open trade and commerce, an Arab common market and an overall constitution governing the Arab states similar to that of the US constitution but in a modified form.
Arab weakness is the source of Israeli aggression and for the lack of respect Arabs receive from the rest of the world. In essence you need to put your house in order first -- which is not a small task.
Mahmoud Nasser, PhD
Houston
USA
Guiding facts
Sir- Americans will do the right thing if given a chance. But they have to know what that is. The Arab media has to inform the US public and make its case by using basic facts and history.
If they do not do this, things will continue to disintegrate. Americans are distressingly ignorant of history and thus fall easy prey to versions of the past that are tailored to a specific end. The world's best hope for peace is to correct this problem.
Bruce R Neidlinger
Virginia
USA
Labour pains
Sir- The Palestinian people are paying the heavy price of a war of liberation. What you see today are the labour pains of the birth of the Palestinian State. The USA passed through it two centuries ago, Algeria, half a century ago and the Palestinians are going through it today.
The Palestinians do not need anyone's sympathy, they do not need anything in material terms, we will adjust to the hardships. What is needed is support in the form of a media campaign to help expose the vicious media war which is being launched against the Palestinians and the Arab, as well as the Islamic, worlds since 11 September.
All sympathy goes to UN and other officials from international organisations who dared to speak, and the poor Secretary-General who dared to form an investigation committee.
May God be with anybody else who might dare in the future.
Prof. Munther S Dajani
Occupied Jerusalem
Jerusalem
Good insight
Sir- John Sfakianakis' piece (Al-Ahram Weekly, 25 April-1 May) was an excellent and well thought out article. Thank you.
It would be wonderful if Mr Sfakianakis would do a similar review of the Israeli economy which I believe has suffered immeasurably from this assault on the occupied territories as well as from the Al-Aqsa Intifada.
Thank you again for this article, such work is much appreciated.
Faith Zeadey
Onset, MA
USA
Switching places
Sir- Bored and despairing as usual, I talked to myself as if I were talking before the camera of an international news channel. And I said: "The Western mentality cannot accept our values nor our means of struggle. Moreover, most of the time it cannot even glimpse the core issues of our cause. Palestine is history, dignity and sanctity which embraces us all. The Western mind in general cannot get this idea."
"The West did not try to put themselves in our shoes and feel our feelings."
"I am not considered religious, but for me, fighting for one's liberation, dignity and emancipation is not the sin of Muslim terrorists, but rather an honour inherent in the struggle for liberation."
"I guess if Western peoples try to think with the mind of the other, they will be able to arrive at a common ground to launch a dialogue between them and us. A common ground which will not only help liberate the Palestinians, but also all those imprisoned in cages of fear, hatred and disgrace."
Radwa Rabie
Cairo
Egypt
Venezuelan victory
Sir- I am writing to you to thank Al-Ahram Weekly for its coverage of the recent events that took place in Venezuela -- in which the constitutional President Hugo Chavez was deposed and reinstated within 48 hours -- including the article written by Mr Gamal Nkrumah (Al-Ahram Weekly, 18-24 April, 2002).
I am sure that as a result of this coverage, Venezuela and its society are better known and more familiar to many of your Egyptian readers.
It gives me great pleasure to inform you that democratic institutionalism has been reestablished in Venezuela and that economic and social activities have returned to normal. The fullest disposition of the Venezuelan people and their Armed Force of asserting their rights, were conjugated in actions that are indicative of a future in which dialogue and conciliation will prevail as a norm of coexistence.
The Venezuelan Government has expressed its gratitude for the solidarity manifested by the international community with the Venezuelan people and its democratically elected government.
Please accept the assurance of my highest esteem and consideration.
Victor R Carazo
Venezuela's Ambassador to Cairo
Cairo
Egypt
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