The wrong surprise

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By Soheir Morsy

Even a cursory review of the development of the Middle East as a strategic, not geographic concept, reveals the long established and clearly manifest structural relationship between Imperialism and Zionism. Consequently one finds incredible not President Bush's recent endorsement of Sharon's Gaza "disengagement" plan, and the unilateral nullification of the Palestinians' right of return, but Arab officials' reaction of "surprise" and "disappointment".

Whether in relation to Sabra and Shatilla, Qana, or Gaza, US administrations have been unwavering in supporting their "strategic ally" and rationalising acts of Zonist state terrorism, including "targeted assassinations". Surprise is hardly logical in light of the fact that over the years the Zionist establishment's ethnic cleansing has prompted nothing more than rare and muted US disapproval. Far from condemning Sharon's criminal record, President Bush considers him "a man of peace". Dropping the pretence of honest broker he has blessed the construction of Israel's apartheid wall and endorsed Sharon's West Bank land grab.

In reaction Arab officials' rightfully insist on international legitimacy. This requires not only coordination with governments more sympathetic to the Arab cause, but also revoking the undemocratic legal constraints which compromise political and social rights, restrict the Arab people's integration into the global Peace and Justice Movement, and impede the creation of "new realities on the ground".

The Spanish government's decision to withdraw troops from Iraq is not a whimsical policy change or "submission to terrorists" but a reasoned compliance with popular demands. Elsewhere around the world, the US included, anti-war activists are assuming an explicitly anti-imperialist posture that challenges the corporate militarism of empire.

This week's Soapbox speaker is an Egyptian American academic and UN consultant