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Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, July 2008, page 82 Publishers' Page Close to Home
ALMOST TWO years to the day after the Washington Report celebrated its 25th anniversary with a reception honoring Palestinian Ambassador Afif Safieh and former Congressman Paul Findley (R-IL), we were both privileged and saddened to host a May 14 farewell reception for the ambassador and his wonderful wife, Christ’l. More than 250 well-wishers—including ambassadors, journalists, activists, and Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)—joined us at the elegant Washington Club, used by President Calvin Coolidge as a temporary White House in 1927; Skewers Restaurant provided its usual delicious food. After applauding diaspora Palestinian Americans for helping make this country great, the audience observed a moment of silence on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Nakba to commemorate the more than 500 destroyed Palestinian villages and more than 800,000 Palestinian people who were made refugees six decades ago. Dr. Sami Al-Arian’s Son…Abdullah Al-Arian gave an update on his father’s situation. After five years of incarceration, Dr. Al-Arian should have been freed on April 7—yet he still languishes in prison. It could go either way, Abdullah explained: “He could be deported tomorrow, or retried.” And just as she had two years ago… Comedienne Maysoon Zayid…
Won the audience members’ hearts with her unique blend of humor and pathos. Many in attendance expressed their appreciation with donations sufficient to fund summer school scholarships for five of “Maysoon’s Kids” in Palestine. Our Honorees…We think it’s safe to say, received a warmer welcome at this former temporary White House than at the one on Pennsylvania Avenue. They took away a “Memory Book” the Washington Report compiled from e-mailed messages sent by people who could not attend the event, and a guest book signed by those who were there in person. Mustapha Karkouti, former president of the Foreign Press Association in London, and his wife, Faten Omary, perhaps summed it up best in their e-mail: “We have paid them farewell before when they left London for DC in 2005 and we know exactly how it feels to part with this beautiful couple. They plant love and passion wherever they go.” An optimistic note characterized the evening, however, as all looked forward to meeting again… “Next Year in Jerusalem!”Meanwhile in Israel…President George W. Bush was greeted upon his arrival May 13 to help celebrate Israel’s 60th anniversary as a Jewish state with a series of army strikes and incursions in the Gaza Strip, killing four Palestinians and wounding nine. Two days later, Bush told the Israeli Knesset that Americans “believe that targeting innocent lives to achieve political objectives is always and everywhere wrong.” We guess he meant... Only Jewish Lives.Demonstrating his obeisance to such paragons of free speech and human rights as Alan Dershowitz and Abe Foxman, the American president also reassured Israeli legislators that “we condemn anti-Semitism in all forms—whether by those who openly question Israel’s right to exist, or by others who quietly excuse them.” Apparently he doesn’t view pogroms or the Holocaust—both of which pre-date the establishment of Israel—as forms of anti-Semitism. Go Figure.Meanwhile in Palestine…The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are trying to close down schools and orphanages in the West Bank city of Hebron run by the Islamic Charitable Society (ICS). On April 14, Israelis entered the society’s Rahma Bakery, destroyed the oven, and confiscated more than $43,000 of equipment. On April 30 IDF soldiers raided the Hebron Girls’ Orphanage and confiscated more than $45,000 worth of sewing machines, supplies, finished clothing and office equipment from the building’s workshop, leaving behind nothing but a bare floor. Members of Christian Peacemaker Teams and other internationals from Canada, Europe and the U.S. have been sleeping in the orphanage to try to protect the children. Israeli Soldiers Shoot at Young Gazans.As hundreds of young Palestinians marched toward Gaza’s Erez border crossing toward their family homes—now inside Israel—during a May 15 commemoration of the “Nakba,” several were wounded by gunfire from IDF troops trying to prevent the group from reaching the crossing. “Even after 60 years,” said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a speech broadcast on Palestinian television, “the Palestinian people cling to the hope that it will return to its home to build an independent state.” Our Biannual Donation Appeal…Will be heading your way in the next few weeks. Please help us continue to tell Americans about the ongoing Palestinian Nakba, and the role our politicians and tax dollars play in perpetuating it. Until the day when we can all meet in Jerusalem, please give as generously as you can and… Make a Difference Today! |
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