Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, May/June 2005, page 82

Publishers' Page

Winter Turned to Spring Overnight…

In Washington, DC this year. Cherry blossoms, red buds and pear trees competed with tulips and daffodils to transform the city into a crazy quilt of color. At the same time a flood of articles poured into our office. The death, injustice, humiliation and destruction taking place in the occupied territories and Iraq competed with breaking news from Florida, Texas, Columbia University or, closer to home, on Capitol Hill. The tales were all the more painful as they took place amid the beauty and spoiled promises of spring.

Hours Before Press Time New Stories...

Shoved others aside in the competition for space. (Our “Bulletin Board” was reduced to the box on this page, and our summary of 2004 pro-Israel PAC contributions, along with a history of the Near East Foundation and some of our regular features, won’t see the light of day until the July issue.)

AIPAC Fired Two Employees…

Suspected of passing classified information to Israel. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the Jewish community are in an uproar. President George Bush’s appointment of John Bolton as the next U.S. ambassador to the U.N. became “un-bolted.” Thanks to a media feeding frenzy in Florida, no jury can be found to fairly try a Palestinian-American. Meanwhile…

Back at the Bush Ranch…

In Crawford, TX, as the president and his “Peace Pardner,” Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, discussed Sharon’s Gaza “Disengagement Plan,” Israel invaded Nablus. We confess we already were starting to wonder if Sharon had any intention of evacuating all of Israel’s 21 Gaza colonies and four others in the West Bank. The moving date changed from July 17 to Aug. 15, in order to accommodate the traditional three-week period of mourning for the destruction of ancient Jewish temples. At press time there even was talk of stalling until Oct. 26. Even if Gaza settlers do depart, they’ll likely be moved into more illegally occupied territory in the West Bank.

Even We Were Thunder-Struck ...

By the audacity of Sharon’s latest scheme to add 3,650 homes to the West Bank’s largest settlement, Ma’ale Adumim. The plan would cut off Jerusalem’s Arab neighborhoods from the rest of the West Bank. Moreover—and not for a change—Israel is demanding that...

U.S. Taxpayers Foot the Bill!

As Americans struggle to pay for costly wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and ignore skyrocketing oil costs, health care, education and social security woes at home, Israel is seeking to use $3 billion left of $9 billion in loan guarantees American taxpayers granted in 2003 to relocate settlers from one illegal settlement to another.

Before She Was Killed in Iraq...

In a suicide bombing, humanitarian aid worker Maria Ruzicka had succeeded in forcing U.S. military commanders to admit they did in fact keep records of Iraqi civilians killed by U.S. forces, according to Britains’ Independent newspaper. The former head of U.S. Central Command, Tommy Franks, had once said the U.S. Army “don’t do body counts”—despite being required to do so by the Geneva Conventions. By late April of this year, more than 1,563 U.S. soldiers have been killed along with, according to Iraq Body Count, a group that monitors casualty reports, at least 17,384 Iraqis.

Americans Shocked By Ruzicka’s...

Death in Iraq should be equally incensed by the deaths of other aid workers there, such as Margaret Hassan, CARE International’s British-born Iraqi director, and other bright young spirits in Gaza, like peace activists Rachel Corrie and Tom Hurndell. How many more people will lose their lives trying to help victims of wars?

And How Many More U.S. Soldiers…

Will die or return home scarred inside and out from a “war on terrorism” that’s pitting us against the wrong enemy? How many generations will it take to erase the mistakes made in the post-9/11 years? It’s time for Americans to step up and demand a wise and even-handed U.S. foreign policy.

Now Is the Time…

For occupiers to leave Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Kashmir and Iraq. The U.S. must close its own weapons bazaar, which sells tools of destruction around the world, and replace it with skilled and substantive diplomacy, along with support for education, and economic opportunities. If the silent majority of Americans doesn’t speak up today and demand effective policies and diplomacy, we could find ourselves entangled in senseless wars with Iran, Syria and North Korea and bring on the Armageddon some very vocal minorities seem to want.

Help Stop the Madness…

By sending the post card in this issue to Congress today. E-mail your representatives. Contact the president. Write a letter to the editor. Teach a class. Carry a poster. Write a check. Volunteer your time—and you can begin at the Washington Report: interns, retirees, advertising and computer whizzes are invited to help get the word out and secure funding for this magazine and some exciting new outreach projects. We must do everything we can today to work for peace.

Staff Changes Alert!

Washington Report readers and AET Book Club patrons will notice some major staff changes in the coming weeks. Sara Powell has replaced Hugh Galford, who is moving on after almost six years with AET, as director of our popular Book Club. She is brimming with new book ideas to tempt you as you pack your suitcases with summer reading material. If you haven’t already joined our e-mail mailing list (<http://wrmea.com>), to which we send action alerts, you may want to sign up now, so you can begin receiving special e-mail book offers and staff recommendations.

Two Talented New Employees Added.

Assuming Powell’s former duties as administrative director is longtime Palestinian-American activist and marketing specialist Mai AbdulRahman. Our new public relations director, Matt Horton from San Diego, will help promote the Washington Report and take charge of outreach efforts. At a time of uncertain finances, hiring new staff is a gamble—but we can’t exist without a critical mass of employees, and can only benefit from an infusion of new blood and new ideas. With the situation changing hour-by-hour in the Middle East and at home, let’s all work together to...

Make a Difference Every Day!

Arab American National Museum Debuts 

The grand opening ceremony for the Arab American National Museum, located in Dearborn, MI across from Dearborn City Hall, will be held May 5, 2005 from 5 to 9 p.m. Festivities will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the AANM, live music, dancing, and multi-cultural celebrations throughout the night. The $12.8 million museum project was spearheaded by the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, or ACCESS, to showcase the struggles and accomplishments of the nation’s Arab community.