Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, November 2008, page 74

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Next War for Israel?

We’d like to believe that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton dropped out of a Sept. 22 “Bomb Iran Now” U.N. rally (sponsored by the code-named National Coalition to Stop Iran Now) because she didn’t support yet another war for Israel. Sadly, it’s more likely the former Democratic presidential candidate didn’t want to share the podium with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who was more eager to show up. John McCain’s running mate believes the war in Iraq is God’s plan, and that there are signs that the end of the world, or Rapture, is coming. Will Palin challenge her perceived foes to  “Bring ‘em on!” and help fulfill perceived biblical prophecies by ratcheting up conflicts in the Middle East, Russia and Iran? No doubt Sen. Joe Lieberman and the AIPAC leaders he took Palin to meet on Sept. 2, during the Republican national convention in Minneapolis, hope she’ll put her Christian religious beliefs at the…

Service of the Jewish State.

One would think that, with the U.S. economy tanking and Americans losing jobs, homes, college funds and retirement savings, voters would demand an end to spending $10.3 billion every month—that’s $123.6 billion a year—on the war in Iraq. That’s in addition to the $3 billion or more American taxpayers send yearly to Israel for weapons to destroy Palestinians and, if it feels like it, its other neighbors. What could we have done at home with the almost $114 billion in direct aid we’ve given Israel over the decades (see Shirl McArthur’s tablulation on p. 10)? Instead, in an effort to incite a never-ending war against “radical Islam,” someone is funding the mailing of hate-filled “Obsession” DVDs to millions of Americans. Meanwhile, in Palestine...

Truce Doesn’t End Killings.

Despite an Egyptian-brokered truce, or Tahdi’ah (calm), between Israel and Hamas, which has been in effect since June 19, 2008, Palestinians are still dying. Israeli troops have killed two Gazans and nine West Bank Palestinians. That doesn’t include 24-year-old Nizar Sawarke, a Palestinian who was killed Aug. 29 by a leftover land mine in Arrabeh, near the West Bank city of Jenin, in an area that previously was an Israeli army camp. Nor does the number include the more than 46 patients, 10 of them children, who have died due to Israel’s ongoing siege of Gaza. Outside Nablus, an Israeli army officer manning a roadblock refused to allow a Palestinian woman in labor from proceeding to the hospital, resulting in her giving birth to a stillborn baby boy. Officers ridiculed the couple as they passed through later carrying their infant…

In a Box Ready for Burial.

In less lethal actions, Jewish settlers have rampaged through several West Bank villages. And despite the fact that Israel has called for a moratorium on house demolitions in Area C of the West Bank, demolitions in East Jerusalem continue in Israel’s relentless effort to…

Judaize All of Jerusalem.

The Palestinian Federation of Industries (PFI) estimates that 98 percent of Gaza’s industrial operations are now inactive. According to PFI, of Gaza’s 3,900 industries, only 23 are operating. Economic restrictions have also increased in the West Bank because of the increased number of roadblocks and barriers. Furthermore, Israel has completed 57 percent of its separation barrier. Despite the commitments under the road map and at Annapolis, Israeli settlements continue to expand and few outposts have been removed.

So What Else Is New? Well…

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Free Gaza Boats Break Blockade.

Following the success of its initial voyage (see article p. 15), the Free Gaza Movement continues full speed ahead, planning more trips to bring badly needed humanitarian supplies to Gaza.

Dr. Sami Al-Arian Is Home…

With his family, awaiting a Supreme Court decision on his appeal, yet another trial, or for U.S. prosecutors to drop criminal contempt charges and free him. Your letters calling for justice and your support for Dr. Al-Arian’s case worked—and are still needed! So…

There’s Much Left to Do.

The world is watching as Americans prepare to cast their most important vote in recent memory. Please help us send boxes of this issue of the Washington Report—with its articles on pro-Israeli PAC contributions, U.S. aid to Israel, vital U.S. foreign policy and civil rights issues—to every conference, demonstration, church, mosque, or political fund-raiser you can think of. (To order extra boxes, visit our Web site, <www.wrmea.com>.) Please donate funds to help us mail these extra copies and advertise in other publications—or advertise your business with us. You can help us meet increased printing and postage costs as we help your business reach more customers. Despite the generous donations we’ve received, we—like many of our readers—are just one issue away from serious financial trouble.

So Many Ways to Help.

A generous donor has offered to purchase 100 subscriptions for libraries that can’t afford to subscribe on their own. Talk to your librarian and see if he or she would like a subscription. Ask the bookstores you patronizeto begin carrying the best, most readable, informative and impartial magazine available. Peruse the AET Book Club list of books and DVDs (see insert) to help introduce your friends, co-workers, teachers, religious leaders, elected officials and candidates to important issues in the Middle East. Your purchase of books, films, and Palestinian handicrafts through PACT (see article p. 62) will help us all stay afloat during the current economic downturn, as well as help Palestinian craftspeople earn a living and preserve their culture.

Keep On Keepin’ On…

Making your views known to candidates, newspaper readers, and radio show listeners—not to mention your neighbors and fellow citizens. Finally, don’t forget to…

Vote—and Make a Difference  Nov. 4!

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