Your Voice in a World where Zionism, Steel, and Fire, have Turned Justice Mute

 

 

The *FREE ARAB VOICE*
October 1'st, 1997

In this issue of the Free Arab Voice, we present:
1) A Critique of an Allegedly Pro-Palestinian Liberal Agenda: A Critique 
of the Ten-point Program of the Committee on the Middle East (COME) 
Distributed by Middle East Realities (MER), as a Prototype of the 
Pro-Palestinian Jewish Agenda.
2) Trouble in ADC? The New Orleans Chapter of the American-Arab 
Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) Boycotts the ADC's National 
Elections, and Dr. Maksoud's Response. 
3) Action Alert: In October, Join the call to: 
                  a) Protest New Sanctions on Iraq
                  b) End U.S. Aid to "Israel"   
                  c) Start a Second Round of Teach-ins for Iraq
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 1) A Critique of  an Allegedly Pro-Palestinian Liberal Agenda:
        
There are a few things missing from the ten-point program of the 
Committee on the Middle East (COME), distributed by the weekly 
electronic bulletin Middle East Realities (MER), even by the standards 
of 'international law' and 'humanity'.
 
For example, absent is any mention of U.N. Resolution 194 which  
pertains to the right of Palestinian refugees from 1948, and their 
offspring, to return to their land and property.
 
Even U.N. Resolution 181, which divided Palestine illegitimately between 
a minority of Jewish 'immigrants' and a majority of original Arabs is 
not mentioned.  In 1948,  Zionist gangs took upwards of 150% of  the 
amount  of the land allowed to them under Resolution 181!!
 
Of course this is said knowing fully well that the UN is itself an organ 
of superpower hegemony, and has recently become a  mere branch of the 
U.S. Department of State, which on so-called 'Middleeastern' issues, is 
controlled by Zionists and their dirty servants.
Is  Middle East Realities (MER) a Forum for Normalization?
 
However, the key issue of our time for us Arabs and Muslims, is the 
issue of normalizing our relationships with our oppressors, i.e., 
accepting our slavery. 
With MER, you suddenly find yourself under the spell of some of those 
who are oppressing  your people!  All these good Israelis: they're 
expressing your very thoughts which you can't express!! They're saying 
many of the right things which you can't get away with saying; they're 
even doing many of the right things that you wish the New World Order 
would allow you to do.. so instinctively you get sucked in.  But as you 
do, you find yourself in a deep internal contradiction: You can no 
longer be against all those who took your land and property, and threw 
you to the wolves for several decades, because after all some of them 
are 'nice' and 'sympathize' with your cause!!! 
But the question is: If they were so nice, what are they still doing on 
OUR Palestine?  Whether we or they like it or not, just by being there, 
they're displacing a Palestinian person or family who is probably in a 
refugee camp in Lebanon or Gaza prevented from work, study, political 
rights, human rights, etc...
Thus, just because the mainstream media is so anti-Arab or anti-Muslim, 
we should not drool and get lost in love because someone is saying  some 
of what should be said anyway.. We must maintain our separate identity 
and position, and keep pressing on with our own agenda, while welcoming 
international support.
On COME's Philosophy of Conflict Resolution in the Region:
Obviously, there are things that we can agree about with COME, including 
lifting the embargo off Iraq, and other things.  But the issue that most 
people forget is that the Palestinian cause is not only a Palestinian 
cause, and therefore can't have only a Palestinian solution, including a 
Palestinian quasi-state in parts of the West Bank and Gaza...
Assuming all the Palestinians were forced to become Alaskans, Peruvians, 
or Middle Koreans, the Palestinian issue still won't be finished off or 
resolved.  As even the Egyptian government found out many years after 
the Camp David Accords:
 
THE STATE OF 'ISRAEL' WANTS TO BECOME THE REGIONAL SUPERPOWER  
POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY, NOT JUST MILITARILY.  IT ALSO SEEKS TO 
CHANGE THE ESSENTIAL CULTURAL IDENTITY OF THE REGION FROM ARAB AND  
ISLAMIC TO ZIONIST, WESTERN, OR A CONTRIVED 'MIDDLEEASTERN'... 
TO ACCOMPLISH THAT IT NEEDS TO DESTROY EVEN THE STATES THAT HAVE BEEN 
CREATED BY THE SYCKES-PICOT AGREEMENT, AND THAT HAVE ALWAYS GONE ALONG 
WITH WHATEVER THE COLONIAL MASTERS HAVE ASKED IN THE PAST. 
'ISRAEL' NOT ONLY SEEKS TO DENY THOSE STATES A POLITICAL ROLE IN THE 
REGION, BUT SEEKS TO FRAGMENT THEM INTO LITTLE PIECES AND DROWN THEM IN 
THE HELLFIRES OF CIVIL WARS, TO EVENTUALLY BECOME THE FINAL ARBITRATOR 
OF INTERNAL DISPUTES BETWEEN THE COPTS AND MUSLIMS IN EYGPT, THE BERBERS 
AND THE ARABS IN NORTH AFRICA, THE ARABS AND NONARABS IN SUDAN, ETC..  
THUS "ISRAEL" AND PEACE ARE NECESSARILY LIKE WATER AND OIL.
 
One final note about history: Many of the Jews that claim they are 
descendants of the Hebrews that passed once upon a time through 
Palestine, are actually from the nation of the Khazar, which is 
ethnically not even semitic, and which lived until recently in the 
southern part of the former Soviet Union. 
 
When their king converted to Judaism sometime in the Eighth century, 
according to a book by Arthur Koestler titled 'The Thirteenth Tribe', 
they all became Jewish.  In fact, they became the Western  Jews that now 
control  'Israeli' politics, media, economy, and army... not to mention 
the American media and political system.   And now they're making a play 
for becoming the spokespersons of the oppressed Palestinians!!
 
There's a famous saying for Ben Gurion about how he doesn't want the 
eastern  Jews, to make "Israel" easternized (read 'backward'), but how 
they, the easterners, should become westernized...Yet most of the Jews 
in "Israel" are eastern, and most of those are Arabs who came from 
amongst us in Morocco, Yemen, and Iraq, and should be allowed by the 
respective Arab governments to go back there in peace to live in total 
security.
The point is that MER would do better by exposing the historical lie of 
Zionism to the world and the Jews, as well as the impossibility of a 
peaceful "Israel", and to advise western Jews to go back to their 
ancestoral home in the former U.S.S.R, or their political home in 
U.S.A., if they can't stand being oppressors that the indigenous 
Palestinians have a legitimate right to resist by all available means.     
       ########################################################
 Salam on the soul of Princess Diana who was killed for daring to love 
an Arab man, may she rest in peace.. And may we Arabs learn from her how 
to love ourselves and cooperate with each other.
                                                                      
              Hanzallah - the conscience of the Palestinian people
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2) Trouble in ADC? 
[The Free Arab Voice obtained, from an good samaritan,  the following 
correspondence concerning democratizing the election process in ADC, 
which we republish below without any comment or modification for the 
benefit of all concerned.]
        " TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
The Executive Board members of the New Orleans Chapter of ADC has asked 
me to pass on, on their behalf, the following expression of their 
decision, concern, and apprehension regarding the national elections:
Jointly, the New Orleans Executive Board will abstain from voting in 
this election.
  
On the face of it, the voting materials mailed out by the Secretary of 
the National Board to constituent chapters suggest that the list of 
recommended "candidates" reflects an attempt to prop up a self-appointed 
leadership.
Our belief is that the nominating process is not democratic and 
therefore is in need of serious reform.  The materials mailed out, in 
fact, suggest that there, indeed, was no original nominating committee 
to select names of worthy candidates; for if there had been one in the 
first place, the Secretary's letter not only would have reflected that 
fact, but would also have listed the names of the nominating committee.
  
One unavoidable implication of this prima facie fact, though perhaps 
untrue, is that the ghost nominating committee was perhaps made up in 
whole or in part by the very candidates whose names now appear before 
us.
Moreover, although constituent chapters have been sent a paragraph of 
information on each "candidate," the pieces of information on each of 
the six candidates contain no philosophical, nor socio-political, 
position statement from the candidates.  Therefore, the constituent 
chapters have no systemic way in which to evaluate these so-called 
"candidates."
While the Executive Board of the New Orleans Chapter can not speak for 
dues-paying members and executive boards of all of the constituent 
chapters across the land, we sincerely hope that the Central 
Administration of the National ADC Office will reconsider the 
"nominating process" that has already taken place and will initiate and 
enforce means for achieving a more democractic process in the future.
Mackie Blanton
President, ADC Chapter, New Orleans, LA"
Dr. Maksoud's Response:
"Dear Mr. Blanton,
First, let me emphasize that we have worked very hard over the last year 
to enact new by-laws to democratize the process of leadership. The 
relevant sections of the amended by-laws were published in the ADC Times 
and discussed during the business meeting which was held during the 
convention. The business meeting in itself being a first as this was a 
new requirement of the by-laws.
The process has not been invented by ADC. It is standard for non-profit 
organizations with largememberships. It requires that the Board of 
Directors appoints a nominating committee headed by the Secretary of the 
Board to seek nominations according to guidelines developed by the 
board,and then come back to the Board with suggested nominations that 
the whole board will have to approve. The nominating committee this time 
as appointed by the Board, consisted of Safa Rifka, the Secretary, 
Talaat Othman a highly respected Arab-American residing in Chicago, Naim 
Ayoub a board member, and Clovis Maksoud. 
As you know none of these people are up for election or were nominated. 
Board minutes exist and can be requested by members and non-members 
alike to check the process.The instructions given to the nominating 
committee by the Board were to take into consideration geographic 
diversity in the United States, talent diversity and national origin 
diversity to try and be inclusive of all the different sub-communities 
within our community and to give us presence in areas where we do not 
have any.
There are four seats available on the board. Only two of the people now 
serving whose time are up are rerunning. The others are new. They will 
be elected for three years. Next year there will be elections for four 
more seats, etc. so that we have staggering and thus ensure continuity. 
The whole process as I said above is in total accordance with the rules 
of most non-profit membership organizations.
The nominating process was explained in at least two articles in the ADC 
Times and again in the Business meeting and was discussed at length by 
the members and suggestions for change were factored in. For the last 
seventeen years, board members were appointed by the chair. 
This is the first attempt at democratizing the process. And, I must say 
we have been overwhelmed by the positive response. Yours is the only 
negative one we have received.
To be critical of the process and to suggest improvements for the future 
as this is our first attempt is most welcome. We, in fact, need this 
kind of input. But, inuendos as to the integrity of the process I must 
say are destructive and not conducive to  the positive dialogue we need 
to initiate to improve the process.
Mr. Blanton,
As you know participating in the elections is an individual 
responsibility.  If you or other members of the chapter chose not to 
because you object to the process, this is your right. It is not 
however, a chapter decision. 
From the response we are getting, our members are truly excited to 
participate in this first time election. Many have made recommendations 
for improving the process, any such suggestions you have or questions 
you would want to raise will be most appreciated, but to threaten a 
boycott and challenge integrity is not the healthy way to go about it.
Thank you
Hala Maksoud"
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3) Action Alert: For October, the Free Arab Voice endorses the call for:
     a) A Protest against New Sanctions on Iraq
     b) A March on October 23-25 in Washington to end American aid to          
"Israel"
     c) A Second round of Teach-ins for Iraq
a) 'On June 21 the UN Security Council imposed two new harsh conditions 
on Iraq.  First, they suspended the meetings which used to be held to 
review the sanctions every 60 days - thus threatening Iraq with 
permanent sanctions.  Second, they voted to impose new diplomatic 
sanctions against Iraq beginning on OCTOBER 11 if the weapons inspection 
team does not deliver a "satisfactory" report by that date.
All of this is very dangerous for the whole Arab world, but is not 
receiving any coverage up to now.  
Meanwhile October 11 looms, and countries could be put in new danger if 
they simply dialogue with Iraq.  I urge all readers to contact the 
Foreign Minister of your country and contact the U.S. Ambassador to the 
U.N., Bill Richardson, to demand that no new sanctions be imposed on 
Iraq and that the existing sanctions be immediately lifted.
Please contact the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Bill Richardson: 
          phone 212-415-4404    fax 212-415-4443.
Tell him you object to any new sanctions being imposed on Iraq, and 
demand that all the existing sanctions be lifted.
Sincerely,
Eleanor (Noor) Grant
Iraq Action Network - Canada
http://www.web.net/~gccwat/iraq
        _______________________________________________________
b)' Dear Friends,
The March on October 23-25 in Washington "END AID TO ISRAEL" should help 
the cause of Justice, fairness and truth. we need from you to call all 
your friends and tell them about it. We need to dare to speak out and 
stand with the moral and legal principles of the USA and the 
international community.
Try all your best to urge all your friends.
Here again is the ad that was put on San Francisco Examiner, Sunday 
September 14th 1997
From San Francisco Examiner, Sunday, September 14, 1997 page A-10
25 MILLION AMERlCANS want the United States to END AID TO ISRAEL 
Did you know that aid to Israel costs you -the Amencan taxpayer- $14 
MILLION A DAY
Think about it! $14 MILLION A DAY to a nation that routinely violates 
the moral and legal principles of the U.S.and our Constitution by taking 
land away from Arabs, demolishing their homes, building illegal 
settlements, putting people in prison without trial and practicing 
torture even on Americans! 
Is this how you want your tax money spent? 
If the answer is "NO" you can add your voice to the 25 MILLION AMERICANS 
who want to stop this reckless spending.
Join the Council for the National Interest 1511 K St NW, Washington, DC 
20005
E mail: count@igc.apc.org
Website: http://cni.mynet.net
For more information call 1-800-296-6958'
c) Join the Second International Educational Campaign to:
    LET THE CHILDREN LIVE
    END THE BLOCKADE ON THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ
    A Campaign to hold action in 100 cities worldwide October 17 to 
November 7, 1997
Dear Friends,
Last June, an International Educational Campaign to End the Blockade on 
the People of Iraq was organized.  In more than 16 countries, and in 
almost 100 cities, people organized actions in protest of the continuing 
siege on Iraq.  Teach-Ins were held, petitions were signed, and letters 
were written.  The power of this Campaign was that that actions were 
held simultaneously -- worldwide!
The silence needs to be broken again.  The Iraqi people are still under 
siege.  More than one million Iraqis have died since the start of the 
blockade 7 years ago. (Some figures have stated that almost 2 million 
lives have been taken.)  A powerful international response is still 
needed, before the next vote of the UN Security Council.  Your support 
and activism are critical for the success of this project.
Therefore, another educational campaign is being organized.  Educational 
events, vigils and meetings will be held worldwide.  The actions will 
-once again - culminate in mass phone-calls and faxes to the UN Security 
Council.  With one voice, in many languages, we will demand of the US 
government and the Security Council to End the Blockade on the people of 
Iraq NOW!
Please contact us and let us know that you will sponsor a local action 
and begin organizing and publicizing the event.  We will help to put 
organizations and groups in touch with each other and publicize all the 
event to the media.
In solidarity with Iraqi Children,
Rania Masri
Iraq Action Coalition & ADC-Iraqi Task Force
E-mail: IAC@leb.net
Fax: 1-919 846-7422
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FAV Editor: Ibrahim Alloush Editor@freearabvoice.org
Co-editors: Nabila Harb Harb@freearabvoice.org
  Muhammad Abu Nasr Nasr@freearabvoice.org
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