April 1996, pgs. 56-64

Arab American Activism

Arab-American Leaders Speak Out on Terrorism Summit

Arab-American leaders said they were concerned that a double standard was applied during the March 13 terrorism summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt and that terrorism was being seen as only committed by Arabs. The Council of Presidents of National Arab-American Organizations said in a statement released the day of the summit that leaders there "may overlook the root causes of violence in the Middle East and Israel's persistent violations of human rights and international law."

While the council supported the gathering of nations to address the problems of terrorism and condemns all forms of terrorism, the statement said the United States and the West are too quick to forgive terrorist acts committed by Israel. President Taleb Salhab of the Palestine Aid Society said that Yigal Amir, the Israeli who assassinated the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, is the "ultimate terrorist" but, unlike Palestinians accused of terrorism, he received a fair trial. "His family's house was not blown up, he was given due process," Salhab said. "Baruch Goldstein, who massacred dozens of Palestinians praying in a mosque, has a memorial in Kiryat Arba," he added. "This is a disgrace."

The council urged the U.S. administration to apply its commitment to combat terrorism "across the board" and noted: "the Israeli terrorists suspected in the assassination of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee's late regional director Alex Odeh have yet to be brought to justice."

The council also urged summit leaders to ensure that remedies devised to combat terrorism conform to the requirements of international and humanitarian law. It pointed to the massive arrests without due process and the destruction of homes following the terrorist bombings in Jerusalem as examples of violations. "These actions by the Israeli government cannot be ignored at this summit if indeed the participants genuinely want to achieve the stated objectives," the statement said. 

NAAA Hosts Palestinian Scholar

The National Association of Arab Americans hosted Dr. Manuel Hassassian during a Feb. 21 breakfast briefing in Washington, DC entitled "The Political Situation in Palestine: Post-Election Challenges." Dr. Hassassian, who is an associate professor and dean of the faculty of arts at Bethlehem University, offered a first-hand account of the recent Palestinian elections as well as an analysis of their impact on the future of Palestine.

Dr. Hassassian organized his presentation around the central theme that "prospects for the development of civil society in Palestine are optimistic." He did not discount the impediments to democratization in Gaza and the West Bank, but focused instead on the positive aspects illustrated by the recent elections. He argued that "the Arab world does not need another dictatorship," adding that Palestinians would not tolerate one in Palestine after suffering under Israeli occupation.

Hassassian also focused on Israel's demand that Yasser Arafat and the PLO Executive Committee amend the PLO Charter to omit references to the destruction of Israel. The Bethlehem political scientist argued that the charter should be viewed as an historical document reflective of the time it was written. He supported Palestine National Authority President Arafat's suggestion that a new charter should be written to replace the original rather than deleting items that Israel finds offensive.

Lowey, ADL Attack Palestinian-American Group

Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) has asked the Internal Revenue Service to revoke the tax-exempt status of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, a non-profit Palestinian-American organization headquartered in Dallas, Texas. She claims the group is using funds it raises in the United States to support Hamas terrorist activity. "No organization that contributes to terrorism deserves to be subsidized by the United States government," Lowey wrote in a March 8 letter to IRS commissioner Margaret Richardson.

Lowey's letter coincided with a campaign against pro-Palestinian groups by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The ADL, a Jewish group, charged both the Holy Land Foundation and the Islamic Association for Palestine with supporting terrorism in the Middle East.

Holy Land Foundation spokesman Ghassan Elashi denied the accusations against his group. "They are using the recent bombings in Israel as an opportunity to harass us," he said. "We are not a political organization, we are strictly charitable. But the people we help are victims of Israeli oppression, deportation and the closing of territories, so we can't get away from that political aspect."

Elashi said the foundation sometimes helps the widows and orphans of Hamas members who have been killed, but this is far from sponsoring terrorist activity. "We don't deny help to a child because his father was a Hamas member," he said. "If people are suffering, you have to help them."

Elashi said his group has raised $2.5 million for relief efforts that have included projects in Bosnia and help for victims of the Oklahoma City bombing. The foundation also supports a hospital in Gaza, as well as schools in East Jerusalem and Hebron.

In 1992 the foundation raised money to help 410 Palestinians whom Israeli officials had expelled from the occupied territories and sent to southern Lebanon without food or shelter. The Israeli government described the expellees as suspected Hamas terrorists, but the United Nations later declared the deportations illegal because the Palestinians never stood trial. The U.N. ordered Israel to return the deportees and since then none have been convicted or even brought to trial. These expellees also received humanitarian aid from the Red Cross, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and several Lebanese human rights groups.

Lowey points to such funding as evidence that the foundation is helping a terrorist group. "If you're raising money for Hamas activists, you're raising money for Hamas," Lowey said.

Holy Land Foundation Executive Director Shukri Baker called Lowey's accusations against his group a "gross mistake." He added that the ADL attacks are designed to divert attention from Israel's harsh crackdown after the terrorist bombings. "They are covering up for the Israeli atrocities in the West Bank and Gaza, where Israel is in serious violation of human rights and United Nation's resolutions," Baker said. "Collective punishment administered by Israel has already caused wide-spread hunger in the occupied territories."

Baker said the Holy Land Foundation is consulting attorneys concerning possible legal action against the ADL. He also initiated a meeting with the Dallas FBI office to discuss the accusations against the foundation.

—Geoff Lumetta

NAAA Cautions Against Use of Collective Punishment

While condemning the wave of bombings against civilians in Israel, the National Association of Arab Americans cautioned against repressive measures being carried out against Palestinians by the Israeli government.

NAAA President Khalil Jahshan said the NAAA acknowledges Israel's right to take "whatever measures it deems necessary within its boundaries and its jurisdiction to protect the security of its citizens." He stressed, however, that Israel is bound by international law and by agreements with its neighbors to "not exceed universally recognized international norms in seeking to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for terrorist acts."

Jahshan noted that NAAA is "seriously concerned" about Israel's closure of the West Bank and Gaza and its use of collective punishment against Palestinians. He added that a vast majority of Palestinians disapprove of the bombings and other terrorist acts. Collective measures only devastate the Palestinian economy and impoverish families. "They have not succeeded in the past and will not succeed today or in the future," he said.

"The ultimate security for the state of Israel lies in its pursuit of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace with its neighbors that is supported by the widest cross section of Arab and Israeli public opinion," Jahshan said in a written statement released March 6. "It is not in Israel's best interest to weaken President Yasser Arafat as a partner in the peace processŠby collectively punishing innocent civilians for crimes committed by a small minority of Palestinians.

"In doing so, Israel would play into the hands of the perpetrators of bombings of Jerusalem, Ashkelon and Tel Aviv," he concluded.

—Geoff Lumetta

ADC to Hold 13th Annual Convention April 18-21

Panelists will discuss topics ranging from media coverage of Arabs to civil rights challenges and the peace process during the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee's annual convention April 18-21 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA. The theme of this year's convention is "From Oklahoma to Jerusalem: The Struggle Continues."

In addition to panel discussions, the convention will feature a lobby day on Capitol Hill, an awards banquet, a showcase of young Arab-American talent and social activities. For information on how to register for the convention call Ruba Moghrabi at (202)244-2990.

—Geoff Lumetta

Kuwaiti Emir Meets With Arab-American Leaders

Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, emir of Kuwait, met with Arab-American leaders Feb. 29 to promote relations between Arab Americans and Kuwait. Chairman Hamzi K. Moghrabi of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee said the emir's visit shows the increased importance of the Arab-American community in the United States. "The emir demonstrated vision and leadership by reaching out to the Arab-American community," Moghrabi said. "In doing so, he has recognized the potential and importance of Arab Americans in the U.S. socio-political scene."

During the meeting, the emir said Arab-American organizations can play a crucial role in sculpting U.S. policies toward the Middle East. He warned, however, that these organizations should limit their influence to the United States and not interfere with the internal politics of the Arab world.

Moghrabi agreed with the emir, but added that Arab Americans will continue to have a strong interest in the affairs of the Arab world because they maintain strong cultural ties with their countries of origin. He suggested that Arab leaders reach out more to Arab-Americans to "build bridges" between the two communities.

—Geoff Lumetta

Six Syrian Artists Meet Arab-American Counterparts at UCLA

"I feel as if I'm on another planet," said Syrian poet and short story writer Colette Bahna. "Americans don't seem to know much about Arabs."

"But, the freedom of expression here is quite exciting," rejoined writer/novelist Ali Abdullah Said.

Bahna and Said, along with Akram Al-Khatib (poet, publisher), Wadhha Al-Seid (visual artist), Mustafa Ali (sculptor), and Nazem Mhana (short story writer) made up a group of six Syrian artists sponsored by the U.S. Information Agency on visits to American universities and cultural institutions. In their cross-country journey, the six are meeting with academics, students and noted American and Arab-American artists.

Accompanied by two State Department simultaneous interpreters, the team of artists met UCLA's Egyptian-American anthropologist Dr. Fadwa E1 Guindi, Assistant Director Susan Sims of the Near East Center at UCLA, and Dr. Michael Cooperson, UCLA professor of Middle Eastern Languages, and many others in a seminar and a reception at UCLA on Feb. 8.

Poet and publisher Akram explained, "The purpose of this project is to dialogue with American students and academics to break the artificial barriers between people."

El Guindi opened the meeting by describing Al-Funun Al-Arabiyyaa non-profit organization which she founded as a showcase for Arab arts in Southern California. Al-Funun's purpose is to develop uniquely Arab-American artistic programs and projects.

"For too many Arab-Americans," she said, "our art is something that is over there. If we don't show now, in America, that we have a heritage, our children will grow up without knowledge of our culture and our arts. If we let our arts die, we will be a community without a soul.

"I can envision an entirely new genre that combines the richness and spiritual evolution of our Arab art forms, with the freshness and experimental spirit of America."

"Ghurba," which El Guindi calls "the first Arab-American play, ever," was presented at the Los Angeles Festival in 1992. It sold out with standing-room-only audiences every night. Al-Funun now is working on its fourth play, a comedy-drama about inter-generational tensions in an Arab-American household.

According to El Guindi, Al-Funun has begun to establish the Arab-American arts with mainstream America.

"We have managed to carve a competitive niche," she said. "We have been successful in competition with other communities for arts funding. We now are being recognized by major institutions and government agencies, and are routinely invited to participate in prestigious arts events."

Sculptor Ali questioned whether Arab artistic identity is being "universalized" in a world shrunken by mass communications. A graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts in Damascus and of the Accademia del Belli Arti in Carrara, Italy, Ali has exhibited his sculptures in five countries.

"There are subtle political pressures," affirmed El Guindi. "Los Angeles, as a city, is a melting pot society. It functions on the basis of ethnic groups. You have to prove that you are 'ethnic' to get funding." She added that this has been particularly the case since the 1989 riots in Los Angeles.

Arab-American visual artist Hanan Moghrabi added, "My experiences as an Arab woman impact my work in America, creating something that is reflective of me as a product of both cultures."

Nevertheless, despite the emergence of strong ethnic communities, E1 Guindi still sees problems. As an example, she told of the harassment of the Arab-American community following the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City. The community responded with "Aragoz," a show that mixed traditional Egyptian street puppetry with hakawati storytelling. Aragoz, the puppet, is unfairly accused of terrorism in a mythical country. The puppet show, which was featured at a children's fair sponsored by the Los Angeles County Cultural Affairs Department, taught American children some interesting facts about Arab cultures. It also illustrated the cruelty and shortsightedness of racial stereotyping.

UCLA staff member Susan Sims said, "Every time there is a terrorist act anywhere in the world, the press floods the Near East Center with phone calls, asking for our reaction. The American view of Arabs is still so one-sided."

—Kari Sprowl

NAAA President Says Israel Behind Continued Lebanon Travel Ban

After the latest round of Senate hearings to decide whether the ban on travel into Lebanon should remain in effect, and in response to a resolution introduced by Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-MI), Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL), Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Sen. Paul Simon (D-IL) asking for a partial lifting of the ban, the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs adjourned on Feb. 27, without taking action. Legislators had heard speakers on both sides of the issue, but it was clear the administration of President Bill Clinton remained unconvinced. It extended for another six months the ban which has been in effect for the past 10 years.

In addition to the above-mentioned four senators who were the initial sponsors of the resolution for a partial lifting of the ban, the list now has expanded to include Senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), James Jeffords (R-VT), Dale Bumpers (D-AR), Carl Levin (D-MI), Dirk Kempthorne (R-ID), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Mark Hatfield (R-OR), Trent Lott (R-MS), Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), John Kerry (D-MA), and Russell Feingold (D-WI).

President Khalil Jahshan of the National Association of Arab Americans linked the continuation of the travel ban to the administration's desire to have Lebanon join the peace talks with Israel. "The travel ban," he said, "was left in place as a means of inducing Lebanon to conclude a peace agreement with Israel." Continuing such a policy, he said, would be "misguided."

Sen. Hank Brown (R-CO), who presided over the proceedings, was joined by Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Jesse Helms (R-NC), and Claiborne Pell (R-SC), all of whom are considered supportive of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). In fact, Brown, Feinstein and Pell are major recipients of campaign funds from the network of deceptively named pro-Israel political action committees created and guided by AIPAC.

Washington insiders maintain that in addition to using the travel ban to pressure the Lebanese government to reach an agreement with Israel, the Clinton administration is particularly sensitive to the possibility of a hostage crisis arising in an election year. The images of American hostages still are particularly vivid in the mind of Secretary of State Warren Christopher. He was the chief negotiator for the release of the 52 Americans held for 444 days in Iran throughout the 1980 election campaign.

Senator Feinstein, a subcommittee member who appeared to be a supporter of Israel's desire to punish Lebanon for not making an earlier peace, strongly opposed lifting the ban, raising the issue of possible actions specifically directed at American citizens. However, she also submitted a letter from one of her constituents urging a lifting of the ban, or at least downgrading it to a travel advisory.

Arguing passionately for downgrading the ban to an "advisory" were Senators Bob Graham (D-FL) and Spencer Abraham (R-MI), and Representatives Nick Rahall (D-WV), Martin Hoke (R-OH) and Ray LaHood (R-IL). Abraham, Rahall and Lahood all are of Arab-American descent. They made two basic arguments: The reconstruction of Lebanon could provide jobs and huge revenues for American consultants and corporations, and Lebanese-Americans wish to remain in touch with their families and their roots.

Opposing lifting or downgrading the ban were Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Robert Pelletreau and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Near East and South Asian Affairs Bruce O. Riedel. Their argument was the fear of terrorist activity aimed particularly at Americans. While admitting that the situation in Lebanon has vastly improved, they said lifting of the ban is premature because information is available that terrorist groups harboring special hostility toward American citizens still are operating in Lebanon.

Countering this argument, Chairman Peter Tannous of the American Task Force for Lebanon said that such hostility, according to U.S. intelligence operatives, is more in words than in deed. He pointed out that if Americans were restricted from travel to all countries where anti-American rhetoric is prevalent, then there would be very few places in the world that an American could visit. Representative LaHood elaborated on this point. He said he neither saw nor was a target of any anti-American group during a recent trip to Lebanon.

Among other speakers arguing the case for downgrading the ban to an advisory was radio personality Casey Kasem. He pointed out that while Americans are banned from travel to Lebanon they are only "advised" against travel to such hot spots as Rwanda, Liberia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, where dangers do exist for Americans. Personalizing his plea, Mr. Kasem argued that the streets of Los Angeles, where he lives, are not as safe as the streets of Beirut.

—Lama Habal