Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, August 2009, pages 5-6

Letters to the Editor

Actions, Not Words

"Actions, not words, define who one is.”—Aristotle.

Obama’s speech was like all quality political speeches; it gave both sides (everyone?) something in which to find support.

Historically, and probably with Obama (or any American president), the Palestinians will as a practical matter be “tributaries” to the Israelis and Americans.

May actions prove me wrong!

Dennis Hanna, via e-mail

For other views on President Obama’s historic June 4 speech in Cairo, see p. 24.

A Generous Offer

How long have we heard that Israel has made generous offers to the Palestinians to resolve the long-standing conflict, but that they have no “partner for peace.” This version is repeated by our government, supposedly the honest broker. Perhaps this story can best be told allegorically.

A police officer interrupts an armed holdup underway. The holdup man (Israel) says: “Officer, there is no need for the police to intervene here. I offered this man (the Palestinians) a choice—your money or your life. I am waiting for his response.”

Henry Clifford, Wainscott, NY

Voting for War

Could you e-mail me or include in your next issue who in Congress voted to fund the wars in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan so I will not vote for them at the next election?

Corinne Mudarri, via e-mail

See the second paragraph of the box on p. 29 for the names of the 32 House Democrats who voted against the final war funding June 16. In addition, reports our congressional correspondent Shirl McArthur, Democratic Reps. Shelley Berkley (NV), Patrick Kennedy (RI) and John Lewis (GA) did not vote. All other House Democrats voted yes.

Among the Republicans, only Reps. Anh Cao (LA), Peter King (NY), Mark Kirk (IL)—the top House recipient of pro-Israel PAC contributions in 2008, and a likely Senate candidate in 2010—John McHugh (NY), and Candice Miller (MI) voted to support the funding bill. Reps. Rodney Alexander (LA), John Sullivan (OK), and Bill Young (FL) did not vote. All other House Republicans voted against the bill (in large part because they opposed the IMF loan).

In the Senate, the vote was 91-5. Those voting no were Sens. Tom Coburn (R-OK), Jim DeMint (R-SC), Michael Enzi (R-WY), Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Not voting were Sens. Robert Byrd (D-WV), John Ensign (R-NV) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA). All other senators voted in favor of the bill.

Censorship at Amazon.com

I write to ask whether Amazon.com’s attempt to censor the book Judaism Discovered byMichael A. Hoffman II has come to your attention. When the book was first published in 2008, Amazon was “warned off” by a rabbi. After protests, the book was listed, but marked “out of print,”in spite of the numerous copies the author is offering for sale.

The Amazon site does contain many favorable reviews, now, however.

Fredericka H. Smith, Queensland, Australia

We looked up the book (the complete title of which is Judaism Discovered: A Study of the Anti-Biblical Religion of Racism, Self-Worship, Superstition and Deceit), and note that Amazon does not sell the book itself, but directs would-be purchasers to private vendors who offer the book for $272.68 or the bargain price of $69.99. Clicking on the more expensive version, we found many positive reader reviews, as you note. Before one gets to the reviews, however, under the section titled “Suggested Tags from Similar Products” the options include “anti-semitism,” “hateful divisive political rhetoric” and “paranoia.” Scrolling down to the “Customer Discussions” section, we found much interesting reading in the October 2008 discussion on “Censorship of Hoffman’s masterpiece Judaism Discovered by Amazon.”

By the way, we recall that when President Jimmy Carter’s book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, was published, it was only after a concerted campaign that Amazon agreed to run any review other than the hatchet job that appeared in The Washington Post. (This appears to have since been replaced by a surprisingly respectful interview of the former president, whose recent speech in Gaza is reprinted on p. 17 of this issue.)

Finally, we highly recommend the late Israel Shahak’s classic Jewish History, Jewish Religion: The Weight of Three Thousand Years (available, of course, from the AETBook Club).

Books to Gaza?

I wish you weren’t doing this [collecting new and used books to replace libraries destroyed in the war on Gaza in Dec. 2008-Jan. 2009, as announced in our June 26 action alert]. Books......what is behind this? First, do they speak and read English? Second, can you concentrate when you are hungry or ill? This situation is too hideous to contemplate from here......we should be trying to end the Israeli “state” as a terrible fraud....as squatters, in beautiful Palestine. It’s too ugly to bear.

M.L. Boysen, via e-mail

Please be assured that we are not doing this instead of working to end Israel’s inhuman and illegal occupation of Palestine. We strongly believe that an educated people such as the Palestinians should not be deprived of knowledge and intellectual stimulation. Even the youngest among them are nourished by books (see report by Jane Adas on p. 15).

Speaking of education, thanks to an inspired donor we’ve also sent a package of books—Let Me Stand Alone, the journals of Rachel Corrie; Guilt by Association, by Jeff Gates; and Israel’s Vicious Circle by Uri Avnery—to every member of Congress and of the Obama cabinet, as well as to every U.S. governor, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. A sampling of responses follows.

From the Corrie Family

I have let Craig, Sarah, and our son, Chris, know about the amazing donation of Rachel’s book and those by Jeff Gates and Uri Avnery to this large list of public officials. It is absolutely thrilling to us to have Rachel’s writing included in this effort, and particularly heartwarming because of our continuing work with U.S. officials for accountability and for a more constructive U.S. policy in the Middle East. 

Thank you to all at the Washington Report who spent time preparing the book packages for shipment. Your sustained interest and the support you have provided these past six years have contributed significantly to awareness of Rachel’s story and meant a great deal to our family personally.

Craig and I met Senator Obama during the summer of 2007 when he was campaigning in Iowa. Craig was able to ask him a question about placement of walls and fences (a subject that from our own Iowa backgrounds, we know resonates with Iowans). He was able to slip in, too, that our daughter had been killed trying to prevent a home demolition in Gaza. Obama knew the story. Your kind words remind me of my own conviction that the work we do is cumulative and that the smallest steps we each take for a just peace in Palestine/Israel and for universal human rights everywhere are necessary, significant, and eventually add up to change.

Cindy Corrie, via e-mail

Members of Congress Respond

This is just a brief note to thank you for sending me copies of the three books. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your work in promoting peace in the Middle East.

Thank you, again. Please let me know if I may be of assistance in the future.

Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV)

Thank you very much for the three books. I look forward to reading them all and will be well educated upon their completion. Again, thank you so much for sharing these great books with me.

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)

Thank you for sending me copies of the books. They will be useful to me and my staff for making foreign affairs policy.

Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC)

Thank you for the books; I intend to read them as soon as I get a chance. I currently have them displayed on a shelf in my office. Thank you again for your thoughtful gift.

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA)

Thank you for sending me copies of the books. I appreciate your kindness.

Reading is one of my favorite things to do. I look forward to learning more about this important issue and welcome your addition to my library.

Sen. Michael B. Enzi (R-WY)

On behalf of the Office of Sen. Mitch McConnell [R-KY], I write in response to your recent package.

Unfortunately, recently revised ethics policies prohibit the office from accepting such gifts. Although the office is unable to accept the books, I hope you will accept Senator McConnell’s appreciation for your thoughtfulness and our office’s gratitude for bringing the publication to our attention.

Lee Smith, Office Coordinator

Thank you very much for the books you recently sent to my office. I certainly appreciate your thoughfulness. As you may know, I have adopted the Wisconsin state code of ethics for my office both in Wisconsin and Washington, DC, which prohibits members of the legislature and their staffs from accepting any gifts because of their public positions. Therefore, neither I nor my staff can personally accept any gifts that are extended as a result of my position in the U.S. Senate.

To comply with the above policies, I must return your gift. I hope you understand. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness.

Sen. Russell D. Feingold (D-WI)

We’re not quite sure what distinguishes a gift from relevant information, but we’d be happy to send a bill to Sens. McConnell and Feingold if that would help!

Kudos

I have been a subscriber to the Washington Report for a few years and just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy the publication. Your staff does an outstanding job of telling both sides of what is happening in the Middle East. I especially like the monthly piece by Rachelle Marshall. I cannot wait to read her views each month and am always pleased by the quality, insight and humanity of her work. In addition, your magazine certainly publishes some of the best and most moving photographs to support the stories. I am glad to be a subscriber.

D. Allen, via e-mail

You’ve just made our summer!

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