October 1990, Page 4, 82, 83

Letters To (and From) The Editor

Pass It On

I began receiving the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs by way of a gift subscription from a stranger who happened to read one of my letters to the editor in the St. Petersburg (FL) Times. He is a Palestinian, and he seemed to appreciate my understanding and perspective on the situation in Israel and the occupied territories. I write regularly on the issue and am very surprised at the number of supportive phone calls I get from people who read the published letters. (Many are not published, especially the one criticizing Israeli policy.) I am so very grateful to receive the Washington Report for the other side of the story on many issues and commend you for your fine publications.

-Louis Claudio, Largo, FL

Tell It Like It Is

I believe that you need to correct your usage of the word "refugee" in some of the articles and ads in your publication.

Webster's Dictionary defines refugee as "one who flees, or has fled, to a foreign country to escape danger and persecution in their native land and country." Palestinians in America, Jordan or other countries can be called refugees because they have escaped the dangers of their native land. This word, however, cannot be applied to Palestinians still in Israel.

Webster's Dictionary defines another word, concentration camp, as "a camp where persons (prisoners of war or political prisoners) are detained or confined."

The camps on the West Bank and Gaza were refugee camps until 1967, because they contained Palestinians who had escaped from the 1948 Israeli invasion of their country. However, when the West Bank and Gaza were occupied in 1967, the people were put back under detention and confinement in the camps.

The moment the West Bank and Gaza became occupied by Israel, in 1967, the camps became "concentration camps," not "refugee camps," because the people became political prisoners under the same government from which they had earlier escaped.

Let's compare: Before World War II many Jews escaped from Germany, their native land, to places like Holland. They then became Jewish refugees in Holland. However, at a later date the German army took Holland, and it became occupied territory.

The Jews, and others, were put into camps. No one ever called these camps "refugee camps" because the people were once "refugees." They were rightly called "concentration camps."

Just as surely as Jewish men, women and children were in German concentration camps in World War II, the Palestinian men, women and children are in Israeli concentration camps today.

It is time to tell it like it is. For example: on page 29 of your June 1990 issue, the ANERA ad should read "Her life in a Gaza concentration camp [not refugee camp] is full of stress." On page 35, paragraph 4 should read, "Born on January 24, 1973 in the Rafah concentration camp [not refugee camp] near the Egyptian border."

Words can change nations just like guns. When the Jews use the words "concentration camp" to tell of their past history, they do so correctly. It is also a word with the impact of a cannon. Palestinians should use the same word when speaking of their present condition.

The world will never hear the truth unless those of us who have some care for human decency tell the truth in the strongest words possible.

-Walter Wagner, Slater, SC

Watch Your Language

I am an avid reader of your publication, the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, and I believe it is a moderate, honest and outspoken magazine.

On July 15, a three-page special section entitled, "Turmult in the Mideast," appeared in the Arizona Republic. In the section were 27 column inches written by Rabbi Robert L. Kravitz of Phoenix, expounding the selling points of Israel. I wrote a letter to the editor, but heard nothing, so I sent a second letter, no reply. I wrote a letter to the publisher, Mr. John P. Zanotti, also containing a third copy of my letter to the editors. I mailed it certified mail, yet I have heard nothing. On this particular issue, they choose to remain mute.

-Derek Miller, Glendale, AZ

We looked over your letter to see why, since it was fairly short, the Arizona Republic did not respond. It may be that they just had too many letters on the subject. It certainly happens to us. More likely, however, your letter was not published because in one place you refer to "Jews," when you surely meant "Israelis" or the "Likud." In another place you questioned Rabbi Kravitz's motives instead of his facts. We've deleted these comments and printed a slightly edited version of your letter in Other People's Mail. We believe that the Arizona Republic would accept such a hard-hitting but accurate statement of the facts, as long as your terminology does not offend. It's too late for this story, but try it with the next one.

You Blew It

Remember the ostensible Washington Report editorial theme of peace in the Middle East? Well, you blew it on the July/August Publishers' Page.

Warning that "war could break out tomorrow," you wrote: "If an Iraqi radar operator concludes that fighter planes taking off from an Israeli military airfield may be planning a 'pre-emptive strike' on his country, Saddam Hussein will probably press the button that sends Iraqi rockets on their way to Israel. Who wouldn't?"

Well, I, for one, wouldn't. No more than I'd ever consider buying a subscription to the Washington Report. There already are enough Jew-baiting, Congress-bashing propagandists in the world without encouraging perpetuation of your thinly veiled peace-subverting campaign.

-Richard P. Wilson, Mobile, AL

Our very next sentence said: "If an Israeli spy, electronic eavesdropper, or satellite photo interpreter concludes the Iraqi strongman is about to push the button, Israel may draw on its nuclear or chemical arsenal to strike first, as it did in 1967."

We're not sure why you say our warning that the Middle East is perched on the edge of a horrible war that could start so easily is "peace subverting," but we'll defend to the death your right to say it, and, with a certain lack of enthusiasm, your right not to subscribe to the Washington Report.

Our Library Thanks You

On behalf of the Wharton Public Library I want to thank you so very much for the books you have donated to us. Ms. Charlotte Assat Schaefer, a Wharton resident, thought our library could present a more balanced view of the Middle East. Thanks to your generous gift we can now present a better understanding and knowledge of the Arab world to our patrons.

-Francis R. Kaiser, Library Director, Wharton, NJ

Well over 1,000 libraries in the United States will receive at least one of AET's three library donations packages during 1990, thanks to individual and institutional donors. Since AET was founded in 1982, some 14,000 public and school libraries have received books about the Middle East from Washington Report subscribers using the tax-exempt AET Library Endowment gift program. Under the program, readers may select any books listed in the AET catalog for tax-exempt donations, which are mailed by AET directly to libraries of their choice.

Let Freedom Ring

Will there ever be the equivalent of America's Fourth of July over in Palestine? Will the Palestinians' fight for freedom ever reach fruition?

In short, what is the meaning of "Independence Day" for a 13-year-old boy or girl in a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip?

In the words of a letter to the editor describing the American Revolution in the Dallas Morning News, it shall be remembered that Palestinian men and women, boys and girls, died in order "to keep the forces of evil from overpowering the dignity of mankind. . . a time when men met in defiance of ill-imposed laws," expropriated lands and confiscated water rights. These same men met "in defiance to right the injustice dictated by those laws."

For Americans, the Fourth of July is the heart and soul of our freedom, "it breathes loudest when the flag floats by, and the drums begin to roll."

In all of Israel and the occupied territories there can be no flag of freedom flown by Palestinians. A Palestinian flag flying in the desert breeze means some one will be shot or beaten. Even in those occupied lands, Palestinian Arabs whose families have lived there for centuries cannot display the banner of their national heritage. And some try to tell us there is no discrimination in "Eretz Yisrael."

These deeds will become a blight on the history of Israel, and upon the people themselves. For a nation to use new-found power to stamp out all the rights of another nationality living on its own lands, can only lead to ultimate chaos and the final judgement of God himself.

-Walter H. Koehler, Littlefield, TX

I'm Running For Congress, So Tell Me More

Although you provided a list of congressmen and congressional candidates who received donations from "pro-Israel" PACs, you failed to mention the names of the pro-Israel PACs involved. Nor did you adequately define what you meant by a "pro-Israel PAC" and what is objectionable to you in each organization.

I feel that this is important information, and a candidate needs to have it. I cannot simply attack a candidate for getting money from pro-Israel PACs: I would be called a racist, and, ironically enough, I am myself Jewish. But I can say that "Such and such PAC promotes such and such policy, which I find objectionable." Your table, as it is, is of no use to me. Also, I would like to know the names of the organizations you object to: otherwise, I will be painted with the same brush should I accept PAC money from them, and I will not even know why.

I am willing to have an open mind on Israeli-Palestinian issues. You should also know that in our current budget crisis I am not terribly sympathetic to foreign aid to anyone. However, I do not know yet whether I agree with your general point of view. This is what I am trying to establish.

-Elizabeth Michael, Los Angeles, CA

These are very fair questions for a candidate to ask. To answer your first one, we've sent you a complimentary copy of the second edition of Stealth PACs, which lists the 114 active pro-Israel PACs of which we are aware. The 1991 edition of Stealth PACs will have the names of new pro-Israel PACs that have become active in 1990. All but the "multi-issue, pro-Israel" PACs support whatever the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) recommends. AIPAC, in turn, supports the policies of any incumbent, elected government of israel. These include the Likud expansionist program, no return of any occupied territory, no Palestinian state, and no discussion or negotiation with any Palestinian not previously approved by the Likud government. "Multi-issue, pro-Israel" PACs differ in one respect. They support candidates who have a liberal voting record on U.S. domestic issues-pro-choice, and against prayer in schools, for example-in addition to unqualified support of Israel. See our "litmus test" article for pro-Israel House voting records in 1989 in this issue for more details, and thanks for asking.

We suspect a lot of our readers would like to help challengers like you, running in the 27th district of California against Democratic Representative Mel Levine, a member of the Middle East Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs Committee, who has received $13,450 from pro-Israel PACs in this election cycle, and $56,730 since 1982.

Tune In Next Time

Thank you for a fascinating interview by telephone with your publisher on WHBB Radio about the crisis in the Middle East. Many people have told me how much they enjoyed hearing Ambassador Andrew Killgore on "Viewpoint," the afternoon call-in show. Several of the callers plan to order the book Stealth PACs, published by the American Educational Trust, or to check it out of the local library. Enclosed is a Birmingham News editorial on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, which quotes the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. Since our radio station had the current issue of your publication, we discussed the article on the air and provided additional background to the editorial. We hope to have the pleasure of talking with Ambassador Killgore on the air again.

-Carolyn Hutcheson, Talk Show Host, Selma, AL

Stealth Page

When I lent my copy of Stealth PACs to a neighbor, he pointed out that there was no page 174, although it was listed in the table of contents as "PAC-TRACKING: Where the pro-Israel PACs are Headquartered." Why?

In Michigan, there is no one running against Senator Levin, who always votes 100 percent for Israel. In fact, there is no one running for several posts. I wish the Arab population would get in there.

I'm 200 percent for Palestinian independence and 300 percent against Israel as they have made fools of the U.S., while taking money that we need here. I believe that by not giving the Palestinians independence, and by not returning the land taken from the Arabs (Golan Heights, Gaza, West Bank, southern Lebanon) the Israelis are insuring that more Muslims will become fundamentalist and a war will break out.

I have just finished a book about Egyptian women by Jehan Sadat. It isn't mentioned in your book department, but I think that it is very interesting. Will you consider purchasing it?

Your magazine is great. What is CNI doing? I hope that they are really organizing to help support our U.S. interests.

-Gladys Soames, Detroit, MI

Good questions. You were one of the first to purchase Stealth PACs and obviously received a copy from a small edition of 2,000 printed for review purposes, which had an omission on page 174. We're sending you a copy, at no extra charge, of the next printing, which contains an additional 32 pages and, we're happy to say, no omissions or mistakes, so far as we know.

Your description of Senator Levin is right on target. As of June 30, he has received $364,338 from pro-Israel PACs for his two terms in office. He is being opposed by Republican Representative Bill Shuette.

The Jehan Sadat book, entitled A Woman of Egypt, is published by Simon and Schuster. So far, we have been unable to get the book at a price that enables us to sell it at a 50-percent discount.

As for the Council for the National Interest (CNI), it was slow getting started because it initially concentrated on fund-raising. It's now off and running, with former Congressman David Bowen (D-MI) as executive director, and Greta Houston, a former office director for several members of Congress, as CNI office director. Former Representatives Pete McCloskey (R-CA) and Paul Findley (R-IL) remain president and chairman respectively. Although both staffs consult frequently, there is no longer any formal or policy-making connection between the American Educational Trust and CNI. However, members of CNI get a subscription to the Washington Report at no extra charge, and full-rate subscribers ($15 or more) to the Washington Report may become CNI members at no extra charge. It's an offer hard to refuse.

Backslider of the Year

If there is such an award as "The Backslider of the Year Award," the honor should go unquestionably to Secretary of State James Baker. His position on sending peacekeeping troops to the troubled West Bank and Gaza changes so many times as to put the feats of an acrobat to shame.

First, and in response to the killing of eight Palestinians by an Israeli soldier, he said that he would support a U.N. resolution to send the force. The next day, buckling under pressure from Israel and its friends in the Congress and the media, he changed his story. Baker said that what he meant was sending temporary observers to monitor the situation, and only after a U.N. endorsement of the plan. When Israel thought that this too would be interference in its own affairs (even though the territory is not Israel proper), the U.S. position changed again. When the United Nations toned down the language of the resolution to exactly fit Baker's proposal, what happened? The U.S. killed the resolution by veto.

Nothing less than America's integrity and credibility are at stake, as well as its role as an unbiased arbitrator in the world's conflicts. America's strength is not its military might, but in being as good as its word. Or, to put it another way, in putting its money where its mouth is. Buckling under pressure from a country that is a major recipient of our foreign aid is behavior not befitting a superpower, or a country that wants to remain one.

-Samir Diab, Willow Springs, IL

We agree, and, in fact, believe the U.S. veto of a reasonable Security Council resolution that was written to U.S. specifications produced much of the rage throughout the Arab world that set off the chain reaction which resulted in the suspension of the U.S.-PLO dialogue and possibly set the stage for the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Ordinarily, we can find at least a U.S. point of view to present, but that particular veto seemed about as sensible as building a fireworks factory in the middle of a petroleum tank farm.

One Good Turn Deserves Another

Enclosed is a copy of a letter I sent to my senator this morning.

As you will see I relied heavily on the Washington Report for a good deal of what I said. I am sending you a copy to let you know how much I value the Report and to beg your indulgence and ask you to keep me on as a complimentary subscriber.

Since my trip with Eyewitness Israel, sponsored by the ADC in 1988, I have had a change in income and find it difficult to keep up with any of my Middle East or other periodicals. I hope you will ask your circulation director to update my mailing label and keep me on for another year, at least.

-Name Withheld

You're using the magazine to write excellent letters to editors and your representatives in Congress. As far as we're concerned that makes you a bona fide "opinion molder" and as such you're the recipient of a subscription from one of our "points of enlightenment donors" who sent in $60 but fewer than 12 recipient names. Keep up the good work.

A New Form Letter Needed

I am a subscriber to the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, and I find the magazine to be extremely interesting, very straightforward and honest.

I had written to our Arizona senator and received a response from Senator McCain. I wrote a reply to him and thought you might be interested in it, which you may publish if you wish.

-Wendell Cox, Glendale, AZ

We've published an abridged version of your reply to Senator McCain, who, as you point out, apparently sent you the form letter designed for his pro-Israel constituents.

An Opportunity for Change

As an Arab American, I strongly condemn the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and call for the withdrawal of Iraqi troops from that nation and for the peaceful resolution of any outstanding conflict.

But there is much that is disturbing about the United States reaction, and more specifically the words of our own president. Those words and actions are driving the Arab masses into supporting Saddam Hussein.

Where was the U.S. when Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982? Where is the President's anger when it comes to the continued Israeli aggression in Lebanon and human rights violations in Palestine? Did President Bush embargo Israel? Did he lean on Shamir, who gets $3.8 billion from the American taxpayers? Did he forget how many times the U.S. used its veto in support of Israeli aggression against the will of the rest of the world? Is Israel too big a bully for the U.S. to handle?

America has an historic opportunity to respect the will of the Arab world and to work with its leaders in order to help resolve this and other conflicts. Instead, the President is engaging in Arab-bashing. What a shame.

-Khalil Azar, South Bend, IN

You're right about the lack of symmetry in U.S. reaction to the illegal occupation of Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian and Kuwaiti territory. You can't really solve any one dispute permanently without applying the same standards to them all, and what an opportunity that presents for really bold U.S. leadership. So don't give up yet on George Bush.

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