July/August 1994, pp. 62-64

Arab-American Activism

By Richard H. Curtiss

Gore Meets with Arab- and Muslim-American Leaders

Vice President Al Gore visited Washington, DC's Islamic Center on June 10, the first day of the Islamic new year. Noting that both Americans and the world's "over 1.5 billion Muslims" have "sought unity through diversity," he discussed with an invited audience of some 75 persons the two subjects of major concern to Muslims today, Bosnia and Israeli-Palestinian peace.

"Who can fail to be moved by the suffering of the Bosnians?" Gore asked the leaders of Arab-American, Muslim, Christian and Jewish organizations and diplomats representing 32 Islamic or predominantly Islamic nations. "When we read the accounts of shells landing on hospitals, on playing fields, and on hillsides full of sledding children, how can we do anything but work for a negotiated peace, and an end to the killing and suffering? What should it matter to us what the religion of the Bosnians is? To us it matters not."

Turning to the Middle East, he praised PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, and the Arabs and Israelis who "have shown that they are capable of overcoming decades of enmity" and that "the cherished goal of a comprehensive peace...is indeed possible...

"As we speak, Palestinians in Gaza are governing themselves for the first time in their troubled history," Gore continued. "The walls of hostility are crumbling around Jericho. Together we must ensure that this experiment in peaceful coexistence does not fail. We will do our part, you must do yours too.

"We will be aided by an achievement of the past year for which this administration feels a great deal of pride—the creation of Builders for Peace. This private organization is made up of leaders of the Arab-American and American Jewish communities. It is working on investments to help create an economic infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank.

"It has two presidents—Mel Levine and Jim Zogby, and my friend Jim Zogby is here with us today. For years these two men were on opposite sides of virtually every issue related to the Middle East. On most issues they probably still are. But they are making common cause on behalf of peace."

Gore noted also that since former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower participated in dedicating the Islamic Center in 1957, "we have accomplished much. But we still have much to do."

In reply, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, Saudi ambassador to the U.S., said: "The response of the U.S. government, headed by President Bill Clinton, to the appeal of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz, and all the leaders of the Islamic world, for efforts to rescue Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina, is a reflection of religious values and noble principles. In the name of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and on behalf of all Muslims, I renew the appeal to remove the injustice against the Bosnian people, Muslims and Christians, by lifting the arms embargo so that they can defend themselves, or to protect them from the Serb aggressors by a sufficiently credible force that would guarantee their safety and security."

Dr. Abdullah M. Khouj, director of the Islamic Center, welcomed the vice president and noted that "in addressing the needs of our pluralistic society, we understand our responsibility to our community at-large and endeavor to assist in whatever way possible." He suggested that the visit "be a new beginning toward a new understanding of our duty, one to another, in the sight of Allah."

The meeting with Gore was the second for several of the invited leaders. Representatives of eight Arab-American and Muslim-American organizations and former Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar met last March 7 with the vice president after the massacre in the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron in which a fanatic Jewish settler, Dr. Baruch Goldstein, killed at least 29 men and boys at prayer. Those attending the March meeting, in addition to Oakar, included Khalil Jahshan, National Association of Arab Americans (NAAA); Najat Khelil, Arab Women's Council; Albert Mokhiber, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC); George Salem, NAAA; Helen Samhan, Arab American Institute (AAI); Hisham Sharabi, Center for Policy Analysis on Palestine; Sayyid Syeed, American Muslim Council (AMC); and James Zogby, AAI.

Arab- and Muslim-American Groups Working for Bosnia

Among 24 organizations now working with the American Task Force on Bosnia (ATFB) are a number of Arab-American and Muslim organizations. Members of the task force lobbied Congress in support of both the Dole-Lieberman Senate amendment (which was passed 50 to 49) and the McCloskey-Bonior-Gilman-Hoyer House amendment (passed 244 to 178) calling on President Clinton to terminate U.S. observance of the U.N. arms embargo that prevents the Muslim-led legitimate government of Bosnia from getting the arms it needs to defend its borders, and authorizing the president to supply arms to Bosnia. (see "Congress Watch," p. 40). In addition to contacting members of Congress on the day of the June 9 House vote, groups working with the ATFB conducted an "interfaith call to action" on the Capitol steps which included the Muslim call to prayer, ringing a bell by Christian members of the task force, and blowing a Jewish shofar (ram's horn) by Jewish participants.

Members of the task force also sponsored a benefit dinner for the humanitarian organization Merhemet of Sarajevo on May 10. At the dinner, Sen. Bob Dole (RKS), Sen. Dennis Deconcini (R-AZ) and Rep. Frank McCloskey (D-IN) were presented awards for their leadership and dedication on the issue of Bosnia. The ATFB was founded in 1992 by the National Association of Arab Americans.

House Members Honored at Arab-American Reception

Four organizations honored seven members of the House of Representatives at this year's annual Arab-American Reception for members of Congress. The four organizations sponsoring the June 15 $100-a-plate Arabic buffet were the American Muslim Council, the American Task Force for Lebanon, the Arab American Institute and the National Association of Arab Americans. Representatives honored were majority whip David Bonior (D-MI), John Conyers (D-MI), Nick Joe Rahall (D-WV), Frank McCloskey (D-IN), Leslie Byrne (D-VA), Pat Danner (D-MO), and Cynthia McKinney (D-GA).

ADC Condemns Israeli Death Squad Executions

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee has condemned the execution of two Palestinians by an Israeli death squad on May 31 in the Ram neighborhood of Jerusalem. It called for an immediate halt of all aid to Israel, based upon its violations of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act and the Fourth Geneva Convention.

"This act of summary execution is an egregious violation of international law and abrogates the spirit of the peace negotiations," ADC President Albert Mokhiber stated. "How can coexistence and self-rule succeed when the Israelis are still killing Palestinians in the streets?...The U.S. government must act swiftly and decisively by condemning the death squads and suspending U.S. aid until Tel Aviv halts these gross violations."

ADC also circulated to the U.S. press an account of the executions by an Israeli undercover unit of Zuheir Radwan Abdul Jawad Farrah and Abdul Mun'im Mohammad Yusef Naji prepared by the Palestine Human Rights Information Center (PHRIC) in Jerusalem, and made available through its Washington, DC director, Peter Lems. (The account is on p. 61.)

North American NGOs Schedule July Meeting in Canada

This year's 11th annual symposium of The North American Coordinating Committee for Non-Governmental Organizations on the Question of Palestine will beheld in Canada. The bi-national coalition of more than 150 NGOs will meet from July 6 through 8 in Toronto, Ontario, at the Delta Chelsea Inn.

Confirmed speakers for the symposium include Jan Abu-Shakra, director of the Palestine Human Rights Information Center in Jerusalem; Eyad el-Sarraj of the Gaza Community Mental Health Program; and Israeli Knesset Member Naomi Chazan. Further information on the session may be obtained from NACC chairperson Larry Ekin's office at 1747 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009, tel. (202) 319-0757, fax (202) 319-0746. For official accreditation with the U.N. or an invitation to the upcoming symposium contact Elizabeth Cabal at the U.N. Division for Palestinian Rights, tel. (212) 9631800, fax (212) 963-4199. For information on accommodations contact Mr. Ekin, Ms. Cabal or the host committee in Toronto at tel. (416) 495-3757.

NAAA Works on Two House Resolutions

The National Association of Arab Americans helped draft two pieces of legislation introduced in Congress, one on the Hebron massacre and the other on the Cairo agreement. The latter, sponsored by Representatives David Bonior (D-MI), Pat Danner (D-MO), Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Timothy Penny (DFL-MN), urged the Israeli government and the PLO to move quickly to implement the Declaration of Principles and "to get to final status issues, including Jerusalem, refugees, settlements, security arrangements...'as soon as possible, but no later than the beginning of the third year of the interim period' as stipulated in the Declaration of Principles." The resolution also urged the administration and international agencies "to provide aid to facilitate the establishment of Palestinian self-government in the Gaza Strip and Jericho area."

The Hebron resolution, sponsored by Representatives Nick Rahall (D-WV) and David Bonior (D-MI), urged the Israeli government to safeguard civilian populations in the West Bank and Gaza and encouraged the U.S. government to investigate "the financial and other connections between Israeli terrorist groups who are opposed to the Middle East peace process, and their supporters in the United States, including alleged recruitment and training, to determine whether any antiterrorism or other laws of the United States have been violated; and...to prosecute any such violations to the fullest extent of the law..." The two proposed pieces of legislation prompted friends of Israel to introduce their own House resolutions on the subjects. (See "Congress Watch," p. 40.)

NAAA followed up its help on the subject with a letter to Attorney General Janet Reno specifically expressing concern on behalf of the Arab-American community about the fund-raising, recruiting and training camps in the U.S. of Kach and Kahane Chai, two Jewish extremist groups recently outlawed in Israel.

Joint Action by Jewish Peace Groups and NAAA

NAAA has undertaken a new project with a Jewish peace group, following its joint campaign in March with Americans for Peace Now calling for removal of all Jewish settlers from the city of Hebron and the Gaza Strip. NAAA followed that campaign with limited lobbying on Capitol Hill in conjunction with Americans for Peace Now in support of U.S. financial aid to Israel, Egypt and the Palestinians.

On May 12, NAAA president Khalil Jahshan and Jewish Peace Lobby president Jerome Segal forwarded a joint letter urging President Clinton "to support the Palestinian-Israeli Cooperation Program (PICP) and expand funding for it to the $2 million annual level that has been recommended by Congress." The letter asserted that "progress in the projects supported by the PICP will provide a counterweight to the fits and starts of the peace process and symbolize the potential benefits that will result from peace." Earlier, Segal had sent a petition signed by more than 800 rabbis calling on President Clinton to save the program and make it "an inspiring symbol of America's quest for peace."

Palestine Aid Society Holds Annual Walkathon

The fifth annual walkathon of the Palestine Aid Society was held Saturday, June 4, in 13 U.S. and Canadian cities commemorating the 27th year of Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Two more events on the PAS calendar for the summer are the visit of the 11th delegation to the occupied territories between July 21 and Aug. 5 and the national convention in Philadelphia on Sept. 2. Participation in the PAS delegation, which visits refugee camps and health care organizations and meets with activists, lawyers, human rights workers and women's committees, costs $1,750 and includes room, board and round-trip air fare from New York to Tel Aviv. The annual conference, to be held in conjunction with that of the New Generation of Palestine, a youth organization, will feature panels on Palestinian women, popular culture, refugees in Lebanon, and workshops on grassroots organizing. For further information on upcoming events contact the Palestine Aid Society Washington, DC office at (202) 728-9425.

Arab American Institute Fetes Fatima Mernissi

The Arab American Institute hosted a reception June 6 at Chapters bookstore in Washington, DC for Moroccan scholar and writer Fatima Mernissi, who read excerpts from her recently published book Dreams of Trespass. Tales of a Harem Girlhood. Her many books, which include Islam and Democracy, challenge her readers in the Middle East to create a more compassionate and tolerant society and in the West to broaden their understanding of the Arab world and to support those in the Middle East who are struggling for democracy and human rights.

In addition to AAI participation in joint efforts on behalf of Bosnia-Herzegovina described above, AAI president Jim Zogby also interviewed newly arrived Bosnian Ambassador to the United States Sven Alkalaj on Zogby's weekly talk show, "A Capital View," which airs on ANA Television.

Zogby had barely returned from the Hebron conference described in "Christianity and the Middle East" (p. 93) when he was invited by the White House to help organize the Arab-American component of a delegation to attend the May 3 signing of the interim agreement between the PLO Ismael Ahmed of the executive board of and Israel in Cairo. Zogby was invited in his capacity as co-president, with former California Rep. Mel Levine, of "Builders for Peace," organized as a private sector initiative to stimulate investment in the West Bank and Gaza. Zogby and Levine were joined by some 30 business leaders in U.S. Air Force transportation to and from the Cairo ceremony.

DNC Forms Arab American Democratic Advisory Council

Democratic National Committee chairman David Wilhelm announced on June 7 the formation of an Arab American Democratic Advisory Council (AADAC) to the DNC. Wilhelm described the action as an outgrowth of the Clinton administration's policy of inclusion, and said it would draw its membership from a nationwide network of elected and appointed Democrats, many of whom originally formed "Arab Americans for Clinton-Gore." Wilhelm noted the participation of Vice President Al Gore, Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, who is an Arab American, and Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, a frequent Clinton administration visitor to the Middle East.

Among founding members of AADAC are Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia, former Ohio Rep. Mary Rose Oakar, State Representative Ruth Joseph of Maine, Carol El-Shaib of the executive board of the California Democratic Party, and the Michigan Democratic Party.

Bir Zeit Conference Attracts 250

A three-day conference sponsored by the Center for Policy Analysis on Palestine of Washington, DC held at Bir Zeit University in the West Bank attracted between 150 and 250 persons to each session, despite turbulent events during the May 13 to 15 period the conference was held. The conference, entitled "Whither Palestine," examined Palestinian civil society and democracy through the viewpoints of some 30 speakers, including former Palestinian peace delegation members Dr. Haider Abdel Shafi and Dr. Hanan Ashrawi. The first two sessions were held at Bir Zeit University and the third in Gaza. Upon his return, Center chairman Dr. Hisham Sharabi met with journalists and scholars and Middle East peace activists at Jerusalem Fund headquarters in the national capital for an in-depth discussion of the conference and the profound changes now under way in Gaza and Jericho.

U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce Schedules Programs

The U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce is co-sponsoring a two-day conference entitled "The Middle East Simplified: A Trade and Investment Conference," to be held July 25 and 26 at the Marquis Hotel in New York City. Registration is through the International Business Magazine Conference Division, tel. (201) 402-811O, fax (201) 402-8420.

Events scheduled in June included co-sponsorship of a Washington, DC session on the West Bank and Gaza infrastructure investment plan on June 14 at the annual conference of the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships; a June 21 full day conference in New York on Morocco, co-sponsored with the Arab-American Bank; and a half-day luncheon and conference June 27 in Washington, DC on "Saudi Arabia: Challenges and Opportunities," featuring prominent Saudi and American businessmen discussing investment opportunities, market characteristics, and the role and development of the private sector.

Keynote speaker Abdallah Dabbagh is secretary-general of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Riyadh and a former official of the Saudi Embassy in Washington, DC. Information on U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce activities by the New York, Chicago and Washington, DC offices may be obtained from Marian Coote at the Washington, DC national office, tel. (202) 331-8010.