Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, October 1987, pages 11-12

Other People's Mail

"Gentlemen don't read other people's mail," an idealistic American official exclaimed between World Wars I and II as he abolished US cryptographic counter-intelligence programs. Times change, however, and some letters by or to other people are as informative for our readers as anything we might write ourselves.

Israeli Treatment of American Citizens

Mr. John Alderman, Human Rights Division, US Department of State:

I am writing out of concern about the treatment by the Israeli government of Dr. Mohammad Shadid, an American citizen. Dr. Shadid is a political science professor at An Najah National University in Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. He conducted a public opinion poll in the occupied territories that showed strong support by Palestinians for the PLO. Dr. Shadid is not himself a member of the PLO. In fact, Dr. Shadid has publicly condemned terrorist attacks. Dr. Rick Selzer of Howard University participated in the poll; both Israeli sociologist Meron Benvenisti and Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kolleck attests that "the poll was carried out in good faith." There is no evidence that Dr. Shadid is involved in any activities hostile to Israel.

Because he refused to renounce the presentation of the poll's results, Dr. Shadid has lost his work permit, and his visa will not be renewed upon expiration. The actions of the Israeli government are politically motivated. They violate Dr. Shadid's human rights, and are an infringement on the academic freedom one should expect in a democracy.

Please use the influence that the State Department has on the Israeli government to see that the violation of Dr. Shadid's rights is ended. Please intervene on his behalf to see that his work permit and visa are restored so that he may continue his academic work at An Najah...

Sincerely, Seth Grimes, Washington, DC

(Mr. Grimes is a member of Washington Area Jews for an Israeli-Palestinian Peace.)

America's Security Depends on Israel's Survival

Dear Friend:

It may seem a bit unusual that the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee carries a shekel in his pocket. But I carry the shekel for two reasons. First, it serves as a constant reminder that the security of our nation depends on the survival and future of our democratic ally in the Middle East. Second, because each time I see it, I am reminded that Israel today faces an economic crisis of catastrophic proportions—the highest per-capita foreign deb in the world and runaway inflation of over 400 percent a year.

I am committed to doing all I can to help the state of Israel meet this challenge and survive this crisis. And I'd like to ask you to do your part as well. Please carry the attacked shekel with you. And then every time you pull out a handful of change to make a phone call or feed a parking meter, you'll remember that Israel's future and growth depends on each of us doing our part.

Thanks, Sen. Robert Packwood, Washington, DC

(This was one of Sen. Packwood's 1986 reelection fund-raising letters. An Israeli shekel accompanied each letter.)

Israeli and Pakistani Nuclear Programs

To the Editors of the Minneapolis Star and Tribune: July 29, 1987

Your July 20 editorial calls for a cutoff of US aid to Pakistan because it is allegedly trying to build the atom bomb. You correctly point out that US law requires the termination of all US aid to any non-nuclear country that illegally attempts to acquire nuclear weapons-building capability.

Interestingly, while there is a great clamor in the Congress for suspension of aid to Pakistan, the US media and Congress have not said "boo" to Israel. That country has certifiably stockpiled nuclear weapons, uses American weapons with impunity against populated Arab towns and villages, has a dismal human rights record in occupied Arab lands, spies on the United States with impunity, and recently has been a key player in the Iran-contra scandal—to say nothing of the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty in 1967 in which 34 US sailors were killed, and the Israeli shooting down of a Libyan passenger airliner in 1973, killing over 80 people!

Preventing the spread of nuclear weapons is a sane and necessary goal. However, hypocrisy and double standards in the application of the relevant moral principles and laws will never help achieve this end.

Sincerely, Farooque Rizwy, Brooklyn Park, MN

Israel's Concerns A Top Priority for Presidential Candidates

To the Editors of the Minneapolis Star & Tribune: June 6, 1987

Your May 15 editorial is correct in calling the 12-year-old ban on our official dealings with the Palestine Liberation Organization the ostrich stance with regard to our Middle East policy. Now that Sen. Robert Dole has received his "certificate of acceptability" by pronouncing against the PLO, he can go forward with his presidential ambitions. It appears that in this country a candidate for office sees as an essential first step a declaration for the requirements of Israel and its supporters. Have we no presidential aspirant with a back-bone?

Sincerely, H.L. Overdiek, Hopkins, MN

Sen. Dixon's Middle East Form-Letters

Sen. Alan J. Dixon, United States Senate: June 29, 1987

As suggested in the enclosed, I would like to know why the bombing and strafing of the USS Liberty on June 8, 1967, has never been investigated by the Congress in formal and open hearings, Iranscam style? Don't tell me that it has, because I know better. While the Congress is at it, you might investigate why the Israelis in Lebanon deliberately shelled positions of the Irish peacekeeping force. Or, don't you have the guts to do that?

There are far more Catholics and Irish in the United States than there are Jews, and we can very well vote against anyone who accepts campaign contributions from pro-Israeli groups. I am not wasting a letter on Senator Simon, because he is reputed to have been bought and paid for with pro-Israeli campaign contributions.

Very truly yours, Robert J. Gorman, Chicago, IL

Dear Mr. Gorman: July 10, 1987

Thank you for expressing your sorrow for the thirty-seven US Navy men who lost their lives in the USS Stark attack, and for your comments on the administration's proposal to sail eleven Kuwaiti oil tankers under the US flag.

I share your sadness and frustration over the shedding of American blood in the Persian Gulf...

You may be sure I will continue to monitor this situation closely. Please feel free to call on me again regarding this matter, or whenever you believe I may be of service...

Sincerely, Alan J. Dixon, US Senate

The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs: July 30, 1987

As suggested in your June 1987 article, "USS Liberty Veterans: After 20 years, Still Looking for the Truth," I wrote to Senator Dixon. I am enclosing a copy of my letter and the Senator's reply. I phoned his office in Chicago and told them that the form-letter reply was in no way related to the letter I wrote. They bucked me to the Senator's Washington office, but I have heard nothing from them.

Sincerely yours, Robert J. Gorman, Chicago, IL

Making the Desert Bloom

Dear Friend:

Let me confess that celebrating ISrael's 39th anniversary as an independent state inspires feelings of both joy and urgency.

Why urgency? Perhaps the enclosed communication from Prime Minister Shamir makes such feelings understandable.

He describes the lack of Jewish presence in the Negev desert, a problem that also exists in the northern Galilee. The solution is directly related to Israel's survival.

Without more brave pioneers in Israel's two largest regions, they will remain underpopulated—and ultimately threatened, placing the entire Jewish state in jeopardy.

Despite all of JNF's accomplishments in transforming the arid Negev, the fact remains, as the Prime Minister states, that only 7 percent of Israel's population inhabits this area.

In the Galilee, closest to the Lebanese border, JNF has been reclaiming land for the establishment of community outposts. The Galilee, however, continues to be subject to illegal land encroachment, which threatens the ancient area's Jewish character.

What can you do to stand with your brethren, enabling them to maintain Israel's borders and perform a service essential to the lifeblood of a nation? Support the Jewish National Fund in its determination to fully develop these crucial regions.

JNF's work does not stop after the land is reclaimed for the development of new communities. JNF must then provide recreation areas, parks and access roads—all those facilities that improve the quality of life, enabling Israel's pioneers to carry on their vital work as well to inspire others to join them.

Your gift of $25, $50, $75, $100 or more to the Jewish National Fund is your contribution toward the fulfillment of this goal. IN answering the Prime Minister's urgent appeal, you'll contribute to the joy of this Israeli Independence Day—and help guarantee that we'll have many more such holidays to celebrate.

Sincerely, Dr. Joseph P. Sternstein, President, Jewish National Fund

ADC: Israeli Gen. Amos Yaron a "War Criminal"

The Honorable George Shultz, Secretary of State February 23, 1987

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I am writing to express deep concern on behalf of the membership of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee over the decisions of the Departments of State and Defense to circumvent the human rights issues raised by the accreditation of General Amos Yaron as Israel's Defense Attache in Washington.

The Country Reports on Human Rights Practices issued by the State Department to Congress in February 1987 quotes the definition of human rights appearing in Section 116 (a) of the Foreign Assistance Act as follows: "Human rights...include freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment...and other flagrant denial of the rights, liberty, and the security of the person." Based on this definition, it is clear that General Yaron, by his participation in the September 1982 massacres at the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps, violated these human rights precepts as well as the Geneva Convention, to which the United States is a signatory.

On November 6, 1986, you responded that Yaron was admitted because the US, Israel, and other countries routinely grant each other reciprocal treatment where the accreditation of the defense attaches is concerned. However, there are several documented instances where the US refused to grant visas to foreign military attaches for human rights and political reasons...

Unless the United States government is prepared to be consistent in its application of human rights standards to friend and foe alike, particularly in areas where we have authority, such as approval of diplomatic appointments and evaluating the character of such appointments, any hope for a coherent human rights policy will be undermined. The result will be a serious diminution of our reputation throughout the world...

Sincerely, Abdeen M. Jabara, President, ADC, Washington, DC