Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, October/November 1998, pages 11, 17

Words to Remember

Foreign Press Blames Israeli Policies for Terrorism Against Americans

Compiled by Richard H. Curtiss

(While U.S. press comments were muted and largely confined to quoting retired U.S. government officials or buried in longer analyses of U.S. problems in the Islamic world, foreign editors, reporters and commentators were blunt in attributing terrorism against Americans and American installations, such as the Aug. 7 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, largely to U.S. unwillingness to curb Israeli excesses. Following are some examples:)

“On the Middle East the U.S. refuses to recognize what is obvious to the rest of the world, namely that its anti-terrorist attitudes derive as much from domestically driven attachment to Israel as from global principles.”

—Former British foreign service officer Jonathan Clarke, Los Angeles Times, Aug. 11, 1998

“Cooperating with the Israelis while they are occupying the Al Aqsa mosque [in Jerusalem] is considered a declaration of war against Muslims across the world.”

—Excerpt from statement by “the Islamic Army for the Liberation of Holy Places” claiming responsibility for the two U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa and received by Al Hayat newspaper in London on Aug. 18, 1998

“The very word ‘terrorist’ will incite the fury of Arabs. Yes, bombing embassies is an act of terrorism. But so is murdering Muslim worshippers in a Hebron mosque or assassinating an Israeli prime minister—carried out by Israelis but never called ‘terrorism.’”

—British journalist Robert Fisk, The Independent, Aug. 21, 1998

“Much of the hostility toward the U.S. today stems from Washington’s failure to pursue a balanced Middle East policy vis-â-vis the Palestinian problem. Military strikes against perceived enemies therefore cannot be a substitute for political action on the ground.”

—Editorial, Khaleej Times, Dubai, UAE, Aug. 22, 1998

“I do not know what the meaning of terrorism is in the U.S. Israel is the symbol of terrorism in this region.”

—Palestinian Communications Minister Imad Faluji, Aug. 22, 1998

“Since the Clinton administration is seeking to follow Israel’s policy on a global scale, it is instructive to see where it has taken Tel Aviv. Having turned its back on the peace process in all but name, the state of Israel is expanding its occupation of Palestinian land through building and expanding settlements and other means. But it is living in a state of siege. Israelis continue to be killed and there will be no security or peace for them as long as they bank upon their traditional methods in fighting what they call terrorism while depriving Palestinians of their land and statehood.”

—S. Nihal Singh, chief editor, Khaleej Times, Dubai, UAE, Aug. 23, 1998

“‘For many in Sudan and the rest of the Muslim world...the attack on the pharmaceutical plant contrasts sharply with the American attitude toward Israel,’ [Sudanese scholar Abdulrahman] Abuzayd said. ‘It can’t help be compared to what is going on in Israel,’ he said. ‘They kick out Arab residents, uproot their homes and nothing happens. I believe that almost all young Muslims are radicalized by the Israeli behavior.’ Referring to Binyamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, he said, “Netanyahu is the ugliest face of arrogance caused by unflinching levels of American support.”

—Staff writer Jane Perlez, New York Times, Aug. 25, 1998