In search of peace

The following is a randomly pieced together list of contacts for groups, individuals, and publications speaking for peace and justice in the Middle East.

In creating the list I have attempted to find rational voices and to weed out crazies and hate mongers. That does not mean the ones that made the list do not have agendas beyond peace, are not leftist or liberals or socialist or communist or libertarians or who-knows-what. They do, from what I have been able to learn, have one thing in common and that is the search for a better deal for Palestinians, Jews and humankind generally than that offered by the government of Ariel Sharon.

Where possible I have provided a snapshot of each organization, its purposes, and how to contact or participate with them. At the least readers will find a web or e-mail address, enough to make contact via the internet from home or a public library.

Special thanks to Dr. Ismail Zayid, retired physician and Dalhousie University professor, and tireless worker on behalf of Palestinians. Directly or indirectly Dr. Zayid provided many of the leads that wound up on this list. Dr. Zayid is a frequent contributor to the letters columns of national and Nova Scotia daily newspapers. Here is one of his more recent letters to the editor of the Globe and Mail in Toronto.

18 September 2002

The Editor,
The Globe and Mail

Dear Editor:

In the midst of George W. Bush's campaign to invade Iraq, Rami Khouri correctly , in his article: {"Statesman or bully....." Sept 18},displays the US hypocrisy, in calling on the UN to show its credibility in enforcing its resolutions against Iraq, while overlooking UN resolutions against Israel.

Israel stands in defiance of 63 Security Council resolutions, over the last 50 years. That is not to mention scores of Security Council resolutions against Israel, vetoed by the US.

It is time to put an end to this hypocrisy and practice of double standards, if the UN and the US are to be credible. Israel must not be allowed to remain above international law.

Yours sincerely,
Ismail Zayid.

Finally, I will appreciate feedback, including constructive criticism, and additional leads. DvL

_________________________________________________________________

B'tselem
www.betselem.org

A Jewish and Palestinian organization devoted to stopping human rights violations in the Occupied Territories.

_________________________________________________________________

Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Organizations

in Nablus at +972-9-238-7174. You can also contact Susan Barclay in Nablus at +972-59-877-091 or +972-55-829-680.

_________________________________________________________________

International Solidarity Movement

http://www.palsolidarity.org/

_________________________________________________________________

Gush Shalom

http://www.gush-shalom.org

E-mail contact: info@gush-shalom.org

A very active Jewish peace organization working in Israel.

If you want to support Gush Shalom's activities you can send a cheque or

cash, wrapped well in an extra piece of paper, to: Gush Shalom pob 3322, Tel-Aviv, Israel, 61033. Or ask us for charities in your country which receive donations on behalf of Gush Shalom.

P.S. Please, include with the donation your email address and we will inform you immediately that it arrived.

_________________________________________________________________

Amnesty International

http://web.amnesty.org

_________________________________________________________________

Palestine-Israel Journal

This journal is described by its publishers as, "The only joint Israeli-Palestinian quarterly that provides a deeper insight into the issues dividing the two peoples, as seen by prominent writers, political figures, scholars, journalists, artists and experts from Palestine, Israel and around the world." It costs $50 US per year. The address is 4 El Hariri St,m East Jerusalem, P0B 19839. E-mail: pij@palnet.com

_________________________________________________________________

Ta'ayush (Arab-Jewish Partnership)

http://taayush.tripod.com/

_______________________________________________________________

Coalition of Women for a Just Peace

http://www.coalitionofwomen4peace.org

_________________________________________________________________

Movement for the Civilization of Israeli Society

POB 48005, Tel-Aviv 61480, Israel

E-mail: mailto:newprofile@speedy.co.il

Voice box: ++972-(0)3-516-01-19

Website: http://www.newprofile.org/

_________________________________________________________________

"The Other Israel"

http://members.tripod.com/~other_Israel/ed.html

_________________________________________________________________

The March For Justice

P.O. Box 249163

Coral Gables, FL 33124

305-673-4645

Fax. 305-673-1452

E-mail: info@marchforjustice.com

http://www.marchforjustice.com

_________________________________________________________________

Canadian Friends of Peace Now

"Canadian Friends of Peace Now supports the work of Shalom Achshav (Peace Now) in Israel, It seeks security through peace, and promotes dialogue and compromise between Israel and its neighbours."

http://www.peacenowcanada.org/

(Canadian Friends of Peace Now web site provides links to Americans for Peace Now, both being North American branches of the group in Israel.)

_________________________________________________________________

Bitterlemons

Bitterlemons.org is a website that presents Israeli and Palestinian viewpoints on prominent issues of concern. It focuses on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and peace process, but other, related regional issues are also discussed. It is produced, edited and partially written by Ghassan Khatib, a Palestinian, and Yossi Alpher, an Israeli. Its goal is to contribute to mutual understanding through the open exchange of ideas. It aspires to impact the way Palestinians, Israelis and others worldwide think about regional issues.

Web address: www.bitterlemons.org

E-mail contact: bitterlemons@bitterlemons.org

_________________________________________________________________

Move On Bulletin

A U.S.-based organization with a web zine providing news and views on the Middle East. "Selling the War on Iraq," focus of a recent issue included the following:

CONTENTS

1. Introduction: Buyer Beware

2. One Link: Fighting Marketing With Facts

3. The Marketing Campaign at Home and Abroad

4 Lessons in PR from Previous Wars

5. An Ongoing War That is Already Escalating

6. The Costs of Regime-Change

7. About the MoveOn bulletin and MoveOn.org

http://www.moveon.org/moveonbulletin

http://www.peace.moveon.org

Edited by Susan Thompson: susan.thompson@moveon.or

ABOUT THE MOVEON BULLETIN AND MOVEON.ORG

The MoveOn Bulletin is a free, biweekly email bulletin providing

information, resources, news, and action ideas on important

political issues. The full text of the MoveOn Bulletin is online at

http://www.moveon.org/moveonbulletin/>http://www.moveon.org/moveonbulletin

You can subscribe to it at that address. The MoveOn Bulletin is a project of MoveOn.org.

A sample of what you will find at Move On:

Weapons inspections are the cornerstone of Bush's new "multilateral"

approach. However, the mainstream media has conveniently forgotten

that weapons inspections were originally discredited because it

turned out the US was using them to spy on Iraq.

Since Bush's UN speech, the Secretary General of the UN has

announced that Iraq has sent the UN a letter agreeing to comply with

weapons inspections. Despite this, the US is pressing ahead with

trying to get a security council resolution against Iraq.

http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=14123

In order to garner more support, the Bush administration is planning

a multimillion dollar PR blitz -- paid for by taxpayers -- about

Iraq. It will be aimed at US and international audiences and will be

launched this week.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-418110,00.html>http://www.timeso

nline.co.uk/article/0,,3-418110,00.html

LESSONS IN PR FROM PREVIOUS WARS

There are many historical reasons to be suspicious of the current

marketing campaign. In the past, the US government has used some

very flimsy evidence as justification for war. In fact, in a few

notorious cases this evidence has turned out to be completely

manufactured -- pure PR, meant to garner support.

Perhaps the most well-known example of this involves the first Gulf

War. At the time, it was widely publicized that Iraqi soldiers had

taken Kuwaiti babies out of incubators and left them to die. A young

woman testified that she had seen it happen. Many members of the

government specifically cited this story when making speeches in

support of the Gulf War. The only problem: it wasn't true. The young

woman was the daughter of an ambassador, and the whole story had

been created by a public relations firm.

This excellent article traces the genesis and collapse of the story,

and its probable impact on the first Gulf War.

http://www.commondreams.org/views02/0906-01.htm>http://www.commondreams.or

g/views02/0906-01.htm

Another major justification for the original Gulf War which was

later disproved was the supposed massive buildup of Iraqi troops

along the border of Saudi Arabia. The evidence for this buildup was

allegedly provided by top secret satellite photos. However,

commercial Soviet satellite images of the same area showed only

empty desert. Experts familiar with this incident and with the baby

incubator story are concerned that similar disinformation could be

used to justify another attack on Iraq.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0906/p01s02-wosc.html?t5>http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0906/p01s02-wosc.html?t5

Interestingly, President Bush and Tony Blair both referred to a set

of satellite photos that allegedly showed construction on nuclear

sites at a meeting between the two leaders on September 7. Bush also

referred to a report by weapons inspectors in 1998 that said that Iraq was six months away from developing nuclear weapons, saying, "I

don't know what more evidence we need." The President then went on

to note that "he would try to convince the American public of the

importance of pursuing Iraq by recalling the Sept. 11 attacks."

However, the satellite photos that Blair and Bush were referring to

don't necessarily show construction related to a new weapons

program, and even the UN inspectors who raised concerns about them

made it clear that "We can't draw any conclusions from a new

building or a new road."

http://www.peace.moveon.org/r2.php3?r=142>http://www.peace.moveon.org/r2.php3?r=142

In response to a report by Robert Windrem of NBC, the White House

issued a retraction of the erroneous conclusions Bush drew from both

the satellite photos and the UN report, which it turned out did not

actually state that Hussein was six months away from developing

weapons -- rather, he was six to twenty-four months away from

developing weapons before the first Gulf War and the subsequent

weapons inspections.

http://truthout.com/docs_02/09.10B.msnbc.iraq.htm>http://truthout.com/docs_02/09.10B.msnbc.iraq.htm

What other compelling evidence is there that Iraq has the capability

to build nuclear weapons? Aluminum tubes. "The administration says

Iraq has tried several times to buy aluminum tubes for use in

centrifuge equipment to make bomb-grade uranium. While the attempts

were thwarted, the specialists note that such materials have other

uses." This and the other vague and erroneous examples of "evidence"

of Iraq's danger to the world are causing experts and officials to

ask for more specific evidence before launching a preemptive strike.

http://www.peace.moveon.org/r2.php3?r=143>http://www.peace.moveon.org/r2.php3?r=143

Perhaps one of the most suspicious recent examples of journalism

related to Iraq involves the recent interviews given by a woman who

claims to be Saddam's former mistress. ABC reported on the woman's

claims that Hussein loves Frank Sinatra music and that he met with

bin Laden in the late 80's. Many other news agencies and popular

programs, including Entertainment Tonight (which placed her in a

section on celebrities), have featured her story.

http://www.salon.com/people/wire/2002/09/10/mistress/>http://www.salon.com/people/wire/2002/09/10/mistress/

AN ONGOING WAR THAT IS ALREADY ESCALATING

The most basic assumption repeated again and again in the media is

that an attack on Iraq would be a "new" war, a war that has not yet

started. But billing an attack on Iraq in this way is more marketing

than truth.

For one thing, in many ways the original Gulf War has never ended.

The devastating sanctions that have deprived the Iraqi civilian

population of essential items such as food continue to this day. It

is estimated that over a million people have died due to the

sanctions, roughly half of them children. The ultimate goal of the

sanctions was to weaken the Iraqi regime, but after over a decade,

it is his people who are weakened the most. When questioned about

the human cost of these sanctions, and specifically the death of a

half million children, Madeleine Albright said in a now infamous

television interview: "It's a hard choice, but I think, we think,

it's worth it."

This well-referenced article by Voices in the Wilderness exposes the

top lies and misunderstandings about sanctions.

http://www.nonviolence.org/vitw/mythsand%20realities3.html>http://www.nonviolence.org/vitw/mythsand%20realities3.html

This article calls the sanctions against Iraq the "Silent Hiroshima".

http://www.commondreams.org/views/080600-105.htm>http://www.commondreams.org/views/080600-105.htm

Along with the sanctions, air strikes have also been mounted

regularly in Iraq for years. Most of these have occurred in the

"no-fly zones" that were set up after the first Gulf War, but in

practice what this means is that the US military has never stopped

bombing Iraq. They've just stopped bombing in certain parts of it.

(For more on the continued bombing, see the bulletins on "The US vs

Iraq" at http://www.peace.moveon.org/bulletin8.php3>http://www.peace.moveon.org/bulletin8.php3 and

"The Gulf War Revisited" at http://www.peace.moveon.org/bulletin42.php3>http://www.peace.moveon.org/bulletin42.php3.)

The Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace maintains a site that

lists every incident of US bombing of Iraq. There are over twenty

entries for this year alone. This page is highly recommended -- it's

an eye opener.

http://www.ccmep.org/us_bombing_watch.html>http://www.ccmep.org/us_bombing_watch.html

Perhaps the most well-known example of the periodic attacks on Iraq

is Desert Fox, the code name for a series of US air strikes on Iraq

which occurred while President Clinton was caught up in the Lewinsky

scandal.

http://www.leyden.com/gulfwar/unscom.html>http://www.leyden.com/gulfwar/unscom.html

President Bush is not waiting for the approval of the US Congress or

American citizens before involving the US military in the region.

Even without the formal declaration of war, the US is escalating the

conflict with Hussein.

The Guardian reports a slow but significant build-up in the region,

which this article terms, "a series of low-key moves on the Gulf

chessboard designed to put all the pieces in place for a rapid US

assault should the UN route now being pursued by Washington fail."

According to this article there are 30,000 troops in the region, and

based on this deployment, it is estimated that "It would take 10

days to bring in the additional equipment, 10 days to airlift the

troops and 10 days to get to Baghdad." Perhaps the most significant

fact here is that the US central command will move its headquarters

to Qatar in November, "perhaps indefinitely." It seems that members

of the administration are counting on a war, even though the issue

has not technically been decided.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,791384,00.html>http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,791384,00.html

Other reports indicate an even more aggressive approach to the

conflict. The Asia Times lists over 50,000 more troops that have

been moved to the region since the beginning of the year. That means

that somewhere around 100,000 troops are already posted in and

around Iraq. And at least according to this article, they are

already engaged in actions along the lines of those provided in

Bush's presidential speech on ousting Saddam Hussein. In other

words, by some reports, the war on Iraq has already begun in all but

name.

http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/DH17Ak03.html>http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/DH17Ak03.html

Meanwhile, there are also indications that the air war against Iraq

is escalating. On September 5, over 100 jets reportedly took part in

a large bombing raid on Iraq, the largest in four years. Both

British and American jets took part in the raid, which seemed

designed to "destroy air defenses to allow easy access for special

forces helicopters to fly into Iraq via Jordan or Saudi Arabia to

hunt down Scud missiles before a possible war within the next few

months."

__________________________________________________________________

The Palestine Chronicle

Box 196 Mountlake, WA 98643-0196

http://palestinechronicle.com

Essay from a recent issue of the Palestine Chronicle

SHOWDOWN BETWEEN SHARON AND ARAFAT

By Alfred M. Lilienthal*

The ultimate goal of Sharon in everything he does is still the same: the total end of the peace process, the expulsion of the Palestinians from their remaining areas, and the establishment of an ever-growing Greater Israel.

His immediate tactics are aimed not only at Arafat but are intended to result in the complete destruction of the Palestinian Authority and its leadership and their ability to address themselves to the world community.

The story of what the Palestinians have undergone over the last 50 years since the establishment of Israel has never been fully told in the West. It is very difficult for the average American to ever hear, see, or read the truth. We all too often hear the US media talking as if this conflict, in which some Palestinians in a desperate rage attack the oppressive Israelis, is similar to the crimes of Hitler against the Jewish people.

Thus, the American people still judge the Middle East in terms of Jews and Hitler. Arafat is Hitler, and Jews are the Israelis. Yet they are not the same thing. Until we get over this trauma of what took place long ago in Europe, there can be no rational approach to peace in the Middle East.

It was terrible that six million Jews were killed, but what does that have to do with what is taking place now in another part of the world? The strategy of the Zionists and the government of Israel is to keep making this parallel. And to set in the minds of the people who want to speak out, that if you do anything against Israel, you are doing something for Hitler. I say let's bury Hitler once and for all! His abominations have got nothing to do with this and are in no way a factor in what is going on. I will draw the parallel the other way. What Hitler did to the Jews in World War II, we are seeing it again in what the Israelis are doing to the Palestinians: attempting to dominate or expel or annihilate an entire people on the basis of race and religion.

The Israeli Government and Military are demanding from Arafat the surrender of so-called terrorists within his headquarters building. But just what is a terrorist? Seems like everybody who opposes Israel's designs to conquer the Palestinians once and for all are terrorists and have got to be put aside. This is nonsense! Arafat is not recognised as he should be as the leader of a country called Palestine, and until that is accomplished, and until the US stops its pro-Israel partiality as if Israel were the 51st state of the Union, there will be no advance toward real peace.

The philosophy of the Israelis and the Zionists in America, that Arafat must go, will not stand up historically or in the light of present events. Arafat will not go. All of these recent attacks only strengthen his desire and resolve to remain as Head of the Palestinian People and see them through to having a state of their own which they deserve like any national group. Until both sides openly recognise and work toward a two-state solution, this endless tragedy will go on.

I warned in An Open Letter to Arafat on July 4, 2002: "In recent weeks, I have been very concerned about your personal safety. I well know the Israeli Government and Military are quite capable of an "accidental" execution of you by means of some supposedly wayward shelling." What will happen if Arafat gets killed? It will answer no problem but will only unleash far greater violence. Arafat is again supported strongly by his people, especially since he is under siege, in spite of whatever flaws we all know he may have as an administrative leader. There is no alternative to Arafat at the moment. Taking down the Palestinian flag from his headquarters and replacing it with an Israeli flag is like rubbing Arafat's face in the dirt, almost in the manure; a civilised country does not do this, but Sharon's Israel has. Humiliation will not restore peace and will only again lead to more desire for revenge and so on and on.

It has been reported that some Israeli officials say that Arafat can leave Palestine but not return. I do not believe that they can force Arafat to ask for refuge abroad. I don't believe he ever will do that at this crucial time in the Palestinian struggle. I hope, and I am sorry I show my bias, that he will go down fighting and rather die than surrender ignobly like that. I would be heartbroken if that ever happened, either his death or exile. I have met Arafat several times, and we talked at length. He showed his great respect for Judaism. He knew the difference between Zionism and Judaism and Zionists and Jews. And he always maintained that very essential difference which unfortunately most American leaders do not.

Again, what do I think is Sharon's ultimate plan in regard to the Palestinians? To drive them to desperately leave! But where are they going to go? The Zionists like to insist that Jordan is the Palestinian State; the more that Palestinians are forced into transferring themselves there, the argument seemingly becomes more valid. What is happening in Palestine is horrific. Yet the Palestinian people have not been crushed and will not all easily be forced out. Until there is a fair solution, the will to fight for freedom will go on. It is natural for all people. Why not for Palestinians? This is a very critical time in which Americans and our foreign policy should speak up before it is too late. I am almost afraid that the last minute has passed already.

* Dr. Lilienthal first became interested in the Middle East while in the US military and stationed in Egypt during World War II. Lilienthal has continued for over a half century to defend the Palestinian people and call repeatedly for an independent State of Palestine. He has traveled over 25 times to the Middle East for first hand investigation of events and has authored several books including The Zionist Connection that was described by Foreign Affairs journal as "his culminating masterwork."

(For Palestine Chronicle, 23 September 2002, http://palestinechronicle.com/article.php?story=2002092313513262 )

_________________________________________________________________

Counter Punch

www.CounterPunch.org

"America's Best Political Newsletter"

_________________________________________________________________

Palestinian Civil Rights Newsletter

www.palestinemonitor.org

_________________________________________________________________

European Jews for a Just Peace

A newly-formed coalition of 18 Jewish peace o rganizations.

To get in touch with European Jews for a Just Peace or one of its

member organizations, please contact:

Een Ander Joods Geluid

An Other Jewish Voice

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Email: eajg@xs4all.nl

_________________________________________________________________

Jewish Peace News (JPN)

An edited news-clipping and commentary service

provided by A Jewish Voice for Peace, a San Francisco Bay Area grassroots organization dedicated to the human, civil and economic rights of Jews, Palestinians, and all peoples in the Middle East. JPN's editors are Adam Gutride, Amichai Kronfeld, Rela Mazali, Sarah Anne Minkin, Judith Norman, Mitchell Plitnick, Lincoln Shlensky, and Alistair Welchman.

Donating to A Jewish Voice for Peace is easy. Just go to our website at www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org. There, you can either donate online using your credit card or you can find our mailing address to send us a check. All contributions are tax-deductible. Your support is greatly appreciated.

For more information about JVP, visit their web site at

http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org

To subscribe to Jewish Peace News, our daily news and information service please send an email message to:

jewishpeacenews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

__________________________________________________________________

Jewish World Review

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/jonah.html

__________________________________________________________________

Addresses for letters of comment and/or protest

Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon: pm_eng@pmo.gov.il

Israeli Defense Minister Benjamin Beneliezer: sar@mod.gov.il

Colin Powell

The Secretary of State

U.S. Department of State

Washington, D.C. 20520

The public fax number for the Secretary is: 202-261-8577

E-mail: secretary@state.gov