Washington Watch Articles From 2018
Flashback: 1988, a Watershed Year in Arab Americans’ Struggle to Advocate for Palestinian Rights
Last week, after reading my column, "The Struggle to Advocate for Palestinians Has Never Been Easy," a reader did a bit of research, found, and then sent me an article I had written 30 years ago.
The Struggle to Advocate for Palestinians Has Never Been Easy
It has never been easy for Arab Americans to advocate for Palestinian rights and while we've made real progress, the challenges continue to grow.
Trump Can Kill Oslo, But Not Palestinian National Aspirations
In recent weeks, the Trump Administration has taken a series of drastic punitive actions against the Palestinian people.
Mr. Trump, You Cannot Erase the Palestinian Right to Return
First, the Trump Administration "took Jerusalem off the table." Now, in an especially dangerous display of recklessness, they have announced their intention to do the same for the Palestinian "right of return.
Flashback 30 Years: Lessons to Learn, Work to Do
Thirty years ago, I mounted the podium of the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia to open the first ever political party debate on Palestinian rights.
What About Israel's Airport Mistreatment of Arab Americans?
This past week the New York Times ran an article, "Israeli Airport Detention of Prominent U.S. Jew Prompts Uproar," focusing on the airport harassment received by Peter Beinart, a prominent liberal writer and TV commentator.
The "Jewish Nation-State" Bill
This past week by a vote of 62 to 55, Israel's Knesset passed legislation called "Israel as a Nation-State of the Jewish People.
Thank You, Ireland
On Wednesday morning, I watched an amazing debate unfolding in the Irish Seanad (Senate), as members spoke for and against a bill to prohibit the importation of Israeli goods produced in settlements in occupied Palestinian lands.
The Liberal's Lament
I find it exceptionally irritating when I hear liberals worry about whether Israel will be able to remain a "Jewish and Democratic State" if it retains control of occupied Palestinian lands. It's irritating because Israel is not now a democratic state nor has it ever tried to be one.
The Anti-Semitism Awareness Act Is Back: Free Speech Is at Risk
Back in 2016, without debate or an actual vote, the US Senate stealthily passed a disturbing and dangerous piece of legislation called "The Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2016" (AAA).