Washington Watch Articles From 2019
Bringing Light to the Darkness
Daily, we are inundated by a numbing and dizzying array of outrageous horrors and painful tragedies occurring both here at home and abroad.
Why I’m Glad Netanyahu Won
I'm glad Benjamin Netanyahu won reelection. Since I realize that saying this won't sit well with many folks, let me explain:
Protecting Americans’ Right to Hear from the Leader of BDS, the Palestinian Non-Violent Campaign for Human Rights
I awakened early Wednesday to listen to a voicemail message from Omar Barghouti, a leading member of the Palestinian movement to Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) Israel.
Bringing Back Memories of the Nightmarish Israeli Invasion of Lebanon
The New York Times headline on April 4th was simple enough, "After 37-Year Search, Israel Recovers Body of a Fallen Soldier," but the memories it dredged up were both painful and complicated.
Irish Senator Frances Black Makes the Case Against Israeli Settlements
This past week, we hosted Irish Senator Frances Black in Washington. Black is the Chair of the Irish Seanad's (Senate) Palestine Working Group and the lead sponsor of the legislation to ban the import of products from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian lands into Ireland.
Pitzer College and the Struggle for Real Academic Freedom
On March 14th, the College Council, the governing body of Pitzer College in California, overwhelmingly passed (67-28) a resolution suspending its relationship with the University of Haifa until Israel ended its policy of restricting entry on the basis of "legally protected political speech or race or ancestry.
Challenging the Presidential Candidates to Discuss the Middle East in Iowa 2020
IOWA CITY, IOWA – I'm writing from Iowa where I've been speaking to audiences of activists and helping to organize "Concerned Iowans for Middle East Peace (CIMEP)" – a coalition committed to Palestinian human rights and a just Middle East peace.
The Shameful Attack that Backfired
What happened to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was troubling. On the one hand, because she dared to challenge the way supporters of Israel have worked to silence debate on US policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, she became a victim of incitement, and the target of legislation meant to shame her.
“You Can Fool Some of the People”
Among Abraham Lincoln's many notable traits and extraordinary accomplishments are the pithy quotations he bequeathed to posterity that speak to his wisdom and understanding of human nature.
A Challenge to the West
In 1971, my family and I spent some time in London on our way to and from Lebanon where I was going to visit family and to conduct research for my doctoral dissertation.
Game Over!
Hardline supporters of Israel are in panic mode. It was in evidence earlier this week with the all-out assault on the first Somali, African-born immigrant, refugee, Muslim woman elected to serve in the US Congress.
Why the Events Surrounding Pope Francis' UAE Visit Were So Important
This past week, I delivered one of the opening addresses at a conference in Abu Dhabi dedicated to creating understanding and building relationships and mutual respect among the world's religious leaders.
As the 2020 Presidential Contest Begins, Democrats Need to Refocus
We’re off to the races - the 2020 presidential races, that is. Since the beginning of the year, at regular intervals, new candidates have been coming forward to announce their intention to compete for the presidency.
Michelle Alexander Has Opened a Door, We Must Work to Keep It Open
This past Sunday, the New York Times featured on the front page of its "Week in Review" section a major column by Michelle Alexander - "Time to Break the Silence on Palestine.
A Weakly Inflated Trial Balloon
This week a well-known Israeli journalist revealed what he said were new details about the Trump administration's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan.
Republicans Play “Israel Card” and Fail
As this past week began, with the shutdown of parts of the US government entering its third week, Republicans, desperate to force the Democrat's hand, decided to play the "Israel card." The effort failed.
A Historic Day in Congress
I spent Thursday morning at the offices of two new Members of Congress, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. The scenes at both were just delightful.