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A Mirror of the Arab World: Lebanon in Conflict Announcing a new book by Sandra Mackey. It is crucial that the West grasps the complexities of the Arab world. Clearly and concisely Sandra Mackey presents a view of this tortured and tortuous region through the lens of Lebanon.
Available April 2008—see http://www.wwnorton.com/catalog/winter08/006218.htm
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Solidarity for an Independent and Unified Iraq Solidarity for an Independent and Unified Iraq (SIUI) is an umbrella organization which encompasses many organisations and individuals working in various fields ranging from raising awareness on the deteriorating situation in occupied Iraq and actively supporting Iraqi women and children to the support of Iraqi people in their struggle to end the occupation. Realizing that there is no peace without justice, they support Iraqi people’s struggle to end the US and UK occupation, a struggle regarded as a basic right, endorsed by the UN General Assembly Resolution 33, which “reaffirms the legitimacy of the struggle of peoples for independence, territorial integrity, national unity and liberation from colonial domination and foreign occupation by all means available.” To learn more about SIUI, visit http://solidarityiraq.blogspot.com.
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Although we will recommend you to look at the websites mentioned above we can not take any responsibility for external sites. |
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American Wars: Illusions & Realities American Wars: Illusions & Realities is a collection of articles edited by Paul Buchheit and published by Clarity Press, 2008, an independent publisher on global issues. Clarity Press seeks to promote a global society where the individual and collective rights of all people—regardless of ethnicity, religion, class, gender, disability, age, belief or other status—are guaranteed not only by the laws of society, but through common agreement that human dignity and well being demands nothing less. American Wars: Illusions & Realities examines the realities of American wars—how American values are manipulated to gain support for initiatives contrary to their ideals and the well-being of their country. When Americans hear that the US country may go to war against another nation, they generally believe there’s probably a good reason for it or that no viable alternatives exist—or they don’t think about it at all. They trust their leaders to represent them and defend their values. They accept their leaders’ claims that war is to ensure their safety when others wish to harm them. The media reassures them that the reasons for war are altruistic— that Americans wish to spread democracy and allow others to adopt their way of life. But is this the case? Further details at http://illusionsofwar.org/ and www.claritypress.com.
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Turbulent history comes to trial. The Lebanese Forces was created in the 1970s as a military and political resistance movement to defend the Lebanese Christian community. See http://www.lebanese-forces.org for a full description. Samir Zeienoun was leading the northern command of the Lebanese forces and was a member of the operations room in Lebanese Force Military Council. On 18 January 1988, LF leader Samir Geagea ordered Zeinoun’s execution, accusing him of treason and conspiring to kill Geagea. Maintaining the innocence of Zeinoun, in 1989 Zeinoun's family filed a lawsuit against Geagea. The lawsuit is still ongoing till this day. A court hearing for the Zeinoun vs. Geagea case will be held on 12 June 2008 in Lebanon. A website with no political affiliations or agendas beyond a search for justice in the case is requesting anyone who has information on this case to contact the administrators of the site. If you have any information on or photos of Samir Zeinoun or want to learn more, visit http://www.zeinoun.org. |
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Survey: British Arabs Based in London, the Atlantic Forum is an independent think tank dedicated to making accessible, relevant, forward-looking policy ideas. The Atlantic Forum tackles topics from the ground up, understanding the challenges, articulating the implications and delivering innovative, practical policy solutions. The Atlantic Forum is non-partisan and works with policy makers and analysts across the political spectrum.
The Atlantic Forum is conducting a survey entitled “British Arabs: Identity, Politics and Community”. The surveyors note that because there has never been a survey or census on the topic, the nature of the British Arab community remains undefined. It is therefore easier for politicians and the media to overlook British Arab concerns. This survey is a vital first step toward helping the British Arab community create a strong voice in Britain. It will take approximately seven minutes to fill in. The deadline to respond is midnight Sunday, May 4th, 2008. The survey is located here. |
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Accountability: The International Citizens Tribunal and Jury of Conscience for Lebanon On 22 February 2008 citizens from around the world came together in Brussels, Belgium to hold an International Citizens Tribunal and Jury of Conscience for Lebanon. Speaking outside the realm of governmental bureaucracy, the Tribunal was an opportunity for concerned citizens, with a panel of International judges and jurists, to symbolically try the Israeli government, army and intelligence services for war crimes committed against the Lebanese people, environment and economy during the 2006 onslaught of Lebanon.
The Tribunal consisted of testimonies from the victims of Israeli air-strikes and attacks in 2006, as well as testimonies from international scientists, economists, environmentalists, legal experts, and human rights advocates. Observing the proceedings were delegations from around the world: parliamentarians, solicitors, organisers, journalists and activists. The Tribunal embodied both the fundamental right to freedom of speech, and the fundamental responsibility to speak against injustice. It was a first step in holding Israel accountable for the egregious crimes committed in the Summer 2006. To read the final verdict of the Tribunal, please click here for the verdict in English. The verdicts in Arabic and French are available on request– email mail@friendsoflebanon.org
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A man surveys the rubble of the Haret Hreik neighborhood after at least 18 bombs landed over a 12-hour period in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 16, 2006. |
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Sponsored Walk: Trek for Gaza In June 2008, two ladies and a donkey will be trekking across the Sahara desert and climbing the highest peak in the Atlas Mountain range. As well as being a brutal test of will power beyond what is usually required in their mundane lives, the challenge is also to raise money for charity: Islamic Relief in Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Islamic Relief is an international relief and development charity that aims to alleviate the suffering of the world's poorest people, regardless of race, religion or gender. In order to make their sponsored walk a success, the trekkers require donations toward this worthy cause. You would not be paying for their expenses--you would be donating directly to the charity that has made this challenge possible. For more information, please visit http://www.islamic-relief.com/SubMenu/Appeal/palestine.htm. Alternatively, you can contact the trekkers at sarahelrashidi81@hotmail.com or alaa_is_me@hotmail.com.
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Annual Arab Public Opinion Poll The Anwar Sadat Chair for Peace and Development has released its poll results. The poll was conducted under strict sampling methodology (margin of error +/- 1.6%) amongst a representative population in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Lebanon and Jordan. The full survey can be viewed here: 2008 Arab Public Opinion Survey Key Findings of the March 2008 Poll: Iraq: Only 6% of Arabs polled believe that the American surge has worked. A plurality (35% ) do not believe reports that violence has in fact declined. Over 61% believe that if the US were to withdraw from Iraq, Iraqis will find a way to bridge their differences, and only 15% believe the civil war would expand. 81% of Arabs polled (outside Iraq) believe that the Iraqis are worse off than they were before the Iraq war.
Iran: In contrast with the fears of many Arab governments, the Arab public does not appear to see Iran as a major threat. Most believe that Iran has the right to its nuclear program and do not support international pressure to force it to curtail its program. A plurality of Arabs (44%) believes that if Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, the outcome would be more positive for the region than negative.
The Arab Israeli conflict: There is an increase in the expressed importance of the Palestinian issue, with 86% of the public identifying it as being at least among the top three issues to them. A majority of Arabs continues to support the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, but an increasing majority is pessimistic about its prospects. If the prospects of a two state solution collapse, 50% believe it would lead to a state of intense conflict for years to come, while only 9% believe it would lead to a one-state solution, and only 7% believe that the Palestinians would eventually surrender.
Palestinian Divisions: In the conflict between Hamas and Fatah, only 8% sympathize with Fatah most, while 18% sympathize with Hamas, and 38% sympathize with both to some extent. In so far as they see Palestinians as somewhat responsible for the state of affairs in Gaza, 15% blame Hamas’s government most, 23% blame the government appointed by President Mahmoud Abbas, and 39% blame both equally.
The Lebanese Crisis: Only 9% express sympathy with the majority governing coalition in the current internal crisis in Lebanon, while 30% sympathize with the opposition led by Hizbollah, 24% sympathize with neither side, and 19% sympathize with both to some extent.
Popular Leaders: Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, increased his popularity as the most admired leader in the Arab world (26%) There was also an increase in the popularity of President Bashar Assad of Syria. Also striking, however, was the emerging popularity of modernizing Sunni Arab leaders, particularly Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum of Dubai, when respondents identify the two leaders they admire most.
Attitudes toward the US: 83% of the public has an unfavorable view of the US and 70% express no confidence in the US. Still, Arabs continue to rank the US among the top countries with freedom and democracy for their own people. 32% believe that, from the point of view of advancing peace in the Middle East, American policy will remain the same, no matter who wins the US elections. 18% believe that Barack Obama has the best chance of advancing peace, 13% believe Hillary Clinton has the best chance, while 4% identify John McCain as having the best chance for advancing peace.
Global Outlook: France continues to be the most popular country, China continues to make a good showing, and views of Pakistan have declined.
Media: Al-Jazeera continues to command the largest share of the Arabic news market, with 53% of Arabs polled identifying it as their first choice for news, with practically no change from last year. Egyptian Television and Al-Arabiya have made some gains over last year. To a plurality of respondents, the quality of both Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera has improved over previous years, with only a small minority perceiving a decline.
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Iraq Occupation Focus Iraq Occupation Focus was formed in the spring of 2004 by a group of activists from across the anti-war movement who were spurred into action by the revelations of human rights abuses coming out of Iraq, the growing evidence of plunder by US corporations and the appalling death toll inflicted by the occupying military forces. As part of the campaign to end the occupation completely by informing people in Britain about the realities of the occupation, Iraq Occupation Focus has developed a newsletter. It is produced as a free service for all those opposed to the occupation. To receive the free newsletter automatically – go to: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/iraqfocus . Please also ask all those who oppose the increasingly brutal US-UK occupation to do likewise. To find out more, visit www.iraqoccupationfocus.org.uk.
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Amnesty International: On Waterboarding You are tied to a board, your ankles, wrists, chest and head strapped firmly down. The board is tilted 45 degrees, so that your head is lower than your feet. Water pours onto your face, flows up your nose, into your mouth, down your throat and fills your lungs and stomach. You gag, choke and struggle for breath. You feel as if you are about to drown. Throughout the ordeal an interrogator fires questions at you. The water only stops when you start to give the “right”answers. This is waterboarding. US “intelligence agencies” use waterboarding to try to extract information from detainees in the “war on terror”. President George Bush calls it a “necessary tool”. In reality it is torture.
Amnesty International invites you to view a short film entitled “Stuff of Life” to witness for yourself what US authorities call an “enhanced interrogation technique”. Amnesty International believes it is illegal torture. What do you think? Click here to see how you can make your opinion count.
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Linda Dalal Sawaya Full time artist and writer Linda Dalal Sawaya presents colourful images and words that warm the heart. This website is a treasure trove of Lebanese culture and a compendium of web resources for peace in the Middle East. Of special note is her book Alice's Kitchen: Traditional Lebanese Cooking. An immigrant family cookbook, with more than 125 original recipes, from how to pick and cure olives to how to bake pocket bread. Here are generations of recipes passed down from mother to daughter in the mountain village of Douma, overlooking the Mediterranean, brought to America by Grandmother Dalal and Mother Alice, and then passed on to Linda. In Alice’s Kitchen, Linda presents their recipes, along with family stories, as a culinary gift to you of Lebanese cuisine-one of the healthiest on the planet. Visit http://www.lindasawaya.com.
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