MJ Rosenberg, who's a lot closer to the ground than I am, says that this may be the year that everything has changed. My hopeful reading, anyway. AIPAC "claptrap" is at an ebb, McCain and Obama are both for the two-state solution. The Hamas ceasefire on Qassam rockets has held for months–though no real easing of the Israeli blockade.The U.S. Congress has fostered Palestinian freedom in Jenin.
attended the annual banquet of the American Task Force on Palestine
(ATFP) last Sunday. The keynote speaker was Prime Minister Salam Fayyad
who issued a stirring call for implementing the two-state solution.
There were several other speeches and various greetings and messages.
But there was not a single
anti-Israel statement. Speakers decried the 41-year occupation but
there was not one anti-Israel remark. ATFP sent a clear message of
friendship for Israel and Jews. By way of contrast, the loudest cheers
at AIPAC (and other Jewish organizational events) are often reserved
for those speakers who indulge in the most paranoid and extreme
Arab-bashing. To their credit, these Palestinians have turned the page,
in large part due to the leadership of Palestinian-American physician,
Ziad Asali, his wife and partner Naila Abed Asali, and the American
Task Force, the organization they founded.
Perhaps most impressive was that this
event was happening at all. A dozen years ago, Palestinians were on the
margins of acceptance here in Washington. Few respectable types—let
alone U.S. officials—would allow themselves to be seen at a Palestinian
event where, of all things, the Palestinian national anthem is sung
along with the "Star Spangled Banner." But this year I saw dozens of
prominent officials, including Deputy National Security Council Adviser
Elliot Abrams, enjoying themselves among Fatah-supporting Palestinians.
Not an image I'll soon forget!
Things have changed since Golda Meir
preached that there was no such thing as Palestinians. The Palestinians
have been "mainstreamed" which means that at long last their voices are
being heard in Washington…
The great triangulation may be happening. The extremes are sliced off. And Americans finally ask, What do Arabs want? When Jews ask that question, the door to peace will open.
Thanks to Ralph Seliger of Meretz USA for the tip.
