Will Obama Bring Change to U.S. Policy in Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan?

Two of the biggest issues waiting for President-elect Barack Obama are, first, the U.S. occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan and, second, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.  On both counts, we don't know exactly how the new president will handle these hot policy issues.  Obama's political stump speeches and pronouncements -- in typical, non-offensive political fashion -- are too vague to get a clear picture of his intended policy implementation.  The truth won't be revealed until he sets foot in the Oval Office.

While we wait for Obama to take office, America has a clear national leadership vacuum, as both foreign and domestic policy drifts rudderlessly toward January 20th. George W. Bush has been a presidential empty suit for eight years and now the whole suit has disappeared.  In the Gaza Strip in Palestine, the Israeli government is taking full and final advantage of the Bush Administration's 8-year hands-off policy in Palestine.  Obviously, the Israeli government doesn't trust campaign pronouncements either.

I am predicting that once Obama is sworn into office, he is going to meet highly visible American opposition to Israel's outrageous and obviously illegal military actions and activities in Palestine.  His supporters will be less tolerant of -- and more vocal about -- Israel's violations of international law and crimes against humanity as exhibited in Gaza over that last 18 months and more.  His supporters are going to want "change" in American foreign policy toward Israel and Palestine.  "Change" ultimately may be an albatross draped on Obama by his own supporters.  That's my prediction.

At the recent United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) General Assembly in Chicago, Palestinian-American Ali Abunimah addressed the issue of American foreign policy in Palestine and whether Obama may or may not bring "change" to the Middle East arena.  Abunimah's speech is provided below.  Americans should take the time to listen to these words in light of the conflict in the Gaza Strip and as we wait for someone to occupy the Oval Office.    

-- Rico Thomas Rico

              

Ali Abunimuh Speaking in Chicago

at the UFPJ General Assembly

13 December 2008

Adam Shapiro Brings Documentary to East Lansing on November 20th

Co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) Adam Shapiro is bringing his co-produced, six-part documentary series "Chronicles of a Refugee" to East Lansing on November 20, 2008. Episode One, "The Nakba Dailies," will be shown at 7:30 p.m. in Room 105 S. Kedzie Hall on the campus of Michigan State University. The series explores the Palestinian refugee issue with "The Nakba Dailies" providing an introduction to the series, including personal accounts of events in 1947-48 Palestine.

Shapiro will be on hand to discuss the series after the showing. The event is free and open to the public. The Peace Education Center of Greater Lansing is sponsoring the event.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

Chronicles of a Refugee Preview

Separate is Never Equal: Analysis from South Africa and Palestine

I just got back from an evening planning meeting in Dearborn as preparations are being made to host the only Michigan stop for the national "Separate is Never Equal" Tour. Two international experts on the Israeli occupation in Palestine will stop in Dearborn on Thursday, November 13, 2008. Mark you calendar. Details of the event are provided below.

The featured speakers are Diana Buttu and Rev. Eddie Makue. Here are their short biographies as provided by the event sponsors:

Diana Buttu is a Palestinian Attorney who has worked tirelessly to influence and bring more balanced coverage of Palestinian issues in the media. Ms. Buttu was also a Palestinian advocate in the litigations at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, which resulted in the landmark opinion against Israel's Apartheid Wall. She also works with PalTel on sustainable agricultural development and teaches at Birzeit University in Palestine.

Rev. Eddie Makue founded the Independent Forum on Electoral Education Committee in 1992, the Democracy Education and Lobbying Forum in 1994, and the South African Civil Society Election Observation Coalition in 1998. In 2005, Rev. Makue was a member of the Election Monitoring Delegation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In 2006, Rev. Makue was appointed to his current position as General Secretary of the South Africa Council of Churches.

Details of the event:

"Separate is Never Equal"

Analysis from South Africa and Palestine

Dinner & Reception

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location:

Byblos Banquet Hall

7258 Chase

Dearborn, Michigan 48126

Donation: $30

The event is being brought to Michigan by the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation in conjunction with the Palestine Office-Michigan, the Peace Education Center of Greater Lansing, and numerous other peace organizations. The event is officially endorsed by the Congress of Arab American Organizations of Michigan (CAAO).

A group will be traveling to the event on November 13th from Greater Lansing (Michigan). If you are interested in attending with the Lansing delegation please contact the Peace Education Center at 517-889-1175 or send an email message to peaceedcenter@gmail.com. The Peace Education Center's Middle East Awareness Committee has a limited number of scholarship tickets available for college and university students.

Event information is also available from the Palestine Office-Michigan at 313-945-9660.

-- Rico Thomas Rico