Palestinians Must Campaign to ‘Alter Obama’s Position’ …

Let the Arab-Israeli battle for Barack Obama’s heart and mind begin …

For Yemen’s Al-Wahdawi newspaper, Ziyad Abu Shaawish writes of the crushing disappointment felt by Palestinians when Obama appeared before the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee calling for a united Jerusalem under Israeli control.

Reflecting continuing Arab and especially Palestinian frustration with their lack of influence within the U.S. electorate, Shaawish writes in part:

“Because he is Black and of Islamic origin, when Obama declared himself a candidate for the U.S. Democratic nomination against Hillary Clinton, some of us thought that perhaps American politics would change, resulting in a more equitable approach to the Arab cause, the Palestinian issue and the historic oppression of the Palestinian people, whose homeland was stolen and who have been scattered to the four corners of the earth. … we were very disappointed by Mr. Obama’s declaration regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict and Jerusalem, which is the most sensitive issue in terms of reaching a final solution with the Zionist enemy. Mr. Obama made these declarations while presenting his credentials to ‘AIPAC,’ the American-Jewish lobby known for its staunch support for the Zionist entity.”

So how should Palestinians respond? Shaawish writes that its time for a determined campaign to combat the ‘generations of lies and fabrications conceived of to harness the influence of Christian groups for the purpose of preserving the sanctity of the Jewish state.’

“We must roll up our sleeves and launch a serious, organized campaign to alter Obama’s position, even if some people tell us that his statements are regularly repeated and only represent electoral propaganda that the candidate will quickly retreat from when he reaches the presidency.”

But the article warns that Obama may not beat John McCain:

“since there is a strong possibility that the Republicans will continue on in the White House under Republican candidate John McCain, which will ensure the survival of an American policy that continues with its distorted perception of our issues and lopsided support for the Zionist entity, the task ahead will likely be more daunting and complex.”

By Ziyad Abu Shaawish

Translated By James Jacobson

June 6, 2008

Yemen – Al-Wahdawi – Original Article (Arabic)

Because he is Black and of Islamic origin, when Obama declared himself a candidate for the U.S. Democratic nomination against Hillary Clinton, some of us thought that perhaps American politics would change, resulting in a more equitable approach to the Arab cause, the Palestinian issue and the historic oppression of the Palestinian people, whose homeland was stolen and who have been scattered to the four corners of the earth.

Because it’s so rare for someone of mixed race to go this far in American politics, we were very disappointed by Mr. Obama’s declaration regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict and Jerusalem, which is the most sensitive issue in terms of reaching a final solution with the Zionist enemy. Mr. Obama made these declarations while presenting his credentials to “AIPAC,” the American-Jewish lobby known for its staunch support for the Zionist entity.

[Editor's Note: Among other things, Barack Obama called for keeping Jerusalem unified under Israeli control - including Arab East Jerusalem, which Palestinians consider to be their capital. This was just what Israelis wanted to hear, but badly disappointed Arabs.]

Talk by American leaders of freedom and human rights quickly vanishes when it comes to Israel. Behind the vulgar and stereotypical positions of U.S. leaders is the electoral influence of American Jews and the money they wield in supporting election campaigns. This goes unmentioned by the major media outlets, most of which are owned by supporters of Zionism – both in their thinking and their loyalties.

READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing translated foreign oress coverage of the U.S. election.