Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is visiting President Bush on May 26. His goal is to get some straight answers about how serious U S support is for a Palestinian state. Recent actions in Congress have sent a worrisome mesage. Bush asked Congress for $ 350 million for the Palestinian Authority ( Israel receives $ 10 billion per year from U S ). Congress responded by allowing $ 200 million but of that $ 150 million would go to charities for dispersal and $ 50 million would be diverted to an Israeli construction project in the occupied territories. AIPAC ( American Israel Public Affairs Committee) the Israeli superlobby put swing to it's bat and Presto! A U S gesture ( albeit tiny ) of support was turned into a slap of scorn. Mr. Abbas has gone more than half way in reining in Hamas and other factions by persuading them to become part of the political process. But Israel wants those factions to disarm unilaterally. Not likely. Would anyone disarm who is a neighbor of Israel? Israel has also cut back by half a return of prisoners and transfer of security to the Palestinians as they promised. Also the Gaza pullout has been delayed by three weeks because of a transparent lie concernig an overlooked Jewish holyday. That will be the day. A Gaza pullout has been losing support in recent Israeli polls and the Sharon government has been deftly letting it die by prolonging the process.
This is not in the best U S interests. Once again the politics of Israel eclipses American long term security. Truly the average Israeli must think the average American dumb for this upside down political dynamic. There are ways to change that perception. Individuals in America should protest the Israeli obstructionist peace moves by boycotting Israeli products. Also our congressional representatives should be told to stop taking AIPAC money. These actions will be effective as the boycott of South Africa.
Recent examples of an Israeli boycott include the World Council of Churches. It is an ecumenical group of 347 Protestant and Orthdox denominations. In February 2005, the group recommended to it's members " to give serious cosideration to devestment of companies that aid Israel in the occupied territories". The Presbyterian Church of the U S A started that divestment movement in 2004.
In late April 2005, a resolution of boycott was passed by Britain's Association of University Teachers. The immediate target would be to bar British educators of this union from collaborating with Israel's Haifa University and Bar-Ilam University.
It is time for local people and groups to solve national problems.
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