As published in the Daily Record, 11/29/02

To the Editor

Re: A new poll says that American Arabs and Jews want the US government to work harder for peace in the Middle East. A complete version of the opinion poll can be found at http://www.aaiusa.org.

Word count: 859 +/-

 For many years, I have been saying to my friends and foes alike that, while Israelis and Palestinians may continue to hate, maim and kill each other, only American Arabs and Americans Jews can make peace possible in the Middle East. A truly startling poll by Zogby International, conducted in October 2002, debunks long-held misconception about the relations, perceptions of and about each of the two communities. The poll reveals that the two sides are more moderate and closer to each other in their views on the Middle East than was believed. The survey documents both community’s strong attachments and involvement in the developments in the region. 

The poll, jointly commissioned by the Arab American Institute and Americans for Peace Now, found that neither community gave President Bush high ratings for this handling of the Arab/Israeli conflict. What is promising is the news that the majority of Arab and Jews in the US wants the American government to take a more active role in enticing both warring parties in the Middle East, the Palestinians and the Israelis, to reach a workable compromise to settle their conflict as outlined by the US in Bush’s June 2002 speech: End of Israeli occupation and a two-state solution, and security and guarantees for both peoples. This peace formula and its expectant rewards must now be ‘sold’ to the American public, Congress and to the Bush Administration. It is interesting to note that both ethnic groups are highly educated and their median income is above the American average. While eager for peace, they remain highly polarized and afflicted with a righteous self-containment. True, the maturing political impact of the Arab community on American domestic and foreign policies is no match to the power of the Jewish groups. Ironically, both communities are victims of persistent, bigoted and hateful sentiments and acts by extremist groups in the U.S. A recent FBI report documents a rise of about 1700% in the Anti-Arab/Muslim hate crimes. Add to this the anti-Jewish acts and you have a 'misery loves company' syndrome. It is this reality, I believe, that  should foster unified and collaborative efforts by both groups to work ever closer. Joint efforts to resolve domestic issues can have far-reaching implications upon how they perceive the external problems that seem to justify their self-imposed separation and animosity here in the US. 

Examples of cooperation have taken the form nascent movements at dialogue between individuals from both groups. Thus far, such encounters have not taken that quantum leap from stating each other's maximum positions onto founding common grounds for a negotiated settlement. Resourceful organizations, especially grass roots organizations, must take the lead to build a platform based on the common denominator, peace in the Middle East, and encourage a massive effort to promote this goal at all levels of society. I believe the survey results are a source of hope especially that after two years of violence that has destroyed thousands of lives, shattered hopes and brutally transformed Palestine/Israel into a devastated and seemingly hopeless land-it is important that many Arab Americans and American Jews still seek a solution based on mutual rights and respect. It is a hopeful sign that while the survey points out that while both communities have obvious deep feelings and attachments to different sides in this struggle, and while they may differ in many areas, they can find common agreement and work for peace.  

The joint survey shows that we share a common ground in supporting a two-state solution and a shared future for Israelis and Palestinians. It is up to us to work together to get that message out and help pave the path to peace. This survey is especially important for me, as I have just joined a Jewish-Arab organization called Middle East Peace Project. It aim is to bring together people from both sides into a conflict-resolution framework, intensely personal interactions and revealing role-playing sessions, geared toward a truer understanding of both sides’ concerns, fears, and hopes. What is now imperatively needed is that leaders from both communities convene to encapsulate short and long-term objectives. Major Arab and Jewish organizations must therefore undergo a radical prioritizing of their missions: building the foundation for peace in the Middle East. Historically, these organization's missions have been diametrically opposed, mutually exclusive and inherently suspicious and hateful of each other.  

The survey sends a strong and clear message to the leading organizations of both groups: differences aside, we must forge new alliances for the sake of our brethren's peace in the Middle East and our own piece of the America pie in the United States. If there is to be peace in the Middle East, American policy-makers must recognize that there is a constituency for it among Arab-Americans and Jewish-Americans. It is high time that we harness our collective political influences not to support one's party in the Middle East but hopefully to prod them towards the path of peace. If we cannot benefit from geographic distance of 3000 miles, how can we expect the Palestinians and Israelis to put aside the daily confrontations that they must endure and resolve their differences?  Courageous and truly peace-loving people, both American Arab and American Jews, must take the first step on the road to peace in the Middle East. Peace in the Middle East is not only good for Arabs and Jews but it is actually of greater material, strategic and moral significance to America. 

Respectfully,