PRESS RELEASES -- Arab American News Wire

The Mosque Foundation and AgeOptions Offer Classes to Help Adults Learn to Thrive With Chronic Health Conditions

2011-11-30T08:19:00.001-08:00

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The Mosque Foundation and AgeOptions Offer Classes to Help Adults Learn to Thrive With Chronic Health Conditions

(November 30, 2011 – Bridgeview, IL) Adults are invited to join a series of free classes to help them learn to thrive, not simply survive, with chronic health conditions. The series will be held at The Mosque Foundation, 7360 W. 93rd St. in Bridgeview, IL. The series begins on Monday, December 12, 2011 and runs from 10:30am – 1:00pm. More series will be scheduled as well for those interested.

Take Charge of Your Health is an interactive series of six workshops offered throughout suburban Cook County. The ongoing workshops are sponsored by AgeOptions, the Area Agency on Aging of Suburban Cook County, and made possible through a grant from the U.S Administration of Aging via the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The program uses the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program developed by Stanford University. Research has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving participants’ health outcomes.

Each series of workshops is taught by two trained class leaders. Participants learn:

* Coping with fatigue, frustration, pain and isolation that may be related to ongoing health conditions
* Exercising to maintain and improve strength, flexibility and endurance
* Using medications
* Communicating with family, friends and health professionals
* Practicing good nutrition
* Evaluating new treatment options
* Problem solving around the ongoing health condition
* Brainstorming and other techniques

The free class sessions meet two and one-half hours per week for six weeks.

Participants set their own goals and work on goals they want to accomplish while learning how to manage pain and other symptoms. “The workshops allow older adults to meet people, share what they know and come up with new ways to improve their lives,” said Maria Oquendo-Scharneck, AgeOptions health and diversity coordinator.

Participants in previous classes report:

* Feeling better
* Feeling relief from pain, fatigue and symptoms related to chronic disease
* Having more energy
* Being more confident
* Feeling in control of their lives
* Feeling connected to others with similar issues

For more information or to register call The Mosque Foundation at (708) 430-5666, or contact Maria D. Oquendo-Scharneck at (708) 383-0258 or takecharge@ageoptions.org.

AgeOptions is a nonprofit organization located in Oak Park, IL, that has served the older adults of suburban Cook County and their caregivers as an Area Agency on Aging since 1974. For more information, please visit the Agency web site at www.ageoptions.org

Arab Economic Sanctions, a Defeat for the Syrian Regime Leads to More Isolation

2011-11-29T05:36:00.001-08:00

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Press Release

Arab Economic Sanctions, a Defeat for the Syrian Regime Leads to More Isolation

In response to the decision of the Arab League to impose economic sanction on the Syrian regime, the Syrian National Council (SNC) stated: The SNC confirms that the economic sanctions approved by the Council of Arab Foreign Ministers against the Syrian regime for its refusal of the Arab Initiative are considered a defeat, and are an important step towards isolating it and limiting the supplies that fuel its war against the peaceful demonstrators in Syria. Preventing the regime's officials from traveling, and halting trade and financial transactions with institutions under the regime's control, enhances the people's ability to respond to the oppression the Syrian regime practices against the unarmed civilians. The Syrian regime is politically and morally responsible for any social effects that may result from these sanctions for its refusal to act logically by its reckless dealing with the sanctions and their expected results, and its failure to respond to the efforts of the Arab League. The SNC calls on all Arab countries to continue the policy of isolating the regime on all levels - political, economic, and diplomatic, to immediately apply all decisions made and prevent the regime and its officials from bypassing them, and to confirm Arab unity with the Syrian people's struggles for freedom and dignity. The SNC will continue its efforts with all countries and regional and international organizations to further isolate the regime and overthrow it as soon as possible.

****************************** For more information or commentary, please contact Ausama Monajed, member of the Syrian National Council. Email: amonajed@gmail.com

Israeli Palestinian Confederation Convention December 12, 13th and 14th, 2011.

2011-11-20T13:32:00.001-08:00

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

November 20, 11

Israeli Palestinian Confederation

Israeli Palestinian Confederation Convention December 12, 13th and 14^th, 2011.

Jerusalem- Beit Jaala - Haifa

Our Pre- Elections convention will take place this year on December 12th 13^th and 14^th at the Ambassador Hotel in Jerusalem, Talitha Kumi in Beit Jaala and Bet Hagefen in Haifa. The convention will have presentations from such notable Israeli and Palestinians as: Shlomo Ben -Ami, Sari Nusseibeh Ruth Dayan, Munther Dajani, Uri Avnery, and Ahmed Natour. In addition we will have presentations from candidates who are currently running in these historical elections. The audiences will be inspired and entertained by the world renowned peace activist and singing performer, Liel Kolet.

Palestinians and Israelis alike are also registering to become voters in the FIRST Israeli Palestinian Confederation elections which will take place next year on December 12, 2012.

The convention schedule is as follows:

Jerusalem

Monday, December 12th 2011 Ambassador Hotel.

2:00 P.M Press Conference (Pre- convention)

4:00 P.M: Convention begins

Beit Jaala

Tuesday, December 13th 2011, Talita Kumi.

12:00 P.M Press Conference (Pre-Convention)

2:00 P.M: Convention begins

Haifa

Wednesday December 14th 2011, Bet Hagefen.
12:00 P.M (noon)

The Israeli Palestinian Confederation will be an independent government for the mutual benefit of the Palestinian and Israeli people. It does not replace or and is not intended to undermine the existing Israeli or Palestinian governments. The Israeli Palestinian Confederation will become an additional governmental organization necessary to fill in the current void and make peace. Our Constitution and the Frequently Asked Questions are available on www.ipconfederation.org.

In the next year, Palestinians and Israeli citizens who reside in the regions will continue to offer their candidacy for President and for Parliament in each of the predetermined 300 districts. Each Parliament member will represent a population of over 35,000 people and will serve a period of four years.

The President will be serving a term of two years and will then rotate with his Vice President for an additional two years. The President and Vice President must include an Israeli and a Palestinian Citizen. We currently have almost 450 candidates.

All the candidates, along with their personal biographies, photos, and mission statements now appear on our website at www.ipconfederation.org

For more information, contact:

Josef Avesar, Esq.

Mobile: 1-818-324-3182

Office: 1-818-783-2934

Email: josefavesar@sbcglobal.net

Aymen Zaben

Cell: 059-755-5854 (WB)

Cell: 050- 423-6466 (Israeli number)

Email: amenzaben@aol.com

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DISTILLED SPIRITS COUNCIL URGES COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO REJECT ALCOHOL TAX HIKE IN BUDGET PROPOSAL

2011-11-02T11:05:00.001-07:00

DISTILLED SPIRITS COUNCIL URGES COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TO REJECT ALCOHOL TAX HIKE IN BUDGET PROPOSAL

Chicago, IL – The Distilled Spirits Council today urged the Cook County Board of Commissioners to protect Chicago’s struggling hospitality industry by rejecting a job-killing alcohol tax increase in Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposed budget.

“During these troubling times, policymakers need to protect hospitality workers and consumers, not punish them with higher taxes,” wrote Council Vice President Dale Szyndrowski, noting that the hard-hit Chicago hospitality industry is still down 13,000 jobs since the recession. “The proposed tax increase will make spirits taxes in Chicago 85 percent higher than in New York City, and likely drive more business and tourists into surrounding counties and neighboring Indiana.”

Szyndrowski also pointed out that a restaurant patron already pays a staggering eight different direct taxes each time he or she purchases a drink: Federal Excise Tax ($13.50/proof gallon), State Excise Tax ($8.55/gallon), County Excise Tax ($2.00/gallon), City Excise Tax ($2.68/gallon), State Sales Tax (6.25%), County Sales Tax (1.25%), City Sales Tax (1.25%) and Transport Tax (1.00%). In total, he said, nearly 60% of the price of a bottle of spirits at the local liquor store already goes to taxes.

“By any measure, Cook County consumers are already paying more than their fair share in alcohol taxes,” Szyndrowski said. He further noted that Cook County’s proposed alcohol tax would mark the fourth alcohol tax hike on Chicagoans since 2005, including a state excise tax increase in 2009 that nearly doubled taxes on distilled spirits.

—30—

To receive a copy of the full letter, please contact Ben Jenkins: bjenkins@discus.org. Economic analysis on tax increase proposal attached.

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

PLO Statement on UNESCO Membership and actions by Israel and US

2011-11-01T13:49:00.001-07:00

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

November 1^st, 2011

Statement on UNESCO Membership

The General Delegation of the PLO to the US is pleased that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) accepted the State of Palestine as a full member during its session on October 31, 2011. With over 10,000 years of history, Palestine looks forward to finally take its rightful place among other nations of the world in this prominent institution. We hope this will help preserve the integrity of our cultural heritage after decades of Israeli negligence and abuse.

Meanwhile, we regret to see the U.S. Administration carry through its threat to freeze UNESCO funding for accepting Palestine’s legitimate right for membership when UNESCO provides critical assistance to many nations in education, children rights, women rights, and cultural heritage.

The General Delegation of the PLO to the US is surprised by the swiftness of the American response in withholding the aid, and can only hope this administration will exercise similar promptness in responding to Israeli violations of international law and defiance of US policy.

Statement Regarding the Latest Israeli Escalation in Gaza

The General Delegation of the PLO to the US condemns the latest unwarranted Israeli escalation in the Gaza Strip. Many of the casualties reported were unarmed civilians and not militants, in contrast to what mainstream publications reported. Moreover, Israeli warplanes continued their onslaught despite an Egyptian-mediated truce that went into effect Sunday at 10 P.M. The latest round of strikes is another example of the Israeli domestic politics resulting in military escalation against the Palestinians.

Nonetheless, we remain committed to a non-violent solution to the conflict, and hope that all parties abide by the declared truce.

We are disappointed at the U.S. Administration’s lack of response to this latest escalation. The recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza constitute violations of human rights, and the Israeli government’s continued settlement expansion is in direct opposition to U.S. policy.

The General Delegation of the PLO to the US urges the U.S. Administration to display evenhandedness in handling the Mid-East conflict, and to take immediate steps to prevent Israeli transgression of Palestinian human rights, which undermines the peace process and aspirations for a just and lasting solution.

To arrange a media interview with Ambassador Maen Areikat, Chief Representative of the General Delegation of the PLO to the US, please contact Amro Jayousi on ajayousi@plodelegation.us or tel. 202-974-6360.

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Intercultural Jewish, Muslim, Christian Comedians to Perform in 'FUNATICAL’ Interfaith Comedy Show in Chicago Nov. 5, 2011

2011-10-19T07:24:00.001-07:00

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Intercultural Jewish, Muslim, Christian Comedians to Perform in 'FUNATICAL’ Interfaith Comedy Show in Chicago

October 12th, 2011 -- PlanetPix Media & Entertainment Group, a multicultural media and entertainment production company, recently announced that 'FUNATICAL: Taking Comedy to the Extreme's "We Come in Peace" Tour' will make its way to the “Windy City” on Saturday, November 5^th, 2011.

FUNATICAL’s Chicago line-up includes Samson Koletkar (world’s only Jewish Indian comedian), Mike Batayeh (Arab Christian), Tehran SoParvaz (African-American-Iranian) as well as Chicago’s own Ray Hanania (Arab Christian) and MoNa (Arab Muslim).

Samson Koletkar was born and raised in Mumbai. Samson brings a refreshingly new approach to cerebral, witty, thought-provoking humor with a global perspective. Being a Jewish Indian in America has only added to the anomaly that is Samson. His comedy is socially aware and is driven by his personal trials and tribulations. He highlights religious, political, social and traditional hypocrisies and issues, and shares his views on day to day absurdities of the human nature. With his clean approach to comedy he is able to perform just as easily at clubs and theaters as he is at corporations, colleges, fundraisers and speaking engagements.

Mike Batayeh has guest starred and recurred on several hit television shows and has co-starred alongside A-list actors in several films. He recently filmed his first co-lead roles in the short film, "Fly While Arab" and the feature film, "Detroit Unleaded" (release date 2012). Mike is based in Los Angeles but has toured all over the United States as a comic. Mike is one of the ambassadors of western comedy to audiences in the Middle East, as he was part of the first wave of comics to perform live in Dubai, Lebanon, Nazareth, Jordan and Egypt. His mix of biting social commentary, physical comedy and ability to entertain leaves audiences eagerly anticipating his return.

According to Editor and Publisher magazine, Ray Hanania is "...a Palestinian-American writer married to a Jewish woman. He writes about Mideast issues in an evenhanded way." Ray is a stand-up comedian, media analyst and political consultant specializing in Middle East issues and events, and mainstream American politics. He is president of Urban Strategies Group and writes several columns. Hanania co-hosts the American Arab radio show "Radio Baladi" which is simulcast in Michigan, Ohio and Northern Illinois. He hosted the live Chicago morning show "The Ray Hanania Show" for three years on WJJG AM 1530 Radio.

MoNa is an Arab-American comedian from Chicago who has performed throughout the U.S. and Canada. She studied improv and comedy writing at Chicago’s Second City and has performed on many stages through the Chicagoland area, including: the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, Comedy Under the Tap, Chord on Blues, Jokes & Notes, the Lincoln
Lodge, Loco Locas at Watra, 1001Laughs Tour and now FUNATICAL: Taking Comedy to the Extreme.

Tehran SoParvaz is a half Iranian and half African American stand-up comedian and performer who lives in the Washington D.C. metro area. He is a dynamic and high-energy comedian and entertainer who is the host of a popular satellite TV and radio show that airs around the world. He has been using his witty and unique perspective of life and sense of humor in comedy shows along Maz Jobrani, Max Amini and FUNATICAL: Taking Comedy to the Extreme.

With increased religious and cultural tension growing in America and around the world, 'FUNATICAL' breaks stereotypes and bridges gaps between people of diverse backgrounds and religions by promoting unity through laughter. Comedians poke fun of culture, race, politics, religion and current events, which they lampoon with clean humor and satire. The shows are produced by an interfaith team who uses comedy as an equalizer to counter prejudices in a humorous way.

‘FUNATICAL officially launched in Hollywood, CA at the World Famous Comedy Store with a red carpet premiere, followed by three shows throughout Southern CA that brought together a diverse interfaith audience who were united by laughter. The tour continued with sold out shows in the Washington D.C. metro area, and special appearances at the National Press Club and Georgetown University. Media coverage includes Huffington Post, Voice of America, Al Hurra TV, Middle East Broadcasting, Belief Net and more. FUNATICAL has also performed in Toronto, Canada and is receiving requests to take the show internationally.

FUNATICAL: Taking Comedy to the Extreme’s Chicago show will take place Saturday, Nov. 5^th, 2011 (8pm) at American Islamic College’s auditorium on 640 West Irving Park Road in Chicago, IL. Sponsors of the show include American Islamic Congress, Project Nur, Urban Strategies Group, Mike Anderson Chevrolet of Chicago, Beauty and the East TV, and a contribution by Eric Hovemeyer & Christine Bieri. Contributing sponsors include Abrahamic Alliance, United Religions Initiative (URI), Hyde Park & Kenwood Interfaith Council, and the Peace Garden Project.

For more information: www.funaticalcomedy.com
Contact: thetour@funaticalcomedy.com
1.800.775.0958

Amnesty condemns prisoner abuses by Israelis and Palestinians

2011-10-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

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Israel-Hamas Prisoner Swap Casts Harsh Light on Detention Practices By All Sides, Says Amnesty International

Contact: Suzanne Trimel, 212-633-4150, strimel@aiusa.org
(New York) -- The prisoner swap involving Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and 477 Palestinian prisoners highlights the need for the humane treatment of all detainees in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), Amnesty International said today.

Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa director, said: “This deal will bring relief to Gilad Shalit and his family after an ordeal that has lasted more than five years. Many Palestinian families will feel a similar sense of relief today when they are reunited with their relatives, many of whom have spent decades under harsh conditions in Israeli detention."

"However, more needs to be done to protect the rights of thousands of others who remain in detention. The Israeli authorities, the Hamas de facto administration in Gaza, and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank must seize this opportunity to ensure respect for the rights of all prisoners and detainees in their custody.”

Shalit was captured by Palestinian armed groups from Gaza in a cross-border raid on June 25, 2006. Since then he has been allowed no contact with his family, who have campaigned relentlessly for his release. Nor was he allowed access to the International Committee of the Red Cross, despite repeated appeals by Amnesty International and other organizations, which made it impossible to verify the conditions of his captivity.

Amnesty International has repeatedly called on the Hamas authorities not to treat Shalit as a hostage and a bargaining chip, in violation of their obligations under international humanitarian law.

It has also consistently raised concerns with the Israeli authorities about the prison conditions of Palestinian detainees, and the fact that Israel continues to imprison Palestinians from the OPT inside Israel, in violation of its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Over 5,200 Palestinians from the West Bank – including East Jerusalem – and the Gaza Strip, which together comprise the OPT, are currently detained in facilities run by the Israel Prison Service. The vast majority are detained inside Israel.“International human rights standards and international humanitarian law guarantee every person deprived of liberty the right to humane and dignified conditions of detention, adequate medical care, and regular family visits,” said Smart.

“Israel, the Hamas de facto administration, and the Palestinian Authority must ensure that all detainees receive fair and prompt trials meeting international standards, and that judicial rulings on the release of detainees are implemented”.

Since September 27, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have been on hunger strike in protest against recent punitive measures imposed by the Israeli authorities.

Prisoners are demanding that the Israel Prison Service end the arbitrary isolation of prisoners and allow them regular family visits.

The fact that they are detained on Israeli territory makes it difficult, if not impossible for their families to visit them, as the Israeli authorities often refuse to grant them travel permits. Israel suspended family visits for all prisoners from Gaza in June 2007, in a punitive policy that penalizes both the detainees and their families.

The 477 prisoners released by Israel today, including 450 men and 27 women, include 275 sentenced by Israeli military courts to one or more life terms. Prisoners released include those convicted of ordering or carrying out attacks on Israeli civilians.

The Israeli High Court of Justice on Monday rejected appeals against the release filed by Israeli families and organizations opposed to the deal.

In two months time, another 550 prisoners, who have not yet been identified, are due to be released in the second phase of the deal.

Of the prisoners release today, will return, without restrictions, to their homes in the Gaza Strip, Israel or the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Fifty-five prisoners will return to their homes in East Jerusalem or other parts of the West Bank under a “security arrangement,” which will restrict their movement and subject them to regular monitoring by the Israeli authorities.

Another 164 prisoners from the West Bank, including East Jerusalem will be transferred to the Gaza Strip. According to the Israel Prison Service, 18 of them will be transferred for three years; it is unclear if or when the other 146 will be allowed to return to their families.

While the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip are internationally recognized as a single territorial unit under the Oslo Accords and international humanitarian law, the Israeli authorities do not allow Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip access to the West Bank or vice versa. These Palestinians will thus be entirely cut off from their family members with no possibility of visits.

Finally, 41 prisoners, including one woman, will be exiled abroad. Most of them are serving life sentences.

It is unclear whether they are being exiled permanently or will be allowed to return to their homes in the OPT at some point in the future.

Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits an occupying power from forcibly transferring or deporting people from an occupied territory. In the event that those prisoners being exiled abroad or transferred to Gaza from the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have not given their consent, Israel would be violating its obligations under international humanitarian law.

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.8 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

# # #

Intercultural Jewish, Muslim, Christian Comedians to Perform in 'FUNATICAL’ Interfaith Comedy Show in Chicago

2011-10-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

Intercultural Jewish, Muslim, Christian Comedians to Perform in 'FUNATICAL’ Interfaith Comedy Show in Chicago

Syria denies charges leveled at Mohamad Soueid that he works for the Syrian Government

2011-10-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

Oct, 12, 2011

Press Release

Responding to the US Department of Justice alleged charges

against “Mohamad Soueid”

Regarding the US Department of Justice alleged charges against the Syrian-born naturalized U.S. citizen Mohamad Soueid, the Embassy of Syria in the United States wishes to clarify the following:

1. Neither Mr. Soueid nor any other citizen of the U.S. is an agent of the Syrian Government.

2. The accusation that a U.S. citizen is working with the Syrian Government to intimidate U.S. citizens is absolutely baseless and totally unacceptable.

3. Contrary to the statement of the Department of Justice, Mr. Soueid is not an agent of any Syrian institution; he never worked under directions or control of any Syrian official.

4. Contrary to the statement of the Department of Justice, the Syrian Government has never paid Mr. Soueid travel expenses to Syria or any amount of money for any other services. We challenge the Department of Justice to provide a single shred of evidence to prove that Mr. Soueid has ever been paid by the Syrian Government.

5. There has never ever been a private meeting between President Assad and Mr. Soueid. This ludicrous accusation is a reflection of the poor quality of the whole set of allegations.

6. Contrary to the statement of the Department of Justice, Mr. Soueid has never provided any individual at the Syrian Embassy in the U.S. with any information regarding U.S. protesters or otherwise. This is a flagrant effort to defame the Embassy of Syria based on sheer lies and fabrications.

7. The Syrian Embassy in the U.S. has never recruited the services of any individual to inform on any sort of activities. We challenge the Department of Justice to provide a single evidence to the contrary.

Finally we hope that a thorough and comprehensive investigation will prove the veracity of our statement and expose the nature of those allegations for what they truly are: a campaign of distortion and fabrications against the Embassy of Syria in the U.S.

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Taybeh, Palestine OktoberFest Oct 1-2

2011-09-28T12:18:00.001-07:00

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TaybehOktoberfest Press Release, Taybeh Municipality, Taybeh-Ramallah, Palestine.

Coordinator: Dr. Maria C. Khoury, Tel: 054 5 465 845 or 0599 318347 Email: Khourymaria@hotmail.com(Interviews Nadim Khoury / David Khoury

Tel:(972) 2 289 8868 Mobile 0599 371105) September 24, 2011

TaybehMunicipality in conjunction with the Taybeh Brewing Company, Nadim Khoury, master brewer and all local civic organizations will host theTaybeh Oktoberfest, 7^th annual village festival, Sat and Sun,Oct 1 and 2, 2011 in Taybeh, Palestine, 11 am to 10 pm with the openingcelebration on Sat, 11am at Taybeh Municipality under the patronage of HerExcellency Dr. Khouloud Daibes, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities. Promoting support for local products with cultural exchange and heritage, thefestival will open with the Brazilian band, Rodrigo Lessa Trio; Sri LankaDance and Taybeh Folklore Group . The band traveling fromSpain, Metal Cambra, will perform at 2:30pm.

TaybehOktoberfest, reflecting democracy and modernism has become one ofthe most distinctive festivals inspiring international travel and is thecooperative work of the Taybeh Municipality and its mayor Mr. DavidCanaan Khoury with all local civic organizations (directions/schedule www.taybehmunicipality.org)Celebrating during this very historic time when Palestine appliedfor 194 member state in the United Nations will hope to bring many from thediplomatic, international and local community to Taybeh for support andsolidarity.

Entertainment will include an amazing diversity: CultureShoc,Palestine’s first Rock-Rap Band; DAM Palestinian Hip Hop; O-C Soldiers HipHop; Mina Band with Nazal Zanyed; West Bank Palestinian Hip-Hop /AdamDJ; Palestine Street; Toot Ard with Reggae from the GolanHeights; Eurasica Band from Jerusalem; Egtyas7 Underground; RamallahBand featuring Jack Tanous; Hajj MC; Amer Zahr Comedy ; ThePalestinian Circus School; Palestinian NationalTheater; Alrowwad Cultural & Theater ; Sanabel Theatre;Palestinian Circus School; World of Stories Geothe-Institut; Funonyat Dance. The Karate Demonstration from Japan will complement theTaybeh Beer competition and street hockey games; Taybeh Walk organized by WalkingPalestine. Aiman Salaymeh and Nadia Abu Ghattas will exhibit handcrafted jewelry along with other exhibitions by Holylanders. DJ Rateb willbe in the Old City.

Taybeh expresses appreciation to allsponsors: Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities; Consulate Generalof Italy; United States of America Consulate General; Representative of Brazil;Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany; Konrad Adenauer Stiftung;Representative Office of Canada; Ambassador Hotel; Caritas; Spanish

Agency for International Cooperation &Development; Adv. Mazen Qupty

The mayor states: “The Taybeh

Community invites you to celebrate the seventhannual Oktoberfest during this very historic time where we keep our hope forindependence and the two state solution. Come see the alternative pictureof Palestine by having fun and experiencing a truly memorable event. TaybehOktoberfest is absolutely the best and one of kind event in Palestine.”

Al Mubadarah: Arab Empowerment Initiative introduces mentoring program for women in Palestine.

2011-09-26T04:35:00.001-07:00

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Press Release

Date: September 25, 2011

Contact: Victor Shiblie

1-301-502-8555

Al Mubadarah: Arab EmpowermentInitiative introduces mentoring program for women in Palestine.

WASHINGTON DC— Social media uses are evolving beyondFacebook and Twitter, as human ingenuity continues to define this dynamicdigital stage.

Al Mubadarah: Arab Empowerment Initiative, with partnerorganizations, is presenting one vision for social media’s next phase through connectingpeople and building more prosperous communities.

The organization is recruiting entrepreneurs with at leastfive years of business development experience for the Cherie Blair Foundation Mentoring Women in Business Program. Participants will engage entirely through theInternet using Google technology tools that enable real time connection andcollaboration.

By recruiting established successful business leadersworldwide, the mentoring program will support Al Mubadarah’s mission ofdeveloping stronger ties between the global Arab Diaspora and the ArabWorld. Al Mubadarah develops itsprograming around the needs and aspirations articulated by Arabs in the MiddleEast and the Diaspora.

Entrepreneurs recruited by Al Mubadarah for the Cherie BlairFoundation Mentoring Women in BusinessProgram will connect with entrepreneurial women in the West Bank who seektechnical assistance and moral support for launching their business plans. AlMubadarah will pair mentor and mentee with the hope and goal that a synergywill form between the two since they will meet online regularly, develop trust,network and discuss business concepts.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds with ethnic and culturalties to the Middle East are especially encouraged to apply to serve as mentorsfor the Palestinian women. Exchanges between participants in such a programcreate the opportunity for Arabs to learn from, and about, one another whileengaging though shared cultural references and traditions.

“The role of social media is hard to ignore, but it is theconnections with people and the sharing of knowledge in a mutually beneficialway, that we’re promoting here,” said Al Mubadarah President and CEO, HazamiBarmada.

As events in the Middle East have unfolded over this pastyear, Barmada says she has already observed that there is a strong interestamong those from the Arab Diaspora who have wanted to give back to the region butwere unsure where to start.

“Palestine is in theminds and hearts of many Arab people. This is linking global Arab professionals back to the Arab world,” Barmada said. “This givespeople a tangible way of helping Palestinian people: by participating in systematic community and professional developmentwhile being remote.”

As the program gains speed, Al Mubadarah will recruit AlMubadarah Fellows for women mentees throughout the region. Mentors and menteeswill connect using online forums and other communication modes, including emailand chat. Mentors bring knowledge and expertise that could help women menteesbetter understand steps they can take to strengthen and improve theirbusinesses. Mentors and mentees must agree to meet for at least one hour everytwo weeks over the course of 12 months.

Al Mubadarah Advisory Board Member, Arab League Ambassadorto the United States Dr. Hussein Hassouna, applauded the initiative forcreating stronger linkages between Arabs worldwide and those in the Arab World.

“This is a great initiative that helps building bridgesbetween people in the Arab World and Arabs abroad,” Hassouna said. “It allows them to share their experiences,learn from each other and work together.”

As more Al-Mubadarah fellows join the team, Al Mubadarahintends to burnish its credentials as a global exchange platform forArabs. Using Internet technologies withinformation sharing capabilities, is just one way Hassouna said that AlMubadarah will continue to take steps in examining, and addressing the loss oftalent and expertise from the Middle East due to immigration.

"I hope that in the days ahead, Al Mubadarah willcontinue enlarging its membership and gain support. It is only through dedicated and collectiveefforts that this initiative can achieve valuable tangible results."

For more information visit arabempowerment.org.

President Obama speech to the United Nations

2011-09-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

THEWHITE HOUSE

Officeof the Press Secretary

EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY

September 21, 2011

Remarksof President Barack Obama – As Prepared for Delivery

Addressto the United Nations General Assembly

NewYork City

September21, 2011

As Prepared for Delivery –

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, fellow delegates, ladies andgentlemen: I would like to talk to you about a subject that is at the heart ofthe United Nations – the pursuit of peace in an imperfect world.

War and conflict have been with us since the beginning ofcivilization. But in the first part of the 20th century, the advance of modernweaponry led to death on a staggering scale. It was this killing that compelledthe founders of this body to build an institution that was focused not just onending one war, but on averting others; a union of sovereign states that wouldseek to prevent conflict, while also addressing its causes.

No American did more to pursue this objective than PresidentFranklin Roosevelt. He knew that a victory in war was not enough. As he said atone of the very first meetings on the founding of the United Nations, “We havegot to make, not merely a peace, but a peace that will last.”

The men and women who built this institution understood that peaceis more than the absence of war. A lasting peace – for nations and individuals– depends upon a sense of justice and opportunity; of dignity and freedom. Itdepends upon struggle and sacrifice; on compromise, and a sense of commonhumanity.

One delegate to the San Francisco Conference that led to thecreation of United Nations put it well – “Many people,” she said, “have talkedas if all we had to do to get peace was…to say loudly and frequently that weloved peace and hated war. Now we have learned that no matter how much we lovepeace and hate war, we cannot avoid having war brought upon us if there areconvulsions in other parts of the world.”

The fact is, peace is hard, but our people demand it. Over nearlyseven decades, even as the United Nations helped avert a third World War, westill live in a world scarred by conflict and plagued by poverty. Even as weproclaim our love for peace and hatred of war, there are convulsions in ourworld that endanger us all.

I took office at a time of two wars for the United States.Moreover, the violent extremists who drew us into war in the first place –Osama bin Laden, and his al Qaeda organization – remained at large. Today, wehave set a new direction.

At the end of this year, America’s military operation in Iraq willbe over. We will have a normal relationship with a sovereign nation that is amember of the community of nations. That equal partnership will be strengthenedby our support for Iraq – for its government and Security Forces; for itspeople and their aspirations.

As we end the war in Iraq, the United States and our coalitionpartners have begun a transition in Afghanistan. Between now and 2014, anincreasingly capable Afghan government and Security Forces will step forward totake responsibility for the future of their country. As they do, we are drawingdown our own forces, while building an enduring partnership with the Afghanpeople.

So let there be no doubt: the tide of war is receding. WhenI took office, roughly 180,000 Americans were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.By the end of this year, that number will be cut in half, and it will continueto decline. This is critical to the sovereignty of Iraq and Afghanistan, and tothe strength of the United States as we build our nation at home.

Moreover, we are poised to end these wars from a position ofstrength. Ten years ago, there was an open wound of twisted steel and brokenhearts in this city. Today, as a new tower rising at Ground Zero symbolizes NewYork’s renewal, al Qaeda is under more pressure than ever before. Itsleadership has been degraded. And Osama bin Laden, a man who murdered thousandsof people from dozens of countries, will never endanger the peace of the worldagain.

Yes, this has been a difficult decade. But today, we stand at acrossroads of history with the chance to move decisively in the direction ofpeace. To do so, we must return to the wisdom of those who created thisinstitution. The UN’s Founding Charter calls upon us, “to unite our strength tomaintain international peace and security.” And Article 1 of this GeneralAssembly’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights reminds us that, “All humanbeings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.’ Those bedrock beliefs –in the responsibility of states, and the rights of men and women – must be ourguide.

In that effort, we have reason to hope. This year has been a timeof transformation. More nations have stepped forward to maintaininternational peace and security. And more individuals are claiming theiruniversal right to live in freedom and dignity.

One year ago, when we met here in New York, the prospect of asuccessful referendum in South Sudan was in doubt. But the internationalcommunity overcame old divisions to support the agreement that had beennegotiated to give South Sudan self-determination. And last summer, as a newflag went up in Juba, former soldiers laid down their arms; men and women weptwith joy; and children finally knew the promise of looking to a future thatthey will shape.

One year ago, the people of Cote D’Ivoire approached a landmarkelection. And when the incumbent lost, and refused to respect the results, theworld refused to look the other way. UN peacekeepers were harassed, but did notleave their posts. The Security Council, led by the United States, Nigeria, andFrance, came together to support the will of the people. And Cote D’Ivoire isnow governed by the man who was elected to lead.

One year ago, the hopes of the people of Tunisia were suppressed.But they chose the dignity of peaceful protest over the rule of an iron fist. Avendor lit a spark that took his own life, but ignited a movement. In the faceof a crackdown, students spelled out the word freedom. The balance of fearshifted from the ruler to those that he ruled. Now the people of Tunisia arepreparing for elections that will move them one step closer to the democracythey deserve.

One year ago, Egypt had known one President for nearly thirtyyears. But for 18 days, the eyes of the world were on Tahrir Square, whereEgyptians from all walks of life – men and women; young and old; Muslim andChristian – demanded their universal rights. We saw in those protesters themoral force of non-violence that has lit the world from Delhi to Warsaw; fromSelma to South Africa – and we knew that change had come to Egypt and to theArab World.

One year ago, the people of Libya were ruled by the world’slongest serving dictator. But faced with bullets and bombs and a dictator whothreatened to hunt them down like rats, they showed relentless bravery. We willnever forget the words of the Libyan who stood up in those early days ofrevolution and said, “Our words are free now. It’s a feeling you can’texplain.”

Day after day, in the face of bullets and bombs, the Libyan peoplerefused to give back that freedom. And when they were threatened by the kind ofmass atrocity that often went unchallenged in the last century, the UnitedNations lived up to its charter. The Security Council authorized all necessarymeasures to prevent a massacre. The Arab League called for this effort,and Arab nations joined a NATO-led coalition that halted Qadhafi’s forces intheir tracks.

In the months that followed, the will of the coalition provedunbreakable, and the will of the Libyan people could not be denied. Forty-twoyears of tyranny was ended in six months. From Tripoli to Misratah toBenghazi – today, Libya is free. Yesterday, the leaders of a new Libyatook their rightful place beside us, and this week, the United States isreopening our Embassy in Tripoli. This is how the international community issupposed to work – nations standing together for the sake of peace andsecurity; individuals claiming their rights. Now, all of us have aresponsibility to support the new Libyan government as they confront thechallenge of turning this moment of promise into a just and lasting peace forall Libyans.

So it has been a remarkable year. The Qadhafi regime is over.Gbagbo, Ben Ali, and Mubarak are no longer in power. Osama bin Laden is gone,and the idea that change could only come through violence has been buried withhim. Something is happening in our world. The way things have been is not theway they will be. The humiliating grip of corruption and tyranny is being priedopen. Technology is putting power in the hands of the people. The youth aredelivering a powerful rebuke to dictatorship, and rejecting the lie that someraces, religions and ethnicities do not desire democracy. The promise writtendown on paper – “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity andrights” – is closer at hand.

But let us remember: peace is hard. Progress can be reversed.Prosperity comes slowly. Societies can split apart. The measure of oursuccess must be whether people can live in sustained freedom, dignity, andsecurity. And the United Nations and its member states must do their part tosupport those basic aspirations.

In Iran, we have seen a government that refuses to recognize therights of its own people. And as we meet here today, men, women and childrenare being tortured, detained and murdered by the Syrian regime. Thousands havebeen killed, many during the holy time of Ramadan. Thousands more have pouredacross Syria’s borders. The Syrian people have shown dignity and courage intheir pursuit of justice – protesting peacefully, standing silently in thestreets, dying for the same values that this institution is supposed to standfor. The question for us is clear: Will we stand with the Syrian people, orwith their oppressors?

Already, the United States has imposed strong sanctions on Syria’sleaders. We have supported a transfer of power that is responsive to the Syrianpeople. Many of our allies have joined us in this effort. But for the sake ofSyria – and the peace and security of the world – we must speak with one voice.There is no excuse for inaction. Now is the time for the United NationsSecurity Council to sanction the Syrian regime, and to stand with the Syrianpeople.

Throughout the region, we will have to respond to the calls forchange. In Yemen, men, women and children gather by the thousands in towns andcity squares every day with the hope that their determination and spilled bloodwill prevail over a corrupt system. America supports their aspirations. We mustwork with Yemen’s neighbors and our partners around the world to seek a paththat allows for a peaceful transition of power from President Saleh, and amovement to free and fair elections as soon as possible.

In Bahrain, steps have been taken toward reform andaccountability, but more are required. America is a close friend of Bahrain,and we will continue to call on the government and the main opposition bloc –the Wifaq – to pursue a meaningful dialogue that brings peaceful change that isresponsive to the people. And we believe the patriotism that binds Bahrainistogether must be more powerful than the sectarian forces that would tear themapart.

Each nation must chart its own course to fulfill the aspirationsof its people, and America does not expect to agree with every party or personwho expresses themselves politically. But we will always stand up for theuniversal rights that were embraced by this Assembly. Those rights depend uponelections that are free and fair; governance that is transparent andaccountable; respect for the rights of women and minorities; and justice thatis equal and fair. That is what our people deserve. Those are elements of apeace that lasts.

Moreover, the United States will continue to support those nationsthat transition to democracy – with greater trade and investment, so thatfreedom is followed by opportunity. We will pursue a deeper engagement withgovernments, but also civil society – students and entrepreneurs; politicalparties and the press. We have banned those who abuse human rights fromtravelling to our country, and sanctioned those who trample on human rightsabroad. And we will always serve as a voice for those who have been silenced.

Now I know that for many in this hall, one issue stands as a testfor these principles – and for American foreign policy: the conflict betweenthe Israelis and Palestinians.

One year ago, I stood at this podium and called for an independentPalestine. I believed then – and I believe now – that the Palestinian peopledeserve a state of their own. But what I also said is that genuine peace canonly be realized between Israelis and Palestinians themselves. One year later,despite extensive efforts by America and others, the parties have not bridgedtheir differences. Faced with this stalemate, I put forward a new basis fornegotiations in May. That basis is clear, and well known to all of us here.Israelis must know that any agreement provides assurances for their security.Palestinians deserve to know the territorial basis of their state.

I know that many are frustrated by the lack of progress. So am I.But the question isn’t the goal we seek – the question is how to reach it. AndI am convinced that there is no short cut to the end of a conflict that hasendured for decades. Peace will not come through statements and resolutions atthe UN – if it were that easy, it would have been accomplished by now.Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians who must live side by side.Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians – not us – who must reach agreementon the issues that divide them: on borders and security; on refugees andJerusalem.

Peace depends upon compromise among peoples who must live togetherlong after our speeches are over, and our votes have been counted. That is thelesson of Northern Ireland, where ancient antagonists bridged theirdifferences. That is the lesson of Sudan, where a negotiated settlement led toan independent state. And that is the path to a Palestinian state.

We seek a future where Palestinians live in a sovereign state oftheir own, with no limit to what they can achieve. There is no question thatthe Palestinians have seen that vision delayed for too long. And it isprecisely because we believe so strongly in the aspirations of the Palestinianpeople that America has invested so much time and effort in the building of aPalestinian state, and the negotiations that can achieve one.

America’s commitment to Israel’s security is unshakeable, and ourfriendship with Israel is deep and enduring. And so we believe that any lastingpeace must acknowledge the very real security concerns that Israel faces everysingle day. Let’s be honest: Israel is surrounded by neighbors that have wagedrepeated wars against it. Israel’s citizens have been killed by rockets firedat their houses and suicide bombs on their buses. Israel’s children come of ageknowing that throughout the region, other children are taught to hate them. Israel,a small country of less than eight million people, looks out at a world whereleaders of much larger nations threaten to wipe it off of the map. The Jewishpeople carry the burden of centuries of exile, persecution, and the freshmemory of knowing that six million people were killed simply because of whothey were.

These facts cannot be denied. The Jewish people have forged asuccessful state in their historic homeland. Israel deserves recognition. Itdeserves normal relations with its neighbors. And friends of the Palestiniansdo them no favors by ignoring this truth, just as friends of Israel mustrecognize the need to pursue a two state solution with a secure Israel next toan independent Palestine.

That truth – that each side has legitimate aspirations – is whatmakes peace so hard. And the deadlock will only be broken when each side learnsto stand in each other’s shoes. That’s what we should be encouraging. This body– founded, as it was, out of the ashes of war and genocide; dedicated, as itis, to the dignity of every person – must recognize the reality that is livedby both the Palestinians and the Israelis. The measure of ouractions must always be whether they advance the right of Israeli andPalestinian children to live in peace and security, with dignity andopportunity. We will only succeed in that effort if we can encourage theparties to sit down together, to listen to each other, and to understand eachother’s hopes and fears. That is the project to which America is committed. Andthat is what the United Nations should be focused on in the weeks and months tocome.

Now, even as we confront these challenges of conflict andrevolution, we must also recognize once more that peace is not just the absenceof war. True peace depends upon creating the opportunity that makes life worthliving. And to do that, we must confront the common enemies of human beings:nuclear weapons and poverty; ignorance and disease. These forces corrode thepossibility of lasting peace, and together we are called upon to confront them.

To lift the specter of mass destruction, we must come together topursue the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons. Over the lasttwo years, we have begun to walk down that path. Since our Nuclear SecuritySummit in Washington, nearly 50 nations have taken steps to secure nuclearmaterials from terrorists and smugglers. Next March, a Summit in Seoul willadvance our efforts to lock down all of them. The New START Treaty between theUnited States and Russia will cut our deployed arsenals to the lowest level ina half century, and our nations are pursuing talks on how to achieve deeperreductions. America will continue to work for a ban on the testing of nuclearweapons, and the production of fissile material needed to make them.

As we meet our obligations, we have strengthened the treaties andinstitutions that help stop the spread of these weapons. To do so, we mustcontinue to hold accountable those nations that flout them. The Iraniangovernment cannot demonstrate that its program is peaceful, has not met itsobligations, and rejected offers that would provide it with peaceful nuclearpower. North Korea has yet to take concrete steps toward abandoning itsweapons, and continues belligerent actions against the South. There is a futureof greater opportunity for the people of these nations if their governmentsmeet their obligations. But if they continue down a path that is outsideinternational law, they must be met with greater pressure and isolation. Thatis what our commitment to peace demands.

To bring prosperity to our people, we must promote the growth thatcreates opportunity. In this effort, let us not forget that we have madeenormous progress over the last several decades. Closed societies gave way to openmarkets. Innovation and entrepreneurship has transformed the way we live andthe things that we can do. Emerging economies from Asia to the Americas havelifted hundreds of millions from poverty. Yet three years ago, we confrontedthe worst financial crisis in eight decades. That crisis proved a factthat has become clearer with each passing year – our fate is interconnected; ina global economy, nations will rise, or fall, together.

Today, we confront the challenges that have followed that crisis.Recovery is fragile. Markets are volatile. Too many people are out of work. Toomany others are struggling to get by. We acted together to avert a Depressionin 2009. We must take urgent and coordinated action once more. Here in theUnited States, I have announced a plan to put Americans back to work andjumpstart our economy, and committed to substantially reduce our deficit overtime. We stand with our European allies as they reshape their institutions andaddress their own fiscal challenge. For other countries, leaders face adifferent challenge as they shift their economies towards more self-reliance,boosting domestic demand while slowing inflation. So we will work withemerging economies that have rebounded strongly, so that rising standards ofliving create new markets that promote global growth. That is what ourcommitment to prosperity demands.

To combat the poverty that punishes our children, we must act onthe belief that freedom from want is a basic human right. The United States hasmade it a focus of our engagement abroad to help people to feed themselves. Andtoday, as drought and conflict have brought famine to the Horn of Africa, ourconscience calls on us to act. Together, we must continue to provideassistance, and support organizations that can reach those in need. Andtogether, we must insist on unrestricted humanitarian access so that we cansave the lives of thousands of men, women and children. Our common humanity is atstake. Let us show that the life of a child in Somalia is as precious as anyother. That is what our commitment to our fellow human beings demands.

To stop disease that spreads across borders, we must strengthenour systems of public health. We will continue the fight against HIV/AIDS,tuberculosis and malaria. We will focus on the health of mothers and children.And we must come together to prevent, detect, and fight every kind ofbiological danger – whether it is a pandemic like H1N1, a terrorist threat, ora treatable disease. This week, America signed an agreement with theWorld Health Organization to affirm our commitment to meet this challenge.Today, I urge all nations to join us in meeting the WHO’s goal of making sureall nations have core capacities to address public health emergencies in placeby 2012. That is what our commitment to the health of our people demands.

To preserve our planet, we must not put off the action that achanging climate demands. We must tap the power of science to save thoseresources that are scarce. Together, we must continue our work to build on theprogress made in Copenhagen and Cancun, so that all of the major economies heretoday follow through on the commitments that were made. Together, we must workto transform the energy that powers are economies, and support others as theymove down that path. That is what our commitment to the next generationdemands.

And to make sure our societies reach their potential, we mustallow our citizens to reach theirs. No country can afford the cancer ofcorruption. Together, we must harness the power of open societies and openeconomies. That is why we have partnered with countries from across the globeto launch a new partnership on Open Government that helps ensure accountabilityand empower their citizens. No country should deny people their rights becauseof who they love, which is why we must stand up for the rights of gays andlesbians everywhere. And no country can realize its potential if half itspopulation cannot reach theirs. This week, the United States signed a newDeclaration on Women’s Participation. Next year, we should each announce thesteps we are taking to break down economic and political barriers that stand inthe way of women and girls. That is what our commitment to human progressdemands.

I know that there is no straight line to progress, no single pathto success. We come from different cultures, and carry with us differenthistories. But let us never forget that even as we gather here as heads of differentgovernments, we represent citizens who share the same basic aspirations – tolive with dignity and freedom; to get an education and pursue opportunity; tolove our families and our God. To live in the kind of peace that makes lifeworth living.

It is the nature of our imperfect world that we are forced tolearn this lesson over and over again. Conflict and repression will endure solong as some people refuse to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.Yet that is precisely why we have built institutions like this that bind ourfates together – because those who came before us believed that peace ispreferable to war; freedom is preferable to suppression; and prosperity ispreferable to poverty. That is the message that comes not from capitals, butfrom citizens.

When the corner-stone of this very building was put in place,President Truman came here to New York and said, “The United Nations isessentially an expression of the moral nature of man’s aspirations.” As we livein a world that is changing at a breathtaking pace, that is a lesson that wemust never forget.

Peace is hard, but we know that it is possible. Together, let usresolve to see that it is defined by our hopes and not our fears. Together, letus work to make, not merely a peace, but a peace that will last. Thank you.

###

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

Al-Jazeera replaces Director General in major shakeup: Shaikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani succeeds Wadah Khanfar

2011-09-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

Al Jazeera leadership transition outlined

Doha, Qatar, 20September, 2011 - Al Jazeera has announced the departure of its DirectorGeneral of eight years, Wadah Khanfar.

Speaking to staff today,he said that he had served for a substantial period of time, and the Network’scurrent success offered him the opportunity to leave having accomplished thevision he had set for Al Jazeera to be a globally recognized mediainstitution.

Khanfar hadapproached Al Jazeera’s chairman with his intentions in July. Hisreplacement, Shaikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani was identified onemonth ago, ensuring a smooth transition. The new Director General will takeover responsibilities from tomorrow.

Since Khanfar tookover the reins at Al Jazeera in 2003, Al Jazeera became a medianetwork from being a solitary Arabic news channel. It now includesAl Jazeera English, Al Jazeera Sport, Al Jazeera Mubasherand Al Jazeera Documentary. The Arabic and English news channels have beenwidely acclaimed for their coverage of the Arab awakening.

Khanfar said:

“Upon my appointment Iset a goal to establish Al Jazeera as global media leader. This target hasbeen met and the organization is in a healthy position.

“This Network is greatnot because of me or any other individual, it is great because of its missionwhich carries on with all of its outstanding staff.

“My successor has theskills and attributes to maintain and build upon the quality journalism thatAl Jazeera has become renowned for.”

[ENDS]

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

ALO Foundation Roundtable: Oct. 11, Monterey Park, CA

2011-09-09T03:04:00.000-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

***ADVISORY***

ALO CulturalFoundation presents

Cultural Diplomacy

Unraveling thepublicity machine to understand the identity and integration

of MiddleEastern-Americans

Co-hosted by

Hon. LeRoy D. Baca,Los Angeles County Sheriff

and

ALO Magazine,America’s Top Middle Eastern Lifestyle Magazine

Who:

LeRoyD. Baca, Los Angeles County Sheriff

WafaKanan, Publisher of ALO Magazine and Founder, ALO Cultural Foundation

Moderatedby Bill Overton, media consultant for WAO Communications, Inc.

InvitedPanelists include:

1. SenatorDiana Feinstein, Suheil Bushrui, Professor at the University of Michigan; MehdiNoorbaksh, Associate Professor of International Affairs at HarrisburgUniversity; Octavia Nasr, CNN's Chief Middle East correspondent for 20 years;Farouk El-Baz, NASA Scientist and Professor at Boston University; Rima Fakih,Miss USA 2010; Joseph Haiek, Publisher of the Arab-American Almanac; Monte E.Perez, Ph.D., President of Los Angeles Mission College; Sameh Alfonse, TheLeague Arab States; Elizabeth A. Say, Professor at CSUN; and Anthony AlanBotto, US Department of State.

What:

CULTURAL DIPLOMACY brings together corporations, media,government agencies, educational institutions, community leaders and socialagencies to discuss the diversity of the Middle Eastern Culture, the mysterythat wraps around it, the misconceptions, perspectives and perception of theheritage in the mainstream. At the conclusion, the framework will beestablished to map a social plan for tolerance.

Whereand When:

Sheriff's Department Headquarters, MediaConference Room

4700 West Ramona Boulevard, MontereyPark,CA 91754

Tuesday,October 11, 2011, 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Why:Theunique roundtable will bring to light the positive economical and culturalimpact the Middle Eastern community has delivered to the U.S. It seeks toillustrate our similarities and distinctions, facilitate diversity issues through healthy and cross cultural relationshipsand expand the perspectives of an emerging community.

How: Apanel of experts from the diverse landscape of the United States will beassembled for policy-shaping collaboration. Along with Sheriff Baca, Kanan—oneof the foremost experts in cross-cultural tolerance and education—opens a frankand diverse discussion between an intimate gathering of cultural, media,business leaders, and educators that will ultimately lead to a greaterunderstanding of Middle Easterners in America.

ForFurther Information:ALO Cultural Foundation 818/727-7785

Aboutthe ALO Cultural Foundation: The Foundation is a 501(c)(3), nonpolitical,nonpartisan, non-profit corporation. Its mission of building stronger,healthier communities through social investment focused on cultural exchangeprograms, women empowerment, voluntourism, philanthropy, and diversitythrough the power of community outreach will foster friendship, knowledge, andunderstanding between these diverse people throughout the United States.

When will Israel protect the Christians?

2011-09-06T13:31:00.001-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

6 September 2011

Bethlehem, Palestine

Dear Alumni and Friends of BethlehemUniversity,

Generally, I am delighted to writeto you with some encouraging news about happenings at Bethlehem University.Today, however, I have some disturbing and unfortunate news to share with you.

A Bethlehem University Professor andStudent Survive Two Separate Attacks by Israeli Settlers

In the early morning hours of Monday, 5 September 2011, while travelling in theWest Bank between the Palestinian villages of Al-Lubban and Turmos Aya and nearthe Israeli settlements of Ofarim and Bet Ariye along the Nablus-Ramallah, Dr.Adwan Adwan, a faculty member in the Arabic Department at Bethlehem University,was the victim of a violent attack by some 20 Israeli settlers who threw rocksin his face, injuring his head, shoulder, and stomach. His car was blocked by apile of burning tires when he quickly came under what he said felt like awell-orchestrated ambush. Dr. Adwan eventually was able to speed away from thescene and get himself to a hospital for treatment. "I felt lucky to escapewith my life," he says.

On the same day and further alongthe same road, near the settlement of Shiloh in the Palestinian Territories,Miss Yara Odeh, a Bethlehem University masters degree student, was the victimof a violent attack by some Israeli settlers. Yara found herself stuck in whatappeared to be a traffic jam caused by Israeli settlers pelting cars withrocks. With the road blocked, she escaped from her car through the passengerdoor and ran toward nearby Israeli soldiers, calling for help. She reportsbeing refused help and being told to return to her car. "The settlersseemed not so much interested in damaging the car as they were in harmingme," she says of the incident.

The Bethlehem Universityadministration is extremely disturbed by these attacks on members of theacademic community. "We value the lives of our faculty and students,"says Dr. Michael Sansur, Executive Vice President at Bethlehem University."Each and every day our faculty engage our students in promotingdemocracy, peace, and justice. We are fortunate to have a campus atmospherethat is known to be an oasis of peace. These violent and aggressive attacks onour students and faculty from Israeli settlers in the Palestinian territoriesare horrifying and unjust. We are grateful for the well-being of Dr. Adwan andYara in surviving these traumatic events and pledge to continue in our effortsto prepare our graduates to take their place as ethical leaders in fosteringshared values, moral principles and dedication to serving the commongood."

As reported in the media and by theUnited Nations, there appears to be an increase in the number of Palestinianswho are being attacked by groups of Israeli settlers. The United Nations andother international human rights and aid organizations report that more than500,000 Israeli settlers, many of whom are armed, occupy the West Bank and EastJerusalem.

Please continue to keep us in yourprayers.

Blessings to you,

Brother Jack Curran, FSC, PhD
Vice President for Development
jcurran@bethlehem.edu

Bethlehem University in the HolyLand
Rue des Freres
Bethlehem - Palestine
Tel: +972-2-274-1241
Fax: +972-2-274-4440
www.bethlehem.edu

Israelis discriminate against non-Jews at Washington DC hotel

2011-09-06T09:41:00.001-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

CAIR: Muslim Sues D.C. Hotel Over Bias During Israeli Delegations Stay

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/29/11) - A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today filed a lawsuit against a Washington, D.C., hotel on behalf of a Muslim employee who says he faced discrimination after he was barred from carrying out his duties on floors occupied last year by a visiting Israeli delegation.
To read the entire lawsuit, click here.
SEE ALSO: Muslims Criticize Handling of Israelis' Stay at D.C. Hotel (Wash. Post)
In its suit filed in U.S. District Court for the District Of Columbia against the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) alleges that in December of 2010, the American citizen of Moroccan heritage was forbidden to go to the 8th or 9th floors of the hotel because an Israeli delegation was staying there.
He was reportedly barred from those floors despite the fact that he had previously undergone an FBI background check and had carried out his duties for other foreign delegations and dignitaries, including former American presidents.
No American should be treated differently or face discrimination by an employer because of his or her race, religion or national origin, said CAIR Legal Counsel Nadhira Al-Khalili.
According to the suit, when the Muslim employee asked why he was barred from those floors, he was told by a supervisor, You know how the Israelis are with Arabs and Muslims. Another hotel supervisor allegedly stated that the Israeli delegation does not want to be served by Defendants Muslim employees and that Defendant accommodates this preference because it does not want to lose the Israeli delegation as clients.
The suit also alleges that hotel supervisors believed the Muslim employee would particularly pose a problem for the Israeli delegation, because if they encountered him, members of the delegation would easily be able to see his name -- Mohamed -- written on his employee nametag.
After the Muslim workers colleagues learned of the restrictions the hotel had placed on his duties, several of them ridiculed him as a potential terrorist, poking him in the stomach to feign checking his body for explosives.
CAIRs suit also alleges that the hotel retaliated against the employee for complaining about the discriminatory treatment.
The lawsuit seeks diversity training for hotel employees, back pay for the Muslim worker, compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys fees, and an order requiring the hotel to adopt a non-discrimination and retaliation policy and to establish an effective mechanism for receiving and responding to complaints of discrimination and retaliation.
CAIR offers a booklet, called "An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices," to help employers gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims in the workplace.
SEE: An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
Subscribe to CAIR's E-Mail List
Subscribe to CAIR's Twitter Feed
Subscribe to CAIR's YouTube Channel

- END 

CONTACT: CAIR Legal Counsel Nadhira Al-Khalili, 540-514-2093, E-Mail:nalkhalili@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

MALEK JANDALI SUES ADC OVER COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

2011-08-17T14:45:00.001-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MALEK JANDALI SUES ADC OVER COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 17, 2011 – A federal copyright infringement lawsuit was filed today on behalf of award-winning composer and pianist Malek Jandali. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court of Washington, D.C., alleges that the American Arab Anti Discrimination Committee (ADC) illegally played an audio recording of Jandali’s performance of “Watani Ana” at its national convention on June 11, 2011.

The lawsuit claims the recording was played without Jandali’s authorization or consent, and after the ADC revoked his invitation to perform at the event.

“We are confident that we have a solid copyright infringement case,”

said Stuart P. Ross, a partner with Troutman Sanders LLP, the law firm representing Jandali.

In April 2011, Jandali composed the music and the lyrics for “Watani Ana,” which translates to “I am my homeland” in Arabic. He produced and released the song as a universal call for freedom, dignity and human rights. The ADC then invited Jandali to perform at the June event.

But as Politico previously reported, “The ADC, a Washington civil rights group, repeatedly asked Malek Jandali to reconsider his piece choice . . . When he refused, Jandali was told that he couldn't perform at this weekend's event. Observers immediately speculated that the organization wanted to avoid offending the embattled Syrian regime, drawing a chorus of criticism.”

Jandali said that after ADC revoked his invitation, “it was profoundly disturbing to me that they still played ‘Watani Ana’ without my permission.”

“Despite this, I then offered an olive branch to resolve the matter amicably by requesting an apology and a donation to the Societies of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent,” Jandali said. “I did not ask for one penny for myself. ADC swiftly refused to issue an apology and instead offered me $46.80 to go away. This is very offensive to me as an American citizen and an artist with rights.”

Jandali stressed that he is not against the “noble mission” of ADC, “but I cannot accept a violation of my rights, especially by an anti-discrimination group and when certain board members hijack an entire organization to suit their special interest.”

Michael Hobbs, Jr., a Troutman Sanders attorney who also represents Jandali, said the law firm reached out directly to the ADC several times in an attempt to amicably resolve the matter, but was rebuffed.

“The only alternative with which we are left is to litigate," Hobbs said.

ABOUT MALEK JANDALI

Malek Jandali is an internationally renowned composer and pianist who has appeared as a soloist in performances around the world. Mr.

Jandali is the first Syrian and the only Arab musician to arrange music based on the oldest music notation in the world, which was discovered in the Bronze city of Ugarit, Syria. The album titled “Echoes from Ugarit” includes original compositions for piano and orchestra recorded with The Russian Philharmonic Orchestra in Moscow.

www.MalekJandali.com

ABOUT TROUTMAN SANDERS

The Troutman Sanders LLP Media and Entertainment practice group assists clients with the complex and rapidly changing issues facing the media, entertainment and sports industries. Troutman Sanders lawyers in this area provide sophisticated legal services to businesses, artists, investors, lenders and other clients that participate in the multimedia marketplace. www.Troutmansanders.com

Contact:

Michael Hobbs, Jr.

Partner, Troutman Sanders LLP

michael.hobbs@troutmansanders.com

J STREET NYC JOINS BROAD SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR URGENT ACTION TO RESOLVE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

2011-08-17T14:17:00.001-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

August 15, 2011 Gil Kulick, 212-866-7570

gil_kulick@yahoo.com

J STREET NYC JOINS BROAD SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR URGENT ACTION TO RESOLVE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

J STREET activists and supporters will deliver tens of thousands of signed postcards to their Members of Congress in dozens of cities across the country on Aug. 23 to show support for President Obama’s vision of two states.

New York, NY– J Street NYC will join activists across the country in a day of action on Tuesday, August 23 to demonstrate that American Jews support bold U.S. leadership to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In more than 100 Congressional districts, J Street supporters will organize activities and drop off tens of thousands of signed postcards backing President Barack Obama's vision for a two-state solution based on 1967 lines, with agreed-upon land swaps and security guarantees.

In New York City, dozens of J Street activists plan to rally at 11:45 am in front of the main New York Public Library, 42^nd Street and Fifth Avenue, at which author and journalist Peter Beinart will speak. From there the crowd will march to the offices of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, where they will present thousands of post cards from local J Street supporters expressing full support for President Obama’s effort to secure a two-state solution to the Israeli -Palestinian conflict. This is one of nearly 40 events planned by J Street in more than 100 Congressional districts nationwide. For details on covering the event, please contact Gil Kulick at 212-866-7570 or gil_kulick@yahoo.com.

J Street's Day of Action comes at a particularly heated time in the region, with ongoing demonstrations across Israel against economic inequality, anti-democratic legislation in the Israeli Knesset, and diplomatic maneuverings by Palestinians and Israelis ahead of a possible UN resolution in September. Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a negotiated two-state solution is key to ensuring stability, security and prosperity for Israel.

The Day of Action is the culmination of J Street’s Two-State Summer Campaign, launched to show that the American Jewish community backs strong U.S. leadership to help bring Palestinians and Israelis back to the negotiating table to resolve the conflict. The campaign included intensive outreach to the Jewish community via more than 200 house meetings countrywide and collecting signatures to show the robust support that exists for urgent action. Contrary to those who have questioned American Jewish backing for the President’s vision, J Street’s campaign shows that the President can rely on American Jews when it comes to pushing for a negotiated settlement.

J Street NYC is the local grassroots arm of J Street, the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans. J Street was founded to give political voice to mainstream American Jews who understand that a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is essential to Israel’s survival as the national home of the Jewish people and as a vibrant democracy. J Street’s mission is two-fold: first, to advocate for urgent American diplomatic leadership to achieve a two-state solution and a broader regional, comprehensive peace and, second, to ensure a broad debate on Israel and the Middle East in national politics and the American Jewish community.

-30-

Media Release: National Orgs. Call on Obama Admin. Not to Veto Palestine UN Membership

2011-07-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

Media Release: National Orgs. Call on Obama Admin. Not to Veto Palestine UN Membership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 19, 2011

Washington, DC -- The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation launched today an open letter with 10 additional national organizations calling on the Obama Administration not to veto Palestine's United Nations membership application in the Security Council.

The letter cites a 1949 pledge made by the U.S. Representative to the General Assembly "that the United States would not use its right of veto in the Security Council on any membership application." The signatories reminded the Obama Administration that "Palestinians have waited more than 63 years for their human rights. We urge you--do not set a timetable for Palestinian freedom by vetoing Palestinian membership in the United Nations."

The US Campaign is seeking 100 organizational endorsements and 10,000 individual petition signatures on the letter before delivering it to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice. (Click here to view the letter.) Palestine's UN membership application could come up for debate in the Security Council as early as July 25.

Josh Ruebner, National Advocacy Director of the US Campaign, stated:

"Rather than arm twist Palestinians to return to the biased and fundamentally flawed U.S. negotiating table in exchange for giving up their UN membership application, the Obama Administration should stop obstructing and undermining Palestinian efforts to attain their rights. Palestinians are determined to seek UN membership as a way toward achieving freedom and self-determination and it is wrong for the United States to stand in their way."

Joining the US Campaign as original signatories of this open letter are: the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee; American Jews for a Just Peace; American Muslims for Palestine; CODEPINK Women for Peace; Fellowship of Reconciliation; Friends of Sabeel—North America; Interfaith Peace-Builders; Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD)—USA; Jewish Voice for Peace; and Peace Action.

The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation is a national coalition of more than 350 organizations working to end U.S. support for Israeli military occupation and apartheid and change U.S. policy toward Palestine/Israel to support human rights, international law, and equality.

For additional information see www.endtheoccupation.org.

###

Sri Lanken women allegedly abused at Jordanian factory which supplies Target, Wal-Mart, Macy's Kohls and Landsend

2011-07-19T03:18:00.000-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2011
Contact: Amanda Kloer, Editor, Change.org amanda@change.org
Barbara Briggs, Assistant Director, Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights bbriggs@glhr.org

***PRESS RELEASE***

CONSUMERS OUTRAGED OVER REPEATED RAPES AT “PRISON-LIKE”

MACY’S AND WALMART FACTORY

Shoppers demand justice for victimized Sri Lankan women at factory in Jordan sewing for major brands, including Target and Hanes

WASHINGTON, DC – More than two thousand shoppers have signed an online petition on Change.org asking Walmart, Hanes, Target, Macy's, Kohl's, Jones Group and Lands' End to intervene in the ongoing sexual abuse, rape, torture, and beatings of the young women guest workers at the Classic Factory in Jordan, which supplies the companies.

Scores of young women have reported being violently raped by the factory’s manager in the past few years, as reveled in a recent report by the Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights.

“Classic is in a prison-like lockdown,” said Charles Kernaghan, Director of the Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights. “The young women rape victims are terrified that they will be tracked down and punished. We have never met women workers more frightened, alone and with nowhere to turn, as Wal-Mart and Hanes sit back to watch the repression unfold.”

Classic workers have reported being tortured and bitten during sexual assaults and beaten or deported if they fight off the managers’ sexual advances. Some women have reported that on the weekly Muslim holiday, one manager sends a van to bring four or five young women to his hotel, where he abuses them. In a video interview, another victim alleges that upper factory management knows of the ongoing abuse.

In response to these claims, the petition on Change.org, the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change, asks the companies making clothes at Classic Factory to pay compensation to the women raped on the job, ensure compliance with Jordanian law and the labor rights provisions of the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, and protect the workers by permanently removing the abusive factory managers.

“Thousands of consumers are letting Macy’s, Walmart, and the other companies making clothes at Classic Factory know it is absolutely unacceptable for widespread rape allegations to go unaddressed,” said Change.org Editor Amanda Kloer. “This campaign is an example of consumers’ power to protect women’s rights.”

The Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights, formerly National Labor Committee, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1981. The Institute is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, the United States with offices in El Salvador and Bangladesh.

Live signature totals from The Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights' Change.org campaign:

https://www.change.org/petitions/tell-walmart-to-stop-rape-and-torture-of-young-women-in-its-factories

Video interview with Kamala, alleged rape victim and former Classic Factory employee:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNQdriLXJCI&feature=player_embedded#at=64

Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights report on Classic Factory
http://www.globallabourrights.org/reports?id=0632

For comments from Classic Factory brands:

For comments from Walmart: Press hotline at 1-800-331-0085
For comments from Macy’s: Holly Thomas, Vice President, 646-429-5250 or Holly.Thomas@macys.com,
For comments from Target: Press hotline at 612- 696-3400 or Press@target.com.
For comments from Hanes: Matt Hall, 336-519-3386 or Matt.Hall@Hanesbrands.com

Change.org is the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change — growing by more than 400,000 new members a month, and empowering millions of people to start, join, and win campaigns for social change in their community, city and country.

###

Amanda Kloer
Editor, Change.org
http://humantrafficking.change.org
@changeslavery
@endhumantraffic

--
Change.org is the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change. We send announcements about innovative, compelling or successful social change campaigns we think may be of interest to the media no more than twice a week. We try our best to inform you about campaigns that fit your beat and/or geographic region. If we got it wrong, please click reply to let us know and we'll set you up to receive announcements that match your beat. If you simply wish to unsubscribe, please email mideast+unsubscribe@change.org.

CPJ calls on Jordan to prevent attacks on journalists covering protests

2011-07-18T15:26:00.001-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

Committee to Protect Journalists

330 Seventh Avenue, 11th Fl., New York, NY 10001 Phone: +1 (212) 465-1004 Fax: +1 (212) 465-9568

Contact: Mohamed Abdel Dayem, program coordinator. Phone: (212) 465-1004; E-mail: m.abdel.dayem@cpj.org

CPJ calls on Jordan to prevent attacks on journalists covering protests

New York, July 18, 2011-The Committee to Protect Journalists called on the government of Jordan to do more to prevent attacks on journalists who cover demonstrations and other forms of civil unrest. On Friday, security forces beat 16 journalists in identifying orange vests during a demonstration and planned sit-in that rapidly devolved into clashes between security personnel and government supporters with demonstrators.

The injured journalists, numbering 16 according to the Jordanian Journalists' Syndicate, included two who suffered broken bones, one of whom had to undergo surgery, according to news reports. The assaulted journalists work for a variety of local and international news organizations, including Al-Jazeera and The New York Times.

An unnamed Agence France-Presse photographer reported that journalists "were beaten by police, although we were wearing special press vests." The bright orange vests were meant to distinguish media from demonstrators. The vests were provided by the Public Security Directorate (PSD) in coordination with the journalists' syndicate as one of multiple measures taken to ensure journalists' safety and to facilitate coverage.

On Saturday, Lt. General Hussein al-Majali, PSD director, launched an investigation into the incident to be led by his deputy for legal affairs, Al-Jazeera reported. The PSD also announced on Saturday that four policemen had been suspended, noting that the investigation's conclusions would be announced within 72 hours (Tuesday). Jordan's royal court announced that it would cover the cost of medical treatment for the injured journalists, according to the same news report. On Sunday, the journalists' syndicate announced that it plans to pursue legal action against the PSD, news reports said.

"While the measures undertaken by Jordanian authorities are commendable, they are by no means sufficient to reverse an entrenched pattern of systematic targeting of journalists," said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Mohamed Abdel Dayem. "The latest assault on journalists, as unfortunate as it is, provides authorities with an opportunity to unambiguously demonstrate that they will no longer tolerate attacks on members of the media who report on politically sensitive topics. Those who ordered and executed this assault must be held to account."

CPJ has documented several assaults on the press in Jordan since March, including attacks against news bureaus, threats against media staffers, assaults on journalists covering demonstrations, and thehacking of news websites. In April, CPJ said that government failure to take decisive legal measures against those who physically assault journalists in Jordan amounts to a tacit endorsement of such attacks.

CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.

JACK NEWCOMBE NAMED PRESIDENT/COO OF CREATORS SYNDICATE

2011-07-11T18:55:00.000-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

EDITORS NOTE: Creators Syndicate is one of the only column syndications that distributes the columns of American Arabs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JACK NEWCOMBE NAMED PRESIDENT/COO OF CREATORS SYNDICATE

LOS ANGELES -- Creators Syndicate announces that Jack Newcombe has been named president and chief operating officer of the company, effective July 6, 2011. He takes over as president for Rick Newcombe, who will maintain his position as CEO and chairman of the board of Creators Syndicate.

"Jack is a phenomenal executive and strategic thinker," Rick Newcombe says. "He is a natural leader with brains, charm and charisma, and he is leading the best staff in the business into a new world of content distribution and syndication. I am proud that Creators Syndicate is a family business and that my son is taking over."

For the past two years, Jack has served as executive vice president/general manager of the third-largest syndicate in the country, during which time he has overseen the company¹s transition from a print-oriented business to an organization focused on new media and online enterprises, in addition to its traditional sources of revenue.

In the past year, Creators Syndicate has fully automated and consolidated its content delivery service and greatly expanded its Web presence while continuing to keep the personal touch in sales and customer relations that is the company's hallmark. Jack implemented a new corporate culture and reorganized the company in order to improve communication and foster a better sense of ³team,² giving autonomy to the editorial and accounting departments while taking a hands-on approach to the business development, operations and marketing departments. In the coming years, Creators Syndicate will continue to expand while maintaining the flexibility and creativity that have allowed it to thrive in today's media marketplace.

Following the announcement of his promotion, Jack named David Yontz to the position of managing editor. David, a graduate of Syracuse University's Newhouse School, has worked for Creators Syndicate for four years, starting as an editorial assistant.

Prior to joining the company full time in June 2009, Jack received his Master of Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Before business school, he worked for Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley in Washington, D.C. Jack received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, where he was a four-year varsity athlete on the rowing (crew) team and was elected captain his senior year. Jack currently lives in Redondo Beach with his wife, Allison, who is in law school at UCLA.

# # #

‘Welcome to Palestine’ campaign responds to Israel’s denial of entrance to international visitors who support human rights

2011-07-08T05:24:00.001-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

‘Welcome to Palestine’ campaign responds to Israel’s denial of entrance to international visitors who support human rights

Bethlehem and Jerusalem, July 7, 2011 - The Israeli authorities are escalating attacks on anyone they suspect of participating in the peaceful events of the ‘Welcome to Palestine’ campaign. Israeli authorities sent hundreds of names to airline companies telling them to deny travel to individuals on the list. Several people on the list who had booked flights were sent letters from airline companies cancelling their reservations ‘based on a request from the Israeli authorities.’ We call on all airline companies not to accept such provocative, blackmailing, and illegal actions by the Israeli government. Ominously, Israeli Prime minister has directed the interior security minister that the Israeli authorities must ‘act with determination’ towards those who do make it to Ben Gurion Airport.

The visitors coming from the US and Europe on Friday are committed to the principles of international and humanitarian law and believe strictly in nonviolence. They were invited by dozens of Palestinian civil society organizations and groups. They have stated that the only way to visit and work with Palestinians is by passing through Israeli border controls. They have declared their commitment to pass these border controls in an orderly, peaceful and fully transparent way.

Before stepping onto the airplanes, the visitors will have passed through meticulous security procedures at the various airports of origin and will pose no threat in any way. The propaganda efforts to paint human rights advocates as ‘hooligans’ and even ‘violent’ (an attempt to demonize and dehumanize them in order to justify violence against them) is simply not credible and indeed ridiculous. We are pleased that this episode further exposes Israeli policies towards anything or anyone relating to ‘Palestinians’ as dictatorial, racist, and criminal and not complying with basic elements of democracy or human rights.

Visitors traveling between countries have rights under international law and bilateral travel agreements. Our foreign visitors insist that they must be treated with respect in the same manner Israeli citizens receive when traveling to their countries. Those who had reservations cancelled will exercise their right of protest including bringing legal cases in their own countries. We will also bring legal cases in Israeli courts under our continued attempt to expose the racist policies of the Israeli government.

Several peaceful protests will be held at airports throughout Europe on the 8th of July and we urge all civilized people throughout the world to protest these undemocratic moves to silence free speech and legal travel. We ask the media to insist on access and fair reporting on Israeli tactics that are against basic human rights of international solidarity activists before, during and after they arrive at the Israeli airport. We demand Israel publishes all instructions given to their ‘border control officials’ regarding visitors who intend to visit Palestinians.

The "Welcome to Palestine" campaign has been successful in exposing Israeli attempts to isolate and imprison Palestinians and prevent international visitors from coming to find out what is really happening on the ground.

Friday 8 July 2011 at 10 AM in Bethlehem Peace Center, located in Nativity Square, we will have a Press Conference to announce further steps we will take and to answer any questions.

Twitter: #PalSpring
Facebook: Welcome to Palestine

Contact information:

Bethlehem: Fadi Kattan, press.welcometopalestine2@gmail.com +970 (0) 595 754 100 or Skype welcome.palestine

Jerusalem: Nikki or Laura, sergioyahni@gmail.com , +972 2 624 1159 or +972 2 624 1424

Berlin: Sophia Deeg, sophia_deeg@yahoo.de, +49(0) 30 88 007761, +49 (0) 1799878414. 13:00 Press briefing; beginning 13:30 news center, including (if possible) direct contact with the travelers as they land at Ben Gurion airport. Filmbühne am Steinplatz, Hardenbergstr. 12, Berlin Charlottenburg.

Paris: Nicolas Shahshahani, bienvenuepalestine@orange.fr +33 (0)1 42 94 39 94 and +33 (0) 6 73 38 24 84. The press office will answer questions from the media around the clock.

UK: Sofiah Macleod, july8@scottishpsc.org.uk, +44 (0)131 620 0052 or + 44 (0) 7401631658, Skype: scottishpsc.

USA/Germany: Elsa Rassbach, elsarassbach@gmail.com, +49 (0) 30 326 01540, +49 (0) 170 738 1450, Skype: elsarassbach

Website

http://palestinejn.org/palestinianspring

AlJazeera English Story:

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/07/201175145243628145.html

Challenging Israeli Apartheid Staring at Ben Gurion airport

http://mondoweiss.net/2011/06/challenging-israeli-apartheid-starting-at-ben-gurion-airport.html

Congressman Schiff Statement on the Future of the Arab Spring and Syria

2011-07-07T13:13:00.000-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Contact: Maureen Shanahan (202) 225-4176

Schiff Statement on the Future of the Arab Spring and Syria

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) spoke on the House Floor about the future of the Arab Spring and the situation in Syria. See below for a transcript of his remarks and a link to the video.

Mr. Schiff: Mr. Speaker, there are moments in the lives of nations when existing order is suddenly revealed as bereft of legitimacy and no longer viable. The wave of unrest spreading across the Arab world, touched off by the self-immolation of a Tunisian fruit vendor tired of petty humiliation by a corrupt government, has exposed the rot of decades of caprice, corruption and incompetence. That this one man's desperate act could lead to the downfall of the governments of Tunisia, Egypt and, perhaps Yemen, is testament to the pent up frustration of millions of people who are denied the basic rights and economic opportunity that we take for granted here in the West.

But it is in Syria, where the future of the Arab Spring seemingly hangs in the balance and where the security services have acted with the least restraint and maximum violence. Like marauding armies of old, select units of military and security services, troops have been moving from city to city in a quest to quash the ever-spreading demonstrations that have become a feature of life in Syria.

Derra, a town of some 75,000 lying near the border with Jordan, has emerged as one of the centers of the Syrian uprising against the 40 years of rule by the Assad family. Army and security forces have repeatedly assaulted the town and surrounding villages, killing hundreds of civilians and arresting anyone suspected of taking part in demonstrations against the regime.

On April 29 in the village of Jiza, the Syrian secret police rounded up anybody it thought was involved with the protests, including Hamza Ali al-Khateeb, who had gone to watch the demonstration with other members of his family. For a month, Hamza family waited for him to return, worried but hopeful he would be released unharmed.

It was not to be.

On May 30, his mutilated body was returned to them. He had been tortured, subjected to repeated electric shocks, and whipped with cables. His eyes were swollen and black, and there were identical bullet wounds where he had been apparently shot through both arms, the bullets lodging in his belly. On his chest was a deep, dark burn mark. His neck was broken and parts of his body were cut off.

Hamza Ali al-Khateeb was 13 years old.

Video of the boy's shattered body has been seen by millions on television and the internet, and Hamza, like the Tunisian fruit vendor who set himself alight, has become a symbol to his countrymen and the world of the depravity and illegitimacy of a regime that would torture its own children to death.

Our ability to bring additional economic pressure on Syria is limited. Its economy is already under immense strain. It is small, weak and isolated. Political pressure in the form of a U.N. Security Resolution condemning the violence and crackdown has been blocked by Russia and China, and there's dread over what will happen when Assad falls.

Given the internal divisions between Sunni and Shi`ia Muslims, Christians and Druse, the confessional and sectarian splits are as pronounced as in Lebanon, the potential for large scale violence as great as Iraq. The dangers are real, but the promise of what began in Tunisia and is now materializing in Egypt and elsewhere is also real. People of courage can determine their own destiny and it need not be one of hereditary dictatorship, kleptocracy or lack of opportunity and stagnation.

In the Arab world as elsewhere, people should be free to choose their own government to represent them and to chart a path of peace with their neighbors. To conclude otherwise means that we relegate tens of millions of people to suffer of capricious ruthlessness of their despots for generation after generation or we're willing to trade the illusion of stability for the harsh reality of their suffering. That’s not the choice we made for ourselves 235 years ago and it is not one that we should presume to make for others.

Bashar al-Assad is a ruthless tyrant whose time has passed and who clings to power by only by virtue of brutal force. Our role and that of the international community should be to work with Syrian opposition figures and others to advance a negotiated transition to a new Syrian government that will represent all Syrians and prevent the trading in of one set of thugs for another.

The Arab Spring cannot be allowed to fail because of brutal repression, the specter of religious fanaticism, a fear of the unknown or the cynicism born of unmet expectations.

The region's many millions must have the freedom to write a new chapter for themselves and their posterity.

I thank the Speaker and yield back the balance of my time.

-30-

U.S. Comedian Ronnie Khalil Tests Egypt's Free Speech Boundaries With First Stand-Up Show Since Revolution

2011-07-05T09:36:00.001-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

U.S. Comedian Ronnie Khalil Tests Egypt's Free Speech Boundaries With First Stand-Up Show Since Revolution

CAIRO -- July 5, 2011 -- Ronnie Khalil remembers sitting in his California apartment watching the Egyptian revolution on television. He remembers the horrific images of a van barreling down a crowded street, while men on donkeys and camels wielded sticks and swords at peaceful protesters. He wondered if his family was safe and if his friends were alive. The last thing Ronnie was thinking about was how to make this all funny.

Ronnie Khalil is a well-known Egyptian-American comedian and co-founder of the Middle Eastern Comedy Festival in Los Angeles. But six months after the revolution, with Egypt's future still in doubt, Ronnie knows one thing for certain: the country is in desperate need for a laugh.

On July 6^th, Ronnie will be headlining the "Freedom of Funny" Tour, the first stand-up comedy show in Cairo since the revolution at the El Sawy Culturewheel. Not surprisingly, Ronnie was also the last comedian to perform before the revolution, holding an underground comedy show just weeks before, where he addressed topics such as sexual harassment and women's rights.

During the Cairo event, Ronnie will announce his candidacy for "Bresident of Egypt," a humorous reference to Middle Easterners sometimes confusing English letters. He will also unveil his plan for a "New Egypt."

Ronnie and his fellow comedians, all local Egyptians, will have the difficult task of making light of the revolution, while testing out the new limits of freedom of speech, mostly with regards to politics.

"It'll be interesting to perform in a country where I was always forbidden to talk about Egyptian politics and let loose a bit," says Khalil. "I've saved more than 30 years of Mubarak jokes, though my 1991 joke about him wearing MC Hammer pants might be a little outdated."

Ronnie Khalil is an Egyptian-American comedian who has headlined across four continents, taped comedy specials in the Middle East and Australia. He is co-Founder of the Middle Eastern Comedy Festival in Los Angeles and has been seen on ABC News, NPR, Air America, CNN, FOX news, the European News Channel, Al Jazeera, and more.

###

NOTE TO MEDIA: Interviews and high resolution photos are available upon request. Media can also attend the event with prior permission. Please contact producers@mideastcomedyfest.com.

ARAB AMERICAN MIDDLE SCHOOL JOURNALISTS CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 ATTACKS

2011-06-30T10:21:00.001-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

ARAB AMERICAN MIDDLE SCHOOL JOURNALISTS CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON 10^TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 ATTACKS

Dearborn, MI (June 28, 2011) – This year’s seventh graders – 12 and 13 years old – are the first Americans to grow up with no memory of time before the searing events of Sept. 11, 2001.

As the country approaches the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this fall, a class of middle school journalism students from McCollough-Unis School in Dearborn invites the public to share the stories of their lives and their community by viewing an exhibition at the Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. Of the 29 students in the public school class, 28 are Arab American.

Their exhibition, In the Heart of Arab America: A Middle School Perspective, opens with a 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. reception on Saturday, July 2. The exhibition, in the Museum’s Lower Level Gallery, closes on August 14.

Look at the students’ photos or view their stories online at livingtextbook.aaja.org and it’s clear that Arab American kids are just that: Arab. American. Kids.

MEDIA NOTE: Students are available for interviews during the July 2 reception and at other times by arrangement.

The students’ photos and stories were created during the 2010-2011 school year, when the Asian American Journalists Association sponsored a project called The Living Textbook with a class of seventh graders at McCollough-Unis School. The idea was to help the students learn about journalism and capture stories about their Arab American community.

The students told stories about bullying and the school track team and the Detroit Tigers. They wrote and took photos about sitting down to big, American-style Thanksgiving dinners – with sides of hummus and tabouleh. Most of the kids are Muslim. Some of the girls, but not all, wear headscarves. Some wore green headscarves for St. Patrick’s Day and clipped shamrock antennae onto them. For a special school program called USA Day, they wore red, white and blue.

For them, the Middle East is a local story. Most of the students’ families come from Lebanon, but the class also has students with ties to Kuwait and Syria. One boy labored over the story of the uprisings of the Arab Spring and what that is doing to his parents’ families in the Middle East. His mother stays up late at night to talk on the phone, losing sleep and weight. They live that story in their home here in the United States.

One student wrote about her mother and her mother’s three sisters – all of whom moved to be close together in Dearborn with all their 18 children growing up together. “I have a cousin in every grade,” she said.

The Living Textbook is funded by the McCormick and Ford foundations with additional support from Kodak. The project, which will continue for two more years, is co-directed by two veteran journalists, Emilia Askari of the University of Michigan and Joe Grimm of Michigan State University.

The Heart of Arab America exhibition was made possible by the dedication of teacher April Kincaid and the support of Dearborn Public Schools administrators.

**********

The Arab American National Museum documents, preserves, celebrates and educates the public on the history, life, culture and contributions of Arab Americans. It serves as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country. The Arab American National Museum is a project of ACCESS, a Dearborn, Michigan-based nonprofit human services and cultural organization. Learn more at www.arabamericanmuseum.org and www.accesscommunity.org.

The Arab American National Museum is a proud Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Read about the Affiliations program at http://affiliations.si.edu.

The Museum is located at 13624 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI, 48126. Museum hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday, Tuesday; Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for students, seniors and children 6-12; ages 5 and under, free. Call 313.582.2266 for further information.

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In Jordan, attacks on the press go unpunished despite government assurances

2011-06-21T14:54:00.001-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

Committee to Protect Journalists

330 Seventh Avenue, 11th Fl., New York, NY 10001 Phone: +1 (212) 465-1004 Fax: +1 (212) 465-9568

Contact: Mohamed Abdel Dayem, program coordinator. Phone: (212) 465-1004; E-mail: m.abdel.dayem@cpj.org

In Jordan, attacks on the press go unpunished despite government assurances

New York, June 21, 2011-On the heels of an attack on Agence France-Presse's Amman offices, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Jordanian government to hold to account those who threaten or attack journalists.

Ten men in plainclothes attacked AFP's offices on Wednesday, destroying furniture and equipment, said AFP journalist Kamal Taha, who was on duty at the time, according to international news reports. The assault came just three hours after an unidentified caller made threats of physical harm against AFP Amman bureau chief Randa Habib and the agency's office, local and regional media reported. Although Habib relayed the threats to authorities, they failed to take measures to prevent that attack, The New York Times said.

The threats and the assault came two days after a June 13 AFP story that referred to an incident in which men threw bottles at King Abdullah's motorcade during a visit to the town of Tafileh. Officials denied that the motorcade was attacked. The next day, some 300 government loyalists demanded the closure of AFP's offices for "inaccurate reporting," news reports said.

"Vows by Jordanian officials to find and bring to justice the perpetrators of every recent attack on the media have come to nothing," said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Mohamed Abdel Dayem. "These unfulfilled assurances amount to a tacit endorsement of violence against the press."

Local journalists held a protest in solidarity with AFP in which they demanded accountability for the attack. Emmanuel Hoog, AFP chairman and chief executive, denied in a letter to Jordanian Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit that the outlet had perpetrated "subversive intrigue" by publishing its story. Noting an official condemnation of the attack and a swiftly launched government investigation, Hoog added that he expected "immediate" and "concrete measures" to be taken to prevent additional attacks.

Today, Information Minister Taher Adwan resigned, citing laws that he viewed as "restrictive for freedom of expression" and "the repeated attacks on journalists who are doing their professional duties." Adwan, a veteran journalist and the former editor-in-chief of a popular daily, Al-Arab al-Yawm, had issued a prompt condemnation of the attack on AFP.

CPJ has documented multiple attacks on media in Jordan since March, including threats against Al-Jazeera staffers, assaults on journalists covering pro-reform demonstrations, and the hacking of news websites.

CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.

ADC Files TPS Request for Libya – Addresses Student Visa Holders

2011-06-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

ADC Files TPS Request for Libya – Addresses Student Visa Holders

Washington, DC | www.adc.org | June 17, 2011 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and the Libyan Council of North America (LCNA) has formally requested that the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant Temporary Protective Status (TPS) under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, to Libyan nationals presently in the United States. The request was sent directly to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano as a result of the growing civil strife in the nation.

ADC also is working with DHS to ensure that while the TPS request is pending, no student visa holders from Libya in the U.S. get deported. The Department of Treasury recently froze the funds of the Libyan government, effectively cutting tuition funding to nearly 2,300 students in the U.S. This decision could lead to the students falling out of status and eligible to be removed from country. DHS has ensured ADC that removal proceedings against Libyan students would be “laxed.”

Earlier this week Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) published a notice in the Federal Register suspending certain regulatory requirements in order to allow eligible Libyan F-1 students to obtain employment authorization, work an increased number of hours during the school term, if necessary, reduce their course load while continuing to maintain their F-1 student status.

ADC and LCNA have lead a collaborative effort with the endorsement of key community organizations including the Libyan Emergency Task Force (LETF), the Libyan Outreach Group (LO), the Libya Foundation (LF), the Libyan American Association of Southern California (LAASC), the Libyan Outreach Student Committee (LOSC), and the New Libya Foundation (NLF). The Libyan Transitional National Council has also endorsed this urgent request.

Under 8 U.S.C. § 1254a, the Department of Homeland Security may designate any foreign state or part of a foreign state for Temporary Protected Status if there is ongoing armed conflict within the state and, due to the conflict, requiring the return of nationals to that state or part of a state would pose a serious threat to their personal safety. In the context of escalating and “ongoing armed conflict,” requiring nationals to return to Libya “would pose a serious threat to their safety.”

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Contact: Abed Ayoub

202-244-2990

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
1732 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20007
Tel: (202) 244-2990 | Fax: (202) 333-3980 | adc@adc.org

Copyright (C) 2011 ADC | All rights reserved.

Al Jazeera English wins New York Press Club Award

2011-06-13T18:40:00.001-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

Al Jazeera English wins New York Press Club Award

13 June 2011 - New York Press Club has awarded Al Jazeera English the “Best News Videography of a Breaking Story by an Individual or Crew” in the Spot News Video category. The award will be presented to Al Jazeera journalists Cath Turner, Alessandro Rampietti and Geoff Mills for their piece on "Haiti Cholera Protests.”

This prestigious award recognizes the best news videography of a breaking story by an individual or crew that was shot and aired within 24 hours of the story. It is the first time Al Jazeera English has won an award from the New York Press Club. Entries were judged by prominent working journalists or former journalists and academics and were selected for their expertise in each category. The crew accepted the award this evening at the New York Press Club’s annual awards gala held at the Water Club in New York City.

‘Haiti Cholera Protests’ featured reporting by Cath Turner, an Al Jazeera English reporter based in New York. In the build-up to the first round of Haitian elections in 2010, Cath and her crew reported on the ground from Cap-Hatien. With anti-UN protests, a deadly disease outbreak, and ongoing fallout from the earthquake and hurricane all during pre-election campaigning, Haiti was in a very critical and potentially dangerous situation. Cath along with Alessandro and Geoff took to the streets of Haiti to bring this volatile story to Al Jazeera’s audience worldwide in real-time.

Cath Turner stated, “We are very honored to have received this award tonight. Haiti has been such an important story for us during the recent difficulties it has been experiencing. It means a lot to have our work recognized and appreciated as it has been tonight.”

To view ‘Haiti Cholera Protests’ please follow the below link

http://english.aljazeera.net/video/americas/2010/11/201011198102062157.html

--ENDS--

ADC backs down from censorship of Malik Jandali

2011-06-11T10:04:00.001-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

ADC to Open Tonight's Gala with "Watani Ana"

Washington, DC | www.adc.org | June 11, 2011 — ADC announced today that it will open its annual Gala with the playing of the song "Watani Ana" by Syrian composer and pianist Mr. Malek Jandali.

We regret the series of events that led to the cancellation of Mr. Jandali's performance.

We hope that by playing the song, with its powerful message of freedom, that we will address the valid concerns of many in the Arab-American community. It is in this spirit we hope to move forward and continue to build our grassroots network, as we work to empower Arab Americans.

ADC’s mission as a civil rights organization will be advanced by being a broad umbrella that represents the whole community. We encourage the participation of all Arab Americans as a vital way of continuing to build, and improve our ability to defend our rights. It is regrettable that this issue has been emphasized by some to detract from the important work that ADC does and from its message conveyed at its annual convention. ADC has gained its Arab-American community's trust by being active and fair and has worked diligently to protect their rights.

ADC responds to vicious attacks regarding Malik Jandali

2011-06-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

Statement Regarding Malek Jandali and the ADC Convention

Washington, DC | www.adc.org | June 9, 2011 -- There has been an attempt to deflect from the focus of the ADC National Convention by various media, with accusations leveled against ADC as being against pro-democracy speech. Renowned pianist Mr. Malek Jandali was invited to perform at the ADC Gala Banquet for his inspiring compositions. A celebrated artist, Mr. Jandali performed at ADC last year. The notion that ADC, the largest grassroots Arab American organization, which has consistently and painstakingly fought for the civil rights and liberties of Arab Americans throughout its history of thirty-one years, would disinvite an artist for promoting democracy is absurd. Mr. Jandali’s participation at the banquet was intended to be in his professional capacity as a musical performer.

As for the expression of personal political views, ADC provides ample opportunity for discussion and debate throughout the convention. This year’s convention includes panel discussions on U.S. foreign policy, the popular uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa, Arab American identity, and other areas. In these events, where experts and scholars engage in candid discussion, audience members are encouraged to participate. We hope that Mr. Jandali will join in the exchange and articulate his personal views at these events.

ADC’s grassroots membership-base represents a diverse spectrum of Arab Americans, who vary in their national origin, religion, social traditions, and political views. ADC’s power to fight for the rights of Arab Americans stems from its identity as one organization for ALL Arab Americans, a unifying force that speaks with one voice in the interests of our community as a whole. To truly succeed in combating the many common challenges Arab Americans face in the United States, it is vital that this be the guiding focus of ADC’s mission.

It is for this reason that ADC seeks to bring Arab Americans together, based on a shared identity and experience, and avoids fomenting the divisiveness that inevitably emerges in the Arab American community where domestic Arab politics are concerned. Unfortunately, in keeping with its goal to unify Arab Americans, ADC’s resolution not to promote any particular side of a dispute is misunderstood as a failure to uphold the underlying principles upon which ADC is based. ADC unequivocally supports civil rights and liberties for all people and condemns any action that undermines the freedom or dignity of any human being.

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Contact: aayoub@adc.org

202-244-2990

MUSIC WITHOUT BORDERS DANDANA: A CELEBRATION OF ARAB MUSLIM VOICES FEATURING HAKIM + ALIM QASIMOV ENSEMBLE

2011-06-01T11:28:00.001-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

Music Without Borders in Millennium Park kicks off on June 9 with Hanggai and Aurelio Martinez, then continues on June 16 with Dandana: A Celebration of Muslim Voices.

MUSIC WITHOUT BORDERS

DANDANA: A CELEBRATION OF MUSLIM VOICES

FEATURING HAKIM + ALIM QASIMOV ENSEMBLE

Two Acclaimed Vocalists Come to Millennium Park

Thursday, June 16 at 6:30 PM at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion

Coming to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park is Dandana: A Celebration Of Muslim Voices featuring Hakim (“The Lion of Egypt”) and the Alim Qasimov Ensemble of Azerbaijan on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. as part of the Music Without Border series. The concert will be a showcase of two very different types of Muslim singers, with Hakim’s mix of modern dance beats and native Egyptian music contrasted with the passion, devotion and incantation of Alim Qasimov’s sounds.

Returning for a sixth summer, the free Music Without Borders series features music spanning five continents—Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America—with six groups making their Chicago debut at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The series is presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture. United Airlines is the Official Airline, the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park is the Official Hotel, and WBEZ 91.5 FM is a media sponsor of Music Without Borders.

Recognized worldwide as a leader of the movement to popularize music of the younger generation (jeel), Hakim is an innovator who has revolutionized the genre of sha’bi (indigenous Egyptian music). His songs fuse traditional melodies with urban dance beats, and his lyrics chronicle daily life through the rhythm of street slang. A major figure in the international music scene, Hakim has played to sell-out crowds throughout the world.

Hakim was originally scheduled to perform in Chicago on the closing night of the World Music Festival in September, 2001, one week after September 11th. He was not able to travel to the United States for the Festival, but did appear in a rescheduled “World Music Presents” date on February 14, 2002 at the Riviera Theatre—the last time he performed in Chicago. In Millennium Park, he will appear with a band of 16 musicians.

The evening opens with the six member Alim Qasimov Ensemble of Azerbaijan. One of the foremost mugham singers of classical Azerbaijan song, Qasimov is a recipient of the International Music Council—UNESCO Music Prize in 1999, one of the highest accolades for music worldwide. Accompanied by the daf (drums), balaban (woodwinds) and kamancha (strings), audiences will be transported by the sounds of his vocal technique along with his passion and devotion. Qasimov has made many appearances with Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, recorded nine albums, three of which are mugham albums featuring his daughter, Fergana Qasimova, who will appear with him in Millennium Park. Alim Qasimov made his Chicago debut in the World Music Festival in 2000.

This concert is supported by the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation Endowment, managed by Millennium Park Inc. Dandana: A Celebration of Muslim Voices is presented in collaboration with Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) and the Aga Khan Music Initiative, a program of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. This marks IMAN’s second collaboration with Music Without Borders in Millennium Park.

For more information about all of the Music Without Borders concerts in Millennium Park, visit www.millenniumpark.org, call 312.742.1168, visit Millennium Park on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @Millennium_Park.

Future Music Without Borders concerts include:

Thursday, June 23 at 6:30pm

RAM + Sexteto Tabala

Standing for the initials of its founder, the Haitian-American musician, Richard A. Morse, RAM champions the mizik rasin musical movement, a Haitian art form that combines Voodoo culture with rock and roll. Formed in 1990, RAM quickly became one of the most influential bands in Haiti, through hopeful music that addressed government corruption and other social ills. The band combines elements of rock, lyrics in Creole, French and English and Haitian rhythms, melodies and instruments. The group’s single "Ibo Lele (Dreams Come True)," is included on the soundtrack of the 1993 film “Philadelphia” starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. They make their Chicago debut in Millennium Park.

For over 70 years, Sexteto Tabala has been preserving Colombia’s afro Palenquero ancestral and cultural traditions and has made it now one of the most representative musical expressions of the black communities of Colombia. Their highly percussive music is a blend of Cuban son and Colombian Caribbean rhythms and includes drums, bongos, maracas, guiro, harpsichord, marimbula (native African bass) in addition to vocals. Its 76 year old lead singer, Rafael Cassiani was selected as one of the ten most important artists in Colombian culture by the country’s Ministry of Culture. Sexteto Tabala make their Chicago debut in Millennium Park.

Thursday, June 30 at 6:30pm

Diogo Nogueira + Freshlyground

Thirty year old Diogo Nogueira descends from a noble lineage of samba. Born in Rio de Janeiro, the son of the renowned singer João Nogueira, Diogo grew up going to rodas de samba with his father, the communal gatherings where musicians and composers sing and improvise samba together, a habit that earned him respect and approval of the music’s bambas (samba legends). Today, the rising Brazilian star, Diogo Nogueira performs the samba-canção, a more melodic variation of the samba, full of romantic lyrics that wax poetic about love, music, soccer, and his endless infatuation with his native city. He makes his Chicago debut in Millennium Park.

Formed in 2002 with band members hailing from South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, Freshlyground seamlessly blends pop, folk, jazz, blues, and indie-rock with traditional South African beats, including kwela and African folk music. With four celebrated albums, an MTV Award and a collaboration with Shakira on the 2010 World Cup song—“Waka Waka—This Time for Africa”, Freshlyground has established their place on the international music map. They make their Chicago debut in Millennium Park.

Thursday, July 7 at 6:30pm

Rupa and the April Fishes + Baloji

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Rupa and the April Fishes create music that defies easy categorization. Led by Rupa Marya, a young woman of Indian heritage, their music is a mixture of international music styles, including French chanson, Argentinean tango, Gypsy swing, American folk, Latin cumbias and Indian ragas, with lyrics sung in French, Spanish and English. They made their Chicago debut at the World Music Festival in 2009.

The evening opens with the innovative Congo-born, Belgian-bred hip-hop wordsmith, Baloji. His debut release Hotel Impala was made for his mother in Congo, a gift and a message from a son who had been away for 25 years. On a personal quest for his roots and his future, Baloji decided to return to Kinshasa to make an African version of that first album. In Kinshasa Succursale, Baloji shows off a diversity of styles and unique vocal sounds—a mix of Congolese dance music (soukous), 60’s soul and the lyrical edge of Hip Hop’s pioneers.

Thursday, July 14 at 6:30pm

Sierra Maestra + Susheela Raman

Originally founded at the University of Havana in 1976, Sierra Maestra has spent the last 35 years revitalizing, reinventing, and preserving the Cuban son music tradition. Headed by Juan d’Marcos Gonzales, they were the first of the modern-era groups to play in the old-style son line-up. Their aim was to revive and re-explore this long forgotten Cuban music style of the 1920s. Their revival of son with a modern twist was a sensation for the new generations of Cubans. They return to Chicago for the first time in nearly ten years, following President Obama’s lift of the restrictions on travel to Cuba.

Susheela Raman is one of the most interesting musicians to emerge amongst the South Asian Diaspora, equally at home with South Indian Classical as with Jimi Hendrix and Fela Kuti, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Aretha Franklin. Born in London to Tamil parents, she has constantly pushed cultural barriers to find new and ancient connection points between India, England and beyond. As a composer, arranger and interpreter, she keeps her tamil heritage alive in her music—a mix of South Indian classical music crossed with jazz, folk and pop influences and makes her Chicago debut in Millennium Park as part of the Eye on India Festival.

Thursday, July 21 at 6:30pm

Yemen Blues + Etran Finatawa

Growing up in Israel to a Yemenite family, Ravid Kahalani quickly learned to appreciate the artistic undertones of his cultures’ traditional chants, then extended his influences in the areas of blues, West African soul and classical opera. Together with jazz bassist Omer Avital, he created Yemen Blues, a hybrid musical experience that combines strong Yemenite melodies with the world of blues, jazz and funk, an ultimate celebration of African grooves, pure happiness and deep emotional Yemenite singing. This event is supported by the Israeli Consulate of Chicago.

Niger’s Etran Finatawa’s hypnotic musical groove evokes the breathless heat and shimmering horizon of the Sahara. Literally meaning “stars of tradition,” the band includes musicians from two different tribes—the Wodaabe and Touareg nomads. Led by Touareg Alhousseini Mohamed Anivolla and the Wodaabe singers, Bammo Agonla and Bagui Bouga, they bring their laid back guitars, driving rhythms and compelling voices to the stage for a night of highly innovative sound and rich performances. They made their Chicago debut at the World Music Festival in 2009.

Millennium Park

Millennium Park is located in the heart of downtown Chicago. It is bordered by Michigan Ave. to the west, Columbus Dr. to the east, Randolph St. to the north and Monroe St. to the south. Convenient parking is located in the Millennium Park Garage (entrance on Columbus at Monroe or Randolph) and at the Grant Park North and East Monroe Garages, all located within a short walking distance of Millennium Park.

Millennium Park, managed and programmed by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture and landscape design. The result of a unique partnership between the City of Chicago and the philanthropic community, the 24.5-acre park features the work of world-renowned architects, planners, artists and designers. Among Millennium Park’s prominent features are the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the United States; the interactive Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa; the contemporary Lurie Garden designed by the team of Gustafson Guthrie Nichol, Piet Oudolf and Robert Israel; and Anish Kapoor’s hugely popular Cloud Gate sculpture. Since its opening in July 2004, Millennium Park has welcomed more than 24 million people, making it one of the most popular destinations in Chicago.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, presents thousands of high-quality free festivals, exhibitions, performances and holiday celebrations in venues throughout the city each year. DCASE is dedicated to promoting an ongoing celebration of the arts in Chicago, supporting the people who create and sustain them, and marketing the city’s abundant cultural resources to a worldwide audience.

Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture

The Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture (COTC) is dedicated to promoting Chicago as a premier cultural destination to domestic and international leisure travelers, providing innovative visitor programs and services, and presenting free world-class public programs. COTC supports local artists through grants and other resources and creates vital opportunities for artists of all levels. For more information please visit www.ExploreChicago.org.

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Please Note My New Email Address:

Jill Hurwitz

Millennium Park Communications Manager

Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture

78 E. Washington Street, 4^th floor

Chicago, IL 60602

email: jill.hurwitz@explorechicago.org

phone: 312.742.1149

fax: 312.742.2783

King’s Academy to launch Arabic Year

2011-05-29T03:37:00.000-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

King’s Academy to launch Arabic Year

Madaba, Jordan, March 31, 2011—A one-year program for high school students offering intensive Arabic studies, experiential learning and Middle Eastern cultural immersion will be offered at King’s Academy beginning in 2012, Headmaster John Austin announced today.

The program, called Arabic Year at King’s Academy (AY), is designed for American and international students in grades 10 through 12 who wish to learn Arabic and explore the history, politics and culture of a vital part of the world. Students enrolled in AY will live at and be part of King’s Academy, an American-style boarding school in Jordan modeled after Deer¬eld Academy.

“We are incredibly excited about the launch of this program, said King’s Academy Headmaster Dr. John Austin. “It will deepen our mission, it will advance our aspiration to be a 21st century boarding school and it will strengthen our commitment to cultural exchange and global engagement. Most importantly, it will provide interested young men and women an unprecedented opportunity to study Arabic and explore the culture and traditions of the region.”

“This is a critically important moment in the history of the Middle East,” Austin added. “Because of Jordan’s unusual position in the region, we are uniquely placed to provide adventurous young men and women with a powerful and, we hope, transformative educational experience here in Jordan, but one that has all of the advantages of the best residential, boarding schools in the West.”

The curriculum for AY includes intensive language courses and traditional high school courses that will allow students to transition back to their home schools seamlessly following their year at King’s Academy. AY students will live on the King’s Academy campus, situated just 30 minutes away from the Jordanian capital Amman, and nestled among olive groves and farmland on the road leading to the historic town of Madaba.

King’s Academy is uniquely situated to provide intensive Arabic as a Second Language (ASL) instruction to high school students along with cultural immersion opportunities and experiential learning ¬eld trips to sites such as the Nabatean city of Petra, the biblical Dead Sea region, the Roman ruins at Jerash, the Crusader Castle at Karak, the Red Sea at Aqaba and the desert canyons of Wadi Rum, once home to Lawrence of Arabia.

In conjunction with their Arabic classes, students will have opportunities to continue their standard high school coursework or select from among targeted elective classes such as The Modern Middle East and Arabic Literatures in English. Afternoon co-curricular activities include a wide range of offerings such as tennis, squash, soccer, swimming, basketball, drama club, horseback riding, track, scuba diving instruction, movie club, cycling, community service, Model United Nations and the student newspaper and literary magazine.

AY students will be housed in comfortable and secure single gender dormitories in the company of Jordanian and Arab students conversing in colloquial Arabic. They will observe evening study hours, adhere to evening curfews and follow all the other rules associated with residential life at King’s Academy.

Boarding faculty are King’s Academy teachers, hailing from Jordan, the United States and various other countries in the Middle East and the West. Many of these teachers live in apartments that form an extension of the student dormitories. Here they are available "24/7," assisting students whenever the need arises on issues ranging from homework assignments to personal problems. They live with the students, they eat together with them in the dining hall and they participate with them in extracurricular activities in the afternoons, evenings and weekends.

AY will offer various levels of classical and colloquial Arabic courses at King’s Academy, enabling students to develop the skills to communicate regionally and locally. Students will always have full access to King’s Academy’s AP courses as well as to regular honors and standard-level courses.

Weekends and spring break will feature immersion opportunities with Jordanian families in Amman, as well as visits to sites, shops and homes country towns and rural villages, in addition to the various experiential trips mentioned above.

Running AY at King’s is Faculty Member Stephen Morison, Jr., who has worked for School Year Abroad (SYA) in China, where he taught English literature and co-supervised student trips to the Chinese provinces of Tibet, Sichuan, Fujian, Guizhou and Yunnan. Mr. Morison is a 15-year veteran of the classroom, having taught at boarding schools in the United States, China and Morocco.

Students or families interested in learning more about Arabic Year should contact the King’s Academy Of¬fice of Admissions at arabicyear@kingsacademy.edu.jo or call +962 6 430 0230. Application material for the inaugural Arabic Year at King’s Academy will be available in September 2011.

King’s Academy

King’s Academy is a private, not-for-profit, co-educational boarding and day high school (grades 9 to 12) that opened its doors in August 2007 in Madaba, Jordan. The school, which integrates the New England boarding school experience in the historical and intellectual context of the Middle East, follows an English-language, Advanced Placement curriculum. The dynamic curriculum includes an integrated co-curricular program of athletics, activities and community service, and students live in a nurturing residential environment that allows them to flourish personally and intellectually. King’s Academy is situated 30 minutes from Amman on a 144-acre (575-dunum) site and is comprised of 33 buildings and state-of-the-art facilities.

King’s graduated its first group of seniors in June 2010. In 2010-2011, King’s students numbered 425 and hailed from Jordan and 23 other countries.

by Vera Azar

Director of Communications and Publications, King's Academy

vazar@kingsacademy.edu.jo

+96264300230

www.kingsacademy.edu.jo

CPJ: Violent media intimidation in Yemen and Bahrain

2011-05-24T16:44:00.001-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

Committee to Protect Journalists

330 Seventh Avenue, 11th Fl., New York, NY 10001 Phone: +1 (212) 465-1004 Fax: +1 (212) 465-9568

Contact: Mohamed Abdel Dayem, program coordinator. Phone: (212) 465-1004; E-mail: m.abdel.dayem@cpj.org

Violent media intimidation in Yemen and Bahrain

New York, May 24, 2011-The Committee to Protect Journalists called on the governments of Yemen and Bahrain to end all intimidation and harassment of and physical violence against journalists. In Yemen, on Saturday, a journalist was attacked and repeatedly stabbed by unidentified assailants. In Bahrain, the authorities continue to detain and abuse journalists.

"Yemen and Bahrain have for months been among the most consistent violators of the rights of journalists in the Middle East," said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Mohamed Abdel Dayem. "These two governments continue to use violence to intimidate and target journalists, in an effort to control the narrative."

On Saturday, a group of armed men in civilian garb attempted to storm the offices of Al-Oula, an independent daily in Sana'a, Yemen. This has been described as an assassination attempt on Al-Oula's Editor-in-Chief, Mohammed Ayash according to a statement from the Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate (YJS). Editorial trainee Hasaan Saeed Hasaan was beaten and stabbed multiple times during the assault.

The assault, which took place in central Sana'a, began at three in the morning when the group of men attempted to forcibly enter Al-Oula's offices, the YJS statement said. When the armed men failed to enter the locked offices, they waited at the building's entrance until editorial trainee Hasaan Saeed Hasaan arrived, according to the YJS press release. The unidentified men bound, punched, and kicked Hasaan, and with a gun pointed to his head instructed him to lead them upstairs and unlock the office so that they can access Ayash's office, Al-Oula's statement says. Hasaan tried to dissuade the men, telling them that Ayash was not in the office, to which they replied that "he is there and just made a phone call saying that he is at the office," according to the YJS press release.

When Hasaan refused to comply, the men tore his clothes and stabbed him around ten times. Hasaan's life was only saved because military police in the vicinity of the newspaper's office heard his cries for help.

Al-Oula has been a regular target of retaliatory acts by government agents and proxies, CPJ research shows. In April, another group of unidentified men beat Al-Oula correspondent Hamood al-Hashimi while he covered anti-government protests in Taiz. Al-Hashimi told CPJ at the time that the first threat occurred when he received an anonymous phone call telling him to stop reporting and to leave the scene immediately. On the same day, security forces seized a shipment of copies of Al-Oula and two other newspapers at a checkpoint. The driver was beaten, and the newspapers were confiscated. On Thursday, personnel at a military checkpoint confiscated and burnt 12,000 copies of Al-Oula, YJS said in a statement.

In Bahrain, attacks on media also continue unabated. Photographer Mazen Mahdi, who works for Deutsche Presse Agenturand Defense News, was detained on Sunday, reported the U.K.-based Financial Times. Mahdi told the Financial Times that he was blindfolded, cuffed, and beaten. "They were claiming I 'published lies' that harmed the country's image," Mahdi told the FT. Nazeeha Saeed, a reporter for Radio Monte Carlo and France24, was also detained and roughly interrogated on Sunday, but apparently not beaten, according to the FT. Both journalists were released in the early morning hours on Monday.

Bahraini photographers Ali al-Kufi, Saeed Dhahi, and Hassan al-Nasheet, who were detained on May 15, were released, local journalists and human rights activists told CPJ. Another photographer, Mohamed al-Sheikh, who was detained around the same time, remains in custody, however, according to the same sources. Photographers Mohammad Ali al-Aradi of the daily Al-Bilad, Abdullah Hassan of the daily Al-Ayyam, and freelancer Nidal Nuh were detained on May 8, 14, and 18, respectively, local journalists and human rights activists told CPJ.

CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.

Obama surrenders principle to Israeli Lobby at AIPAC Speech

2011-05-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

Remarks of President Barack Obama at AIPAC Policy Conference--As Prepared for Delivery

Washington, DC

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Good morning! Thank you, Rosy, for your very kind introduction. But even more, thank you for your many years friendship. Back in Chicago, when I was just getting started in national politics, I reached out to a lot of people for advice and counsel, and Rosy was one of the very first. When I made my first visit to Israel, after entering the Senate, Rosy – you were at my side every step of that very meaningful journey through the Holy Land. And I want to thank you for your enduring friendship, your leadership and for your warm welcome today.

Thank you to David Victor, Howard Kohr and all the Board of Directors. And let me say that it’s wonderful to look out and see so many great friends, including Alan Solow, Howard Green and a very large delegation from Chicago.

I want to thank the members of Congress who are joining you today—who do so much to sustain the bonds between the United States and Israel—including Eric Cantor, Steny Hoyer, and the tireless leader I was proud to appoint as the new chair of the DNC, Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

We’re joined by Israel’s representative to the United States, Ambassador Michael Oren. As well as one of my top advisors on Israel and the Middle East for the past four years, and who I know is going to be an outstanding ambassador to Israel—Dan Shapiro. Dan has always been a close and trusted advisor, and I know he’ll do a terrific job.

And at a time when so many young people around the world are standing up and making their voices heard, I also want to acknowledge all the college students from across the country who are here today. No one has a greater stake in the outcome of events that are unfolding today than your generation, and it’s inspiring to see you devote your time and energy to help shape the future.

Now, I’m not here to subject you to a long policy speech. I gave one on Thursday in which I said that the United States sees the historic changes sweeping the Middle East and North Africa as a moment of great challenge, but also a moment of opportunity for greater peace and security for the entire region, including the State of Israel.

On Friday, I was joined at the White House by Prime Minister Netanyahu, and we reaffirmed that fundamental truth that has guided our presidents and prime ministers for more than 60 years—that, even while we may at times disagree, as friends sometimes will, the bonds between the United States and Israel are unbreakable, and the commitment of the United States to the security of Israel is ironclad.

A strong and secure Israel is in the national security interest of United States not simply because we share strategic interests, although we do both seek a region where families and their children can live free from the threat of violence. It’s not simply because we face common dangers, although there can be no denying that terrorism and the spread of nuclear weapons are grave threats to both our nations.

America’s commitment to Israel’s security also flows from a deeper place —and that’s the values we share. As two people who struggled to win our freedom against overwhelming odds, we understand that preserving the security for which our forefathers fought must be the work of every generation. As two vibrant democracies, we recognize that the liberties and freedom we cherish must be constantly nurtured. And as the nation that recognized the State of Israel moments after its independence, we have a profound commitment to its survival as a strong, secure homeland of the Jewish people.

We also know how difficult that search for security can be, especially for a small nation like Israel in a tough neighborhood. I’ve seen it firsthand. When I touched my hand against the Western Wall and placed my prayer between its ancient stones, I thought of all the centuries that the children of Israel had longed to return to their ancient homeland. When I went to Sderot, I saw the daily struggle to survive in the eyes of an eight-year old boy who lost his leg to a Hamas rocket. And when I walked among the Hall of Names at Yad Vashem, I grasped the existential fear of Israelis when a modern dictator seeks nuclear weapons and threatens to wipe Israel off the map.

Because we understand the challenges Israel faces, I and my administration have made the security of Israel a priority. It’s why we’ve increased cooperation between our militaries to unprecedented levels. It’s why we’re making our most advanced technologies available to our Israeli allies. And it’s why, despite tough fiscal times, we’ve increased foreign military financing to record levels.

That includes additional support – beyond regular military aid – for the Iron Dome anti-rocket system. This is a powerful example of American-Israel cooperation which has already intercepted rockets from Gaza and helped saved innocent Israeli lives. So make no mistake, we will maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge.

You also see our commitment to our shared security in our determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Here in the U.S., we’ve imposed the toughest sanctions ever on the Iranian regime. At the United Nations, we’ve secured the most comprehensive international sanctions on the regime, which have been joined by allies and partners around the world. Today, Iran is virtually cut off from large parts of the international financial system, and we are going to keep up the pressure. So let me be absolutely clear – we remain committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Its illicit nuclear program is just one challenge that Iran poses. As I said on Thursday, the Iranian government has shown its hypocrisy by claiming to support the rights of protesters while treating its own people with brutality. Moreover, Iran continues to support terrorism across the region, including providing weapons and funds to terrorist organizations. So we will continue to work to prevent these actions, and will stand up to groups like Hezbollah who exercise political assassination, and seek to impose their will through rockets and car bombs.

You also see our commitment to Israel’s security in our steadfast opposition to any attempt to de-legitimize the State of Israel. As I said at the United Nation’s last year, “Israel’s existence must not be a subject for debate,” and “efforts to chip away at Israel’s legitimacy will only be met by the unshakeable opposition of the United States.”

So when the Durban Review Conference advanced anti-Israel sentiment, we withdrew. In the wake of the Goldstone Report, we stood up strongly for Israel’s right to defend itself. When an effort was made to insert the United Nations into matters that should be resolved through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, we vetoed it.

And so, in both word and deed, we have been unwavering in our support of Israel’s security. And it is precisely because of our commitment to Israel’s long-term security that we have worked to advance peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Now, I have said repeatedly that core issues can only be negotiated in direct talks between the parties. And I indicated on Thursday that the recent agreement between Fatah and Hamas poses an enormous obstacle to peace. No country can be expected to negotiate with a terrorist organization sworn to its destruction. We will continue to demand that Hamas accept the basic responsibilities of peace: recognizing Israel’s right to exist, rejecting violence, and adhering to all existing agreements. And we once again call on Hamas to release Gilad Shalit, who has been kept from his family for five long years.

And yet, no matter how hard it may be to start meaningful negotiations under the current circumstances, we must acknowledge that a failure to try is not an option. The status quo is unsustainable. That is why, on Thursday, I stated publicly the principles that the United States believes can provide a foundation for negotiations toward an agreement to end the conflict and all claims – the broad outlines of which have been known for many years, and have been the template for discussions between the United States, Israelis, and Palestinians since at least the Clinton Administration.

I know that stating these principles – on the issues of territory and security – generated some controversy over the past few days. I was not entirely surprised. I know very well that the easy thing to do, particularly for a President preparing for reelection, is to avoid any controversy. But as I said to Prime Minister Netanyahu, I believe that the current situation in the Middle East does not allow for procrastination. I also believe that real friends talk openly and honestly with one another. And so I want to share with you some of what I said to the Prime Minister.

Here are the facts we all must confront. First, the number of Palestinians living west of the Jordan River is growing rapidly and fundamentally reshaping the demographic realities of both Israel and the Palestinian territories. This will make it harder and harder – without a peace deal – to maintain Israel as both a Jewish state and a democratic state.

Second, technology will make it harder for Israel to defend itself in the absence of a genuine peace.

And third, a new generation of Arabs is reshaping the region. A just and lasting peace can no longer be forged with one or two Arab leaders. Going forward, millions of Arab citizens have to see that peace is possible for that peace to be sustained.

Just as the context has changed in the Middle East, so too has it been changing in the international community over the last several years. There is a reason why the Palestinians are pursuing their interests at the United Nations. They recognize that there is an impatience with the peace process – or the absence of one. Not just in the Arab World, but in Latin America, in Europe, and in Asia. That impatience is growing, and is already manifesting itself in capitols around the world.

These are the facts. I firmly believe, and repeated on Thursday, that peace cannot be imposed on the parties to the conflict. No vote at the United Nations will ever create an independent Palestinian state. And the United States will stand up against efforts to single Israel out at the UN or in any international forum. Because Israel’s legitimacy is not a matter for debate.

Moreover, we know that peace demands a partner – which is why I said that Israel cannot be expected to negotiate with Palestinians who do not recognize its right to exist, and we will hold the Palestinians accountable for their actions and their rhetoric.

But the march to isolate Israel internationally – and the impulse of the Palestinians to abandon negotiations – will continue to gain momentum in the absence of a credible peace process and alternative. For us to have leverage with the Palestinians, with the Arab States, and with the international community, the basis for negotiations has to hold out the prospect of success. So, in advance of a five day trip to Europe in which the Middle East will be a topic of acute interest, I chose to speak about what peace will require.

There was nothing particularly original in my proposal; this basic framework for negotiations has long been the basis for discussions among the parties, including previous U.S. Administrations. But since questions have been raised, let me repeat what I actually said on Thursday.

I said that the United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine. The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state.

As for security, every state has the right to self-defense, and Israel must be able to defend itself – by itself – against any threat. Provisions must also be robust enough to prevent a resurgence of terrorism; to stop the infiltration of weapons; and to provide effective border security. The full and phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces should be coordinated with the assumption of Palestinian security responsibility in a sovereign, non-militarized state. The duration of this transition period must be agreed, and the effectiveness of security arrangements must be demonstrated.

That is what I said. Now, it was my reference to the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps that received the lion’s share of the attention. And since my position has been misrepresented several times, let me reaffirm what “1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps” means.

By definition, it means that the parties themselves – Israelis and Palestinians – will negotiate a border that is different than the one that existed on June 4, 1967. It is a well known formula to all who have worked on this issue for a generation. It allows the parties themselves to account for the changes that have taken place over the last forty-four years, including the new demographic realities on the ground and the needs of both sides. The ultimate goal is two states for two peoples. Israel as a Jewish state and the homeland for the Jewish people, and the state of Palestine as the homeland for the Palestinian people; each state enjoying self-determination, mutual recognition, and peace.

If there’s a controversy, then, it’s not based in substance. What I did on Thursday was to say publicly what has long been acknowledged privately. I have done so because we cannot afford to wait another decade, or another two decades, or another three decades, to achieve peace. The world is moving too fast. The extraordinary challenges facing Israel would only grow. Delay will undermine Israel’s security and the peace that the Israeli people deserve.

I know that some of you will disagree with this assessment. I respect that. And as fellow Americans and friends of Israel, I know that we can have this discussion.

Ultimately, however, it is the right and responsibility of the Israeli government to make the hard choices that are necessary to protect a Jewish and democratic state for which so many generations have sacrificed. And as a friend of Israel, I am committed to doing our part to see that this goal is realized, while calling not just on Israel, but on the Palestinians, the Arab States, and the international community to join us in that effort. Because the burden of making hard choices must not be Israel’s alone.

Even as we do all that’s necessary to ensure Israel’s security; even as we are clear-eyed about the difficult challenges before us; and even as we pledge to stand by Israel through whatever tough days lie ahead – I hope we do not give up on that vision of peace. For if history teaches us anything—if the story of Israel teaches us anything—it is that with courage and resolve, progress is possible. Peace is possible.

The Talmud teaches us that so long as a person still has life, they should never abandon faith. And that lesson seems especially fitting today,

For so long as there are those, across the Middle East and beyond, who are standing up for the legitimate rights and freedoms which have been denied by their governments, the United States will never abandon our support for those rights that are universal.

And so long as there are those who long for a better future, we will never abandon our pursuit of a just and lasting peace that ends this conflict with two states living side by side in peace and security. This is not idealism or naivete. It’s a hard-headed recognition that a genuine peace is the only path that will ultimately provide for a peaceful Palestine as the homeland of the Palestinian people and a Jewish state of Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people.

Thank you. God bless you. God bless Israel, and God bless the United States of America.

end