Frank and the toy schnauzer greeted the group, then Cid stood and announced, "I'll walk with you."
Louise stretched, locked eyes with Khaled, and said, "What we need are more people who are impatient with evil and patient with people--more people with the courage to fight for social justice and not worry that when they step out on nothing but the truth, it will be a very long time before they get to land, but when they do, it will be on very sound ground."
Jake finished plucking his bird, sat back, then declared, "Before you go, I have a few questions about your Middle East Communications Group. I want to know why there are never any moderate Muslims speaking out against the terrorists. Why, when Sadat was assassinated back in 1981 by radical Muslims, did none of the Muslims condemn the murder, and still haven't? Sadat was making progress. Peace seemed possible over there, and his own people murdered him."
Cid
agreed readily. "Jake that is a problem the Jewish people also express.
Moderate Muslims are too often mute, but I never hesitate to condemn
terrorism when it comes from our leaders in Israel or America."
Khaled jumped up and began to pace around the fire, and the neighbors sat back down. "Look, you are not an Arab in the United States! You have no idea the racist attitudes many of us have experienced from certain Americans and so, have been too silent about many things! But we most certainly agree that any violence done to another is wrong! The misguided Muslims who resort to violence are not following what the Koran really teaches. What I read in the Koran is that it proclaims the unity, omnipotence, omniscience, and mercy of God, as well as the total dependence of all human life upon him. It is true part of the problem is we Palestinians do not want to call attention to the fact that we are Arabs because we Arabs are the target of racism in the USA! We do not want our children to be labeled and scorned, so we have failed to speak out as we should!
"Please understand that the Koran has 192 references to God's compassion and mercy, and only 17 references to his wrath and vengeance. The true meaning of infidel is one who is ungrateful, or one who denies the existence of the Supreme Being. Everyone gathered here tonight is a person of the book and should never be labeled as an infidel. I am sorry for the actions of my brethren who are focused on wrath and vengeance, violence and destruction. They are not true Muslims! I do understand they are acting out of a deep despair caused by the injustice they have been acutely living with for fifty years. Please have some mercy and understand that until we address the root of the problem, there will be continued instability in the Middle East. My people have been forgotten by the world!
"Every violent retaliation only solidifies the opponent's despair, and more violence has become their answer. First Sadat was assassinated, and then twenty thousand Muslims were killed in a twenty-seven day bombing in the city of Hama, for that had been their headquarters among the innocent people. This overkill of innocent people must stop!
"Tell
me, Jake, how do you justify the 1982 Israeli-backed Christian militia,
which annihilated 1,000-1,500 Palestinian and Lebanese civilians in
Sabra and Shatilla refugee camps? Ariel Sharon was in charge of the
training, and he trained the attackers in the art of terrorism! Why
isn't he being condemned for terrorism, too?"
Cid jumped in.
"Khaled, I agree; that attack was cold blooded murder, and Sharon and
the entire Israeli government should be held accountable."
Jake
spoke while chewing on his cigar. "Hey, that's a good point; I don't
even remember hearing about any investigation into that matter. But I am
more concerned about all the plane highjackings and learning about the
underground Israeli nuclear program. Last October, when I took Terese to
London for our anniversary, I read an incredible story of a Jew named
Mordechai Vanunu in the London Sunday Times .19
"I
have yet to read or heard a word from the American press about Vanunu
who had worked in a very compartmentalized position in the secret
underground Dimona nuclear research center in the Negev. The nuclear
plant had a sign outside claiming it was a Textile factory and it seems
that when Vanunu finally realized he was involved in the horrific work
of manufacturing weapons of mass destruction, he shot two rolls of film
inside of the restricted areas. Seems security was very lax and this low
level tech was able to obtain the keys in the shower room that opened
the doors to what Israel has not admitted to. Anyway, Vanunu quits the
job and leaves Israel and carried around the undeveloped film for nearly
a year as he traveled throughout Europe. He ended up in Sydney,
Australia and converted to Christianity.
"A few weeks after he shared his story with a British reporter, I think his name was Peter Hounam. Anyway, Vanunu and this reporter returned to London, and while the London Times was verifying the photos, Vanunu mysteriously disappeared. The photos proved the fact that Israel had become a major nuclear power, but not a word has been heard from my government nor press!
"The Sunday Times reports this incredible news that Israel's underground plutonium plant has material for two hundred nuclear warheads of advanced design, but not a word have I read about it or heard from the US media! It makes me wonder about all the iron curtains the media and government have raised as a shield from the truth."
Riad interjected,"That's not all, Jake, and the facts are that even before that story ran, the Mossad had lured Vanunu to Italy, abducted him, and dumped his drugged body onto an Israeli cargo vessel bound for Israel. Vanunu has been charged with treason and is being tried in a closed-door trial. Incredible what a democracy can get away with when the media fails to do what it is commissioned to: investigate and report the truth!"
Khaled
stretched his legs toward the fire and looked into Cid's eyes as he
spoke. "Jake, Israeli's nuclear program has been an open secret for some
time, but has never received attention from the American press. I know
my Palestinian brethren have done many bad things. I do not excuse or
defend them. But, when they see America turn a blind eye to the many bad
things the Israelis do, well, it just continues the cycle."
Jake
chewed his cigar as he spoke. "If I may play devil's advocate here, I
would say Israel is only trying to protect itself from hostile
neighbors. But then, by that logic, why shouldn't the twenty-two Arab
countries also have the right to do the same? All I know is that the
first casualty of war is Mother Nature. This really gets my Irish up!
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