JEDDAH — There are three and a half million Palestinians whose lives, livelihood, in fact their very homeland as a livable place fit for human habitation, have been subjected to the merciless onslaught of Israeli’s military machine. These helpless people continue their 35-year journey of subjugation and suffering under a ruthless occupier who hides behind a so-called democracy and the protective economic and military shields of a superpower, the United States of America.

American congressional elections are in fact deciding the very physical and emotional well-being of a helpless people who caused no harm to America or her people. They have been trapped between the ferocious appetite of the warmonger, Gen. Sharon, and their human dignity, which is prodding them to fight for their freedom and independence. This honorable small nation is only doing what young America did when it revolted and gained independence some 225 years ago from a ruthless and greedy Britain.

Competing to win election funds and Jewish votes, the Republicans and Democrats are engaged in a mindless race where each candidate tries to outdo his opponent in the appeasement of the Jewish community.

To win, each candidate, regardless of the harm he may be causing to America’s national interests and regardless of the violations of basic human decency, blindly projects him/herself as the staunchest supporter of Israel. This support translated into a cruel military campaign against imprisoned and defenseless Palestinian communities in the cities of Jenin, Nablus, Hebron, and others. The targets were mostly women, children and old men. It was a horrifying picture to see tens of thousands of ordinary folks trapped in simple homes and refugee camps armed only with stones, simple guns and their pride and love of freedom.

With Washington’s tacit approval, they became targets in a target- practice exercise. In this uneven war they faced and continue to face one of the most modern armies in the world.

With the help of America, the aggressor used a military machine consisting of America’s most advanced strike aircraft, missiles, tanks and all the high tech instruments of a modern military force.

Is this American democracy in action? Is this the democracy we were taught about in American colleges and universities? Is this the 21st century civilization exemplified by the American miracle? Is this the liberty and justice the American people pride themselves on? Are the American ideals reserved only for the American people?

If so, why has America been preaching them all over the world for years? Why has America been judging and rewarding other nations on the basis of their adherence to democratic values and human rights practices?

America’s resources and economic success may have qualified her to lead in a new world order. To do that successfully America must also excel in the moral arena. She must first adopt a new code of conduct in foreign relations. Globalization, free trade, and the ultimate integration of world economies can succeed only if other nations, small and big, are guaranteed justice and equality before they surrender part of their sovereignty.

A minority group in America because of cultural ties to another county should not be allowed to override civilized rules of conduct. Factions within the American Jewish community acting out of cultural affinity to Israel have succeeded in making Washington’s Middle East policy work not only in conflict with American democratic values and perception of human rights but also against America’s own national interests.

America’s universally admired constitutional tenets must be extended to the rest of the world. They must have a universal application if American leadership is to be accepted. In the event this is not happening America’s leadership will be interpreted as a form of world domination and her relations with other nations will be conceived as a new form of colonialism. The globalization of tenets of the American constitution is a prerequisite to modern-day world leadership.

America must reform her domestic political culture. Pressure of local interest groups must not be allowed to force US government’s hand into pursuing foreign relations contrary to her perception of justice, democratic values and against the very interests of her citizens. This is indeed happening with respect to the present Middle East conflict.

(Hani Emam is a Saudi businessman based in Jeddah.)