It is a paradox. The United States condemns a small charitable donation of $10,000 made to a poor Arab family as funds for terrorists; at the same time it provides unlimited military and financial support for Israel’s terrorist acts against the Palestinians. An American described his country’s lopsided policies as political foolishness — against the rules of good diplomacy which characterized US administrators in the past.
The Arab people embarked upon a boycott of US goods, not because they thought it would bring the US economy to a standstill. In fact, they knew very well that the boycott would affect only Arab investors in their own countries. Nonetheless, they wanted to use the boycott as a sign of their feelings against the prolonged and protracted Israeli oppression which enjoys full US approval and assistance. Even children in the Arab world share the feelings as they can clearly see the American-made gunships and planes assaulting civilian Palestinian targets.
No nation in the world approves terrorizing of civilians. There are hundreds of terrorist organizations operating in various parts of the world. People wonder why the US is not fighting them. Why has Islam been chosen as the US’ only target?
Anti-US sentiment is growing fast and not only among Arab and Muslim communities. It is also on the increase in Europe as is indicated by the frequent demonstrations in European cities against the way the US is waging the war on terror.
It is indeed strange that a country in which universities, research centers and political and strategic experts abound, no one points out the simple fact that it is unfair US policies that are at the root of the terrorist menace.
Arab News Features 4 December 2002
