American and British social and educational institutions which are independent when it comes to decision-making will not accept interference from any authority — or so we believed. With that in mind, we are surprised to find those two countries putting pressure on those very institutions in other countries.
We thought the main British and American concerns were economic and political. The current American and British governments, however, have changed all that. Up to now, we normally considered Western standards to be very high and worthy of emulation. But nowadays we see that what was forbidden in the past is now allowed.
Even the American judicial system, which we considered ideal, is clouded by suspicions because of government interference. It is easy now to accuse any Muslim of terrorism and see him jailed without trial for months simply because the FBI suspects him of possible wrongdoing.
Britain and America have now abrogated to themselves the right to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs. Within America and also in Britain, no one dares to challenge the existing governments — especially concerning their support for Israel. Those who dare to do so will find themselves tarred with the brush of anti-semitism and cast into outer darkness.
Those outside the two countries who oppose the countries’ policies are pressured and marginalized. Neither government hesitates to accuse those who oppose them of terrorism — whether the individuals are politicians, academics or journalists.
Many writers have suffered in one way or another because the American media attacked them when they opposed the war on Iraq. There is no room for dialogue since the American slogan is now, “If you are not with me, you are against me.” This is the new civilized way in which America will deal with the post-Sept. 11 world. Who would believe that such behavior would be common in a country that has always prided itself on listening to dissenting opinions? Who would believe that this is the same America which promised to bring democracy to this region?
I think the current American government may well succeed in forcing their views on governments by using political pressure; what they will fail to do is to convince intellectuals of the justice and rightness of their causes. No one can accept the inhuman behavior of Israeli forces just because the American government wants them to.
America is wrong if it thinks that it can stop writers from writing, talking or thinking. It has not been able to stop American writers from writing about the evils of Zionism nor will it be able to prevent anti-Arab articles or the dissemination of inaccurate information about Arabs and Muslims.
As for us in the Middle East, we say that we will not close our centers even if they speak out in opposition and in criticism of Israeli intransigence. If we gave in to pressure to close the centers, then we would have to prepare ourselves for far more painful concessions. And in conceding, we would lose much, not least our stability.
- Arab News From the Local Press 28 August 2003
