Divestment petition is not anti-Semitic
By Faculty Members at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston Globe, October 4, 2002
THE HEART-BREAKING conflict between Israelis and Palestinians raises understandable concerns over the rise of anti-Semitism and anti-Arab sentiment, the future of the state of Israel and of the Palestinian people, and the prospects for peace and human rights throughout the world. The best hope for addressing these concerns would come, we believe, from the establishment of a secure, democratic, economically viable Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza alongside the state of Israel and from a renewed commitment by all countries to international conventions on human rights. That is why we have signed a petition asking our government and our universities to make future aid to and investment in Israel subject to four conditions.

A deafening silence
By Gideon Levy, Ha'aretz, October 6, 2002
Why is it that in England 50,000 people have demonstrated against the war in Iraq, whereas in Israel no one has? Why is it that in Israel there is no public debate about whether the war is necessary, whereas in Europe, and even in the United States, such a debate is at its peak? Is it possible that no one in Israel has any doubts about the benefits of such a war or that no one fears its dangers? Israel is again speaking in one voice - the voice of war. As on the Palestinian question, in which uniformity, silence and indifference has characterized public discourse in the past two years, no serious public discussion can be discerned on the critical subject of the impending war in Iraq.

Rapture and Rupture
By Maureen Dowd, New York Times, October 6, 2002
Democrats fear that President Bush may be able to use a victory over Iraq to realign Jewish voters from liberalism to conservatism: There was a time in Washington when the word "rapture" was used to refer to rapscallion senators chasing exotic dancers, or a president enjoying a pizza with an intern. But now, when you hear the word "Rapture" whispered in political circles, it refers to the biblical vision of a terrible final war in Jerusalem between the forces of light and darkness and the consequent ascension of "saved" Christians, snatched up to Heaven from their cars, computer terminals and food courts. A mere two months ago, Democratic leaders were rapturous about their future, thinking that louche C.E.O.'s and a logy economy would combine to give them back the House and strengthen their control of the Senate as they headed into 2004. Now, with the White House's success in changing the subject to Iraq, Democrats see a future in the wilderness. They fear that President Bush — who alienated some Jewish voters during his campaign when he brought Jesus into the debate but pleased many after he won with his unquestioning support of Israel — may be able to use a victory over Saddam to fulfill one of the Republicans' fondest dreams: a realignment of Jewish voters from liberalism to conservatism.

Is war inevitable?
By Mohamed Sid-Ahmed, Al-Ahram Weekly,  3 - 9 October 2002
The US administration's quarrel with Saddam Hussein is purportedly over his continued stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction in defiance of Security Council resolutions. In fact, however, it goes far beyond the question of Iraq's alleged arsenal of banned weapons. There is first of all the Iraqi president's alleged support of terrorism. Then there is also the personal aspect. Bush has not forgiven Saddam for his abortive assassination attempt against Bush senior during the latter's visit to Kuwait shortly after leaving office. But these are not the only reasons the US administration is determined to topple the Iraqi leader. He has come to represent a problem surpassing the issue of Iraq, even of terrorism proper, a problem with global, and not only regional, dimensions.

Summit time
By Salama A Salama, Al-Ahram Weekly,  3 - 9 October 2002
Arab League Secretary- General Amr Moussa has said, on more than one occasion, that there are no plans to convene an Arab summit because there has been no change in Arab policy since the March summit declared its opposition to military action against Iraq. The current situation, though, differs from that of six months ago. The war rhetoric has escalated, and the US is pursuing military preparations with alarming speed. There can be no doubt left that war is in the offing, with or without the approval of the UN Security Council, with or without the approval of the Arab world. The Americans seem confident that they can overcome international opposition, either from their European allies or from the Russians and Chinese, so long as Washington promises to take care of their interests and perhaps even hand them a piece of the pie when it asserts its control over energy sources worldwide. Something is missing, however. What has been overlooked, in the flurry of impending hostilities, is Arab regimes and nations who fear the pincer- like outcome of military action against Iraq. The US occupation of Iraq will unleash political, ethnic, and religious turbulence. Israel, meanwhile, will gobble up Palestine, posing even greater threats to neighbouring countries.