THINK-ISRAEL

The Stepford Arab Spokesmen

posted by Bernice Lipkin July 20, 2002

Listen to the prime minister from Iran, the king from Jordan, the President of Egypt, the ET character from Saudi Arabia or to almost any Arab on almost any talk show.

Asked why the suicide bombers, they all say in this slowed-down, robot-like voice: "The people are desperate. The root cause of the violence is the Israeli occupation."

This is surprising, because no Arab country gave a damn about the Palestinian Arabs before September 11th. They let the Palestinian Arabs fester in refugee camps. Except for Jordan, they have refused them citizenship. You remember Arafat sided with Iraq, which infuriated the Kuwaitis. Kuwait kicked out the Palestinian Arabs after the Gulf War, just as soon as they could reclaim their country. Now, Kuwaitis cry for their Palestinian brothers, who have suffered so since the 1967 occupation by Israel. King Abdullah of Jordan looked so sad when he talked about the Palestinians on the Charlie Rose show. You could see how much he feels for the Palestinians. He said flat out that Israel won't break the Palestinians by violence; only peace will stop the cycle of violence. His conviction is curious. His daddy saved his realm by hitting back at the PLO when they threatened him; he killed thousands of Palestinian Arabs and kicked them out of Jordan.

Interviewers seldom challenge this stylized blaming of Israel. It is high comedy the rare times they do. Recently, a local TV host was listening politely to an Arab, a Ph.D. professor, proclaim that the Israelis had invaded Palestine. "Wait a minute," the host interrupted, "there never was a Palestinian state." The Arab was startled for a moment, but recovered quickly. His tone became plaintive. "It says Palestine on the maps, doesn't it?"

Have the Arabs had a change of heart over the years? It's doubtful. They sure weren't rushing to extend hospitality to the Nativity Church terrorists. It is more likely that they have, on their own or with help, decided that using the Israeli Occupation script is a great way to knock Israel. Who knows? Maybe they can get the European Union and the USA to do their dirty work and get Israel out of Palestinian land.

It is the 1967 occupation they are talking about, isn't it?