Washington Report on Middle East Affairs
November/December 2015 Table of Contents
Interpreting the Middle East for North Americans • Interpreting North America for the Middle East
The U.S. Role in the Middle East and the Israeli Occupation of Palestine
8 Lack of Hope, Worsening Oppression Spur Young Palestinians to Act—Rachelle Marshall
12 Israel Ratchets up Its Violence Against a New Generation of Palestinians—Four Views—Jonathan Cook, Samah Jabr, Mohammed Omer, John V. Whitbeck
17 Sabra and Shatila 33 Years Later—A Personal Account—Ellen Siegel
20 Egypt Floods Its Border With Gaza—Mohammed Omer
27 Iran Nuclear Agreement Clears Biggest Legislative Hurdle, but More Remain—Shirl McArthur
SPECIAL REPORTS
22 Morocco’s Occupation of Western Sahara Parallels Israel and Palestine—Ian Williams
24 The U.S. and Russia in Syria—Two Views—Patrick J. Buchanan, Robert Parry
71 In Memoriam: Dr. Jamal Barzinji (1939-2015)—Sami Al-Arian
DEPARTMENTS
30 New York City and Tri-State News: Bassem Tamimi: “To Liberate Palestine, We Must Have Free Women”—Jane Adas
32 Northern California Chronicle: CAIR-CA, Community Groups Thank Governor for Signing Racial Profiling Bill—Elaine Pasquini
34 Israel and Judaism: Will a Freed Pollarld Become a Hero and Role Model for Israel And Its American Friends?—Allan C. Brownfeld
39 Southern California Chronicle: Dr. Nabil Azzam Honored at 2015 Arab Music Festival and Conference in Cairo—Pat and Samir Twair
40 Arab-American Activism:
Candidates Woo Arab-American Voters—and Vice Versa
ArabEidFest Entertains and Informs
41 Human Rights:
Syria and Beyond: Assessing the Global Refugee Crisis
Human Rights Group Calls for Justice for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui
Ehud Barak Sued in California for Role in Mavi Marmara Raid
43 Muslim American Activism:
CAIR Celebrates Champions for Justice
44 Music & Arts:
Simon Shaheen Helps UPA Raise Funds for Gaza Children
Palestinian-American Graphic Artist a Hit at SPXPO
Syrian Youth Talent Show
45 Waging Peace:
NCUSAR Policymakers Conference Tackles Middle East’s Pressing Issues
Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and the Devastating War in Yemen
Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize Winner Tawakkol Karman Visits Washington
Egypt’s Economic, Security and Political Challenges
Chomsky, Pappe, Roy, Walt Among Speakers at Biblical Studies Conference
HCEF Conference Explores the Future of Christianity in the Holy Land
Palestinian Christian Leaders Call for Unity, Resistance, Global Action
The Future of Bipartisanship on Israel
Coleen Rowley and Ray McGovern Host Edward Snowden in Iowa City
Gaza Teach-In at Georgetown
ANERA Dinner Raises Funds for Humanitarian Needs
Hebron Children Bring Pinwheels, Hope for Peace to Capitol Hill
Building the BDS Movement for Justice in Palestine
Dr. Cornel West Describes the Legacy of Edward Said
Southern Californians Protest Israeli Oppression
The Israel Lobby and the Iran Nuclear Deal
Protest Outside Israeli Consulate In San Francisco Draws Large Crowd
64 Diplomatic Doings:
Pope Francis Challenges Congress to Advance Peace, Human Dignity
Guests Celebrate Saudi National Day
65 The World Looks at the Middle East—Cartoons
66 Book Reviews:
William Yale: Witness to Partition in the Middle East, World War I-World War II—Reviewed by Randa A. Kayyali
Modernizing Saudi Arabia—Reviewed by Kevin A. Davis
69 ‘Tis the season for Charitable Giving: A Washington Report Compendium
72 Obituaries
73 2015 AET CHOIR OF ANGELS
33 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS
Online Israel Studies Bulletin Board 