. . .the Lobby is quite clear in its efforts to suppress any congressional dissent from the policy of complete support for Israel which might hurt annual appropriations. Even one voice is attacked, as I was, on grounds that if Congress is completely silent on the issue, the press will have no one to quote, which effectively silences the press as well. Any journalists or editors who step out of line are quickly brought under control by well organized economic pressure against the newspaper caught sinning. Former Senator James Abourezk
There is, however, some progress as the US mainstream media slowly provides more coverage for Palestinian voices and Americans seem to appreciate it, if letters to editors and comments sections are any indication.
Pennsylvanian Anne Selden Annab's letter supporting the Vermont Guardian's contributor, Mohammad Omer, appeared yesterday. She was responding to Mohammad's letter which was published on April 12. Mohammad was reacting to a letter written by Robert Grossenbaum questioning the veracity of Omer's reports.
I find it sad that Robert Grossbaum is so determined to protect Zionism and its apartheid policies that he finds it necessary to attempt to destroy a 17-year-old boy’s reputation — a boy murdered getting ready for school in the morning (Vermont Guardian, April 6).
His attempts to harm me by undermining my credibility, reputation, and ability to work are done for the purpose of deflecting attention and causing confusion. Like all people attempting to create cognitive dissonance on this issue, he throws in a number of false "facts," which are tantamount to libel and slander.
Annab lauds
Omer for apprising the Guardian's readers about Israel supporters' "manipulative . . . games."
He wisely, firmly confronts and refutes the slanderous as well as totally toxic Zionist propaganda that is so pervasive in U.S. newspapers. I have been hoping for years that (for everyone’s sake) more people would start sincerely challenging Israel’s manipulative public relations games that have created so much havoc (and planted hate) everywhere they can reach.
She hopes that Palestinians are "given more chances to simply speak for themselves," and notes how difficult that is "in a world where Palestinians are routinely demonized and dismissed."
I do hope that Omer’s letter is the beginning of a trend with more and more Palestinians everywhere speaking out to explain what they know to be true about our "friend" Israel. And, I do hope that soon everyone on Earth understands the vital importance of fully respecting the Palestinian refugees’ sacred right of return to original homes and lands as clearly spelled out by international law since Israel came to be a sovereign state in 1948.
Visit Annies-Letters for one loyal and patriotic American's views on Israel.
And for a Palestinian voice, read Omer's Rafah Today. The Vermont Guardian's interview is here. Omer, on a speaking tour of the US last year spoke in Battleboro where the Guardian is published. Congressman Peter Welch "declined an invitation to attend."