I have heard Saeb Erakat say the same thing at the World Economic Forum in Jordan a few years ago, and now  - in this interview – Prime Minister Fayyad reminded the world that the Palestinian cause gets hurt when the Iranian regime tries to hijack it for its own benefits.  Extremists should not be allowed to incite hatred and division for their own divisive purposes.  Moderate Israelis and Palestinians need to wake up to the need for them to work together to build two states that respect one another and fulfill the aspirations of their people.  It is the only way.

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Tags: Palestine, Iran, Middle East by daniel
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In case anyone has doubts as to Hamas and Iran’s intentions: nothing less than Israel’s destruction.  Their extremism prolongs the conflict and the suffering of both: ordinary Palestinians and Israelis.

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Tags: Palestine, Israel, Iran, Mideast Negotiations by daniel
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According to a recent Op-Ed by Amb. Stuart Eizenstat, it is essential for the American Jewish community to recognize that President Obama’s broad principles provide the key to a safe and secure Jewish state.

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Tags: Israel, Iran, United States by daniel
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“Iran wants to fight America and Israel down to the last Palestinian, Lebanese and Iraqi.”

As quoted by Karim S in Arab Rise, Tehran Trembles

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Tags: Israel, Iran, United States, Middle East by daniel
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The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Ahmadinejad believes he has a line of communication with the Hidden Imam, a Messiah for the Muslim Shiia. Read more below.

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Tags: Iran, Religion, Middle East by daniel
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It is something everyone in the corridors of Arab power tends to acknowledge: that the current Iranian regime is a destabilizing apocalyptic messianic cult whose acquisition of nuclear weapons would be an overwhelming threat to the region.  But it is never publicly discussed or shared with the masses. Till now.  The leaks of diplomatic memos between the US and its foreign allies is a stark affirmation of the danger that Arab – and Israeli – leaders perceive from Iran. 

Here is just one summary:

Graphic: Fears of a Nuclear Iran

Middle East leaders speak about their powerful neighbor with a directness seldom, if ever, heard in public.

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Tags: Lebanon, United Kingdom, Israel, Democracy and Freedom (or lack of), United States, Iran, Middle East by daniel
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Dennis Ross, the Special Assistant to the President and friend of OneVoice, addressed AIPAC at their Florida Summit this week.  In his remarks, Mr. Ross spoke about the dangers of Iran and the effect that the Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act has had on Iran’s relationship with the world.  Mr. Ross concluded his speech by reiterating the need for peace, and the specific importance of moderates remaining engaged in a proactive peace process.

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Tags: Iran, Israel, Palestine, Leadership, Mideast Negotiations, United States, PeaceWorks Foundation, Middle East by daniel
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Anyone who has been following the news today about the Gaza flotilla debacle and the tragic course of events, including the loss of lives, of hopes, and of peaceful respectful relations would not be faulted for being gloomy and depressed and for throwing in the towel, thinking that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is just not going to be resolved and war is going to doom that region for eternity.

Perhaps it’s the contrarian in me, but I’ve heard this tune and just when things start getting as ugly as they seem to be getting now in the Middle East, an opportunity starts arising to awaken people into their power for positive change - in this case based on a two state solution that recognizes the rights of both peoples.

Behind the scenes, OneVoice has been preparing a campaign to inspire Palestinians and Israelis to visualize a two state solution: Imagine 2018.  I shared this campaign with Sir Paul McCartney earlier today and he recognized its potential to shake people out of their complacency or fatalism and into action.

You could argue this is not the time to launch such a campaign - that it is the time to solemnly mourn.  And to recognize that there are major impediments, not the least of which is Hamas control of Gaza (a proxy of Iran) and ideological settlers taking Israel and its government hostage.

But maybe this IS the time to take action.  For otherwise we will be victims to follies and extremism and partisanship forever. 

Maybe the time has come to break those shackles of absolutism and rancor, and to start saying, let’s stop making excuses about why peace is never going to come about, and let’s start building the foundations - in our visions, in our minds, and on the ground - to just make it happen.  Two states for two proud peoples.  It may not happen overnight. And it may not happen across the entire land at the same time.  But you have to start somewhere.

Tags: Introspection, Israel, Palestine, Music, Iran, Mideast Negotiations, Gaza, OneVoice Movement by daniel
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by Adeena Schlussel on behalf of Daniel Lubetzky

Tom Friedman wrote an interesting article about a period that he sees as a turning point in Islamism.  He tells the story of Islamic Fundamentalism but strikes a hopeful tone.

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Tags: Israel, Iran, Middle East by daniel
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Afshin Ellian wrote an excellent piece in the Wall Street Journal.  He concludes it with:

The emergence of a democratic Iran is therefore not only a moral imperative but should be the foreign policy priority of every cold-hearted realist as well as multicultural engager. That’s why it is so incomprehensible that the Obama Administration still prefers dialogue with the apocalyptic ayatollahs over uncompromising support for the people crying out for freedom.

If the protesters shake off the yoke of theocracy and savagery, their success could herald the failure of political Islam way beyond Iran. At this turning point in history the West has no logical alternative but to unequivocally support the Green Revolution. The fate of this movement far outweighs the useless nuclear talks that will only buy the regime time and undeserved international legitimacy. The demonstrators in Iran on Dec. 7 rightfully exclaimed: "Obama, are you with them [the regime] or with us?" History will not judge him lightly if he chooses the wrong side.

For years I have wondered how so many diplomats (including many who are esteemed friends that I admire) delude themselves into believing they can actually get the Iranian regime to drop their quest for nuclear weapons.  Never mind that the regime has invested its entire reputation into asserting that the nuclear option is its G’d-given right.  And never mind that their entire geo-strategic existence relies on nuclear hegemony, not to mention the scary messianic imperatives they seem to want to accelerate with nuclear holocaust, as Ahmadinejad himself explicitly avowed.  If history teaches us anything is that we should take people in power at their word when they proclaim threatening visions in the public fora.

Several years ago, pundits dismissed "regime change" as naive and advocated nuclear containment with Iran instead.  I remember thinking they all had it upside down.  Nuclear containment is unlikely with the present regime.  Admittedly it may also be difficult with a future Iranian leadership.  But at least we won’t have apocalyptic messianics holding on to the red button.  Now that a viable grassroots opposition has risen in Iran demanding freedom and democracy, it will be devastating if they are not given all forms of global support, moral AND otherwise.

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Tags: Democracy and Freedom (or lack of), Iran, Religion, United States, Middle East by daniel
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