Challenging the "Brokers of Deceit"

by Prof. Rashid Khalidi

December 23rd, 2013

Ending U.S. Complicity in Israels Denial of Palestinian Rights





In my latest book, Brokers of Deceit: How the U.S. Has Undermined Peace in the Middle East, I examine how the United States, for the past 35 years, has posed as an unbiased intermediary between Israel and the Palestinians, but in fact it operated increasingly in defense of Israels interests, and to the systematic detriment of those of the Palestinians. All of this dissembling was cloaked in high-sounding but dishonest language.

Sadly, this U.S. approach has continued unabated into President Obamas second term. Today, Secretary of State John Kerry tries unsuccessfully to convince us that a breakthrough in the current round of negotiations is imminent. Meanwhile, Israel has used these talks as a cover to announce the construction of nearly 6,000 new settlement units, a brazen theft and colonization of yet more Palestinian land under the guise of this sham peace process.



In my book, I cite George Orwell, who warned: The slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts If thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought. A bad usage can spread by tradition and imitation, even among people who should and do know better.



Unfortunately, too many people and organizations who should and do know better continue to wrongfully insist that the resolution of Israeli-Palestinian conflict can come about only through the intensification of deceitful U.S. mediation.



Not so with the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation , a national coalition of more than 400 organizations, on whose Advisory Board I proudly serve. The US Campaign understands that we first need to change the fundamental premises of U.S. policy toward Israel and the Palestinians to one that supports human rights, international law and equality, rather than Israeli military occupation and apartheid policies, before we can have any hope of brokering a just and lasting peace.

I urge you to donate right now to support this important work.

Whether its sending resources to thousands of volunteers to educate and organize people to end the flow of U.S. weapons to Israel that play such an integral part in maintaining its military occupation, or whether its successfully pressing the State Department to investigate Israeli settlements contaminating Palestinian farming areas in Wadi Foquin, or whether its organizing a Capitol Hill briefing for Addameers director Sahar Francis to discuss Israels torture of Palestinians before a Congressional audience, the US Campaign is at the forefront of national efforts to mobilize the grassroots and coordinate the efforts of national organizations to move U.S. policy in the direction we need it go so that we can truly be an honest broker in the future.



Please donate today to strengthen the efforts of the US Campaign to change our countrys policy.



Sincerely,