Rochester — The Lebanese Club of Oakland University hosted a panel discussion in the university’s Fireside Lounge Wednesday, covering a number of issues relating to the Middle East and the Muslim world. 

Debates were held on topics including women in the Arab world, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and America’s “War on Terror.”

The panel was comprised of three local experts on the Middle East: The Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani, Arab American attorney and occasional radio host Joumana Kayrouz, and Oakland University history professor Don Matthews, who is author of the book “Confronting an Empire, Constructing a Nation; Arab Nationalists and Popular Politics in the Palestine Mandate.”

The panel had a mixed response to the question “Are women in the Middle East unhappy?” 

Kayrouz said “yes,” but not in her personal experience.

Siblani mentioned that while religiously inspired repression of women is certainly prevalent in the Middle East, America is also far from perfect in this regard.  Kayrouz echoed this, pointing out that women in the U.S. make only 79 cents for every dollar earned by men.

When asked to comment on the veracity of George W. Bush’s suggestion that there was still plenty of time to resolve the Israel/Palestine conflict during his presidency, Matthews was skeptical, to say the least. 

Not only, he explained, is the conflict not likely to be resolved during this presidency, it is not likely to be resolved any time in the near future. 

“True,” he said, “there is a silent majority on each side that wants an agreement, but the two sides have different ideas of what an ‘agreement’ would be.”

Israelis, he said, are not willing to tear down Jewish settlements within the Occupied Territories, and Palestinians are not willing to give up on their claim to a right of return, despite Israelis having made clear that they are unwilling to consider this. 

Siblani commented that the situation is made worse by the fact that American leaders today are reluctant to tackle either of these issues with a firm stance.

The discussion became heated when an audience member angrily demanded to know why anyone in America would want to help the Palestinians who were seen “dancing in the streets after 9/11.”

Siblani responded firmly.

“There are people living in America, burning the American flag and collecting welfare checks.  Everyone is entitled to freedom of expression.”

Towards the end of the talk, the panelists were asked to comment on Lebanese sentiments towards the current presidential election.  Siblani explained that Lebanon is very divided on this issue.  Since the Cedar Revolution in 2005, the U.S. has consistently backed Lebanese groups who oppose Syrian influence in Lebanon.  Iran has consistently backed groups that wish the Syrians to remain, such as Hizbullah (whose categorization by the U.S. as a terrorist organization Siblani strongly protests). 

Most Lebanese, Siblani said, would support a Barack Obama-type approach to the situation, which would involve direct talks with Syria and Iran.  Without such dialogue, Siblani fears Lebanon could be headed for another armed, internal conflict.  

Kayrouz said of the panel discussion “I am very encouraged and delighted to see all these young people here.  The depth of their questions shows that they are really keeping current and that we are all connected.”

Another panel discussion hosted by Oakland University’s Lebanese Club is scheduled for October 15.