Arab Americans from across the country descended on Washington, DC last weekend for what has become an annual tradition in the nation’s capital.

Former U.S President Bill Clinton with ADC President Mary Rose Oakar during ADC’s national convention in Washington on June 13. PHOTO: ADC

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) national convention brings together policymakers, academics, thinkers and activists in a forum for dialogue between the government and Americans of Arab descent.
ADC, founded in 1980 by former U.S. Sen. James Abourezk to protect civil rights and advocate for Arab Americans, has been holding the gathering for the past twenty-nine years. But the convention last week represented a new height in terms of the group’s political influence. The keynote speaker Saturday evening was former President Bill Clinton. About 2,000 took part in three days of panel discussions and other events.

Clinton spoke Saturday about identity, global interdependence and the future of the U.S. and the world.

“We live in an interdependent world, where there is a lot of good, but a lot of trouble, too,” Clinton said. “People can accept who they are without despising someone else. We have to reach across the divide, otherwise there will never be trust.”

Clinton praised the direction the new U.S. administration is heading in, specifically President Barack Obama’s recent speech from Cairo, and trips to Syria and Lebanon by George Mitchell, the U.S.’s Middle East Envoy.

The former president went on to commend recent elections in Lebanon, saying that the door is now open for resolving the differences in that country.

Clinton also spoke about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, urging the audience to push for peace in the region. He spoke about investment opportunities in the West Bank.

“I think it is important to give the Palestinian people something to look forward to in the morning,” he said.

Following his remarks, Clinton was presented with ADC’s Global Leadership Award.

ADC Michigan Regional Director Imad Hamad, R, with Bahrain’s ambassador to the U.S. Houda Ezra Nonoo at the Bahraini embassy in Washington during a convention kickoff event June 12. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab

Bahrain’s new ambassador hosts opening reception
The three days of events were kicked off with a Friday reception at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain, hosted by Houda Ezra Nonoo, Bahrain’s ambassador to the U.S.

A talent showcase featuring several rising stars in the Arab American community followed the reception. “Youth Night” included a performance by YouTube comedy sensation Remy Munafasi, music by Detroit-area vocal performer Stevie Soul and a stand-up comedy routine by Hani Almadhoun. The evening also featured remarks by D. Paul Montiero, associate director for the White House Office of Public Engagement, who spoke about the role of the younger generation in a changing world, and about President Barack Obama’s invitation to citizens to give government feedback.

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn, at the ADC national convention

Ellison sheds light on Gaza
Saturday’s lineup of workshops and panel included a well-attended panel on American foreign policy, hosted by Yousef Munayyer, ADC Policy Analyst. It featured U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., whose trips to Gaza have shed light on the effects of Israel’s siege on the people there.

Professor John Mearsheimer, of the University of Chicago, and Professor Saad Eddin Ibrahim, an Egyptian human rights activist and visiting scholar at Harvard University, also spoke.Ibrahim and Ellison were enthusiastic about Obama’s overture to the Arab world in his Cairo speech. Ellison focused on the need for Arab Americans to support the president and to get more involved politically. Ibraham’s comments focused on the difficulty of political reform as Obama embraces Arab leaders.

Mearsheimer skeptical

Mearsheimer was skeptical that the Obama administration could make serious progress on the four main policy areas in the region: Israel-Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran. On U.S. relations with Israel, Mearsheimer said, “I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much rhetorical pressure he’s put on Israel, but let’s see what happens when push comes to shove.”

Renowned consumer advocate Ralph Nader, who is Arab American, signs books during the ADC national convention in Washington last weekend. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab

Several panels were geared toward practical training for Arab American activists. Among them was a media skills workshop entitled “Media and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” which discussed tactics used by spokespeople when discussing issues related to the conflict. The workshop included a presentation by Barbara Wein, board member of Interfaith Peace-Builders, an education and advocacy group that leads delegations to the region.A fundraising workshop featured Pat Mancino, vice president of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and Haythem Khalil, ADC Development Director. An organizing workshop included Abed Ayoub, ADC legal advisor, Josh Ruebner, director of the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, and Noura Erakat, an adjunct orofessor at Georgetown University.
Civil rights

A “Civil Rights in an Era of Hope and Change” panel focused on the current state of civil rights in the U.S., particularly under the Obama Administration. Panelists included John Miller, assistant director of the FBI, Mike German, policy counsel for the ACLU and a former FBI agent, and Preetmohan Singh, ACLU national board member. Among the issues discussed were the recent allegations that FBI agents across the country have been infiltrating mosques and community centers and coercing American Muslims to act as informants. Tensions between the FBI and the Muslim community have grown considerably in the months since these allegations surfaced.

Echoing sentiments similar to those of the local FBI in Detroit, Miller maintained that the targeting of specific religious institutions is against the FBI’s policies. “The FBI would never open an investigation based on First Amendment protected rights,” said Miller. “Additionally, the FBI does not investigate buildings or institutions, it investigates people.”

The panel also addressed recently released U.S. Attorney General guidelines, which many claim allow FBI agents to use race and ethnic origin to be considered as factors when opening an investigation. Miller claimed that while it is impossible to ignore ethnic origin as a factor in most investigations, it is not what leads an agent to open an investigation.

“The fact that terrorist and other criminal organizations operate on a religious or ethnic basis is cause to consider it as a factor in opening up a case,” stated Miller. “Although it is not the only factor, it is a factor.”

German, who worked with the FBI for sixteen years before being appointed to serve in the ACLU’s Washington Legislative Office, said that focusing on religion or ethnic origin may lead to profiling and other issues.

“What I would ask is that the FBI not focus on people’s beliefs, but on behavior,” German stated.

DHS promises change

Saturday afternoon also included ADC’s annual Civil Rights Luncheon, which hosted Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deputy Secretary Janet Lute Hall as the keynote speaker. Hall spoke to the convention attendees about the new direction the Obama administration is heading in, and what it means for Arab Americans.

“I know that you have your questions and doubts, but you have our pledge that we will work together to try and resolve the issues that concern you,” she said.

Hall also spoke about the issues that the Obama administration will be focusing on in the coming months, including immigration, counterterrorism, and border security and other travel issues. Hall recognized the difficulties that many Arab Americans have been facing since 9/11, and said that DHS will work to assist those caught in the backlash.

“We know that at the heart of your concerns are the simple desires to seek the same well-being and justice that every American enjoys,” Hall said.

Awards presented

A Pro Bono Attorney of the Year award was presented to Yale Law School’s Lowenstein Human Rights Clinic, for the central role they play in investigating targeted roundups of Muslim immigrants.

Professor Michael Wishnie, who leads a team of law students in addressing the issue, was joined onstage by several of his students as he accepted the award on behalf of the Clinic.

“It is a pleasure working with students as talented and brilliant as these,” he stated. “We look forward to standing with ADC and continuing this great work with them.”

Wishnie also called on the Obama administration to actively undo some of the legal and policy changes enacted by the Bush administration.

An Excellence in Advocacy Award was given to Salam Al-Marayati, executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council for his work advocating on behalf of Muslims in America.

Economy examined

ADC also put together a panel on the domestic and international effects of the financial crisis. Fannie Mae Vice-President and Chief Economist Douglas Duncan spoke about the “unprecedented” scale of the crisis, but said blame can be spread around to creditors, lenders and borrowers.

AFL-CIO Middle East and North Africa Director Heba El-Shazli, focused on the impact on labor in the Arab world and said she sees in the crisis an opportunity for important social and employment reforms.

Michael Mussa, Senior Fellow at The Peterson Institute for International Economics, agreed that many parties are responsible, and saw U.S. monetary policy as partially to blame.

Locals honored

In addition to Clinton’s speech, the Saturday evening banquet also featured an awards ceremony, honoring U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, for his years of service to his constituents. Dingell, the longest serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives, was awarded the Lifetime Legislative Achievement Award.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Dingell said after receiving his award. “For years, ADC has spoken for justice abroad and here at home. You have reason to be proud, and should be even more proud for what you will do in the future.”

Archbishop of Jerusalem Hilarion Capucci greets a woman at the ADC national convention in Washington on June 13, alongside former Arab League Ambassador Clovis Maksoud. Capucci was presented a Global Humanitarian Award, recognizing his human rights work on behalf of Palestinians. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab

A Global Humanitarian Award was presented to Archbishop Hilarion Capucci, Archbishop of Jerusalem. He was awarded for his longstanding human rights work on behalf of Palestinians.
Hasan Newash, Director of the Palestine Office-Michigan, and his wife Shereen received the Alex Odeh Activist Award. The annual award is given to couples who exhibit an exceptional commitment to ADC and the Arab American community.

The evening’s other awards included a Lifetime Excellence in Journalism Award, presented to longtime White House reporter, Helen Thomas. A Hala Salaam Maksoud Award was presented to longtime activist Marwan Burgan, in memoriam.A Sunday morning panel took a look at new literary works from both new and established writers. The “Arab American Literature Roundtable” featured Dalel Khalil, a Pittsburgh-based radio anchor. She spoke about her recent book, “From Veils to Thongs: An Arab Chick’s Survival Guide to Balancing One’s Ethnic Identity in America.” ADC Legal Director Nawar Shora spoke about his educational book, “The Arab American Handbook.” It was designed to be a humorous exposé on Arab-American life for general audiences. The third speaker, author Gregory Orfalea, read from his book, “The Arab Americans: A History.”

Palestinian-Israeli conflict

In the panel, “Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Path to Peace?,” Congresswoman Donna Edwards, D-Md., spoke about her travels to the region, calling it a “profound experience to be on the ground… to see first-hand the deliberation, dialogue and engagement… and fear and devastation.”

She shared powerful stories of suffering and empowerment in Gaza. She also won applause from the audience for her comparison of illegal settlements in the West Bank with Jim Crow-era segregation in the U.S. She said of the settlements, “I thought of the injustice and this is unsustainable.”

Her co-panelist, J Street, Executive Director Jeremy Ben-Ami, shared her optimism. They both felt Obama has a shot to bring about a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Ben-Ami’s lobby group bills itself the pro-Israel, pro-peace lobby group, and has asserted itself as a counter-weight to the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Ben-Ami warned, “if there is to be a negotiated solution, we must seize it now or history will pass it by.”

Said Naffaa, an Arab member of the Israeli parliament, was not so optimistic. He argued that Israel’s coalition and politics in general may not permit functioning Palestinian statehood. He said the current path will likely lead to Palestinian self-administration on 60 percent of the West Bank. They may call it a state, he said, however it will be closer to an apartheid model. He doubts the international community and Palestinians would stand that for very long.

That event led to a final panel, an energetic luncheon on Palestine. U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash., showed a video from his trip to Gaza and the West Bank. He described a fire in which he smelled what resembled burning phosphorous, a reference to claims the Israeli military used controversial white phosphorous armaments. He called for U.S. foreign policy that did not make young Arabs want to become martyrs. He also asked for Arab Americans to support Obama’s efforts in the region.

Former Arab League spokesman Clovis Maksound gave a stirring introduction to the keynote speaker, Archbishop Hilarion Capucci, the Archbishop of Jerusalem. The Archbishop gave a passionate speech on the importance of unity between Arabs, Christians and Muslims, and for the need to keep Palestine in memory and at the center of collective efforts. He was expelled from Jerusalem more than 30 years ago, yet continuously struggles to return.

The awards portion of the luncheon paid tribute to the winner of the ADC Annual Activist Award, Ibrahim Dayeh of ADC-San Diego. The Rose Nader Award went to Randa and Omar Samaha for their work to keep guns off college campuses, in memory of their relative Reem, who was a victim of the 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech University. Finally, the Rachel Corrie Award went to Jewish American activist Anna Baltzer, who spoke on having learned much from exploring the Palestinian experience and called on other Jewish Americans to challenge ultra-orthodoxy in Israel.