The Arab American News
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Hamas signals willingness to negotiate
GAZA CITY (AP) — Senior officials in Hamas are indicating a willingness to negotiate a long-term truce with Israel as long as the borders of Gaza are opened to the rest of the world. "We want to be part of the international community," Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad said. "I think Hamas has no interest now to increase the number of crises...
After Gaza genocide, what next?
January 30th, 20090 Palestinian students study at the yard of al-Fadilah Islamic school in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip January 26, 2009. The school was destroyed in an Israeli air strike during Israel's 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa The recent tentative ceasefire may have halted Israel's military thrashing of...Miracles needed in US, Mideast
The Gaza crisis unfolds as America starts a creative presidency in the face of overwhelming economic challenge, as Israel is about to elect fear-oriented leadership when courage is badly needed, and as Palestinians need to unite through civic empowerment, rather than fighting an asymmetrical war. Relatives of Palestinian farmer...Israel heads into a political storm
Israel goes to the polls on Feb. 10 in a collective state of mind that is highly disturbed and seemingly ill-prepared for the important choices which lie ahead. This is bad news for Israel itself, for its neighbors, and for the prospects for peace. The Israeli electorate will be struggling to find answers to at least three important...Open letter to President Obama
Editor's note: The following is a letter dated January 1, 2009 addressed to then U.S. President-elect Barack Obama calling for the United States to change its policies vis-a-vis the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, especially in light of Israel's onslaught against the Gaza Strip. It was signed by more than 900 academics, most of them based...
What happened on the way to Washington
January 30th, 20090 It seemed like a great idea. Tyrone Edwards, who heads up the Remix Project, a Toronto arts and culture organization, organized a trip to the inauguration in Washington. Young people, black and Arab, piled into three buses and off they went. Then they came to the border near Buffalo. Buses one and two got through with no difficulty,...Israel: Boycott, divest, sanction
It's time. Long past time. The best strategy to end the increasingly bloody occupation is for Israel to become the target of the kind of global movement that put an end to apartheid in South Africa. In July 2005 a huge coalition of Palestinian groups laid out plans to do just that. They called on "people of conscience all over the...
Community to mount billboards in support of Palestine
January 30th, 20090 An image to appear on billboards over Metro-Detroit highways I94 and Southfield. The Congress of Arab American Organizations (CAAO) has received approval for two billboards supporting the Palestinian cause from CBS Outdoor, the largest out-of-home advertising company in the U.S. The billboards are expected to go up Monday, Feb....
State Senator looks to Arab Americans for early support in U.S. Rep. race
January 30th, 20090 DEARBORN — State Sen. Martha Scott, D-Detroit, was honored at an appreciation reception at the Lebanese American Heritage Club in Dearborn on Thursday by local Arab American leaders. State Senator Martha G. Scott, second from left, stands with community members at a fundraising event at the Lebanese American Heritage Club on...
Emergency fundraiser to be held for Gaza
January 30th, 20090 As world humanitarian organizations scramble to get supplies into Gaza in the aftermath of a 23-day onslaught on the territory by the Israeli army, community activists and student groups are organizing an emergency fundraiser to help the cause. Proceeds from a Feb. 6 dinner at Greenfield Manor, 4770 Greenfield Road in Dearborn,...
CAAO to revisit Wygonik controversy
January 30th, 20090 DEARBORN — Representatives of the Congress of Arab American Organizations (CAAO) are expected to meet next week to revisit the issue of alleged disparaging comments made by 19th District Court Judge Richard Wygonik in July. 19th District Court Judge Richard Wygonik The group is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m....
Hendrix among top candidates for Detroit mayorship
January 30th, 20090 While Ken Cockrel Jr. has served as the interim mayor of Detroit, Freman Hendrix is the candidate who has been closest to acquiring the position on a permanent basis. Freman Hendrix, shown here speaking at Eastern Market in Detroit, is a top candidate for mayor of Detroit. Hendrix defeated Kwame Kilpatrick, his main opponent,...
Dearborn group helps businesses
January 30th, 20090 With small businesses across Michigan struggling, the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce this week brought in public accountant Dale Bender for a presentation aimed at helping local business owners. It was titled "Mind Your Own Business." Bender, who runs his business out of Dearborn, spoke on a number of issues business owners can...
Tax season Q&A: First-time homebuyer credit
January 30th, 20090 Eric (Ahmad) Alzaroui Are you a first-time home buyer? If so, there is a new credit ($$) from the IRS. Q: What is the First-Time Homebuyer Credit and how it will impact your 2008 & 2009 Tax filing? A: If you are a first-time homebuyer, you may be able to claim a one-time tax credit of up to $7,500 ($3,750 if married...
Video: 60 Minutes explores apartheid and peace prospects in the Palestinian territories
January 27th, 20090 In this 60 Minutes segment, aired on Jan. 25, CBS News correspondent Bob Simon reports from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, examining apartheid and waning hopes for peace in the region. He interviews Daniella Weiss, the mayor of a large West Bank settlement who unapologetically describes the goal of settlers as the......
Starbucks again a boycott target
January 24th, 20090 DEARBORN — Across the city of Dearborn, the Starbucks coffee store chain has been the subject of multiple discussions regarding its involvement and support of Israel. Recently boycotts, protests, and even acts of vandalism have broken out in the Arab world as well as in London, England against the company. The actions are based...Worse than an earthquake
RAFAH — Traffic on Sea Street, a major thoroughfare alongside Gaza's coastline, includes horses, donkeys pulling carts, cyclists, pedestrians, trucks and cars, mostly older models. Overhead, in stark contrast to the street below, Israel's ultra-modern unmanned surveillance planes crisscross the skies. F-16s and helicopters can also be......
Dearborn City Council passes Gaza resolution
January 24th, 20090 Body condemns civilian deaths, urges humanitarian aid to Palestinians DEARBORN — After having the matter brought to their attention last week, the Dearborn City Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution condemning the attacks on civilians in the 23-day Gaza war and urging a truce and an end to the Israeli blockade of the...
Obama names Mitchell Mideast envoy
January 24th, 20090 President moves to close Guantanamo, end torture, work on Mideast peace U.S. President Barack Obama (L) listens to newly appointed Mideast envoy George Mitchell at the State Department in Washington January 22, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Moving quickly to undo a contentious Bush administration national security program and...
Community reacts with measured optimism to Obama inauguration
January 24th, 20090 DEARBORN — Arab Americans watched the inauguration of President Barack Obama on Tuesday with as much pride and awe as the rest of the country, but seemingly with a little extra anticipation and apprehension. Palestinian rights activist Hasan Newash applauds as a group watches President Barack Obama take the oath of office in...
Detroit mayoral forum to address Arab American concerns
January 24th, 20090 Community organizers are putting together plans for a forum on the Detroit mayoral race to take place at the Islamic Center of Detroit, 14350 Tireman Street, giving candidates an opportunity to address concerns of the Arab American community. Ken Cockrel Jr. The current field of 15 candidates to replace disgraced former......
Israel admits troops may have used phosphorus shells in Gaza
Amnesty warns Israel could be guilty of war crimes JERUSALEM — Israel has admitted – after mounting pressure – that its troops may have used white phosphorus shells in contravention of international law, during its three-week offensive in the Gaza Strip. Sabbah Abu Halima, who is suffering from very deep burns on her arm...
World optimism
January 24th, 20090 WASHINGTON (IPS) — Perhaps never in human history have the hopes of so many people for positive change in international relations rested on one person as they do on Barack Obama, inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States Tuesday at noon Washington time. U.S. President Barack Obama gestures while delivering his......
The need for a humanitarian crisis
Targeting civilians was a deliberate part of this bid to humiliate Hamas and the Palestinians, and pulverize Gaza into chaos. The scale of Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip, and the almost daily reports of war crimes over the last three weeks, has drawn criticism from even longstanding friends and sympathizers. Despite the Israeli...
MLK rally highlights support for Gaza
January 24th, 20090 DETROIT (PANW) – For the sixth straight year, the annual commemoration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was hosted at the historic Central United Methodist Church downtown. This year's event took on added significance since it was held just one day before the inauguration of the first African American president of the......
