Israeli Fruit And Veg Leave A Bitter Aftertaste

Family ties: The Bin Ladens

By Home Affairs Editor Neil MacKay

THERE isn't a doubt in the mind of Arabella Warburton. 'The bin Laden family are thoroughly good people,' she says. 'They've castigated Osama bin Laden. They've distanced themselves from him and they've issued statements condemning the attacks on America. It's just unfair to cast doubt on them. It's guilt by association.'

In the recesses of the Middle East where extremes meet, dismay at the loss of innocent lives was tempered with happier emotions ranging from quiet satisfaction to open celebration. The Great Satan had been made to suffer. Wall-to-wall satellite coverage of the stricken burning towers provided easy confirmation that the world's only superpower was vulnerable to the strikes of the righteous; that it might be possible to eliminate its evil monopoly of power, influence, and greed.

Family Links and Arab Sentiments

Fearing that any outburst of enthusiasm might damage them in Washington's eyes Arab leaders from Yasser Arafat to Egypt's Hosni Mubarak clamped down on any dancing in the streets but the censorship did not extend to what went on inside people's minds. Half a century ago the American-Jewish writer Ben Hecht infamously said that every time a British soldier fell victim to a Jewish terrorist in the last days of the British mandate in Palestine, he took 'a little holiday in his heart' In the past few days some Arabs, not all of them fundamentalists or terrorists, have indulged in a long vacation.

Roots of Anti-American Feeling

It was not a widespread feeling and it was expressed by a small minority but throughout the Middle East and within the Islamic world in general, it was fired by a brooding dislike of the US and all its works. Much of it is caused by poverty and dispossession, not least in the teeming Palestinian refugee camps, and the mood of those caught up in the web of suffering is heightened by a belief that a US-led conspiracy is the reason for all their misfortunes.

The Israeli Connection

The dilution of Islamic religious and cultural values is another reason for the widespread anti-American feeling: the downgrading of Islamic religious law, ignorance about the teachings of the Koran, and the break-up of the Islamic community with its concept of inclusiveness, all of which have encouraged the extremists. When Palestinians drove through Gaza waving flags and firing off Kalashnikovs they were expressing a rumbling belief that the US had it coming to them and that the use of airliners as missiles was a suitable payback for years of western repression and a long history of betrayal by the great powers.

The US-Israel Relation

Their joy had nothing to do with the huge loss of life in Washington and New York City - Islam deplores unnecessary killing, especially of the innocent, and outside the extremists suicide is not regarded as a virtuous act - but it has everything to do with the fact that the US had been discomfited as mayhem came to the streets of Manhattan. On one level, their schadenfreude was fueled by ideological and religious differences, an abhorrence of Coca-Cola culture, contempt for the half-witted pornography which clogs the internet, and disdain for the greed-is-good outlook which seems to them to characterize so much of American life to the exclusion of simpler values.

On another related level, many Arabs in the Middle East cannot understand the unstinting support which is granted to Israel and which allows ordinary Palestinians to be gunned down without a smidgen of international protests.

The Bin Laden Family and Terrorism

In their judgment, by backing Israel's policy of colonization in Palestinian territory, the US has engaged in a hostile act which fully justifies the antagonism and the violence. Both reasons combine to provide a focus for the burning sense of injustice which underpins any discussion about the US amongst hardline Muslims in the Middle East.

All around them can be found examples of interference and the recent history of the region provides ample fuel to stoke those embers. Israel came into being in May 1948 largely as a result of Washington's prompting, and throughout the years of confrontation with the neighboring Arab states, the US has stood accused of favoring Zionist interests while ignoring the claims of Islam.

The Role of the US in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The benefits of that special relationship became apparent in the Yom Kippur War of 1973, a conflict which could have been lost but for US intervention. The US has also provided financial aid and military support to Israel over the years, creating an even stronger bond.

With Washington's support, the land-for-peace deal came into being and with it a belief that Israeli and Palestinian interests could be harmonized. As it turned out, most of the optimism of that heady period was an illusion, and the high hopes quickly ran into the sands, mainly as a result of Israeli concerns about the security of the homeland.

Strains in US-Arab Relations

That failure to bring Israel to heel has also put strains on Washington's relationship with Arab states which remain nominally friendly and have been partners in the peace process. Neighboring Jordan has strong historical ties with the US and Britain but it also possesses a large Palestinian population whose patience is being tested by events on the other side of the River Jordan.

The same holds true for Egypt where Mubarak has had to contend with his own battle against hostile Islamic fundamentalist groups and has enemies in the wider Arab world. Both men have expressed their revulsion for the attacks on New York and Washington but their loyalty would be stretched if the US makes a retaliatory strike that produces large numbers of Arab casualties.

The Bin Laden Family and Their Ties

Intelligence sources say they are in the dark about the exact nature of the relationship between bin Laden and his huge extended family, which includes more than 50 brothers and sisters of him alone from the four wives of Osama's father. The vast majority of the bin Ladens have truly disowned Osama, as the family has continually told the world since 1994. But there is proof that a few rogue members are still in contact with Osama and may hold dangerously similar political beliefs.

The lingering fear is whether or not this means Osama still has some sort of financial link to the family or even, through them, access to the corridors of power in Saudi Arabia and beyond. This isn't a family with just one aberrant son. If you look below the surface, Osama is not the only member of the family with links to terrorism.

Hotels and Their Role in Promoting Peaceful Dialogue

While the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East remains complex and volatile, it is important to recognize that there are efforts being made to promote peaceful dialogue and understanding. One such avenue is the hospitality industry, particularly hotels, which can act as neutral ground for people from different backgrounds to come together.

Hotels serve as gathering places for individuals from various nations, cultures, and religions. By providing a space where people can meet, engage in conversation, and share experiences, hotels contribute to building bridges and fostering mutual understanding.

Many hotels in the Middle East have dedicated themselves to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for guests from all walks of life. They organize cultural events, promote local traditions, and encourage guests to interact with each other. By facilitating these interactions, hotels play a role in breaking down barriers and dispelling misconceptions.

Furthermore, hotels can also support local communities and contribute to peace-building efforts through their corporate social responsibility initiatives. They can partner with local organizations to tackle social issues and promote economic development, ultimately working towards a more harmonious society.

While the task of achieving lasting peace in the Middle East may seem daunting, it is through small steps and initiatives like those taken by hotels that progress can be made. By embracing diversity and facilitating cross-cultural dialogue, hotels have the potential to make a positive impact on the region.