Amid this whirlwind of activity, it is fair to say that the average Arab’s assessment of US policy is rather puzzled. Arabs have gotten used to the US government’s absolute bias towards Israel, a bias that reached its ultimate climax under the forgettable George W. Bush.

President Obama has spoken a different language. He seems genuinely focused on trying to build a bridge over the long years of mistrust between the Arab masses and the US political establishment.

This of course came to a head in Obama’s extraordinary Cairo speech, a speech of grand ambition that was historic in every sense of the word. Suddenly, it seemed that there is an American President who has at least an inkling of Palestinian suffering, and who wanted to talk of Palestinian rights on an equal footing with those of Israelis. Obama went as far as comparing the Palestinian struggle to that of African Americans in the US over the last two hundred years.

The tone and body language were of a kind that Arabs have not seen in years. The focus of the US administration on putting pressure on Israel to stop all settlement activity, as well as the language on how resolution of this conflict is the key to other conflicts in the region, was refreshingly empathetic.

Faced with this barrage of messages from the US administration, Arabs are reacting in various ways. On the one hand, you have so many who still find refuge in the safety of cynicism; nothing will ever change when it comes to US policy, the US administration is beholden to the agenda of AIPAC… Etc. Some Arab writers, whilst acknowledging the existence of some divergence in views between Israel and the current US administration, argue that signs of slight conflict do not represent the beginning of any real crisis in relations. A more resigned view also exists, which holds that Arabs are clutching at straws and, in fact, there is no real change in American policy.

On the other hand, you have a large number of optimistic Obama admirers who are convinced Obama will bring real and lasting change to this issue as he did to American politics. They have bought in wholesale into the Obama mantra which saw him declare on the eve of elections, “together, we will change the world.”

While we are strong admirers of Obama, we feel that the best approach, as always, is somewhere in the middle. There is the air of change in Washington for sure. We must acknowledge that element of change, and assess Obama’s policy regarding this issue with a sober and calm head. Most importantly, Arabs must react to this new policy with a positive and enabling attitude to ensure that we seize the momentum and guide it towards a just and fair solution.

Let us analyze in a measured manner some of the changes that the Obama administration has introduced into this issue. Firstly, the matter of continuing settlement activity was covered in great detail in the press. This was not a publicity stunt. Obama’s insistence on ceasing any expansion of Israeli settlement in the West Bank was stronger in both substance and tone than that of previous administrations. While some writers like Noam Chomsky claim that Obama did not match his words with any radical action, such as linking Israeli compliance to US aid, it is self-defeating to pretend that positions have not changed in the slightest.

Secondly, unlike George Bush, Obama has so far refused to follow Israel’s argument that the root of the problem is Iran and not occupation. Obama has clearly distinguished between the issues of Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While any nuclear proliferation is a cause of concern, it is good to see that Obama has not fallen for the trap of ignoring all the wrongs of Israel’s denial of Palestinian rights in the interest of pursuing a separate foreign policy challenge. To quote Time magazine’s Tony Karon,

“the US President won’t buy Netanyahou’s sequencing …. Netanyahou will say no progress is possible on the Palestinian front until Iran is defanged; Obama will argue that rallying Arab support against Iran’s ambitions requires resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Thirdly, the US administration has introduced the sense of urgency into the necessity of salvaging the two–state solution. While this has been the position of previous administrations, the Obama team is eager to see the vision materialize with speed.

Uncertainty still reigns over many aspects of the current administration’s policies. For example, the US approach to Jerusalem is not clear at all. In a campaign speech last year to AIPAC, Obama made it clear that Jerusalem will remain the undivided capital of Israel. This seemed to deny all Palestinian rights to parts of Jerusalem in line with United Nations resolutions. Although Obama has since toned down his position in this regard, seemingly as a result of the advice of seasoned advisors like former President Jimmy Carter, he has not yet proclaimed a definitive position.

It is our view that there is some form of change taking place. This new-found flexibility in the American approach is primarily due to two interrelated factors:

Obama is first of all a man of the world who listens intently to all sides of a story. He brings a fresh analytical approach to the highest office in the US.

Secondly, this change is the result of the Obama administration’s analysis of the long term interests of the United States in the region. Certain commentators have argued that Obama’s team sees the necessity of integrating Israel into the region in order to guarantee a more secure future for its ally.

However, the issue is not the rationale behind Obama’s stance on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The question is whether there is a momentum of change, and how can Arabs seize the initiative in the interest of Palestinian rights and justice for all. We cannot sit back and let our inherent cynicism destroy the opportunity of the moment, yet again. What good is there to achieve from burying our heads in the sand and bemoaning our misfortune, yet again.

Whatever conspiracy theory one can concoct out of thin air to justify Obama’s words and actions, it is high time for a proactive approach. Real change in politics can never come from resignation and passive aggression, which have dominated Arab political emotions for the last century.

Let us try to analyze the seeming shift and see how we can contribute to any momentum and actively encourage it. It is time to believe in our own capacity to contribute to the shaping of the future of the region.

I was born outside your state capital of Springfield, Illinois to Jordanian parents who in turn were children of Palestinians in exile. I am an US educated attorney who has spent long hours and days following and studying American culture, history and politics. I have always been fascinated by the dynamics of American society and the promise of the American dream. Therefore, as I followed your campaign over the past year not only did I become deeply moved by your message, but also grasped the historical significance of your victory. Like many of my fellow Arab and Muslim brothers and sisters across the world I celebrated your victory with tears of joy and with screams of jubilation.

Of course our joy was not driven by any misconceptions that your victory would magically alter American policies toward the Middle East. These policies have, and will continue to be, blindly supportive of Israel’s hegemony and its barbaric abuse and erosion of the inalienable rights of Palestinians – which unfortunately has been on full display over the past fortnight.

Our joy was a celebration of the embodiment of our deepest and most noble belief, namely: that at in all matters of humanity, irrespective of time and place, a just cause will always emerge victorious and a suppressed people will always be redeemed. That is why we celebrate Gandhi for leading his people to overcome colonialism; that is why we celebrate Mandela for driving South Africans of all colors to bury apartheid; and that is why we celebrate you as you fulfill the dreams of your forefathers and lead African-Americans as they stake their rightful place in American society. As part of m personal celebration I went out and bought Obama T-Shirts for my family and myself. My T-shirt is of a profile of your face with the word “hope” written across the background, my two year old daughter has a T-shirt of a tree whose leaves are all peace signs and whose roots spell the name “Obama” and my pregnant wife’s simply states: “Mama Loves Obama”! That is certainly true.

However, more impressive than your victory was the method in which it was achieved. You confronted the worst in American society by always presenting its best attributes. You fought politics as usual with principled campaigning. You fought division through inclusion. You fought racism through multi-culturism. You fought negativity with positivity. You fought stagnation with change. You fought fear with hope. You always refused to succumb to those comfortable positions that made American politics mistrusted across the globe by always remaining true to your personal beliefs, your family values and your founding fathers’ most noble ideals.

Your victory, and the manner in which it achieved, inspired us to remain true to our beliefs, values and ideals in order to overcome our misery. We believe in our right to live in our land in peace; we value human life whatever creed, color, religion or race; we have faith that our Creator will judge us by our deeds. We therefore draw inspiration from you to continue to fight for our right to live in our land, while always valuing the sanctity of human life, and doing so in line with the most noble teachings of our faith: moderation and peace.

Like my T-Shirt reads, one must hope. We hope that the day will come when our just cause will follow others and when our people will overcome their struggle. We look forward to reaching our own mountain top to look over and see our children jumping rope rather than ducking bullets; when our parents watch their sons and daughters graduate school and not watch them carried away to be buried as victims of war crimes; when our elderly can live out their years in joy after earning the right to retire after a life fulfilled, not living in fear while their houses collapse over their heads as they lay there hopelessly waiting for food, medicine or relief that is unlikely to arrive.

While Israel unleashes its wrath of collective punishment on the desolate people of Gaza we hope that your Presidency will live up to its mantra and will stand for change. We hope that you will break your silence to speak against the unjust and inhumane persecution of Palestinians. As you taught us, we can only hope. We hope that with your support we can change the world…. YES WE CAN.

The road to the White House has been extremely long and highly entertaining.

Thank you Sarah Palin for showcasing Tina Fey’s comic genius. Thank you Barack Obama for showcasing American meritocracy at work.

You ran an impeccable campaign and I am proud to have a President who knows what the word impeccable means. But most of all thank you for inspiring us to get involved in politics. It has meant the world to me and to many Arab-American democrats.

Let me share with you what I saw:

I saw Arab-Americans young and old volunteer their time. They donated money like many other Americans who responded to your message of hope. They urged their friends and families to become registered voters. Many voted for the first time in their lives.

On election day I saw young kids with loud speakers cheer for Obama on the streets of Paterson, New Jersey. I honked my horn and was happy as a lark. It felt good to be on the winning side for a change. It feels good to be an American. I know this isn’t possible in Europe.

But don’t get me wrong. It hasn’t been all good:

There were trying moments us well when it felt awkward to be an Arab-American democrat.

Remember when that lady called you an Arab and McCain set the record straight?

It made you respectable and reminded us that our donations were solicited but our associations shunned.

I learned the hard way that respectable still meant non-Arab in an election that promised change. mIt hurt us terribly as Arab-American democrats to think that we were a liability.

But many of us reached into our better selves for we were inspired by your gracious example to put our differences aside and persevere. I refused to become a single issue voter.

We would transform our anger into disciplined action.

We forgave you for not speaking out. We understood. We wanted you to win.

It felt good to transcend the cynicism that pits one community against another.

This is a hard thing to say but at times we swallowed our pride and gave you the benefit of the doubt. It gave us some solace to think that Powell endorsed you and came to our defense. He reminded America that there is nothing wrong with being an Arab.

Our euphoria has been cut short by an unsolicited communal insult. Yet again we are reminded that Arabs can be insulted with impunity. The costs are infinitesimal.

That is what it means to have no respect in the post-election world.

I know you are not responsible for what Rahm Emmanuel’s father
said to an Israeli newspaper. But in case you haven’t heard, let me include the quotation:

“Obviously he will influence the president to be pro-Israel. Why wouldn’t he be? What is he, an Arab? He’s not going to clean the floors of the White House.”

I find it deeply offensive that Mr. Emanuel would use an image of laborer to hurl a racial slur.

What is wrong with being a floor cleaner? Aren’t floor cleaners the people who keep our homes and public buildings clean?

Today I have no desire to discuss the Arab-Israeli conflict. There will be plenty of time to address that protracted situation.

Our job is to create an atmosphere in which respectful dialogue is a real possibility.

I am, therefore, eager to hear you make a public statement about this unsolicited insult. It would mean the world to me and to those Arab-American kids who cheered you on.

What a gesture of goodwill that would be!

Sincerely yours,
Ginan Rauf