US Leadership Needed To Address Spiraling MidEast Violence

AAI Calls for Special Envoy to end violence, address humanitarian needs


Washington — With the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon leading to the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians, the Arab American Institute (AAI) urges the Bush Administration to take an active role in diplomatic efforts to quell the violence, address its effects on the civilian populations, and ease the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

“Previous U.S. administrations have recognized the gravity of such situations and America’s direct involvement has historically had a calming effect and allowed for restraint and diplomacy. This Administration has been absent from the scene for too long, resulting in a deteriorating political environment,” said AAI President James Zogby. “Like Senator George Mitchell’s successful negotiations in Ireland, the appointment of a special envoy with the full authority of the President will serve as a positive, and necessary, first step.  In the coming days, American leadership may be the only force that can save lives and rescue the region from the brink of a wider conflict.”

Further, Israel’s use of disproportionate force, including the targeting of Lebanese and Palestinian infrastructure, has taken a terrible toll. In Lebanon, the bombing of the Beirut International Airport and bridges threatens to set back an already fragile but recovering economy. In Gaza, the persistence of the Israeli stranglehold and suffocation of the Palestinian economy and population has led to the imprisonment of 1.4 million civilians, among them the elderly, women, and children who are in dire need of food and medical care.

It is incumbent on President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to make clear that the U.S. does not support the targeting of civilians, including those in Palestine and Lebanon.