Posts
The United Nations just celebrated International Population Day (7/11/2010) and issued its annual demographic report. The report revealed that Egypt ranked number ten in terms of its population growth and fourteenth in terms of population density.
Recently, the Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Ahmad Natheef, noted that birth rates doubled in 2008 to reach two million new born. Furthermore, he said that Egypt’s population in 1979 was 40 million and in 2008 reached 80 million. He continued to elaborate that the government’s strategy is clearly to control the population growth by providing the necessary means to implement that policy and to convince parents to limit their number of children to two. However, the Minister of Health, Dr. Hatem Jebali, noted that the government has failed to reach its goal in terms of population growth.
The new government strategy of family planning and birth control is to achieve the 2.2 babies per family by the year 2017, which are 3 new born per family at the present time. (al masry al youm 9/12/10)
Family planning and birth control have a long history in Egypt. It began during the 1930s when the population size was 15,921.000 according to the 1937 census; however, more government emphasis was placed on family planning and birth control since the 1952 revolution.
During the past sixty years, every president from Nasser to Saddat and Mubarak made family planning and birth control the cornerstones of their policies. Regretfully, and despite government policy, Egypt’s population continues to grow and is expected to reach $125 million by the year 2030.
Even if the Egyptian government will succeed in limiting birth rate to two children per family, from a demographic theoretical point of view it will take nearly fifty years for Egypt population to stabilize that is where the birth rate will equal the death rate. The chances for this to happen are very slim.
Jul 16, 2010
Jul 15, 2010
Corruption in the Private and Public Sectors in the Arab world
The organization of Arab managements and economic development met in Cairo (7/5/2010) to discuss corruption in both the public and private sectors. Twenty-three government officials and more than two hundred experts participated in the discussion that will lead to a strategy to be implemented to combat corruption.
Dr. A. Khiyat, the director, noted hat the Arab world, during the second half of the 20th century (1950-2000) has lost one third (or one trillion dollars) of its national income, which was estimated at three trillion dollars, due to the deep rooted corruption in both the public and private sectors. The second one third (one trillion dollars) was spent on armaments and the third trillion was spent on basic infrastructures, education, health care and economic development.
Experts at the meeting pointed out that corruption exists at all governmental levels to include cabinet ministers, high government politicians and members of the elected parliaments. While the meeting was in secession, the Jordanian military court has sentenced four high government officials to three years in prison for bribes. The cost of corruption in the Arab world has delayed true economic development and contributed to a high unemployment rate, which prevails in most Arab states, especially in the highly populated ones. Furthermore, corruption also contributed to the deterioration of the quality of education at both the upper and the lower levels. The lack of scientific research and the high illiteracy rate created barriers to economic development during the past six decades. Corruption has led to an increase in poverty and has deprived the average Arab citizen of an annual increase of nearly $200, according to the reported analysis of the meeting.
The main factors that fed the growth of corruption in the Arab states are attributed to the absence of democracy, transparency and accountability. Not a single Arab state could be classified as a democratic one. However, the degree of authoritarian rules varies from state to state. The harsher the rulers, the higher the level of corruption in their states. The International Transparency Organization, in its recent evaluation of democracy and transparency scale of 189 governments reflects that in the Arab world Qatar ranked as 22 and the Emirates ranked 30. Saudi Arabia ranked 63, Egypt and Algeria ranked as 111, and Syria, Sudan, Yemen and Somalia were placed at the bottom of the scale. By comparison, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland and Singapore were ranked number one. These states are democratic, with a full transparency and accountability system (www.aljazeera.net, 7/6/2010).
The Arab public officials who met to develop a new strategy to combat corruption are wasting their time. Although each Arab state has laws to prosecute those who break the rules these laws are not imposed on some high public officials. This situation will continue until a democratic system replaces the system of dictatorship and both public and private officials are held accountable.
Dr. A. Khiyat, the director, noted hat the Arab world, during the second half of the 20th century (1950-2000) has lost one third (or one trillion dollars) of its national income, which was estimated at three trillion dollars, due to the deep rooted corruption in both the public and private sectors. The second one third (one trillion dollars) was spent on armaments and the third trillion was spent on basic infrastructures, education, health care and economic development.
Experts at the meeting pointed out that corruption exists at all governmental levels to include cabinet ministers, high government politicians and members of the elected parliaments. While the meeting was in secession, the Jordanian military court has sentenced four high government officials to three years in prison for bribes. The cost of corruption in the Arab world has delayed true economic development and contributed to a high unemployment rate, which prevails in most Arab states, especially in the highly populated ones. Furthermore, corruption also contributed to the deterioration of the quality of education at both the upper and the lower levels. The lack of scientific research and the high illiteracy rate created barriers to economic development during the past six decades. Corruption has led to an increase in poverty and has deprived the average Arab citizen of an annual increase of nearly $200, according to the reported analysis of the meeting.
The main factors that fed the growth of corruption in the Arab states are attributed to the absence of democracy, transparency and accountability. Not a single Arab state could be classified as a democratic one. However, the degree of authoritarian rules varies from state to state. The harsher the rulers, the higher the level of corruption in their states. The International Transparency Organization, in its recent evaluation of democracy and transparency scale of 189 governments reflects that in the Arab world Qatar ranked as 22 and the Emirates ranked 30. Saudi Arabia ranked 63, Egypt and Algeria ranked as 111, and Syria, Sudan, Yemen and Somalia were placed at the bottom of the scale. By comparison, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland and Singapore were ranked number one. These states are democratic, with a full transparency and accountability system (www.aljazeera.net, 7/6/2010).
The Arab public officials who met to develop a new strategy to combat corruption are wasting their time. Although each Arab state has laws to prosecute those who break the rules these laws are not imposed on some high public officials. This situation will continue until a democratic system replaces the system of dictatorship and both public and private officials are held accountable.
Jul 9, 2010
Israel’s Usurpation of Arab Water
At a conference of the Arab League (7/1/2010), water and irrigation ministers from Arab states declared that water scarcity in the region is the most dangerous challenge facing the Arab world. They pointed out that water is an issue of national security. According to the water strategy, which was discussed, one issue focused on the water stolen by Israel from its Arab neighbors. Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and the West Bank’s water were targets of water theft by Israel during the past fifty years (almasry-alyoum, 7/2/2010).
Since its creation, the Israeli government has been implementing a policy of expansion as a part of its Zionist ideology and in particular the control of water resources of its Arab neighbors.
In an article in the Middle East (June 2010), Ed Blanche noted that, “Half the water Israel consumed is taken from its neighbors, the Palestinians, the Golan Heights of Syria, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967. Also, Israel converted Litani River in Southern Lebanon, which is 3 km. from Israeli borders by pipelines into Israel’s hydraulic network … furthermore, the Israeli invasions of Lebanon in 1978 and 1982 were motivated by the desire to control water resources.”
In previous posts, I have pointed out that Israel diverted the Jordan River’s water to Israel during the 1950s and 1960s. At the present, the Jordan River is drying out and the water flows that used to irrigate more than 30,000 acres of agricultural land has been stopped. In addition, the lack of water flow of the river into the Dead Sea has also stopped and this has lead to a rapid decline of sea water level that has already reached a dangerous point.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the U.S. government, under President Eisenhower, warned Israel to stop the diversion of the Jordan River water into Israel, but the government ignored the U.S. warning. American foreign aid to Israel was frozen for two years, but then was resumed and the Israeli water diversion continued. The U.S. government volunteered to help Jordan by constructing the East Ghor Canal, which is parallel to the Jordan River, to irrigate 30,000 acres of Jordanian agricultural land. These lands used to contribute 40% of the country’s agricultural produce. The canal was built at a cost of $15 million by the U.S. aid program. The canal stretches around 68 km. and was supposed to siphon water from the Yarmouk River, which starts in Syria and flows into the Jordan River. Unfortunately, the canal was destroyed by Israeli planes that were given to them by the U.S. and were not supposed to be used for anything other than self-defense.
The Jordanian government committed a big mistake by signing the peace agreement with Israel. It should have insisted that Israel first divert the water back to the Jordan River, which was classified as an international water way. Israel is an aggressive state that has no respect for international law, which is reflected through its military actions since its creation. Israel should not be trusted.
Further evidence of Israeli aggression is reflected also in the occupied Palestinian lands. It annexed 42% of the West Bank, especially where the underground aquifer water resources are located. The Israeli government implemented a harsh policy of water availability to the Palestinians. Also, it prevented them from digging their own water wells for their needed drinking water.
Amnesty International accused the Israeli government of denying Palestinians of their water needs. Israel controlled water resources in the occupied land. According to the report, Israel used 80% of the West Bank aquifer, which is the only underground water source and allocated only 20% of the water to the Palestinians. This translates into 300 liters of water per Israeli per day and only 70 liters of water per Palestinian per day (www.aljazeera.net, 10/31/2009).
Twenty Israeli human rights and legal organizations stated that, “The Israeli occupation of the West Bank in particular and Hebron and other areas deprived the Palestinian of their water needs as a means of ethnic cleansing.” These Israeli organizations have confirmed that the Israeli government has issued court orders of home destruction and denying the residents fresh water to drink under the excuse that the areas have been designated as military zones for security purposes. The Israeli Amnesty organizations revealed that Jewish settlements within a few kilometers from Palestinian villages are connected with water piped network. In addition, these Jewish settlers consume water at the rate of 236 liters of water per person per day, compared to less than 15 liters of water per Palestinian per day. Israeli amnesty organizations condemned the Israeli policy and noted that it is in violation of human moral ethics as well as international law (www.aljazeera.net, 10/31/2009).
The Israeli government has lost its ethical and moral values and has also violated international law as well as the UN Cha
Since its creation, the Israeli government has been implementing a policy of expansion as a part of its Zionist ideology and in particular the control of water resources of its Arab neighbors.
In an article in the Middle East (June 2010), Ed Blanche noted that, “Half the water Israel consumed is taken from its neighbors, the Palestinians, the Golan Heights of Syria, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967. Also, Israel converted Litani River in Southern Lebanon, which is 3 km. from Israeli borders by pipelines into Israel’s hydraulic network … furthermore, the Israeli invasions of Lebanon in 1978 and 1982 were motivated by the desire to control water resources.”
In previous posts, I have pointed out that Israel diverted the Jordan River’s water to Israel during the 1950s and 1960s. At the present, the Jordan River is drying out and the water flows that used to irrigate more than 30,000 acres of agricultural land has been stopped. In addition, the lack of water flow of the river into the Dead Sea has also stopped and this has lead to a rapid decline of sea water level that has already reached a dangerous point.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the U.S. government, under President Eisenhower, warned Israel to stop the diversion of the Jordan River water into Israel, but the government ignored the U.S. warning. American foreign aid to Israel was frozen for two years, but then was resumed and the Israeli water diversion continued. The U.S. government volunteered to help Jordan by constructing the East Ghor Canal, which is parallel to the Jordan River, to irrigate 30,000 acres of Jordanian agricultural land. These lands used to contribute 40% of the country’s agricultural produce. The canal was built at a cost of $15 million by the U.S. aid program. The canal stretches around 68 km. and was supposed to siphon water from the Yarmouk River, which starts in Syria and flows into the Jordan River. Unfortunately, the canal was destroyed by Israeli planes that were given to them by the U.S. and were not supposed to be used for anything other than self-defense.
The Jordanian government committed a big mistake by signing the peace agreement with Israel. It should have insisted that Israel first divert the water back to the Jordan River, which was classified as an international water way. Israel is an aggressive state that has no respect for international law, which is reflected through its military actions since its creation. Israel should not be trusted.
Further evidence of Israeli aggression is reflected also in the occupied Palestinian lands. It annexed 42% of the West Bank, especially where the underground aquifer water resources are located. The Israeli government implemented a harsh policy of water availability to the Palestinians. Also, it prevented them from digging their own water wells for their needed drinking water.
Amnesty International accused the Israeli government of denying Palestinians of their water needs. Israel controlled water resources in the occupied land. According to the report, Israel used 80% of the West Bank aquifer, which is the only underground water source and allocated only 20% of the water to the Palestinians. This translates into 300 liters of water per Israeli per day and only 70 liters of water per Palestinian per day (www.aljazeera.net, 10/31/2009).
Twenty Israeli human rights and legal organizations stated that, “The Israeli occupation of the West Bank in particular and Hebron and other areas deprived the Palestinian of their water needs as a means of ethnic cleansing.” These Israeli organizations have confirmed that the Israeli government has issued court orders of home destruction and denying the residents fresh water to drink under the excuse that the areas have been designated as military zones for security purposes. The Israeli Amnesty organizations revealed that Jewish settlements within a few kilometers from Palestinian villages are connected with water piped network. In addition, these Jewish settlers consume water at the rate of 236 liters of water per person per day, compared to less than 15 liters of water per Palestinian per day. Israeli amnesty organizations condemned the Israeli policy and noted that it is in violation of human moral ethics as well as international law (www.aljazeera.net, 10/31/2009).
The Israeli government has lost its ethical and moral values and has also violated international law as well as the UN Cha
Jul 8, 2010
Who Calls the Tune For U.S. Policy in the Middle East?
Yosi Beilin, an Israeli ex-cabinet minister said, in an article from the New York Times (6/28/10), “Let Jordan enrich its own uranium.” He noted that, “Israel is creating a new enemy for itself, the kingdom of Jordan … we do not need to lose the only Arab state with which we have peace-like relations.”
In a previous post I clearly stated that the government of Jordan should not yield to pressure by the American government to not enrich its own uranium for its nuclear reactor. The American government wants Jordan to buy the enriched fuel for its reactors. Mr. Beilin and I share the same rationale, that the recent discovery of more than 65,000 tons of uranium ore in Jordan will facilitate the nuclear reactor operation and save the country money, which is badly needed for other purpose. The Jordanian government has also declared publicly that the nuclear reactor is a public and private operation tot provide the needed transparency.
Furthermore, Jordan has been importing its fossil fuel from its Arab neighbors, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The future production of energy from the nuclear reactor will provide a great deal of financial help to the Jordanian economy, which is under heavy foreign debt. Also, the future energy production will help Jordan to desalinate water from the Red Sea for its pressing shortages of fresh water. Also, part of the water will be used to cultivate some of the more than 30,000 acres of land along the Eastern side of the Jordan River. The land used to be irrigated from the Jordan River until Israel diverted more than 90% of its water to Israel in violation of international law.
Jordan should have never signed the peace treaty with Israel until it reverses the flow of the Jordan River back to its natural flow. Israel politicians are unworthy of the trust and always depend on their military power rather than rational judgment.
This tragic political behavior is attributed to the two main factors. The first is the Zionist expansionist policy, which has been the main force behind Israeli aggressions since the creation of the state in 1948. The second factor is the total military and political support by the U.S. of Israel. Regardless of what Israeli politicians do, even when they violate international law and commit all sorts of atrocities, the U.S. government jumps to provide an umbrella of protection, even when this hurts America’s national interests. Such blind support enables the Israeli politicians to act above the law. Israel can count on at least 75% of the U.S. members of Congress to support Israel, regardless of the issue. Ex-Senator Fritz Holling stated clearly that the U.S. Congress will implement what the Israeli’s demand from them without questions asked.
The U.S. government pressure on Jordan not to enrich its own uranium for its peaceful use is attributed to the Israeli pressure on the U.S. government. It is no longer a hidden fact that the Israeli government has adopted a policy for more than fifty years to prevent Arab states from acquiring nuclear technology. I have pointed out in previous posts that Israel bombed the Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981 and the Syrian nuclear facilities in 2007. Furthermore, they have been applying a great deal of pressure on the U.S. government in particular and the West in general to prevent Iran from enriching their own uranium. Israel even states publicly that they will bomb the Iranian nuclear facilities if they don’t stop their uranium enrichment. It will come as no surprise if the Israelis will push the U.S. to get into a war with Iran. Who will end up paying the price for Israeli political adventures? On the other hand, if the Israelis are so terrified of weapons of mass destruction, then they should accept the Egyptian proposal to turn the Middle East region into a zone free of weapons of mass destruction. Israel will never surrender its nuclear arsenal because it wants to maintain its military superiority in the region.
In a previous post I clearly stated that the government of Jordan should not yield to pressure by the American government to not enrich its own uranium for its nuclear reactor. The American government wants Jordan to buy the enriched fuel for its reactors. Mr. Beilin and I share the same rationale, that the recent discovery of more than 65,000 tons of uranium ore in Jordan will facilitate the nuclear reactor operation and save the country money, which is badly needed for other purpose. The Jordanian government has also declared publicly that the nuclear reactor is a public and private operation tot provide the needed transparency.
Furthermore, Jordan has been importing its fossil fuel from its Arab neighbors, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The future production of energy from the nuclear reactor will provide a great deal of financial help to the Jordanian economy, which is under heavy foreign debt. Also, the future energy production will help Jordan to desalinate water from the Red Sea for its pressing shortages of fresh water. Also, part of the water will be used to cultivate some of the more than 30,000 acres of land along the Eastern side of the Jordan River. The land used to be irrigated from the Jordan River until Israel diverted more than 90% of its water to Israel in violation of international law.
Jordan should have never signed the peace treaty with Israel until it reverses the flow of the Jordan River back to its natural flow. Israel politicians are unworthy of the trust and always depend on their military power rather than rational judgment.
This tragic political behavior is attributed to the two main factors. The first is the Zionist expansionist policy, which has been the main force behind Israeli aggressions since the creation of the state in 1948. The second factor is the total military and political support by the U.S. of Israel. Regardless of what Israeli politicians do, even when they violate international law and commit all sorts of atrocities, the U.S. government jumps to provide an umbrella of protection, even when this hurts America’s national interests. Such blind support enables the Israeli politicians to act above the law. Israel can count on at least 75% of the U.S. members of Congress to support Israel, regardless of the issue. Ex-Senator Fritz Holling stated clearly that the U.S. Congress will implement what the Israeli’s demand from them without questions asked.
The U.S. government pressure on Jordan not to enrich its own uranium for its peaceful use is attributed to the Israeli pressure on the U.S. government. It is no longer a hidden fact that the Israeli government has adopted a policy for more than fifty years to prevent Arab states from acquiring nuclear technology. I have pointed out in previous posts that Israel bombed the Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981 and the Syrian nuclear facilities in 2007. Furthermore, they have been applying a great deal of pressure on the U.S. government in particular and the West in general to prevent Iran from enriching their own uranium. Israel even states publicly that they will bomb the Iranian nuclear facilities if they don’t stop their uranium enrichment. It will come as no surprise if the Israelis will push the U.S. to get into a war with Iran. Who will end up paying the price for Israeli political adventures? On the other hand, if the Israelis are so terrified of weapons of mass destruction, then they should accept the Egyptian proposal to turn the Middle East region into a zone free of weapons of mass destruction. Israel will never surrender its nuclear arsenal because it wants to maintain its military superiority in the region.
Jul 6, 2010
Water Scarcity in the Arab World
An Arab League Conference was held in Cairo (7/1/2010) to discuss and develop a strategy to secure and protect water resources in the Arab world. The new strategy also includes coordination with neighboring countries to face the increasing challenges of water scarcity in the Arab world.
Water specialists at the meeting stressed the fact that 19 out of the 22 Arab states are classified as water poverty-stricken. They warned that the availability of water will drop to 500 cu. met. per person per year, while the minimum requirement is 1000 cu. met. per person per year.
The Arab world contains only 1% of the service water in the world and only 2% of the rainfall. Furthermore, 70% of the service water comes from rivers that start beyond the national borders of these countries. The land area of the Arab world is only 15% of the global land area. Only 30% of the land in the Arab world is suitable for cultivation and even this part is being threatened by desertification due to global weather changes.
It has been estimated that the amount of fresh water available in the Arab world is equal to 340 billion cu. met. and only 50% of it is used and the rest is wasted. According to water experts in the Arab world, 80% of the water is used for agricultural cultivation and it is not producing enough food to meet the increasing demand for consumption. For example, Egypt, the most populated country in the Arab world (83 million people) imports 60% of its wheat. As of the present (2010), not a single Arab country could be classified as self sufficient in food production. Demographers already predict that the present Arab population, which is around 345 million people, will nearly double in the next 25 years to reach 650 million people. At the Arab league meeting of Water and Irrigation Management, Mr. Amr Mousa, the director, urged the participants to start planning the construction of nuclear plants to desalinate water to meet the challenges facing the Arab world.
Water specialists at the meeting stressed the fact that 19 out of the 22 Arab states are classified as water poverty-stricken. They warned that the availability of water will drop to 500 cu. met. per person per year, while the minimum requirement is 1000 cu. met. per person per year.
The Arab world contains only 1% of the service water in the world and only 2% of the rainfall. Furthermore, 70% of the service water comes from rivers that start beyond the national borders of these countries. The land area of the Arab world is only 15% of the global land area. Only 30% of the land in the Arab world is suitable for cultivation and even this part is being threatened by desertification due to global weather changes.
It has been estimated that the amount of fresh water available in the Arab world is equal to 340 billion cu. met. and only 50% of it is used and the rest is wasted. According to water experts in the Arab world, 80% of the water is used for agricultural cultivation and it is not producing enough food to meet the increasing demand for consumption. For example, Egypt, the most populated country in the Arab world (83 million people) imports 60% of its wheat. As of the present (2010), not a single Arab country could be classified as self sufficient in food production. Demographers already predict that the present Arab population, which is around 345 million people, will nearly double in the next 25 years to reach 650 million people. At the Arab league meeting of Water and Irrigation Management, Mr. Amr Mousa, the director, urged the participants to start planning the construction of nuclear plants to desalinate water to meet the challenges facing the Arab world.
Jul 1, 2010
The Nile River Water Conflict
The Nile River basin countries meetings with Sudan and Egypt in Adis-Ababa ended June 27, 2010 without reaching an agreement on water sharing. Both Egypt and Sudan still refused to accept the new treaty that was signed by five members rejecting the 1929 and 1959 Nile Water sharing agreement. Representatives from international organizations such as the World Bank and officials from countries that are willing to participated in the construction of dams to generate power and other agricultural development projects attended the meeting. Egypt and Sudan continue to insist that no project should be constructed that will decrease the flow of the Nile River water to both countries. The Nile is the lifeline for Egypt in particular, as it provides 95% of its water needs. The Nile River water flow from the South (Lake Victoria) to the North is more than 5,500 kilometers and Egypt is located at the end before it flows into the sea. Egypt and Sudan’s opposition to the newly proposed treaty is based on international law that focuses on international rivers, where water is shared by more than one country.
Water is a national security issue that might affect the survival of countries that depend on it. Again, a classic example is Egypt, where annual rainfall tends to be very meager, not exceeding 2 inches per year. The members of the Nile River agreed to meet in the fall of 2010 in Nyrobi, Kenya. This meeting will be attended by the prime ministers of these countries. In the meantime, the Egyptian government should set an example for other members in terms of water management. Several reports have reflected that more than 45% of the Nile River water reaching Egypt is wasted. The vast majority of villages in rural Egypt still lack water recycling systems. Furthermore, the Egyptian newspapers have been publishing articles with pictures as evidence of the misuse of the Nile River in rural areas. The river serves as a place for the washing of clothing and cooking utensils, in addition to the dumping ground for garbage. Even in many homes, dripping water from the faucet is not unusual, because it is cheaper than bringing a plumber to fix it. In general, Egyptians are clearly not aware of the dilemma of water shortages in their country. The government must conduct a national water awareness program to preserve and keep water resources clean. Their life in the near future depends on it, especially n light of the continuous growth of the population, which has been estimated at 2.3 million people per year.
Water is a national security issue that might affect the survival of countries that depend on it. Again, a classic example is Egypt, where annual rainfall tends to be very meager, not exceeding 2 inches per year. The members of the Nile River agreed to meet in the fall of 2010 in Nyrobi, Kenya. This meeting will be attended by the prime ministers of these countries. In the meantime, the Egyptian government should set an example for other members in terms of water management. Several reports have reflected that more than 45% of the Nile River water reaching Egypt is wasted. The vast majority of villages in rural Egypt still lack water recycling systems. Furthermore, the Egyptian newspapers have been publishing articles with pictures as evidence of the misuse of the Nile River in rural areas. The river serves as a place for the washing of clothing and cooking utensils, in addition to the dumping ground for garbage. Even in many homes, dripping water from the faucet is not unusual, because it is cheaper than bringing a plumber to fix it. In general, Egyptians are clearly not aware of the dilemma of water shortages in their country. The government must conduct a national water awareness program to preserve and keep water resources clean. Their life in the near future depends on it, especially n light of the continuous growth of the population, which has been estimated at 2.3 million people per year.
Jun 30, 2010
Arab Attempts for the Development of Collective Scientific Research
Water scarcity and global weather changes in the Arab world are posing major problems for the Middle East region. The U.N. classified eighteen of the 22 Arab states as water poverty stricken countries. Furthermore, 60% of the service water flowing into Arab countries starts its beyond national borders. In addition, the Middle East and North African region experiences global weather changes and more droughts with longer duration. Also, the Arab countries have had population growth that increases the demand for fresh water. A recent meeting of Arab universities’ union, which includes 400 academic institutions, was held at Cairo University (June 24, 2010). The objective of the gathering was to develop strategies to meet the challenges facing the Arab world. The emphasis placed on the proposed strategy is to develop a collective and joint scientific research during the next five years that will benefit the whole Arab world. The focus of the research will be the management of water resources in the Arab world and its research development will be located at the science research center at Cairo University. The research will be supervised by a council that represents the four regions of the Arab world (the Arabian peninsula, al-Mashrig al-Arabi, al-Magrib al-Arabi, and the central region). Also, a new academic and scientific program will be created that will focus on environmental studies that will lead to an M.A. and a Ph.D. in this field.
Another area that was also the focus of discussion was renewable energy resources and how to maximize benefit from the wind and the sun. Research will be conducted in all Arab countries to enable them to generate energy and at the same time protect the environment.
Emphasis was also placed on people’s health and in particular, the spread of cancer in the Arab world. It was proposed that patient records be created and that they be coordinated with treatments and survival rates, as well as scientific research.
The participants recommended that a copy of the conclusion of the meeting be sent to the director of the Arab League to be officially adopted by Arab states.
One of the basic ingredients for the success of such recommendations is the availability of financial resources to support scientific research. For example, the Egyptian government allocated ½ of one percent of its budget to scientific research. I am of the opinion that the majority of Arab governments don’t put too much emphasis on scientific research or on the quality of education at both the upper and lower levels. In previous posts I have discussed the quality of education in some Arab states. No country ever made rapid progress without first allocating a big budget to education and research. In order for the Arab world to catch up with the rest of the world, they have to at least triple their education and research budget for at least two decades to create meaningful scientific research and produce a new generation w
Another area that was also the focus of discussion was renewable energy resources and how to maximize benefit from the wind and the sun. Research will be conducted in all Arab countries to enable them to generate energy and at the same time protect the environment.
Emphasis was also placed on people’s health and in particular, the spread of cancer in the Arab world. It was proposed that patient records be created and that they be coordinated with treatments and survival rates, as well as scientific research.
The participants recommended that a copy of the conclusion of the meeting be sent to the director of the Arab League to be officially adopted by Arab states.
One of the basic ingredients for the success of such recommendations is the availability of financial resources to support scientific research. For example, the Egyptian government allocated ½ of one percent of its budget to scientific research. I am of the opinion that the majority of Arab governments don’t put too much emphasis on scientific research or on the quality of education at both the upper and lower levels. In previous posts I have discussed the quality of education in some Arab states. No country ever made rapid progress without first allocating a big budget to education and research. In order for the Arab world to catch up with the rest of the world, they have to at least triple their education and research budget for at least two decades to create meaningful scientific research and produce a new generation w
Jun 26, 2010
Israel Un-Interestedness in the Peace Process
During the past year, President Obama has been trying to start peace discussions between Israelis and Palestinians with the hope that it will lead to a solution of the conflict. Two high-ranking American officials, Vice President Joe Biden and ex-Senator George Mitchell, have travelled to Israel to assure the Israelis of US support and encourage them to start peace dialogues. Each time, Israeli politicians maneuvered in calculated ways to announce a political plan that dampened the importance of the visit and embarrassed the American visitors. The following reflects examples of Israel's political behavior:
1) The expelling of Palestinians from their homes in the neighborhood of Shaick Jarah in Jerusalem. Homes were demolished to build apartments for the Jewish settlers.
2) The announcement of building 1600 housing units in East Jerusalem for Jewish settlers.
3) The demolition of more than 20 Palestinian homes in Silwan, which is supposed to be the future capital site for Palestine. This site will be converted into a public archaeological site. It is located near al-Aksa mosque,beyond the Jerusalem Wall.
4) The Israeli government announcing the demolition of 88 structures in Silwan that are to be replaced by a proposed park and a new Jewish residential neighborhood.
5) The Israeli government withdrawing the personal identity of four Palestinians who are residents of Jerusalem and were elected to the Palestinian Parliament four years ago. The four are to be deported from Jerusalem.
All such acts did not occur accidentally, but were part of a calculated strategy to discourage President Obama's plan to bring peace into the Middle East region.
The demolitions of Palestinian homes and ethnic cleansing have been part of the Israeli Zionist strategy since the creation of the Jewish state in 1948. The Israeli Prime Minister Ben Gurion ordered the demolition of more than 500 Palestinian villages in Israel after a terrorist campaign that led people to flee their homes. This policy was done so that no refugees would return. This is an act of ethnic cleansing, which has been going on for more than 60 years. A topic dealt with by Ilan Pappe, an Israeli historian, in his book: Ethnic Cleansing of Palestinians.
In previous posts I have stated that at the end, when Israel has annexed all the land they want, they will have no choice but to incorporate the people of the West Bank and Gaza into the state of Israel. It is interesting to read an article written in the Economist (June 19,2010) where the speakers of the Israeli parliament, Mr. Reuven Rivlin was quoted as arguing “for a greater Israel that would embrace the whole of Palestine, with the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza given full citizenship in Israel." He continued to say that the "Israeli Arab are our only bridge to peaceful coexistence and we are failing to maintain it.”
In the same article, another known scholar, Professor Mordechal Kremnitzer, the President of the Israeli Democracy Institute, a think tank, said "for two generations, we have denied the people across the green line their democratic rights…. That must impact our society's democratic ethos. Those who are ashamed find rationalizations: ‘We have no choice,’ they say. Or they cite 'security considerations' or explain the ‘uniqueness’ of our conflict with the Arabs. But many others are not even ashamed..."
There are more Israeli authors and scholars who have written about Israeli’s suppression and inhumane treatment of the Palestinians. Meanwhile Israeli politicians constantly practice a method of semantic terrorism by using terms such as ‘anti-Semitism’ and ‘Holocaust,’ to intimidate and silence those who oppose their policy in the occupied land. This Zionist method of deception is reaching a dead end.
1) The expelling of Palestinians from their homes in the neighborhood of Shaick Jarah in Jerusalem. Homes were demolished to build apartments for the Jewish settlers.
2) The announcement of building 1600 housing units in East Jerusalem for Jewish settlers.
3) The demolition of more than 20 Palestinian homes in Silwan, which is supposed to be the future capital site for Palestine. This site will be converted into a public archaeological site. It is located near al-Aksa mosque,beyond the Jerusalem Wall.
4) The Israeli government announcing the demolition of 88 structures in Silwan that are to be replaced by a proposed park and a new Jewish residential neighborhood.
5) The Israeli government withdrawing the personal identity of four Palestinians who are residents of Jerusalem and were elected to the Palestinian Parliament four years ago. The four are to be deported from Jerusalem.
All such acts did not occur accidentally, but were part of a calculated strategy to discourage President Obama's plan to bring peace into the Middle East region.
The demolitions of Palestinian homes and ethnic cleansing have been part of the Israeli Zionist strategy since the creation of the Jewish state in 1948. The Israeli Prime Minister Ben Gurion ordered the demolition of more than 500 Palestinian villages in Israel after a terrorist campaign that led people to flee their homes. This policy was done so that no refugees would return. This is an act of ethnic cleansing, which has been going on for more than 60 years. A topic dealt with by Ilan Pappe, an Israeli historian, in his book: Ethnic Cleansing of Palestinians.
In previous posts I have stated that at the end, when Israel has annexed all the land they want, they will have no choice but to incorporate the people of the West Bank and Gaza into the state of Israel. It is interesting to read an article written in the Economist (June 19,2010) where the speakers of the Israeli parliament, Mr. Reuven Rivlin was quoted as arguing “for a greater Israel that would embrace the whole of Palestine, with the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza given full citizenship in Israel." He continued to say that the "Israeli Arab are our only bridge to peaceful coexistence and we are failing to maintain it.”
In the same article, another known scholar, Professor Mordechal Kremnitzer, the President of the Israeli Democracy Institute, a think tank, said "for two generations, we have denied the people across the green line their democratic rights…. That must impact our society's democratic ethos. Those who are ashamed find rationalizations: ‘We have no choice,’ they say. Or they cite 'security considerations' or explain the ‘uniqueness’ of our conflict with the Arabs. But many others are not even ashamed..."
There are more Israeli authors and scholars who have written about Israeli’s suppression and inhumane treatment of the Palestinians. Meanwhile Israeli politicians constantly practice a method of semantic terrorism by using terms such as ‘anti-Semitism’ and ‘Holocaust,’ to intimidate and silence those who oppose their policy in the occupied land. This Zionist method of deception is reaching a dead end.
Jun 23, 2010
Intricacy of U.S./Turkey/Israel relations
The troubles in Turkish-Israeli relations continue to escalate due to the attack on the Turkish ship at the end of May 2010. The attack led to the killing of nine unarmed Turkish activists who were part of a “mercy mission”.
At the U.N. the Turkish government demanded an international investigation of the Israeli military attack. Also, Turkey demanded an apology for the attack on a Turkish ship.
Israel has ignored Turkey’s demands. Instead, they have established their own investigative committee and no soldiers will be called to testify. Israel has appointed two outside observers who will have no authority to interfere in the investigation. Furthermore, there will be no apology from Israel. Turkey has said that it will not accept this type of investigation. Turkey has recalled its ambassador from Israel as a result of the Israeli dismissal of its demands.
In the meantime, Israeli supporters began to mobilize members of the American Congress to stand up and support Israel. Members of the House and the Senate have warned Turkey and stated that Turkey’s relationship with the U.S. will be damaged if Turkey continues to maintain its hostile and aggressive attacks against Israel. Some members even went further by threatening Turkey that it will pay an even higher price if it continues to have a close and friendly relationship with Iran.
Furthermore, in a press conference, members from both political parties criticized Turkey, who is a member of NATO, for supporting the International Free Flotilla that was trying to break the blockade of Gaza. Some members went even further by criticizing Turkey for not supporting the Security Council resolution to impose more restrictions on Iran. They have said that Turkey’s “no” vote in the Security Council is a disgraceful act. In addition, 126 members of Congress have signed a letter addressed to President Obama calling on him to oppose any international condemnation of Israel.
On the other hand, the Jewish J.Street Organization has opposed what these members of Congress stand for and asked that the American government work to end the Israel-Palestinian conflict. These honest and objective members of the Jewish community are pushing for a just peace in the Middle East. Those members of the American Congress who are acting like a rubber stamp for AIPAC are not serving the American national interest.
At the U.N. the Turkish government demanded an international investigation of the Israeli military attack. Also, Turkey demanded an apology for the attack on a Turkish ship.
Israel has ignored Turkey’s demands. Instead, they have established their own investigative committee and no soldiers will be called to testify. Israel has appointed two outside observers who will have no authority to interfere in the investigation. Furthermore, there will be no apology from Israel. Turkey has said that it will not accept this type of investigation. Turkey has recalled its ambassador from Israel as a result of the Israeli dismissal of its demands.
In the meantime, Israeli supporters began to mobilize members of the American Congress to stand up and support Israel. Members of the House and the Senate have warned Turkey and stated that Turkey’s relationship with the U.S. will be damaged if Turkey continues to maintain its hostile and aggressive attacks against Israel. Some members even went further by threatening Turkey that it will pay an even higher price if it continues to have a close and friendly relationship with Iran.
Furthermore, in a press conference, members from both political parties criticized Turkey, who is a member of NATO, for supporting the International Free Flotilla that was trying to break the blockade of Gaza. Some members went even further by criticizing Turkey for not supporting the Security Council resolution to impose more restrictions on Iran. They have said that Turkey’s “no” vote in the Security Council is a disgraceful act. In addition, 126 members of Congress have signed a letter addressed to President Obama calling on him to oppose any international condemnation of Israel.
On the other hand, the Jewish J.Street Organization has opposed what these members of Congress stand for and asked that the American government work to end the Israel-Palestinian conflict. These honest and objective members of the Jewish community are pushing for a just peace in the Middle East. Those members of the American Congress who are acting like a rubber stamp for AIPAC are not serving the American national interest.
A Jewish Boat to Gaza
The International Free Flotilla campaign to break the Gaza siege that was attacked by Israeli forces created outrage worldwide. The free humanitarian mission led more and more people to continue the freedom movement since the Israelis have refused to lift the Gaza siege completely.
An international Jewish organization working for justice in Palestine is sponsoring a Jewish boat that will sail to Gaza this summer.
American Jews for a Just Peace issued a press release on June 16, 2010. Naomi Klein, a member of the advisory board of the Free Gaza Movement stated at a demonstration in Toronto on May 31, 2010, "The movement to break the blockade of Gaza is "unstoppable and unsinkable". AJJP joins the "Judische Stimme" (Jewish Voices for a Just Peace in the Near East and Jews for Justice for Palestinians (UK)) in sending the boat as a call to the leaders of the world to help Israel find her way to reason, to a sense of humanity and a life without fear. The AJJP continued to state that the principle of the mission is:
1) To protest against and challenge the blockade of Gaza
2) To protest against Israel's continuing occupation and settlement of Palestinian land
3) To make clear that the current policies of Israel are not representative of all Jews and that there are thousands of us who wish to say "not in our name"
4) The current policies toward Gaza are counterproductive
5) The aid that we will carry on the boat is medical equipment and toys for children
6) We, above all, should have a deep understanding of and rejection of the oppression of others
For more detailed information go to www.ajjp.org/jewishboat. These Jewish organizations should be saluted for carrying the true Jewish torch, "Let there be light". They have the courage to stand up to the advocates of Zionism, who use Judaism as a shield to hide their Fascist ideology.
An international Jewish organization working for justice in Palestine is sponsoring a Jewish boat that will sail to Gaza this summer.
American Jews for a Just Peace issued a press release on June 16, 2010. Naomi Klein, a member of the advisory board of the Free Gaza Movement stated at a demonstration in Toronto on May 31, 2010, "The movement to break the blockade of Gaza is "unstoppable and unsinkable". AJJP joins the "Judische Stimme" (Jewish Voices for a Just Peace in the Near East and Jews for Justice for Palestinians (UK)) in sending the boat as a call to the leaders of the world to help Israel find her way to reason, to a sense of humanity and a life without fear. The AJJP continued to state that the principle of the mission is:
1) To protest against and challenge the blockade of Gaza
2) To protest against Israel's continuing occupation and settlement of Palestinian land
3) To make clear that the current policies of Israel are not representative of all Jews and that there are thousands of us who wish to say "not in our name"
4) The current policies toward Gaza are counterproductive
5) The aid that we will carry on the boat is medical equipment and toys for children
6) We, above all, should have a deep understanding of and rejection of the oppression of others
For more detailed information go to www.ajjp.org/jewishboat. These Jewish organizations should be saluted for carrying the true Jewish torch, "Let there be light". They have the courage to stand up to the advocates of Zionism, who use Judaism as a shield to hide their Fascist ideology.
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