Editorial
When U.S. citizens become embroiled in controversies overseas, the
first place we look for help is our federal government.
As Americans, we expect that our rights and our freedoms will be
fought for vigorously by our leaders.
So when Orange Hills doctor Riad Abdelkarim, on a humantarian mission
to help Palestinians, was detained by Israeli authorities, his family
went to U.S. Rep. Chris Cox for help.
At first, they were not satifisifed with the response of the Newport
Beach congressman who represents them. But after several tense days, Cox
became a key intermediary in the fight for Abdelkarim’s release, and the
doctor and his family are grateful for his help.
“Your case gives us the opportunity to learn from your experience and
try to work out a general procedure for traveling humanitarians,” Cox
said to Abdelkarim in a meeting at the congressman’s Newport Beach
office.
We commend the congressman for his actions and for living up to the
high expectations that we all have of him.
For all of us, Abdelkarim’s case is a lesson that we can learn from.
It highlights the tensions and perceived mistrust that those of
Middle-Eastern descent face in the United States, especially since the
events of Sept. 11 and the increasing hostility in Israel.
Many of us have difficulty separating the despicable and deadly
actions of terrorists from the vast majority of peace-loving Muslims and
Middle Easterners here and abroad.
Consequently, Abdelkarim’s family complained that because he was of
Middle-Eastern descent, his plight in Israel did not get the same
attention that others might have.
“I am an American,” Abdelkarim said. “I am of Palestinian descent, but
I was born here and raised here and educated here.”
He was simply in Israel to uphold what he termed, “American
principles.”
“There I was vigorously defending our system of justice but not
getting that same support from my country,” he said.
As we said before, his imprisonment deserved just as vigorous a
protestation from us.
That’s why the actions of Congressman Cox are so significant, and why
all of us should be grateful to him for restoring faith in those like
Abdelkarim that their ideals will be defended regardless of their race
or creed or religion.
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