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.