ADC Continues to Call for the Termination of NSEERS

Washington, DC | June 29, 2010 | www.adc.org | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) today submitted detailed comments in response to the May 5, 2010 Notice, Published in the Federal Register (FR), Vol. 75, No. 86 (75 FR 24721) pertaining to the National Security Entry Exit Registration System (NSEERS). In its comments, ADC unequivocally reaffirmed its long standing position that NSEERS must be terminated and that NSEERS-related regulations be repealed. You can read ADC's comments by clicking here.

Implemented after 9/11 as a counterterrorism tool, and built on a discriminatory structure targeting non-immigrants from Arab, Muslim and South Asian countries, NSEERS has not only been ineffective for counterterrorism purposes, but also has had a negative impact on governmental outreach efforts with these communities. The actual practical utility of the program has been called into question, and is scheduled to be audited by the Office of Inspector General within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before the end of 2010. The program also continues to burden both DHS and the registrants with unnecessary and extra costs.

Eight years after the implementation of the program, governmental information on NSEERS continues to be shockingly inaccurate, as evidenced in the May 5, 2010, Notice. ADC calls on the Obama Administration to end the shame of NSEERS, shift away from policies solely based on national origin and religious profiling tactics, and provide relief for well-intentioned individuals adversely affected by the program.

More Information about ADC's Advocacy on NSEERS:

To read about gener... [Read More]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 17, 2010

Contact:Houda Elyazgi

helyazgi@saxumpr.com

U.S. students will travel to Jordan for Gen. Tommy Franks-hosted international debate

Students will spend time with general and debate Middle East peace

OKLAHOMA CITY – This year’s Four Star Debate program promises to be an international learning experience of a lifetime for top high school students. Twenty-four U.S. students will pair up with 24 Jordanian and Middle Eastern students at King’s Academy near Amman, Jordan to debate whether the United States should support a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and Palestine. The camp will be held from July 1 – 10 and will include a visit from His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan.

The students will debate the topic based on the principles that Israel and Palestine are two sovereign states, whose borders and security are recognized by the countries in the region; and that they provide economic liberalization, protect minority rights and cease violence.

Four Star Debate: Developing Leaders with General Tommy Franks is hosted by the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute, the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) and the Academy of Leadership & Liberty at Oklahoma Christian University (OC).

In addition to sharpening debate and leadership skills and learning from top policy experts from across the globe, students will interact with world-renowned leaders, including Franks, the four-star general who commanded American and coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“Our goal is to ensure a brighter tomorrow by bringing the best and brightest students to... [Read More]

Press Release - 17^th June, 2010

MAIREAD MAGUIRE CALLS FOR ISRAEL’S BLOCKADE OF GAZA TO BE LIFTED COMPLETELY

Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate, who was a passenger on the MV Rachel Corrie Ship which tried to break the Siege of Gaza and Deliver Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, but whose boat was illegally confiscated by Israeli Commandoes in International Water on 5^th June, 2010 has responded to the news that Israeli Gov. has eased blockade on Gaza:

Maguire said:

“A partial lifting of the siege of Gaza by Israel, is not enough as the Israeli blockade of Gaza must be lifted completely.

“It is not enough that Israel allow a little more goods into Gaza, but that people and goods, both humanitarian and commercial, are allowed to move freely between Israel and Gaza. This was provided for in the Agreement on Movement & Access, which Israel signed up to in November 2005 and which set out the Arrangements that were supposed to operate for the passage of people and goods in and out of Gaza, in order to maintain its economic life, after Israel’s alleged ‘disengagement’ from Gaza.

“It is urgent that there be unfettered access to meet the humanitarian needs and to enable rebuilding of not only home and infrastructure, but trade must be permitted to build up the Gazan and Palestinian economy. Under Oslo Agreement Israel Agreed to opening of Port of Gaza (closed over 40 years ago) and this must be Opened, as well as their airport (which was bombed by Israel) rebuilt, so the people of Gaza have land, sea and air access and are no longer cut off from their Palestinian families and World community.”

“This small step by the Israeli Government has shown what international pressure can achieve, but the International community must continue to d... [Read More]

ADC Thanks Ms. Helen Thomas for Legendary Service

Washington, DC | June 9, 2010 | www.adc.org | Helen Thomas, 89, Dean of the White House Press Corp, and lauded as a "Pioneer Journalist" and Trailblazer for female journalists," apologized for her May 27, 2010, response when she was asked "Any comments on Israel...?" and she responded "Tell them to get the [] out of Palestine." Upon further prodding, Ms. Thomas stated that "Remember these people are occupied and it's their land..." and those who are the occupiers should "...go home" to "Poland, Germany...And America and everywhere else."

In her apology, Ms. Thomas wrote: "I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not reflect my heartfelt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon."

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) thanks Ms. Thomas for her legendary service, and acknowledges Ms. Thomas' apology. ADC believes that Ms. Thomas should be judged on her "50-plus years of probing journalism, and not on a 30-second sound bite," as stated by Mr. Zool Zulkowitz, who represents American Jews defending Ms. Thomas. Mr. Zulkowitz further said that, "We are clear what Helen Thomas meant to say, which is that Israel should cease its occupation of Palestine..." And, as Mr. Paul Jay wrote: "Not all criticism of Israel is anti-Semitism...Helen Thomas' isn't."

As President Obama recognized in his historic address in Cairo on June 4, 2009, the Palestinian people - Muslims and Christians - have endured the pain of dislocation for more than 60 years. "Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and sec... [Read More]

Remarks As Prepared for Delivery by Attorney General Eric Holder at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee's 30th Anniversary National Convention

WASHINGTON, June 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following are remarks as prepared for delivery by Attorney General Eric Holder at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee's 30th Anniversary National Convention:

Thank you, Dr. [Safa] Rifka, for your kind words and for this tremendous honor. I am grateful to you, and to ADC's Board and staff members, for this wonderful award. And I appreciate this opportunity to speak to all of you, at the start of this milestone convention, about the Justice Department's commitment to promoting tolerance, safety, peace, and opportunity.

I especially want to thank Sara Najjar-Wilson, your extraordinary president, for her leadership of ADC - and her partnership with the Department of Justice. Let me also thank and congratulate the other awardees here this afternoon on their achievements, advocacy efforts, pro bono work, and lifetimes of service, both to Arab-American communities and to the cause of justice.

But, above all, I want to congratulate all of you - on your 30th anniversary, which deserves a round of applause. For three decades, you have advanced the promise of civil rights for all Americans. You have educated and enlightened citizens of all nationalities, backgrounds and faiths. And you have promoted the basic principles of dignity that define the best of this country - and bring out the best in our communities.

It's a special honor to be part of this anniversary and to continue one of our nation's most important conversations - the crucial, ongoing dialogue between law enforcement and members of the Arab-American community. Advancing and strengthening this dialogue is a top priority for my Department. And it's a top priority for the Obama administration.

I would have been happy to speak to you any day of the year, but I admit t... [Read More]

AL JAZEERA ANNOUNCES NEW NEWSROOM STRUCTURE

Restructuring of newsroom to focus on heightened news excellence and integration between TV and online news

Doha, Qatar - June 2, 2010: Al Jazeera Network announced today a new newsroom structure designed to continue to build quality in it news operations. The new structure will change the organization and method of work in the newsroom in what Al Jazeera has termed as the “Multiplatform Multimedia Newsroom”. The Network has also commissioned a team of specialists to survey the latest developments in newsroom management with a focus on the interplay and relationship between the TV news and the Internet.

Elaborating on the new structure, Wadah Khanfar, Director General of the Al Jazeera Network stated, “The new structure of the newsrooms aims to bring a higher level of coordination between the Arabic and English channels as well as capitalizing on the synergies between the various departments in the network. The changes are designed to help us manage our growth in a more efficient fashion while at the same time bringing a new level of excellence in our news coverage.”

In accordance with the new structure the Network announced several changes and new appointments in Al Jazeera Channel’s senior management. Mr. Ahmed Al-Sheikh, who served as Chief Editor of Al Jazeera Channel for nearly six years has been appointed as Media Advisor to the Chairman of the Al Jazeera Network, Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer al-Thani. The Network has also appointed Mr. Ayman Gaballah, the former Deputy Chief Editor of Al Jazeera Channel, as the Managing Director of Al Jazeera Mubasher. Similar to C-Span, Al Jazeera Mubasher is the first 24-hour live news and events channel in the Arab world focusing on uncut televised broadcasts of regional and international events as well as breaking news. Mr. Gaballah’s appointment ... [Read More]

ANERA HELPS DISABLED CHILDREN OF SUKHNEH, JORDAN

Washington, April 29, 2010 – American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) is pleased to announce the implementation of a project to help disabled children of Sukhneh Camp and the town of Sukhneh. The year-long, three-phase program will identify 100 cases of hearing and visual impairment and other physical disabilities and provide appropriate diagnostic and rehabilitation services. It will also include an awareness campaign and training workshops for parents.

ANERA is developing the program in cooperation with Ladies of Sukhneh Society and the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf -- a leader in the field of deaf education -- and its network of service providers.

Sukhneh Camp was established in 1969 near Zarqa, about 50 miles north of Amman. It is home to 7,000 Palestinian refugees. Surveys indicate that residents with disabilities are numerous. The UNRWA camp has one health center with a doctor who comes three days a week. There is no community rehabilitation center, specialists or private clinics to treat the disabled. The town of Sukhneh has 18,000 residents and limited health services.

“With these services, ANERA hopes to remove some of the isolation of these children who endure disabilities and live in the poverty of a refugee camp,” explained ANERA president Bill Corcoran.

ANERA is currently expanding its programs in Jordan, which include after-school activities for Iraqi and Jordanian youth and the distribution of educational supplies and hygiene kits.

For more than 40 years, ANERA has been a leading provider of development, health, education and employment programs to Palestinian communities and impoverished families throughout the Middle East. In FY 2009, the relief and development agency delivered $50 million of programs to the people of the Wes... [Read More]