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Name
Hatim
-
Profession
Question
Can you give us a brief background about the Jewish lobby?
Answer
First of all, "lobby" is an English word which means a planned political work by the American Jews and it is directed to decision makers. The goal of the lobby is to convert and develop the American foreign policy in support of Israel.
Who is lobbying? First: the Association of American Jewish Organizations’ Leaders, which was found in the 1950s to unify the Jewish voice in America.
From 1966 this Association considered itself to be a representative of all Jewish organizations and not only the leaders.
This Association includes about 40 organizations. It has a headquarters and a fixed budget. The president is elected from the members.
Second: AIPAC or American Israel Public Affairs Committee which is registered officially in the Congress and the Senate. It started in 1951 but there was a mistake in the official registration, so they started officially in 1954.
The lobby has an executive director and more than 100 employees and their budget exceeds 25 million dollars.
Name
Shawkat
- Egypt
Profession
Question
I heard about what is called "Christian Zionism". Can you give us some information about their history and their beliefs?
Answer
Christian Zionism represents a group of Christians who believe in the Zionist beliefs and support the State of Israel. They started first in Britain, namely in 1607 by Thomas Brightman who published a book that urged the British people to support the return of the Jews to Palestine.
In 1621 Henry Finch, a prominent member of the British Parliament, advanced a similar perspective when he wrote that the Jews shall repair to their own country, shall inherit all of the land as before, shall live in safety and shall continue in it for ever.
Then in the year 1800, John Nelson Darby, a renegade Irish Priest, wrote about the “born again Christian” to support Israel. He was a missionary for 60 years, and he visited the United States and he is the one who promoted the ideas of Christian Zionism in the United States.
In 1839 Lord Shaftesbury, a conservative evangelical Christian, published an essay entitled “the State and Restoration of the Jews” where he urged the Jews to return to Palestine in yet greater numbers. He is also the one who first described Palestine as “a land of no people for a people with no land”.
In the early eighteenth century the British Prime Minister David L Loyd-George and Arthar Balfour were the prominent Christian representatives who promoted the establishment of Israel.
They believe that the Jews are God’s Chosen People and that God blessed them and that God will bless people who bless Jews and curse those who curse them. They believe that the borders of Israeli state are between the Nile and the Euphrates, including Golan Heights. They believe that the Jewish temple wa built in the same spot where Al Aqsa masjid is now built. They also believe in the second coming of Jesus, and that a battle called Armageddon which will take place in Palestine where Jewish people will be killed but 144 thousands will be converted to Christianity.
Name
Md.
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Profession
Question
We always hear that Jewish looby is a key factor in shaping US foreign policy. Can you give us some recent concrete evidence in this regard? Do you think that Jewish influence is increasing in the aftermath of 9/11?
Answer
Of course 9/11 was a key point in the American foreign policy influenced by the Jewish lobby and the Christian rights.
For example, Sharon recently declared explicitly “you always scare us by America, but don’t forget that we control America”.
In April 2, 2002, specifically after the perpetration of Jenin massacre, Bush requested Sharon to withdraw from the West Bank cities, but he was flooded by more than 100 thousands e-mails to the White House to stop requesting Israel from withdrawing its forces from the West Bank.
Under the influence of the Jewish Lobbies, America was not able to implement any of its peace plans in the Middle East, such as the Tenet’s plan, Michiel’s plan, and others.
Also the Jewish Lobby is trying to confront the implementation of the Road Map.
As far as Iraq is concerned, they practically planned the war on Iraq and they try to push the US forward on Iran and Syria for one single reason, that is, the security of Israel.
Many prominent Americans wrote about how the US foreign policy was hijacked by Jewish Lobby.
Name
Abdel-Hakim Yasin
- Finland
Profession
Telecom Engineer
Question
Assalamu `Alaykum, should we (Muslims) in west put the Muslim world problems before our own problems we have here in west when dealing with US and other western countries's foreign policies?
My second question is how to find common ground between Muslims living in west when they want to address their feeling against western countries's international policies. Thank you in advance and assalamu `Alaykum!
Answer
Wa`alykum assalamu warahmatullah.
I believe you have a dual responsibility towards your own country and others. Don’t forget that if Islam is strong outside your country, you will be strong inside your country. Take France as an example. If Muslim countries are strong, the issue of Hijab would not have been a problem like how it is now. But due to the weak situation the Arab and Muslim countries are facing, Muslims all over the world are undergoing trials and hardships.
But this does not rule out the idea that you a responsibility towards your own country as a citizen. Being a Muslim citizen of even a non-Muslim country, you should be a good example for others.
As for the second part of the question, there are lots of ways to achieve that: you should take part in the political arena, establish coalition with peace-loving groups and organizations, write to your Mps, try to approach the media, etc.
Name
Reda
-
Profession
Question
What about the American foreign aid to Israel?
Answer
America was the first country in the world to recognize the state of Israel. From that moment it was said that Israel got 1.6 trillion dollars as foreign aid, donation, grants, etc.
It is known that Israel officially gets an average of 5.5 billion dollars a year from the United States government.
This is also a result of the influence of Jewish lobby on the American policy.
Name
Umar
-
Profession
Question
I heard that Jewish organizations collect millions of dollars as donations for Israel while Muslims are prevented from doing so? Can you give us some examples?
Answer
Jewish and Christian right organizations raise funds for Israel. They collect up to 13 billion dollars a year. Most of this money goes to Israel directly to:
- finance building more settlements;
- support settlers;
- enhance the Israeli army;
- sponsor educational institutions;
- teaching Hebrew for newcomers;
- sponsor new immigrants to Israel;
- and help Jewish communities in need, especially Russia, East Europe, and Argentina.
On the other hand, following the double-standard policy, a lot of Muslims Charitable organizations have been banned from practicing their right in raising funds on account of the so-called “supporting terrorism”. Examples of these organizations are: Holy Land Foundation, Benevolence, Global Relief, and Al Aqasa. This decision was taken on a political basis and not on a legal one. More than 8 millions dollars that were collected by those organizations were frozen and Muslim communities in America are requesting that they be given to any charitable cause.
The United States even pressures other countries to ban Muslim Charities. Examples of those are Britain, Australia, France, Germany, and even Muslim countries.
Steve Emerson, a prominent America journalist and expert on terrorism, launched a campaign against Muslim organizations in America, including charitable ones.
Name
Muslimah
- Canada
Profession
Question
Muslims in the US unanimously supported President Bush during the elections because he was against 'secret evidence'. we see that was a big mistake. How do we go about changing the foreing policies and media outlet of US? Who should muslims support and how? some have suggested to use the same tactics like jewish communities by bribing/'supportin financially' the congressman etc.
JazakAllah khair.
Answer
Bribing and other immoral ways are unacceptable for Muslims at any case. We believe that the end does not justify the means; both the end and the mean have to be noble.
Muslims have to take their decision based on researches and solid evidences, and not on a random basis. They should vote the candidate that is known for appreciating their concerns or at least having neutral stance.
To change the foreign policies, Muslims have to participate in politics actively. With this Muslims have to unify their stance (compare the Muslim community in the US, which is 7 millions, to the Jewish one, which is 5.5 millions).
Secondly, Muslims should try to have a representative in the Parliament.
Muslims should also lead the campaigns in support of candidates that defend the Muslim civil rights. This includes volunteering, raising funds, etc. I know this is not an easy job, but this what we should do.
Name
muslim sister
-
Profession
Question
What I have gathered from reading your answers is that the Jewish lobby and US Policy are very much inter-connected so why do we see US enforcing all these changes to be taken by Middle East countries and they are complying with it isn't this the same as Israel shaping the middle east to what they want it to be.
Answer
As Mahatir Mohammed said, “Jews control the world by proxy”. I think he was right since the United States is controlling the world, and as Sharon said that Israel control America. Research centers that conduct studies for foreign policy decision makers in America are pro-Israeli.
Name
Ismael
- Netherlands
Profession
student
Question
Assalamu`alykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh. Hello Dr. Abdelhakim, I would like to ask you if there is any connection between Jewish/Christian zionist movements and a secret undeground group better known as the freemasons. I get the impression the two are often mentionned interchangeably. Assalamu `alaykum,
Answer
As far as I know, there is no direct connection between Christian Zionism and freemasons, but both of them are working for the sake of Israel.
Name
Ismael
- Netherlands
Profession
Student
Question
Assalamu`alykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh. Dr. Abdelhakim, I would like to ask you if you think that the Jewish lobby groups in the U.S. are actually trying o convince the U.S. to wage a war against other muslim states (e.g. Iran and Syria), if so, what do you think is the main purpose of this group?
Kind Regards.
Answer
The main purpose of this group is to exploit the American resources for the safety and security of the state of Israel. As known, Iran and Syria have anti-Israeli policies, and without regime changes in these countries, Israel will never enjoy the peace that they wish to have. Israel looks at Syria and Iran as a threat to their existence, so they pressure the American Administration to change the regime in these countries and replace them with America and Israeli puppets!!
Name
Yusuf
- South Africa
Profession
Student
Question
What can those who oppose the oppressive Zionist regime do to combat this lobby? Is it realistic to believe that Muslims can also lobby the American government to a similar extent?
Answer
Why not?! Muslims can do it if they actively participate in the American political life.
Name
Imran
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Profession
Software Developer
Question
Assalamu`alaykum, what news sources can we turn to to find out the true unbiased picture of world events?
Answer
There are so many sources. I can mention some here: islamonline, Aljazeera, Abu Dhabi TV, Al Manar TV, the publications of the Muslim World League, The Washington Report on the Middle East, Middle East Affairs Journal, etc.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Answer
Finally, we would like to thank our guest for speaking to Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We apologize for not being able to accommodate all the questions within the time allocated to this session. We request our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
