Local groups take sides in Middle East conflict

Local Arab leaders are asking the entire community to join in a day of prayer Friday.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- Members of the local Arab community are calling on President Bush and members of Congress to put an end to violence in Lebanon, Gaza and Israel.
Ray Nakely, director of the Arab American Community Center of Greater Youngstown, in a press conference Wednesday said the United States' support of Israel has increased tension in that region of the world. He said only pressure from the United States can ease that tension.
"[The United States'] massive financial subsidy, diplomatic cover and military guarantees to Israel have allowed her to act with impunity," he said. "It is well past time for President Bush and congressional leaders to exert their influence for the sake of over 5 million civilians in Lebanon and Palestine and many thousands more in Israel."
Nakely also said the recent Israeli military response to Lebanon is much too strong.
"Gaza, and now Lebanon, have been cut off from the outside world and are being subjected to savage bombardment by Israeli air, naval and ground forces far out of proportion to any alleged provocation," he said.
Jewish response
But Attorney Alan R. Kretzer, president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, in a prepared statement said the JCRC stands in solidarity with the Israeli government as it protects its people. He said the unprovoked attacks against Israel by Hezbollah are rightfully viewed as an act of war.
"The JCRC extends its deepest sympathy and prayers to the victims of violence committed by Palestinian terrorists groups and Hezbollah against Israeli soldiers and civilians. The entire international community should now join Israel in demanding that the kidnapped soldiers be safely returned to their homes and families," he said. "The Israeli government not only has a right to respond to these crimes, but it has an obligation to do so."
Nakely, though, contended that U.S. citizens are not being told the whole story. He said the national media, for the most part, has not reported daily acts of violence by Israel on civilian Arabs.
"We tend to believe that because we don't hear anything, there is peace there. There is not peace there. This is a war, every day," he said. "The news media focuses on the one side with which we [the United States] have a strategic alliance, but this does not ease the pain of the Palestinian people who feel they have been ignored by the world."
Nakely said any criticism from members of the local Arab community is based on what is in the best interest of the United States as a whole. He is asking all to join the Arab community in a special day of prayer Friday at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon on Lipkey Road in North Jackson. All are welcome throughout the day, and Divine Liturgy will be at 6 p.m.