A startling observation I have made since traveling through a host of middle eastern countries is that America and Israel are viewed as one and the same. In one mosque we entered in Damascus, Syria, two metal flags were laid on the floor for visitors to trample. One for Israel, one for America. I politely stepped around my own country’s flag.
Almost two weeks ago now, we stumbled upon a protest in support of Gaza in Palmyra, Syria. Hundreds of people, mainly children, had taken to the streets waving Hamas flags and shouting. Though I was intimidated, the journalist in both Shawna and me forced us into the thick of the rally, where we found ourselves surrounded by young boys and girls eager to talk to us. These same children who wanted to take photos with us, also told us, “Palestine is destroyed because of America.”
Being two obviously American girls (think: white, blue eyes and Shawna with bright blond hair) in the Middle East is an interesting experience. We get stared at everywhere we go. We have even invented jokes to make the awkwardness of getting constantly stared at more humorous. Shawna’s favorite is “Don’t tap the glass.” Mine is “Dance monkey, dance.”
Everyone wants to know where we are from. Turns out, saying “I am from America” is a political statement. Everyone wants to tell you what they think. We always hear something to the effect of: “We love Americans, we hate your government.” Followed by a gleeful thumbs up for Obama. They, like many Americans, have a lot of hope. One man in Syria told me, “the peace of the world lies in Obama’s hands.”
Not so startling, given that the US government gives Israel $3 billion a year in aid, most of which goes to the military. Those phosphorous shells which were recently dropped (illegally) on Gazan civilians were manufactured in the US (Alabama, if I’m not mistaken). Add to that the fact that the US gives constant diplomatic and strategic support for Israel, it’s little wonder that in the Middle East the two states are seen together. And Given US foreign policy in the region for the past few decades, it’s also little wonder Middle Easterners have little love for the US government.
I have to admit I’m pretty skeptical of the whole Obama phenomenon. He hasn’t done much yet, and the little he has done suggests to me that he is simply “the new boss, same as the old boss”. But of course it’s still early.
By: ××× on February 3, 2009
at 11:30 pm