Alison Weir

Of Particular Note...

1. Why?
2. Daily news, commentary, and analysis
3. History
4. Attack on the USS Liberty
5. Rachel Corrie
6. Nonviolence Movement of Palestinians and Israelis
7. My articles (Go to this link and scroll down to see all my articles on Israel-Palestine)

Why?

Now and then I like to tell people about behind-the-scenes happenings, etc... especially since so much inflammatory and defamatory nonsense is posted about me on various websites, from official ones such as the ADL's to, more often, largely unknown, sometimes anonymous, pro-Israel blogs.

Daily News, Commentary, & Analysis

If Americans Knew has created a daily news site featuring a diverse compendium of reports on Israel-palestine, focusing largely on news that is unreported or under-reported by US media. We also have a site containing daily commentary and analysis, and another blog that periodically deconstructs AP coverage on Israel-Palestine.

By scanning through this news compilation each day, and reading the other sites listed above, readers will obtain an overall view of this issue that we feel will be valuable in understanding current events -- and that is largely unavailable to those using only mainstream sources for their information.

We hope people will tell others about If Americans Knew and that these resources will provide a useful archive for writers and analysts.

History

The best short but thorough history I've seen on this issue is the Origin of the Palestine-Israeli Conflict. You can order copies of this booklet and others to give out in your community (or you can just print them out yourself -- they're all avilable as PDFs). We're hoping to update this one soon, but even without the latest info it's extremely valuable. (We also have a one-page synopsis that sketches the outlines of the conflict and a short but I think excellent brochure on "How Palestine Became Israel"

Attack on The USS Liberty

Because so few people know about Israel's extremely ruthless attack on the US Navy ship, the USS Liberty, I'd like to alert you to that as well. This is a profoundly important topic. The crew members, who are still waiting for justice, have waged a heroic (but to date unsuccessful) campaign to bring this attack before the American people.

One of the most important articles is the report by the independent commission chaired by former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Thomas Moorer (among its illustrious panel members was Marine General Ray Davis, the nation's highest-ranking Medal of Honor recipient at the time). This report provides evidence that the facts on this attack were covered up at the order of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Normally, such evidence -- from such a distinguished body -- would result in Congressional hearings.

In this case, the media buried it -- even the Washington Post failed to report on this historic event on Capitol Hill. While AP had an excellent news report on the panel's briefing in the Rayburn House Office Building, this highly newsworthy story, which should have been headlined around the country, was buried in its wire offerings of the day and very few news media picked it up or gave it the prominence it deserved.

The crew has supplied a detailed legal brief on the this incident to the Secretary of the Army, the agency required by law to investigate war crimes against American citizens. Again, this has not been reported to the American public.

Such neglect by the American media is unconscionable.

Rachel Corrie

While growing numbers of people are deeply saddened at Rachel Corrie's death, numerous people throughout the US know little or nothing about it. In addition, as with the USS Liberty, there has been a concerted effort to falsify the circumstances and to blame the victim. We have done our best to supply thorough information on this tragedy.

Nonviolence Movement of Palestinians and Israelis

In addition to a vigorous Palestinian nonviolence movement, there are growing numbers of Israeli groups also working toward peace. These Palestinian and Israeli peace workers and human rights advocates deserve to have their principled and often courageous activities reported to Americans, yet this rarely occurs. (See our AP report for evidence.) We report on these in our list of the wide variety of groups working toward peace and justice.

Israeli forces have shot and viciously beaten some of these Israelis; killed and injured a number of international peace activists (for example, Tom Hurndall, James Miller, Brian Avery, Tristan Anderson, Tove Johansson , Chris Brown and Kim Lamberty; and killed, maimed and tortured a multitude of Palestinians engaged in nonviolent activities.

Swedish 19-year-old Tove Johansson was attacked while the Israeli military stood by. Chanting "We killed Jesus, we'll kill you too," members of the mob broke her cheekbone and spat on her.