www.ajc.org/radiocommentarySince 2001, AJC Executive Director David Harris has produced national radio commentary. Visit www.ajc.org/radiocommentary. 3/9/2010 4:10:16 PMhttp://backend.userland.com/rssen-us© American Jewish Committee (AJC 2010)KinteraCasterwebmaster@ajc.org60http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/%7B42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf%7D/DAVID%20HARRIS%20041309.MP3It was a shameful sight. There was Sudan's leader, President Bashir, arriving in Qatar for a meeting of the Arab League. At the airport, he was embraced by Qatar's ruler. ...64131f60-8270-4e4f-b16f-00520f945c933/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID%20HARRIS%20051209.MP3Pilar Rahola isn't exactly a household name in the U.S. She should be. ...dd903bf6-4525-42c0-b6aa-030dc6009c6a3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID%20HARRIS%20061609.MP3In recent days, two starkly contrasting events occurred in the Middle East. In Iran, a highly suspect election took place. 907e8042-9ac7-4738-9133-059ff07225e93/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/%7B42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf%7D/David%20Harris%20022310.MP3After a recent radio spot, I received an email. The writer asked why I was so concerned about the prospect of Iranian nuclear weapons. After all, he asked, haven't such weapons been with us -- unused -- for decades? Here's my answer. Iran's leaders are driven by two goals. They seek power at all costs. Their ruthless suppression of their own people underscores the point. And they claim a direct, 1-800 line to God. That allows them religious justification for all they do. Nuclear weapons in such handsdd021dcc-3516-4765-88f9-0839f4e42a313/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 090109.MP3"As we mourn his passing, we shall long be enriched ? and ennobled ? by his example," says Harris. "He summoned America, the land he loved, to fulfill its promise to all. And he did so with passion, vision, faith, and wit."19ab6682-12da-4964-87ac-10ba160519ef3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/%7B42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf%7D/David%20Harris%20021610.MP3Haiti. The numbers killed and injured by the earthquake are staggering. But the larger story of Haiti isn't just about facts and figures. It's about people. For one Haitian family, there was good news. Six-year-old Woodley Elysee traveled to Israel, accompanied by his aunt. Woodley has a congenital heart defect. The Israeli organization Save a Child's Heart brought him for surgery. Save a Child's Heart was founded 15 years ago by Israeli medical volunteers. The program has treated more than 2000 chi5c3b85bc-aad7-4f74-8fad-12827c670fba3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 110309.MP3Want to help America?s national security, economy and environment? Here are ten ways to deal responsibly with energy...323b9181-d769-4d41-add7-1e1855359a303/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 122109.MP3Christmas is this week. For many, it's a time of special joy. But for some, it's tougher. For those serving in uniform overseas, the separation from loved ones can be especially difficult. Our thoughts are with them. They've chosen to put themselves in harm's way so that back home we can live in peace. And for Christians who live as minorities in countries with religious persecution, it can be downright dangerous for them to worship openly. We have something very special in America. 120f02b6-da1b-44ad-beef-1e4b0a34660b3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 090809.MP3"We weren't attacked for any specific policy, but for what we stand for," says Harris. "We mustn?t falter in the defense of human freedom and dignity, religious pluralism, and mutual respect."69eba61c-9476-45e6-9406-214aa83635bf3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID%20HARRIS%20060909.MP3What?s the main obstacle to Arab-Israeli peace? It's clear. Many in the Arab and larger Muslim world have refused to accept Israel. ...b64d1129-aa61-4ca3-8f1b-22483b9194673/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 071409.MP3It's the nation's oldest civil rights organization. The overriding goal is the fulfillment of America's promise of equal protection and opportunity for all.17719fd3-cb3d-4c3b-b399-2e6e1436024c3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID%20HARRIS%20052609.MP3As Americans marked Memorial Day, there was some bad news. North Korea tested an atomic bomb. ...2076975a-edd7-4b4f-b713-4856cd5050d83/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/%7B42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf%7D/DAVID%20HARRIS%20042109.MP3There was both bad and good news from Geneva this week. The bad news? A UN conference designed to focus on fighting racism became a venue for promoting it. ...59640d99-555b-4c0a-a960-4ea5bfd0fd5c3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 062309.MP3Last September, Iranian President Ahmadinejad was interviewed on NPR. ...As recent events demonstrate, Ahmadinejad?s claims would be laughable if they weren?t so tragic. ...e5c223e5-4b0f-4098-b535-536f67e0a0b73/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 012010.MP3Our country faces immense foreign policy challenges. None is more dangerous today than Iran. Iran seeks nuclear-weapons capability -- and the means to deliver those weapons. Most countries, other than the likes of Cuba and Venezuela, say no. Nuclear weapons in Iran's hands would be a global game-changer. Since 2003, various efforts to dissuade Iran from its nuclear ambitions have been tried. All failed. Now Washington wants tough new UN sanctions on Iran -- and soon. That's exactly right. Iran just e5a78604-6550-4998-b8ea-53e27e34dc033/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 011210.MP3This week marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It's a day to remember the six million Jews, including one-and-a-half million children, systematically slaughtered by the Nazis. It's a day to recall that the Holocaust began with words demonizing the Jews. Then laws disenfranchising them. And, finally, gas chambers destroying them. It's a day to recall that the genocide was committed by one of the world's most advanced societies, while too many remained silent. It's a day to reject the disgracefuc7efe887-1e22-4d0c-9c26-5d75026e5ed03/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 120109.MP3Gee, what a surprise! Iran has once again thumbed its nose at the world on the nuclear issue. ...150e8b74-2717-4b97-a623-63efc45a96733/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID%20HARRIS%20060209.MP3Later this week, President Obama will make two important stops in Europe. The first will be Buchenwald, the Nazi concentration camp in Germany. ...826e3013-e10e-4c5c-83a2-63f5995ea7f23/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/%7B42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf%7D/DAVID%20HARRIS%20070809.MP3What?s the main obstacle to peace between Israel and the Palestinians? It?s the simple word 9e4a21df-3e9b-4354-807b-753fed12c4673/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/David Harris 111009.MP3This week marks 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. What a remarkable moment in time. It was due to those behind the wall with the immense moral and physical courage to stand up to oppression.90a3c7c6-5bf6-4a8a-9807-7c314f0adc2b3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/David Harris 120709.MP3Here?s a good news story. This week in Berlin, an unusual event took place. The German armed forces and AJC celebrated 15 years of cooperation. ...7da37a84-ccd3-4a72-b8e5-7e0e707d876b3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID%20HARRIS%20051909.MP3President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu met in the White House this week. ...b88b750d-f3b7-4c82-88c8-8e289f43247a3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 092909.MP3Each year, world leaders address the UN. Few make headlines. And when they do, it's often for the wrong reasons.442411fa-3442-44ca-b108-94944cbb533e3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 080409.MP3This week, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad starts a second term as Iran's president. Yes, this is the same man whose rigged election in June sparked protests in Iran.7dc7b703-1c56-4f14-af0c-9552dc103f683/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 122809.MP3The American journalist Bill Vaughn once said: "An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves." I'm an optimist about most things. But when it comes to New Year's resolutions, I'm reminded of someone's definition: "A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other." Nonetheless, I'll give it a try, as I've done here each year since 2001. I'll gladly spare you the resolutions about myself. It's our country tha9d7db322-2773-472f-923a-9be5bce214ea3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/David Harris 102709.MP3f you listen to this weekly spot, you know how much I admire those nations that pioneer alternative energy use and energy independence. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recently spoke on the issue.ca7c19c9-f22f-479c-a215-9e3eb1064aee3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/%7B42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf%7D/David%20Harris%20102009.MP3"Our oil dependence is our country's Achilles heel," says AJC Executive Director David Harris in his national radio commentary. For the sake of our national security, economy, and environment, we need an ambitious energy policy ? now.6e1bafea-fc05-4e25-bab2-a41b45f6dad13/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/%7B42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf%7D/AJC111207.MP3Thanksgiving is around the corner. It's a wonderful holiday--a day for parades, family gatherings, football, and feasts. And a day, we shouldn't forget, for giving thanks.60722d98-9d02-4b17-b70d-a5c969e4c8103/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 081109.MP3The last thing I wish to do is add to anyone?s list of worries. But recent elections in Iran make an already bad situation worse.5a7e871b-3a5e-4d80-8803-aaf8eedee6e93/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 010510.MP3Reporting from the Middle East usually focuses on conflict. Here's a different ? and heartwarming ? story for the New Year. In the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, there's a free health clinic. It's for refugees who arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs ? and a desire to start a new life. The clinic is run by the Israel Medical Association and the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross, with help from the Ministry of Health. The doctors and nurses volunteer their time. So do the medical studenta6bf8227-6c7b-4cae-8e07-b769d23c8be83/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/091509 AJC REV.MP3"This is a time to stand up and speak out," says Harris. "Demand basic freedoms in Iran, condemn human rights abuses, and call for an end to Iranian support for terrorism and incitement to genocide."f1e993ba-636c-4374-aede-ba1c3ddf558e3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/David Harris 121509.MP3This is a special season.nFor Christians, Christmas is around the corner.nFor Jews, Chanukah is this week. nFor all, there are blessings. The blessing of religious freedom.9d2c65e0-d7d0-497f-8e7b-c1af051bba5c3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/David Harris 111709.MP3This is AJC?s 300th commentary on this station. The commentaries began just after 9/11, with one every two weeks. Then, due to listener requests, they became weekly. Thanks to listener support, they?re now in their ninth year. ...b76a788b-f1aa-491b-9717-cfd0aaacbba03/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/%7B42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf%7D/David%20Harris%20030210.MP3A new poll offers some important news. According to Gallup, support for Israel is at "the highest level in nearly 20 years." Asked about their sympathies in the Middle East, nearly two-thirds of Americans chose Israel. Fifteen percent opted for the Palestinians. That's a margin of more than four-to-one! Moreover, the study asked Americans about their views of a range of countries. Israel ranked an impressive fifth, just after other close U.S. allies -- Canada, Britain, Germany, and Japan. The bottom fiacf668ea-1055-4b6d-8f9d-df5a4fd4376d3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 082509.MP3"That Iran and Libya lionize terrorist killers should come as no surprise," says Harris. "But that democratic Scotland would release one is truly shameful."42f6160c-9419-42d1-8e31-e1734ee6b4a83/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID%20HARRIS%20042809.MP3This week, Israel marks its 61st birthday. For other countries, that may be no big deal. For Israel, it is. After all, from Israel's creation, its enemies sought its annihilation. ...2e8020c9-99fd-4837-996c-e5bbed74116d3/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/%7B42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf%7D/DAVID%20HARRIS%20101309.MP3Think about it. Iran seeks nuclear-weapons capability. Venezuela builds close ties to Iran and buys weapons from Russia. Libya gets Britain to release a convicted murderer in the Lockerbie case and gives him a hero's welcome...13b262d6-8e10-4135-b7f7-e808fc14b8c73/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 092209.MP3Having jailed and beaten many of his opponents, he feels he can attend UN meetings and still have his job when he returns to Tehran.16f1aa4b-9b4b-4ff6-9ddf-f139f4c742663/3/2010 1:45:21 PM http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42d75369-d582-4380-8395-d25925b85eaf}/DAVID HARRIS 030910.MP3This week, Vice President Biden is in the Middle East. He has said some powerful things. The vice president affirmed that "the bond between the U.S. and Israel has been and will remain unshakable. Only together can we achieve lasting peace in the region," he said.1838bec3-cc56-4aa8-947c-ffe6c0a9b0023/9/2010 1:18:45 PM