Israeli Peace Activist Appears on American Talk Radio

U.S. Talk show host Andy Martin will welcome Isralei peace activist Uri Avnery Thursday, April 25th for a discussion of the peace process in the Middle East. Martin supports Palestinian rights.

FOR RELEASE: April 25, 2002

   HISTORIC MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROGRAM WILL BE PRESENTED BY
   HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST/RADIO TALK SHOW HOST ANDY MARTIN
   ON APRIL 25TH AT 1:00 p.m.

   (NEW YORK) Human rights activist Andy Martin, the only American talk radio host who supports Palestinian rights, will present a historic peace program on his radio station and worldwide on the Internet on Thursday, April 25th at 1:00 P.M. [1340wpbr.com] when he welcomes Israeli peace activist Uri Avnery to a discussion of the Israeli peace movement.
   "We all know that Arabs are demonized, stereotyped and caricatured by the media," says Martin. "But what is now happening and what is being ignored is that the media are presenting a demonic new stereotype and caricature of Israelis to the world: Israelis as homicidal militarists who use tanks to loot, vandalize and murder women and children with bulldozers. Once again, the media present an incomplete picture.
   "There are over a million Israelis who are committed to peace with Palestinians, withdrawal from the occupied territories, and a viable two-state solution.
   "So far as I can tell, Israeli peace activists have never been presented live on American talk radio. Rather, American talk stations are Likud sniper nests where any suggestion of even- handedness and reason are condemned by pro-Israeli 'shock jocks.' I am the only American talk radio host who supports Palestinian rights. I have defended Palestinians on New York City radio programs. Perhaps that is because my British grandfather went to Arabia a hundred years ago and my family's ties have continued. My grandfather rode with 'El Aurens,' and I carry on their legacy. I am committed to peace.
   "We will welcome Uri Avnery. I believe he is a hero. The true heroes of Israel are not those who bear arms against the innocent but those who bear witness to the evil of oppression. It takes a brave Israeli man or woman to assemble and deliver Palestinian relief supplies, and to sympathize with the opposition. It takes brave Israelis to advocate peace, to be a nonviolent White Rose-style resistance movement against the Sharon junta. I salute and admire these brave individuals.
   "My program draws an increasingly worldwide audience although it originates in Palm Beach. I suggested on my program to my Jewish friends and neighbors that if they really wanted peace for Israel, they should take the $3 million they collected for Israel and send it to rebuild Palestine. I hope they will.
   "Finally, we cannot ignore the three little men who have brought the world to the brink. There is Arafat, a man who is a leader but cannot lead. There is Sharon, a man who knows only the sword, and uses it against his own people. And there is Bush, a man whose vision is so narrow, so limited, so weak that he has abdicated American power in the Middle East and embarrassed himself. These three little men have created chaos where there should be peace.
   "My own peace plan, the Andy Martin Peace Plan, is increasingly being adopted in the EU and throughout the world, step by step. The 'small-step' approach of Dennis Ross/Clinton is gradually being abandoned. I believe only bold steps can break the impasse. America must immediately recognize Palestine within the boundaries of U.N. resolution 242, send two ambassadors to Jerusalem, one to Palestine and one to Israel, and offer its protection to both peoples.
   "The late British aristocrat and editor of the Observer David Astor wrote decades ago of 'two wronged peoples.' Astor's views are still definitive. And yet President Bush is too afraid and too incompetent to set matters right. Why must the innocent die to protect the reputations of politicians?
   "I hope to explore these issues and many more with Mr. Avnery. Ultimately, it is those who are committed to peace, not war, who hold the ultimate power and will who will win the final victory for Palestine and Israel," says Martin.
   Martin's forums have become the fulcrum of foreign policy analysis on the Internet. He has traveled through the Middle East; his foreign experience includes Europe, Iran and Asia.    Martin has been an adjunct professor of law and is a foreign policy consultant in the areas of military security and intelligence; he studied under the late Bernard Fall, was an assistant to U.S. Senator Paul H. Douglas and founded the Revolutionary War Research Center.
   Martin's radio program, heard Monday-Friday over WPBR-AM, West Palm Beach, covers Florida issues from noon-1 P.M. and foreign policy from 1-2 P.M.
   Media contact: Andy Martin (866) 706-andy. Radio call-in (561) 641-8256. Web site: andymartin.com. E-mail andy@andymartin.com. Internet radio: 1340wpbr.com
   Programming note: a forum on the French presidential election scheduled for April 25th has been rescheduled to Monday, April 29th to air the Avnery program first.