Neil Bush, brother of US President George Bush, said in Jeddah Monday that the distorted image of the Arab world could be removed through the constant lobbying of US politicians.
"The US media campaign against the interests of Arabs and Muslims and the American public opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could be influenced through a sustained lobbying and PR effort," Bush, chairman and chief executive officer of Ignite! Inc., which develops educational software, said in his keynote address on the concluding day of the three-day Jeddah Economic Forum at Hilton Hotel.
The support for Israel had been strong for many years because of the strong public opinion in its favor and continuous lobbying by Israeli supporters among politicians. After all, politicians shape policies based on public opinion, he was quoted as saying by Arab News daily.
He recalled that many of those whom he had met throughout his travels in the Middle East expressed grief, sympathy, anger or concern over the tragic events of Sept. 11 and how it had affected the US. "Over 3,000 lives were lost through a brutal and horrific act that affected not only Americans but peoples all over the world. I want to express gratitude to all for their support. Without the support of the peace-loving people in this region and all over the world, the US president cannot succeed in his fight against terror," said Bush.
"In the US for years we believed in Israel’s right to exist. We still see Israel as a loyal friend, one the US will not turn its back on. That is the fundamental belief in our country," Bush told his audience. "The US media has been reporting Israelis defending themselves from rebels disrupting their stability. So, public opinion is bigger in my opinion. No wonder the people of the US side with Israel. And it’s no wonder given the politics of our leaders who are steadfast in their support for Israelis," he continued.
The scene in this part of the world is quite different, said Bush, who has been visiting the region for the last 10 years. "I hope America sees Arabs as I see them, and understand Islam as I understand it. Leave behind the misunderstandings about our two peoples and two cultures. And let us help bridge the gap by understanding each other," Bush declared. (Albawaba.com)
