An obstacle to better US-Muslim relations?

By his own words, he is an Israel lover, friend and supporter of Ariel Sharon, who admires Israeli combat troops, considers Ahmadinejad to be a Hitler, and wishes one day to be Israel's minister for public relations.


This is going to be nothing more than a bitch about the U.S Forum .

1 against 56 , not very good odds that the U.S will get to Voice their opinions "Ever" At these Forums ,

Especially when they are talking about the individual chosen to help explain America's views on things , like they are here in an Al Jazeera blog .



Al Jazerra
Dialogue between the US and the Muslim world is important even if the US is a country/superpower and the Muslim world is divided and spread over at least 56 countries that are more in need of dialogue amongst themselves than with Washington.

A forum that allows Muslims to voice their views about the US military presence and wars in the Muslim world, and Americans to explain their policies and approach to the region, is welcomed, and Doha should be congratulated for hosting such forums.

However, considering that for decades Zionism and Israeli occupation have been the main points of contention between the US and the Muslim world, it is rather bizarre, even absurd, that the centre that sponsors the dialogue has been financially backed by a radical right-wing Israeli and managed by renowned Zionist friends of Israel.

Haim Saban is the 'godfather' (founder and chairman) of Brookings Saban Centre for the Middle East Policy - which explains the name.

By his own words, he is an Israel lover, friend and supporter of Ariel Sharon, who admires Israeli combat troops, considers Ahmadinejad to be a Hitler, and wishes one day to be Israel's minister for public relations. (See Saban by his own words below, it's a must read).

Although he left Israel many years ago, Haim maintains strong relations with Israel and its leaders. He is a major backer of the Israeli lobby, the American Israel Public affairs Committee (AIPAC), which runs a programme for hundreds of activists from around the US under his name - The Saban Leadership Seminar. Not the best credentials for bridging between Americans and Muslims!

Saban is also big financial supporter of Washington insiders such as the Clintons.

According to press reports, Haim Saban was the "Israeli agent" that Congresswoman Jane Harman was caught on tape telling that she would lobby the justice department to reduce espionage-related charges against two officials of AIPAC.