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The case of Sami al-ArianBy Paul J. Balles* 1 April 2008 Paul J. Balles considers the case of Sami al-Arian who languishes in a US prison despite being found by a jury innocent of terror-related charges. He argues that Sami’s sins were to speak out against Israel and to have been lured to America by illusions of freedom. Pity and fear are the emotions aroused by great tragedies. A hero experiences a reversal of fortune. According to Aristotle, "The change to bad fortune which the tragic hero undergoes is not due to any moral defect or flaw, but a mistake.” It’s a misconception that this reversal can be brought about by a higher power (e.g. the law, the gods, fate, or society). This as a "misadventure" and not a tragedy. Are modern heroes tragic heroes? Sami al-Arian, a Palestinian who has suffered in American jails, unjustifiably, for the past five years is a modern tragic hero. His many supporters would rightfully fault the people Sami has been persecuted by the president of the University of South Florida where he taught as a tenured professor, the Arab-hating media, prosecutors, and the judge bent on keeping Sami suffering in prison. The bigoted Arab-haters involved in Sami's fall from the beginning have been despicable for their monstrously distorted views and actions, but if that were all there was to Sami’s plight, it would be a misadventure and he would not be a tragic hero. According to Stephen Lendman, Sami’s parents were
Days before his arrest, indictment and imprisonment in February 2003, sensing what was to come after months of rumours, Al-Arian wrote: "I am crucified today because of who I am: a stateless Palestinian, an Arab, a Muslim and an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights, but more a persistent defender for civil and constitutional rights on the home front." After suffering for three years in jail before being brought to trial, Sami finally got to court. Gordon Kromberg, a vindictive prosecutor, called over 70 witnesses, including 21 from Israel. Though Kromberg used portions of hundreds of phone calls selected from over a half million recorded from over a decade of harassing surveillance, he couldn't convince the jury of Sami's guilt. The jury found Sami innocent of the terror-related charges brought against him in Florida. Three years later, he is still in prison on more trumped up charges and a judge holding him in contempt. What makes Sami al-Arian a true tragic hero and not the victim of a misadventure? While teaching at the University of South Florida, he was rightfully serving the causes of Palestine and Islam. By serving Palestinian political and charitable causes plus Islamic programmes in America, Sami took on a responsibility for his own fate. He should have realized that his actions in support of Palestine there would be a threat to the Zionist cadres in America. Many migrant Palestinians in America have nowhere near Sami’s courage to speak for deserving causes. They pity Sami, as any right-minded person would; but they fear his fate. That fear is why Israel has been able to exercise unopposed control over Arabs in America. Anyone who speaks out against Israel in America can fear Sami’s fate. His case is a perfect model of a malfunctioning system of justice controlled by Zionists. Those who know of Sami’s accomplishments should be naming streets after him. Currently, he is on a hunger strike in prison. If he dies, he will fulfil the last fate of the tragic hero death. Sami should never have been lured to America by illusions of freedom. *Paul Balles is a retired American university professor and freelance writer who has lived in the Middle East for many years. For more information, see http://www.pballes.com. Copyright © Redress Information & Analysis. All rights reserved. |
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