AL-MARAYATI SHOULD HAVE REMAINED NOMINEE; MCCARTHYISM TACTICS APPARENTLY STILL ALIVE , WELL IN U.S. CONGRESS.

Byline: LOCAL VIEW Omar Ricci

JOSEPH McCarthy would be proud. In the same spirit of political and personal intimidation, with utter disregard for truth and fairness, Zionist extremism has reignited the flames of McCarthyism at the end of the 20th century. This time it is American Muslims who are on the receiving end of its wrath.

The case in point being referred to is the retracted nomination of Salam Al-Marayati by House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt to the U.S. National Council on Terrorism. Under pressure spearheaded by American Zionist organizations, Gephardt withdrew Al-Marayati's nomination.

However, the official reason Gephardt gave is that the time needed to obtain a security clearance for Al-Marayati would be longer than the life of the commission itself.

As director of the L.A.-based Muslims Public Affairs Council, Al-Marayati has won widespread praise and respect from Jewish and Christian groups across the country, as well as the respect and admiration of the American Muslim community. His track record shows his balanced perspective on a variety of issues - on the Middle East peace process, the roots of terrorism, human rights at home and abroad, and others - which made him an ideal choice to serve on this nation's National Council on Terrorism.

The denial to allow him to serve based on a security clearance is a flimsy excuse at best. Although service on the commission requires a more thorough background check, Al-Marayati previously had clearance to fly aboard Air Force 2 to accompany the president of the Middle East to peace signings, he already had clearance to attend meetings at the White House on at least two occasions, and he was cleared to testify at the U.S. State Department.

Surely, one would think he would not be a newcomer to the security clearance process. More importantly, why was this reason not identified before he was nominated?

Quite frankly, the reason is that Al-Marayati did not pass the litmus test of Israeli support. The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) and other extremist Jewish organizations launched a vicious campaign against Al-Marayati's nomination.

The ZOA even went so far as to lie about Al-Marayati, stating he is a supporter of Saddam Hussein. Gephardt's capitulation to Zionist organizations is dismaying but not a surprise, given the strength of the Zionist lobby.

Islam and Muslims have been maligned by being inaccurately linked with terrorism. Now the very U.S. commission that was set up to study this topic has painted itself into a corner by canning an American Muslim whose anti-terrorism record is clear. Whatever the commission concludes, it must be looked at in the context of what has transpired with Salam Al-Marayati's retracted nomination.

And it is precisely what occurred in this debacle that represents at least two larger problems with American politics today. First, anyone willing to serve America who is not in complete and uncompromising support of Israel faces a punishing barrage of attacks from the Zionist community. They risk being called anti-Israeli, anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish and even anti-American.

The second issue is one of principle, that is, the right of our nation's citizens to participate in the country's organic growth while having different points of view and different opinions. The logical progression of the Al-Marayati episode is that the American Muslim voice could get shut out from the political process altogether, with its representatives viciously attacked at every turn.

The great irony here is that these attacks are levied by groups whose fathers and mothers suffered the consequences of Nazi Germany. Blind adherence to political ideology has caused a memory lapse as to how Germany's persecution of Jewish people began. It is unfortunate that now Zionist sympathizers are the ones stirring public sentiment against Muslims.

It should be made clear that this affair is not a dispute between Muslims and Jews. Many of our religious cousins have come to the defense of Al-Marayati and spoken passionately against the irrational stance of the ZOA and other Jewish extremists.

Within the United States, Muslims and Jews have enjoyed an extended period of dialogue and friendship, while ``agreeing to disagree'' when it comes to certain issues.

However, this outright political intimidation of a member of Congress speaks volumes about the amount of influence Zionism has acquired in this country. Their scorched earth policy in dealing with anyone who disagrees with them has generated not only pressure but also fear. If McCarthy were alive, he'd be taking notes.

In the end, the resolve of moderate American Muslims, Jews and Christians will only be strengthened by this experience. We will continue to be constructive members of society, fighting ignorance and hatred at every opportunity. We will continue to be good neighbors, better our communities, dialogue with others and enrich the mosaic of the United States.