Dan Cook
Connector Editor

“The Palestinian front is affecting the entire Muslim world. All terrorists and militant activity in the world today has been initiated because of the Palestinian problem. This is because of the sense of hopelessness, alienation, and powerlessness.”

UMass Lowell professor D.J. Deeb quoted former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in his recently released book “Israel, Palestine and the Quest for Middle East Peace.” As the quote suggests, the book delves into the political, governmental and social issues of an area marred by conflict for centuries.

Deeb, who has taught politics and history at UMass Lowell since 2007, said that the historical context given by his book helps shed light upon the present issues in the Middle East.

The Methuen native got into politics and current events at a very young age. Only nine at the time, he remembers sitting glued to the television and news channels as Ronald Regan ordered air strikes on Libya in response to the 1986 discotheque bombing in Berlin.

“I’ve been interested in history and government for as long as I can remember,” Deeb said. “I’ve always been a bit of a nerd in that way.”

His specific interest in the Middle East arose from ties to his heritage, he said.

“I grew up as a Lebanese American and was immersed in the culture and heritage of the country,” said Deeb. “Lebanon has a big influence in the Middle East as a center of trade in the Mediterranean with a more westernized culture.”

Though he enjoys studying the customs of Lebanon, Deeb’s research has focused on the volatile nations of Israel and Palestine.

Among the root causes of turmoil in this area has been the events of 9/11, he said.

“[9/11] created an environment for extremists to strive in,” said Deeb. “The plight of the Palestinians has created an excuse in the Arab world to advocate the behavior of the Shia.”

Religious fundamentalists and extremists, like the Shia and Zionists, have been another contributing factor to the continued unrest in the Middle East.

However, Deeb feels that Israeli leadership has been the biggest impediment to the peace process in recent years, especially Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu.

“The Israeli’s have more power than the Palestinians and they’ve blocked many of Obama’s initiatives,” he said.
Despite obstacles created by the Israeli regime, Deeb believes President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have done an admirable job in reviving peace talks.

“Both of them understand the realities of the situation and the problem at hand,” he said.

While the Obama administration may be cognizant of the severity of the Palestine problem, Deeb feels that the American public is mostly in the dark.

“Americans don’t understand history enough to grasp the political realities of the Middle East,” he said. “I hope that people will find the time to educate themselves on this region that is so crucial to the world.”

According to the professor, the outlook of the Middle East affects oil prices, foreign aid, trade and commerce and war costs.

Deeb plans to give talks at UMass Lowell during the spring semester to educate students on these pressing issues.
“Israel, Palestine and the Quest for Middle East Peace” can be found on Amazon and at most major book stores.