While it is essential to answer misguided claims against Israel, it is even more important to communicate clear pro-Israel messages. In this "war of public opinion," the side that is able to control the issues and to have their messages communicated most prominently will be the side that is most convincing and victorious.
Here are three clear points that highlight Israel's commitment to peace and shared Western values.
Israel wants peace... and is willing to sacrifice a large portion of its homeland to end the conflict.
1) Creation of the State
A key feature of the Jewish movement back to the Land of Israel has always been a desire to come back peacefully. From the very beginnings of the State of Israel, peace was offered to its Arab neighbors, though usually not accepted. On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, read Israel's Declaration of Independence:
We appeal in the very midst of the onslaught launched against us now for months to the Arab inhabitants of the state of Israel, to preserve peace and participate in the up-building of the state on the basis of full and equal citizenship and due representation in all its provisional and permanent institutions.We extend our hand to all neighboring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighborliness, and appeal to them to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual help with the sovereign Jewish people settled in its own land. The State of Israel is prepared to do its share in a common effort for the advancement of the entire Middle East.
In 1917, Britain produced the Balfour Declaration, which voiced favor for a Jewish national homeland on both sides of the Jordan River. In fact, the territory encompassing both the countries of Israel and Jordan today was originally designated for a Jewish state. Yet, in 1922, the land on the eastern side of the Jordan River was given to Prince Abdullah to create an Arab "Palestinian" State, called Transjordan. Thus, around 75% of the land designated for a Jewish state was taken away.
In 1937, the Peel Commission was set up to deal with the land dispute between the Jews and Arabs, coming up with a compromise, which would divide the remaining land on the western side of the Jordan into two independent states. The Jews accepted the plan and the Arabs rejected it.
In 1947, the United Nations offered a Partition Plan, which again divided the land promised to the Jewish people. Within this land on the western side of the Jordan River, about 60% was designated as a Jewish state. Thus, the UN was proposing a Jewish state with around 15% of the original land promised by the British government. Yet the Jews accepted it. Though the offer could have been refused with good reason, they instead chose the path of peace. On the other side, the Arab world rejected the UN proposal.
2) Land for Peace - The Sinai
The phrase used most in the peace process is "land for peace." In essence, Arabs are asked to compromise by offering peace in order to attain their objective -- land. Israel is asked to compromise land in order to attain their objective -- peace. Thus the very cornerstone of all negotiations takes as a given that for Arabs, agreeing to peace is a concession to their true goal, whereas for Israel, peace is the goal.
The most notable example of Israel sacrificing land for peace occurred in 1979, when the most right-wing prime minister in Israel's history, Menachem Begin, met with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and U.S. President Jimmy Carter at Camp David. There, Begin signed a peace treaty with Egypt, returning the entire Sinai Peninsula -- constituting 80 percent of Israel's land mass - in exchange for normalization of relations with Egypt. Begin not only gave away massive amounts of land, but also dismantled settlements containing thousands of Jews, dismantled Israel's largest air force base, and gave up possession of oil fields in the Sinai. Thus, land, oil, money, military strength and settlements were compromised for the primary Jewish value of peace.
3) Modern Day - Camp David II
Israel's great willingness to seek peace is clear even today. In 2000, Prime Minister Ehud Barak returned to Camp David, this time to negotiate with Yassir Arafat, the head of the Palestinian Authority. At Camp David, and later at Taba 2001, Barak went further then any previous Israeli government had ever dreamed of going. Israel offered:
- to give Palestinians 97% of the territories (the PA already controlled 40% of the territories, containing 97% of the Palestinian population of the territories), with the remaining few percent to be made up with land in the Negev connected to the Gaza Strip.
- to give Palestinians military control of eastern Jerusalem and even parts of the Old City. Administrative control of the Temple Mount, which overlooks the Western Wall, was also offered. This despite that the Temple Mount is Judaism's holiest site, and despite the occurrences of rocks being thrown by Muslims from the Temple Mount at Jews praying at the Wall.
- to allow many Palestinian refugees to return to Israel through family reunification, as well as giving compensation to those refugees who couldn't return.
Sadly, Arafat walked away from the negotiations without making a counter-offer. Instead he launched a war of terror.
4) Willing to Compromise, but Not Renouncing Claims
It is an essential to point out, that while Israel has been willing to make tremendous compromises in order to achieve peace, it is not in any way renouncing its claims to the Land of Israel. The historical, legal and religious ties between the Jewish People and the Land of Israel are clear (see Part 1, Occupation, Section D). Yet, while being fully cognizant of its ancient and permanent connection the Land, Israel has and is still willing to compromise to achieve peace.
* * *
Israel wants peace... but the Palestinians haven't prepared their people for it.
1) Creating False Hopes Amongst the Palestinian People
Palestinian society has limited access to ideas and information outside of their society. The Palestinian Authority is totalitarian government that limits free speech and expression. For reasons of it own, the PA has encouraged its people to take extreme positions that make it near impossible to reach a peaceful compromise. The majority of Palestinians cling to the demand of the full return of Palestinian refugees to Israel proper, as well as believing that the fight against Israel is not only to end the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, but also to destroy the entire State of Israel.
2) Propagating Hatred Through Television
Many have claimed that the current terrorist war against Israel was sparked by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit to the Temple Mount in Sept. 2000. Yet, the Communications Minister of the Palestinian Authority publicly stated this was false, describing how the uprising was planned well before. Indeed, a full month before Sharon went to the Temple Mount, footage of the previous Intifada began being shown on Palestinian TV.
Throughout the month, the amount of time each day dedicated to showing footage of Palestinian youngsters throwing rocks and aiming slingshots at Israeli soldiers increased, motivating people to take violent action. After the violence actually began, Palestinian television was completely taken over by: day and night, footage of violent uprising was channeled into every Palestinian home.
In addition, Palestinian TV aired a movie with actors depicting the rape of Arab women by Israeli soldiers, as well as fabricated "news footage" of Israeli soldiers decapitating Arabs. Voice of Palestine radio interrupted the Arabic music to report (falsely) that Israeli jets had just bombed Bethlehem; "Palestinian blood is flowing in the streets!" the correspondent said. The Palestinian street was whipped into a frenzy.
3) Palestinian Education Creating Children Soldiers
In September 2000, the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Education issued 14 new elementary school textbooks. These all exclude the State of Israel from maps, and all evidence of Israel and its cities has been eliminated and replaced by "Palestine."
Palestinian media often celebrates terrorist bombers. Young children are convinced to go directly to areas of conflict with the clear goal of endangering their lives, in order to please their parents, friends and teachers.
See www.memri.org for specific examples of Arab incitement.
4) Islamic Fundamentalism
Fuel for the current terror war to destroy Israel is Islamic fundamentalism, who see the world divided between Dar al-Islam, lands controlled by Islam, and Dar al-Harb, lands not controlled by Islam. It is the individual and communal responsibility of all Muslims to bring all lands classified as Dar al-Harb to the realm of Dar al-Islam. Thus, these extremists preach that Islam must spread both religiously and politically. They declare it is even more important that land once controlled by Islam (like Israel) should never be in the hands of non-Muslims.
The method Muslim extremists use to achieve their goal is jihad -- the use of violence to spread Islam.
In addition, traditional Islam defines Jews and Christians under the term dhimmi, i.e. "protected peoples" as fellow monotheists. While Jews and Christians are treated better than pagans, they are still considered inferior to Muslims. Throughout history, Jews living under various Muslim regimes paid a special tax to survive. In addition, they were not allowed to ride horses, carry weapons, walk on sidewalks if a Muslim is approaching, and other discriminatory guidelines. The idea of Jews having to wear special clothing, such as yellow stars, originated in Muslim countries under the guidelines of dhimmi.
Islamic Fundamentalism does not only threaten Israel. Muslim extremists have initiated violence in other regions, including India/Pakistan, Chechnya, Bosnia, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, Bali, and of course, the United States on Sept. 11.
* * *
Israel wants peace... and is the America's most committed ally in stopping terrorism and bringing peace and democracy to the Mideast.
1) Common Battle Against Terrorism
Since September 2000, Israel has been attacked more than 15,000 times. And for every attack, Israel has prevented another 20. Israel is the world's leader in counter terrorism and works closely with the United States to share expertise and to prevent further attacks against Americans.
The U.S. State Department has identified Hamas, Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah -- all of which are linked to or funded by Arafat and the Palestinian Authority -- as terrorist organizations, alongside Bin Laden's Al Qaeda terrorist network.
Israel and the U.S. stand together in countering the greatest threats to American and Western interests in the world, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, state-sponsored terrorism, and the spread of Islamic radicalism. The two nations share technology and intelligence, conduct joint military exercises, and work together in the areas of research and strategy. America's large financial and military support allows Israel to have a qualitative edge in the region, enabling the U.S. to avoid the much more expensive deployment of American troops.
2) Shared Values
Israel and the U.S. share the fundamental principles of freedom and equality. Both nations were established by immigrants, who sought freedom from oppression, and both are rooted in the tenets of democracy, human dignity, individual rights and religious freedom.
Israel is the only country in the Middle East where all citizens, including Arabs, have representation in the government, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and women's rights. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, a region dominated by authoritarian and military regimes, and stands out as the only country in the region with regular, competitive elections.
Israel is the only country in the Middle East that the U.S. can fully count on. Unlike other "allies" in the region, Israel continuously stands with the U.S. and supports its international policy.
(26) Raymond Babcock, June 20, 2010 2:00 AM
get real
if anyone belives that israel can traed land for peace is in dream land hamas and iran both call for the death of all jews these people only understand one thing that might is right we can never be laging in support of the jewish home land
(25) Maya Brandon, February 7, 2009 12:00 AM
The urgency of now: a two-state solution must be sought before any hope for peace comes to a grinding halt.
The latest Israeli military action amounted to nothing short of all out warfare within a civilian zone. (And yes, it is despicable that Hamas used its own civilian population as its first line of defense). Meanwhile Hamas has vowed to continue to launch rocket attacks against Israel with the hope of inflicting as much suffering as possible. A two state-solution must immediately be reached before time runs out and the opportunity for peace slowly dwindles away.
Rafi, September 11, 2014 1:18 PM
Do you believe this?
You say: "...Meanwhile Hamas has vowed to continue to launch rocket attacks against Israel with the hope of inflicting as much suffering as possible..."
Now, are you suggesting that when your plan is implemented, and when Hamas rockets are within meters of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport and every population center in Israel, that they will suddenly give up on their dreams of wiping Israel off the map.
Do you believe that, once on the cusp of actualizing the policy of Article 7 of the Hamas Charter, that organization will put down their weapons and become western liberals?
Do you believe that at that point they will betray the promises to their children who sat through years in UN-funded schools being taught almost nothing but one single thing: that one day they would "return" and take over all of the land of "Palestine" including Tel Aviv and Haifa and Ashdod and Jerusalem, and drive the Jews into the sea?
Why do you believe these things? Why do you believe that people who only teach war really want peace?
(24) lauren, January 22, 2009 12:53 PM
Israel
ISRAEL RULES!!!!!!!!IT IS MY FAVOURITE COUNTRY EVER!!!!:):):):)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)
(23) jawad, September 2, 2008 8:26 AM
none
i always fail to understand a basic DIFFERANCCE, or MISUNDERSTANDING, between muslims and jews. can some loving brother enlighten me.to me and as far as i understand , these two religions are more close to each other historically than any other religion. i fail to understand as to why they fight each other. regards jawad
(22) hany mahmoud, February 15, 2008 3:48 PM
i love israel & peace
iam from egypt i realy love peace but love israel more &i hate the terroism of islam to much the israel goverment must take the nesaccary action to protect israel
(21) Maame Adjoah, January 26, 2008 9:31 AM
Good article- well written
I'm neither a Jew Or Palestian, so I'm giving my honest idea what needs to be done.The whole world is now threatened by these terrorists, and the root of this problem is the Palestian/Israeli case.The Isreali politicians shsould solve this problem immediately, it's been passed on from generations to generations and it's not good. I'm seeing on Tv now whereby the Palestians have knocked down the wall between Egypt and Gaza inorder to go and buy food, this is not good at all. The Isrealis should let the cars go to Gaza with foods to the people, you can't starve people to death. All these kinds of actions by the Isrealis tend to anger most people of the world. Most countries live side by side with their neighbors in peace, so Israel and Palestian must do the same thing. Part of the land should be given to the Palestians so that they can have their own state, and the Palestians should guarantee the Isrealis their security, these two things should be done simultaneously. I read years ago that Arafat grew up in Bethlehem, so the palestians want to use that place as their capital and Isreali would not give that to them. We should really have peace in that Middle East. The whole world doen not understand why up till now, there's no peace between these two countries. When I saw how the Egyptians soldiers are struggling with the Palestians who want to go to Egypt for food, I cried. The American Presidents have tried for over twenty years to sort out this peoblem but still, the place is in a limbo. The Palestians nad the Isrealis should get together immediately to sort out this problem, to end the long time bloodshed. It seems to me that all the countries in that region, don't like the Isrealis simply because the Isrealis use/use guns and missiles to kill them and take their land by force, "this is the whole problem". If and body needs a land, they buy it. I think the Isrealis should give the land they captured from Egypt and lebanon to them,it's not good to live in an area whereby all the countries there don't like the Isrealis, it's not because of the democracy as I always hear it on the news from the Israeli politicians.
Anyways, what's the current condition of Ariel Sharon? It's a long time since I heard anything about his condition. I missed a program CNN did some time ago about the creation of State of Isreal after the haulicust, I would like to see that again. Please, convince your politicians to solve this crisis immediately, and also they should open the border (by Egyptians) for the Palestians to get food for the sake of world peace. Peace, Peace, Peace.
(20) Dean Routh, July 29, 2004 12:00 AM
You must continue!
Outstanding points! Americans need to continue to hear the truth as our media no longer reliably reports the facts.
(19) Anonymous, February 2, 2004 12:00 AM
"the idea of jews having to wear..yellow stars"
The aricle entitled Isreal wants peace was not without insight - i for one would whloe heartedly agree that: "Palestinian society has limited access to ideas and information outside of their society" likewise I agree that the Palestinian authority is a corrupt and "totalitarian government that limits free speech". But I have to comment on some of the historical allegations which you crudely throw at Islamic civilisation. Please realise that the conflict between Muslims and Jews is a very recent one, you will find that historicaly Jewish peoples have lived, prospered and been protected under Muslim governments, I beg you to read about the Jewish inhabitants of the Ottoman empire, or Moorish spain, I'm sure you will find that the degree to which Jews were accepted and tolerated under these governments was far greater than any example in Europe of their time. Do not make the mistake of assuming that the current problems have always existed, or that there is no way in which different faiths can exist side by side -they can and they have in the very societies that you are so quick to condemn - the wearing of yellow stars did NOT originate in Muslim states it began in Europe. The Jewish Ghettos of which were unheard of in the Ottoman empire or Moorish Spain.
Anonymous, November 2, 2011 11:17 PM
History is being corrupted and rewritten.
i am afraid that either you have a selective memory or you know very little about Islam and it's doctrines.The Jews have been persecuted by Moslems ever since the Arabian Jews rejected mohammeds crude attemps to persuede them that he was their latest and greatest prophet;he subsequently slaughtered,banished and looted the Jewish tribes.He also commands that moslems kill Jews where ever they find them.The quran is full of insulting and threatening remarks about Jews.Jews and Christians were forced to be second class citizens from the very early days of conquest.They were forced to wear inferior clothing to moslems and wear distinguishing items of clothing.yes the jews and Christians were protected by Islam,as long as they accepted their dhimmi status which actually meant that they were granted their life by moslems in exchange for degradation and oppression.This myth of the humane rule of the moslems in Spain and elsewhere is just that,a myth.it is invented by Orientalists and Arabists in order to facilitate a rewriting of history for political purposes.The status of non moslems was as second class milk cows,who were allowed to live under moslem terms.The only time these rules were relaxed was when an apostate moslem was in power.jews have never been classed as equal to moslems under sharia law,since the days of Muhammed.Not all of us "iinfidels" are ignorant of Islam and it's history.
(18) Anonymous, October 25, 2003 12:00 AM
Super informative article
Speaks out plainly why Israel is the only democracy that U. S. can depend on in Middle East.Clearly, the jidahdist want to change the way of life as we know it.
(17) John A. Foscaldi Sr., October 24, 2003 12:00 AM
Enough....
With all due respect, isn't it about time for Israel say " ENOUGH !" and take back what is ISRAEL...... In the name of "Peace"
(16) Murray Levine, October 24, 2003 12:00 AM
If Israel wants peace it has a very strange way of showing it!
I write letters almost every day in defense of Israel to newspapers/politicians.
Yesterday I read in the Jerusalem Post that Israel has called for tenders to construct over 300 dwellings in occupied territories. I realize that the Arabs do not want peace but what kind of a message does Israel send to the world by building new homes? I am at a loss to defend Israel when Israel acts like this!
Next: There are 13,000 existing running, cycling and similar events in North America. I cause millions of dollars to be raised for charities every year by having the participants of some of them invited to raise funds for the charities of the participants' choice. How about inviting Jews to run, cycle, etc. in any of the events anywhere and ask people to sponsor them for Magen David Adom, One Family, Jewish National fund, Hadassah Hospital or any Jewish organization of their choice! The potential is in the millions of dollars a year for Jewish organizations and the work involved for the charities is miniscule.
(15) Robert N. Adams, October 24, 2003 12:00 AM
When will Israel ever learn?
For over fifty years the Jews have given the Arabs anything they want and yet the violence goes on.
A couple of years ago we were approached by a citizen of Israel for military equipment that the army could not provide for them. Radios, night scope, camoflage netting and face paint, trigacon scopes and various other things. This is not a put down because we knew that Israel's Army is stressed to the limit.
We, that is our shul and Rabbi, my wife and I, were glad to help. We went latter that year for a visit with our friends and I was sadden to see what they were letting the Arabs get away with and no retaliation.
The most important thing Israel needs to learn that there has never been peace without victory.
Forget what others countries, that are selling supplies to the Arab's, think and learn from the Russians. ERE ON THE SIDE OF YOUR OWN SECURITY.
(14) Anonymous, October 24, 2003 12:00 AM
Land for Peace is not peace
Arabs have to want peace without any concessions by Israel. We must never forget the madness of Nazi mentality; if only Jews would comply with living in ghettos, things would not get worse. If only Jews would not enter certain builing or professions, things could certainly not get worse - after all, the Germans cared that much, didn't they? Yet, after 6 million Jews en masse, believed there were then enough Jewish atrocities in history therefore no one could repeat Jewish persecution and why would they if only we give a little bit to appease their requirements to not kill us, they did kill us and brutally so, nearly wiping Judaism from the earthly life of humanity for all time.
We are never safe to take that stand with anyone who needs something given to choose peace, especially now. We have finally been assisted to realize our homeland and anyone who thinks Arabs want to share it because they need it to make peace, is as much an enemy to Judaism as an Arab.
(13) Anonymous, October 24, 2003 12:00 AM
The site: www.p.w.org. keeps appearing as a blank page
As above
(12) Cori Drasin, October 23, 2003 12:00 AM
This is a wonderful summary.
Thank you for this insightful evaluation of a horrible Arab-initiated situation.
(11) Heidi, October 23, 2003 12:00 AM
It's Not About Land
Ah, if only the Palestinians (and the rest of the Arab world) really wanted land. The truth of the matter is they don't. They don't want the land any more than they want to live in democracy. They want the Israelis, and eventually all of the Jews dead. They want to start with the destruction of Israel, then transfer their genocidal goals to the remainder of the world. Remember what they always say: First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people. It isn't about land--it's about religion and culture. There will never be peace until the world wakes up and realizes this that it's us against them.
(10) Anonymous, October 23, 2003 12:00 AM
GET REAL!!
It's time for Israel - and ALL of us - to get that giving away land does not give back peace, but only weakens our ability to survive! How about if Israel were to be as tolerant to Arabs as Arab countries are to Jews???
(9) Anonymous, October 23, 2003 12:00 AM
But it's not their land to trade for peace!
What else can I say, It's not the government of Israel's land to give away. G_d promised to return the people to the land and the land to the people. Giving away even one inch of land is a slap in the face of HaShem. It is refusing to conquer the land all over again.
(8) Steven, October 22, 2003 12:00 AM
One can not deny it.
I just came from Israel and it is only obvious Israel and Jews want to live in peace but it takes two to tango. Arabs walk Jewish streets, shop in Jewish malls and all without being bothered or insulted. I have seen some of them walking near the Kotel but if a Jew gets anywhere near an Arab area, there will be a funeral. Hate is deep in Arab minds, it will take another 50 or more years for them to realize that Israel and Jews are one. It will take a 180 degree turn for most Arab governments to stop teaching and preaching hate. People who kill children, pregnant woman and elderly are like cancer to our society. My friend's daughter was butchered seven years ago and two days before Yom Kippur a small park was dedicated to her and her husband. I was there, I spoke to people and I could hardly sense any hate. These people spoke of peace and living in peace. It takes heros to do that. Some of my friends at home called me a hero for going to Israel in these troubled times but to me the true heros are the Jews who live in Israel, the Jews whop move to Israel. I only know that now is the right time to at least visit, unlike most diaspora Jews. It is a time when we show our commitment to our fellow Jews in need of support. I was welcomed everywhere I went. I WAS PROUD TO BE A JEW MORE THAN EVER IN MY LIFE.
(7) Y'hudah,Josiah Ben-Abraham, October 21, 2003 12:00 AM
Palestinia don't want peace
The world need to open their eyes, because Palestinia do not want peace and their are killing innocent people for no reason. Israel, also need to weakup and keep the Palestinian out of Israel, if not their will be more nad more life lost every days.
(6) Yosef ben Meir, October 21, 2003 12:00 AM
Israel & Peace
This article made me angry as it should any real Jew. For one thing there is no such thing as a 'palestian people' that is a lia that Jews like you go along with. Secondly, Surendering the Sinia was Chillem Hashem and the camp David meeting should never have taken place.
ALL of Judea/sameria & Gaza PLUS much more is part of our inheritance givben by G-d. Your article is typical of Jews who are always wimpering "see we want peace we have no option". There will be peace when Israel finally has a leadership that completely destroys ALL the terror groups and throws out ALL arabs from the State of Israel. The world will scream - so what they scream and hate us anyway. When will writers like you wake up to the real situation and grow a backbone.
Sorry if you feel this insults you, but its meant as a constructive comment even if very blunt. I am a proud Jew who loyalty is reserved for our G-d given land.
(5) Raphi, October 21, 2003 12:00 AM
The arabs have never wanted real peace!
The Arabs have never really wanted real peace, take Oslo and Camp David for example. Evry time we give in or compromise or are "nice" hey interpret it as "weakness". Signing "peace deals" with Israel and getting land, money weapons... is only one step in their plan to destroy Israel little by little!
(4) joshua spiegelman, October 21, 2003 12:00 AM
thanks
thank you for your wonderful website. may more people see it and benefit from it.
(3) simona, October 20, 2003 12:00 AM
nice concise argument
no new info. but nicely presented for those of us who have to constantly defend israel everytime some new anti-zionist anti-semitic speaker or program is showcased on campus.
It would be cool to see this as a pdf file that when printed forms a booklet or soemthing. So that it can be easily handed out... is that possible on aish?
(2) Stan Sadava, October 20, 2003 12:00 AM
partial truth
I was impressed by the initial arguments, which I fully agree with concerning history and the present Palestinian mentality. What I have problems with is equating Israel with the US policies. The Bush/Cheney/Perle/Wolfowitz regime has nothing to do with Jewish values, and represents the worst of arrogance. Iraq had nothing to do with self-defence and you know it. "Western values" is an unfortunate term that implies the war of civilizations that Bush piously denies. Israel represents simply the right of self-defence which somehow co-exists with the search for peace. If you feel better by equating Israel with bushite policies, go ahead, but you do damage to our cause in the world that really does exist beyond your borders.
(1) Howard Gutman, October 20, 2003 12:00 AM
Lack of US mediation has caused suffering
Are you better off now than four years ago, a well-known campaign ad asked. Few Israelis or American Jews concerned about Israel could say yes. If there was occasional violence from 1990-1999 and before, Israel remained a safe and prosperous place with many saying it was far safer than the average American city. Today that cannot be said. From 1975-2000, 5 American presidents actively pursued negotiation with both sides, at times condemning or pressuring Israel, with the overall result an uneasy peace. The absence of mediation from 2000-2003 has stoked this conflict benefiting no one. The get tough policy of Ariel Sharon has been a complete failure, accomplishing few military goals.
Had President Bush sent Powell to mediate in 2000, an uneasy peace would have arisen, with many Israelis saying,
how can we negotiate with terrorists, if we could only go in and forcefully retailiate, we could eliminate this problem. Once that did occur, that belief proved to be false, the constant retaliation only brought poverty, bitterness, and despair to Palestinians, leading previously peaceful families to war (the father of the latest suicide bomber had worked in Israel for many years apparently without incident) and providing a tremendous recruiting force for Islamic radicals. What should be done?
1. While defending Israel, we should try to arrange dialogue, and try to focus on common areas with Moslems. When a Malaysian leader spouted anti-semitic comments, there was no shortage of Jewish condemnation, when people called Islam a gutter religion and Mohammed a child molester, no Jewish leaders were heard.
2. Urge US leaders into dialogue and mediation.
3. Jewish leaders should not only monitor radical Palestinian comments, but others. What do you expect the average Palestinian to do now. What would you do. Let the US or Israel dictate who their leader will be.