Dear Mr. President,
I stand and cheer your handling of the War on Terror. You are doing a masterful job! Your strategy has been excellent. A key component of that strategy is the fact that you have held terrorists, and the countries that harbor them, accountable. You are putting the full force of the United States behind what you say, defending those principles that have made this country great.
For instance, you have never met with Yassar Arafat, a true terrorist. That is a fine distinction that needed to be made: the President of the United States will neither meet with, nor entertain, terrorists. Again, your handling of the world situation shows keen insight and much needed perspective.
However, I wish to point out to you one issue that is very near and dear to my heart: namely, the security and prosperity of Israel. I am a Christian Zionist. At the invitation of a friend from Baltimore, I recently had the pleasure of attending the day-long conference of the Orthodox Union in D.C. We heard clear, insightful things, spoken by some of the many top-notch people within your administration.
Elliot Abrams spoke frankly and knowledgeably on the Middle East. He repeatedly assured the crowd that the Road Map would not, and could not, be put into place until the Palestinian leadership produces and functions as a true partner.
I simply wish to register my concern that, once the immediate conflict in Iraq is behind us, the world community, as led by the Quartet, of which we're part, will demand that the State of Israel make concession upon concession. I don't want to see that happen. This strong diplomatic tendency must be balanced with a realistic appraisal of the Palestinian leadership, and not with a white-washed, optimistic one for political expedience.
For instance, in a recent speech, you asked the Israeli leadership to forgo further settlement activity. However, according to the various Israeli-Palestinian agreements, any settlement activity remains directly negotiable between the Israelis and Palestinians. Nothing has been negotiated that would presently limit Israel regarding Israeli settlement. Furthermore, mechanisms have already been established as part of the current peace process to arrive at the practical resolution of this issue. Thus, by overlooking these agreements, the US position initially demands a concession from Israel.
So, what are the Palestinians conceding - no more terrorism? But the use of terror was already supposed to stop as part of the Oslo Accords, which Arafat signed. Are they conceding democratic leadership with free, open elections? But that was already supposed to be implemented as part of the Hebron Protocol, which Arafat also signed.
Did you know that the Palestinians have built 261 settlements in the West Bank since 1967? No one seems to mention these. But, during the same time period, only 144 Jewish settlements have been built in all of the disputed areas, including Gaza and the land surrounding Jerusalem, as well as the West Bank. Look at the difference between those two numbers!
The way I see it, we are demanding further concessions from Israel, while only requiring the Palestinians to abide by previous commitments. Not only does this strike me as being grossly unfair, but tragic as well.
Why are we treating the only democracy in the Middle East, and our very good partner and constant ally, this way?
The Palestinian leadership falls terribly short of being any kind of true negotiating partner. It may take many years before they actually arrive at that place.
Please remember that, between 1948 and 1967, there had been no call for a Palestinian State. Jordan and Egypt controlled the land they had gained during Israel's War for Independence. They did not give the areas they occupied to the Palestinians then, and it didn't seem to be a problem. It wasn't until Israel had won those lands in the Six Day War that Arab voices started crying "occupation" and the PLO, the PFLP, and other groups began their reign of international terror.
To force the Road Map solution on Israel would not only amount to double-dealing, but treachery, bordering on political fratricide. These are our brothers and sisters. Then, too, we would be repeating Oslo's tragic mistake: directly rewarding terrorism.
As you well know, the French recently tried to embarrass and hurt us politically. Yet, in the end, they did no damage to us. Why? Because we were right and they were wrong. You had the moral clarity and leadership skill to lead this nation through a political mine field.
On the other hand, however well-intentioned, imposition of the Road Map would irreparably hurt Israel, in a way far worse than anything that arrogant French diplomacy could ever do to us. And I fear it will only backfire and hurt this country in the long run.
I know that you read the same book of Genesis that I do; I appeal to your faith. You know as well as I that God gave the land of Canaan to Israel a long time ago. Who are we to now tell them what parts they can and can't have?
Please think about this.
Again, I think you are doing a wonderful job. I wish you continued health and strength, knowing that the Lord watches us, not from a distance, but holds us in the palm of His hand. May God continue blessing America and your administration.
--------------------------------------------------------
Beth Kennedy is a freelance writer from Taylor?s Island, Maryland.
************
Spend Passover with Arutz Sheva at a resort in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Kfar Pines (near Hadera). Click here for info.
I stand and cheer your handling of the War on Terror. You are doing a masterful job! Your strategy has been excellent. A key component of that strategy is the fact that you have held terrorists, and the countries that harbor them, accountable. You are putting the full force of the United States behind what you say, defending those principles that have made this country great.
For instance, you have never met with Yassar Arafat, a true terrorist. That is a fine distinction that needed to be made: the President of the United States will neither meet with, nor entertain, terrorists. Again, your handling of the world situation shows keen insight and much needed perspective.
However, I wish to point out to you one issue that is very near and dear to my heart: namely, the security and prosperity of Israel. I am a Christian Zionist. At the invitation of a friend from Baltimore, I recently had the pleasure of attending the day-long conference of the Orthodox Union in D.C. We heard clear, insightful things, spoken by some of the many top-notch people within your administration.
Elliot Abrams spoke frankly and knowledgeably on the Middle East. He repeatedly assured the crowd that the Road Map would not, and could not, be put into place until the Palestinian leadership produces and functions as a true partner.
I simply wish to register my concern that, once the immediate conflict in Iraq is behind us, the world community, as led by the Quartet, of which we're part, will demand that the State of Israel make concession upon concession. I don't want to see that happen. This strong diplomatic tendency must be balanced with a realistic appraisal of the Palestinian leadership, and not with a white-washed, optimistic one for political expedience.
For instance, in a recent speech, you asked the Israeli leadership to forgo further settlement activity. However, according to the various Israeli-Palestinian agreements, any settlement activity remains directly negotiable between the Israelis and Palestinians. Nothing has been negotiated that would presently limit Israel regarding Israeli settlement. Furthermore, mechanisms have already been established as part of the current peace process to arrive at the practical resolution of this issue. Thus, by overlooking these agreements, the US position initially demands a concession from Israel.
So, what are the Palestinians conceding - no more terrorism? But the use of terror was already supposed to stop as part of the Oslo Accords, which Arafat signed. Are they conceding democratic leadership with free, open elections? But that was already supposed to be implemented as part of the Hebron Protocol, which Arafat also signed.
Did you know that the Palestinians have built 261 settlements in the West Bank since 1967? No one seems to mention these. But, during the same time period, only 144 Jewish settlements have been built in all of the disputed areas, including Gaza and the land surrounding Jerusalem, as well as the West Bank. Look at the difference between those two numbers!
The way I see it, we are demanding further concessions from Israel, while only requiring the Palestinians to abide by previous commitments. Not only does this strike me as being grossly unfair, but tragic as well.
Why are we treating the only democracy in the Middle East, and our very good partner and constant ally, this way?
The Palestinian leadership falls terribly short of being any kind of true negotiating partner. It may take many years before they actually arrive at that place.
Please remember that, between 1948 and 1967, there had been no call for a Palestinian State. Jordan and Egypt controlled the land they had gained during Israel's War for Independence. They did not give the areas they occupied to the Palestinians then, and it didn't seem to be a problem. It wasn't until Israel had won those lands in the Six Day War that Arab voices started crying "occupation" and the PLO, the PFLP, and other groups began their reign of international terror.
To force the Road Map solution on Israel would not only amount to double-dealing, but treachery, bordering on political fratricide. These are our brothers and sisters. Then, too, we would be repeating Oslo's tragic mistake: directly rewarding terrorism.
As you well know, the French recently tried to embarrass and hurt us politically. Yet, in the end, they did no damage to us. Why? Because we were right and they were wrong. You had the moral clarity and leadership skill to lead this nation through a political mine field.
On the other hand, however well-intentioned, imposition of the Road Map would irreparably hurt Israel, in a way far worse than anything that arrogant French diplomacy could ever do to us. And I fear it will only backfire and hurt this country in the long run.
I know that you read the same book of Genesis that I do; I appeal to your faith. You know as well as I that God gave the land of Canaan to Israel a long time ago. Who are we to now tell them what parts they can and can't have?
Please think about this.
Again, I think you are doing a wonderful job. I wish you continued health and strength, knowing that the Lord watches us, not from a distance, but holds us in the palm of His hand. May God continue blessing America and your administration.
--------------------------------------------------------
Beth Kennedy is a freelance writer from Taylor?s Island, Maryland.
************
Spend Passover with Arutz Sheva at a resort in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Kfar Pines (near Hadera). Click here for info.