I didn't want to believe it. It was so outrageous. But, to paraphrase Sherlock Holmes, when you eliminate all other options, the truth is what's left.


Look at the facts. The destructive plans offered to Israel (and sadly, accepted) came from Saudi Arabia via the United States.


The Oslo Accords. The Road Map. What's on the table now? Withdrawal from Samaria and Judea. To where?


Not to be outdone, Ariel Sharon decided to go even further than the American plans when he unilaterally gave up Gaza. I'm surprised that Saudi Arabia didn't decree that day a national holiday.

The destructive plans offered to Israel (and sadly, accepted) came from Saudi Arabia via the United States.



Meanwhile, the American President George Bush, a self-proclaimed friend of Israel, rubber-stamped the Saudi "suggestions." Then, he had the State Department send Condoleezza Rice to put pressure on Israel to accept more and more restrictions in a policy that can only lead to self-destruction.


The previous expression of American remote control of Israel was the bungled military campaign in Lebanon, which was orchestrated long-distance by people who had no interest in letting Israel win it. Since those distant parties couldn't let the world see their obvious strategy or discern the possible source of it, they played it to a draw. Score: Israelis - 0; Hizbullah - 0.


Realistically, however, the public relations score was vastly different. Hizbullah staged videos and displayed still photos that they made available to a willing and not-so-fastidious (when it comes to the facts) mediacracy. Never mind that these errors were pointed out by a small and rapidly declining group of ethical journalists; it provided ammunition for Hizbullah, and ultimately, the war was perceived globally as their victory.


As a result, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) is being belittled. Scorn and disparagement are being heaped on the heads of Israel's military establishment. Where are the legendary "unbeatable" heroes of Israeli history? They're still there. If their hands aren't tied behind their backs and they are allowed to pursue the sound strategy they propose without political intervention (both domestic and foreign), I'll give you odds on their victory.


Will this happen? That depends on Israel. Letting the USA run the country can only lead to complete annihilation; if not by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, then by Iran, which is waiting in the wings with dreams of developing nuclear bombs that neither the United Nations nor any other government has the courage to stop.


Friendship


It is time the USA followed its own moral compass without Saudi intervention in its relationship with Israel. There is a pattern of appeasement toward Saudi Arabia (to the detriment of Israel) that has become evident over the last few years.


In 2005, the Bush Administration blocked arms shipments to Israel. The reason given for this was the failure to resolve a dispute over the sale of Israeli arms to China. Even after Israel agreed to increase supervision of arms exports, the US demanded increased access to Israeli negotiations with foreign militaries, even though none of them were considered enemies of the US. Why? Who would have benefited from that knowledge?


Since September 2006, the US has blocked the sale of defensive weapons to Israel. These included Northrop Grumman's Skyguard laser weapons, designed to obliterate short-range rockets and missiles, which comprise the majority of

In 2005, the Bush Administration blocked arms shipments to Israel.

destructive weapons targeting Israeli cities and towns. Why? Friends don't hurt friends.


Jonathan Pollard sits in an American prison for over 20 years, with no pardon or amnesty forthcoming from the US government. The punishment for his offense should not have been more than four years in jail. A deal made with the US Department of Justice was ignored, and he is slated to remain there for life for passing information to an ally - Israel.


James Wood (sentenced to two years imprisonment) and Sahag Dedyan (sentenced to three years), were spies for the Soviet Union against the US. Richard Miller, who also spied for the Soviet Union, was released after six years. Manuel Noriega, sentenced for cocaine trafficking, racketeering and money laundering in 1989, will be released later this year.


Is there a different standard for Jewish friends than for the rest of the world's population?


Time Out


It's time for Israel to define its "space" and declare its autonomy. Time to do only what is good and right for Israel. No strings attached. No tolerance for suicide bombers. No more self-deception or self-destruction.