Rotten Fish

Rotten Fish
October 25, 1998

"If Jews do not have a right to live in Hebron and Beit El, they have no right to live in Haifa or Yaffo, as claimed by the PLO… Relinquishment in Judea and Samaria will only strengthen the Arab claims to the Galil, Negev, and other land in the State of Israel."

"In addition, it is not difficult to anticipate that the palestinian organizations, after receiving all that they demand from Israel, will renew, with greater vigor, terror attacks against Jews, before they declare total war…The significance of ceding land to the PLO is transfer to terrorist forces and Islamic fundamentalists. As a continuation of the implementation of the Oslo Accords, this will cause Israel to be surrounded by a ring of Islamic terror bases which have one goal, and one goal alone: the destruction of the State."


"Today's a day when Israel and our entire region are more secure…We are more secure today because, for the first time since the signing of the Oslo accords, we will see concrete and verifiable commitments carried out…Our Palestinian partners will join us in fighting terrorism. I want to thank Chairman Arafat. Mr. Chairman, your cooperation was invaluable."

So, which is correct?

The first two paragraphs are quoted from the introduction to "A Place Among the Nations" authored by Binyamin Netanyahu in 1995 (freely translated from the Hebrew edition, pages 17-18).

The third paragraph is quoted from Binyamin Netanyahu's speech in the White House, Friday October 23, 1998.

What is the major problem with the agreement signed a few days ago? Of course, the fact that Israel is abandoning almost 15% of Judea and Samaria to the complete control of the terrorists is unforgivable. An additional 12% is being abandoned to partial Arafat control. Tens of thousands of Israelis will find their homes surrounded by armed terrorists, as is the situation today in Hebron. Roads leading to numerous communities will be situated in territory fully belonging to Arafat. Guess who will be patrolling those roads. (Hint: It won't be Israeli soldiers.)

A close examination of the agreement reveals the following:

*Concerning the third abandonment, known as the 3^rd further redeployment, of which Arafat is demanding another 40% and Israel has declared a willingness to part with only 1%: there will be a committee to address this question. TheUnited States will be briefed regularly.

*Concerning terror and violence. A work plan developed by the Palestinian side will be shared with the U.S.

*In addition to the bilateral Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation, a U.S.-Palestinian committee will meet biweekly to review the steps being taken to eliminate terrorist cells and the support structure that plans, finances, supplies and abets terror. In these meetings, the Palestinian side will inform the U.S…

* A U.S.-Palestinian committee will meet to review and evaluate information pertinent to the decisions on prosecution, punishment or other legal measures which affect the status of individuals suspected of abetting or perpetrating acts of violence or terror.

*In addition, the Palestinian side will establish and vigorously and continuously implement a systematic program for the collection and appropriate handling of all such illegal items in accordance with the prior agreements. The U.S. has agreed to assist in carrying out this program.

*A U.S.-Palestinian-Israeli committee will be established to assist and enhance cooperation in preventing the smuggling or other unauthorized introduction of weapons or explosive materials into areas under Palestinian jurisdiction.

* A U.S.-Palestinian-Israeli committee will meet on a regular basis to monitor cases of possible incitement to violence or terror, and to make recommendations and reports on how to prevent such incitement. The Israeli-Palestinian and U.S.sides will each appoint a media specialist, a law enforcement representative, an educational specialist and a current or former elected official to the committee.

*In addition to the bilateral Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation, a high-ranking U.S.-Palestinian-Israeli committee will meet as required and not less than biweekly to assess current threats…

*The Palestinian side will provide a list of its policemen to the Israeli side in conformity with the prior agreements.Should the Palestinian side request technical assistance, the U.S. has indicated its willingness to help meet these needs in cooperation with other donors.

*Concerning legal assistance in criminal matters, the requests for arrest and transfer of suspects and defendants: The U.S. has been requested by the sides to report on a regular basis on the steps being taken to respond to the above requests.

What exactly does US involvement entail? Everywhere the above paragraphs say U.S., substitute CIA - the Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA has been entrusted with the role of sole arbitrator. Every time Israel has a complaint,Israel must go knocking on Uncle Sam's door. According to one commentator on Kol Yisrael today, Israel will not be able to utilize the right of 'hot pursuit,' that is, pursuing a terrorist into Arafat-land following a terrorist attack, without first receiving permission from the Americans.

The implications of this agreement are far reaching.
1. Israel is not only relinquishing land - rather Israel is relinquishing sovereignty. All disputes between Israel and Arafat are immediately turned over to the CIA.
2. Netanyahu has reportedly agreed to a 'summit clause.' Should their occur major stumbling blocks between Arafat and Israel, Clinton can summon a mandatory summit in the US, requiring Netanyahu and Arafat to appear.
3. The United States, in all the years since Oslo was signed, has never indicated that Arafat or the palestinian authority have ever violated the accords.
4. The United States, in a letter signed by then Secretary of State Warren Christopher, in the Hebron Accords, guaranteed Israel the right to determine the size of the 'further redeployments." This, in spite of the fact that the USdemanded Israel's retreat from an additional 13% of Judea and Samaria, a demand which Israel has presently met.

Is this a responsible decision of an independent state? Can Israel legitimately relinquish sovereignty to a foreign spy organization? Why should Israel be required to submit to a foreign country's decisions, concerning its own security?

What can be done?

Last night hundreds of Jews congregated outside Ma'arat HaMachpela in Hebron to beseech the L-rd, "Save us from this wicked decree." Others prayed at the Kotel - the Western Wall in Jerusalem. In the Shomron, Jews gathered at Kever Yosef in Shechem.

Those of you who are citizens of the United States are requested to contact your representatives in Congress and in the Senate and demand that the CIA not be entangled in the Israeli-Arab conflict. The CIA has no place getting involved in internal Israeli politics, or Arafat's escapades. Don't just write to them - Call them. There are elections in two weeks. Now is the time to put on as much pressure as possible. REMOVE THE CIA FROM ISRAEL. (Keep in mind that CIA director George Tenet reportedly torpedoed the deal to release Jonathan Pollard. Clinton had already agreed to free Pollard but Tenet's objections were so strenuous that Clinton reneged.)

This morning a friend told me the following story:
A citizen of the kingdom broke the law and was taken before the King. The King, hearing the crime, offered the offender three choices: Eat a piece of rotten fish, receive 40 lashes, or be exiled. The prisoner thought for a few minutes. "Forty lashes is too much, and to be exiled, that is so harsh. So, I'll eat the rotten fish - no big deal."

He was given a plate of rotten fish and began to eat. After a few bites he was in such agony that he pushed it away and pleaded, "I agree to the 40 lashes." After five lashes he felt that he would die, and cried out, "No more - I will go into exile."

After leaving the kingdom, the he told his story to a wise man in a far off country. The wise man looked at him and said:
"So stupid you are. You ate the rotten fish, you received the lashes and now you are in exile. The king offered you one punishment and you brought upon yourself all three?"

Israel, take note!