Monday, November 13, 2000

THE LIES AND THE TRUTH - In Three Acts


THE LIES AND THE TRUTH - In Three Acts
November 13, 2000

ACT I
LIE NUMBER ONE ACCORDING TO PEACE NOW (Appearing as an advertisement in today's Israeli press -  Ha'aretz J.Post):

NO FUTURE WITH THE SETTLEMENTS

To Prime Minister Barak:
Today, more than ever, it is clear that the settlements and by-pass roads are the main obstacles to the achievement of an agreement with the Palestinians and security for Israelis. Construction in the settlements and the paving of by-pass roads are unilateral Israeli actions, perpetrated through force, and arousing a violent response. Today, it is also clear that the existence of the settlements endangers the soldiers protecting them.

IN ORDER TO DEMONSTRATE AN HONEST WILLINGNESS TO PROGRESS TOWARD AN AGREEMENT WITH PALESTINIANS, WE CALL UPON YOU TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

1, HALT ALL CONSTRUCTION IN THE SETTLEMENTS
2. FREEZE THE CONSTRUCTION OF PROVOCATIVE NEIGHBORHOODS IN EAST JERUSALEM, SUCH AS HAR HOMA AND RAS AL-AMUD
3. IMMEDIATELY DISMANTLE THOSE SETTLEMENTS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE MIDST OF HEAVILY POPULATED PALESTINIAN AREAS AND CONTINUE TO EXACT A TERRIBLE PRICE IN LIVES, SUCH AS NETZARIM, KFAR DAROM, PSAGOT, YITZHAR, ITAMAR AND THE SETTLEMENTS IN THE HEART OF HEBRON
4. CANCEL THE EXTRAORDINARY FINANCIAL BENEFITS GIVEN THE SETTLERS

You have acknowledged the need for contiguity for any Palestinian state established alongside Israel. Therefore, you surely understand that the settlements have neither right nor chance of survival, except within the framework of territorial exchange. YOU MUST ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT AN AGREEMENT IS POSSIBLE ONLY ON THE BASIS OF THE 1967 BORDER, FROM WHICH MUTUALLY AGREED UPON MINOR ADJUSTMENTS AND SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE NEGOTIATED.

PEACE NOW

Peace Now will continue to provide the public with information about the millions of Shekels still pouring into the settlements, the continued confiscation of land and the ongoing construction of more and more houses in the settlements. We will continue our struggle against a settlement policy that sacrifices lives for the sake of a messianic dream that has long since passes into oblivion.

For details: 03-5663291, 02-5660648 email: peacenow@actcom.co.il
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ACT II
LIE NUMBER TWO ACCORDING TO ARAFAT

NO FUTURE WITH ISRAEL

To President Clinton,
Today, more than ever, it is clear the State of Israel, and the pro-Israel policy are the main obstacles to the achievement of peace in the Middle East and security for Palestinians. Development in Israel and other unilateral Israeli actions, perpetrated by its very existence, arouse a violent response. Today, it is clear that the very presence of Israel endangers the lives of our people and peace in the Middle East.

IN ORDER TO DEMONSTRATE AN HONEST WILLINGNESS TO PROGRESS TOWARD A JUST AND LASTING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, WE CALL UPON YOU TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
1. HALT ALL CONSTRUCTION IN THE STATE OF ISRAEL
2. FREEZE JEWISH IMMIGRATION FROM ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD TO ISRAEL
3. IMMEDIATELY DISMANTLE THOSE CITIES LOCATED IN THE MIDST OF HEAVILY POPULATED PALESTINIAN AREAS AND CONTINUE TO EXACT A TERRIBLE PRICE IN PALESTINIAN LIVES, SUCH AS TEL AVIV, HAIFA, BEER-SHEVA, ACRE, NAZARETH, AND JERUSALEM.
4. CANCEL ALL EXTRAORDINARY FINANCIAL BENEFITS GIVEN TO THE STATE OF ISRAEL

You have acknowledged the need for contiguity for all Arab states alongside Israel. Therefore you surely understand that the State of Israel has neither the right nor chance of survival, except within the framework of major territorial concessions. You must also understand that an agreement is possible only on the basis of the 1947 United Nations resolution 181, from which mutually agreed minor adjustments and security arrangements can be determined.

THE PALESTINIAN  PIECE AUTHORITY

The Palestinian Authority will continue to provide the world with information about the billions of dollars still pouring into the State of Israel, the continued confiscation of land and the ongoing construction of more and more houses in the country. We will continue our struggle against an international policy that sacrifices lives for the sake of a nationalistic dream that has long since passed into oblivion.

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ACT III
THE TRUTH ACCORDING TO AM YISRAEL

THE ONLY FUTURE IS WITH THE SETTLEMENTS

To the People of Israel:

Today, more than ever, it is clear that the settlements and their residents are the main obstacle to the achievement of a Palestinian State whose goal is the overtaking of the entire State of Israel. Construction in the settlements and building of new communities are rightful Israeli actions preventing Arab attempts to conquer the State of Israel. Today it is clear that the existence of the settlements forms a protective ring around many major population centers in the State of Israel.

IN ORDER TO DEMONSTRATE AN HONEST WILLINGNESS TO PROGRESS TOWARDS TRUE PEACE WITH ARABS, WE CALL UPON YOU TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

1. NOTIFY ALL OUR ARAB-PALESTINIAN NEIGHBORS:
A. ANY ARAB WHO WISHES TO LIVE WITH US IN PEACE WILL LIVE WITH US IN PEACE
B. ANY ARAB WHO ATTACKS US WITH INTENT TO KILL US WILL BE ELIMINATED
C. ANY ARAB WHO DECREES TRANSFER OF JEWS FROM THEIR HOMELAND WILL HIMSELF BE TRANSFERRED OUTSIDE THE STATE OF ISRAEL

2. CONTINUE CONSTRUCTION IN ALREADY EXISTING COMMUNITIES AT A RAPID PACE

3. INITIATE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW CITIES IN JUDEA, SAMARIA AND GAZZA

4. OFFER FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO ISRAELIS LIVING IN AND MOVING TO COMMUNITIES IN JUDEA, SAMARIA AND GAZZA

We all acknowledge the necessity for contiguity for Israeli communities within Judea, Samaria and Gazza, as a part of sovereign Israel. Therefore, we must all understand that the settlements are an integral element of our State, offering Israel survival against Arab-Palestinian aggression. This negates all possibility of territorial exchange. We must understand that true peace can be achieved only by a strong Israel, the legitimate borders of which are based upon the victorious results of the 1967 and 1973 wars. These borders will not be negotiated

Friday, November 3, 2000

The Dark Before the Light


The Dark Before the Light
Nov. 3, 2000

Frequently I'm asked, "it looks to be so dangerous in Hebron - why don't you move somewhere else?"

A few days ago I answered that we had considered just that, perhaps moving to Gilo in Jerusalem. The journalist looked at me, and hearing my tone of voice said, "OK, I understand."

There are those who perhaps don't yet understand.

Yesterday is a classic example. Twenty-eight year old Ayelet HaShachar Levy, mother of a 3-year old, was moving from a small (150 families) Binyamin community, northeast of Jerusalem, between Jerusalem and Beit-El. Her destination: downtown Jerusalem. Shacher, as she was known, was getting out of her car to show the moving men where to take her furniture when the car bomb exploded. She was killed instantly.


Shachar's father, Rabbi Yitzhak Levy, chairman of the National Religious Party and former minister of Education, Transportation, and Building, was touring in Gush Katif at the time of the explosion.  Upon hearing reports of the terror attack he became immediately concerned. The attack occurred on the exact road where his daughter was supposed to be moving to, that very day. When he learned that a big truck had been blocking the way of the car-bomb, his fears heightened. On his way back to Jerusalem the Jerusalem District Police Commander called Rabbi Levy on his cell phone, requesting an urgent meeting with him. Rabbi Levy's response: "You don't have to tell me why. I already know."

And then there is the Or family. The Ors live in another Jerusalem neighborhood, called Gilo, on the southern border of the city. Gilo has been under terrorist gunfire attack for the last month. The Ors decided to get away from the action for a little while and made their way to the center of the city to have lunch with the grandparents, who live in the Machane Yehuda part of the city.  Five of the family were injured when the car blew up.

So the next time a journalist asks why we don't move, I'll have a couple of more examples  - trying to express a very simple point: There is no where to run to. Wherever we go, we are marked. It makes no difference if its Hebron, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa or anywhere else. Arafat's henchmen don't care where it is; what's important is - who it is - Jews, living in Eretz Yisrael, in the State of Israel.  Running away just convinces them that they are on the right track - "a little more blood, a little more killing, and for sure, they will abandon the Land of Israel for somewhere else, leaving Palestine to us."

The problem we are facing today is very simple: A war is being fought against us, but we are not treating it like a war. When you are attacked, you must fight back, not run away. Israel's leaders are doing just that, the equivalent of  fleeing. Rather that deal with those attacking us as an enemy, we are dealing with them as "partners" for peace. Clearly, if you don't treat your enemy as an enemy, you cannot defeat him. Clearly, when war is declared against you and, when you are attacked, day after day, night after night, you must act accordingly. That means, not only reacting, but also initiating.

Not only aren't Israel's 'leaders' initiating, they are barely reacting. When three soldiers were killed, two during a fierce battle outside Jerusalem and another by sniper gunfire, Israel's reaction was to send Shimon Peres to beg Arafat for a few days of quiet. According to rumors running around, Peres requested a cease-fire until Sunday, thereby allowing the Saturday night Rabin memorial in Tel-Aviv to take place.  Israel radio reported this morning that Peres literally pleaded with Arafat for 'a week of quiet.'

Is this how you fight a war?

Israeli military commanders are forced to meet with their "parallels" from the other side, to try and reach agreements on 'how to restore the peace.' These Arab terrorist commanders, known a 'policemen,' are the same people initiating and participating in attacks against Jews, both civilians and soldiers. Yet, our officers are forced to sit with them, shake their hands, and act as though nothing happened.

Is this the way to fight a war?

In Hebron, following five weeks of nightly shooting, all is heading back to normal. The curfew is lifted, the shuk is opened, and so what if there is a gunshot here and there - it takes time for Arafat's orders to be implemented, it takes time to calm everyone down.

Is this the way to fight a war?

There is a story told in Jewish sources about two Rabbis walking in a valley when they viewed "Ayelet HaShacher," rays of light breaking through the darkness, moments before dawn. One Rabbi said to the other, "this is the way of Israel's redemption. In the beginning, slowly, slowly. As it proceeds, it gets lighter and lighter." For what reason? "When I sit in the dark, G-d lights  my way."

It may have been decreed that before the light, we must first experience darkness. At present we are still somewhere in between dark and light. They reverberate, back and forth. The light radiated by Rabbi Yitzhak Levy's daughter, Ayelet HaShacher, was extinguished by a terrorist bomb, yet a small ray of light, her three year old daughter, still shines on, albeit much weakened.  The light is starting to break through, but we are still sitting in the dark. Let us hope that soon we will all wake ourselves up, and let the light break through in all its glory.