Sunday, March 31, 2002
Imagine how America would respond if Canada or Mexico rolled bulldozers and tanks down Pennsylvania Avenue, fired mortar rounds at the white house and occupied the third and first floors, pinning President Bush in the middle floor with no power and no water.
How would the American people respond? Why do we expect that Palestinians should be any less outraged?
The United States did the right thing in backing a UN Security Council resolution calling for Israel's withdrawal from Ramallah. What possible benefit is there in weakening that resolution by stating that the resolution specified no timeline, granting Israel a back door through which to forestall indefinitely a pullout? Hamas has said they will continue these attacks until Israel leaves the occupied territories completely. Israel has yet to try that approach. Why?
The Israeli people need to consider the result of Ariel Sharon's policies. Israel is at the brink of war, and don't fool yourself into thinking that it will be just with the Palestinians. Two years ago, a labor prime minister almost signed a peace agreement with the Palestinians. Terrorist attacks were not a daily occurrence.
This is bad for Israelis who have to live daily with choices made by a prime minister famous for getting Israel involved in Lebanon. It is also bad news for the United States. Israel may well have a third major war with its Arab neighbors. What will America do if this happens?
The current administration has advocated a international policy shaped by U.S. interests. How on earth are US interests being served by continuing to treat Israel as a "cherished" ally in the Middle East? Unquestioned support of Israel will only damage our relations with the rest of the Arab world. If that damage was in defense of justice, then the expense is worthwhile. Defending Israel's right to continue settling Palestinian land, to confine them to a nation-sized concentration camp, and to leave Palestinians in a legal limbo is not worth it, because it is not just.
America should not be defending Israel's right to avoid making amends with people displaced by the creation of Israel.
How would the American people respond? Why do we expect that Palestinians should be any less outraged?
The United States did the right thing in backing a UN Security Council resolution calling for Israel's withdrawal from Ramallah. What possible benefit is there in weakening that resolution by stating that the resolution specified no timeline, granting Israel a back door through which to forestall indefinitely a pullout? Hamas has said they will continue these attacks until Israel leaves the occupied territories completely. Israel has yet to try that approach. Why?
The Israeli people need to consider the result of Ariel Sharon's policies. Israel is at the brink of war, and don't fool yourself into thinking that it will be just with the Palestinians. Two years ago, a labor prime minister almost signed a peace agreement with the Palestinians. Terrorist attacks were not a daily occurrence.
This is bad for Israelis who have to live daily with choices made by a prime minister famous for getting Israel involved in Lebanon. It is also bad news for the United States. Israel may well have a third major war with its Arab neighbors. What will America do if this happens?
The current administration has advocated a international policy shaped by U.S. interests. How on earth are US interests being served by continuing to treat Israel as a "cherished" ally in the Middle East? Unquestioned support of Israel will only damage our relations with the rest of the Arab world. If that damage was in defense of justice, then the expense is worthwhile. Defending Israel's right to continue settling Palestinian land, to confine them to a nation-sized concentration camp, and to leave Palestinians in a legal limbo is not worth it, because it is not just.
America should not be defending Israel's right to avoid making amends with people displaced by the creation of Israel.
