March 7, 2003
FLIRTING WITH DISASTER:
Beware! Pax Americana ahead! (Michael Freund March 6, 2003, Jerusalem Post)"The new government of Israel," said the President, "will be expected to support the creation of a viable Palestinian state." That sounds more like marching orders than advice from a friendly ally.Sharon should therefore start by reaching out to Israelis, warning them of the dangers that lie ahead. He must unite the public behind him, filling us in on as much as he can without compromising his relationship with the President.
He needs to explain to the country that once the military threat from Iraq is removed, it will pave the way for an unparalleled diplomatic assault on Israel, led by none other than the U.S. State Department, which will seek to bring about the fulfillment of the failed Oslo accords through the establishment of Palestine.
Simultaneously, Sharon should reach out to American Jewry, as well as to the masses of American Christians who are among the Jewish state's most fervent supporters. Groups such as Esther Levens' National Unity Coalition for Israel, and Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein's Stand For Israel, have the ability to bring together millions of American Christians on Israel's behalf.
These people form the backbone of Bush's support in the Republican party, and they must be mobilized at once to work against the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Sharon should therefore address American Christian supporters of Israel directly, tapping into their political savvy and Biblical commitment to help save the Jewish state from the fate that awaits it after the war in Iraq is complete.
Mr. Freund is right that the Administration is going to insist on statehood, wrong that it's bad for Israel, and delusional if he thinks Israel should or even can pressure the President. We've rehearsed the earlier points plenty of times, but the last is even clearer.
Given that an attempt by a foreign power to destabilize our governing party is very nearly an act of war, and how little support even a Ronald Reagan or a George W. Bush gets from Jewish voters, there just isn't much pressure Israel can realistically bring to bear without it blowing up in their face. Then consider the weapons at Mr. Bush's disposal: (1) just once refuse to exercise our Security Council veto on an issue of importance to Israel and it would create mayhem; (2) announce that we're re-examining the billions in foreign aid we send and the economy there would teeter; (3) make the entirely reasonable point that the Palestinians are entitled to full political rights in Israel if they're not going to get a state of their own, and the continued existence of Israel as a Jewish State is called into question. This just isn't a fight that Israel can win nor can it afford to start it and lose.
Posted by Orrin Judd at March 7, 2003 12:51 PMI'm tired of arguing with my fellow conservatives over this. God above bless that President (again) if this is true.
I have such sympathy for democratic, Euro-Western, Judaic Israel, but they are categorically insane if they think they can hang onto the territories, completely accessorized with 4 million militant murderous Palestinians, and ever ever ever ever EVER hope to have peace. Forget it. Ain't gonna happen, and, as an American, I am fed up to the gills with people thinking it will.
Get out, build a wall, build a second wall behind the first, build a third wall behind the second, shoot in the head every living soul who tries to cross without permission. I will gladly help pay for bricks and bullets for same.
But cut the Paleos loose. I don't give a damn who is "entitled" to what. Could not care less. Do this.
Because the State of Isreal will die if they don't. Die. It will happen. Count on it.
And I get the sense (maybe I'm transferring here, but...) that Mr. Bush, as the ultimate no-nonsense American, is as fed up with the bullsh*t as I am. Do it George, you'll be a hero for centuries, and you WILL save the Jewish state from it's own destruction.
(And with all respect to all posters, if you wish to respond, please try to do so WITHOUT.... giving the same damn arguments we have heard for year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year............repeating myself, I'm fed up and don't care to hear them any more. They are irrelevant.)