Today: March 12, 2010

 

The Key to Peace?

Posted: Wed 23rd December 2009 5.59 PM  | Author: Flame

I'm sure that you, like I, talk to people who still naively think the key to Middle East peace is for the leaders of Israel and the Palestinians simply to "compromise"---to stop being so hard headed.

This notion of moral equivalency---or worse the idea that the Palestinians are oppressed---is the greatest enemy of Israel and its supporters.  At first blush, a public relations war may seem like a petty matter---after all, Israel is battling for its very existence, for the tiny patch of Holy Land it calls home.

But the public relations war has very real consequences for Israel: There is no doubt that, as much as guns and missiles, world opinion---and especially U.S. public opinion---will determine the future of the Jewish state.

Currently the Palestinians are fighting with considerable success to convince the world that Israel---represented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu--- is obstructing peace.  The focal point of the Palestinian PR effort is the "settlements"---Israeli residential developments in Jerusalem and contiguous areas in Judea and Samaria (disputed territories in the West Bank).

As you know, the Palestinians, who have never owned or controlled these territories, now claim sovereignty over them (even though they are not nor have ever been a sovereign entity). The Western media, especially in Europe, frequently portray the Palestinians as a frustrated, victimized, besieged people who only want a fair shake from their occupying oppressors.

Despite the fact that Mr. Netanyahu has recently agreed to curtail further developments in the territories as a reflection of Israel's desire to re-engage in a peace process, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has scorned this overture and in an astounding display of chutzpah, actually blames Netanyahu for the Palestinians' rejection.

My friends, it is up to us to make sure Israel's true story is told.  While Israel makes compromises and holds out a hand of peace, the Palestinians hold out ever more impossible demands---because their real goal is the absolute defeat of Israel and expulsion of Jews from the Holy Land.  

Despite the obstacles facing us, may peace come soon to the people of Israel . . . and may it dwell in your home this holiday season.

Jim Sinkinson
Director, FLAME

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