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Update for Friends of Israel in the USA re: Big problems looming over Israel
Note the following letter to President Peres. Mr. Peres is creating an international image for us Israelis, according to which we want a Palestinian State to be established just a bike-ride away from Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem and Ben-Gurion Airport. Of course -- we do not. The polls here in Israel confirm that we do not. The rockets on Sderot teach us, from the South, that we do not. The post-withdrawal war in Lebanon last summer shouted to us, from the North, that we should not. Only Central Israel remains without immediate threat. We, want to endanger our last few places, our most crowded and heavily populated cities, by establishing a Palestinian state just a stone's throw away??
But this big and dangerous lie -- "the Israelis want a Palestinian state" -- is continuing to spread, serving all those who claim that the November USA-Arab-Israel conference "must" decide to set up a monster ... a Palestinian state.
We really need our friends in the United States to urgently contact their Jewish newspapers, radio shows, radio stations, their rabbis and presidents of their synagogues and organizations, and ask: "Why is American policy supporting a Palestinian state right next to Tel Aviv?"
Press the person you are speaking to: "I understand from my contacts in Israel that Israelis do not want to have a new terrorist state right next to them - but that their president, who is elderly, is mis-representing them in their own media and in the international media. How can you, rabbi/president/editor, help to make sure, at least, that American policy is not pushing something fatal for Israel? Particularly in the context of the November International conference which, so I hear, is being prepared and shaped now? Should we not be concerned that Palestinian statehood right next door to Tel-Aviv, and the rockets and suicide bombings that will come with it, might terminate the State of Israel -- the only Jewish state in the world? How can the IDF fight on 3 fronts all at once? Is it appropriate for us to remain silent on this side of the ocean, if such is the situation on the other side of the ocean? If our own American policy is so crucially instrumental in shaping this threat?"
Any media which speaks up, will encourage US Jewish and Christian leaders to speak up and say, DON'T push Israel into establishing a Palestinian state. And if even only a handful of even only the pro-Israel leaders speak up before November -- say, even only (in alphabetical order) Agudath Israel USA, Mr. Malcolm Hoenlein, Lubavitch USA, the OU, Pastor Hagee, Young Israel and ZOA, if even only these few leaders decide to use, for the good, their contacts in the White House and on Capitol Hill and -- most important -- in the media -- the terrible "Palestinian state" plans looming over us in Israel will, in all probability, be repealed. And even better than calling these leaders yourself, is if you persuade a Jewish (or other) newspaper editor, Jewish reporter or Jewish talk-show host, to call these leaders on your behalf. After all -- what are talk shows for??
We thank all our friends in the USA, Jewish and otherwise, for extending a helping hand -- extending it as far as your telephone receiver -- to save Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem and Ben-Gurion airport from turning into monstrous versions of little Sderot. If you are helping with this -- helping to save Israel -- please write to us at mattot.arim@gmail.com and indicate who you spoke to, when, and what was their reply. Sometimes the efforts of several people can be pieced together at our end, into something much bigger than you ever thought possible when you made your "little" phone call. At a bris, we say: "Zeh ha-katan, gadol yihiyeh!" (the small one will become big). This is what may happen as a result of YOUR phone call: your tiny initiative may be merited to become a big, big help to Israel. So many thanks for your concern. And pass this email on.
From your friends in MATTOT ARIM -- ISRAEL
M A T T O T A R I M
Dear Mr. President,
7 August 2007
URGENT -- REQUEST THAT YOU PUBLISH A CLARIFICATION
In an interview with The Associated Press prior to your inauguration, you said that "We have to get rid of the territories," insisting that this is the majority view in Israel today.
However, the most recent Peace Index, just published by Prof. Ephraim Yaar and Prof. Tamar Hermann from Tel Aviv University, on the basis of a fresh poll (July 30- August 1st , 2007) reveals that " Although a considerable Israeli Jewish minority currently supports an extensive Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank (except for the large settlement blocs), the majority does not support such a move even if it occurs in the framework of a peace agreement with the Palestinians." Please note that there was no majority for withdrawal even from less than "the territories" ( i.e. the question excluded the large settlement blocs).
In summary, your inaugural interview with AP included a substantial inaccuracy.
Can you please publish an immediate acknowledgement of this error to the Israeli and foreign press. We also feel that an apology, for misleading political leaders worldwide as to the true state of public opinion here in Israel, and for (unintentionally, we assume) demeaning the credibility of Israel's presidency, would be in order. We would be pleased to receive a copy of the acknowledgement and apology for our records.
Thank you so much for your kind and prompt attention to this urgent matter; you appreciate that this is of considerable immediate concern to many Israelis, Jews and other friends of Israel abroad who do not want to see rockets raining down on Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion airport any time soon.
Sincerely,
Susie Dym, spokesperson
Mattot Arim
an Israeli grassroots group
working toward peace for peace since 1992
We Do Not Accept Contributions from the European Union
(One and a half months after this letter was written -- we have still had no reply from President Peres)
