Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is coming to Washington D.C. next week to ask Congress and Pres. Bush for enough money and moral support to expel 80,000 Jews from the West Bank (Samaria and Judea).
Many of us feel this is a terrible idea. We want to demonstrate our disapproval, our outrage that the Israeli government is treating its Jewish citizens so shabbily, and our concern that Olmert is putting Israel in jeopardy.
Jonathan Silverman (jonsilverman2002@yahoo.com) initiated a call for a rally and it struck a chord. The upshot is there will be a grassroots rally at
the U.S. Capitol Building in Taft Park
(near Senate Russell Bldg)
50 Constitution Avenue N.W. (at 1st Street)
Washington DC
Tuesday May 23, 2006 at 12 noon
Metro Stop: Union Station on the Red Line. 4 block walk
Some people have already made arrangements to come in from out of town. Obviously, the more people show up, the more our disapproval of Olmert’s Convergence Plan will register with the Bush Administration.
What will expelling Jews from the West Bank accomplish? The Gaza disengagement debacle suggests that:
–Hamas and Al-Qaeda will take over the territory. As in Gaza, they will have the freedom to import war material and to put together missiles and explosives. And they will be even closer to their Israeli targets.
–The Arabs will be sitting on top of Israel’s aquifer and thus controlling a critical component of Israel’s water supply. Some say Israel’s eventual desalination project will be a substitute — but that is a pipe dream.
The Israeli Government botched the resettlement of the 8,000 Jews of Gush Katif, Gaza. Some 9 months after they were kicked out of their homes and farms and orchards, some are still homeless and most are living in tents and ramshackle temporary trailers. More than 40% percent have not been compensated for their homes that were destroyed. Most of the business owners and farmers have not received any payment. A vibrant and patriotic group that once contributed substantially to Israel’s economy is now dispirited and traumatized and a drain on Israel’s economy.
Now Olmert’s government is proposing to transfer at least 10 times as many Jews. If he succeeds, both Israel and America will be the losers. At best it weakens Israel militarily and demoralizes its citizens, making them easy prey for their enemies. At worst, it is suicidal. And America loses its only reliable ally in the Middle East. The only winners will be the Arab terrorists now in control of Gaza.
If you can’t come to the rally, please write President Bush and ask him to oppose Olmert’s dangerous scheme. The American people can not be a party to this insanity. U.S. citizens can call the White House at 202-456-1111; you will be asked what state you are from. Faxes can be sent to 202-456-2461, and emails can be sent to Comments@whitehouse.gov and vice_president@whitehouse.gov.