The Origin
of the Palestine-Israel Conflict
CONCLUSION II
We hope that this look at the historical
record concerning the root cause of the Middle East conflict
will give second thoughts to all who have previously supported
Israel's actions.
The persecution of the Jews for
centuries in Europe was the worst of many stains on the European
record, and the Zionists' desire for a place of sanctuary is
certainly understandable. Like all other colonial enterprises,
however, Zionism was based on the total disregard of the rights
of indigenous inhabitants. As such, it is morally ndefensible.
And, as previously stated, all subsequent crimes—and there
have been many on both sides—inevitably follow from this original
injustice to the Palestinians.
Given the damage that has been done
to the Palestinian people, Israel's obligation is to make whatever
amends possible. Among these should be assisting the creation
of a sovereign Palestinian state in the entire West Bank and
Gaza with its capital in East Jerusalem. Israel should not object
to this state and, in addition, should help with its foundation
via generous reparations. Besides being the right thing to do,
this would stop the sporadic acts of violence against Israel,
as the Palestinians' legitimate desire for their own state would
be realized. Moreover, all laws that discriminate against non-Jews
living in Israel should be repealed. All citizens should enjoy
full and equal rights, as should any Palestinians who wish to
return to their ancestral homeland. These refugees should, as
a matter of principle, be compensated for their lost homes and
land.
As U.S. citizens, we have a special
obligation to see that justice is done in this matter. U.S. financial
aid to Israel has been, and continues to be, enormous; and our
diplomatic support is the crucial factor allowing Israel's continued
occupation of Arab territories. We strongly recommend that you
contact your elected representatives in Washington and urge them
to insist that, as a preconditon of continued support, Israel
must abide by the consensus of world opinion and withdraw to
its 1967 borders, as demanded in numerous UN votes.
American Jews in particular have
a special responsibility to acknowledge the Palestinian point
of view in order to help move the debate forward. As Chomsky
writes in his Peace in the Middle East?, "In the
American Jewish community, there is little willingness to face
the fact that the Palestinian Arabs have suffered a monstrous
historical injustice, whatever one may think of the competing
claims. Until this is recognized, discussion of the Middle East
crisis cannot even begin."
In the long run, only by admitting
their culpability and making amends can Israelis live with their
neighbors in peace. Only then can the centuries-old Jewish tradition
of being a people of high moral character be restored. And only
in this way can real security, peace and justice come to this
ancient land.
Thank you for taking
the time to read "The Origin of the Palestine-Israel Conflict"
For free printed copies
write to:
Jews for Justice in
The Middle East
P.O. Box 14561
Berkeley CA 94712
e-mail
comments that will be forwarded to publishers of "The
Origin of the Palestine-Israel Conflict"
Live links to websites
of other Jewish organizations. We do not necessarily concur with
all the positions taken on these sites, but you may find them
informative and interesting.
Not
in Our Name Coalition
http://www.nimn.org
Jewish
Voice for Peace
http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org
E-mail to
get on mailing list
Gush Shalom
http://www.gush-shalom.org
Jews
Against Occupation
http://www.angelcities.com/members/jato
Jewish Peace
Fellowship
http://www.jewishpeacefellowship.org
Truth,
Justice, and Human Rights in the Middle East
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Senate/7891
Neturei
Karta
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Bunker/5750/home.html
Jews
NOT Zionists
http://www.jewsnotzionists.org
Yesh Gvul, The movement
for IDF men refusing to serve in the Occupied Territories.
http://www.diak.org/Haayesh-gvul.htm
Israeli
Committee Against Home Demolitions
http://www.salam.org/activism/home_demolitions.html
B'Tselem (Israeli Human Rights
Group)
http://www.btselem.org
Bat Shalom, Israeli Women
for Peace
http://www.batshalom.org
"Occupied Territory"
http://www.occupied.org
Rabbis for Human Rights
http://www.rhr.israel.net
Oz v'Shalom—Netivot
Shalom (religious Zionist anti-Occupation)
http://www.ariga.com/ozveshalom.index.asp
Jewish Alliance
Against the Occupation
http://www.opentent.org/jews.html
Association for Civil Rights
in Israel
http://www.nif.org/acri
Prominent Jews writing
articles in Haaretz
http://www.haaretzdaily.com
Alliance
of Middle East Scientists & Physicians
http://www.keck.ucsf.edu/~yoram/amesp.html
Visions for peace with justice
in Israel/Palestine
http://www.vopj.org
Middle East Crisis Committee
http://www.thestruggle.org
Search for Justice
and Equality in Palestine/Israel
http://www.searchforjustice.org
Tikkun
Magazine
http://www.tikkun.org |
