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February 8, 2004
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Israel's Anti-Terror Fence: Upcoming Hearings and the International Court of Justice (Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations)
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Sharon Draws a Line in the Hills by Aluf Benn
Among those who survived the bloodiest attack on Latrun, on May 25, 1948, was a young platoon commander, Ariel Sharon. It was the formative experience of Sharon's life. After losing many of his men, he vowed never again to let the Arabs control the high terrain. Last week, Sharon surprised many Israelis by announcing his intention to close down almost all Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and leave the territory captured in 1967. Sharon wants to move Jews from Gaza to expanded West Bank settlements and to continue to construct a West Bank security fence, which largely ignores the pre-1967 lines. The West Bank fence and settlements keep many strategic hilltops under Israel's control. (Washington Post)
See also Israeli Envoy Explains Gaza Settlement Removal Plans by David Gollust
Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Secretary of State Powell and Vice President Cheney during a hastily-arranged Washington mission Thursday that Israel's planned Gaza pullout would be unilateral action, but said it would be consistent with President Bush's vision of a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict.
(Voice of America)
As Fence Hearing Approaches, Jewish Groups Prepare for Fight by Rachel Pomerance
When the International Court of Justice in the Hague holds hearings on Israel's West Bank security fence later this month, it could become a repeat of the anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic performance of Durban's UN World Conference Against Racism in Sept. 2001, Jewish activists fear. (JTA)
See also Ahead of Fence Hearings, Students Plan Trip to Hague to Defend Israel by Toby Axelrod
The World Union of Jewish Students announced that it will send protesters when the International Court of Justice considers the legality of Israel's West Bank security fence. (JTA)
Columbia Tragedy: Israelis and Americans Remember Together
A year after the Columbia shuttle disaster which killed all 7 crew members including Israeli Ilan Ramon, the connections between the U.S. and Israel's space programs and between the families of the astronauts remain strong. In addition the families of the six American astronauts killed are reportedly planning to visit Israel at the invitation of Ramon's widow Rona Ramon. (Israel21c)
See also Central Florida: Lost, One Year Later by Noah Saposnik and Ben Sack
We were very proud as Jewish students that among the crew was Colonel Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli to soar into space. Ramon was the son of a Holocaust survivor and knew the true meaning of the human spirit. He served as a representative for all Jews throughout the world. (The Future)
 How to Build a Fence by David Makovsky
Israel's decision to build a "separation barrier" makes sense, given that a majority of both Israelis and Palestinians favor a two-state solution that includes an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank. The United States should back a version of the fence that boosts Israeli security without unduly hurting the Palestinians or foreclosing a future return to diplomacy. The good news is that a fair, workable fence is already being built by Israel's Ministry of Defense. Projected to stand largely on the western side of the West Bank, this fence will potentially leave 85 percent of the West Bank to the Palestinians - not radically less than the 95 percent proposed by Bill Clinton at the end of his presidency. (Foreign Affairs)
A Historian's Take on Islam Steers U.S. in Terrorism Fight by Peter Waldman
Bernard Lewis's diagnosis of the Muslim world's malaise, and his call for a U.S. military invasion to seed democracy in the Mideast, have helped define the boldest shift in U.S. foreign policy in 50 years. Gone is the notion that U.S. policy in the oil-rich region should promote stability above all, even if it means taking tyrants as friends. Also gone is the corollary notion that fostering democratic values in these lands risks destabilizing them. Instead, the Lewis Doctrine says fostering Mideast democracy is not only wise but imperative. (Wall Street Journal)
Aspiration, Not Desperation by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook
The aspiration to die, which contradicts the basic human instinct for survival, is at the core of the suicide terrorism fervor. Palestinian society actively promotes the religious belief that their deity craves their deaths. A popular music video directed at children, broadcast hundreds of times on PA TV, depicts the earth thirsting for the blood of children. (Jerusalem Post)
See also Explaining the Addiction to Jihad by Jessica Stern
Over time, terrorism can become a career as much as a passion. Jihad becomes addictive. The writer is a lecturer at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government (Beirut Daily Star)
Something Important Is Happening in the PA by Nazir Majally
The first Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas opposed the intifada from the start and sought to stop it. Others have referred to it as a death blow to the Palestinian people. And some spoke, even then, of the foolish mistake at Camp David when the Palestinians rejected the Clinton-Barak proposal. These people talked about how to establish a special Arab state in democratic and pluralistic Palestine, and about a free and thriving economy. They talked about Israel in terms of cooperation instead of hostility, in terms of envy instead of hatred. How Israel relates to this development is important. (Ha'aretz)
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UAlbany: Birthright Israel Takes Students on Free Trip by Dan Fingerman
26 UAlbany students spent their winter breaks on a trip to Israel entirely subsidized by Birthright Israel. Students attended for many reasons. Adam Kofinas, a sophomore, went "to learn more about my Jewish identity, to explore my Judaism in a country that is so tied to my religion." "From the moment I stepped off the plane in Tel Aviv, a feeling came over me like none that ever has before," said Jordan Mortman. (The Asp)
UCLA: Speaker Criticizes Palestinian Authority by Diana Hernandez
Itamar Marcus, director of Palestinian Media Watch, presented videos of Palestinian children being persuaded to kill and examples of suicide bombers being honored in the Palestinian media. Marcus screened several videos and messages that he said the Palestinian government uses to intentionally foster hate, especially in Palestinian youth. He believes such messages are specifically aimed at encouraging children to kill. The presentation was hosted by Bruins for Israel. (Daily Bruin)
See also USC: Speaker Slams Palestinian Propaganda by Lauren Bonifacio (Daily Trojan)
Columbia U's Newest Anti-Zionist by Jacob Gershman
Mary Robinson, an architect of the UN Durban Human Rights Conference in 2001, has been hired as a professor by Columbia University, drawing criticism from Jewish and pro-Israel groups, which see her appointment as another example of anti-Israel bias on the Columbia faculty. The groups blame Robinson for allowing the Durban conference to become a global platform for anti-Israel venting. "Under Mary Robinson's leadership the Human Rights Commission was one-sided and extremist," said the chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, James Tisch. (New York Sun/FrontPageMag)
Columbia: Prof. Jonathan Adelman Gives Lecture on Arab-Israeli Relations by Malwina Lys-Dobradin
Adelman's opening remarks illuminated his opinion of the current world view of Israel. "In the 56th year of the existence of the state of Israel we see a level that is unparalleled in the vilification of a democratic and free state....These are the most anti-Semitic times since the 1930's." In a time of Arab tragedy, one of economic and political backwardness, "Israel is a scapegoat." For a region that has missed out in the post-industrialist and capital revolution, Israel is a representation of everything the region is not. (Spectator)
Indiana: Students Stuff Bears for Sick Children in Israel by Mallory Simon
Students sewed, stuffed and decorated bears for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses last week at the Hillel Center. "Build-a-Dov" - Dov, bear in Hebrew - was a social-action program, co-sponsored by Hillel, Mitzvah Corps, Rosh Chodesh and Hoosiers for Israel. "We also address the issues of other ways students can get involved in the community here, issues in Israel and other things we can do for sick children," said Joanna Blotner, sophomore and Mitzvah Corps co-chair. (IDS News)
Kansas: Birthright Trip Inspires Students by Patrick Cady
30 KU students visited Israel in January. Benjy Simon, a junior, said the trip was meant to achieve three goals. First, students wanted make a stronger connection to their Jewish heritage. Second was to connect the KU students with other Jewish peers including students from Texas Tech and Iowa. The third goal was to experience the current political situation in Israel. (Daily Kansan)
Maryland: Traveling by Birthright to Israel by Kate Slusark
"Being with 80 Maryland University people in Israel was just crazy," sophomore Marty Pollak said. "We brought a little taste of Maryland with us to the country." Students said the highlight of the trip was interacting with Israeli soldiers through the Parallel Lives program. Sixteen soldiers of the same age group as the Maryland students joined their two buses for five days, not as security but as companions. "I think it was an eye-opener," one participant said. "It was a realization that life isn't one big party and their counterparts their age are doing things that are very serious, sincere and they're dedicated to it." (Diamondback)
Rutgers: Going Is Believing by Joel Davidson
Like more than 100 other lucky Rutgers students, I spent two weeks of my winter break in Israel marveling at the country's achievements, tasting its food, hearing its music, feeling its night air, speaking with its people and learning about its great problems and great potential. The best students at Rutgers can do - and I am happy to say that they are - is to continue to be inspired by Israel; to educate the campus, community and Congress; to enjoy Israeli culture; to celebrate the special relationship between the United States and Israel and to actually visit Israel and experience its ups and downs in its quest for peace for itself and for its neighbors. (Daily Targum)
Tulane: TIPAC Students Experience Israeli Culture by Lynn Rice
Tulane students traveled to Israel during winter break. Some of the students were amazed at how connected they felt to this foreign land. "I've never traveled to a place outside of the U.S. where I've felt so at home," said Renee Masor, a campus liaison of TIPAC and senior. "Truly, Judaism is not just a religion, but also a people, a culture and a way of life. I swear, when I stood by the Western Wall and floated in the Dead Sea, I could feel my history." (Hullabaloo)
Winnipeg: New Jewish Student Paper Launched by Myron Love
With last week's release of the first issue of Sabra, Winnipeg's Jewish students gained a new pro-Israel voice on campus. "Our purpose in launching Sabra was mainly to show non-Jewish university students a different side of Israel that is not shown in the university student newspapers or the regular daily papers," said Winnipeg Zionist Initiative's Liat Arieh. "A lot of students are frustrated by the bias in the media against Israel. It was important for us to do something. This helps redress the balance." (Canadian Jewish News)
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Israel Trip for Non-Jews Raises Tough Questions by Elenna Mosoff
This winter, I went on another trip to Israel that was drastically different from my previous one. It included 12 other student leaders from across the country, all of whom were not Jewish. I had the opportunity to hear from a diverse group of speakers. Here I was, in Israel, a very significant place for me as a Jew, sitting with a group of fellow student leaders representing the diversity of Canada, and sharing, listening, talking and answering tough questions. I challenge my fellow Jews to make time for questions and to give the answers to someone who is not part of our community. (Canadian Jewish News)
GW: On Both Sides of the Wall by Will Dempster
My best friend lives in Tel Aviv. She works at a bar where last year a suicide bomber blew himself up. I can't help but think that a wall might prevent suicide bombers from carrying out their attacks. But for each thought like this, I cannot keep the images of suffering Palestinians out of my head. I am angry with the Israeli left for not formulating a vision capable of inspiring moderate Israelis to reject the ideology of Ariel Sharon. I am angry with the Palestinian leadership for failing its people in its quest for a state. I am angry at the campus pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian communities that make it so hard for people to support all suffering people. (Hatchet)
Harvard: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle by Alexis Keller
In the spring of 2002 several current and former officials in the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority decided to work on a draft paper that would serve as a model for the end game in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I participated actively in the initiation of this process and in numerous negotiations in the UK, France and Switzerland, first as an individual and, since April 2003, as special representative of the Swiss government for the Middle East peace process. The Geneva agreement complements the road map. It is a model for a permanent status agreement that will allow the road map to proceed and finally implement the two-state solution. The writer is the special representative of the Swiss government for the Middle East peace process. (Crimson)
Pitt: Israeli Ambassador Right to Destroy Anti-Semitic Artwork by Jason Lawrence
On Jan. 17, Zvi Mazel, Israel's ambassador to Sweden, destroyed an art exhibit titled "Snow White and the Madness of Truth", a tribute to a female suicide bomber. It's no surprise that the nation that gives us Volvos and false hope for socialists would support suicide bombers and accuse Israel of genocide, though they remained "neutral" during World War II while supplying Germany with the iron ore necessary to produce their materiel. With deliberation and forcefulness, Mazel, to put it crudely, gave the artist, Sweden, and those who would support the project "the bird." Doing so requires courage and a moral conviction that are admirable. (Pitt News)
Waterloo: Palestine Event Exploited Emotions by Lauren Breslin
On March 16, 2003, Rachel Corrie placed herself in front of an Israeli bulldozer in the Gaza town of Rafah and was crushed to death. A branch of the Israeli judiciary ruled that the driver lost sight of Corrie, as the bulldozer cab stood six feet off the ground. Israeli officials issued a statement declaring the incident a "tragic event that should never have happened." It's understandable that the Corrie parents want to give meaning to their daughter's death, but making her a martyr for a political cause does justice to no one. To label Rachel's death a murder without conclusive evidence, and to exploit her death in order to denigrate another country, is morally reprehensible. (Imprint)
Yale: New View Could Aid Palestinians by Amanda Elbogen
It is no wonder, then, that Palestinian terrorism has become so rampant - it is the terrorist groups that run Palestinian society. Yet by hiding in densely populated civilian centers, these terrorist cells willfully encourage the murder of the innocent Palestinian civilians they claim to be fighting for. If the situation in the Middle East is ever to be remedied, Palestinians must understand that the enemy is not dressed in IDF uniforms; their true enemies are the political leaders that play them as pawns in the arena of international politics and the terrorist organizations that promote a culture of death that does not get anyone anywhere. (Yale Daily News)
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 - Sharon's Planned Relocation from Gaza – Pro and Con | | Sharon's Folly by Caroline Glick
- Sharon's newest plan to remove all Israeli settlements from the Gaza Strip is rife with troubling moral and ideological dimensions.
- As is the case in Judea and Samaria, Jewish settlement in Gaza dates back to biblical times.
- The notion that Jews should be forced out of their homes and communities anywhere in the world is offensive. The notion that the Jewish state would order the forced transfer and destruction of Jewish communities is uniquely appalling.
- A senior IDF commander pointed out that "the IDF uses the settlements as forward bases to combat terrorists. If we didn't have the settlements, we would have to form them ourselves."
- In 2002, Sharon declared, "Netzarim is the same as Negba and Tel Aviv. Evacuating Netzarim will only encourage terrorism and increase the pressure upon us."
- If Israel were to concede Gaza while exacting irrevocable payment for the withdrawal in more strategically vital areas, it would be impossible for the Palestinians to view the withdrawal as a victory.
- But a withdrawal from Gaza will not stem the tide of demands on Israel to vacate Judea and Samaria as well. To the contrary, it will signal Israeli willingness to do so.
- It is hard to understand what happened to make Sharon ignore the dangerous consequences of his plan to withdraw from Gaza. Quite simply, it makes no sense. (Jerusalem Post)
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The Evolution of Ariel Sharon
by Mark A. Heller
- Prime Ariel Sharon evacuated settlements before when, as Menahem Begin's minister of defense, he oversaw the destruction of Israeli settlements in northern Sinai in 1982.
- He has made unilateral concessions to terrorism before, as well, most recently in the lopsided "exchange" of hundreds of Hizballah and Palestinian prisoners in return for one Israeli businessman and the bodies of three Israeli soldiers.
- The irony is that Sharon has embraced the conceptual core of the platform of the Labor Party.
- Sharon still believes, along with a majority of Israelis, that there is no one to talk to on the other side. But he now apparently embraces the conclusion that in the absence of any chance for peace, the best thing is to regroup, minimize the points of day-to-day friction, retrench behind a defensible barrier, and apply Israel's limited manpower and material and diplomatic resources where they will do the most good.
- Sharon's proposal is not a sudden volte-face. Even before he was re-elected, he was floating trial balloons and making statements that frightened or alienated his traditional constituents on the right. During this period of political experimentation, he endorsed the idea of a Palestinian state, warned against the dangers of permanent occupation, accepted the need for "painful concessions" and predicted that Israel would not remain in all the occupied territories forever. (International Herald Tribune)
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