Dear Friend in Gaza and in the Territories
It’s time for us to be honest and look reality in the eye.
How have the last 66 years been for you and your family?
Let’s not go back to ancient history that’s too far …For this letter.
The British were exhausted after World War 2 and Thier Mandate here in the Middle East was turned over to the U.N. The U.N decided that Partition of The territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, was a fair one.
The Zionist leadership said yes and the Arab countries and local Arab leadership in Palestine said no. And you lost the war that now you call “Nakba” the Disaster
And yes maybe it was for you- war is horrible. But would it have been so if you would have accepted the partition resolution of 29 of November 1947. also known as resolution 181.
Judaia and Samaria i.e The West Bank Designated to the new independent Arab State were annexed by Jordan in 1950. Since the end of the war until the Six-Day War. Where were the Palestinian people and there leadership? 19 years was more than enough to establish a state in the West Bank.
You (the Palestinians) and the Arab leadership threatened to destroy us in 1967 and you lost again. And instead of negotiating with us the Arab league came out with a resolution stating No negotiations, no recognition of Israel, no peace. This resolution played on our historical experience. One of the Results in my opinion of this resolution was the beginning of Jewish Settlements in the West Bank. Every action creates an opposite reaction.
In 1987 the first Intifada broke out and in order to condense the letter let us say that it ended with the Oslo accords of 1993. In this Agreement Israel recognized the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
And on the other hand as the representative of the Palestinian people the PLO among other commitments, agreed to stop terrorist acts against the state of Israel
My personal opinion on the Oslo agreement is that when a historical opportunity presents itself – things should not be done in phases but rather in one swift move in order to enhance hope and not create bitterness between both sides.
The Murder of 29 Muslims in praying Hebron in the cave of the patriarchs did not help to create the atmosphere of peace. On the other hand I feel that Yasser Arafat, failed to transform himself to a statesman and showing leadership. He let fringe organizations continue on the road of terror. Committing numerous suicide bombings inside Israel thus together with the Murder of Itzhak Rabin by a Jew in November of 1995 thus in fact killing the Oslo agreements.
On the 15 of August 2005 under the leadership of PM Ariel Sharon, Israel left the entire area of the Gaza Strip. In order to restart the peace process. Instead of using this as a point to start building a state infrastructure water electricity work etc etc
And proving with actions that you want peace. Your leadership the Hamas used the resources for more war. Stating their goal to destroy Israel.
Those actions and words of your leaders due to my history, tell me that there is no point to strive for peace. If the option that your leaders are leaving to me is a sum zero game of All (for you) or nothing (for me). It does not matter if I am a dove or a hawk in the Israeli map you can stay with nothing. In your quest for all – for the past 66 years you have gone from bad to worse. Just think what a great country you could have had, if you spent your energies building instead of fighting?
Part of me thinks that my country should stop “begging” for peace for 66 years we have been seeking peace. In a way similar to battered woman syndrome always coming back for more. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. Part of me says you know what I heard you: You don’t want peace I accept that fact.
It is high time that both sides you and me realize that neither one of us will fulfill the totality of our dream. Your history books are full of horrible things we did to you and my history books are full of horrible things you did to us …..
I believe that you just like me Want to wear your pants one leg at a time, kiss your wife and children go to work and come safely back home in the evening.
What did you do today on the Sixth day of operation protective edge? I left work early
In order not to be caught in traffic in case there was a missile attack. Had coffee went to the market bought 2 liters of milk. The siren warning of a missile attack caught me walking home- I waited 5 minutes in the stair well and went on with my normal life, can you say the same?
I cannot force your leaders to seek peace, that my friend is your job ! Go into the streets of Gaza and demand peace! And you better do it sooner rather than later before the extreme right takes over in my country.
