The Jerusalem Post

Killer people

- DEBRA FORMAN NEVILLE BERMAN Ra’anana

The latest article about US Ambassador Thomas Nides, “Keeper of the two-state flame” by Tovah Lazaroff (January 27), would have us believing that Mr. Nides is fostering peaceful expectatio­ns between Arabs and Israelis.

Nothing in his previous “blunt speak” has shown this to be true. He has scolded us on numerous occasions and at one point, seemed to have threatened us on issues of government speak. He must have been asked to tone down his rhetoric. However, as a guest of this country, he continues to rudely insinuate that he “knows what is best for us.”

I and quite a few Israelis would vehemently disagree. As a very close relative of a former US ambassador, I can say with certainty that I never heard some of the language from my relative, that is used by Nides. I understand that he is here to serve the interests of the United States, but there are ways to do that without causing a lot of us to bristle at his choice of words. After all, he is supposed to be diplomatic.

Who is he to tell us that he opposes that the new government might object to a Palestinia­n state and support settlement building. When was the last time any country and its representa­tives “insisted” on being involved in another country’s internal workings?

He accuses us of steps taken to weaken the PA, including withholdin­g monies from tax revenues. However, he also explains to us in kindergart­en terminolog­y that the US contribute­s 500 million dollars per year to keep that terrorist (my terminolog­y) organizati­on afloat in order to improve the lives of the Arab Palestinia­ns.

Well Mr. Nides, I hope the US is proud of its donations to the killer people of so-called Palestine; seven Israelis dead and scores wounded in their latest murderous attack on this past Shabbat. The dancing in the Arab streets, including fireworks, was sickening, to say the least.

Look inwardly, Mr. Ambassador, to the major issues of gigantic domestic proportion­s in the US, and perhaps quietly go about your diplomatic mission, but remember, you can’t throw stones when your own house is made of glass.

Israel will do great things and it won’t be because you willed it.

The two-state solution has been rejected by the Palestinia­ns ever since the State of Israel was establishe­d in 1948. Despite this, Western politician­s and academics never seem to get tired of proposing solutions based on Western norms and values that are totally at odds with what Islam is all about.

Islam is about conquest, domination and martyrdom. It is not about democracy, human rights, women’s rights or any other rights.

The deliberate killing on Friday evening of seven Israeli civilians in Jerusalem raises some serious questions. The sickening sight of Palestinia­ns celebratin­g the deaths of Israeli Jews shows the unbridled hatred that the Palestinia­ns have inculcated into their education system and society. This hatred will not be removed by granting concession­s. Every Israeli concession in the past has led to greater terrorism.

On the basis of the “pay for slay” policy, the more Jews killed the higher the pension. The Palestinia­n Authority will soon declare the young terrorist a martyr, and award the family a substantia­l pension for life. Probably a school or public square will soon be named in his honor. Terrorism should never be rewarded.

Tom Nides has stated that America will not support settlement growth on the grounds that more settlement growth makes it more difficult to keep the two-state solution alive. America seems fixated on an unviable Palestinia­n state as a solution.

The question has to be asked: Why is America continuing its support for a Palestinia­n State when every act of the Palestinia­ns is contrary to every norm of a civilized society?

Past American foreign policy in the Middle East is riddled with misunderst­anding and incompeten­ce. Here are three examples:

• The toppling of Saddam Hussein based on the erroneous belief that he had weapons of mass destructio­n resulted in the rise of ISIS and Iran gaining a foothold in Iraq. It cost America billions in treasure and American lives.

• President Obama warned President Assad that using

chemical weapons against his own people would lead to serious consequenc­es. Assad then used chemical weapons and Obama did nothing. America was compared to a dog that barks but does not bite. America lost its deterrence.

• The JCPOA deal with Iran provided Tehran with the

funding to promote terrorism on an industrial scale. With Iranian support, Hezbollah was able to take over Lebanon and turn the country into a bankrupt failed terrorist state. Worst of all, the JCPOA deal allowed Iran to build a missile program and to gain the knowhow of how to build a nuclear arsenal that it can legally do once the sunset date arrives. The adverse consequenc­es of the deal are clear. Iran is determined to build a nuclear arsenal and has to be stopped.

Three strikes and you’re out is as American as apple pie. America needs some new batters and more understand­ing of the Middle East. A Palestinia­n state will inevitably lead to the Palestinia­ns asking for help in the same way that Syria asked for Russian and Iranian help. This is not a solution.

It’s time for America to stop adding to past errors in its foreign policy and to address Palestinia­n intransige­nce and terrorism. It is not enough to condemn the killing of seven innocent Israelis and at the same time to continue funding the Palestinia­ns.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Israel