MORE US Tax Dollars to UNRWA

The US State Department announced last Friday that it is contributing an additional $20 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. (UNWRA)

$13.5m. of the funds, which come on top of $85m. in relief the US had already committed for 2009 will go directly to UNRWA. Another $6m. will go to the International Committee of the Red Cross and $800,000 will be given to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

How did this come about, you might ask. How did American tax dollars get committed to an organization whose sole purpose is to perpetuate the "refugee" status of a single group of people in the world?

Look no further than your local congressperson. The move comes after more than 60 members of Congress wrote to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week to convey their "deep concern for the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and to request immediate action by the United States to address this crisis."

"Failure to address this humanitarian emergency has the potential to produce a crisis of even more unspeakable proportions. We therefore respectfully request that the State Department release emergency funds to UNRWA for reconstruction and humanitarian assistance," the letter said.

The congresspeople suggested the money be taken from the US Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance.

In other words, some US members of congress would rather throw good US taxpayer dollars at the Pals. and perpetuate their miserable status, rather than do somethng constructive to actually help these people and put an end to the "refugee" problem that is now in its fourth generation.

Disbanding the UNRWA camps-which have become hotbeds for terror activity--would be the humane thing to do.

As MK Benny Elon explains in his Right Road to Peace Initiative the Israeli position has been no better regarding what to do with the "refugees.":

"The Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank and Gaza are not their homes, but rather temporary stations.
The question that remains open is not whether they will return to their homes. They will not return to their homes, just as Jews will not return to Poland, Iraq or Morocco. The question is how to rehabilitate and resettle them.

"Amazingly, this question has hardly been asked. For many years, Israel preferred to ignore the refugee problem in the hope that in time, it would resolve itself.

Needless to say, this policy has been ineffective. The refugee problem has grown in size and in effect, it has given birth to terror and Palestinian nationalism. Despite everything, Israel decided to legitimize Palestinian nationalism as part of the "two state" solution.

Israel's choice to recognize Palestinian nationalism has brought her to endure countless terrorist attacks and a diplomatic process where Israel is constantly pushed to capitulate on issues that cost lives."

Americans AND Israelis who see the dangers of a 2-state solution need to speak up now to call for an END to UNWRA--not its perpetuation.

Watch the new No On 2-State Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jg60n098pQ and act on the suggestions in it!

Obstacles to Peace

President Barack Obama’s first phone call last week was to Mahmoud Abbas: this week his first interview was on Al Arabiya TV…today the new Middle East envoy, Sen. George Mitchell arrives in the Middle East, and all the while, the media pounds away at that great obstacle to peace—yes, the “settlements.”

In a savage nationally televised 60-Minutes piece by Bob Simon, those Jews living in Judea and Samaria were delegitimized, marginalized and blamed for the imminent death of the “peace process.”

New York Times columnist Tom Friedman adds fuel to the fire as he equates the “fanatical Jewish settlers” with Hamas in his latest diatribe about “closing the window on the two-state solution.” It’s a recurring theme with Friedman, but with a new administration in the White House, Friedman is frothing at the mouth to criminalize those Jews who have the chutzpa to raise their children and center their lives in the historic Jewish homeland.

If the effort to cast these Jews as “criminals” is successful, then physically dragging them out of their homes in order to impose a Palestinian state becomes an easier task. The media will have done its job.

George Mitchell’s job is to provide the moral equivalency framework and argue a “political” solution.

It’s just one week into the Obama administration and the writing is very clearly on the wall.

If you are a person who cares about the JEWISH state—not the state of Tel Aviv that may be left to us when the dust settles on a two-state solution: then your path must be clear.

Join us today and help us say NO to the most fateful decision that is about to be made in Israel’s destiny.

Watch the new No On 2-State Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jg60n098pQ and act on the suggestions in it!

It Begins...

President Barack Obama's first phone call from the White House was to Mahmoud Abbas. That should tell us something...so should the expected appointment of former Senator George Mitchell as the next Middle East envoy. A former Senate majority leader, Mitchell's other claim to fame is that he helped Bill Clinton broker a peace deal in Northern Ireland.

With a Lebanese mother, Mitchell therefore was tapped by Clinton to help out those pesky people in the Middle East who surely must be able to come to some compromise too...

Mitchell gave his name to the 2001 Mitchell Report that blamed everything on "the settlements."

In a speech at a security conference in Tel Aviv a few weeks ago, Mitchell spelled out his current view of things:

"Israel has a state, but its people live in unbearable anxiety, so security for the people is an overriding objective. The Palestinians don't have a state and they want one, an independent, economically viable and geographically integral state; that is their overriding objective," he said.

"I believe that neither can attain its objective by denying to the other side its objectives. Israelis are not likely to have sustainable security if the Palestinians don't have a state, and Palestinians will never achieve a state until the people of Israel have some security."

Right--like the Palestinians have ever proved that their main objective is getting their own state, not destroying ours?

The battle is joined, as of today, for saner minds to prevail--but, guess what? Just like in Israel where the people have a much clearer view of things than the political leadership, polls in the US indicate that the people there are beginning to get it too...

In a poll conducted by the McClatchy Newspaper Group, 1504 Americans were asked:

Now, do you think the United States should or should not favor creating a
Palestinian state?
Should favor 31% Should not favor 45% (DK/NS) 24%

How confident are you that the incoming Obama administration can resolve
the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians? Are you: Very confident 10% Somewhat confident 32%
Not too confident 22% Not at all confident 29%
(DK/NS) 7%

[The compete poll is available at www.ipsos-na.com/news/client/act_dsp_pdf.cfm?name=mr090114-2a.pdf&id=4236]

By the way, in a Wall St Journal poll released last week, we learn that nearly half of Americans believe the Palestinians are to blame for the recent outbreak of violence in the Middle East.

Some 46% of respondents said Palestinians were more responsible for the violence versus 18% who said Israel shouldered the burden. Just 13% said both were equally to blame.

Watch for new initiatives of the18 against a two-state solution in coming days...

the18 goes to Gaza

the18 founder, Michael Fenenbock,(in red hat, above) paid a visit to Israeli troops in Gaza last week. Here's his report as it appears on the popular Little Green Footballs blog. http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/32465_LGF_Exclusive-_Report_from_Gaza

LGF reader Michael Fenenbock emailed this interesting report from Israel; he was able to get access to the battle zone in Gaza and interview IDF soldiers, unlike the mainstream media.

January 15, 2009
Jerusalem, Israel

Michael Fenenbock, veteran political consultant and founder of the18, made a lightning visit to the Gaza war zone yesterday to interact with IDF troops near the front.

Accompanied by senior security personnel, Fenenbock gained access to a zone where reporters are not permitted to enter. Fenenbock’s most striking impression was that morale is extremely high at all levels of command and that the professionalism and commitment of the IDF are impressive.

What follows is Michael’s first-hand report from the front lines.

Rafi, the head of security for 17 kibbutzim bordering the Gaza Strip is an extraordinary man. Of Iranian Jewish origin, he calmly conducts business with an Uzi in his lap, three cell phones, two radios and a walkie-talkie going at the same time; helicopters overhead, Israeli planes thundering in the distance; alarms announcing the firing of Kassam rockets at Ashkelon and the kibbutzim; Rafi calmly races between rocket attack locations.

Nearby, IDF soldiers covered in dust and grime, refit damaged tanks and send them spewing black diesel smoke back into the fray.

At the side of one of the massive IDF tanks I’m introduced to the young men of the tank crew who are taking a brief respite from the battle. “Hi, I’m Michael from New York.” “And I’m Sasha from Moscow,” one tall, fair-haired officer responds.

Another young soldier and I engage in a discussion about the New York Yankees and their prospects this year.

I talk to still more dust covered soldiers from the prestigious Golani Brigade. All express surprise, welcome, and appreciation for our visit and support.

“Are you getting everything you need?” I ask, remembering the dreadful reports from Israeli troops of shortages of supplies and food during the 2006 Second Lebanon War. This time, the answer always comes back the same. ‘Absolutely, we have everything.’

As we continue our tour of the staging area, we stand aside as an officer briefs a group of men while flipping the pages of aerial photographs. Three female soldiers in charge of piloting the intelligence drones drive by in an IDF jeep. They smile and wave.

In an open area next to a cultivated field is a sight not seen in other nations at war — hundreds of parked civilian cars. The cars belong to reservists who have reported for duty from all over the country. Much of the IDF is a civilian army.

Rafi calls a temporary halt to the briefing to take us into a kibbutz hothouse, where he hands us yellow bell peppers fresh off the vine. The kibbutz specializes in the production of bio-organic produce.

We munch away as reports come in that one of the kibbutz vehicles has taken a sniper bullet – Gaza is 200 yards away. Fortunately, the driver is unhurt.

From an observation post looking over Gaza that only a mountain goat could climb, we see smoke pouring from high-rise buildings in Gaza City. Rafi tells us that the city skyline has changed as of late. Many such buildings are used by Hamas as terrorist bases and rocket launchpads and so have been leveled by the IAF. It is a surgical operation.

Back at the kibbutz, Rafi stops to admonish four schoolboys who are outside kicking a soccer ball. “Shai, get back in the shelter and take your friends with you,” he yells.

The kids smile, wave, and continue kicking the soccer ball.

Rafi shares with us that when Israel removed all its citizens from Gaza three years ago he believed in the promise of peace. He had friends on the other side, men he negotiated with about building a maternity hospital that would serve mostly Palestinian women and about how the Karni crossing would become a mecca for trade.

But, Rafi explains, rolling his eyes and sadly shaking his head, it was all a ruse by the Gazans, an attempt to lull Jews into a false sense of security that would make them vulnerable to attack. “So that they could slaughter us,” Rafi says.

To underscore his point, Rafi shows us the last several days’ collection of jagged shrapnel – razor sharp pieces and mean-looking parts of the rockets fired on Israel’s southern residents. As we examine a piece of shrapnel we’re told the rocket it comes from was manufactured in China. Other rocket parts, Rafi tells us, come from Iran.

On the border, we pick up one of the flyers in Arabic that Israel distributed by the thousands to the citizens of Gaza, warning civilians of the impending military campaign.

As we drive out of the war zone and head north back to Jerusalem, we pass a soldier hitching a ride in the other direction, toward the battle. When I glance back, I see a car stop and pick him up.

A little further north we come upon the line up of news crews, trucks, cameras, and satellite dishes. They are only allowed to go as far as this point.

Michael Fenenbock is a long-time American political consultant. He and his wife Daphne are the founders of the18 and the No on Two-State campaign. They live in New York, but spend a great deal of time in Jerusalem.

Establishment Pro-Israel Rallies push Two State Solution

To their credit, Jewish communities around the world have mobilized to support Israel during the Gaza War. Rallies and demonstrations of support for Israel have taken place in dozens of cities all over the world.

At the street demonstrations organized by independent activist groups, the message has been strong and clear--Israel is defending its civilian population and doing what is necessary to send Iran, Hamas's backer, the strongest message possible. American Jews will stand behind Israel and her army in that effort.

At many of the events put on by establishment organizations, Israeli Consul Generals or their proxies were featured speakers and in addition to the above idea, they gave over a message that Israel's "disengagement" from Gaza in 2005 that threw 9000 Jews out of their homes and destroyed 22 vibrant Jewish communities, was a valiant attempt at peace and all we want is to return to negotiations that will lead us to an "equitable" outcome where Palestinians and Israelis will live side by side in peace in two states.

Unbelievable! What clearer evidence could there be that the so-called two-state solution will lead to nothing but disaster, than the current Gaza war?

Just last week, the US House of Representatives and the Senate voted overwhelmingly to support Israel in the battle against Hamas. They too included a pitch for a two-state solution. Get in touch with your legislators and set them straight about what support for a secure Israel really means. And get in touch with your local Jewish community "leadership" and tell them what you think of imposing a two-state solution on Israel

Don't Waste Tax Dollars on Failed Solutions

As the Gaza war wears on, more and more American opinion makers are coming to the conclusion that settling the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of a two-state solution is no longer workable. This week, former US ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton suggested giving the Palestinian territories to Egypt and Jordan.

"Let's start by recognizing that trying to create a Palestinian Authority from the old PLO has failed and that any two-state solution based on the PA is stillborn," Bolton wrote in The Washington Post.

"Hamas has killed the idea, and even the Holy Land is good for only one resurrection."

Bolton argues that the Middle East peace process is "obviously not progressing... probably going backward" while the US- and UN-backed "road map" for peace has still to show results.

"Instead, we should look to a 'three-state' approach, where Gaza is returned to Egyptian control and the West Bank in some configuration reverts to Jordanian sovereignty," says the former ambassador.

"Having the two Arab states re-extend their prior political authority is an authentic way to extend the zone of peace and, more important, build on governments that are providing peace and stability in their own countries," he concluded.

Meantime, polls show that despite expressing support for Israel, most Americans do not want to involve the US military in the Gaza mess.

Only 20% of those responding support the idea of US military peacekeepers in the area. 60% are opposed. 20% are undecided.

In addition, it’s clear that Americans want the new administration to address the economy first and foremost. Obama's economic recovery plan calls for billions of government i.e. tax payer money to be pumped into the economy.

There will be little tolerance for massive payouts to the Middle East in a futile attempt to jumpstart the Palestinian state that will so clearly be a failure.

PASS IT ON--The two-state solution will be a colossal waste of American taxpayer’s money.

SO FAR, SO GOOD

So far so good—Israel's offensive against Hamas infrastructure and leaders has gotten off to a great start with strikes against weapon manufacturing and storage facilities, tunnels, launching grounds and arms warehouses.

Among the targets hit yesterday was the office of Hamas leader Ismail Hania,
in Gaza City. The IAF also blasted a weapons research and development center used as a laboratory to develop and manufacture explosives and Qassam rockets that have terrorized Israeli communities for years.

On the home front, just like at the start of the Second Lebanon War, there's almost unanimous support and acclaim for the military action. Israelis had been waiting for this kind of a response for a very long time.

Despite the order to call up 6,700 reservists and the fear over the fate of Gilad Schalit, still held by Hamas somewhere in Gaza, Israelis understand that huge sacrifices need to be made in order for us to continue to exist in our menacing neighborhood.

While tens of thousands of Jews endure another day staying in or close to their shelters and the Chanukah school vacation is extended yet again so that our children are at less risk of being bombed, Israelis are by now steeled to the daily toll of wounded as well as damaged homes.

In eastern Jerusalem the evidence of two days of rioting by our Arab neighbors may be seen everywhere—burned out garbage cans and rocks strewn all over the main roads. There's a heightened security presence of Border Patrol and IDF on all the major intersections in the southern and eastern parts of the capital.

All of this should point out to the world the absolute folly of even thinking about granting these people a state—but as condemnations of Israel roll in from the EU, the UN and an assortment of random governments, the work of standing strong against a two state solution becomes even more important.

Watch for more of the unfolding campaign of the18 against forcing Israel to accept a "solution" that will only lead to more bloodshed.