Who can decide for an entire democratic nation what is good for it and for its people?

Why the Quarrel?


I understand that Obama and his team have certainly developed a plan for peace between Israel’s leader Netanyahu and PLO leader Mr Abbas. It is not easy for a nation, who during WWII lost six million of its members, for the sole reason that they were Jews, to believe that the president of the United States will be successful in concluding peace with their neighbors, knowing that many American presidents have tried it unsuccessfully before him. Furthermore they had a bad experience with the Arabs, who today call themselves Palestinians. The Israelis know from their experience, what would be, if peace with the people of the West Bank would turn that land into Hamas land, and these people would start again firing rockets, hitting Israeli villages, disturb lives and leave dead and crippled people behind.


Those who experienced war know very well the meaning of trust. From the onset, our President did not make any effort to gain the trust of the Israeli people, although the American Jews gave him a chance and supported him during the election and during debates in the Congress. Obama cannot expect that the American Jews would persuade their fellow Jews in Israel to trust them with their life, as after all, they are the ones who fought the battles and lost children and members of their family, while their American Jewish brothers lived in a comfortable and secure environment.


Furthermore the Iranian problem is an additional burden on the Jews and for the State of Israel, for its people and for its leaders. We heard many times Iran president Mahmud Ahmadinejad saying he will soon annihilate Israel. The West does nothing against this country. How can one expect that the Israelis take his word leisurely? I believe that our president means well for Israel, but in such an environment how can one understand and trust anyone else with the life of an entire nation?


Obama, who is an intellectual and a man who also experienced the division between his dad and his mom, should understand and should have an affinity for the Jews, at least to demonstrate his appreciation for those who helped him, in the same way he showed empathy for the Arabs. The writer of these lines also has empathy for the Arabs, as well as a love for his people. My dream is to reach peace between the parties. In my view Obama and his team have neither patience nor understanding for the Israeli leader, Mr. Netanyahu. Is it because of different political views? Any imposed peace cannot hold, if it goes against the will of the people, particularly with a nation of people who passed very bitter experiences in their lives. Is this the moment to antagonize and make more enemies? Are we looking to turn Israel into a vassal state, and make it do desperate acts that we cannot control? I don’t think so. The American people are smart enough not to choose a destructive path for the people of the Bible.