Listen here or read below…

On Monday evening, March 22, you, Mr. Netanyahu, will address the AIPAC policy conference in Washington DC. Your address will be significant because you are coming on the heels of a disastrous week in Israeli/U.S relations. The “JERUSALEM FIASCO” is of your own making, either out of incompetence or cold-hearted calculation. The insulting announcement of settlement expansion in East Jerusalem, while Vice President Joe Biden was in Israel to announce a new peace initiative, was a provocation and slap in our face that you, Mr. Netanyahu, must bear all responsibility for.

Your duplicitous Interior minister sabotaged the peace process before it even got started. And you allowed it!

While the dust settles from this diplomatic fiasco, we have a challenge for you, Mr. Netanyahu. Since you’re coming to Washington, where I’m sure you expect to be treated with the dignity you denied Vice President Biden while in your country last week, we have the following suggestions for you, in the form of simple challenges.

Eli Yishai, Israeli Interior Minister

WE CHALLENGE YOU

With that said, here’s the hard part. Here’s the real challenge. You’re coming to address AIPAC, your bullies-in-residence in our country, but you’re also coming to mend fences. You need us and our money and our military muscle. You also need the AIPAC crowd and the zealots of the settlement community who helped put you in power.

WE CHALLENGE YOU, Mr. Netanyahu, to come down off that fence you’ve been straddling forever and take a courageous stand for peace and justice, once and for all. It’s time to stop trying to have it both ways. That game is over. Your stupidity and insensitivity last week in Jerusalem ended that charade forever.

You’ve been ‘talking the talk’ forever about wanting a just and lasting peace settlement with the Palestinians, but you’ve never actually ‘walked the walk.’ Now is the time. We’re calling you out once and for all.

Settlements in East Jerusalem

WE CHALLENGE YOU to immediately end the inhumane blockade of Gaza! The GOLDSTONE REPORT has revealed the brutality your forces inflicted on those impoverished people a year ago, and the punitive blockade you’ve had in place ever since has only worsened their plight. Open the borders and let them rebuild!

WE CHALLENGE YOU to put the long-term security of all Israelis above your own political survival. By embracing the two-state solution, and the land-for-peace arrangements it would require, you will no doubt be hounded and rejected by your hard-line coalition partners and your government will collapse. So be it. Doing the right thing for Israel and the Palestinians will, in the long run, be the most honorable thing you have ever done. The end of your political career will become your historical salvation.

WE CHALLENGE YOU to freeze all settlement construction indefinitely, and to move forcefully to dismantle all illegal outposts in the occupied territories.

WE CHALLENGE YOU to remove the humiliating and debilitating network of checkpoints throughout the West Bank, which enslave and harass the Palestinian people at every turn of their daily existence. Stop treating them like cattle to be herded.

WE CHALLENGE YOU to dismantle the security wall, which ultimately serves only to wall you off from the rest of the civilized world and your own humanity.

WE CHALLENGE YOU to stand before the AIPAC crowd and say these words.

“From this night going forward, I pledge to you that Israel, under my leadership, will tear down the barrier to peace and will work tirelessly to reach an honorable and just accommodation with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. My days as prime minister may be numbered, but my determination will be relentless. It is my intention to take Israel to a new level of prosperity and security by working to create the independent state of Palestine. It is my intention to atone for our past behavior, which we cannot change, by guaranteeing a better tomorrow – a future we will share with our Palestinian brethren.”

What will be the destiny of your own choosing, Mr. Netanyahu? Will you go down in history as a mediocre and visionless prime minister or will you find the moral courage within yourself to do the hard and honorable things while there is still time?

We’ll all be listening to your AIPAC address for the answer.

Please Mr. Netanyahu, for the sake of the wonderful Jewish people personified by Anna Baltzer who we have featured in our publications, you must become a True Member of the Human Race — and stop pretending that you are better than anyone else!

Let’s not just talk about what needs to be done —

LET’S DO IT!

America must require the so-called government of Israel (with the K.A.S.M. lurking behind and over it) to immediately and completely reform the way it deals with and treats the Palestinians.

There must be Respect and Humanity (there is none now).

LET’S MOVE ISRAEL!

Let’s get on the path to Justice, Freedom, and Humanity

Listen to an Introduction from Citizen Paul

This report is the culmination of my recent trip and many years of in-depth research on Israel and Palestine. For 60 years, this seemingly insurmountable conflict between two peoples – two countries, both deserving of free and independent homelands – has raged. And for as many years, all attempts to bring a two-state solution have failed.

It’s clear from my experience that the political will among moderates on both sides is there. Even families who have suffered the personal loss of loved ones at the hands of extremists on the other side have stated that they want this violent battle for land to stop. They are ready to engage in serious negotiations – to make personal sacrifices that will lead to equitable boundaries and a peaceful future… but the K.A.S.M. has always prevented it!

The outline for our plan follows.

PILLARS FOR OUR BRIDGE TO PEACE

The Pillars and the Critical Steps of the Plan

The Vital "Highway" Connecting Gaza and the West Bank

• Establish State of Palestine
• East Jerusalem would be the capital of the Palestinian State
• Normal Peaceful Relations
• Comprehensive Arab-Israeli Peace
• An end to “The Wall”
• True and Historic Reconciliation
• U.S. and International Guarantees for Israeli and Palestinian Security



• Regional Security and Prosperity
• Key Roles for U.S. and U.N.
• Israeli Statement: Freeze of Settlements, Comprehensive Peace Treaty, and Establishment of Palestinian State
• Palestinian Statement: Announce Agreement to
  Peaceful Coexistence, Ratification of State of Palestine, Agreement to Mutual Boundaries
• Fund for Palestine
• Territorial Settlement
• Historic International Peace Treaty
• Critical Role for Security Council
• Formal Israeli and Palestinian Ratification
• Formal Endorsement by the U.N. General Assembly and
  the International Community

Listen to an Introduction from Citizen Paul

Israel can be a uniting force! Here’s how:

Israel Must Cooperate with America and the United Nations to Free Palestine!

… And Be a Champion of a Free Palestine in the New Middle East!

… IF Israel Can Accept Justice for Palestine!

Obama will NOT let Rahm Emanuel prevent a Free Palestine State! Rahm was an Israeli Soldier, and his father was an IRGUN Terrorist in 1948.

Israel agrees to support a 2-state solution with Palestine, now!

Bringing hope to the Israeli, Palestinian, and American People! LET’S DO IT NOW!

“This siege is effectively imprisoning the vast majority of Gaza’s population.”

Listen to an Introduction from Citizen Paul

The United Nations plays a major role in trying to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and there has been strong support for giving the UN greater authority to step in and effectively make the territories a UN trusteeship. During the period of intense conflict in 2002, a strong majority supported the UN’s effort to conduct a fact-finding mission in Jenin and a plurality approved the UN Security Council calling for Israel to withdraw its forces from Palestinian cities. 

The purpose of this fact-finding mission was to establish the facts about what happened in the struggle between the IDF and Palestinian militants in Jenin and to evaluate rumors and reports of war crimes against civilians.

Originally a suggestion of the Israeli Foreign Minister, the UN fact-finding mission was backed by the United States. After a few days, the Israeli government reversed course and refused cooperation with the fact-finding mission.

The “Gaza Strip” is an arid rectangular territory 25 miles long and 6 miles wide that has a population of 1.5 million Palestinians. Through military force Israel fully controls the Gaza Strip from the sea, the air, and on land so that the designation “occupied territory” continues to apply even though 8,000 Israeli settlers were evacuated in 2005. 

Today nearly 80% of Gazans live in poverty and about half of these are classified as “extremely impoverished by the United Nations. Unemployment is today near 50% and the average GDP is less than $1,500 making Gaza one of the poorest as well as most densely populated areas of the world. 

The former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, John Dugard, said in 2006, “Gaza is a prison and Israel seems to have thrown away the keys.”

The plight of Palestinian women

During my 2008 visit, I attended a meeting where recent findings from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Report (pictured above) were discussed and the obvious facts – that political, economic and social conditions have continued to deteriorate and inter-factional violence increased, making it clear that without greater support for UN and other NGOs, like Mercy Corps, initiatives to help the Palestinian people, the efforts to bring about a solution will fail. 

Since October 2007, Israel has restricted the amount of fuel it allows to supply Gaza’s only power plant. As a result, the plant can only produce 55 megawatts out of a potential 80 megawatts causing power cuts from four to eight hours per day. And Gaza City’s sewage treatment plant requires 14 days of uninterrupted power supply for the full duration of the treatment cycle. 

The bulk of the sewage is being pumped out to the sea in Gaza, and the latest development of sewage being pumped into storm water lagoons in heavily populated areas remains a serious concern. Fishermen at the Gaza harbor claim that the sewage has killed most sea life in the immediate vicinity, and the major health concern is that sewage introduces the ecoli bacteria into bathing water. 

All key aspects of humanitarian assistance from the hospitals, food assistance programs, water, sanitation, and transport of goods from the border crossings to storage or the market are impossible without fuel.

Despite these hardships, the UN continues to fight for the rights and well-being of the Palestinian people. We thank them for their tireless work to alleviate the suffering and bring humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.

Listen to an Introduction from Citizen Paul

We had a great meeting and discussion together. The essence was that these dynamic people would continue to work together in an effort to smooth the way for Palestinians to have greater access to all parts of Jerusalem and Israel. They are also dedicated to enhancing their new friendships that started here. To move ahead with the optimistic anticipation that there will be a cooperative two-state solution — soon — with much coordination between Israelis and Palestinians. All of these dedicated people met and pledged to work together for Palestine and Israel.

Listen to an Introduction from Citizen Paul

Among the brightest and the best, Zohair Shaban was one of seven detained Palestinian Fulbright Scholars who were unable to leave Gaza back in May 2008. Upon learning of this injustice, we published an editorial, “Israel, Please Wake Up!” on our website and received the following email from Zohair Shaban.

July 15, 2008
Dear Mr. Paul,

Thanks to Google Engine that guided us to your article titled “Israel Please Wake Up!” During the past period we used to regularly check what is written on our story in the media and the web. We read your article and are very impressed with it since it described an aspects of the hard life in Gaza particularly, education.

We would like to take the opportunity and express our appreciation to you for your thoughts, support and sympathy. We definitely believe the media is a very crucial tool affecting decision making and public opinion formation.

We share you the opinion that this matter shouldn’t have taken a lot from US to accomplish and this is what was written in the letter addressed to Secretary Rice when she recently visited Jerusalem. (Have a look on it here: deprived-gaza-students.blogspot.com.)

We read many article written in this story and most of them failed to mention that the banning policy is not merely for Fulbrighters but for all students here in Gaza, but your article mentioned this and this is a plus. Luckily, Gazans Fulbright story struck in the media and had widely spread, so our scholarships were reinstated and the US consulate (in behalf of State Department) said it’s committed to us to travel and join our programs at US. But what about the non-Fulbright student? Who will be committed to them and who will work to facilitate their exit? We hope your professionally-written article will have the desired impact on the decision makers in USA to press Israel to facilitate the travel of not only Fulbright Grantees but all students planning to pursue degrees abroad or in Westbank.

Back to our case, the most shocking thing was that we were banned for having “family ties” with Hamas and we think this is ridiculous!! We believe this is a justification that Israel had to mention instead of “No reasons, we want to ban them because we don’t like dictations.” No recent news regarding our travel and we still stranded in Gaza, but despite all what happened, we still have a high soul and we believe we will be able to join our respective programs.

Finally, thank you again for your kind efforts to clarify the truth and rectify the US policy in the Middle East. Please keep us posted if any reactions took place and we welcome any discussion in our issue.

Best regards,
On behalf of the three trapped Fulbright students,
Zohair M. Abu-Shaban

Latest from Zohair

We are determined not to be rendered a dependent people lacking advanced education.

And yet the silence of the world suggests that Israel will succeed in keeping us within the limiting confines of Gaza. Perhaps American students will think of me and my fellow Palestinian students as the academic year begins. We long for a similar opportunity.

HOW DISGRACEFUL! THIS DESTROYS ISRAEL’S AND AMERICA’S REPUTATIONS!

Tzipi Livni

Listen to an Introduction from Citizen Paul

Tzipi Livni, even though a past agent in the Mossad Spy Network, too, needs to have an honest non-threatening AIPAC and JINSA.

She is the “Great Hope” for an honest, respected, and admired Israel in spite of the obstacles in her way.

Tzipi Livni has the experience, character, and historic background to finally achieve a lasting Peace and a viable Two-State Solution with the Palestinians.

We commend Tzipi Livni, but ask her to call for an immediate cease-fire from Israel and Hamas – and to announce to the world that Israel is ready, willing, and able to cooperate fully with the UN, USA, EU, and Russia. She must also state clearly that Israel will accept and promote a viable Two-State Solution with Palestine — giving full rights and independence in the West Bank and Gaza!

Here, with the help of these activists, is how she can do it:

Overview – the only way that Israel can survive as a Jewish nation is to finally agree with the Palestinians to a separate viable country for them within the approximate borders that existed after the 1967 War.

Jerusalem must be shared as the capital of Palestine and Israel.

Stop all building of settlements in the West Bank and encroachments into cities like Hebron, Nablus, Jerusalem, etc. In short, stop all building on Palestinian land – and removal of settlers from most of the West Bank. Israel would reimburse those ”Settlers” for their investment.

Israel must agree to adjust the security barrier (the WALL) so it runs as close as possible to the 1967 line – and to completely revamp it where Israel has “stolen” land around unapproved “settlements” that restrict Palestinians from their own farmland.

Ms. Livni should stop Israel’s Knesset, Army, Shin Bet, and Mossad (the K.A.S.M.)* from promoting divisions among the Palestinians. It is counterproductive to encourage Fatah to fight Hamas. She should, if she can, promote peace by freeing large numbers of prisoners who have been languishing in Israeli jails, especially Marwan Barghouti – a strong and effective Palestinian leader – to bolster the ranks of Mahmoud Abbas, to help him muster the support to get the Two-State Solution done – with a Unified Palestine (including both Hamas and Fatah).

We commend Ms. Livni in every way and urge our new President Barack Obama and his team to move ahead and get this done.

AND – Ms. Tzipi Livni can restore the historic glory of the Jewish people (as personified by Rabbi Michael Lerner) – by altering the dangerous and bitterly divisive present course of Israel – and its “hidden control mechanism” – the terrible Junto, the “K.A.S.M.”

Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority

Mahmoud Abbas has been so cooperative, so understanding, and so wonderful in all of the negotiations with Israel (Olmert), the United States (Bush), the U.K. (Blair), and everyone — that if Israel does not agree NOW to a equitable Two-State Solution — it proves (once and for all) that Israel is not, and never has been, interested in achieving real Peace — and that it will never be satisfied unless they 
“Have It All!”

Marwan Barghouti, Fatah Palestinian Leader in Israeli Jail

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