Bibi Impresses in Congress

 

                                                                                                                        ב"ה            

20 Iyar 5771                                                                                                   May 24, 2011 

                      Blueprint for Peace Includes Invitation for Credible Partners

More than the perfunctory references to shared values, democracy, freedom, and equality for women in both the United States and Israel, Netanayhu hit emotional strings that resonated with the overwhelmingly friendly audience in today's special joint session of Congress (House and Senate meeting in the former's larger venue).

Repeatedly, the prime minister stressed the obvious: Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East; that American troops need not be called to defend it. for it fights its own battles and wars; and in a declaration that can only be dreamed by pro-American Greeks to come from a Greek leader, he steadfastly proclaimed Israel to be an unequivocal friend and ally of the United States!

The scores of times the lawmakers rose to applaud in dramatic gestures of bipartisan support for the Jewish State, underscored the unbroken ties that continue to be forged, for mutual benefit, between Israel and America! Tears welled up as the prime minister concluded with the line that should become the mantra for all pro-Americans: " ... and may G-d forever bless the United States of America!"

Throughout, Netanayhu commented generously on the congruence between President Obama's and his views on the evolution towards peace between Palestinians and Israelis, stressing that borders, and other issues, must be the culminating finished product of a negotiated agreement between two parties. Hamas cannot be a credible partner, even as part of a reconstituted unity Palestine Authority government, for it, along with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Iranian ayatollahs are still pledge to Israel's destruction, perhaps through an apocalyptic deployment of an Iranian nuclear device whose construction must never be realized!

Echoing my own recent rhetorical mention of the United Nations Partition Resolution of November 29, 1947, the prime minister recalled that the two-state solution we crave could have been put into effect then, when a majority of charter members voted in the General Assembly to form contiguous Jewish and Palestinian nations. The Jews said yes, the Arabs said no, including, sadly, my own native country of Greece! It has become my cause celebre, to which I wish many, many, to subscribe, to join the campaign to have Greece promptly recant that unfortunate vote, at the latest by its 70th anniversary in 2017! Decency and morality demands such a move, and I invite calls, letters, emails addressing the issue directly to the Greek government in its Consulates, Embassy, or even in Athens!

Meanwhile, a mindset must be changed in the Palestinian psyche (Greek, too) to eliminate negative stereotypes of Jews which incite violence, and persistent hatred; the recent outburst of anti-Semitism in the synagogue of my Volos hometown, replete with the threatening "Jews will die" graffiti is only the most recent outrageous outburst. Surely, people of good will are amply available; they have to heed the call of their better angels and have the courage to speak out for peace. It beckons us now, as it did yesterday, but uncertain whether tomorrow might come too late for it, as more lives are sacrificed to early death or permanent incapacity. The road map is being handed to us, even as we recognize that it has always been engraved in the world's GPS for decades. Let us in unison chant, one thing we are saying, give peace a chance, for ourselves and generations to come, in order to live with each other, to live with ourselves!

Sincerely, and with fraternal affection,

             Asher

            Prof. Asher J. Matathias

            312 Longacre Avenue, Woodmere, NY 11598-2530

            516-374-2958 Mobile: 369-5799 AsherJmat@Aol.com

*I was at the AIPAC Policy Conference. Netanyahu's words were emotional and factual. Keep up the good work and keep up the good fight against the anti-Semitic hatred towards Israel. Best, Michael W., Miami, FL

**Dear Asher, I always enjoy your e-mails. Murray Bromberg, Bellmore, NY

*Well said. B. Samson, Cedarhurst, NY

**I like what you wrote very much. T.S., Valley Stream, NY

*Hi Asher, Thanks for all your profound reflections on the situation. Seldom has a foreign head of state been so enthusiastically welcomed by Congress. May Providence help him fulfill his hopes! R' L.A., Sun City West, AZ

**Asher, Israel doesn't 'crave' and certainly I don't, and many others, a two-state solution. It seems to be taken for granted that is the best choice, it isn't! The anti-Semites in Greece want us dead, and so do your 'so called Palestinians,' and, by the way the only Palestinians in history were the Jews. I respect your friendship but, Asher, be realistic about our enemies, not just the Greek anti-Semites. J.L., Toronto, ON Canada