Yesterday, The Hill reported on a letter sent to President Obama by 71 senators representing some of the leaders of both parties. The effort to press Arab states to recommit to peace with Israel is led by Sens. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and is being promoted and circulated by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
According to the article:
"A similar, bipartisan letter was sent by 226 House members last week to Saudi Arabia, calling on that country's leaders to deepen their commitment to peace with Israel."
I have been opposed to the way this administration has dealt with Israel, and I am delighted that Congress is adding balance to the situation.
In an editorial published Sunday in the Dubai-based Khaleej Times, Dr, Ghassan Michel Rubeiz reminds us of the peace plan opposed by the Arab nations in 2002. This Saudi-backed Arab peace plan asks Israel to retreat to 1967 borders, "attain a just solution" to the issue of Palestinian refugees and relinquish East Jerusalem to become capital of a Palestinian state. In return, Arab states promise to normalize relations with Israel.
This is not a peace plan. If the 1967 borders were so wonderful, why did the Arabs attack Israel in 1967? Dr. Rubeiz objected to the letter which essentially said that Israel is working toward peace and the Arab states are not. I guess my answer to that would be to ask to see the textbooks being currently used to teach Arab children. What are the children being taught about Jews and the Jewish state? I suspect that would answer any questions as to whether or not some Arab countries really want peace with Israel.
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