It is time for us to stand and be heard about our feelings towards what is happening in Israel and how the world, the United Nations, and the news media have been handling the Middle East crisis.

Arafat announced  that he wants the UN to begin a war crimes trial against Israel.   He asked for 2,000 UN troops to "protect the Palestinian people against Israel." This MUST stop!  We cannot allow this biased information to continue.  We must let the world know how we feel and that this is unacceptable.

I have been extremely troubled by the world's reaction to what is going on in the Middle East and would like to know if the world has gone deaf, dumb and blind?

Where was the world when 3 Israeli soldiers were kidnapped?  Where was the world as the Palestinians tortured and beat to death to Israeli reservists who happened to drive through the wrong neighborhood?  Where was the world as these same Palestinians showed how proud they were of their bloodied hands? Where was the world as the Palestinians desecrated Joseph's tomb (a Holy site)?  Where was the world when a car bomb exploded in a busy Jerusalem marketplace?  Why did no one mention that when Israel bombed Palestinian sites in retaliation they first called to get the people out of the buildings and amazingly no one died in all those initial bombings?  We  see on television children being shot at as they throw rocks at soldiers, but why does no one question what children are doing there in the first place? It's no wonder that they think nothing of attacking a bus full of school children. Would any right thinking parent allow their child to go out into what is known to be a dangerous situation?  Would you put your child on the front lines when they are only adolescents?  I would lock mine in the house, or hide them in a cellar or under my bed before I would send them out into harms way.  Who wouldn't? Yet the Arabs hide behind their children all the time.

And yet, the United Nations and the Security Council send out resolutions against Israel.  Let us remember that what initiated this round of violence was the fact that Sharon (who no doubt knew this would cause controversy) went to the Temple on the Mound to pray (which he is entitled to).  In reaction to this non-violent act, Palestinians lost control and started an incredible wave of violence.  Where was Arafat?  How did this get so out-of-control? How did all those rocks (and many were extremely large) get piled up and just happen to "be there?" Have you forgotten that rocks can kill?  In the Bible they used to stone people to death.  David killed Goliath with a rock. Let's not forgot that rocks can kill and are hurtful and DO cause damage.

Have we lost all perspective when it comes to the Middle East?  Let us look at history here.  Jerusalem is THE only major religious site to the Jews. The Islamic people have Mecca as their holiest site.  Would they be willing to share Mecca with non-believers?  Would they allow it to be under joint supervision?  How about Bethlehem?  Or, for that matter, would the Vatican allow itself to be jointly ruled?  Of course not!  The Islamic people do not pray towards Jerusalem.  The Arabic world has not had Jerusalem as any major center or capitol for over 1200 years.  When the Arabic world controlled Jerusalem, prior to 1967, all people were not allowed in to worship at their Holy sites.  The Jewish religious sites had been desecrated and used as garbage dumps!  Since Israel has taken over control of Jerusalem it has been cleaned up, all people are welcome to come and worship as they choose, Holy sites of ALL religions are respected and treated equally.  Do you believe that people who would desecrate Joseph's tomb should now have control over other Jewish Holy sites?  People who bar Jews from Rachel's tomb should now control the Jewish Holiest sites?  Have the Israelis, at any time, desecrated any other religions Holy sites, for any reason?  Look to history for our answers.

Why is it such a terrible thing when Israel bars Palestinians from coming into THEIR country to work when there are threats of violence against Israeli citizens?  Would the United States allow thousands of Mexican migrant workers into its borders on a daily basis, taking away jobs from their own citizens, just to help the Mexican economy?  Would France allow Germans in?  What other country in the world keeps it's borders open to another country DAILY to allow their workers to come in and out?

What have the Palestinians done to fulfill their obligations with the Oslo agreements, while Israel has continued to give back land?  What have they complied with that was their part of the agreement?  How much does Israel have to give back before the Palestinians are required to show good faith? What other country in the world has continued to have to give back lands that they conquered during wars that they did not start?

When is it Israel's time for safety and security?  Do you honestly believe that the Palestinians will be the safe haven for the world in the Middle East?  These are people who have never had their own country.  What have they done with the billions of dollars given to them to help build their nation? What have they done to improve the lot of their own people since the Oslo agreements?  Are the refugees better treated?  Are homes being built? What about their educational systems?  Irrigation systems?  Industry?  What have they done to be self sufficient and productive?  How have their people benefited so far from Arafat's government?

How can you possibly think that Israel could absorb this "right of return" issue?  This is a tiny country with limited resources surrounded by enemies on all sides.  Do you honestly believe that they should invite the enemy into their midst as well?  Where could they put these people?  The world not only asks them to give back lands, but now they also expect Israel to absorb all of these people - where?  Physically and geographically - where?  How can this possibly make sense to any leader of any country?  What other country could absorb a sudden quantity of people like this?

When does the press begin to do its job and report the news OBJECTIVELY and not have it skewed in only one direction?  How come we hear about the amount of Palestinian casualties without hearing what precipitated the action?  Why do we not hear about the shootings in Jerusalem against Israelis?  Why do we not hear about the live ammunition and molotov cocktails that go along with the rocks?  Why do we not hear about the Palestinian aggression?  Have you all forgotten who began this latest round of violence?  Is it all right for all people who are frustrated with their lot in life to go out and begin campaigns of violence, condoned by their leaders?  What kind of world would we live in if that were true? How many other people get frustrated with their conditions?  There are always alternative solutions.

When do the world leaders begin to lead us down the path to peace and community?  When do the world leaders begin to mend, not continue to separate, the differences between people?  When does the United Nations take their role of NEUTRAL observers seriously?  When does the United Nations begin to lead us out of the depths of despair and on to higher ground? When and where does this end?

It is time for our leaders to be leaders.  It is time for the world to become one.  It is time to stop pointing fingers.  It is time for each person to begin to accept responsibility as a human being.  It is time for people to look at each other as people - not by color, race, gender or religion. It is time for the Palestinians to accept responsibility for their own actions and to begin to act as the nation they say they would like to be. And yes, it is time to realize that Jewish mothers cry too.

                                Never  Again