Middle East Cease Fire

Israeli Prime Minister Sharon and Palestinian President Abbas have each on their own announced their nations’ intentions to end the violence in the Holy Land. The Texian Party applauds this.

However, Palestinian terror groups are not supporting the cease fire. But that doesn’t matter as long as Palestinians work with Israel to stop them. The biggest problem that the Israelis have had through this entire period of violence is the lack of support they received from the Palestinians. Israel suffered attack after attack, suicide bomber after suicide bomber, and the Palestinians under Arafat did nothing to stop the attacks. This prompted Israel to build her security wall, and begin targeting terror leaders for assassination. The Palestinians, of course, did not like this. But if the Israelis get some help from the Palestinians to stop these terror attacks, the Palestinians will prove themselves to be good and trustworthy neighbors and Israel will feel more comfortable in letting down her guard.

Israel cannot be responsible for security on both sides. There are extremists on the Israeli side, also. Israel will have to deal with her own security issues. This only underscores the need for cooperation.

There are still issues to be worked out such as refugees, and Jerusalem. No one has come close to working on these issues. We believe that Israel cannot allow Palestinian refugees into Israel, or Israel will cease to be Israel. There will, someday soon, be a Palestinian Homeland that these refugees can live in. As for Jerusalem, the Texian Party believes that Jerusalem should remain under Israeli control. We believe this because of the recent history of the region. Under Arab control, Jews were banned from their holy sites in the Old City. Jerusalem was divided by mines, fences, and fortifications. Now that Jerusalem is under Jewish control, Arabs are not banned from their holy sites in Jerusalem. It is better for both sides if Jerusalem stays under Jewish control.

There is still much work to be done. This cease fire does not mean an end to the violence. The Texian Party expects the Palestinians to work with Israel on the side of peace. Israel is already working on that side. The Israelis have only resorted to violence to defend themselves from Palestinian attacks. It is up to the Palestinians to stop the attacks, then negotiations can begin on the formation of a Palestinian Homeland. Israel, for the time being, will not retaliate against terror attacks. However, Israel will not and cannot sit by for long while her citizens are getting blown up by Palestinian terrorists. If the Palestinians refuse to stop the attacks, as Arafat had, the region will be plunged into another period of violence and we fear this violence will not end until one side obliterates the other. This is the Palestinian’s last chance for peace. The ball is in their court, and the whole world is waiting to see what they will do.

Sha-alu Shalom Yerushalayim
Psalm 122:6

–J.E. Heath
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