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Subject: The construction of
Israel's security fence Mr. Bill Graham
Dear Sir:
On October 1/03 you commented on the construction of Israel's security
fence. You stated that "We believe the construction of the wall in ways
which destroys the peace process, as has been suggested by the
secretary-general, is both unwise and not the right thing to do." Please
allow me to offer some facts.
1) The fence is not "destroying the peace process." The fence is being
constructed in REACTION to terror attacks on civilians in Israel.
2) If the fence prohibits the Palestinians from using terror as a weapon,
the Israeli's will not have to respond and a period of calm can ensue.
This is the only way peace can ever have a chance to begin. The security
fence, therefore, is our hope FOR peace, not an attempt to destroy peace.
3) If Arafat's PA had lived up to their assurances that they would
dismantle terrorist organizations, there would never have been need to
build a fence, and there would be a partner to make a peace with. Until
that happens, it is a sham to call the current state of war a "peace
process."
4) Israeli's are working diligently to ensure that only land that is
necessary to save Jewish lives is encompassed within the fence. There is
no "land grab." Palestinians are being compensated for land that is taken,
gates are being built to permit easy access, and thousands of olive trees
are being replanted on the Arab side of the fence. These are just a few of
many steps being taken. Israel's goal is the protection of her citizens.
Mr. Graham, Israel is struggling for her very existence. Five million Jews
are surrounded by hundreds of millions of Arabs who have been taught by
their dictator governments and religious leaders that Jews are their enemy
and their goal is to eradicate them. It is incumbent upon the Canadian
government to use their political, economic and diplomatic influence to
promote Israel's security and the terms to permit peace. I urge you to
clearly know the facts. By misrepresenting Israel's intentions, you do a
disservice to the innocent victims of terror, something I am sure you do
not mean to do.
Respectfully,
Ruth Ekstein |
