Israeli Settlements

A recent (June 17) article in The Times reported that the Shamir government in Israel has begun work on an ambitious settlement scheme to populate the West Bank and Gaza with millions of Israelis. According to the article, Israel’s Housing Ministry, headed by Ariel Sharon, has charged architects and town planners with the task of laying the groundwork for cities which would become home to up to 4 million Jews. Though it is not difficult to conceive of the right-wing Sharon supporting such a plan, it is hard to believe that Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and his Cabinet have so lost touch with reality that they would allow it to be put into effect.

There are many responsible voices in Israel who have for years spoken up in favor of the “land for peace” option, which has been of late advocated by the Bush Administration. They realize that the occupied territories have been, in many ways, an albatross around Israel’s neck, causing more problems to the society as a whole than they are worth. True, the combined effect of the intifada and of the Gulf War has been to push the average Israeli to the right, but there is still a wellspring of support among Israelis for an exchange of territory in return for a firm and secure peace.

For the Israeli government to engage in the settlement program sponsored by Sharon will not only do serious damage to its relationship with the United States, it will also precipitate a strong reaction from many of its own people. It would be a foolish act--surely an inappropriate one at this juncture in history, when possibilities for peaceful resolution seem more tangible than they have been for years. Such a peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli problem, to have any chance for success, must incorporate not only guarantees for the security of Israel, but also respect for the dignity of the Palestinian people.

The members of the Orange County Cousins Club--Jews and Arabs alike--look for more statesmanlike heads to prevail, and hope that the Israeli government and people will meet the challenge of the moment in a more constructive manner.

SAMI ODEH, Co-Chair

RABBI ALLEN KRAUSE

Mission Viejo