OTHER VIEWS
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Sharon's plan assures that it "will lead to
improved security." It provides no expla-
nation for how this will be accom-
plished. What will happen when terror-
ists attack Israel? Who will be responsi-
ble? With whom will we negotiate dis-
putes?
The plan asserts a vague intention to
include some areas of Judea and Samaria
into the State of Israel, but it does not
give specifics. What will happen to the
rest? The plan also severely restricts
Jewish building — something that no
previous plan adopted. It makes no
mention of illegal Arab building.
The plan asserts that evacuating settle-
ments will "diminish the friction with
Palestinians." But that's not the problem.
Israel's very existence is what causes the
friction.
The plan itself does not have Official
U.S. recognition; it has only Bush's per-
sonal approval (and that only partially).
The plan assures that Gaza will be
demilitarized, but offers no mechanism
for accomplishing that. There is no
mention of what Israel would do when
Palestinians build air and seaports.
Would Israel be permitted to prevent
foreign carriers from bringing weapons
into Gaza and/or the West Bank?
The plan assumes Egyptian coopera-
tion in preventing weapons from reach-
ing terrorists while, in fact, Egypt has
been assisting terrorists. The PLO ship
Karine A, for example, loaded with 50
tons of arms destined for terrorists and
intercepted by Israel last year, was head-
ed for distribution via Egypt.
More important than what is in the
plan is what is not.
Nagging Questions
Before Sharon enters into any negotia-
tions or takes any actions, these (and
other) questions must be addressed:
Will the "entity" have sovereignty, and
if so, will Israel be able to violate the
rights of that sovereign entity to protect
itself? When the P.A. declares itself a sov-
ereign state and is recognized by the
world community, how will Israel pre-
vent the importation of troops and
weapons? How will Israel continue to
control the borders?
If the Arabs of Gaza as well Judea and
Samaria,continue to work in Israel, is
this not a security threat? What's the
meaning of disengagement?
Since unilateral withdrawal from Gaza
will be a precedent, will the same princi-
ple be applied to the rest of the "occu-
pied territories," including Jerusalem?
Will Sharon's plan be binding on
future U.S. administrations and subject
to interpretation and implementation by
the State Department?
What happens after withdrawal?
Suppose millions of Arabs, many of
whom are terrorists, flood Gaza and the
West Bank from the "refugee camps" in
Lebanon, Syria and Jordan as well as
other countries.
If Israel abandons the Jordan Valley (at
a later stage), who will protect the bor-
der along the Jordan River? What would
prevent the Jordanian government from
expelling all or most of its Palestinian
population to the West Bank (thereby
resolving one of its own most important
and volatile internal problems)?
What will happen ecologically to the
area?
If Egyptian troops are placed in Gaza
to protect Palestinian terrorists and are
involved in battles with Israeli troops,
would Egypt consider this an act of war?
What would Israel do when it inter-
cepts weapons being smuggled by
Egyptians, Bedouins and Palestinians in
official Egyptian vehicles or ships in
Egyptian or Palestinian territory?
Palestinian Authority President Yasser
Arafat has always wanted to "interna-
tionalize" the conflict; here's his chance.
Israel would be unable to prevent
U.N., European and especially Arab
countries from sending "observers" to
protect Palestinians from Israeli incur-
sions and counter-terrorist actions. This
would make it almost impossible for
Israel to launch pre-emptive and retalia-
tory strikes without risking a wider con-
frontation.
Sharon's plan offers concessions with-
out any rewards; it substitutes hope and
fantasy for rational thinking. ❑
Our Responsibility
F
spread the word of the great work
first, it has been both an honor and
that the Jewish Federation of
a pleasure to co-chair Federation's
Metropolitan Detroit has been doing
Michigan Miracle Mission 4 with
and
continues to do in Israel, as well
Richard Krugel. As I said at the closing
as locally, to help thousands of Jews
dinner in Tel Aviv, our Jewish souls and
in need.
Jewish hearts remain in Israel. Although I
I am confident the success of this
have been on more than three-dozen trips
Miracle Mission will reinforce and
to Israel, there have been few trips that
enhance the unity of our Jewish
PET ER
were more exhilarating, more gratifying
community
and will help us raise
ALT
ER
and more emotional.
money
for
the
outstanding programs
Comm
unity
Second, while our "Mission" is over, our
that our Federation and its many
mission is just beginning. Our mission is
Perspe ctive
stellar local agencies,.as well as the
to inspire and lead our community to do
Jewish Agency for Israel and the
more for Jews in need, wherever they may
American Jewish Joint Distribution
live. As always, Israel is an "easy sell" even during
Committee, create and implement.
the intifada.
Finally, what we attempt to do is to raise
The programs are so vital. The money that we
Jewish
awareness, Jewish consciousness con-
raise is so well spent. Thanks to the Miracle
cerning the essential work that we have been
Mission, we have helped to teach, educate and,
doing, that we support and that still needs
hopefully, inspire 568 members of our communi-
to be done. All of us are a part of Am Yisrael
ty, including Detroit, Ann Arbor and Toledo. In
and, of course, I do believe that kol Yisrael
so doing, I hope and believe that we have many
aravim zeh bazeh. Indeed, we are responsible
more community members who will know and
for each other.
We all look forward to being able to con-
Peter Alter was co-chair of Michigan Miracle Mission
tinue
to carry on our responsibility to help
4 organized by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
each
other
— and all of our Jewish brothers
Detroit and cosponsored by the Detroit- Jewish News
and
sisters
in Israel, in Detroit and wherever Mission-goers Bob Budman, Ellen Tenner, Pat Foreman and
and Michigan Board of Rabbis.
Chuck Tenner, all from Temple Israel, visit the Pioneer
else they may need our help. ❑ -
,
Settlement Museum in Kibbutz Yifat, Israel.
5/ 7
2004
32
[1 !H al cicpa hi w og,'
What Plan Says