[lit-ideas] [BTvS-General] The Need for a Ceasefire: A Message From Marcia Freedman and Diane Balser
- From: "Stan Spiegel" <writeforu2@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 11:26:07 -0400
[BTvS-General] The Need for a Ceasefire: A Message From Marcia Freedman and
Diane BalserHere's an alternative viewpoint, Lawrence. I'm not sure I agree
with Brit Tzedek entirely, but here's their viewpoint. Michael Lerner, editor
of Tikkun, also has mixed feelings about the war on Lebanon. In spite of what I
said to Omar, I also have mixed feelings. I mourn the loss of life in both
Israel and Lebanon, but I'm not sure that a cease-fire today is what's needed.
A cease-fire would give Hez the breathing room it needs to regroup. It would
attack again, I'm sure, and blame Israeli aggression for any response. Omar
seems to think that any Israeli response is the problem; never is Hezbollah or
Hamas' attacks the issue.
Given the Omar's out there who see Israel at fault -- Hamas and Hezbollah are
poor little victims -- I want to see Hezbollah destroyed, turned into pulp.
Stan Spiegel
Portland, ME
----- Original Message -----
From: Brit Tzedek v'Shalom
To: Stan Spiegel
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2006 6:38 PM
Subject: [BTvS-General] The Need for a Ceasefire: A Message From Marcia
Freedman and Diane Balser
Marcia Freedman, President
Diane Balser, Executive Director
The Need for a Ceasefire: A Message From Marcia Freedman and Diane
Balser
Dear Stan Spiegel,
Thank you for your support of Brit Tzedek during these very
difficult times.
We greatly appreciate the response we have received to our action
alerts, and for the activities many of you are leading in your local Jewish
communities. Across the country, Brit Tzedek supporters are spreading the
message that force will not solve the basic problems in the Middle East.
Mideast Crisis Resources
a.. New: Talking Points on "Why a Ceasefire?"
a.. Take Action: Tell Bush and Congress: US Diplomacy Now
a.. Mideast Crisis Action Steps
a.. Mideast Crisis Resource Page
Where we stand
Our organization stands firmly with the people of Israel in this
hour of need. We decry the rain of rockets and missiles that have killed and
wounded hundreds, terrorized all and fully disrupted the lives of one third of
Israel. At the same time, we mourn the loss of lives and the destruction of
infrastructure caused by Israel's retaliatory air and artillery strikes in
Lebanon and in Gaza.
In the early stage of Israel's response to Hezbollah in the north,
and to Hamas in Gaza, Brit Tzedek expressed concern that that the immediate
Israeli response was disproportionate and could broaden and deepen hostilities,
particularly on the northern border. Unfortunately, our fears have been
realized.
As the crisis deepens, Brit Tzedek calls upon the US government and
the international community to intervene immediately to establish a ceasefire
on all fronts, including the return of Israel's captured soldiers.
We welcome Secretary Rice's visit to the region as a sign of
increased US engagement. However, we are disappointed that she has stated that
the US will not be calling for a ceasefire at this time.
Why a Ceasefire?
An immediate ceasefire on all sides is necessary to end the loss of
life and destruction of infrastructure in Israel, Lebanon, and Gaza. In
addition, an immediate ceasefire will provide the conditions under which a
sustainable truce can be negotiated.
It is only through a sustainable truce, supported by the full
strength of the international community, that UN Resolution 1559 (calling for
the disarmament of all non-government militias in Lebanon) can be enforced and
Israel's northern border crisis can be resolved. Furthermore, international
support for the democratic Lebanese government is critical in order to
marginalize Hezbollah. We call for and welcome proposals for an international
peacekeeping force to assist in these efforts - and the sooner, the better.
In addition, only international intervention can bring about a
long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, leading to negotiations with the
Palestinian Authority.
The conflicts between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza and
between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon are distinctly different: the Gaza
conflict is rooted in a national conflict between two peoples over the final
borders between them. The conflict with Lebanon was precipitated by Hezbollah's
unprovoked breach of the internationally recognized and UN-certified border
that resulted in the capture of two Israeli soldiers and the killing of eight.
The Israeli government's stated military objective is to destroy or
at least seriously weaken Hezbollah. Past history indicates that whatever
damage Israel can do to a non-state enemy is temporary at best, but it is also
bound to lead to such unanticipated negative results as increased popular
support for Hezbollah and strengthening of their political position in Lebanon.
An immediate ceasefire is thus urgently needed. With such heavy
damage to civilian life and infrastructure in both Lebanon and Gaza, the
humanitarian crises deepen and become more urgent. There are now over 350 dead
and 700,000 displaced in Lebanon. In Gaza there is growing hunger, disease, and
desperation. Under such circumstances, popular support in the Muslim world for
extremist anti-Israel views is sure to increase.
Brit Tzedek urges your support in bringing this cycle of violence
to an end. If you haven't already done so, please sign our action alert now.
B'shalom,
Diane Balser
Executive Director
Marcia Freedman
President
Brit Tzedek Welcomes House Resolution H. Con. Res. 450
Brit Tzedek is gratified by the introduction of House Resolution H.
Con. Res. 450, introduced by Representative Dennis Kucinich (OH) and
co-sponsored by 23 Members of Congress, which calls for an immediate ceasefire
and multi-party negotiations to resolve the Mideast crisis.
While we cannot endorse its specific provisions, namely the call
for multilateral negotiations between Israel and its Arab neighbors, without
specific inclusion of the Quartet or the UN, we wholeheartedly support the
spirit behind its introduction: that the US must become engaged immediately to
stem the rising tide of violence in the Middle East.
We draw great hope from the Members of Congress who have
cosponsored this resolution and have demonstrated that there is a growing voice
for peace and diplomacy in the House of Representatives.
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Phone: (312) 341-1205
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