                                                           B"sd

                      A Voice from Hebron
                     by Gary M. Cooperberg
                 One Good Thing about Oslo. . .
                        October 2, 1998
                                
     There was a time, not long ago, when most of us were prepared to believe a myth based
purely upon wishful thinking.  Indeed, there are still some today who continue to believe this myth
in spite of the fact that it has been completely shattered by recent events.

     The myth purported that there was a difference between Arabs in Israel who wanted to
live in peace with us, and "evil" terrorists who hate peace and only want to murder.  Shimon
Peres had an "ingenious" plan to make peace with the chief terrorist and thus make all of our
enemies love us.  While his plan was ludicrous, the results did accomplish one positive fact.  It
smoked out our enemies so we can all clearly see them for what they are.  While yesterday we
convinced ourselves that Arafat ruled over a minority of terrorists, today we can clearly see that
most Arabs living in Israel, on both sides of the so-called "green line" accept the PLO as their
leadership.

     There also was a myth that the Arab with Israeli citizenship is a loyal Israeli.  All he wants
is to live in peace with his neighbors and share equality with us.  I watched the riots in Um El
Fahem, inside Israel, on Israel television and got a good impression of our loyal citizens.  First of
all I noted how, during riots over land, a tough Arab hoodlum was not afraid to physically attack
an armed Israeli policeman.  As he plummeted the policeman with his fists, several others came to
his rescue with wooden batons.  Even this did not stop the hoodlum from continuing to punch out
the policeman.  What was the difference between this mob of Arabs hurling rocks and insults at
our security forces?  Only one, they taunted us in Hebrew, openly calling "Mavet l'yehudim"
"Death to the Jews."

     And what was the result of these riots? Did our troops rush in to quell them and arrest the
leaders?  Hardly.  Arab Knesset members came to the defense of their brothers and even President
Weisman came to "calm tensions".  The end result was to hold negotiations with the rioters.  The
only result that can come of "negotiations" is to show the Arabs that it pays to insult our security
forces and physically attack them.  In other words official Israeli policy literally encourages our
enemies to attack us.  What have we done to discourage riots and terror in our homeland?

     In Hebron, where an elderly Rabbi was murdered in his own bedroom by a knife wielding
murderer who easily escaped into Arafat land; where a woman was shot, meters from her home;
where bullets riddled a Jewish car; and, most recently where an explosion injured eleven Jewish
soldiers and policemen as the perpetrator easily slipped away into Rajoub territory, can we still
delude ourselves into thinking that there are "good" Arabs and "evil" terrorists?

     What is a terrorist?  Is he someone who hates peace and just kills for fun?  It could be that
he enjoys his work, but his purpose is much more serious.  He believes that he has a chance to
liberate what he feels is his land.  If he can frighten us away by murdering Jews indiscriminately,
then his task will find justification in his mind and in the minds of those of his brothers who don't
personally do such things.  When, in reaction to terror, we back down and "negotiate", we are
giving a loud and clear message that terror pays.  When we answer an "intifada" revolt by
surrendering our land to the rebels, we are showing our enemies that we are weak and thus
encourage further acts of rebellion.

     If there was any good that came from Oslo, it should be the fact that our enemies no
longer pretend to be what they are not.  Anyone who supports Arafat and waves the PLO flag is
not a friend, rather a foe whom we must destroy.  It is not a declaration of statehood that
threatens our existence.  It is the message that Israel is vulnerable which will reach all of our
enemies that is our biggest threat.  Rather than promoting peace, this entire process is leading us
to the next major war in which all of our Arab neighbors will, once again, try to destroy us.  It is
outrageous that an alleged right wing government is still negotiating and openly admitting
willingness to continue to surrender more of our homeland to our enemies.

     Let us learn the most important lesson of all from Oslo.  All of our Arabs, on both sides of
the so-called "Green Line" are our enemies who seek our destruction.  They would prefer to have
us hand them our country on a silver platter. . . for "peace".  But they are just as willing to take it
from us in a war, just as soon as they feel they are strong enough to do so.  Their brothers in all of
the neighboring Arab countries are prepared to help them if they are convinced that Israel can be
destroyed.  No negotiations will ever change the fact the Esau hates Jacob.  That is an immutable
law.  We must place our faith in our Creator, Who watches over us day and night.  Giving away
our homeland to our enemies is a sign of lack of faith in His Promises and a slap in the face to our
G-d.  This is the most dangerous thing we can do.

     If we are afraid, and we have a right to be afraid, then we should turn to the only One who
can and will help us. Let us reap the only benefit we have gotten from Oslo.  Now is the time to
stand up as proud Jews make Israel the Jewish State it was always meant to be.  Hebron can be
made safe for Jews only by removing all of our enemies.  Israel can be made safe for Jews only by
removing all of our enemies.  Our army is still strong enough and capable of doing this with a
minimum of casualties.  The longer we refuse the more difficult a job it will be.  But the day will
come when that job will have to be done in any event.  It is irresponsible to wait any longer.

     On Chag succot we are commanded to forsake our strong, secure homes to dwell in frail
huts, just as the weather is getting colder and rain is threatening.  We are commanded, by G-d, to
ignore common sense and logic.  In a larger sense, the Jewish State is like a big succah.  Jews in
the Exile have a commandment to abandon their "safe" homes in the Exile and come to their real
home in "frail" Israel.  Again, we are commanded, by G-d, to abandon common sense and logic. 
Our G-d is above logic and His commandments are for our benefit, certainly not His.  The world
is about to succumb to an unprecedented economic crash and from this will come war and
international chaos.  It will only be in the Land of Israel that the Jew will find safety.  Now is the
time to come home and stand with your brothers to help make Israel the Jewish State is was
always meant to be.   Chag Sameach.