                                                               

                       A Voice from Hebron
                      by Gary M. Cooperberg
                        January 1, 1997

Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu,
     
     I feel like Alice in Wonderland trying to explain to the Queen that painting the roses red
might make them look pretty for a very short time, but will soon kill all of them.  Mr. Prime
Minister, I can understand Shimon Peres trying to convince us that Arafat is now a changed man
who wants to live in peace with us; but you wrote a book which proves that you understand
otherwise.  The fact that you have chosen to continue upon a path which only leads to self
destruction, no matter what you may feel  political precedents require, will find you painting
yourself into a box which you will never get out of.

     You must still realize, notwithstanding the current negotiation process, that Arafat and the
PLO are still enemies of the Jewish State.  They still plot our destruction.  Every advantage we
give them in negotiations will be used against us when the war that is coming finally breaks out. 
It is a national crime to continue negotiations which give any further advantage to our enemies.

     You claim that you intend to protect and maintain the Jewish Community in Hebron.  Yet,
should you sign any agreement which reduces the military control we now enjoy in all parts of the
city, you will effectively remove your ability to protect that community.  The only security
advantage we now possess is our ability to declare curfews and conduct house to house searches
for terrorists.  This will immediately come to an end when you sign any agreement on Hebron.  

     Mr. Prime Minister, have you stood on the rooftops of the homes in the Jewish Quarter in
Hebron?  Have you heard the blood curdling cries of  "Itbach el Yehud" screeching over the
mosque loudspeakers?   Have you seen how this tiny Jewish enclave is completely surrounded by
an overwhelming Arab population?  If you have, then you know that Rabbi Levinger was not
exaggerating when he declared that, as soon as any agreement is signed, it will only take a phone
call from Arafat to ignite the entire area to descend like locusts upon the Jewish community. 
Were the mobs armed only with knives, axes, and stones it would take no more than two hours to
annihilate every man woman and child, along with the defending soldiers of this tiny community.  
And we know that they have better weapons than these.

     Tell me, Mr. Prime Minister, would you be willing to live under such security?  Would you
be able to go to work and leave Sara, Yair and Avner at home under such circumstances?  If the
answer is "no", then how can you tell the Jews living there that you will provide for their safety?

     Before you make the biggest mistake of your career, do yourself a favor.  Make one last
visit to Hebron and allow Rabbi Levinger to take you to the rooftops.  Let him show you where
our Jewish families live, waiting for the Arab murderers, whom you will soon release from our
prisons, to take up residence right next door.  Tell Arafat and Clinton to wait while you reassess
the security situation.  If you truly care about our security, that is the least you can do.

                              With Blessings from Hebron,

                                                                                 Gary M. Cooperberg