Enough is Enough: An Open Letter to the President of the United States

Enough is Enough: An Open Letter to the President of the United States Rabbi Eliezer Waldman

The responsibility for the well being of the State of Israel and the security of the Jews rests solely on the shoulders of the government of the State of Israel. Only they have the moral authority to decide how to defend the country and safeguard the destiny of the Jewish people. The Jewish people suffered enough when exiled 2000 years ago upon the destruction of the Second Temple. We were forced to wander from country to country where we were locked away into ghettos. Our oppressors always found it easier to subdue us when our living space was delegated to a small area.

In exile, the Jews were always exposed to both physical destruction and religious persecution by both the Christian crusades and the Islamic Jihad. These hateful attempts at exterminating the Jewish people came to their unbelievable peak during the Holocaust. Hitler drew his ideology from Christian sources and sought the advice of the Mufti Husseini of Jerusalem, who eagerly became Hitler´s partner in planning the "final solution" for the Jews. This was implemented with the unconscionable passive silence of the Western powers, the indifference of the Church, led by Pope Pius XII of Rome, and the active aid of European nations. At this point, the national spirit of the Jewish soul exclaimed: "We´ve had enough!"

There was some awakening of the world´s conscience after World War I. The League of Nations recognized the right of the Jewish people to Palestine as its national Jewish homeland. This recognition was confirmed by a decision of the United States Senate at that time. Even before this awakening of the international human conscience, Jewish Zionist awakening emerged towards the end of the 19th century. Jewish pioneers arose to reclaim the Jewish homeland and began returning to Zion in great numbers. They found a desolate land, full of swamps, arid desert and dreadful diseases. It demanded massive efforts, devotion and sacrifice to bring the land back to fruitful life. Over the decades, multitudes of Jews continued this aliya from the lands of Europe and Moslem countries of the Middle East and North Africa, all of which were soaked in Jewish blood. Both the Jewish homeland and the Jewish nation were reborn and flourished. This ingathering of the exiles was the realization of Biblical prophecies we longed for: "For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land." (Ezekiel 36: 24)

Upon the declaration of Jewish independence in May 1948, we were invaded by the surrounding Arab countries who would not accept a national Jewish entity in the Middle East. Even after recognition by the nations of the world and acceptance of the Jewish state as a member of the United Nations organization, our Arab neighbors would not let us live in peace. Despite Arab sovereignty in large sections of the land of Israel, Arab terror continued to strike against the Jews. This Arab terror came to its horrendous peak in the early 1960´s, led by Yasser Arafat, who published the Palestinian Covenant that called for the total destruction of Israel. In 1967, the Egyptian President Nasser together with President Assad of Syria and King Hussein of Jordan mobilized their forces and declared their intention of throwing the Jews into the sea. We went to war on three fronts to prevent the destruction of our newborn Jewish independent state. Thank G-d we were able to defeat our enemies, defend our country and liberate the heart of the land of Israel. We appreciated the divine opportunity given to us to reunite Jerusalem and restore Jewish life to our ancestral towns and cities in Judea and Samaria. We felt especially blessed to be able to return to Hebron, the city of Abraham, which was King David´s capital city before Jerusalem. We finally broke out of the indefensible temporary ghetto boundaries of the State of Israel and reunited the Children of Israel with the heritage of their fathers and prophets. Now the Jewish soul was able to proclaim: "Enough of ghetto life in our homeland."

Never has there been a precedent of a desolate and barren land suddenly flowering and blossoming. The State of Israel established its central position in the world in the fields of agriculture, medicine, science, hi-tech and social services. All this as preparation for implementation of our destiny to bring a blessing to the nations of the world. We found ourselves immersed in a Middle East of darkness and dictatorships led by cruel despots, who have kept their countries in a deliberate primitive state, despite their rich resources. The only beacon of light of progress and democracy is the State of Israel. This phenomenon of success and achievement aroused the jealousy and hatred of the surrounding countries even more. The leaders of the world got so used to relating to Israel as a pariah nation that it was difficult to accept the miracle of a Jewish sovereign state coming back to life and beginning to undertake her role to bless the nations of the world with so many great accomplishments.

Of course we, in Israel, are very thankful and appreciative to our close ally, the United States of America, and especially to the people of this great democracy, for all the aid and friendship, before and after the establishment of Jewish independence. Yet I must say that I´ve always felt as if American leaders have been saying to us , "OK - we´ve recognized the independence of Israel, but we didn´t really mean that you be independent. We will tell you when and how you can defend yourself, and where you may establish Jewish communities in your own country."

Can it be true that the only great power in the world who represents democracy, human rights and courage at their best, would deny the basic rights of our people to bring Jewish life back to its ancient towns and cities and ensure the security of its citizens? Is it possible that it is a difficult task even for the USA to accept wholeheartedly the phenomenon of Jewish independence? To this, the national Jewish pride cries out: "Enough degrading of our independence."

To our dear ally and true friend, President George W. Bush, who has demonstrated a genuine deep affinity towards the Jewish people and the State of Israel, we now say: "You surely are aware of the cruel attack of suicide terror being waged against our people on the roads, in the towns and cities, in malls, bus stations and sidewalk cafes. Now that our soldier-citizens are fighting to defend the lives of our women and children and ensure the very existence of the Jewish State, is it possible that you are going to tie our hands behind our backs and try to prevent us from fighting for our lives? Are you going to try to stop this operation meant to destroy the Palestinian gangs of terror lead by the arch-terrorist Yasser Arafat?"

I cannot believe that this is the message you want to extend to us, President Bush, but if it is true, the only response you can expect from a responsible and courageous Israeli government is, "We have had enough of those suppressing our rights and not allowing us to defend ourselves." To those national leaders demanding that we succumb to the evil of those seeking to destroy us while they are applauding the arch-terrorist Arafat and inciting his gangs to continue their reign of terror, we declare "Enough is Enough." President Bush, are you allowing yourself to be led astray from your basic moral principles by those nations whose leaders cravenly yield to the hypocrisy of double standards of justice?

Dear Mr. President, you have courageously led your people in a war against terror thousands of miles from your homeland. Your goal is the final and complete destruction of the powers of terror. You have properly declared that there will be no negotiations with terrorist leaders. Nothing less than complete destruction of terror is acceptable. You, Mr. Bush, must certainly understand that this goal is the very same goal of the people of Israel. We will not accept anything but the complete surrender of the terrorists gangs and their leaders. We will not negotiate, we will not compromise with terror. "Enough is Enough!"

In ending, I remind you and the American people of the blessing of our father Abraham: "And I will bless them that bless thee… and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 12:3) ---------------------------------- Rabbi Eliezer Waldman is the head of Yeshivat Nir in Kiryat Arba.

In exile, the Jews were always exposed to both physical destruction and religious persecution by both the Christian crusades and the Islamic Jihad.

Enough is indeed enough. I'm sick and tired of people saying Christians persecuted anyone. Real Christians don't do this. You don't see Christians going around blaming all Jews for crucifying Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords and King of kings and saviour of he whole wide world, do you?

No, of course not. Real Christians don't persecute or hate anyone.

Enough already!

Actually, yes some do. A recent Rome newspaper showed a picture of a baby Jesus in the manger surrounded by Israeli tanks asking "Do they mean to kill me again?"

To my Christian friends: you need to understand the history of the church is filled with anti-Semetism. Note that I said history. That is not a reflection of your personal views, nor those of the majority American Christians today.

You may say that those who hold anti-Semetic views aren't "real Christians", and I would agree with you in the sense that they do not follow the teachings of Jesus as I understand them. However, the Christian world generally refers to all of those who call themselves Christians and attend a Christian church, regardless of denomination. Some evangelicals may tell me, for example, that Catholics aren't real Christians, but most Catholics would argue the point. They, and most of the world, see themselves as Christian. Do you mean to tell mt that the Catholic church was never anti-Semetic? I somehow doubt that.

The Rabbi's article is not anti-Christian. It does point out some very real history, and some very dark things were done in Christ's name.

I don't hold today's Germans responsible for the Holocaust. Most of them weren't even born at the time, and many more were just small children. Yet Germans are keenly aware of their history. Those who identify as Christian need to be equally keenly aware of the history of those who went before them and called themselves Christians. Be intellectually honest, please.

Yet I must say that I´ve always felt as if American leaders have been saying to us , "OK - we´ve recognized the independence of Israel, but we didn´t really mean that you be independent. We will tell you when and how you can defend yourself, and where you may establish Jewish communities in your own country."

We have the right to tell the Israelis how and when to defend themselves because we pay their tab. Money always comes with strings attached.

The biggest problem for Israel is that there is but a fine line between Palestinian terrorists and innocent civilians. The very same innocent civilians become terrorists when they strap on their explosives belt. So how do the Israelis know when they've defeated terrorism when the terrorists are part of the "innocent civilian" population? New generations are standing in the wings; indeed, those younger generations are already in action, as the suicide bombers become ever younger.

An important difference between the Israeli fight against terror and America's (not mentioned in the open letter to Bush) is that the Israel has negotiable issues with the Palestinians while the US has none with Osama Bin Laden

I am a Christian, but I chose to embrace and learn wisdom from some of the darker days in the history of Christianity.

Yes, that which is called "the church" is often not a church, or a people of God, but it is perceived as being so.

In the name of Christianity, people, including Jews, have been persecuted.

The Christian Crusades attempted to exterminate the Jewish people?
Is this true?

Hitler drew his ideology from Christian sources and sought the advice of the Mufti Husseini of Jerusalem, who eagerly became Hitler´s partner in planning the "final solution" for the Jews.

Hitler didn't draw his ideology from Christian sources, as much as he distorted Christian ideology for his own evil and non-Christian purposes. There is a big difference.

Many so called "Christians" will say on judgment day "lord, lord, we did many things in your name", and Jesus will say, "depart from me ye that work iniquity, I never knew you."

Jesus knows who truly follows him and loves him. And as you probably already know Jesus is a Jew. However he is not just a Jew, but the King of the Jews and savior of the world.

BTW the New Testament describes true Jews as those that follow the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Enough is indeed enough. I'm sick and tired of people saying Christians persecuted anyone. Real Christians don't do this. Martin Luther has advocated killing Jewsd and burning the sinagogues. Are Lutherans Christians?

You don't see Christians going around blaming all Jews for crucifying Jesus Christ, Just a few days ago, an Italian newspaper published a cartoon showing an Israeli tank pointing its gun at the crib with Crist in it.

I do not know whether to laugg or to cry at your remark. For centuries, Jewish mothers across Europe would not let their children play outside diring Easter. A large number of pogroms occurred after the Ester Mass.

No, of course not. Real Christians don't persecute or hate anyone. I guess you are correct. But then "real" Christianity, just like "real" Judaism has not been tried yet --- if by real you mean perfect. I am glad that you are surrounded by decent people. Apparently, in your world there is not much evil. At the same time, you must be a victim of a public shool, for I know not how you could perceive that the world is made up of people like your friends.

Unless, of course, your words were said tong-in-cheek. <

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