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.

Real Christians don't persecute or hate anyone

I agree with you on this but I think the article is interesting and makes a few good points. I can certainly understand this author's frustration Israel is under.

I find the opening and closing sentences contradict each other. Israel allows us to bless them with our resources and support but then wishes us to stay completely out of their affairs. The world of politics just doesn't work like that.

The thing that has always impressed me the most about the people of Israel is how they walked into a desert and within years produced a garden. Their love and passion for their land is reflected in the way the land has responded to them. How can anyone possibly doubt that God intended for the Jews to inhabit this part of the earth?

"And in the name of Judaism, people, including Christians, have been persecuted."

Where? When? By whom?

Have you been hiding in the bathroom reading Goebels again?

No. I've been reading the Bible. (duh)
The Jewish Pharisees hounded and persecuted Christians...even had them stoned to death.
And as I said, this was done in the name of Judaism.

If you want yo keep getting the Billions from American Christian tax payers, Who on earth are you to make all American taxpayers Christian, bigot? I would rather prefer that they were all G-d-loving people, but the truth of the matter is that many of them are atheist leftists. Most certainly I, a Jew, pay my fair share of taxes as well.

you do what we say. Got it? Do you tell that to the Europeans, too? We have spent incomparably greater amounts on the defense of Europe that any foreign aid to Israel and Egypt. Despite the end of the Cold War, we still spend more on defense than any of the European nations.

All this was after the Marshall Plan, which rebuilt Europe. Have you demanded that they, too, "do what wer say?"

Aaah, you apply to Jews different rules.

Now run along and tell your flock that Jesus was not the Messiah. This is how you speak to a man of the cloth?

What would you do if someone spoke like that to a minister of priest?

So much hatred in you, all while thinking of yourself as a Christian.

The Jewish Pharisees hounded and persecuted Christians...even had them stoned to death. There were no Christians before Christ died.

Don't just read the Bible, Jorge, talk to someone. You clearly need help in this class.

I know! And I as a proud,Roman Catholic am getting sick and tired of this slander of a great pope! The pope does not have an army.What more,in heavens name could Pius X11 do?!He hid,I don't know how many Jews in the Vatican,had forgeries made and got many of them out of Italy.

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.

I agree with you, it's a common misconception. Hitler was an occultist, but I believe he exploited passages in the bible in order to further his hatred of the Jews and to give himself and excuse to implement his "final solution".

None-the-less, Christian nations stood by and allowed it to happen. That is a stain we all will carry on our souls.....Never Again!

"The Jewish Pharisees hounded and persecuted Christians...even had them stoned to death."

There were no Christians before Christ died.

Who's talking about "before Christ died?"
The Jews persecuted the Christians AFTER Christ died.

Paul was one of them. He was a Jewish Pharisee ( at the time he was named Saul) involved in the stoning of Stephen...the persecution and arrest of many other and was on his way to hunt down more Christians when he was converted.

Topquack;Don't just read the Bible, Jorge, talk to someone. You clearly need help in this class.

You obviously think you can compensate for your lack of knowledge, by posting juvenile insults.

The Bible says exactly what I claim it says and I can back it up with scriptural references.
Read and learn.

The Jews persecuted the Christians AFTER Christ died.

Actually I don't think there were any real Christians until after Jesus arose from the dead and showed himself to many. These people who saw him and believed he was the Son of God were the first Christians.

The Jews has no reason to persecute Christians until they boldly started proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost world after Jesus arose from the grave. Before he arose from the grave all abandoned him.

"The Jews persecuted the Christians AFTER Christ died."

Actually I don't think there were any real Christians until after Jesus arose from the dead and showed himself to many.

Are you saying the disciples of Christ were not "real Christians?"

The fact is Jesus told people who believed on Him that they were saved BEFORE He died.
Those who believed in Jesus Christ were true Christians.

Nevertheless, the Jews persecuted Jesus and His followers before He died.
And they persecuted His followers after He died and rose from the dead as well.

United States Rabbi Eliezer Waldman:

Jews were always expose to both physical destruction and religious persecution by both the Christian crusades and the Islamic Jihad...[and] Hitler drew his ideology from Christian sources...[who] eagerly became Hitler's partner in planning the "final solution" for the Jews.

Rabbi Waldman is a pompous, bigot who would rather pronounce a sweeping indictment of millions of Christians through lies and distortions that ironically would make Dr. Goebbels proud.

I sent him the same message, but more concise. No more $ to the Republican party until GW stops treating the Israelis as moral equivalent bad guys in this. They've been repeatedly attacked over the years by the Arabs, and have established settlements as protective buffer zones. They'd like nothing more than to be LEFT ALONE. Imperative: Recto-cranial extraction for GW. He's getting extremely BAD advice. Probably from the Colon.

Without Christian support for Israel through the many years Israel would likely be no more. That is the plain simple truth.

Talk about bite the hand the feeds…

The US takes a lot of heat from the world due to our support of Israel. That heat, our money and resourced given to Israel give us some say.

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