Friday, March 29, 2024
A Federalist 57 Website
D. R. ZUKERMAN, proprietor
Memo on Mideast to
President Obama

July 22, 2009 --

Have read online report (7/19) that the administration is pressing Israel on settlement construction in Jerusalem. Story indicated negotiations are "'intense.'" -- per comment of Secretary State Clinton speaking in New Delhi.

Mr. President, no question in my mind you should follow the documentary history of the first year of the War Against the Jewish State by reading Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Vol. V.

James G. McDonald, our special representative in Israel, writing to White House aide Clark Clifford, August 24, 1948 indicated that our policy on the conflict cued the Arabs to "indefinitely call the tune."

Reports of negotiations between Washington and Jerusalem, and not between Jerusalem and Damascus, have the Arabs still calling the tune. When Washington pressures Israel, the Arabs not only call the tune -- the U.S. forces Israel to dance to that tune.

The Arab War Against Israel is now in its 62nd year. If. U.S. administrations continue to press Israel to dance to the Arab tune, I expect the Arab War against Israel will continue for the remainder of this century.

I saw a column, the other day, dismissing a nuclear threat against Israel. The writer, Patrick Seale, said that if Iran attacks Israel, Israel can respond with devastating nuclear attack, I would wonder, however, if much of Israel would be left standing after an initial nuclear assault from Iran.

Just one other point, sir. At times of "intense" pressure on the government of Israel, from Washington, officials refer to Israel as a strong American ally. Sir, if that is so, why is Jonathan Pollard serving a life sentence in federal prison for providing a "strong ally" with information it needed to ward off continued belligerency from the Arab non-partners for peace?