[(Continued from p.11)]
administration and its Secretary of Defense and its "Allbright" Secretary of State.For this enviable display of independence, we congratulate them. If only Israel could show such mettle.
This is part of an outstanding editorial from the April 7, 2000 edition of the Connecticut Jewish Ledger:
"And perhaps the biggest question: Why
is Syria's claim to the Golan Heights always
acknowledged as superior to Israel's? This is land that, in part,
was owned by Israel through well-documented
purchases made more than 100 years ago by the Rothschilds
for purposes of settlement. It is land that has important
and well-documented Biblical history as part of Israel.
(Archeological finds have affirmed that history.) Syria's
claim comes from the Golan being included in the crazy
quilt line drawing of the post-World War I era. Syria went
on to forfeit those rights by using it as a launching pad
for aggressive wars against Israel. Fantasies aside,
there are no serious Syrian claims based on a displaced
population or real historical associations.
"So, again, why is the Syrian claim always assumed pre-emptive to the Israelis? Instead of giving Syria the Golan and a gigantic aid package in exchange for a peace that already exists, the Clinton administration would be better advised to work on ways to bring Syria to democracy. Getting Syria to end its occupation of Lebanon and give that country its freedom would be an important first step in that process. Not providing weapons, but finding funds for new educational and democratic initiatives would be a far better long-term investment for Syria, her people, and her neighbors. The quid pro quo for Syria in an agreement should not be land and weapons, but support and encouragement to bring about reforms. If agreement can't be achieved that way, then the whole strategy is worthy of review. A democratic, educated Syria would become a peaceful neighbor. A Syria fattened with extorted Israeli territory, modern Western arms, and dear U.S. dollars would not."
Ruth King is a member of the Executive Committee of Americans for a Safe Israel.
Americans For a Safe Israel
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Outpost - 12 - April 2000