From the Editor

AFSI in Shepherdstown

As President Clinton hosted talks in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, designed to turn the Golan Heights over to Syria (and put the last nail in the coffin of the state of Israel), Americans for a Safe Israel was there demonstrating against the negotiations. There was also a delegation from the Chabad movement, children from a Hebrew school in Maryland, members of a Christian Zionist group and some members of a Jewish Defense League offshoot. That was it. To their disgrace, not one of the mainstream Jewish organizations, large or small, was represented. AFSI chairman Herbert Zweibon's words were quoted in the New York Times (and via AP, around the country): "Our major purpose is to send a message back to Israel that the money that is being talked about is not going to be forthcoming from the American taxpayer. The last thing we need to do is spend money on a deal that will not work."

The Shame of the Jews

Viewing the talks in Shepherdstown, the overwhelming emotion, for Jews, must be shame, and for non-Jews who wish the Jewish state well, embarrassment. To begin with, no self-respecting Prime Minister would have been there. Putting aside for the moment the folly of negotiating away the Golan under any circumstances, as prime minister, Barak should never have consented to negotiate with the Syrian Foreign Minister. If Assad was only willing to send a cabinet member, Barak should have sent someone of the same status in his administration. And if he was so foolish as to begin negotiations again, given an ounce of self-respect, he would have walked out as soon as it became obvious the Syrian Foreign Minister was not willing to eat with him, shake his hand or even speak to him. (All "negotiations" were one on one -- with the Americans.) According to press reports a section of the video showing Clinton, Barak and Syria's A-Shara walking together on a bridge was actually censored -- the scene where A-Shara purposely turns his back on Barak was cut. A man without honor or pride, shameless in his shamefulness, Barak probably would not have cared. But the spectacle was too much for his American hosts who deleted the images. As arrogant as he is reckless of his people's future, Barak humiliates every self-respecting Jew and mortifies every friend of Israel.

Reform Lemmings

For decades, the Social Action division of the Reform movement, led by David Saperstein, has been on the wrong side of virtually every issue. Now his Religious Action Center (along with other Reform "activists") is mobilizing delegations to visit Israeli embassies and consulates throughout the U.S. to express support for giving up the Golan to Syria. The Reform press release declares that the mobilization is to counter "the voices of hatred and intolerance" opposed to "the peace initiatives with Syria." "Peace," says the Reform handout, "is Judaism's highest value."

AFSI is proud to be one of what Reform styles "the voices of hatred and intolerance" -- we hate the prospect of Israel's destruction and are intolerant of the stupidity of the Israeli leaders and the hypocrisy of the U.S. administration as they jointly take Israel to the abyss. Survival easily trumps "peace," which is of no value at all when it is merely an empty slogan. As long time lobbyist for Israel Morris Amitay points out, real friends of Israel see past "peace now" to "war later."

Peres for President?

As will be seen elsewhere in this issue, Israel is awash in rumors that the scandal-plagued Ezer Weizmann will resign as president and that Shimon Peres will take his place. If so, Israel will certainly boast the silliest president in the democratic world, one who can be depended upon to contribute more farcical elements to the underlying tragic drama being played out. Sample tidbit: Peres has announced that when Assad refused to meet with him years ago, he told then Secretary of State Warren Christopher: "A girl without a date is like a date without a girl." (Come to think of it, Peres compared favorably with Barak: he expected to meet with Assad, not a flunky, and expected to talk to the Syrian, not to an American, while the Syrian remained mute.)

Outpost               - 2 -               January 2000