November 16, 2006
By Naomi B. Isler

I am a Jewish American and a supporter of Israel.

However, I am concerned about what needs to result from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s visit to Washington.

In the past few months, the situation in Gaza has gone from bad to worse to appalling. Yes, the Palestinians need to immediately stop firing Qassams rockets into Israel. However, it is evident that Israel’s military retaliations are not lessening the violence but rather are having the opposite effect.

And the ongoing suffering facing Gazans is not at all conducive to Israel’s security. The region’s problems are compounded by continuing settlement activity in the West Bank. This is despite Israel’s commitment to the U.S. in signing the Road Map for Peace that it would stop expansion of settlements.

I truly hope that Bush will emphasize to Olmert that diplomatic negotiations, with anyone willing to enter them, are the only way for Israel to stop the Qassams, restore security, and revive possibilities for real peace. American Jews must take positions in support of courageous Israeli intellectuals and military experts who are now urging diplomacy rather than expanded military action.

Naomi B. Isler
Brit Tzedek v’Shalom
Brighton