Ken Berwitz

Naomi Regan is a columnist, a playwright and a woman's rights activist.  She was born and raised in the US but has lived in Israel for many years. 

Here is Ms. Regan's email regarding Joe Biden's just-finished visit to the middle east:

Friends,

The headlines in Israel during Mr. Biden's visit are making me angry. First,
his statement that Israel's announced plan to build 1,600 housing unit in
East Jerusalem "undermines peace."


What peace is that?  The Arab "piece" plan, where Israel turns over more and
more "pieces" of  land to Palestinians who can then turn them into
"terror-tory," as they did with Gush Katif?  Mr. Biden, you come here
declaring that the Israeli and Palestinian sides are  'not that far apart'
and only Israel's policies are holding peace from breaking out, "endangering
American soldiers," as one headline put it.

Are you for real?

You tell Israel not to attack Iran, and expect six million of us to wait
patiently as the current American administration pussyfoots with healthcare
while an A-Bomb is aimed at our heads.  And ISRAELIS ARE ENDANGERING
AMERICANS? Are you for real?? Nothing on the Palestinian side has changed
since the lies of Oslo and yet you fully expect Israel to give up
sovereignty over her capital, Jerusalem, in exchange for ....what? 


I would like to remind Mr.Biden of the following Congressional resolution,
April 24, 1990:


"House Resolution Expressing Support for Jerusalem as Israel's Capital
Whereas the State of Israel has declared Jerusalem to be its capital;
Whereas from 1948 to 1967 Jerusalem was a divided city and Israeli citizens
of all faiths were not permitted access to holy sites in the area controlled
by Jordan;


Whereas since 1967 Jerusalem has been a united city administered by Israel
and persons of all religious faiths have been guaranteed full access to holy
sites within the city; Whereas the President and the Secretary of State have
demonstrated their strong desire to achieve a just and lasting peace in the
Middle East and have worked diligently toward that end;


Whereas ambiguous statements by the Government of the United States
concerning the right of Jews to live in all parts of Jerusalem raise
concerns in Israel that Jerusalem might one day be redivided and access to
religious sites in Jerusalem denied to Israeli citizens; and the search for
a lasting peace in the region: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House
of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress

(1) acknowledges that Jerusalem is and should remain the capital of the
State of Israel;

(2) strongly believes that Jerusalem must remain an undivided city in which
the rights of every ethnic religious group are protected; and

(3) calls upon all parties involved in the search for peace to maintain
their strong efforts to bring about negotiations between Israel and
Palestinian representatives."


Bye, bye Mr. Biden.  Thanks for dropping by.  Come again soon when you have
your next liaison with reality, and the American administration is a little
more deserving of Israel's trust.

Joe Biden?  Liaison with reality?  What a kidder Naomi is.