By Herbert R.:
Dear Mr. President,
As your National Security Advisor, you requested I discuss how the United States
may help to find a solution to the current crisis between Israel and the Palestinians. May
I respectfully remind you of some pertinent facts regarding the Israeli-Palestinian War.
The Palestinians claim this land as their 'Holy Land', and before 1948, Palestinians lived
there. The Jews counter, "We are here now, and our heritage goes back to Biblical Times,
so you must get out!!!" I believe we should recognize Israel's points as valid arguments.
Israel has been a strong ally to us. It would be unfair to refuse to help them, because they
have helped us with guns, planes, et cetera, during the Iraqi and Afghan Wars. We must
not forget this. Also, Israel is the only known democracy in the region. This should count
for something. After all, we as the USA strongly support democratic efforts worldwide.
In Jewish holy texts, King David founded the city of Jerusalem, the holiest city in
Jewish history. Over 700 times, Jerusalem is mentioned in Jewish holy scriptures, and not
once is Jerusalem listed in the Koran. King Solomon founded the First Temple of the
Jews. Then, the temple was destroyed by the Babylonians. King Herod then built the
Second Temple, which was again destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. The Jews have
been exiled from Jerusalem many times, and each time they came back, more and more
Jews came to their Holy Land, (present day Israel). From a historical viewpoint, it would
appear the Jews claim to the land is well documented, much more so than the
Palestinians. In other words, Israel should be the ruler when it comes to land. Israelites
never left voluntarily, they were exiled, and were there first. Therefore, the land of Israel
should belong to the Jews.
In actuality, the Palestinians are mainly nomads who were exiled out of other
countries, and desperately need a home. They say before Israel declared independence in
1948, it was Palestinian territory. They, the Palestinians, want their land back from the
Jews of Israel. Israel's response has been very reasonable. Israel has already given the
Palestinians the Golan Heights, most of the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and in 1947,
a U.N. committee recommended that Britain withdraw from Palestine and it be divided
into Jewish and Arab sections. The Jews accepted, while Arabs refused. However, the
Palestinians want the entire area of Israel. They are not satisfied with occupying a large
part of the land.
As the National Security Advisor, I think Israel should keep Israel, and the
Palestinians keep the Gaza Strip, The West Bank, and the Golan Heights as their new
state, or independent country. On the West Bank, give the 'holy city' (Jerusalem) back to
the Jews. The Jews have claimed this as their sacred city, and it would serve no useful
purpose to assign this area to the Palestinians. The Temple Mount where Israel believes
the Temples were made, and where the Muslim Dome of the Rock stands today, should
be a holy place for Jews and Muslims, so neither should control it. An immediate goal
might be to have a neutral party teach both sides how to make the most of the land they
currently have. Both sides need to feel they have the ability to prosper now and in the
future. The Jewish settlements in the areas of the Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza
Strip should move towards Jerusalem, unless the Palestinians are willing to keep them.
In addition to a peaceful approach, I would urge we avoid war at all costs. If we
defend Israel in a war, Middle Eastern countries may retaliate against us with chemical
and biological weapons. It is imperative we try a neutral approach when at all possible.
If we defend the Palestinians, Israel would undoubtedly respond by rioting against the
United States and its interests. We are boxed in by both sides.
In conclusion, I feel historical evidence favors the Jews, regarding the land and its
rightful ownership. However, from a 'global safety standpoint' we need to try remain
neutral. This is an extremely delicate situation, and one that requires patience and time.
Perhaps a true change of ideology won't happen for several generations.
Respectfully Yours,
. Herbert R.
National Security Advisor
By Ryan H.:
Dear Mr. President,
My name is Ryan Howard and I am in the 6th grade at Saint Mary’s Hall in San
in the
people have been at odds for quite some time, primarily because of religious differences.
Both Palestinians and Israelis want
control over
Muslims, the Israeli’s are Jewish.
Palestinians want control over
sacred to Muslims because this is where they believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended
to heaven to receive instruction from God. There is a large footprint on the rock that the
Muslims believe is the footprint of the angel Gabriel, who took Muhammad to heaven.
The Israelis want control over
The Western Wall, is located there. The Western Wall is all that remains of the
of God never leaves the temple.
The Israelis and Palestinians have been fighting for hundreds of years, since Roman
times and even before the time Jesus Christ was born. They each have strong beliefs
about their religion, their culture
and their entitlement to the
religious beliefs, sacred structures, wars to defend these structures and wars due to
destruction of these structures, are all at the center of the fighting in this region of the
world.
Some believe that the Israelis will resort to severe actions if the Palestinian suicide
bombings aren’t stopped. I believe neither side will resort to beginning a nuclear
weapons program, but I do suspect one, or both, could soon develop chemical and/or
biological weapons. I do not believe that any nation has considered the fact that any
current Axis of Evil nation could assist in the development or purchase of chemical or
biological weapons. If such weapons are ever used, the possibility exists that their use
could spread to other nations,
including the
The
Palestinians and Israelis are
fighting. While the
remain neutral, neither can it afford to make enemies of any surrounding countries. The
between the Israeli and Palestinian governments. Diplomatic assistance, to bring
these two governments together to work out their problems and learn how to co-exist
peacefully, is to their benefit and ours.
I also recommend the
and flyers, to educate the people in this region of the world on the benefits of resolving
their problems, and help them realize that people of opposing viewpoints and religions
can live together by learning tolerance for their differences.
I recommend that the
fighting, and realize that what took hundreds of years to create can probably not be
resolved in a short period of time,
and certainly not by an outsider. The
needs to be one of “peacemaker” and “mediator”, being very careful not to offend either,
or both, sides by appearing to solve their problems for them.
I realize you are a very busy man, and I appreciate your taking the time to listen to my
concerns. I know that with your wisdom and the people you have there to help you, you
will make the right decisions in
determining what, if any, intervention the
should initiate in the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Respectfully,
Ryan H.