Issue: 2.10 | October 1, 2001 | by:
George Friedman
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An Apology to Israel "You were right, I was wrong, and I apologize." This is what good friends and neighbors say when time and circumstances prove
that a trusted friend was right and you were wrong. This native-born American
thinks its time for us to speak those words to the State of Israel, our neighbor
in democracy and Western values. For years, Israel has been waging a lonely war against terrorism. For years,
they have valiantly tried to wage this war, in the most humane way possible.
They have warned us for years that radical Islamic terrorism would spread to the
rest of the Western world. They told us that Islamic radicals would not stop at
eradicating Israel, but were targeting Western values and culture. They told us
it was a Jihad against the West. They urged a united front against not only the
Islamic terrorists, but those who aid, abet, comfort, harbor, and support them.
But we didn't listen. Instead, we urged them to show "restraint" in the face of
horrific violence and terror. We criticized them for doing what any government
must do - protect the lives and safety of its citizens. We told them to wage war
with one arm tied behind its back. We gave this advice with the smug assurance
that the violence and destruction Israel faced every day would never touch our
lives here in America. This all changed on Tuesday, September 11th. And so, as an American I say to our friend and neighbor in democracy, "We're
sorry. You were right. We were wrong." America has one true friend and ally in
the Middle-East. It is Israel. Let's never forget that. This valiant little
country is the sole outpost of freedom and western values in the Middle-East. It
is subjected to unrelenting criticism and lies from the very nations that seek
to undermine and overthrow our American way of life. Who is first to jump in when there is a natural disaster in the area? Israel.
An earthquake hits Turkey, and it is Israel that's quick off the mark sending in
medical and technical help. Who offered to take in displaced persons - Muslims -
from war-torn Europe? Israel. Who exports its technical, medical, and
agricultural expertise to any country in the area willing to accept its helping
hand? Israel. Who without hesitating absorbed thousands and thousands of
refugees from Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union? Israel. And, who was first
to offer help to the U.S. ! - military, technical, medical -- in the wake of the
World Trade Center disaster? Israel. And where were our so-called Arab "friends
and allies" last Tuesday? Strangely silent. Some muted words, but not much
action. And so, my friends, the lines have been drawn. The cowards who perpetrated
the dastardly acts of September 11th were in the end stupid. They have united
America and the free world as never before. The fight against terrorism will be
waged not as a police action, but as a war. Complete, total, and without
"restraint." The messages are as follows: To our little brother and friend Israel, we say we are sorry. Join us in the
fight you told us was coming, and do what you need to do to defend yourself. No
longer will we tolerate idiotic rants from hypocrites that "Zionism is racism."
Defend yourself as we are about to. Take off the gloves. To our Arab "friends and allies" we say, war has been declared. You are
either with us or you are against us. There is no equivocating or negotiating or
word mincing. We will over fly your countries in the effort to eradicate the
curse of terrorism. You either let our planes fly over your air space, or you
attempt to attack them and suffer the consequences. And another thing, until you
allow free elections, free press, equal rights for women and those of a religion
other than Islam, shut up about your criticism of Israel, the only democracy in
a sea of dictatorships. We don't want to hear it, and won't. And oh yes, one
last thing. Don't threaten us with oil. American know-how built your oil industry, and American know-how can take it
back. You can't eat sand and oil. It's a bad mix and won't go down well. To the Islamic fundamentalist cowards who attacked us on September 11th and
those who aided, abetted, supported, and harbored them or any other terrorists,
we say this. You have awakened the sleeping giant. We will find you and we will
destroy you. What remains of your sorry lives will be spent hiding and running.
You will never have a moment's peace. Our neighbor and friend Israel has faced
it alone, but no more. United in determination and purpose, the freedom-loving
nations of the world will crush the curse of terrorism and avenge the horrible
losses of September 11th. The gloves are off. The hand is untied. |
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Dr. Friedman is an internationally recognized expert in security and intelligence issues relating to national security, Information Warfare, and computer security. He is founder and chairman of Stratfor |
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