I feel that we American Jews share a small part of the responsibility for the current horrible situation in Israel.
American Jews are repeatedly told that we must show solidarity with Israel, and even sometimes that criticism of it is a form of Jewish self-hatred.
As a result, I did not speak out when I stopped supporting the Israeli government when it began the settlements. It seemed obvious to me that this strategy not only was morally wrong, but would lead to terrible resentment that would come back to haunt Israel.
As a loving relative speaks out when a family member goes on a self-destructive path, American Jews need to let Israel know that there cannot be a satisfactory conclusion to the current strategies of the Ariel Sharon government.
Just as Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat should not have walked away from the peace accord he was offered, Israel should not ignore the historic proposal of the Arab summit (a peace proposal made by the Saudis).
They should, instead, call on the Arab nations to help them put an end to the immoral suicide bombings which, as we learned last fall, go against the teachings of the Koran.
Heavy-handed tactics that target innocent as well as guilty and do not involve due process only deprive citizens on both sides of any hope of a normal, secure life.
