The quote does not belong to a document issued by any Arab nor Muslim groups; it was not release overseas; it is not presented as a political manifesto, but it is presented as a “response of US Christians to the situation in Israel and Palestine”. It was not written in the 1930s nor in the pre-Oslo period, but it was released in June 2012 by a group of Christians theologians in the United States. To see the full document by going to http://www.kairosusa.org/call/kairosusa.html

By the time you read this, we will be getting ready to celebrate the 4^th of July; the anniversary of the fateful day when the residents of the American colonies stood up for what they believed to be true and fair and Just. When representatives of the 13 colonies endorsed the call for freedom and embarked in a journey together to create the society we enjoy today.

 

The authors of the Manifesto (check the signatures at the end of the document) are taking advantage of those freedoms to trade in their unique form of deception; cloaking themselves in even-handedness while blaming only one side (Israel) for the current situation. If that is the case, I would be interested to know how Jew-loving were the Palestinians during the anti-Jewish attacks of 1920, 1929, 1936-1939, and 1941 – all before the independence of Israel. I would also be curious to know the opinion about the document of Hajj Amin al Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and active propaganda agent for Hitler in the Middle East during the 1940s. I would also be curious to know the opinion of Yasser Arafat, who led an active campaign of cross border terror starting in 1964, full three years before the so called “occupation” started.

 

I would like to know the opinion of Abdel Gamal Nasser who called for the destruction of Israel in 1967 or even that of the Prophet Muhammad himself, who personally ordered the extermination of all the male Jewish population of Yatrib (Medina) and other Jewish communities in Arabia during his ascendancy – event which are described in excruciating detail in the Holy Qur'an. I'd like to know the opinion of the Ottoman Caliphs who conducted several campaign of forcible conversion of Jews in Eretz Israel (called then Southern Syria) during the XVIII and early XIX centuries...when Zionism was not even a spark in Hertzl's eyes.

 

As Jews and heirs of the Jewish tradition and history;

As Americans, and heirs of those colonist who in 1776 declared themselves free;

As Human beings living in the XXI Century;

As honest people who should not bow to lies or turn our eyes from the words of false witnesses.

 

We need to speak up! We need to demand that Truth be the solid foundation of a negotiated agreement between Israelis and Palestinians to achieve a two States solution – as envisioned by the international community again and again since 1929.

 

Celebrate the 4^th of July. Talk to your non Jewish friends. Explain our side of the story as you understand it. The only “Party line” is to be truthful and honest. You can also help by signing the letter to the Presbyterians which is highlighted elsewhere on the email – the http://www.letterinhope.org