Posted on 07/01/2002 7:20:59 AM PDT by tripod
July 1, 2002
His Excellency Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister, State of Israel, Jerusalem, Israel
Your Excellency:
We hope this letter, written to you and the people of the great nation of Israel from your friends in the United States, will be an encouragement. We want to remind the Israeli people that they are not alone in their hour of need.
On September 11, 2001 the United States suffered a horrendous attack. As we mourned our losses we were shocked to see dancing in the streets, in celebration of our pain, in some parts of the Middle East. But in Israel you cried with us and lowered your flag and shared our grief. On September 11th many Americans came to understand for the first time what it is like to be an Israeli and to face barbaric terrorism that targets innocent civilians. We know that in the face of this evil the free people of the world who believe in human dignity, the sanctity of life and in free institutions must stand together.
We know you have been America’s reliable friend and ally and we understand that our friendship is natural because both of our nations are built on Western Civilization, and its foundation of Judeo-Christian values.
Please know that we are committed, as are millions of Christians in America, to praying for Israel and for the “peace of Jerusalem”. We also are committed to working to ensure that the great evil that threatens America and Israel does not prevail.
We believe Israel has the same right of self-defense that all sovereign nations enjoy. We believe you have shown incredible restraint in the face of the wanton violence aimed at innocent Israeli civilians. We reject the notion that America or Israel should be passive in the face of such violence. We know that just as our country has the right to track down the terrorists who have declared war on America that you too have the right to pursue those who are dedicated to destroying you.
We believe terrorists cannot be appeased and we reject all pressure on Israel to do so.
We believe the suffering of Palestinian Arabs is due to the failure of their leaders to provide any vision for the future, other than hatred of Israel and self-destruction.
We believe no peace conference or piece of paper can safeguard your people unless the nations and people who surround you concede that you have a right to exist. We know peace is impossible until the Palestinian leadership ends the indoctrination of Palestinian children with “blood libels” and stops teaching their children that they will be rewarded in eternity for killing Jews.
We believe no Palestinian State is possible without an end to terrorist attacks on Israel and democratic reform in the Palestinian territories.
We know who the war criminals are and it is not the dedicated members of the IDF who have gone to great lengths to avoid unnecessary death and injury to civilians. We condemn the moral relativism that confuses those being murdered with those doing the murdering. We demand that the United Nations and other international bodies end their silence on the atrocities committed against civilian men and women, young and old, in Israel.
We are disgusted with the rising tide of anti-Semitism that has swept the streets of Western Europe and the “fashionable” anti-Semitism that now seeks respectability in some international bodies and among certain elites. We will speak out forcibly against such evil wherever it appears.
Finally, like you, we pray for a world where free people can live in safety and in peace, able to observe their faith and to honor their traditions. As our two nations work toward that goal you have our commitment that American Christians will stand with Israel.
Respectfully,
Gary L. Bauer
Dr. James C. Dobson President Focus on the Family
Charles W. Colson Chairman Prison Fellowship Ministries
Reverend Jerry Falwell Chancellor Liberty University
Honorable Steve Baldwin President Council for National Policy
David Blewett President/National Director National Christian Leadership Conference for Israel
Richard Bott, Sr. President Bott Radio Network
Sandra Sheskin Brotman Messianic Jewish Concert Singer
Pastor Gary W. Burrows, Sr. Sovereign Grace Bible Church Front Royal, VA
Duke Duvall Director of Development Light of the World Ministries
Janet Folger National Director Center for Reclaiming America
Ronald A. Crews President Massachusetts Family Institute
Polly Grimes President Exodus/Tours ThroughThe Book
Reverend John Hagee Pastor Cornerstone Church
Alvin B. Lfone Pastor Independent Community Church
Marlin Maddoux President USA Radio Network
Ed McAteer President National Religious Round Table
William J. Murray Chairman Religious Freedom Coalition
Reverend Reuben A. Parlier Pastor Bethel Chapel Huntingdon, PA
Janet Parshall Nationally Syndicated Talk Show Host Salem Radio Network
Dr. Paige Patterson President Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Glenn R. Plummer Chairman & CEO National Religious Broadcasters Association
Sandy Rios President Concerned Women for America
Nina Shea Director Center for Religious Freedom Freedom House
James Showers Director of Finance The Friends of Israel
Ruth Simms Co-founder SOR International Broad Run, VA
Dr. Ron Susek President Susek Evangelistic Association
Dr. Joe Van Koevering God’s News Behind The News
Note: Titles are for reference purposes only.
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