Dear Mr. President,
Thank you for your years of work in the cause of peace and justice in the Middle East, especially for your book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.
Many people (and I am one) admire you for your courage, your Christian attitudes and your willingness to speak the truth.
I know that you have given up on a two-state solution, because I read the article about you in the British magazine Prospect after seeing it quoted by Juan Cole in Truthdig. I forgive you for this loss of hope. All realistic people can see that the West Bank is disappearing as a country for the Palestinians, becoming a little more each day covered with Israeli “settlements” (cities), just as Ariel Sharon predicted in 1973.
However, there are people who have not given up, and the struggle will go on. Three months ago I met a Jewish university student who intends to spend his life in this cause. He is just an example of the wise and courageous Jews who are joining with Palestinians in the hope of their living together as equals. Just three days ago an Israeli citizen named Bradley Burston wrote an essay admitting with regret that Israel is an apartheid state and giving numerous reasons why the label fits. The article was published in Haaretz. And even American Christians with their natural partiality toward the Jews are seeing that the Palestinians are an oppressed people.
These three kinds of people are working through numerous organizations with goals for positive change. For example: Jewish Voice for Peace, B’tselem, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Churches for Peace in the Middle East, Foundation for Middle East Peace, If Americans Knew, Sabeel and Youth Against Settlements.
Such people, especially the Jews, are heroes in the making, honest and bold, like you, Mr. President, and there are more of them every year. They will change the world. Old people like you and me must trust them to build a fair future. They are the reason we should not die in despair. They, and our loving, righteous God give us hope.
Frances Fuller
www.inborrowedhouseslebanon.com