Although I agree with the underlying sentiment of Patrick's letter, I don't think it's feasible. If the U.N. was going to isolate by force every country that has a conflict with it's neighbors or an internal group, the planet would be riddled with isolated nations, which seems to me to be a strange activity for a group called The United Nations.

Actually, it wouldn't, because the U.N. has neither the power nor the mandate to do so.

However, I do agree that pressure must be put on both parties to adhere to U.N. resolutions, not simply to condemn the Palestinians but frown on the Israelis. And I agree that third-party intervention or arbitration is probably the best chance for success, since both cultures have such a "you give in first" attitude historically. I also think that the U.N. should make it clear that they favor the Rabin approach (and those who tried to follow suit) to peace between these peoples, NOT the Sharon approach, which is a recipe for unending hostility.

I will argue one other point, though: Patrick's use of the phrase "the Israeli designs to eliminate every single non-Jew west of the Jordan River." I think this is unfair and inaccurate. There are hundreds of thousands of Arab Israelis, Christian Israelis, and members of other religions and no religions at all in Israel, including citizens and many residents who are not citizens. There are even Pagan movements there, including Amcha (Machane Am Ha Aretz), an Earth Spirituality path.

Certainly, Israel shows little desire to live side by side with the present nation of Palestinians within the boundaries of Israel, and it's easy to understand (and wish to end) the present animosity on both sides of that relationship, but Patrick's phrase is one of a much greater and, I think, unsupportable scope, falsely (IMO) accusing Israel of bigotry against all members of all other religions and spiritual paths.

Ad Astra,
Jeff Rosenbaum
Executive Director, A.C.E.