|
He’s not heavy, he’s my brother
Nov. 17, 2011
By Ramsey Fowler
Some members of society are disliked and bullied simply
because they are different. Some are outcasts who are simply struggling to make
it day to day with no support from others. They have good intentions and
just want to live a peaceful life separate from the “in crowd”. Unfortunately
their life is in turmoil and they live in constant fear.
These outcasts I refer to are close to my heart. I’m speaking of the
Israelis who live in the country of Israel.
In the Middle East the nation of Israel is in sharp contrast to their hostile
surrounding neighbors. Around 1500 years ago, Muslims took over Israel and
renamed it Palestine. After World War II, the United Nations discharged
Palestine and gave the country back to the Jews and Israel was reborn. Israel’s
neighboring countries are primarily Islamic and despise Jewish presence in the
holy land. The Israelis are obviously one of the bravest people in the world.
They live in a small nation and face constant terrorist attacks and
unfortunately have few allies.
Israel should be viewed as America’s younger brother. It is a smaller, weaker
country, but we have an undeniable bond. I believe that the US-Israel
partnership should be one of the strongest alliances in the world. It is
crucial to America that Palestinians do not over throw this democratic country.
Many believe that the terrorist attacks of September 11th were secondary to our
support for this small Jewish nation.
When Barack Obama took office sadly our alliance weakened. President Obama
naively proposed that Israel should restore their 1967 borders in order to
achieve peace. This would mean that Israel would become smaller and more
vulnerable. Come on Mr. President, the Palestinians have made it clear that
they are hostile and want the Israelis dead. Hamas is a terrorist organization
that is sponsored by Palestine. From 2000 to 2004, Hamas was responsible for
killing nearly 400 innocent Israelis and wounding more than 2,000 in 425
attacks. According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from 2001
through May 2008, Hamas launched more than 3,000 Qassam rockets and 2,500
mortar attacks into Israel.
President Obama has betrayed our allegiance and has turned his back on our
smaller brother, Israel, when they need us most. As a Nobel Peace Prize winner
I cannot understand why our President would side with the most violent nations
who openly threaten Israel and America.
President Obama’s remarks have fueled the quest for Palestinian statehood.
A little over a week ago President Obama continued to disrespect Israel. French
President, Nicolas Sarkozy, told Obama (unaware that the microphones in the
meeting room were switched on)”I cannot bear Netanyahu, he’s a liar.” (Benjamin
Netanyahu is our ally and the prime minister of Israel)
Obama replied, according to the French interpreter "You're fed up with
him, but I have to deal with him even more often than you."
If it is difficult for you to do your job, maintain a strong allied bond to
protect democracy in an unstable region, then Mr. President, can you please resign?
The Obama Administration has done nothing to halt the quest for an Iranian
Nuclear Program. If Iran possesses nuclear weapons this would be a threat to
both the United States and Israel. Iran President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has
proclaimed “death to Israel” and has even stated that he wants to wipe Israel
off the map. He has compared the United States to “Satan”, has denied the
holocaust and says that the United States planned 9/11. We all should be
alarmed this lunatic is developing nuclear weapons and not only threatens
Israel, but the United States as well. President Obama does nothing to
stop these actions other than false threats of potential sanctions.
Republican Presidential candidates Mitt Romney and former House Speaker, Newt
Gingrich, both said they'd use military force if needed to stop Iran from
obtaining nuclear weapons. Businessman Herman Cain and Texas Governor Rick
Perry said they would create tougher economic sanctions.
I do not feel safe in my own country under the current leadership. President
Obama continues to be apologetic of America and his inexperience is becoming
more obvious with each crisis. I believe if any other candidate (even Mrs.
Hillary Clinton) was in the white house, this nation would be more secure. I am
counting down the days until a strong, honest leader emerges that possesses the
integrity to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies and is proud of America
and what we stand for.
I often talk politics with my debate partner who happens to be a Jewish
democrat. He explains to me how frustrated he gets when Obama belittles Israel
on the world stage. However, my friend continues to support Obama through thick
and thin. In my opinion Republicans have stepped up and made it quite clear
that America needs to support Israel. I don’t understand why many Jewish people
continue to support the Democratic Party when this party is literally not
supporting their homeland of Israel.
Many liberals view Israel as a liability. They argue that supporting this small
democracy leads to wasteful spending, attracts strong anti-American sentiment
and encourages terrorism. If we lose Israel again to the Palestinians then
terror has won and the freedom of democracy is dead. The Middle East would
truly be out of control.
Today I received my acceptance letter to the University of Missouri. I
visited the Tiger campus last month (with my Jayhawk mom) and it became obvious
to us that MU was the University for me. As I finish this article I feel
anxious about the future of America. I want to enjoy my college years like
generations before me without the tremendous worry of our national debt, Middle
East turmoil, terrorist attacks and a commander in chief whose foreign policies
are questionable.
If my Jayhawk mom can openly support my choice to attend the University of
Missouri over the University of Kansas then surely all the United States
citizens can support our friend, Israel, and its desire to maintain freedom,
democracy and peace. Ramsey Fowler is a senior at Lee’s Summit West High School. Email government@lstribune.net.
| |
Palestine was not "discharged" after WW2. The plan after WW2 was to divide the British Mandate of Palestine (as the region was then known) into two countries. When it was not resolved in a timely manner, Israel unilaterally declared independence. Although their declaration of independence doesn't define exact borders, it doesn't lay claim to the entirety of Palestine (and to this day they never have). Soon after Israel's founding, Gaza was occupied by Egypt and the West Bank was occupied by Jordan. That lasted 19 years. Israel occupied the territories in the War of 1967, but did not claim it as Israeli territory. They're still occupied.
Obama fully supports Israel. Disliking Israel's current prime minister doesn't indicate a lack of support for the country. I strongly dislike David Cameron, but that doesn't mean I don't support the UK.
President Ahmadinejad is not Iran's head of government. He is a figurehead and we should not be concerning ourselves too much with what he says. He may make statements about Iran's nuclear program, but he has no actual say in it. Iran's nuclear program is controlled by its National Security Council, which reports directly to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority in all areas of Iran's government.
Fun facts about Iran: it was a stable country with a secular government until the United States decided they didn't approve of Iran's democratically-elected prime minister, Mohammed Mossadeq, and orchestrated a coup to overthrow him. The US destroyed democracy in Iran and replaced it with an authoritarian regime, which was overthrown in a revolution 25 years later. The US tried (albeit half-heartedly) to quell that revolution and keep the Shah in power. Shortly after, with US support, Iraq invaded Iran without provocation and without warning. The US continued to support Iraq throughout a war that lasted 8 years, even as Iraq used chemical weapons. So, while I don't in any way support Iran's government, I think the country's disdain and distrust for the US is pretty damn well justified.
Also, I really wish that this newspaper would at least pretend to edit your article. I can't take you seriously with the amount of grammatical and typographical errors.
That said, Israel isn't an ally as so much as the United States is a lapdog to the hawks in the Kadima.I wish that Americans would get out of our business. Of course, America and Americans do nothing better than try to tell the rest of the world how to live. Israel is more than capable of defending itself. We do not need you telling us how to conduct our foreign affairs.