Dear Peace Activist,

If ever one wanted a prototypical illustration of the folly and futility of a military solution to a political conflict, the current Israeli and U.S. policy in Gaza offers a good example.

Israelis in Sderot and Ashkelon live in fear of rockets launched by Hamas, and once again there are suicide attacks in Jerusalem.

The Israeli military response, designed to punish and stop those attacks, fails! It produces only more attacks as more Palestinians see Israel as the cruel and powerful enemy. Collective punishment through military action, the embargo and the blockade results in disproportionate suffering and casualties among the Palestinians. The political strategy of boycotting talks with Hamas has not worked to produce negotiations for peace. Quite the contrary – and for many years —the Israeli reliance solely on a military response has produced the opposite result, i.e., more rockets (and more sophisticated ones), more suicide attacks, more world condemnation of Israel, more popular support for Hamas. And now, with the Lebanon war of last year fresh in memory another invasion of Gaza is contemplated.

The Israeli response is irrational if peace is the goal! There is no solution to the crisis unless and until Israel and Hamas establish a cease fire and enter into direct talks and negotiations. Bush says he wants to see the final status negotiations before the end of his term. If that is so the Bush administration must stop blocking the talks with Hamas and insist on a cease fire, an end to the embargo and blockade of Gaza, an end to the occupation, and move toward the creation of an independent, unified, viable Palestinian state.

Secretary of State Condolleeza Rice and U.S. diplomats and representatives are involved in negotiations at this very moment.
In your five minutes for peace this week, call, fax, email, or write your Congress Member, the White House (202-456-1111), and the State Department (202-647-4000). Ask them to press for a change in U.S. policy now.

In Peace,

DON SHAFFER
Treasurer, Peace Action Fund of New York State

info@panys.org

PS – Thank you for your participation in all the 5th Anniversary events. As expected, the 4000th US military death came right on the heels of the 5th Anniversary. Mainstream media has done very little to cover these events. The lack of of coverage of the Winter Soldier hearings is particulary notable. Since the media aren't doing it, we've got to do it ourselves. Please use the link at right to publicize the chilling content of the Winter Soldier hearings.