WHY?

Recently the United States government expressed disappointment with Israeli’s decision to approve tenders for building in two East Jerusalem neighborhoods.

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley had this to say, "We were disappointed by the announcement of new tenders in East Jerusalem yesterday. It is contrary to our efforts to resume direct negotiations between the parties."

The tenders for building were approved for the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Pisgat Zeev and Ramot and both neighborhoods undoubtedly will remain part of Israel at the end of peace negotiations.

Which raises the question: why has this administration made it their business to condemn Israel on this?

Let us now take a look at what PA President Mahmoud Abbas had to say this Friday to Israeli Arab Knesset members. Here are his exact words, “We’ll never sign deal demanding recognition of Israel as Jewish State.”

Do those sound like words of Peace? Does that sound like someone who is willing to recognize the RIGHTS of the Jewish Nation? NO.

Why are Israeli Arab MK’s rejoicing at PA President Abbas’ declaration that the Palestinians leadership will never recognize Israel as the Jewish State?

This Jewish State, that is also a democracy, has afforded her Israeli Arab minority equal rights, liberty and Justice. Interesting, isn’t it, that the Israeli Arab population has no problem reaping the benefits afforded them under the Jewish Democratic State, while defaming her all the time.

There are twelve Arab members of the Israeli Knesset; Israel’s Arab citizens do not have to serve in the Army; they go to University while Israel’s Jewish kids are defending the State. Look at an Israeli Arab town: those enormous, beautiful houses you see are theirs, the land they live on is tax free and they are all picking up welfare checks from the state; while complaining about how mistreated they are by Israel.

How is the Palestinian stance helpful to peace negotiations? How is that moderate? What the Palestinians are saying, VERY CLEARLY, is that they have not given up on the idea of GREATER PALESTINE. These supposed moderates are more extreme than those who sit on Israel’s far right.

Why has this US administration refused to back the Israeli demand that the Palestinians finally recognize Israel for what she is; the homeland and State of the Jewish Nation? Why has this US administration -- and the world -- refused to stand by the UN decision of two states for two peoples?

Until the Palestinians understand the need do the right thing and recognize Israel as the homeland of the Jewish People, fulfilling their responsibility of recognizing TWO STATES FOR TWO PEOPLES, there will never be peace.

PEACE is about MUTUAL RESPECT and MUTUAL RECOGNITION. The Palestinians are demanding recognition of their nation and rights, while continuing to deny Israel and the Jewish nation their recognition and rights. RACISM is what that is called.

Israel as the Jewish state/nation is not some made-up entity, nor are we some foreign implant. The facts state that the true foreigners and colonialists are the Arabs. The people who implanted themselves in the 7th and 8th centuries in this land and many others are the Arabs. This is historical fact and is not debatable

The Jewish Nation was BORN and LIVED in the Land of Israel long before Arabs even knew where it was. Arabia was home to the Arabs until Mohammad was born in 570 AD. Mohammad and the Arab conquests came long after the Kingdoms and commonwealths of Israel and Judea. Until the Palestinians understand this and until they recognize our right to self-determination and our historical right to the land, they have not accepted anything remotely resembling a concept of PEACE.

Why has this administration backed the Palestinian demand for a halt to settlement building without something reciprocation to the Israeli government? Which nation has been an American ally since 1948?