Mr. Sharon: There is no substitute for fighting terror

Mr. Sharon: There is no substitute for fighting terror

By Naomi Ragen
August 4, 2003

Dear Mr. Sharon:

You can sit down and talk with Arab leaders. But that is not a substitute for fighting terror.

You can build a wall. But that is not a substitute for fighting terror. You can hold photo opportunities, and sign new peace plans, and shake hands in front of television cameras.

But that is not a substitute for fighting terror. You can appoint new Arab leaders. But that is not a substitute for fighting terror. You can release Arab prisoners to foster good will. But that is not a substitute for fighting terror.

You can arrest Jewish settlers and destroy Jewish settlements to appease world opinion. But that is not a substitute for fighting terror. You can hire security guards for all your restaurants and movie theatres, and post offices and supermarkets....But that is not a substitute for fighting terror. You can visit Washington, and have good talks with Bush. But that is not a substitute for fighting terror. You can visit Blair, and the European Union and state your case, and show your statistics, and make convincing arguments. But that is not a substitute for fighting terror. You can arrest suspected Jewish extremists among the settlers to curry favor with your enemies. But that is not a substitute for fighting terror. You can accept half-measures, temporary cease-fires, hudna's, a lessening of terror attacks as positive measures that save lives in the short run. But that is not a substitute for fighting terror.

There is only one way to stop terrorism. Only one way to bring peace and security to Israel, and to the world. And that is to fight terrorism. Uproot terror organizations. Imprison and kill their members. Cut off terrorist funding. Expose and condemn advocates of terrorist chic in the media:CNN, BBC, ABC,NBC, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, among well-dressed diplomats, in U.N. agencies, in NGO's, among so-called human rights groups like Amnesty, and ISM, in the Vatican, in the State Department, in the Mosques, in Jewish groups like Tikkun, in the Universities, and in the policies of certain church and synagogue groups.

There is no substitute for fighting terror. There is no substitute for fighting terror.

Naomi Ragen is a best-selling novelist and columnist who has lived in Israel since 1971. More of her writings can be seen at http://www.naomiragen.com

Comment on this article using the "Post Reply" button.