<p>  <strong>Why does President Obama continue to bully Israel to accept the suicidal "1967 borders" to start up peace negotiations?</strong></p>
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<p>Dear Friend of FLAME:</p>
<p>In President Obama's "Arab Spring Speech" he called for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians to be based on the so-called 1967 borders, which were really the armistice lines following Israel's 1949 War of Independence. This effectively asks Israel to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">give up more recent defensible borders</span> that were attained as a result of the Six Day War in 1967---which is essentially to commit suicide.</p>
<p>Remember that in June of 1967 four hostile Arab armies led by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser massed on Israel's borders. Israel preemptively attacked the Arabs to defend herself against annihilation. In repulsing her enemies and winning the 1967 war, Israel greatly expanded her territory, including the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights, and the eastern part of Jerusalem. Some of this land has been annexed by Israel for security purposes, but <span style="text-decoration: underline;">most of it has stayed on the table as a bargaining chip</span> for peace with the Arabs.</p>
<p>Indeed, since 1967, Israel has shown a willingness to trade land for peace---in its peace agreements with Jordan and Egypt and in many offerings to the Palestinians---which makes it unnecessary for President Obama to unilaterally declare that Israel must go back to its 1967 borders. Once the Palestinians are willing to recognize Israel as a <em>Jewish state</em>, and give up the ridiculous notion of a right of return for millions of descendants of Arab refugees, they will have their state. Unfortunately, since 1967 <span style="text-decoration: underline;">the Palestinians' approach to peace has not been negotiation</span>, but rather thousands of rockets and countless terrorist attacks.</p>
<p>Israel has every right to maintain territory won in a defensive war and should never be asked to give up any of Jerusalem, its holiest city. It is up to Israel, and Israel alone, to determine what defensible borders means in relation to her Arab neighbors. A visual representation is helpful in understanding just how vital the notion of defensible borders is to Israel. Take a minute to view <a href="http://econnect.dmsgs.com/t/14146459/110750721/2596330/0/">this excellent video</a> by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, which clearly demonstrates what Israel is up against.</p>
<p>In this week's FLAME Hotline, <em>Washington Post</em> columnist Jennifer Rubin <span style="text-decoration: underline;">exposes the weakness and folly of President Obama's 1967 borders declaration</span>. In his speech to AIPAC last month, President Obama stated that Israel could not be expected to negotiate with those who want to destroy her (i.e. Hamas). However, when Rubin contacted the White House, National Security Council spokesman Thomas Vietor would NOT give a direct answer to the question of whether Israel was expected to negotiate with a Palestinian unity government that includes Hamas. Rather than having a clear plan for the Israel-Palestinian conflict, this administration is squeezing the Israelis into an impossible situation---insisting that they negotiate with an entity even Obama says they shouldn't have to negotiate with.</p>
<p>What's worse about President Obama's positions is that the Palestinians have taken to making a precondition out of each of his precepts. This first happened with the settlement issue, with the Palestinians following Obama's lead and saying they would not negotiate until all settlement building ceased. This despite the fact that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">the settlements had never been an issue</span> in preventing negotiations before. Now the Palestinians say they are ready to negotiate, but only if Israel agrees to the 1967 borders as a precondition. In other words, Mr. Obama keeps moving the peace process backwards.</p>
<p>One thing is certain: Israel must maintain defensible borders, which she absolutely did not have in 1967. In addition, the onus to come back to the negotiation table in good faith should remain squarely on the Palestinians' willingness to accept the Jewish state. We supporters of a strong US-Israel alliance can take solace, though, that at least <span style="text-decoration: underline;">the United States Congress seems to be fully in Israel's corner</span>. Hopefully, President Obama will soon follow.</p>
<p>At this point, it's critical for us pro-Israel activists to back our sentiments with action. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Here's what you can do</span>:</p>
<p>House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) have introduced House Resolution 268, which urges the Obama administration to rally opposition to Palestinian efforts seeking recognition of statehood. In July, Arab states will submit a measure to the United Nations (U.N.) calling for the recognition of an independent Palestinian state. The Cantor/Hoyer resolution also warns of repercussions for U.S.-Palestinian relations if an unreformed Hamas is included in a new Palestinian government. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">I urge you to pick up the phone and call your Congressional representative right now</span> through the Congressional switchboard at (202) 225-3121. To identify your Representative (and contact him or her via email), go to <a href="http://econnect.dmsgs.com/t/14146459/110750721/2362937/0/">Contacting the Congress</a>. (You'll need your nine [5+4] digit zip code to find your Representative.) Please take a few minutes, right now, while you have this Hotline in hand, to contact your Representative. Urge him or her to support H.R. 268: We oppose U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state as long as Hamas is part of the Palestinian government.</p>
<p>I would also urge you, using the Forward to a Friend button below, to forward this powerful message to your friends, family, and colleagues. Israel needs us <span style="text-decoration: underline;">now</span>.</p>
<p>Best Regards,</p>
<p>Dave Nogradi<br />FLAME Hotline Contributor</p>
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<p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 16px; MARGIN: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Courier,Verdana,Helvetica; FONT-SIZE: 12px">As you know, Israel gets regularly battered in the media, and we pro-Israel advocates too often find ourselves on the defensive. But FLAME has begun to take a different tack in its <em>hasbarah</em> (clarifying) messages: Most recently we're calling the world's attention to the hypocrisy of unrelenting attacks on Israel by the U.N. in the face of horrible crimes against humanity committed by the Arab world. If you, too, believe we should seize the offense against Israel's enemies, I recommend you review FLAME's latest position paper: "<a href="http://econnect.dmsgs.com/t/14146459/110750721/2552308/0/">Apartheid in the Arab Middle East: How can the U.N. turn a blind eye to hateful, state-sponsored discrimination against people because of their race, ethnicity, religion and gender?</a>" This piece is just now appearing in magazines and newspapers, including college newspapers, with a combined circulation of nearly 5 million people. In addition, it is being sent to every member of the U.S. Congress. If you agree that this kind of public relations effort on Israel's behalf is critical, I urge you to support us. Remember: FLAME's powerful ability to influence public opinion comes from individuals like you, one by one. I hope you'll consider giving a donation now, as you're able---with $500, $250, $100, or even $18. (Remember, your donation to FLAME is tax deductible.) To donate online, just go to <a href="http://econnect.dmsgs.com/t/14146459/110750721/2289518/0/">http://www.factsandlogic.org/make_a_donation.html</a>. Now more than ever we need your support to ensure that Israel gets the support it needs---from the U.S. Congress, from President Obama, and from the American people.</p>
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