There is Hope
Rabbi Shea Hecht
About the Author

Interestingly enough, with all the negativity that comes through the news wires, this week the news made me smile. I read two news items that gave me a strong surge of hope for peace in the Middle East. 

The first news item took place in Israel. Israeli troops scouring a West Bank town for terrorists shot Ahmed Khatib to death. The eleven-year-old was holding a gun in a militant position causing the Israelis to shoot him - though they later found out the gun was a toy.  

With this incident the Khatib family was handed a choice. Use the accident as a catalyst for violence or use it as a spring board for peace. The Khatib family said, "We began talking about how we have to put an end to this bloodshed. The doctors have asked us to donate his organs we sat and discussed it, and decided yes, we want to bring more people, more children, to life. Perhaps in the future they will be decision makers who will put an end to the bloodshed." 

What an unbelievable act for a grieving family! Incredibly, they turned their tragedy into hope for the future. 

The second thing that made me smile was an article written on November 8th, by  Lebanese-born columnist, Joseph Farah. He called on the riot-beleaguered French to do what they've been asking Israel to do over all the years - create an autonomous Muslim state within their own borders.  

He writes,  "It's clear France is no longer in control of its population . . . It's clear that their uprising cannot be met with state violence, because that would only lead to a cycle of violence." 

"It's clear that these freedom-fighters whom I have dubbed "Paristinians" want a state of their own. It's clear that the international community must force France to the negotiating table with these freedom fighters to begin the peace process that will inevitably lead to the creation of an autonomous, independent state of "Paristine." If it's good enough for Israel, it's good enough for the French surrender monkeys who have been leaders of the global movement to force the Jewish state into appeasement of terrorists."

Mr. Farah is correct, but I'm not sure he says it strong enough. It's not that the "Paristinians" only want a separate state.  They need a separate state. Following the  logic the French used with the Middle Eastern problem all these years, without a separate state the French Muslims will be forced to continue killing and pillaging in France and it will be with good cause. And if parts of France are destroyed or if some Frenchmen lose their life, so what? It's for the cause and the cause is a ‘valid' one. 

Farah continues, "We've got to stop referring to this "intifada" in France as "riots." This is a movement for self-determination. This is a movement for independence . . . " 

"It's time for France to stop the hypocrisy. It's time for the French to take a dose of the medicine they have been handing out to the Jews of Israel . . . It's time to accept the only permanent solution that can address the root problem in French society: the recognition of the Paristinians as a legitimate negotiating partner." 

Oh! If only the French can admit to their own hypocrisy. Yes, now they must feel what it's like to live in fear of citizens of their own country. Their country is being attacked by people who say France is theirs too, yet they are viewed as interlopers just the same. This violence must be a call for independence - it's some kind of Jihad - and the rioting French citizens must be negotiated with. Are the French listening to the call for autonomy? Are they still telling Israel to ‘live with it'? Or has their myopic view changed? 

Mr. Farah continues, "The French have been speaking out of both sides of their mouths for too long . . .  If appeasement was the solution in Iraq, it's the solution for the "Paristinian" revolt. If appeasement was the solution for Hitler, it's the solution for the "Paristinian" revolt. If appeasement was the solution for Israel in dealing with its "Palestinian" problem, it's the solution for France's "Paristinian" uprising." 

"... it is time to partition France. It's time for an independent Muslim state to be created. After all, isn't that what France and other European nations have determined is the proper solution for Israel? ... (they) have demanded that Israel meet those attacks with land concessions to the rioters and suicide bombers. That is the only viable, long-term solution, they say.  They claim this violence will never cease until those oppressed by Israel are granted an independent, autonomous state of their own. Why should the solution be any different in France? ..."

"The time has come to begin talks with the "Paristinians" about their own future homeland of Paristine."

Well said, Mr. Farah! The Muslims live in their own neighborhoods anyway, cut off from the rest of the French population. Create a separate state for these poor unfortunate souls. France should meet with the terrorists and appease them. That will surely satisfy their needs and stop the violence. According to their own outrage at the Israelis this is the ONLY solution for the violence in France.

What a breath of fresh air! Read these two articles and smile with me. The Khatib family was willing to donate their dead son's organs although he was accidentally killed by the Israelis in the hope that maybe one of the people that are saved from this donation will help bring peace to the region.

And Lebanese-born Mr. Joseph Farah is willing to say, world opinion is wrong, those who pressure Israel to give up land under fire are wrong, and that those who pressured Israel all these years should take a dose of their own medicine.

These are the news items that make me smile and give me hope for a peaceful future in the Middle East.

---

Read more articles by Rabbi Hecht