Send US Muslims,
Jews to Talk Peace
By Arif Kazmi
Chandler, Arizona
I am part of a local organization of more than
18,000 registered Arizona Muslim voters. Although
I may be taking liberties speaking for a group,
I feel confident in stating that we are deeply
saddened at the recent loss of lives and property
in the Middle East.
It is time for us to take honest action. In the
past, the Unites States has played the role of
a peacemaker. No one can forget the moving picture
of President Carter standing between the leaders
of Palestine and Israel as they shook hands.
The solution we offer to President Bush is to
form a peace delegation that consists of American
Muslims and American Jews, and dispatch them as
a team to talk and resolve issues with various
governments and organizations that are involved
in the recent Middle East crises.
This grassroots effort, we believe, will bring
better results than sending any White House representatives.
While we endorse the plan for both nations, Palestine
and Israel, to live peacefully, side by side,
many do not support Israel's actions to enter
the boundaries of Palestine and abduct Palestinians,
just as many do not support Hezbollah's action
to enter Israel and abduct Israelis.
But if all we do is continue to condemn one party
or the other, or blame organizations and countries
for violence and aggressions - be it Israel, the
United States, Syria, Iran, Hezbollah, Jewish
fundamentalists or others - we will never move
toward peace.
Does anyone really think that in our condemnation
and blaming of one another, that there will ever
be a permanent peace in the Middle East? Banish
the thought, and try the right people to get the
job done.
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