A group of 200 Christian leaders from seven Asian countries
met in the Philippines this week in a show of solidarity with Israel.
The first "Jerusalem Summit Asia," which was inspired by the Jerusalem
Summit held in Israel last fall, brought together Christian friends
of Israel from the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, Thailand,
India, and Taiwan, along with members of the Knesset's Christian Allies
Caucus, which aims to garner the support of, and work with, pro-Israel
Christians around the world.
"This historic event heralds a new era of cooperation between Israel
and Asia," said the co-chairman of the Christian Allies Caucus, MK Yuri
Shtern (National Union) in a telephone interview from Manila.
A declaration passed by the evangelical members of the conference at
the conclusion of the two-day meet called on their governments to move
their embassies to Jerusalem, not to vote against Israel at the United
Nations, and to scrutinize the financial aid their countries are providing
to the Palestinian Authority, said Dmitry Radyshevsky, the executive
director of the Jerusalem Summit, an annual meeting of conservative
thinkers.
"This unprecedented gathering will have a long-lasting effect on Israeli-Asian
relations," said caucus director Josh Reinstein, adding that Singapore
had agreed to host a similar event in Asia next year.
What was the problem with Oslo? 1. The timing: It was premature, it assumed that the Palestinians had given up their rejection of Israel and that, given perks, they would end the conflict. The diplomacy won the Palestinians disrespect: 1993-2000 Israel’s concessions stimulated irredentist dreams. Israel’s retreat from Lebanon served as a signal to the Palestinians that violence will help them achieve their goal. It was a sign of Israel’s demoralization. It intensified their hope of destroying Israel. The War in 2000 was an acknowledgement that Oslo was a failure. Since all the schemes have collapsed, what should be done next? <...> Before any plans for peace, the Palestinians have to accept the idea of a sovereign Jewish state. Diplomacy is premature until the Arabs show they accept Israel. When Jews in Israel no longer need security then acceptance has been achieved and we can begin to discuss peace.
Israel must take steps to win this battle. The US Embassy must be moved to Jerusalem as a signal to the Palestinians that they lost the war in 1948. UNWRA: $120 million went to support UNWRA last year. The US should cut off all support to UNWRA since it perpetuates the Palestinian refugee status. The US should pressure the Lebanese to integrate the Palestinians into Lebanon.
<…>
The approach must be aimed at the populations first. Palestinians must recognize that violence is counterproductive and must accept Israel. Then, perhaps by 2045, after acceptance, we can discuss peace.
The current generation of Palestinians is lost to Israel because of concessions made in past peace accords that made Palestinians lose respect for Israel. <…> Arab-Israeli policy has been based on the erroneous assumption that the Palestinians had accepted a Jewish state and in fact that hasn't yet happened.
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