Letters
February 4, 2000
Mr. Bill Clinton
re: The Golan Heights
Dear Mr. President,
I have asked my good friend Sara* to bring this letter to your attention, fully cognizant of your full familiarity with the subject. Nevertheless, as a citizen of both the U.S.A. and Israel, who has resided in the Upper Galilee since 1947, my evaluation of the situation with respect to the Golan Heights may interest you and perhaps be of some value.
Our family was living here when Syrian tanks came within two miles of our fence. We spent a full week in underground shelters when Syrian artillery shelled our kibbutz. We have experienced countless Katyusha rocket attacks from both Syria and Lebanon. We are duty-bound to find a solution that will insure peaceful co-existence. This is possible only if both sides are prepared to compromise. Until now, Hafiz al-Asad has shown no indication of a readiness to share costs. He continues to insist on total submission to his demands. He attacked us on three occasions: in 1948, 1967 and 1973, and stubbornly refuses to accept the consequences of his defeats.
The Golan Heights constitutes about 1% of Syria. That country's borders were determined in 1923 by English and French colonial powers. Israel's borders, based on biblical tradition, have been pared down to conform to our present day reality. For Syria's Asad, the Golan is a matter of prestige; for Israel it is a matter of self defense and survival.
Asad's track record is far from admirable. He cruelly executed thousands of his own citizens in order to maintain his power. Such acts do not inspire confidence. In 1994, Alexander Haig stated in a radio broadcast from Miami: "It is impossible to trust Asad." The American experience with Asad's behavior confirms this.
Despite all this, one Israeli prime minister after another has agreed to negotiate, to compromise, to seek some mutually acceptable accommodation. Our reputation for integrity is well founded, but we are put off by a resounding "NO!" Asad wants all concessions to be made before making any move of his own. Has he suddenly reformed?
He can accept nothing less than did Anwar Sadat. He points to his exemplary behavior on the Golan since 1967 as proof of his good intentions.
On the other hand, Sadat was rewarded for being the first to break the united Arab front against Israel. He was also the first to approach Israel's population directly, stressing the importance of psychological reconciliation. There is no way to compare the two.
Asad's claim to moderation is a transparent deception. He has been using Lebanon for nonstop blood letting. Whenever an attempt is made to solve the Lebanese-Israeli conflict, Asad repeats his ultimatums on the Golan.
Turkey has shown how to properly deal with Syria. In 1939, when Turkey annexed lskendrun (Alexandretta), an area ten times that of the Golan, there was only a whimper from Asad. He tried to exploit the Kurdish population for his own purposes, but in 1998, after receiving a Turkish ultimatum, he withdrew two days later.
There is only one course for Israel and the U.S.A. and the enlightened world to follow: Reach a compromise. The time element is the crucial factor in achieving a solution. When there is real peace, borders lose their significance.
I hope the mutual interests of Syria and Israel will outweigh the power politics ofHafez al-Asad. Your contribution in achieving that goal, Mr. President, is decisive. As we know from past experience, appeasement leads to disaster.
Very respectfully yours,
Saadia Gelb
Kfar Blum, Israel
* Sara Ehrman, Gelb advises us, attended the Labor Zionist Camp Kvutza in Accord, NY, in the Catskill Mountains. She is now on the national staff of the Democratic Party in D.C. and is a very close friend of both President and Hillary Clinton.
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