Palin ‘a friend of Israel’

Sarah Palin, by her remarks in support of continued construction in the settlements, shows that she is a friend of Israel. We wonder whether the same can be said for Michael Felsen (opinion, Dec. 4).

After he and others have discredited right-wing Christian support for Israel, we are sure we can depend on left-wing Christian elements to support Israel, such as the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Father Pfleger, the Reverend Al Sharpton or the illustrious Reverend Jesse Jackson. Or perhaps we can garner support from left-wing Christian elements that have supported the boycott-Israel movement. If we cannot gain support there, perhaps we can gather friends from those who espouse the Goldstone Report, condemning Israel for war crimes in the war in Gaza. If all else fails, we can certainly obtain words of encouragement for the State of Israel from Obama friends, such as Bill Ayers and Rashid Khalidi.

Mr. Felsen also displays a basic lack of understanding of higher mathematics or even basic arithmetic. According to his own article, people are continuing to immigrate to Israel. Last year, according to Mr. Felsen’s figures, the number was 13,681. Which demonstrates that although the number may have been less than in prior years, that “more and more Jewish people” are “flocking to Israel.” Sarah Palin’s statement is undeniable. As a result of immigration, Israel has more people in 2008 than it had in 2007.

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While Palin’s comments on Obama death panels is a subject for another day, as Felsen’s article centered on west bank settlements, he presents no evidence in his article that Sarah Palin believes that “we are racing to the end of time” or that she is a so called “Christian Zionist.”

Finally, is there any proof that relinquishment of settlements will lead to peace? The evidence from Gaza and Lebanon demonstrates the contrary. Palestinians are not making any concessions in advance of negotiations – why should Israel? Moreover, Palestinians and other allied elements have not even come to terms with the existence of a Jewish state.