Israel Victory Project

Submitted by Prof. Yair Tene (Israel), Jul 16, 2017 at 16:47

Dear Daniel Pipes

I read about Forming the American "Congressional Israel Victory Caucus" and the "Knesset Israel Victory Caucus" in MEF publications. The idea and plan sounded to me as a possible way to finally do something productive that may lead eventually to a solution of one of Israel's main dangers - what is called the Palestinian problem.

After missing the Washington launching of the American Caucus, I attended the launching of the "Knesset Israel Victory Caucus" in Jerusalem.

I was impressed by the support of US and Israeli politicians and public, and even more by Ms. Mellanie Phillips presentation. However, I am quite disappointed and worried about the goal of the movement as presented in your and few other presentations.

It looks to me that the Victory for Israel has been diluted to gaining a Palestinian (who exactly?) agreement to establishing a Jewish entity in parts of "Palestine". It sounds as if a Palestinian agreement to the UN pre independence war borders will be considered a Victory for the movement. I hope that I am wrong.

The only speaker who made sense to me and defined an Israeli Victory (and defeat of the Palestinian terrorists) was Mellanie Phillips. Her claim is that prior to the Arab pogroms in pre 1948 Israel, there was no Palestinian identity or recognition by anyone, and that the British recognition was a result of the terror pogroms in the British mandated Palestine. MK Glick was also right in stating that any achievement by terrorists will not appease them but result in increased demands and further terror.

It was disappointing for me to realize that the Israel Victory Project was so apologetic in the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem. Neither Menachem Begin, nor any other Israeli leader, would ever support such an approach.

I hoped to find people who will support a real Victory for Israel and a real defeat of the so called Palestinians, the Global Islamists (and other) Terrorists groups. A goal of appeasing the terrorists to gain their recognition of Israel's right to exist is definitely not what I am looking for, and my impression from the MEF publications is that it is not yours. I would appreciate if you could explain?

Sincerely

Prof. Yair Tene

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