Capital

Submitted by John R (United States), Jun 17, 2006 at 13:05

+++++++ I was not the only one to be dismayed by the comments of U.S. Senate hopeful Robert P. Casey Jr., soon after his return from Israel a few months back.++++++++

Many Jews are.

++++++++It was disappointing that Casey, having seen the situation for himself, failed to come out and endorse Israel's right to choose its own capital city, a privilege that Washington grants every other single state on earth. It was also disappointing that Casey did not urge the U.S. government to follow the law of the land, which requires that the American embassy to Israel be located in Jerusalem.++++++++

It's ridiculous. Israel is a country, isn't it? It should have a capital and an American embassy.

+++++++++But the real problem runs deeper, in that Casey's non-committal reply suggests that he does not understand the nature of the Arab-Israeli conflict.++++++++

The nature depends on who you talk to.

+++++++++Recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital would, most importantly, send a signal to the Palestinians and their supporters about the depth, permanence, and resolve of U.S. support for Israel.+++++++++++

No, not the depth, permanence, and resolve of US support for Israel. No. It would be a case of simply supporting a country's right to have a capital. Any country would support that. Or should I say most countries. Or should I say most countries who care. Or should I say most countries who care and are not anti-Semitic.

John R.

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