In response to Thomas Friedman’s Sunday editorial (“You mean $3 billion is not enough?” to delay construction of illegal settlements for 90 days so that peace talks might resume), Mr. Kaplan wrote that “U.S. aid to Israel is a wise investment.”  Not so. That Sunday editorial revealed that Mr. Friedman is one of a growing number of Jewish Americans who are realizing that the billions given every year from American taxpayers gives Israel permission and ability to perpetuate the illegal occupation of Palestinian land and to continue building illegal settlements on it.  Ask many Israeli rabbis and they will tell you that our money is undermining the vision, spirit, and morality of Judaism in the very area where the ancient prophets called for justice.  

People ask what the U.S. can do to bring peace to that troubled area.  Actually it’s quite simple, though in the face of powerful Jewish lobbies, very difficult to accomplish for fear of being called “anti-Semitic.” 

Tell Israel: stop the occupation, stop the confiscation and destruction of Palestinian homes and land, and stop building illegal settlements, or the United States will stop the money.  Period.  Otherwise the situation will continue to deteriorate, the land grab with its accompanying apartheid will continue, and that ancient, magnificent land will continue in pain, even as the actions of the government of Israel undermine its own security, morality, and standing among nations; further alienate its Arab neighbors and the Palestinians, Christian and Muslim, in Israel, West Bank, and Gaza who want peace with security; offend the sense of justice in the world community; and give propaganda to those who seek to do it harm. 

If we stop giving money that supports Israeli injustice our standing in the world will be increased and our economy here at home will be enormously strengthened!

The Reverend Ernest W. Cockrell
San Jose