F L A M E : Dear Friend of Israel, dear Friend of FLAME

“Can you imagine for just a minute what even more outstanding success Israel could have accomplished if it didn’t have to spend so much of its national effort, manpower, and treasure in fighting those who are intent to destroy it?”

November, 2005

Dear Friend of Israel, dear Friend of FLAME:

This has been another momentous year for Israel. The most important, but also the most controversial event, was the exodus from Gaza. We have opposed this evacuation. To refresh your memory, I refer you to our hasbarah message #85, “Abandoning Gaza”. Our opposition was based on our conviction that the abandonment of Gaza would be considered an act of weakness. That is indeed how it was perceived. Media all over the Moslem world celebrated the “victory” over the hated Jews.

This event has emboldened the most intransigent groups among the Palestinians to launch ever-increasing barrages of rockets and mortar attacks against Israeli targets. So far, the damage of those attacks has been comparatively minor. But the Palestinians are getting more skilled. The weapons that they introduce (smuggle) into Gaza from the Egyptian Sinai are ever more deadly and sophisticated. It is really only a matter of time before heavy armament, such as artillery and even fighter planes and attack helicopters will show up in Gaza. Israel has invited its implacable enemy to its very front door.

The fact that the Israeli government would have invited the Egyptians to be the guardians of the Egypt-Gaza frontier is totally astonishing. The simile about the fox guarding the chicken coop comes inevitably to mind.

The most astonishing part is that Israel has received absolutely nothing in return for this sacrifice. It was just given to the Palestinians as a present. Inexplicable!

Just one more word about this: Not all that long ago, Mr. Sharon himself said –

“Responsible statesmen do not give away pieces of their country to appease their adversaries and as negotiating chips.”

So it is a little hard to understand why this was allowed to happen. We just hope that our pessimistic prognosis turns out to be wrong and that, unexpectedly, the abandonment of Gaza will turn out indeed to have been a step toward peace. We’ll see!

As you know, FLAME is the only Israel-advocatory organization in the United States. For the last almost twenty years, we have published our hasbarah (educating and clarifying) messages monthly in major national publications. We publish in such major magazines as US News & World Report, The New Republic, The Weekly Standard, The American Spectator, The National Review, World, Human Events and others; in an ever-changing array of metropolitan newspapers; in about fifty small-town newspapers all across the United States – thus brining our important messages to the attention of those who otherwise might not have ready access to them; and in a number of Jewish publications here and in Israel (The Jerusalem Post).

Our mission is clear. It is spelled out in each one of our messages. It is:

“…the research and publication of the facts regarding developments in the Middle East and exposing false propaganda that might harm the interest of the United States and its allies in that area of the world.”

Without giving ourselves undue credit, we believe that in the almost twenty years that we have done our work of hasbarah, we have contributed substantially to explaining Israel’s problems, its role in the Middle East and especially its unquestioned support of the United States. We have been able to influence public opinion. The relationship between Israel and the United States is not, as many believe, a one-way street. Israel is America’s bulwark, its only reliable ally in the turbulent Middle East. In contrast to the support that it dispenses to other countries, the United States certainly gets its money’s worth in supporting Israel.

Anti-Semitism, as you surely know, is again rearing its ugly head in many parts of the world. Sadly and most regrettably, it is now prevalent in Europe, spurred mostly by the considerable Moslem minorities in virtually all European countries. Even today, outright anti-Semitism is not quite socially acceptable, it is disguised as “anti-Israelism” and “anti-Zionism.” But we are not fooled, of course. The really awful fact is that even many Jewish “intellectuals,” (almost all of them of a leftist orientation) participate in this vilification of the Jewish people and of Israel.

We are blessed by the support of Christian friends of Israel. They have great influence both in the Congress of the United States and in the Administration itself. This support is of the greatest importance. It is the main reason for the steadfast support that our country affords the State of Israel. We are proud that many of our most devoted and generous supporters are of the Christian faith.

I am pretty sure that you see our hasbarah messages in one or several of the periodical publications to which you subscribe. They are always topical---deal with issues that at the moment are most important for a good understanding of Israel, its role in the world, and the many battles against its implacable enemies that it has to fight on an almost daily basis.

Can you imagine for just a minute what even more outstanding success Israel could have accomplished if it didn’t have to spend so much of its national effort, manpower, and treasure in fighting those who are intent to destroy it? And what miracles would be possible if the petroleum wealth were located in Israel and not in the Arab states! Instead of using that wealth for the benefit of their people and for putting their nations into the 21st century, the Arabs waste it on bizarre luxuries for a small privileged class.

In addition to our message about Gaza, I also refer you to one of our most recent messages: #94, “Racism in the Moslem World”. It is a vitally important topic. We have much favorable feedback from it. I hope that you agree with the positions taken. For further messages with equal immediacy and importance, please visit our website www.factsandlogic.org.

We have fought the good fight for almost twenty years. It has been made possible only by the support of good people like you and by your solidarity with us. Let me ask you once again for your support of our vital cause, to the full degree of your ability. Our work is important, not just for Israel and for the United States, but also to you personally.

What we are doing is awfully expensive. Our monthly message (ad) in U.S. News and World Report alone costs $20,000. There are, of course, many more. We have minimal support from foundations; virtually all of our funding comes from private donations – from people like you.

I know that you are besieged with requests for money, and I know that you cannot accede to all of them. But, please, consider how important it is to inform the American public about the reality of Israel’s situation, its valiant fight against those who are sworn to destroy it and its resistance against almost unrelenting pressure to make further suicidal concessions. And we are the only people who do that.

Please make as generous a donation to our important cause as you can. This may be one of your best “investments” in the survival and in the future of Israel.

Thank you for your concern and for your generosity.

Shalom and sincerely yours,

Gerardo Joffe, President

PS1: FLAME is, of course, a 501(c)(3) organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

PS2: Please consider pledging a monthly amount for one year. It will help us in assuring continuity for publishing our important messages. If you should feel so inclined, please mark the appropriate box on the transmittal card.

PS3: This is a little intrusive perhaps, but please consider a gift of appreciated securities to FLAME. That has, as you of course know, many tax advantages. And, in order to assure continuity, please consider including us in your will.

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