Dear Friend of FLAME:

What a year! In 2011, the Middle East became even more treacherous for Israel and the United States. First, Iran continued its rapid progress toward building nuclear weapons. Then, thanks in part to the so-called Arab Spring, radical Islamists scored dramatic political gains in Egypt and Tunisia, as well as in Turkey and Lebanon and threaten to do the same in Libya and Syria. Most importantly, the Palestinians formed a union with Gaza's terrorist ruling party Hamas and were almost successful in persuading the U.N. Security Council to declare them a state, which would have disastrously thwarted the chance of direct peace negotiations with Israel.

As you know, Israel's survival depends on what people think of the Jewish nation---how Israel is perceived---especially here in the United States. That's why I want to ask in these waning days of 2011 for your heartfelt financial support.

Israel's image affects how much money is sent by the world's nations to prop up (and arm) the Palestinians, how Israel is treated (or mistreated) in the United Nations, how Iran, Israel's greatest enemy, is dealt with internationally, and how much financial aid (usually in the form of loans) is extended to Israel by the U.S.

Whether Israel is judged favorably also influences how critical the U.S. and other nations become when Israel attempts to defend itself from Hizbollah terrorists from Lebanon, as well as from terrorist rockets targeted at Israeli civilians by Hamas in Gaza.

Even worse: It may well be in the coming year that Israel has to defend itself from attacks originating in Egypt, supported by the newly elected Islamist Muslim Brotherhood. How will the world judge the Jewish state if she retaliates?

Israel's image in the United States also influences how it is able to conduct peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Surely you remember how President Obama pressured Israel to cease residential building on its eastern borders and in its capital, Jerusalem . . . while asking no concessions whatsoever from the Palestinians?

Yes, so much depends on how people think, feel and know about Israel: We are indeed fighting the consummate public relations war, particularly when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Yet how many times have you heard it said that Israel does a poor job of public relations?

Here's what really makes me angry: Palestinian fighters in Gaza shoot rockets into Israeli civilian centers---as they continue to do even over the last few months---then duck back into mosques, schools and hospitals---to hide. Protesters try to run the legal Israeli sea blockade of Gaza, yet when Israeli Defense Forces board these renegade ships, members of the press complain about "disproportionate use of force" and worse, "war crimes." And the world believes them!

My friends, in 2012 we must urgently meet two critical public relations challenges:

First, we must convince the world that it is Palestinian leaders who are responsible for the breakdown of peace negotiations---not Israel. We must convince Americans---and especially the American Congress and administration---that the Palestinians cannot shortcut the peace process by running to the United Nations for ratification as a state.

We must make the world understand that if the Palestinians truly want peace and their own nation, they can have it. But they must stop telling their people the lie that the Jews have no rights to the Holy Land . . . and they must give up their obsession with destroying the Jewish state and pushing the Jews into the sea.

The second great PR challenge we face---both Israel and the U.S.---is Iran's nuclear threat. There are many who naively believe we should give Iran another chance . . . and another . . . and another . . . to see the light. It often seems like the Obama administration is among those who think more diplomacy will get the ayatollahs to come around---despite Iranian President Ahmahdinajad's publicly stated determination to wipe Israel off the map.

In 2012 we must continue to hammer the point home to the American public: Iran's nuclearization must be stopped now. We do not---and Israel does not---have a moment to lose. We need crippling sanctions immediately, before our only choice is pre-emptive military action.

Yes, it's clear that, as much as guns and missiles, world opinion---and especially U.S. public opinion---will determine the future of the Jewish state.

We simply cannot let the Palestinians or Iran or the Muslim Brotherhood win this public relations war in the coming year.

My friends, it is up to us to make sure Israel's true story is told.

Won't you take a few minutes right now to do your part to help Israel . . . and help FLAME continue its outspoken hasbarah---clarifying message---campaign to the American public and Congress?

As you may know, FLAME has no employees---95% of its work is done by a handful of committed volunteers.

What's more, the majority of FLAME's funding goes directly to telling the truth about Israel, especially publishing editorial messages in mass media that reach more than 10 million readers every month, including tens of thousands of college students. We also personally deliver these messages to every U.S. Senator and Representative and to the President.

Most importantly, please remember that the overwhelming majority of FLAME's financial support comes from individuals just like you. One by one, Jews, Christians and unaffiliated alike contribute generously to this noble cause---to help ensure that Israel survives.

So whether you give $1,000 or $500 or $100 . . . or even $50 or $36 or $18---every donation is important---every dollar you contribute helps us keep telling the truth about the inspiring Jewish nation.

Best of all, of course, your donation is tax-deductible.

Won't you act now to make your donation online? Just go to
http://www.factsandlogic.org/make_a_donation.html.

Thanks in advance for your year-end generosity and your continued support of FLAME's good work.

Jim Sinkinson
Vice President, FLAME

P.S.

Have you seen the recent FLAME hasbarah message titled "Are the Palestinians Ready for Peace? Why Arab intransigence makes peace most unlikely."? This piece tells the truth about Israel's attempts to forge a peace with the Palestinians and the Arabs' consistent refusal. I hope you'll review it and pass it on to your friends, members of your congregation and colleagues. If you agree that FLAME's outspoken brand of public relations on Israel's behalf is critical, I urge you to support us. I hope as this year comes to a close, that you'll consider giving a donation now, as you're able---with $500, $250, $100, or even $18. (Remember, your donation to FLAME is tax deductible.) To donate online, just go to http://www.factsandlogic.org/make_a_donation.html. Now more than ever we need your support to ensure that Israel gets the support it needs---from the U.S. Congress, from President Obama, and from the American people.