[Peace-discuss] ...goes marching on

[C. G. Estabrook]

  "[For those who like me miss the characteristic business messages from the 
late Martin Lukes in the Financial Times, here's an American analogue -] a 
fund-raising appeal recently sent out by Florida-based Nancy and Mark Gilbert, 
who are big money raisers for the Democratic Party, also active in fundraising 
for Israel:

‘Dear Friends,

“Under the radar” is not what we’re used to in the Jewish community.

We demand it big and bold and we need it loud and clear. (and- that is A. O. K.! )

But- when work is done quietly and not with SCREAMING headlines, we sometimes 
miss it.

Silly us! WAKE UP EVERYONE…. It’s a new (Jewish) year ! And our President and 
his team (and YES, our CONGRESS) have done, are doing and WILL continue to do 
extraordinary work in connection with America’s best friend: the State of Israel.

At the Israeli Ambassador’s residence on Monday, the annual Rosh Ha Shanah 
(Jewish New Year for our non-Jewish friends on this email) reception guest list 
included national and international Jewish organization leaders; elegantly 
dressed Foreign Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, a host of 
Rabbis from across the religious spectrum ; famous authors, renown professors 
and magnificently decorated military personnel from several countries including 
at least one U.S. 3-star General (Dayton). We were invited because my husband 
Mark is the National Deputy Finance Chairman of the Democratic party, I’m the 
owner of an Israel tour company and have been heavily involved in tourism to 
Israel for 15 years and probably- and most importantly- because our daughter was 
Ambassador Oren’s student at Yale.

Thank You, President Obama!

Ambassador Oren and his wonderful wife Sally warmly received each guest -then 
stood before the assembled crowd in what was the best stump speech for President 
Obama that I have heard from any world leader (and yes, Ambassador Oren speaks 
FOR Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel!). Without a note, Ambassador Oren 
outlined the brilliant accomplishments and strong support of Israel demonstrated 
by the Obama Administration in LESS THAN 2 YEARS! Oren invoked our President’s 
name, time and time again: (please memorize these bullet points and tell 
everyone you know!)

President Obama has led the global effort to prevent Iran from obtaining a 
nuclear weapon.

President Obama’s leadership (and coaxing) has produced an international 
coalition that INCLUDES China and Russia who have implemented unprecedented 
sanctions against Iran, which, according to conversations at the Monday 
reception, appear to have caught Iran off-guard

President Obama and his team are spending more time on this issue than almost 
any other issue facing our country today

President Obama and our Congress have provided Israel with every cent (and then 
some) of foreign assistance requested by Israel

President Obama has restored Israel’s QME (qualitative military edge) which had 
been neglected for the last 8 years

President Obama is the FIRST American leader to say – in an Arab country (Egypt) 
that the Arab world must recognize Israel as a JEWISH state and in a support of 
Israel’s legitimacy to affirm the –quote- “unshakeable “ bond between the USA & 
Israel

President Obama & team played a critical role in leading a UNANIMOUS vote to 
include Israel in the OECD (Organization of Economic Cooperation & Development). 
The vote was 31-0 admitting Israel to this prestigious organization

President Obama has dispatched leaders of the Joint Chiefs to Israel not once, 
but four times already in his less-than-2-years in office ( before that the 
Joint chiefs had not been in Israel for YEARS (not once during the ‘last’ 
administration)

The Obama administration has integrated US missile technology into Israel’s 
expanding missile shield. NO OTHER AMERICAN PRESIDENT HAS DONE THIS.

The Obama administration continues to fund development of ARROW-3, Israel’s 
advanced long-rage, high-altitude system for countering Iranian ballistic missiles

President Obama asked Congress for $205 million dollars for Israel’s IRON DOME 
rocket defense system (which will reduce incoming rocket threats from Hizbullah 
in the north and Hamas in the south…) – this request is IN ADDITION TO the $3 
BILLION budgetary request for Israel’s security assistance!

And my personal under-the-radar item; the Obama team’s clever input to 
re-wording the Gaza blockade language which not only garnered international 
support for Israel (and a promise not to condemn Israel if Gd forbid there is 
another flotilla incident) BUT effectively thwarted several pending flotillas in 
Mediterranean and Persian Gulf ports… that simply became the boats-to-nowhere!

And last, but surely not least, (and listed in this basic order by Ambass. Oren) 
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict negotiators are sitting as we speak at a table 
together – talking. Who knows what the result will be….but talking is the only 
way to get anywhere. And it is a giant step in a positive direction.
This email is too long already and I hope you have gotten this far, but you must 
realize that the list of bullet points above is extraordinary.

Unprecedented.

And all accomplished by the Obama team and the current congress- in less than 
two years in office.

Looking ahead to 5771, may you and your families be blessed with a beautiful 
year, filled with good health, good times and ….peace.

With warm regards from our house to yours,

Sincerely,

Nancy & Mark Gilbert.’"

http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn10012010.html