Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: A tough neighborhood

Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998 | 11:57 a.m.

THE PICTURE OF an unarmed American soldier being beaten and stoned by ruffians who hate our country would certainly bring a firestorm of criticism and even some counterviolence. Should we expect any less from a people already targets of terrorists for many years? This is the question our diplomats should ask themselves next weekend before leaving for Israel loaded with advice.

The picture of Israeli soldier Assaf Meyara, 19, being stoned by a mob upset me. You can just imagine the anger I would have felt if it was an American soldier wearing the uniform and patch of my former combat unit. Now consider how the picture affected the people of Israel where every family has members in military uniforms sometime during the year. Also these same families read weekly about Israeli soldiers being killed in Lebanon and are fearful when their younger children are put on a bus for school. Will they be a target of terrorists bombs?

A large majority of Americans and their elected public officials realize the value Israel had been to us during the Cold War. Now, as we cooperate in the development of anti-missile missiles like the Arrow, this strong relationship continues to be valuable. Actually, Israel is our only true friend in a violent Middle East neighborhood. In addition to this friendship, it's the only democracy in that entire part of the world. Because of these close relationships I, like most Americans, have always been treated warmly by Israelis when visiting or working in their country. Like Americans, I can disagree with them and argue about issues, but when all is said and done, I know I have much more in common with them than I have with their violent enemies. A good example is our disagreement over Jonathan Pollard, who should remain in prison.

Personally, Israel allowing the Palestinians to open their huge airport in Gaza and providing for access to it across the country from the West Bank surprised me. After all of the problems caused by Iran airlifting weapons and ammunition for Israel's enemies in Lebanon by flying into Syria, it was especially surprising to see the Gaza airport opened. This wasn't lost on David Bar-Illan who told the press, "They could bring in tanks, heavy equipment, heavy guns or 20,000 volunteers overnight. But we would like to hope that everything will be fine."

Don't expect Israel to now roll over and give up control over Jerusalem in an effort to please the Palestinian Authority and the peace at any cost gang. There are way too many of us who easily recall the long years the Holy City was controlled by the Arabs and Jews weren't allowed to pray at the Western Wall of the Second Temple. The ill treatment of Christians in Bethlehem by the Muslims during even more recent years doesn't provide much of an argument for the PA controlling anything other people hold dear.

While discussing the PA it would be wise for President Clinton to leave his money at home when taking off to promote peace between it and the Israelis. Giving cash to Chairman Yasser Arafat is like pounding it down a rathole if recent audits of past donations are an example of his spending habits. The Los Angeles Times newspaper put the problem succinctly when saying, "According to a Palestinian internal audit, hundreds of millions of dollars have been stolen or squandered. Most foreign aid, including American, is now earmarked for specific needs and monitored closely by donor countries. But the Palestinian Authority still has a lot of cleaning up to do."

The New York Times newspaper writes about President Clinton's pledge to give the PA an additional $400 million as an investment to discourage Arafat from proclaiming a Palestinian state next May. Sure sounds like a good idea, but it won't work. The editorial does remind us that the money flowing through the hands of Arafat's appointees "is especially vulnerable to misuse by corrupt officials." The PA auditors admit that 40 percent of last year's $323-million budget was misused. So leave our $400 million at home, Mr. President, until Arafat sets up a system which won't allow that money to be used for additional luxury apartments for his political pals and supporters.

During his time in Israel, it would be worthwhile for Clinton's staff, and even the president, to visit with the families of the seven Israeli soldiers killed last week in Lebanon. Then learn enough about the tough neighborhood in which the Palestinians and Israelis live. And if the next time some hoods try to stone and beat an Israeli soldier and get killed, don't be quick to condemn him. You can bet the next attack on a soldier won't be as easy as the attack on Meyara. The young soldier is facing a military court for not having a loaded weapon in the front seat of his car at the time he was assaulted.