In a speech to Likud Party activists this week, Moshe Ya'alon -- Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs -- lashed out at Peace Now. In order to save Israel, Ya'alon said, "we must deal with the issue of the virus that is Peace Now and, if you will, the elites. Their damage is very great. From my point of view, Jews should live in every part of the Land of Israel forever."
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The following is the text of the petition:
I believe in Israel and I believe in peace, which is why I am disgusted with Israeli Minister Moshe Ya'alon's rhetoric equating the Israeli Peace Now movement with a virus. And I am disappointed that his statement "clarifying" his comments failed to take back this statement.
The democratic ideals upon which Israel was founded are incompatible with such provocative statements by a cabinet official. Ya'alon is entitled to disagree with Peace Now, but it is wholly inappropriate -- and dangerous -- for him to say that the Peace Now movement is a "virus" that must be "dealt with."
Peace Now is an integral part of Israeli society. It is the largest organization mobilizing Israelis in support of a two-state solution.
Ya'alon's ugly words may contribute to violence against Peace Now. Two months ago, two Peace Now activists who were surveying settlement expansion came under attack. Less than a year ago a bomb exploded outside of the home of Professor Zeev Sternhell while flyers plastered in his neighborhood offered a bounty of a million shekels "to anyone who will kill a member of Peace Now." 20 years ago, a grenade thrown into a crowd of demonstrators killed Peace Now activist Emil Grunzweig.
In the face of these verbal and physical attacks, I stand with Peace Now.
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I stand with Peace Now and I just gave $150 too. We need to stand up to this type of hate.
I also stand by Peace Now. I am opposed to any major
boycott of Israel but I would like some tough love on
getting a two-state settlement on the issue of Middle
East peace.
I stand with Peace Now as the only sensible way Israel can achieve lasting security and peace.
Everyone needs a place to call home including Palestinians. Yes..sign an Arab treaty (Saudi proposal). Back to pre 67 borders. Jerusalem 1/2 Jewish 1/2 Arab. Stop the settlements NOW and dismantle the existing ones. The whole country of Israel is being held hostage by the radical few now in power. He with the biggest mouth wins evidently.
Ricky G
The current situation is not sustainable. There is no alternative to the real "Truth, Justice, Peace and Security for ALL". We owe it to ourselves, our future generations, our peoples and mankind to embrace and behave according the common beliefs,values and principles enshrined in our faiths. PEACE NOW with all that it entails NOW.
If peace is a "virus" I hope the whole world catches it.
As Jews who all love Israel, we must avoid toxic metaphors that equate political opponents with lower life forms. That is homicidal talk. Shame on you Moshe.
Peace, justice, courage, hope, optimism, healing, recovery and cure; and with gratitude.
Israelis who consider Peace Now a virus are human ostriches--putting their heads in the sand and completely ignoring what the long-run effect will be of building more settlements in the West Bank and
continuing to treat all Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as less than human beings with the same basic needs and human rights as Jewish Israelis. Aside from the political aspects of the situation, they are completely ignoring the ethical foundation of Judaism.
Ya'alon is the virus on what is healthy in the state of Israel. If you want Israel to succumb to the disease he carries, support him. Otherwise stand for peace and the dignity of the Palestinians. Comments like his do not serve the cause of peace. They only serve to disrupt it.
Peace Now illuminates a path toward peace and ultimate reconciliation for Israel and it's neighbors. Ya'alon's rhetoric echoes 20th century extremism that did so much harm to the jewish people.
We are not a virus or "elite" we are "amcha" and we want peace - now
I grew up in a time of endemic American antisemitism and was filled with pride at the establishment of the State of Israel. I'm now repelled by the steady advance of the Israeli religious right, and the thuggish tactics of the settler movement. I hope to live long enough to see a return to principles of the founders and fully support Shalom Achshav and American Peace Now.
Hate statements and homicidal statements are extremely dangerous to everyone. They are destroying Israel's civic sense, trying to replace it with a small minded tribal mentality. I wish people would think before they utter such remarks.
The comments of Ayalon are a dangerous turn-off to American Jews who support Israel. Peace Now is an organization that works to keep Israel from self-destruction by the right-wing fanatics who will bring about Israel's destruction with their rhetoric. I support Peace Now as an Israeli-loving American Jew.
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win"
Mahatma Gandhi
Please consider with an open mind the viewpoints of Peace Now.
Two states, one Israeli and one Palestinian, living side by side, is the only solution. The virus is coming from the right wing in Israel. Peace Now has the correct and courageous position.