U.S. Rep. Fallin sends statement

OKLAHOMA CITY — BY MARK SCHLACHTENHAUFEN

and COURTNEY CRAUTHERS

A number of Edmondites joined members of the Oklahoma City Jewish community Monday night to support Israel as that nation’s military offensive against Hamas continued in Gaza.

Israeli troops advanced into Gaza suburbs for the first time early Tuesday, residents said, hours after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned Islamic militants of an “iron fist” unless they agree to Israel’s terms to end the fighting.

Hamas showed no signs of wavering, however, with its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, saying the militants were “closer to victory.”

Despite the tough words, Egypt said it was making slow but sure progress in brokering a truce, and special Mideast envoy Tony Blair said elements were in place for a cease-fire.

In Oklahoma City, more than 250 attended the event held at Temple B’Nai Israel. It included traditional Jewish singing and a visit from Houston-based Asher Yarden, Israeli consul general of the southwest.

Last week, the Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma chapter sponsored a Peace Rally for Gaza at the state Capitol. Other rallies for both Gaza and Israel are being held across the country.

The stated intent of the pro-Israel event was to “join together with the voices of hundreds of communities across the country and around the world to express our concern for all the victims of terror in the Middle East and pray for a just peace.”

United States Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Edmond, delivered a statement which was read to the audience. Fallin said Hamas started the conflict and they can end it, and that the Israeli government has every right to defend itself from Hamas rocket attacks.

Among the listeners was Paul Blair, pastor of Edmond’s Fairview Baptist Church.

Blair said he was there because of Genesis 12:3, in which God says regarding Israel, “And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse and in you...”

Blair said a week from Sunday his congregation would be hosting an event to support Israel.

“As a Christian, I love the nation of Israel and the Jewish people,” Blair said, adding that he supports the right of Israel to exist.

Edmond resident Ann Dee Lee, second vice president at Temple B’Nai Israel, said the local Jewish community felt it was time to be together, to support Israel, to pray together and to learn about what is truly going on there.

Lee said Jewish persons in Oklahoma City all have connections one way or another to Israel. All of her children have visited Israel. She went on a mission trip with the Greater Oklahoma City Jewish Federation to Israel a few years ago.

“It really is time to for us to speak with one voice, one heart, one message, that we support Israel,” Lee said. “We support our right and any country’s right to defend themselves.”

Yarden said more than one million people in Israel are now in the range of Gaza-based Hamas rockets, and the Israeli government had the legal right to defend itself. Any responsible government would do the same, he said.

In Israel, when warning sirens go off citizens have 15 seconds to take cover, Yarden said.

“Is this a life? Can one live like this?” he said.

Yarden said Gaza civilians are victims of Hamas’ policies, and Hamas operatives are using Palestinian women and children as human shields. Yarden said Israel has been trucking humanitarian aide into Gaza.

“The civilians in Gaza are not our enemies,” Yarden said.

Hope for peace?

Razi Hashmi, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma Chapter, said in a telephone interview that there was a great turnout at the Peace Rally for Gaza last Monday. He said people from many backgrounds and religions came together to call on public officials to help stop Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Hashmi, an Edmond resident, said the U.S. government has not made it a secret that they support Israel. He said he thinks Oklahomans are concerned that taxpayers’ money is helping fund weapons for Israel, which are being used to attack the Gaza Strip.

“In order for there to be peace, there needs to be understanding on both sides,” he said. “If the U.S. takes a neutral stance, there will less division.”

He said this is a passionate issue for Oklahomans and Edmondites because many people have personal ties in Gaza, in Palestine in general and in Israel. Hashmi said his organization has reached out to others to join them in their quest for peace in the Middle East.

“We don’t want to have division in our faith communities,” Hashmi said. “There should be non-violence on both sides.”

Hashmi said they are not fighting for pro-Israeli or pro-Palestinian but pro-peace.

Husam Mohamed, political science professor at the University of Central Oklahoma, said peace only can happen if the fundamental needs are met for both Israelis and Palestinians.

“One problem the Israelis and Palestinians have is they no longer have sympathy for each other,” he said.

Mohamed said Israel needs security and to be accepted as a state while Palestinians need an independent state and their social and economical issues met. Mohamed said in order for there to be peace, there must be a two-state solution.

Mohamed said while Israel gave up direct control of Gaza in 2005, they still control the air space and water access around Gaza and all but one entrance around its perimeter.

“Israel might be doing a disservice for itself and Palestinians,” Mohamed said. “Extremists are the ones gaining from attacks on civilians. I can also understand from Israel’s point of view that Hamas launching rockets is a serious problem.”

Mohamed said the attacks launched on Gaza are worse than those launched on Israel killing about 1,000 and injuring thousands whereas only 11 or 12 Israelis have been killed in attacks by Hamas.

Palestinians have been accused of electing Hamas, but it occurred only as a result of a failed peace process, Mohamed said. He said the conflict only will be solved on political grounds with a two-state solution and not through military action.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.