U.S. Congressman Barney Frank, a Democratic representative from Massachusetts, spoke on Monday night about his hopes for future resolution in the Middle East conflict, and about the U.S. involvement in brokering peace in the region.
In a speech sponsored by the Coalition for Hopkins Activists for Israel and others, Frank began on a hopeful note as he stated that there is finally "a very real possibility of peace coming to the Middle East."
For students in the audience, the Congressman's statement was particularly positive in the midst of the Texas summit between President George Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
During his talk, Frank emphasized the "importance of recognizing Israel as a Jewish democratic state." "Why should Israel give up territory?" Frank said, adding that the importance of Israel lay in its status as a Jewish democratic state in a volatile region. "The majority of people in the territory need to be Jewish and the state needs to be run in a democratic fashion."
Frank's statements came in the midst of the ongoing struggle between Israel and Palestine regarding the extent to which Israel may withdraw from lands in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Currently Israel plans to withdraw during the summer from settlements in Gaza and the West Bank. But during recent talks, Bush has reiterated that Israel should be expected to keep the portion of the West Bank captured in the 1967 war in any agreement. Bush has called for a stop to construction in the settlements.
Frank emphasized the need for Israel to remain an independent, democratic state.
"There are large numbers of Arabs in Israel. You cannot have a democratic state with a large number of people that cannot vote," Frank said. "And you cannot have a Jewish State that is 55 percent Jewish and 45 percent Muslim."
In response to claims that religious states should be discouraged, Frank said, "It is hard to keep a straight face when Saudi Arabia denounces a religious state. Syria, Egypt and Iraq are religious states. Why can't there be a Jewish state?"
The recent move towards peace in the region followed the death of longtime Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, which Frank also addressed.
"Arafat's death was a precondition for peace," he said.
Despite Frank's claims that the conditions for peace in the region were stronger than ever, he warned that conflict may continue because of people's attitudes.
"The U.S. should be pushing Palestine and Israel to make a deal. However it is still possible that peace won't happen. Some people don't want it."
The Congressman also spoke about the often-harsh criticisms that Israel has faced in the midst of this conflict.
"There have been a lot of unfair criticisms of Israel. However, [Israel] is by far the superior country in the Middle East," he said.
As one of three openly gay members of Congress and a gay rights advocate, Frank also pointed to Israel's civil rights record.
"Israel was born under attack, and it remains one of the most vigorously democratic countries in the world. Even under assault they have not made compromises," Frank said. "Israel gives asylum to gay Palestinians. This started with a Palestinian and Israeli couple, and since then, Israel has become a sanctuary for gay Palestinians facing violent homophobia."
However, Frank supported recent pressure on Israel to withdraw settlements from the West Bank and Gaza.
"It is important for Israel's moral legitimacy for them to withdraw," Frank said. Israel has made mistakes in the past. It would be a big mistake if they didn't move out of most of the West Bank."
He added, "The reality is that Israel is not going away."
Frank has had a long career in politics. After serving in various positions in his home state, Frank was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1980, where he has been re-elected to 12 consecutive terms. Frank, a staunch liberal, is a consistent supporter of Israel in the House.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The News-Letter.