Cancel the Travel Advisory

I hope to be there this summer on a trip paid for by Birthright Israel, well--except for the flight to NYC and all those souveniers that I know I will purchase.

From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, a news media outlet that is FAIR AND BALANCED:

Jews and Christians asked President Bush to cancel a U.S. advisory against travel to Israel.

Monday’s petition to the White House was signed by Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and evangelical Christian officials. It calls for the State Department travel warning that encourages Americans to "defer travel" to Israel to be rescinded in response to the improved security situation.

The advisory has been in place since the outbreak of the Palestinian intifada in the fall of 2000.

I think it's about time to cancel the darn advisory. While I am at it, President Bush campaigned in 2000 with a pledge to move the United States Embassy in Israel to the proper place and capital city, Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). He refuses to do so, citing national security concerns.

Senator Joseph Lieberman, in a speech to the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on May 16, 2004, had a lot of things to say:

"My friends, do you agree with me that it is time—long past due—for America to move our embassy in Israel to Jerusalem?" said Lieberman, addressing an audience of over 4,500 supporters of Israel. "In every other country in the world—so many of which are not America’s friends—the American embassy is in the city designated by those countries as their capitol. But not in Israel, not in Jerusalem, which for 3,000 years has been Israel’s capital.

"Moving our embassy will make clear to Israelis and their enemies at this moment of decision and opportunity that the ties between the United States and Israel are as eternal as the city of Jerusalem itself. And then together, Americans, Israelis, and Palestinians, Christians, Muslims, and Jews can together make Jerusalem into what its name means, a city of peace, and fulfill the prophetic vision of Jerusalem as a unified city in which all are welcome, a holy city, where men and women of the three great monotheistic faiths, all children of the same God, all descendants of the same father Abraham, will live and learn and pray and prosper side by side in peace."

Lieberman praised Senator Kerry’s pro-Israel record. "President Bush has built on the legacy of his predecessors and strongly supported Israel. Senator Kerry has shown by his long record of public service that he would carry this legacy forward," Lieberman said. "His AIPAC voting record is 100%. His support of Israel is personal and it is deep. I know there are many issues that will be on people’s minds when they go to vote this year. But, whatever the outcome of the election in November, Israel will have a friend in the Oval Office on January 20, 2005."

Regarding Sharon’s plan to withdraw from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, Lieberman said, "Sharon’s proposal is called a disengagement plan but it is really a reengagement plan. It is the best hope we have today of breaking out of the status quo and getting back to the negotiations that can lead to security, progress, and peace for Israelis and Palestinians."

Lieberman also underscored the strong solidarity between the United States and Israel in his remarks. "This shared faith in progress and common commitment to the values of freedom and equality are the basis of the solidarity between Israel and the United States. And both nations are dedicated by their founding documents to secure those values not just for their people, but for all peoples. We, the people—of the United States and Israel—are committed to forming a more perfect union, between our two nations and with all nations who share the dream of democracy," Lieberman said.