from 1996 to 1999.

 LESSONS FROM AMERICA'S REVOLUTION- Michael Freund, Jerusalem Post, July 4th, 2001

They may not realize it, but when Americans gather today to mark the 225th anniversary of independence from Britain, they will be doing so on what would seem to be the wrong day.

While the Continental Congress did approve the final draft of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, it was two days beforehand, on July 2, that they adopted a motion according to which "these United Colonies are, and ought to be, free and independent states... all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

Thus, it would appear more appropriate for the skies over America to have been lit up with fireworks two days ago, rather than today. Indeed, the excitement among America's founding fathers about the events of July 2 was such that future president John Adams wrote to his wife the next day: "The second day of July, 1776... will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival."

Adams's prediction would, of course, prove slightly off the mark, as July 4 came to be viewed as America's birthday. But the continuation of his letter contained a far more prophetic note, one whose foresight and vision contains an important lesson, not only for Americans, but also for Israel.

Reflecting on the inevitable struggle between the nascent United States and its British colonial overlord, Adams wrote, "You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend those States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means..."

In those few sentences, Adams captured the spirit of his times. Though the Americans faced an uphill battle against a resolute British tyrant, they were fired with enthusiasm and energized by the strength of their convictions. They knew their ideals were just and their cause was noble, and their uncompromising insistence on living as free men led them to face off against an unrepentant foe.

Israel, too, now faces a despot - albeit of a slightly different kind - one who seeks to impose the tyranny of terror on the daily lives of its citizens. As this week's car bombs in Yehud and drive-by shooting attacks on the roads clearly demonstrate, Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat is no George Washington. He is a cruel terrorist out to disrupt Israel's everyday routine and, imbue its people with fear. Arafat's aim is to kill Jews and eliminate the Jewish state, goals that share nothing in common with those of America's heroic founders.

Indeed, it is Israel that has shown an overwhelming amount of what Jefferson termed "patient sufferance," as Arafat has repeatedly violated his commitments and refused to abide by the cease-fire arranged by CIA director George Tenet. Throughout the past eight years, Israel has continued to negotiate with Arafat, signing agreement after agreement with him, only to see them thoroughly ignored. The result is an intolerable situation, one that cannot be allowed to continue.

It is time for Israel to learn the lesson of America's revolutionaries. Israel's leaders must hold their heads up with pride and declare independence from Arafat's tyranny. Deciding to put an end to despotism, as the Continental Congress did on July 2, 1776, is not enough. Such decisions must be followed up by concrete and principled acts that leave no room for doubt as to one's intentions. That is why it is July 4 that is celebrated as America's Independence Day, for it was on that day that the talk of July 2 was transformed into action.

That is why Israel must now stop talking about fighting terror and tyranny, and start acting. As John Adams warned, "the toil, and blood, and treasure that it will cost" will be immense. And as the American Revolution demonstrated, freedom from tyranny does not come cheaply. The longer Israel waits, however, the greater, and far more devastating, the price will be.

A paraphrase of Judges 11:23,24, making it relevant to today's political situation in the Middle East -
"Now since the LORD, the God of Israel, has driven the [previous inhabitants] out before His people Israel, what right have you [the PLO] to take it over? Will you not take what your god [Allah] gives you? Likewise, whatever the LORD our God has given us, we [the Jews] will possess.

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