A letter to Mr. Tony Blair

A letter to Mr. Tony Blair from Dr. Eyad El Sarraj 
 
 Mr. Tony Blair
 Prime Minister of Britain
 10 Downing Street
 London
 UK

 Dear Mr. Blair,

 When I was about to write to you, a friend of mine advised me not to 
 waste my time. He is convinced that there is only God to ask for help, 
 a common sentiment in Arabia of today. My friend and the many Arabs 
 feel victim to a grand conspiracy.

 In the same day, I received an email message of a letter written by 
 British Rabi John D. Rayner, responding strongly to other Jews who 
 feel victim to a grand conspiracy which aims to destroy Israel. Such 
 is our small world of the Middle East, a mirror image of demoralized 
 victims of Paranoia and of helplessness.

 There is the more compelling for me as a British citizen and as a 
 Palestinian to write to you at this difficult juncture our Middle east 
 and the world are going through. As a practicing psychiatrist in Gaza, 
 I am alarmed while observing the serious changes in the mental 
 structure of the young generations.  Many of the young aspire only to 
 become martyrs, a defiant way out of humiliation and utter despair.

 Britain, Mr. Prime minister, has the potential of being a peace maker, 
 has the moral duty to be a peace maker, and should have the interest 
 of being one. 

 Among your good citizens there are several million Arabs and Muslims. 
 In Europe there are further several millions. Your government policies 
 and actions can be decisive, particularly in the coming few weeks and 
 months for all of them when they think of the future.

 They are overwhelmed today with serious concerns about what will 
 happen to their countries of birth, and their families, when the war 
 is launched. They almost all support the removal of Saddam, but not at 
 any cost. They also would like to see a just solution to the plight of 
 the Palestinians. Moreover they want to see themselves as dignified 
 citizens of their Britain, not a defeated and humiliated race.

 Your policies turn them into good citizens, into potential saboteurs 
 or even terrorists.
 Arab citizens of Britain know of the colonial history of Britain and 
 its promise to establish a Jewish home in Palestine.  Palestine was 
 thus handed over to the Zionists.   Such was the extraordinary 
 injustice, and the Arabs never received even an apology. They today 
 are ready to forgive and live as good citizens, but they need to 
 identify with a New Britain in which they feel proud in ideals of 
 justice and fairness.

 Britain has a thriving Jewish community which commands respect. 
 British Jews are very concerned about Israel and its future as they 
 watch the unending stream of blood and killing. They are desperate to 
 rescue Israel form the hatred, the cycle of revenge and from itself. 
 They all know that it was Britain who laid the first foundation of the 
 Jewish state. They would like to see Britain come to rescue.

 You are in a unique position Mr. Blair.
 All know the influence you have on the American President and how can 
 you help him, help America, and help the world by steering a balanced 
 strategy of peace and justice instead of war and vengeance. 
   
 We know that such is a challenge as we are acutely aware of the great 
 influence of the extremist Zionists and Zionist Christians on the 
 hawkish Bush administration, and all are aware of the serious danger 
 such influence can have on the Middle east and beyond.

 Your initiative to hold a conference in London on the question of the 
 'road map' is an excellent opportunity to show Britain's determination 
 to exercise a new role in the Middle east politics, a new Britain that 
 can be a bridge between the polarized East and West, a role that is so 
 seriously needed now more than any other time in our history.

 The Palestinian issue, Mr. Prime Minister is the crux of all the 
 Middle East and Arab Muslims politics. No other subject has so 
 decisively influenced the masses every where as the question of 
 Palestine and Jerusalem. Britain can and should be able to finally put 
 this question to rest on a stable solution which now most people agree 
 on its details; a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital 
 and on the 1967 borders and no Israeli settlements. The majority in 
 Israel and Palestine are ready to endorse this solution. Only the 
 extreme elements are not, but sadly they have the power to control and 
 intimidate the rest. The majority need to be saved. You can save them 
 and save the Middle East.

 Your approach can be so decisive. Of course it is a challenge and you 
 will need courage to confront Sharon and his military extremist 
 government which has determinedly turned the Palestinian scene into 
 chaos, and the Palestinian Authority into impotent body. This is not 
 to say that every thing evil is Israeli. The PNA has accumulated seven 
 years of poor management and divorced itself from the rule of law, 
 thus alienating its own people.

 Yet we have not the luxury of crying over spelt milk. We urgently need 
 reforming our Authority before too late. We need a new generation of 
 leadership armed with courage and the vision of peace. We also need 
 good government. Such hopes can begin with elections, but not under 
 the Israeli gun.

 The Question of the PNA reform can serve a good opening 
 Not the final goal. The final goal can only be peace and security for 
 all. But we all need to agree on the exact details of the end game.

 In order for the road map to begin the journey,  passengers have to 
 know where are they heading to .They also have to accept that they 
 will be subject to sanctions if they do not fulfill their commitment.

 In the prevailing state of mutual paranoia of both parties, it is 
 imperative that a third party intervenes with more than just 
 assurances but concrete evidence of the serious intent.  Britain is 
 the one that can assume this role and indeed can be the trusted guide 
 on the road. 

 Moreover, Britain is in a position to lead Europe into the direction 
 towards such a noble goal of achieving peace in the Holy land that 
 will enhance the status of Europe which is portrayed as divided and 
 ineffective.

 Dear Sir,

 I was impressed by your short message published in Al Ahram in Cairo 
 on Christmas day. I trust that you had a joyful Christmas.

 Let us hope for a peaceful New Year.

 Respectfully,

  
 Eyad El-Sarraj
 Gaza, Palestine
  
  
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 Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
 http://www.gcmhp.net