Comments

For personal and/or political reasons the vast majority of the comments received so far prefer to remain anonymous for the time being.

For the sake of brainstorming
and hopefully to stimulate thoughts, questions and comments,
some of the ideas are listed here:

"I read and reread your Jerusalem Home and Garden plan several times. I noticed the addditions you made in January were all, except Thoreau, assassinated. Not by the ostensible "enemy" but from someone within their own constituency. Where is the real threat. From within ourselves? Do we, the Israelis, seem at peace with ourselves? with our families? with each other? Do they, our neighbors, seem at peace with themselves, with their families, with each other? This is the raw material out of which any proposed peace process must be built. And look at what there is (or is not) to work with. With all the 'benefits' touted by religion, whether Islam, Christianity, Judaism or Hinduism, this is what is the bottom line. Reminds me of God looking down before the flood, seeing into man's heart and deciding to destroy the whole shebang. Eventually he sent the Rainbow as a sign..."

"While most news you receive from the Holy Land in the aftermath of the Gaza war is awful, the peacemakers continue their work, invisible to the eyes of the world. This has been a difficult time, the gap of mistrust and anger between the Israelis and Palestinians is as wide as ever. In the face of all of this though, we have deepened our commitment to work for peace."

"I checked out your blog and appreciated reading it and your enthusiasm. I trust the right people will read it. I sent the info to a news reporter, who told me to inform him the next time you visit."

"I read your plan for Jerusalem. Beautiful. I will do all I can to transform Jerusalem to a garden of peace for all."

"Your idea is great and creative. I hope the people in charge can appreciate it."

"very interesting, sounds like great ideas to me.... lets get to it. Thanks for sharing!"

"Just a short message now to what merits many comments. Congratulations for your new blog and long developing plans! I guess this reflects your MIT (entry) which seems to dovetail beautifully with the proposal I made. We should get (our) blogs linked!"

"Lots happening in the energetic field and it is timely. What was once not even conceived as being possible is now so...shine your light my friend. Shine it brightly so that we can all see and support you and those of you who are out there doing the work of God"

"Thanks for this. The most recent war on Gaza hit me hard. Your email is definitely very timely"

"This is a nice plan, which in order to work will require considerable cooperation and compromise from both sides…Its almost like turning what you are calling the “Home & Garden” into a neutral territory like Vatican City. Maybe that’s the answer... I see a Nobel Prize in your future."

"your idea of sharing Jerusalem is wonderful. The situation in Israel now is so tense, I don't see how people will be able to share anything."


"Writing you back to say NICE JOB of saving sacred land! If you need any warriors in the future by all means let me know. The future is right now and it's high time we fight for Pacha Mama. again, Daniel, way to go."

"(Maybe you should be) running for (Israeli) Prime Minster"

"I think your ideas are on the 'right track' (especially) in terms of greening out the conflict"



Please feel free to add your comments as we go along...

Encouragement from Yitzhak Rabin

“All our lives, all our dreams and all of our prayers were dominated by peace in accordance with the biblical command
‘Seek peace and pursue it’…”

Ladies and Gentlemen: we are undergoing a revolution of peace. When it succeeds, we will find ourselves in a new world with added dimensions and concepts. Our personal lives will change for the better, our cultural lives will be enhanced and the whole region will prosper.

The price of peace, calculated in hard currency, is going to rise significantly every year until we stop playing games and pay the price. Therefore we must adapt our national priorities in order to be successful partners in a greater effort!

The Arabs and the Jews have been fated to live together in the same land, even on the same soil. Together we have learned that terror and deceit bring tremendous suffering, humiliation, bereavement and pain to both sides. There have been enough blood and tears shed. Enough!

Each of us would rather build homes, plant trees and live in dignity as free human beings. Therefore let us step up the talks and hold on-going discussions so we can hear each others views and create an atmosphere for good neighborly relations.

We know that there will still be obstacles in our way; but after the obstacles are cleared away, the Arabs and the Israelis will have stronger states, and happier nations in which we can be even more proud to be citizens.

Whenever violence occurs there are scars that linger for both the winners and the losers. Fortunately with peace everyone is a victor; therefore, let us open an exciting, new chapter in our history: a chapter of mutual recognition and respect. We must relearn how to live together in the same way that peace and security can work together.

Security brings peace of mind, which we hope to deliver to each neighborhood, to every school as well as to each and every home. Peace also improves educational and career opportunities bringing everyone more financial security as well.

This is a very auspicious moment, a time of great possibilities and opportunities that we shall do our utmost to accomplish!

It is our duty first to ourselves, then to each other and also to the children yet to be born to do everything possible to support world peace, reconciliation and multicultural cooperation. Therefore we must fit into this quickly changing world, a place where people of various cultures must live closer and closer together and embrace the international peace movement spreading throughout the world.

Until a fair agreement is reached, let us uphold the law and protect the rights of each and every individual, safeguarding the freedom of worship for the followers of all the religions and maintain access to all the holy places.

These are the desires that we wish to turn into realities. Therefore we urge you to be patient, discuss these goals with each other, and let us see peace and prosperity grow in our midst.