There is a popular T-shirt in Israel that says "Don't worry America, Israel is behind you." I used to think that was just a clever shirt designed for Jewish-American teenagers in Israel to go along with the "Shalom, Just do It" with the Nike swoosh. Recent events have caused me to reflect upon that statement and the truth behind it.

Currently, we are engaged in military action against Iraq. America is acting against Iraq because our government believes that the Iraqi government is developing weapons of mass destruction and, not to mention, brutally terrorizing and murdering the people of Iraq. However, we are about 20 years behind Israel. In 1981, Israel destroyed an Iraqi nuclear reactor, which was supplied by the French, just before it was completed. This attack dealt a huge blow to the Iraqi nuclear program from which they would never recover.

Israel was willing to restrain itself because it was in American interests to do so.

While Israel was soundly condemned in the United Nations, today people agree that without the courageous and daring decisions taken by the Israeli government and in particular, the then-defense minister, Ariel Sharon, the world would be in a much more precarious situation. (It should be mentioned that one of the pilots in that raid was the Israeli astronaut, Ilan Ramon). The foresight of the Israeli government and the willingness to stand up against international condemnation was an example of excellent leadership and courage. If Israel had not acted when it did, the ensuing Gulf War of 1991 could have been much more costly in terms of human lives on both sides. As our troops enter Iraq, they can do so with the knowledge that there are no nuclear weapons, thanks to Israel.

Let us also consider the case of the 1991 Gulf War. Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait were the countries who were attacked by the Iraqi military. Of these countries, Israel was hit by 39 SCUD missiles, yet was willing not to retaliate to avoid destroying the coalition. This was only necessary because the Arab countries were unwilling to participate in a military coalition with Israel, even against a common threat. Israel was willing to restrain itself because it was in American interests to do so.

Now as we are at the opening phases of yet another war with Iraq, we are presented with a unique opportunity for peace. If the Iraqi government is overthrown and a democracy established, the opportunity exists to establish diplomatic relations between Israel and Iraq. Since the state of Israel was established in 1948, and the Iraqi government declared war on the nascent state, there has never been an armistice or a peace agreement between the two. Indeed, Iraqi and Syrian authorities refer to Israel as the "Zionist Entity" in official government communication, as they are still unwilling to publicly acknowledge the mere existence of Israel. Therefore, perhaps by ridding the world of one of its most odious dictators, the United States will be assisting Israel in its struggle for peace.

This may seem a very far-fetched idea, but history suggests otherwise. Immediately following the first Gulf War, Israel and the Arab states were brought together for the first time for multilateral face to face negotiations, and in 1994, Israel was able to sign a peace treaty with Jordan. These negotiations also led to the beginnings of the Oslo peace process, a necessary first step in the resolution of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Many in America believe that peace in the Middle East will be achieved when Israel ends "the occupation." However, the problem is much deeper than that. The problem is not an Islamic problem, nor an Arab problem, but rather a problem of specific government policies in the Middle East. Peace will be achieved when certain Arab governments recognize Israel's right to exist and lead their citizens in the direction of peace, as Egypt and Jordan have done. This means that governments like those of Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority, to mention a few, must cease funding, organizing, and supporting terrorism directed against Israel. This means that these governments must stop the blatant anti-Semitism and hatred propagated by state media. When these governments stop preaching hatred and enter into serious negotiations, they will discover Israel will be an excellent partner for peace.

Whether or not you as an individual support or abhor this war, we should be thinking about what comes next. There exists a chance for peace and stability after the war. Let us ensure that our government acts to turn that possibility into reality.

Charles Givre is a computer science senior and is president of Arizona Israel Alliance. He can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.