This "letter from Sharon to Bush concerning the 
'State of the Union in Israel'" was sent by Friends of Yesha. 
From: Harvey Tannenbaum [mailto:protexia@netvision.net.il]

President George W. Bush
White House

February 6, 2002

I know that you gave your State of the Union speech in January as
prescribed by law in the USA.  I am busy packing my luggage for 
this quick trip to see you tomorrow.  I have to fly all night 
tonight in order to make it to the White House for some chicken 
and gefilte fish lunch.  I wanted to give you our State of the 
Union in Israel for which I take all the credit, in advance of 
my arrival tomorrow to your home.

1.  There have been more Jews killed in Israel by terrorists, 
since I took over last year from Mr. Barak than during 
Mr. Netanyahu and Barak's tenures in office combined.

2.  I have restrained my military from its appropriate response 
to terror more times than Mr. Barak's restraint programs.

3.  There are more injured Jews from terror attacks during my 
leadership than both Mssrs. Barak and Netanyahu combined.

4.  I have instructed my IDF to bomb more empty buildings in
enemy territory than both Mssrs. Barak and Netanyahu combined.

5.  I have negotiated 'under fire' with the enemy more times 
than my predecessors, both behind closed doors and in the open.

6. Unemployment of Jews in Israel is at an all time high in 2002, 
partially caused by the war and my failure to finish this war, 
once and for all.

7.  The strikes and demonstrations by our citizens with special 
needs in their handicapped categories continues into its 55th day 
without resolve by my government.

8.  Restaurants and banquet halls continue to close down due to 
the fear of the public to go out and have a good time.

9.  Our citizens continue to get shot at, bombed and murdered by 
suicidal enemies on an hourly basis throughout the Green Line, 
the Red Line, and all lines.

10.  For the first time in many years, we in Israel are at war 
inside our country's borders, as opposed to prior wars which we 
fought on enemy territory in their countries.

11.  For the first time, we have been recipients of rocks, molotov 
cocktails, bombs, bullets, and now rockets facing our citizens 
from the enemies.

12.  For the first time, IDF reserve officers are signing 
petitions from the Left to announce their treason in not wanting 
to serve in certain areas of Israel's war.

I can continue with many more facts of the State of the Union of
Israel, but I have to get this country's budget passed before my 
flight tonight.  My wonderful coalition of peaceniks are fighting 
me within the coalition. 

Mr. President, I used to be a great soldier, but once I put on 
this Armani suit and tie, I have lost my bravery, my initiative, 
my chutzpah.  I still have to look over my traumatic shoulder for 
Belgium and its chase on my Sabra and Chatilla days, so I
can't really do what I know I should do to save Jewish lives.

I look forward in greeting you tomorrow in Washington with all 
of my self created Tzuris (troubles), but I really should not 
depend on anyone else to bail me out.  We Jews should have learned 
from the 1940's that the USA helped us out and allowed for survivors 
to go forward in life, but 6 million of our Jews, were killed until 
the world destroyed terror.  I can't really sacrifice another 
6 million Jews, 60 years later, but maybe when I stop breaking all 
the above records and figures, and wake up, things will change.

Sincerely,

Ariel Sharon,
Prime Minister
State of Israel

as interpreted by Harvey Tannenbaum,
Efrat, Israel