In the Sun interview, David Grossman said: "President Bush is regarded as one of the greatest friends to Israel, but he has not been a real friend...what is the real meaning of this friendhip? If you see your friends going astray, you do something to save them from their mistake."

This is what we must ask each candidate, according to Grossman: "Will he continue to trap us in our mistakes, or will he be more loyal to the larger Israeli interest, which is to stop the occupation and push us as strongly as possible toward peace with the Palestinians?"

It is my great hope that Senator Barack Obama, if elected, will be a real friend to Israel. The respect he commands around the world could help change the conversation and provide the push Grossman described. The truth is, you can't be a friend to Israelis and not also to Palestinians. The two peoples share one country and one fate. I hope Senator Obama, along with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, will have the courage to work together toward a lasting peace.

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Check out the submissions page for some compelling words from acclaimed Israeli novelist David Grossman.

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...and the Call for Submissions has been made. I look forward to reading many amazing stories about Jewish-American perspectives on peace in the Middle East and ending Israel's occupation of Palestine, and learning how we reconcile loving the country itself yet hating what its government is doing.

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