MIDEAST DIPLOMACY: Palestinians must commit to peace, too
Jay Bookman forgets that it takes two to make peace (“Kerry’s diplomatic error: telling truth about Israel,” Opinion, April 30). It is counterproductive to demand evermore one-sided concessions from Israel while ignoring unwavering Palestinian rejectionism. The latter was displayed during Mahmoud Abbas’ recent visit to Washington. He rejected ever recognizing Israel as a Jewish state and compromise on refugees, let alone ending the conflict once there is a Palestinian state in the West Bank. The core issue remains refusal to accept a permanent Israel behind any boundaries.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has accepted the principle of “two states for two peoples.” Israeli Arabs serve as judges and diplomats and in the Israeli parliament. Moreover, Israel’s presence in the West Bank arose from an Egyptian-inspired war. It would have ended if Arafat or Abbas had accepted any of the proposals brokered by the U.S. Nor is unilateral withdrawal simple: Israel tried that in Gaza, and received thousands of rockets in response. Blaming Israel for Palestinian intransigence will only elicit more Palestinian demands and further delay a resolution.
DORON LUBINSKY, ATLANTA
Israel’s abuses call for tougher stance
Jay Bookman is one of the few journalists brave enough to write the truth when it comes to Israel’s oppression and denial of human rights to the Palestinian people. He also manages to reveal how U.S. policy in the Middle East is such a sensitive political issue that any criticism of Israel is dangerous to one’s political career.
Given decades of failed U.S.-orchestrated peace talks that have deepened the hold of Israel’s occupation, any future efforts will be in vain, wasting American taxpayer dollars as long as the status quo continues. Until the United States brushes political sensitivity and demonstrates the courage to get tough with Israel, negotiations will only lead to more of the same failed diplomacy with terms dictated to the Palestinians by the occupying power, Israel, and its unconditional backer, the United States.
JAMES J. DAVID, MARIETTA
POLITICS: Ga. Senate race could use vision
I understand the national importance of keeping both Georgia Senate seats in Republican hands. But then I look at the stands on various issues of the seven Republicans running for that soon-to-be-vacant seat as reported in the Sunday AJC (“On the issues,” News, April 27). None of these candidates are acceptable, and I suspect some of their stated positions are made only because they are pandering to the ignorance of the electorate. Where are the true leaders this state and nation need?
PAUL FULFORD, MARIETTA
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