Dear Editor,
In the news digest (July 12, 2010), "Abbas: No point now in direct negotiations," Palestinian Authority President Abbas said he has "no incentive to resume direct talks" with Israel. How about a sovereign peaceful state for the Palestinian people? Isn't that enough of an incentive?
If Abbas really believed in a two-state solution he would show as much openness as Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has already agreed to direct talks. The truth is that Abbas wants something much different: to continue the Palestinian war of attrition until Israel is gone.
Michael Berenhaus
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Letter to Washington Post
Dear Editor,
Halfway through "Tensions build in East Jerusalem" (July 1, 2010), we learn that the Arab homes meant for demolition "were built without permits"! The story should have been about the Arabs’ attempt to cement control of parts of Jerusalem by building illegally. Instead, the Post chose to focus on the opposite viewpoint spouted by those with a contentious view toward Israel: the Palestinians, the UN, and the Obama Administration. They view this removal of illegally built Palestinian homes as the fault of Israel. Yet throughout the world, illegally built homes are removed without incident and no one says a word - until Israel does so. Ironically, the Palestinians maintain that it is an "Israeli ploy" to secure Israeli control of the area, when in fact they were the ones who grabbed it illegally – a specious move if ever there was one. Not surprisingly, the UN Secretary General Ban called Israel’s move "provocative" and "contrary to international law." The spokesperson for the US State Department, who is lock-step with the Arab point of view, said that the move was “the kind of action that undermines trust and potentially incites emotions and adds to the risk of violence.” Of course, the UN and the US State Department were nowhere to be found when the Palestinians were building these illegal dwellings in the first place – they just show up when Israel responds. Sounds like a reoccurring theme in that part of the world.
Michael Berenhaus
Halfway through "Tensions build in East Jerusalem" (July 1, 2010), we learn that the Arab homes meant for demolition "were built without permits"! The story should have been about the Arabs’ attempt to cement control of parts of Jerusalem by building illegally. Instead, the Post chose to focus on the opposite viewpoint spouted by those with a contentious view toward Israel: the Palestinians, the UN, and the Obama Administration. They view this removal of illegally built Palestinian homes as the fault of Israel. Yet throughout the world, illegally built homes are removed without incident and no one says a word - until Israel does so. Ironically, the Palestinians maintain that it is an "Israeli ploy" to secure Israeli control of the area, when in fact they were the ones who grabbed it illegally – a specious move if ever there was one. Not surprisingly, the UN Secretary General Ban called Israel’s move "provocative" and "contrary to international law." The spokesperson for the US State Department, who is lock-step with the Arab point of view, said that the move was “the kind of action that undermines trust and potentially incites emotions and adds to the risk of violence.” Of course, the UN and the US State Department were nowhere to be found when the Palestinians were building these illegal dwellings in the first place – they just show up when Israel responds. Sounds like a reoccurring theme in that part of the world.
Michael Berenhaus
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