Friday, August 26, 2011
Letter to Washington Post
Dear Editor,
David Korn, former State Department director in the Carter Administration, in his letter-to-the-editor (8/24/11) states that "expansion of the settlements" are the "main obstacle to negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority." He provides no evidence for this. That is because there is no evidence. Even with "expansion", Jewish towns make up less than 5% of the West Bank and 0% of Gaza. If Palestine did become a reality, they could and probably would kick out all the Jews anyway - that's what happened before in every other Arab country, with no one saying a word.
It is only the Palestinians who see these settlements as an excuse not to negotiate, and Mr. Korn has fallen for their propaganda "hook, line and sinker". The question is: What is really preventing the Palestinians from sitting down with Israel, when they have nothing to lose and everything to gain?
Michael Berenhaus
Letter to NY Times
Dear Editors,
Regarding Casualties on Both Sides as Israel and Gaza Trade Fire (8/21/11), Israel’s response in Gaza was retaliation for the recent attack that killed eight Israelis, aimed specifically at the attackers. Therefore, Israel bears no responsibility in “igniting cross-border exchanges” as the Times put it. The "igniting” was done by Palestinians, and 100% of the blame belongs to them.
Ironically, just three days earlier the NY Times reported that “Turkish warplanes attacked 60 targets in the mountains and border areas of northern Iraq early Thursday in a pursuit of Kurdish separatist rebels suspected of responsibility a day earlier for a deadly quadruple bombing on a military convoy in southeast Turkey." In this case the Times made it clear that the Turks retaliated and didn't blame them for “igniting", or helping to ignite, anything.
In the NY Times, other countries are not blamed for retaliating, only Israel. What is the source of this double standard and when will it stop?
Michael Berenhaus
Regarding Casualties on Both Sides as Israel and Gaza Trade Fire (8/21/11), Israel’s response in Gaza was retaliation for the recent attack that killed eight Israelis, aimed specifically at the attackers. Therefore, Israel bears no responsibility in “igniting cross-border exchanges” as the Times put it. The "igniting” was done by Palestinians, and 100% of the blame belongs to them.
Ironically, just three days earlier the NY Times reported that “Turkish warplanes attacked 60 targets in the mountains and border areas of northern Iraq early Thursday in a pursuit of Kurdish separatist rebels suspected of responsibility a day earlier for a deadly quadruple bombing on a military convoy in southeast Turkey." In this case the Times made it clear that the Turks retaliated and didn't blame them for “igniting", or helping to ignite, anything.
In the NY Times, other countries are not blamed for retaliating, only Israel. What is the source of this double standard and when will it stop?
Michael Berenhaus
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Letter to The Washington Post
Dear Editor,
In “Israel announces new construction in West Bank”(8/16/11), the Post refers to the West Bank as “occupied land,” as if Israel had illegally invaded another country. In fact, the West Bank is not a country. It was invaded by Jordan in 1948, held for 19 years, and then abandoned. Since then, neither the Palestinian nor Jewish residents of the West Bank have turned the territory into a country. The Post tacitly admits this point when saying the Palestinians want the land for a "future" state. To avoid further bias against Israel, the Post should stop calling the West Bank "occupied land." A more accurate term would be "non-sovereign or disputed land."
In “Israel announces new construction in West Bank”(8/16/11), the Post refers to the West Bank as “occupied land,” as if Israel had illegally invaded another country. In fact, the West Bank is not a country. It was invaded by Jordan in 1948, held for 19 years, and then abandoned. Since then, neither the Palestinian nor Jewish residents of the West Bank have turned the territory into a country. The Post tacitly admits this point when saying the Palestinians want the land for a "future" state. To avoid further bias against Israel, the Post should stop calling the West Bank "occupied land." A more accurate term would be "non-sovereign or disputed land."
Letter to The Washington Post
Dear Editor,
David Korn, former State Department director in the Carter Administration, in his letter-to-the-editor (8/24/11) states that "expansion of the settlements" are the "main obstacle to negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority." He provides no evidence for this. That is because there is no evidence. Even with "expansion", Jewish towns make up less than 5% of the West Bank and 0% of Gaza. If Palestine did become a reality, they could and probably would kick out all the Jews anyway - that's what happened before in every other Arab country, with no one saying a word.
It is only the Palestinians who see these settlements as an excuse not to negotiate, and Mr. Korn has fallen for their propaganda "hook, line and sinker". The question is: What is really preventing the Palestinians from sitting down with Israel, when they have nothing to lose and everything to gain?
Michael Berenhaus
David Korn, former State Department director in the Carter Administration, in his letter-to-the-editor (8/24/11) states that "expansion of the settlements" are the "main obstacle to negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority." He provides no evidence for this. That is because there is no evidence. Even with "expansion", Jewish towns make up less than 5% of the West Bank and 0% of Gaza. If Palestine did become a reality, they could and probably would kick out all the Jews anyway - that's what happened before in every other Arab country, with no one saying a word.
It is only the Palestinians who see these settlements as an excuse not to negotiate, and Mr. Korn has fallen for their propaganda "hook, line and sinker". The question is: What is really preventing the Palestinians from sitting down with Israel, when they have nothing to lose and everything to gain?
Michael Berenhaus
Monday, August 22, 2011
Letter to The Washington Post
Dear Editor,
In “Israel announces new construction in West Bank” (8/16/11), The Washington Post continues to propagate the hysteria about new homes being built in Jewish towns (also known by the pejorative term ‘settlements’) in the West Bank. Despite the fact that these new homes do not add one square inch to the overall size of the towns, they are blamed for gobbling up territory that the Palestinians desire for a state of their own making it impossible, in their words, for the Palestinians to negotiate. Yet if Palestine did become a reality, they could and probably would kick out all the Jews anyway - that's what happened before in every other Arab country , with no one saying a word. So why do they refuse to sit down and negotiate now?
Michael Berenhaus
In “Israel announces new construction in West Bank” (8/16/11), The Washington Post continues to propagate the hysteria about new homes being built in Jewish towns (also known by the pejorative term ‘settlements’) in the West Bank. Despite the fact that these new homes do not add one square inch to the overall size of the towns, they are blamed for gobbling up territory that the Palestinians desire for a state of their own making it impossible, in their words, for the Palestinians to negotiate. Yet if Palestine did become a reality, they could and probably would kick out all the Jews anyway - that's what happened before in every other Arab country , with no one saying a word. So why do they refuse to sit down and negotiate now?
Michael Berenhaus
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Published in NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/opinion/on-anti-semitism-and-the-mideast.html?_r=1&ref=letters
To the Editor:
Roger Cohen says Jews should know better: “The lesson is clear: Jews, with their history, cannot become the systematic oppressors of another people.” His reference to the plight of the Palestinians is offensive: blaming Israel. He should know better!
In 1993, Israel gave the Palestinians a chance to have their own country with the Oslo Accords. The Palestinians responded with suicide bombings and terror. Israel followed with offers in 2000 and 2008. Palestinians walked away without a counteroffer.
Since Israel won the West Bank from Jordan, the Palestinians’ life expectancy has increased, their infant mortality has been reduced, and their economy has prospered. If any fingers need to be pointed, they should be at the Palestinian leadership.
MICHAEL BERENHAUS
Potomac, Md., Aug. 21, 2011
To the Editor:
Roger Cohen says Jews should know better: “The lesson is clear: Jews, with their history, cannot become the systematic oppressors of another people.” His reference to the plight of the Palestinians is offensive: blaming Israel. He should know better!
In 1993, Israel gave the Palestinians a chance to have their own country with the Oslo Accords. The Palestinians responded with suicide bombings and terror. Israel followed with offers in 2000 and 2008. Palestinians walked away without a counteroffer.
Since Israel won the West Bank from Jordan, the Palestinians’ life expectancy has increased, their infant mortality has been reduced, and their economy has prospered. If any fingers need to be pointed, they should be at the Palestinian leadership.
MICHAEL BERENHAUS
Potomac, Md., Aug. 21, 2011
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