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for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel Letters to Media by VTJP Members |
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New mindset needed on Israel By Neil Richardson, Times Argus 3/2/2010 Recently on CNN, Christine Amanpour interviewed Jeremy Bon-Ami, executive director of J Street, a new Jewish lobby group, and David Harris of the American Jewish Committee. The interview centered around the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.As is normally the case in such discussions, there was no Palestinian representation included. At one point, Mr. Harris laid the blame for the continuation of the conflict with the Arab world, for not diplomatically recognizing Israel and normalizing political relations with them. He would not mention that the Arab League has said that it will recognize Israel when Israel withdraws to the pre-1967 borders and allows the Palestinians there to be free to determine their own future. We are so attuned to accept that Israel has a right to dispossess the Palestinians that we simply ignore the viewpoints of the Arab world. We only seem to give consideration to what Israel wants.The Palestinians are as entitled to freedom and self-determination as are Israelis. Israeli leaders have talked about a Palestinian "state" but it would be under the ultimate control of Israel. They have also proposed programs to "help" the Palestinians by improving their economy, thus satisfying the Palestinians in hopes that they will accept Israeli dominance.I would imagine that the Palestinians simply do not want to live under the rule of a Jewish state. No matter how benign such an existence might be, it is still paternalistic and would be unacceptable for any people.It seems to me that we Americans need to change our mindset towards the Palestinians, both in the West Bank and in Gaza, and recognize their absolute right to freedom and equality, either in their own sovereign "state," not controlled by Israel, or as an integral and equal part of Israeli society. | ||
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