Letter: Peace needs a partner

Editor: When it comes to the issue of terrorism, peace movements
here and in the Middle East are delusional. They want to stop the
fighting and sit down to work it out. Ah, that it could be so.
Peace groups and the citizens of Israel and the world were
anticipating a time free from terrorist acts when they gave ³land
for peace.² What happened after Israel withdrew from the
settlements? Hamas attacked Israel. After 18 years of occupying
parts of Lebanon, Israel left. What happened? Hezbollah, attacked
northern Israel. The result of Israel¹s pulling back is that
Hezbollah has gotten stronger, better trained and armed thanks to
Syria and Iran. In 2005, after the withdrawal from the West Bank,
and during a called cease-fire, an estimated 2,000 Katyusha rockets
were launched into Israel. What happened? Israel has been a good
faith partner in the ³peace process,² but it hasn¹t worked.
Peace groups point to the oppression of Palestinians as the
cause of the terrorism. There may be oppression, but it¹s not the
root cause. If peace groups want to be effective, they must go
after the root cause, which is, what to do with the Palestinians?
Outside of Israel, all countries in the Middle East are
oligarchies. Historically, they have wanted nothing to do with the
Palestinians, but use them as pawns. No state wants to claim
responsibility for the Palestinians, so of course they feel adrift
and bitter.
Almost 20 percent of the population of Israel is comprised of
Arab Israelis. They have more rights in Israel than is evidenced by
citizens of the other Arab countries. They vote, hold jobs, have
access to due process and serve in the Israeli Knesset. The
Palestinians cross into Israel and see a place where there is a
high standard of living and a modern economy, developed in less
than 60 years. Can you imagine what a hopeless feeling that all of
this must stir in the Palestinians?
The Israelis were told to give land for peace. Peace didn¹t
work. Israel withdrew from Lebanon. Peace didn¹t work. Israel
withdrew from Gaza. Peace didn¹t work. The U.S. stepped in. They
tried negotiations at Camp David and Oslo. Peace didn¹t work.
Israel was willing to give the Palestinians 92 percent of the West
Bank. Arafat rejected that.
Still the peace groups say that Israel is oppressing the
Palestinians. Why? It¹s handy. It¹s easy, but it¹s not
accurate.
Short of some unforeseen miracle by peace groups that know how
to deal with terrorists, Israel is doing what it needs to survive.
Quit blaming Israel. It¹s inaccurate. Peace needs an agreement and
a commitment from both sides. It needs partners who respect
compromise. Israel has done its part.
Craig A. Brod, Healdsburg