In response to the Nov. 6 letter on the Palestinian request at the U.N.:
My thoughts are very different. I feel allowing Palestine to become a nonmember to the U.N. would be a mistake. When the Palestinians are prepared to publicly, and in writing, accept the state of Israel's right to exist, then we can talk about nonmember status.
The Palestinians languish under nothing, their situation is self-made. In 1948, the British left and the U.N. divided the land in two, half an Arab state and half a Jewish state. But then, as now, most Arab states did not want a Jewish state in their midst. So seven Arab armies attacked the little Jewish state, they were promptly defeated and the state of Israel was born.
In 1967, still not happy with a Jewish state in their presence, Egypt, Jordan and Syria decided to attack Israel, but Israel attacked first and won. That is how Israel came to occupy the West Bank, part of Jordan.
Again in 1979, trying to broker peace, Israel gave the Sinai Peninsula back to Egypt. A piece of land bigger than itself and rich with oil. What that showed is they are/were willing to give land back for peace. But history has shown the majority of Arab people, to this day, not only don't want peace, they want Israel eliminated and its Jewish people dead.
When that mindset changes, there will be peace.
Source: www.prageruniversity.com
/"The Middle East Problem."
Bill Botts
Lahaina
