"The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. " President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address
RE: Obama's impossible ambition by Benny Morris
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/sep/11/middle-east-obama-peace
Dear Editor,
Nothing is impossible- and never say never! The real challenge ahead is not listing all the many ways a two state solution might not work, the real challenge is to put positive energy and effort into making a Palestinian state a fully sovereign and respectable reality- and a better way forward for all the people in that very troubled region.
All along international law has called for Israel to respect the Palestinian refugees right of return. Rami G. Khouri's recent op-ed Peace urgently needs the radically new, points out the importance of addressing core issues- please take note of chronology : "Resolutions 181 and 194, which called for the partition of Palestine in 1947 and then addressed the Palestinian refugees’ rights in 1948." http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=5&article_id=106150
Clearly from the very beginning of this 60 year long 'peace process' honoring the idea of two states actually goes hand in hand with respecting the Palestinians' basic human rights : UN Resolution 194 "Resolves that the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return and for loss of or damage to property which, under principles of international law or in equity, should be made good by the Governments or authorities responsible"
The Palestinian refugee crisis is not an isolated incident from the distant past- it continues to this day: "A pattern of house demolitions and evictions of Palestinians in East Jerusalem has attracted widespread international condemnation. In a recent instance on 2 August, nine Palestinian families, comprising 53 people, were evicted from their homes by Israeli security personnel and their property immediately occupied by Israeli settlers. Hundreds of Palestinians are currently under the same threat. Frequent arrest and detention campaigns and violent attacks by Israeli settlers are regular features of Palestinian life. In East Jerusalem and elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli settlements are but one part of an intricate web of measures that whittle away the living space and resources available to Palestinians." Statement by UNRWA Commissioner-General
History is on Obama's side- and so are countless people who sincerely believe in human decency and dignity... and a better future for ALL our children.
Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
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