RE: "Helen Thomas: A troubling end to a distinguished career"
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-thomas-20100609,0,4996898.story
Dear Editor,
A troubling end to Helen Thomas' career? NOPE- you've got the wrong end of the stick. Helen Thomas' real triumph has been to top a ground breaking professional career in journalism by gracefully retiring on such a boldly honest- and frankly helpful note. Take what she said in full context, quoted correctly and make war or peace with it- your choice... but please do not ignore official US policy which advocates a two state solution (Israel get out of Palestine) to end the 60 year long Israel/Palestine conflict.
Do you really want American tax dollars (as well as charity funds) to continue to help subsidize and defend Israel's settlers in the illegally occupied territories- and do you really want to ignore the fact that many of Israeli's settlers all through out the illegally occupied territories are recent arrivals from Europe, Russia and America. Surely there are better investments for everyone's sake.
And last but not least: Do you really want to so rudely ignore Helen Thomas' beautiful letter perfect apology "I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon." Helen Thomas .
Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
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RE: Editorial: Unconscionable
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20100609_Editorial__Unconscionable.html#axzz0qMFzl2JL
Dear Editor,
Helen Thomas is not an idiot or a bigot. She has been unfairly attacked and maligned. The United States, along with the international community, officially backs a two state solution to end the sixty year long Israel/Palestine conflict. To create two separate, viable sovereign states, one being called Israel and the other Palestine, Israel obviously needs to stop building settlements in the illegally occupied territories and Israel needs to get its settlers and troops out of Palestine.
Furthermore, and this really is crucially important- the vast majority of Palestinians, the native non-Jewish population of the Holy Land, are impoverished refugees, refused their inalienable legal and natural right to return to original homes and lands.
Israel scorns Palestinian rights, impoverishes Palestinians, displaces Palestinians and adds insult to injury by generously subsidizing Jewish settlers in the illegally occupied territories, pushing even more Palestinians into forced exile and despair. A significant portion of Israel's generously subsidized and heavily protected settlers are recent arrivals from Europe, Russia and America. Where those settlers 'return home' to is a very relevant and timely question. They have been pawns in a cruel game but they need to take responsibility for their own actions- their own bad choices and their own contributions to continuing the conflict.
Yes, maybe Helen Thomas could have been more diplomatic and obtuse with how she said what she said. But if she had, would any one have paid attention?
Kudos to Thomas for ending her amazing, ground breaking career on such an honest and necessary note- including but not limited to her apology and her hope for peace in the Middle East. ("I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon." Helen Thomas )
Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
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RE: Palestinian Takes a Road Less Traveled
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/world/middleeast/09iht-letter.html?ref=middleeast
Dear Editor,
I very much hope that Palestinians continue on this path of nonviolence and careful, compassionate objections to Israel's not so careful or compassionate treatment of the native non-Jewish population of the Holy Land. Ending the conflict needs to be a priority for everyone's sake- and, as Hussein Ibish explains in his persuasive book What's Wrong with the One-State Agenda? a viable, secular two state solution is the only way forward.
Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab
NOTES
Peacemaking takes courage, leaders
Israel must clarify Palestine's status
The Arab Peace Initiative
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