LETTERS 4-4-2012

RE: Netanyahu says peace is needed to prevent Israel becoming a ‘binational state’
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/netanyahu-says-peace-is-needed-to-prevent-israel-becoming-a-binational-state/2012/04/03/gIQA9k8ItS_story.html

Dear Editor,

In 1948 United Nations Mediator Count Folke Bernadotte pointed out that "It would be an offence against the principles of justice if those innocent victims [of Zionist terror] could not return to their homes while [Zionist] immigrants flowed into Palestine to take their place."

United Nations Mediator Count Folke Bernadotte was later assassinated by Zionists. But that does not change the fact that United Nations Resolution 194 from 1948 makes it clear that Israel was- and is- expected to fully respect the Palestinian refugees very real right to return to their original homes and lands to live in peace.

UN Resolution 194 from 1948 : 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 “demographic argument” inspires bigotry and injustice. It is a bad argument that has already led to some really cruel practices and polices.  A fully secular two state solution to once and for all end the Israel-Palestine conflict is the best way forward.  

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

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RE: A Middle East Twofer By Thomas L. Friedman
 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/opinion/a-middle-east-twofer.html?_r=1

Dear Editor,

Thomas Friedman says that "The Iron Law of the peace process is that whoever makes the Israeli silent majority feel morally insecure about occupation but strategically secure in Israel wins." If that were true Oslo would have ushered in peace years ago.

There is nothing moral about Israel's ongoing institutionalized bigotry and its refusal to respect the Palestinians' basic human rights including but not limited to the Palestinian refugees inalienable right to return to original homes and lands. There is nothing moral about Israel's Jews-preferred policies and investments in the settlement projects. There is nothing moral in Israel's ongoing campaigns to persecute, impoverish and displace the native non-Jewish population of the Holy Land. 

All through out both Israeli and Palestinian populations there are good, bad and indifferent people- human beings of all different types. Fair and just laws and a fully secular two state solution would go a long way towards ending the conflict and actually building a good role model as well as a just and lasting peace.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab