Friday, June 12, 2009

The Low Ten

Jonathan S. Tobin, executive editor of Commentary magazine, an old acquaintance, published a list of what he calls "the top ten myths about Israel and the Middle East conflict". By me, they're the "low ten". It is a very good start to get one started on understanding the heart of the problem.

Myth #1: Jews have no historic connection to Israel/Palestine.

Myth #2: Jews have no unique claim to the ancient and holy city of Jerusalem.

Myth #3: The Zionist movement was never prepared to share the land.

Myth #4: The lack of an independent Palestinian Arab state is the fault of the Zionists.

Myth #5: The plight of Palestinian refugees is a special case of dispossession that must be redressed by international action.

Myth #6: The occupation of eastern Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights in 1967 was the result of an Israeli war of aggression.

Myth #7: Jewish settlements are the main, if not the sole, obstacle to peace in the Middle East.

Myth #8: The failure of the Oslo peace process was the result of actions by hard-line Israeli governments.

Myth #9: The Arab-Israeli conflict is the key to all of America’s political, diplomatic and military problems in the Middle East.

Myth #10: American support for Israel is the result of the manipulations of the U.S. government by Jews.


Now, why they aren't myths, you'll have to read the article here.

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