The Letters In Response To Abbas in the NYTimes

(UPDATE with second batch of letters, see below)

First, my letter that was not published:

Mahmoud Abbas' recollection of history is problematic for understanding the Arab - Israel conflict. In noting the UN 1947 recommendation to partition the Palestine Mandate ("The Long Overdue Palestinian State", May 17), he errs twice.


The country was defined by international law, set by the UN's predecessor, the League of Nations, as "a national home for the Jewish people". In defining the residents of that country, the word Arab does not appear at all but rather "non-Jews". Any Arab claim to the country is one of residence, of civil rights not of sovereignty. Moreover, Abbas neglects to reveal to his readers that the Arabs of the Mandate territory rejected that recommendation and chose to declare war of the Jewish state that was to arise. Those who know not history, cannot proceed to any future.

And the ones that were in - The Mideast Conflict, Past and Present
Published: May 17, 2011

With due respect to Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian National Authority (“The Long Overdue Palestinian State,” Op-Ed, May 17), let’s not rewrite history in an effort to shift blame.

The Palestinians rejected statehood in 1947 and instead supported an Arab war to exterminate the Jewish state. The Palestinians rejected another golden opportunity for statehood in the 2000 Camp David peace talks, instead opting for “intifada.”

The Fatah faction that Mr. Abbas leads has now joined a “unity” alliance with Hamas, the same terrorist organization that dedicates itself in its charter to the destruction of Israel.

Yet Mr. Abbas asserts, “The State of Palestine intends to be a peace-loving nation, committed to human rights, democracy, the rule of law.” He adds that “once admitted to the United Nations, our state stands ready to negotiate all core issues of the conflict with Israel.” If you buy that one, I’ve got some unicorns for sale.

Mr. Abbas, don’t ask for a state based on the promise that Palestinians will negotiate the terms for peace some day in the future. Your alliance with Hamas speaks far louder than your words.

JOHN C. LANDA Jr.
Houston, May 17, 2011

To the Editor:

While I fully support Mahmoud Abbas in his “call on all friendly, peace-loving nations to join us in realizing our national aspirations by recognizing the State of Palestine on the 1967 border,” I take issue with his use of history as justification.

Historians will never agree on what really happened between 1947 and 1948, and arguing over it only perpetuates mistrust and bad feelings between Arabs and Jews. The sense of victimhood on all sides is our biggest obstacle to progress.

After 63 years, it no longer matters who is to blame for our predicament. It only matters that today Palestinians feel disenfranchised and oppressed, and Israelis feel embattled and isolated. What we all need is reconciliation, trust and cooperation. The real struggle is not between Arabs and Jews, left and right, or oppressors and oppressed, but between courage and fear.

DAVID P. SCHWARTZ
Director of Resource Development
The Center for Jewish-Arab Economic Development
Raanana , Israel, May 17, 2011

To the Editor:

While reading the Op-Ed article by Mahmoud Abbas, juxtaposed with the article outlining Benjamin Netanyahu’s anticipated message to President Obama and Congress this week and next (“Israel Leader Outlines Points of Negotiation Before U.S. Trip,” news article, May 17), I was struck by the fact that Mr. Abbas outlines a plan for Palestinian statehood that abides by international law, while Mr. Netanyahu defends continuing the occupation of Jerusalem and maintaining settlements in the West Bank, both of which are against international law.

While I support a home for the Jewish people if it is defined within the 1967 borders, what Mr. Netanyahu is offering is nothing but a continuation of the illegal occupation of 44 years. By clinging to this hard-line position, he is jeopardizing any prospects for peace for Israel and the Palestinians.

I hope that President Obama and Congress will join the world community in demanding justice for the Palestinian people and security for both nations.

HANAN WATSON
New York, May 17, 2011

To the Editor:

Mahmoud Abbas writes: “In November 1947, the General Assembly made its recommendation and answered in the affirmative. Shortly thereafter, Zionist forces expelled Palestinian Arabs to ensure a decisive Jewish majority in the future state of Israel, and Arab armies intervened.”

Excuse me?

As reported by The New York Times on May 17, 1948: “The invasion armies of five Arab nations hammered away with air and artillery attacks today at outlying Jewish settlements in Palestine.”

A careful review of the history of that time demonstrates unequivocally that Israel was invaded on all fronts by five Arab nations in an effort to destroy Israel, the United Nations partition plan notwithstanding. “Intervened” my foot.

Mr. Abbas rewrites history. He is not a serious partner for negotiations.

SHELDON M. FINKELSTEIN
Newark, May 17, 2011

To the Editor:

Given the history of expulsions, persecutions and genocide that our ancestors endured in Christian Europe, we Jews should be among the loudest supporters of Palestinian statehood. Do we really expect the Palestinian refugees of 1948 and their descendants to forgo their “right of return” after 60-plus years, when Israel claimed a Jewish “right of return” after 2,000 years?

Unfortunately, many American Jewish organizations have long supported whatever policy emanated out of Israel.

It is not only a Palestinian state that is long overdue, as the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas rightly claims, but also a declaration of independence by American Jews that we will no longer be silent supporters of the Israeli policies of occupation that so clearly violate not only common sense, but also the ethical values of Judaism.

JACOB BENDER
New York, May 17, 2011

To the Editor:

How heartening that Mahmoud Abbas declares that the State of Palestine that he hopes for will be a “peace-loving nation.” Now his task is to somehow square that with his embrace of Hamas, solemnly pledged to Israel’s destruction, as a partner in the formation of such a state’s government.

Mr. Abbas’s words remind me of another declaration of hope for “peace for our time” — by Neville Chamberlain in 1938.

(Rabbi) AVI SHAFRAN
Director of Public Affairs
Agudath Israel of America
New York, May 17, 2011

________________________

P.S. More on the Abbas op-ed:

JoshuaPundit, Honest Reporting, CAMERA, Israelly Cool and others have piled on!


UPDATED - Second Batch

Round 2: More Reaction to Abbas’s View of History


To the Editor:
Re “The Long Overdue Palestinian State” (Op-Ed, May 17):

Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian National Authority, has written one of the most delusional Op-Ed articles ever published.

The only “nakba,” or catastrophe, the Palestinian people should be observing is the reality that had they accepted the United Nations declaration of a Palestinian state in 1948, they could have been enjoying the fruits of a vigorous, prosperous, democratic state for the past 63 years (like their neighbors in Israel) instead of committing themselves to death by suicide bombings and economic chaos.

HOWARD B. WEBER
President, Coalition for Israel
New York, May 17, 2011

To the Editor:

Mahmoud Abbas’s Op-Ed article is a repeat of old ideas that can never lead to peace between Israel and the Palestinians. His article, written just before the arrival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the United States, repeats an old, one-sided, specious history of Arabs and Jews without even offering a modicum of Arab responsibility.

Mr. Abbas does not make any attempt at conciliation. Instead he commemorates “another year of our expulsion — which we call the nakba, or catastrophe.”

It would have been helpful and evenhanded, for example, if he had mentioned how Jewish residents were forced from Arab countries in the Middle East — either by government policy or violence against them — after the United Nations recognized Israel.

Settlers are fair game for Mr. Abbas’s criticism. Many Israelis disapprove of the settlements. But settlers are not terrorists killing innocent people, whereas within the Palestinian movement there are recognized and officially supported terrorists and terrorist organizations.

His rendition of Arab-Jewish history is so one-sided that any fair-minded reader must conclude that Mr. Abbas is more interested in grandstanding than in recognizing a homeland for the Jewish people alongside a peaceful homeland for the Palestinians.

MARTIN H. SOKOL
Great Neck, N.Y., May 17, 2011

To the Editor:

We should support the creation of a Palestinian state because it is in America’s national interest.

Since 1948, the Palestinians have endured repression and occupation by Israel. Not enough people are speaking up on behalf of the ordinary Palestinians and their suffering. Instead, using a broad brush, we paint them all as radicals. The majority of Palestinians just want their freedom and to lead a normal life.

The Israeli occupation is morally wrong and against international law. American support for Israel hurts our image and our interests in the region. Israel should acknowledge the horrors it has visited upon the Palestinians. And, most important, it must end the occupation.

MAHMOUD M. AWAD
Flat Rock, Mich., May 17, 2011

To the Editor:

I am surprised that you gave space and dignity to Mahmoud Abbas’s Op-Ed article. He talks about friendly, peace-loving nations, when his own people have, to this day, no intention of living in either friendship or peace with Israel.

Mr. Abbas’s article is full of selective myopia. He admits nothing of the multiple intifadas or the thousands of rockets launched against Israel.

Israel left Gaza as a peace gesture toward the Arabs. Jews in Israel would like nothing better than to live in peace with their neighbors. But they do not yet have any feeling of trust that the Palestinians will do the same — or even wish to.

THEO KLEWANSKY
Boca Raton, Fla., May 17, 2011


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