Palestinian, American Jewish Illusions

"As a New Administration Tackles the Middle East"
A32, Thursday 1/22/09, Letters to the Editor

The Times finally prints a rebuttal to its push for “evenhandedness”. Included is a reference to “Palestinian illusions”. The breakdown is simple, yet captures a century of conflict:

“The Palestinians historically wanted Israel’s destruction and convinced themselves that if only they could engage in terror, get the UN against Israel, encourage boycotts and stimulate media criticism of Israel, they’d get their wish and Israel would disappear.”

Lewy offers a seldom-heard prescription for peace, albeit one lacking in detail. “Rally nations to help rid the Palestinians of these destructive illusions.”

Additional value of the piece is that it speaks to the harm caused not only to Israel, but “far more to the Palestinians themselves”.

In the second letter, the writer identifies himself as Jewish, which is sandwiched in between his claim of “unquestioned” support for Israel from America’s leaders and American Jews. Two questions: Have Bush’s policies – to name but one president – really been embraced by Israeli leaders? Has the writer read a Jewish newspaper or watched the Daily Show lately? The support is questioned, and in a shallow way.

Who knows where the writer got “the destruction of thousands of Palestinian homes to make room for Jewish settlers in the West Bank”. It is possible that thousands of Palestinian homes have been destroyed – to kill or capture militants, or previously for collective punishment on a suicide bomber’s family, or in the seldom-enforced demolition orders on illegally and rapidly built Palestinian homes – but to make room for Jewish settlements? The Times' fact-checkers, if on-duty at all, would likely just reach out to B'Tselem to confirm this defamation.

Bender writes of the “tragic cycle of violence” and ends with quoting the Times’ flawed editorial. He's right to say that “peace with the Palestinians” will be vital in bringing Israel “lasting security". This sentiment, as usual, is left hollow without stating that before the difficult reality of Palestinian moderation can be realized, “sieges, checkpoints or invasions” are the unfortunate realities of Israel defending its citizens.