The Dome of Rock in the Jerusalem’s Old City is pictured overlooking the Israeli separation barrier on Friday. (Ahmad Gharabli AFP/Getty Images)
Re: “A political solution, not war, in Mideast,” Sept. 3 guest commentary.
Saul Rosenthal, chairman of J Street Colorado, says the solution to the conflict in the Middle East is two states — Israel and Palestine.
But violent extremists among the Palestinians make this solution impossible for now. For example, Hamas controls Gaza and calls for the destruction of Israel and the murder of Jews. Only when Palestinians who want real peace defeat this ideology will a two-state solution be possible.
Rosenthal’s words embolden those who do not want a two-state solution. He says, “And so long as Hamas and other extremist elements among the Palestinians experience oppression, restricted movement and humiliation, they are not likely to give up the fight.” This blames Israel for limitations, imposed because of repeated terror attacks, to save Israeli lives. Blaming Israel for problems created by Palestinian violence will lead neither to a Palestinian state nor peace.
Mark A. Levy, Denver
This letter was published in the Sept. 13 edition.
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