Interviews With Dukakis, Jackson
I was impressed with the ideas Dukakis expressed in his interview, with one big exception: He accepted the widely believed myth of Arab “intransigence” against recognizing Israel, as the stumbling block to Middle East peace.
But how can Israel insist on diplomatic recognition when it has consistently failed to recognize any national rights for the Palestinians (as well as having a policy of violence and expulsions against them) for 40 years?
Arab governments and PLO have, at least for the last 12 years, exhibited far more flexibility than Israel.
Israel has said on many occasions that it won’t negotiate with Palestinians under any circumstances. If Dukakis is going to be our next President, he should get straight on who has really been the stumbling block to a Middle East settlement, and act accordingly.
JOHN D. WAGNER
Los Angeles
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