Mideast Peace Held Hostage by ‘Other Side’
James Zogby would have us believe that all that prevents peace from prevailing across the Middle East is the existence of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (“The Unsettling Truth About Those Israeli Settlements,” Commentary, June 22). However, Zogby neglects to mention that just last summer at Camp David, Israel offered to uproot isolated settlements and have the Palestinians create an independent state on 100% of the Gaza Strip and at least 95% of the West Bank. The remaining settlements, located on under 5% of the West Bank, would be annexed to Israel. The Palestinian response was the ongoing violence and terror we have seen over the past nine months.
Zogby’s sophistry cannot disguise the root of the current conflict--ongoing Palestinian belligerence. As outlined in the Mitchell report and the Tenet cease-fire, once the Palestinians lay down their arms and attempt to combat terrorism, Israel has agreed to undertake a series of confidence-building measures.
David A. Lehrer
Regional Director
Anti-Defamation League, L.A.
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