Imposing Peace on the Palestinians

Jonathan Chait’s commentary (Feb. 18) lauding the unilateral imposition of peace by Israel in the Holy Land includes an element of truth. But what it describes is not really the creation of peace between (rough) equals, but the conquest of the Palestinians by Israel. This involves, of course, the replacement of Yasser Arafat (the corrupt old leader who wouldn’t or couldn’t stay bought) with a more malleable and obedient man, Mahmoud Abbas.

The process will likely create a small number of fragmented and economically unviable Palestinian Bantustans. But if I remember the history of South African apartheid correctly, the last time this method was applied, it did not work very well.

Jim Devine

Torrance

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The central thrust of Chait’s article is that might makes right or that, at the least, in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict it has had a favorable result. He assumes that “Palestinian rejectionism” met by superior and constant Israeli force has resulted in “mutual accommodation.” What the Palestinians are rejecting and struggling against is the occupation of part of their homeland. If encouraging current developments results in Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and most of the West Bank while Hamas and others hold their fire, peace may be possible. It is too early to assume this is going to happen.

In any event, accommodation by both parties is the only long-range solution to the problem. Chait’s assumption that Israeli power and military pressure have opened the way to permanent peace is wishful thinking.

George Miller

Los Osos

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Chait was right on the money. Facts are facts -- suicide bombings have been dramatically down in Israel because of the security barrier and the Israeli policy of killing or arresting leaders of Hamas and other terrorists. Ariel Sharon and President Bush were right to wash their hands of Arafat, who both indirectly and directly supported terrorism. The Palestinians have now elected a “moderate” leader who denounces violence because they finally realize that the war they launched against Israel has had a horrendously worse impact on them than the Israelis.

I’ve never liked Sharon, and I have plenty of problems with Bush, but the two of them got this one right. The Arab world has been trying to destroy Israel since 1948, and only a hard line and harsh tactics will make the Arab world realize that Israel is here to stay and they had better just deal with it. The Palestinians have had many chances for an independent state since 1947 and they have blown them all. Let’s hope they don’t blow this chance.

Joseph Gold

Torrance