Opposition to settlements

Re “U.S.-Israel rift becomes an unusually public one,” May 29

At last our country has a president who recognizes the importance of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the damage the settlements do to reaching that goal.

Israel’s continuing refusal to adhere to its “road map” obligation is undermining our nation’s interest in the region.

But criticizing the settlements is not enough; President Obama must go beyond what he has said so far and refer to the settlements as illegal under international law.

In addition, Obama should take the lead in pushing the U.N. Security Council to pass resolutions stating that settlements are contrary to international law and an impediment to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of a two-state solution.

Michael Several

Los Angeles

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It could be hilarious, if it were not so tragic, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu actually said that “it is not fair not to provide a solution to natural growth” when talking about settlements in the West Bank.

The man dares to talk about fairness when the Israeli government has been taking land and possessions from the Palestinians for decades.

I am so glad the U.S. government is finally standing up to the perpetrators of injustice and oppression.

Elke Heitmeyer

Sherman Oaks

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I am extremely disappointed in Obama’s attack on Israel regarding increased growth of settlements and the establishment of a Palestinian state.

These steps must be taken for a lasting Mideast peace; however, evenhanded justice is lost by not mentioning the rocket attacks by the Palestinians, as well as the rhetoric of Hamas and Hezbollah to destroy the state of Israel. Let’s remind Obama and the rest of the world’s anti-Israel governments that the state of Israel is vastly outnumbered.

If the Palestinians, Hamas and Hezbollah dispensed with their volatile acts, peace would have a better chance.

Irving Goldman

Camarillo