Opinion: A Saudi Arabian prince has no businesses criticizing Israel’s human rights record

To the editor: I condemn, along with Saudi Arabia’s Prince Turki al Faisal, President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. (“No, Mr. Trump, Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel,” Opinion, Dec. 15)

But when Al Faisal’s reasoning begins by condemning President Truman’s very recognition of Israel in 1948 as a historic injustice, the rest of the prince’s suggestions for peace in the Middle East are simply nonstarters. For all the peace Al Faisal hopes to bring about, he might just as well have uttered the 68-year-old Arab wish for Israelis to be pushed into the sea.

Real Mideast peace will come when Israel recognizes Palestine and Palestine recognizes Israel. Such a two-state solution requires statesmen to achieve it, not the likes of Faisal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Trump.

Saul Isler, Santa Monica

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To the editor: While reading the prince’s comments about the failed U.S. policies regarding Palestine and the recognition of Israel, I can’t help but wonder how he is qualified to comment on freedom, democracy or individual rights.

Surely his comments, coming from the member of a ruling royal family, represent the height of hypocrisy.

The “bloodshed and mayhem” the prince cites were caused by acts of war and aggression perpetrated on Israel by Arab coalitions. Threats of more bloodshed and mayhem underscore the violence the Saudis and other nations are willing to embrace to ensure the nation of Israel ceases to exist.

The U.S. will not abandon Israel and will continue to recognize its right to peacefully exist with its neighbors.

Michael Rubino, San Pedro

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To the editor: While reading the prince’s piece, I felt transported to an alternative universe.

The writer represents one of the planet’s most repressive countries; it does not allow freedom of religion, freedom of speech or women or even Shiite Muslims to have equal rights.

He has the gall to criticize the only true democracy in the Middle East, which has about 1.8 million Arab citizens who enjoy full legal rights, some of whom are now even choosing to join the Israeli Defense Forces.

Yes, Israel is imperfect. All human societies have developed through conflict. How did the Wahhabists conquer the Arabian peninsula?

Barry F. Chaitin, Newport Beach

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