Sunday, April 5, 2009

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: We Must Actively Support a Two-State Solution

E-mailed 4/5/09 via whitehouse.gov

Dear President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton,

I truly admire the work you are doing during these extraordinarily challenging times. Thank you.

As a humanitarian and one who dreams of peace, I am greatly disturbed by the on going Israeli-Palestinian tensions.

An Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement is not a luxury, but a necessity for hope of peace in the Middle East. I see no other viable path than a two-state solution in which Israel withdraws to its 1967 borders, true recognition of Palestinian autonomy, shared governance of the holy sites within Jerusalem, and Arab/Muslim states recognition of Israel's right to exist within its legal borders.

Israel has a right to exist in peace within its legal boundaries, as does Palestine. Palestinian extremists have committed horrible and indefensible acts. These acts are well publicized in our press and, I believe, well known to the American people.

However, the atrocities which have been committed by the Israelis against the Palestinians for now decades are not well known to Americans. Yes, the Israelis are our most loyal and closest allies in the Middle East. Judeo-Christian religions and cultures which are in the majority in the United States, share a special reverence for Israel. Finally, there is still, with justification, a sentiment that the Jewish people suffered horribly during the Holocaust and deserve their ancient homeland.

The Jewish people have suffered horrible, inhumane treatment at the hand of the Nazis as well by numerous other regimes throughout the centuries.

However, this painful and tragic history does not justify similar treatment of the Palestinians. Can a people with deep and still all too fresh memories of walls being build around its communities, justify the building of walls? Can a people who were starved to death and slaughtered justify this treatment toward their neighbors? I think not.

Despite the U.S./Israel relationship, the U.S. cannot continue to turn a blind eye to Israel's offenses any more than we can ignore unprovoked attacks by Palestinians.

I pray that the political courage can be mustered to address this truly situation. Resolution is vital to peace in the Middle East and it is vital to security and peace for many nations outside of the Middle East.

Sincerely,

Tonia Becker VerShaw
Grayslake, IL