Letter: Israel has tried to make peace with neighbors

Tuesday, April 8, 2003 | 8:51 a.m.

Steve Hutchinson's March 31 letter, "Israel's record also warrants intervention," requires a response. The letter was so factually inaccurate that a brief review of historical facts is in order.

Mr. Hutchinson is correct that Israel has controlled the West Bank for a number of years. What he fails to mention is that Israel gained control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip not out of desire but as the end result of a war where its neighbors tried to destroy it. Since that period of time Israel has tried to negotiate with its neighbors to secure peace. In fact, Israel has a history of reaching peace accords with neighbors who have a genuine interest in making peace.

It should be further noted that recently Israel offered to return 97 percent of all the land that the Palestinian Authority demanded, including 100 percent of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. All of this in exchange for peace. The leadership of the Palestinian Authority responded with a resounding refusal and the instigation of the worst wave of terrorist violence that the Middle East has ever witnessed.

People can criticize Israel all they want, but the facts are clear. Israel has offered peace and a return of territory. All they need is a negotiating partner interested in ending the violence and living in peace. That partner is still missing.

The Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas fully supports Israel's desire to negotiate with its neighbors in an environment of nonviolence. The complete cessation of all terrorist activity must take place before a spirit of honest negotiation can begin.

LEONARD STONE

Editor's note: The writer is chairman of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas.