Letter: Friedman’s views on Israel changed

Friday, Jan. 30, 2004 | 9:37 a.m.

This is in reference to Thomas Friedman's column and Michael L. Cary's letter critical of Israel's unilateral action regarding the West Bank. Friedman had a different opinion in 1988. He proposed that Israel should unilaterally withdraw from the West Bank and Gaza in phases, after deciding what areas it should retain to provide the necessary security. These would include positions along the Jordan River and the strategic mountain ridge running through the middle of the West Bank as well as buffer zones around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Friedman then reasoned that Israel did not have to ask anyone's consent to establish these security arrangements. They would be determined and maintained by Israel alone. Once the withdrawals would be completed, the Palestinians would be free to establish any kind of government they desired. The rules of co-existence would be Chicago Rules. You pull a knife, we'll pull a gun; you put one of ours in the hospital, we'll put 200 of yours in the morgue; and so on. If problems persist we will not allow any of you to work in Israel. If the Palestinians wish to have peace with dignity they can show it by establishing normal relations between the two governments.

This is what he said then. This is what he is criticizing Israel for doing now. Why has he changed his mind?

IRVING F. LITTMAN