Jews and Palestinians must form mutual peace
by Yossi Amrani,
Consul General to the Pacific Northwest Region

In his column of November 28, "Israel and Palestine, not like the movies," Bruce Ramsey claims "Americans learn history from movies." If a history lesson is needed to better understand the present complex reality in the Middle East, Ramsey's brief course is insufficient and lacking in facts.

When the U.N. accepted in 1947 a partition plan that would lead to the creation of both a Jewish and a Palestinian state, the Jewish community welcomed it, having accomplished a dream of almost two millennia. The Arab world rejected it. As Ramsey teaches us, there was an immediate war following the passing of the U.N. partition plan. Upon the end of the British Mandate, forces from six neighboring Arab countries attacked Israel aiming to put an end to the newly born country, and drive the Jewish people away from their homeland.

Unfortunately this war resulted in Palestinian refugees, who were called on by Arab leaders to leave their homes to allow Arab armies to win the war more swiftly. Ramsey forgets that at the same time more than a half-million Jews left their homes in Arab countries, and found shelter in Israel, their homeland.

Ramsey also questions the fairness of giving 55 percent of what was then Palestine, to the Jews who made up only one-third of the population. However, he neglects to mention that the great majority of that 55 percent was taken up by the Negev desert and that it was primarily populated by Jewish people. Jews turned these lands into flourishing farms, towns and cities. Had the Arabs agreed to the U.N. plan, the remaining territories would have enabled the vast majority of Palestinians to live, for the first time in their history, in a land of their own.

The history lesson continues and we are told that, "Later, Israel took the Sinai, the West Bank and the Golan Heights" as if nothing had happened in between. It must be remembered that for many years, Israel and its population had been subjected to terrorism and hostilities aiming to weaken the country's defense and threaten its existence. The War of 1967, which brought Israel to Sinai, the West Bank and the Golan Heights, started when Arab countries put Israel under siege.

Ramsey also says, "... 50 years after the creation of the Israeli state, there is no Palestinian state." One must wonder why. Is it because Israel refuses to negotiate? Is it because Israel opposes such a state? Or is it because the Arab world refused to recognize Israel, using the Palestinian plight and suffering to promote their belligerent policies towards Israel? One should remember that until the late 80s the Arab world itself didn't support the establishment of a Palestinian state.

In June 1967, after its victory in a war that was imposed on us, Israel initiated a call for peace and negotiation expressing willingness to withdraw from the majority of the territories; the Arab world once again turned a deaf ear. This summer, at Camp David, Prime Minister Ehud Barak's government went further than any previous Israeli government in responding to the needs of the Palestinian people. Historic compromises were offered on all core issues including boundaries, refugees, and Jerusalem. President Clinton on behalf of the U.S. commended Barak for his courage and leadership in offering these historic compromises.

Why then did Chairman Arafat turn down an independent Palestine? Perhaps he wanted more. If it is Arafat's responsibility to represent the wishes and aspirations of his people, it is Israel's duty to try its utmost to address these desires insofar as they do not threaten the security and viability of Israel.

The people of the Middle East - Jews and Palestinians alike - must learn the lesson of the last 50 years. Violence, terrorism and extremism will accomplish nothing. Delving into the past and resorting to historic arguments and rhetoric will not break the cycle of violence. It is only through negotiations and dialogue and with a strong willingness to cooperate and coexist that peace can and will be achieved. This is the lesson we must learn from our mutual past.