By multiple authors, ,
A leftist engagement Regarding Ò…ngage Iran DirectlyÓ (Viewpoints, May 26), first the good news: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States would join European negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. The bad news? Such negotiations are conditioned on IranÕ³ suspension of uranium activities that, in the opinion of most Western nations, is a cover for nuclear arms development. What raises my hackles is Alon Ben-MeirÕ³ implication that the Bush administration is responsible for IranÕ³ outrageous and dangerous actions. On the other hand, it is quite understandable coming from a lefty academician. Mr. Ben-Meir may be a competent international relations professor, but he flunks history. Upon his return to London after meeting with Adolf Hitler, Neville Chamberlin stated, Ò®..after my talks with Herr Hitler that if only time were allowed, it ought to be possibleÉ“ ad nauseam, ad nauseam. Well, we all know the result of that appeasement. Does Ben-Meir expect a better result with the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? Nowhere in Mr. Ben-MeirÕ³ article is there a single mention that Ahmadinejad has repeatedly stated that the Holocaust is a myth, and that Israel should be destroyed. DoesnÕ´ Ben-MeirÕ³ argument require Iran to engage Israel directly? Attention JTNews editors. Why was the article even considered given that the JTNews masthead declares itself Ò”he voice of Jewish Washington?Ó Not a single reference to Judaism or Israel. Has the JTNews become a vehicle for leftist political expression? Norman Levin Seattle, WA Doorstep terrorists I commend Ron KampeasÕ³ informative front page article (Òlmert and Bush meet in the middle,Ó May 26). Kampeas reports that Olmert agreed to delay unilateral withdrawal from parts of the West Bank and try to promote peace with the Palestinians in accordance with the Ò’oad Map.Ó In return President Bush gave his firmest endorsement to date of OlmertÕ³ plan to go it alone should all else fail. OlmertÕ³ Ò£onvergence planÓ appears suicidal. I fail to see how the forcible deportation of about 70,000 Jews in parts of the West Bank by its government, the destruction of settlements, and the handing over of parts of the Jewish homeland to its enemies is good for Israel. IsraelÕ³ prior withdrawals from South Lebanon and Gaza have played into Al QaedaÕ³ hands and have increased the terror threat for not only Israel but the civilized world as well. IsraelÕ³ enemies will be emboldened to continue attacking civilian centers with rockets and suicide bombers. Israel cannot afford to succumb once again to the delusion that retreating in the face of terror will bring safety and peace of mind. If Palestinians want to negotiate a lasting peace, they first need to recognize Israel, disarm terror groups and honor prior agreements they made. U.N. resolution 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) call for negotiations to establish Ò³ecure and recognizedÓ boundaries. The Palestinians after electing Hamas, a government committed to IsraelÕ³ destruction, and their culture of violence does not present Israel with a credible partner to negotiate peace. Israelis, weary after so many years under siege, will be making a grave error if they proceed with OlmertÕ³ ill-advised unilateral Ò£onvergence plan.Ó It may well result in indefensible borders for Israel and a Ò—est Bank terrorist stateÓ at its doorstep. Josh Basson Seattle