Letter to the Editor: Two States in the Name of Peace

Date: May 23, 2008

This letter to the editor was sent to the Easy Reader in Manhattan Beach in response to a column that was extremely critical of Israel and promoted the idea of a one-state solution.

Dear Editor,

The recent column by Roger Repohl, ("One state, in the name of Abraham," May 15) gave a distorted and one-sided view of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and a misguided prescription to resolve it.

In addition, your paper did your local community a disservice by juxtaposing a photo of members of a local synagogue celebrating the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel with an article that spews vitriol about the only democracy in the Middle East and one of our country's closest allies.

There are many reasons to celebrate Israel's 60th birthday. Around the world there is celebration of the creation of a democratic homeland for the Jewish people in a land that Jews have inhabited for thousands of years. Israel’s vibrant democratic system provides all its citizens with access to a modern and effective judicial system and upholds the value of freedom and debate in the media. Israel’s contributions to the high-tech industry, health care, agriculture, music, literature and film are well known. Additionally, as a country founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust, Israel has opened its doors to more than three million immigrants and worked to ensure they are integrated into Israeli society.

Israel still faces many challenges including the search for peace and security. Today, just as in 1948, Israel has demonstrated a sincere desire for peace and its readiness to make the difficult decisions required for peace. What is remarkable about Israel's 60-year history is that, despite the difficulties it faces, Israel continues to move forward to improve the lives of its citizens and make significant contributions to the entire world.

As for Mr. Repohl's diatribe against Israel, it is important that his points are repudiated:

• The treatment of Arabs by the State of Israel cannot be compared in any way to the treatment of the black majority in South Africa under apartheid. There is no Israeli ideology, policy or plan to segregate, persecute or mistreat the Arab population.

• Israeli law makes no distinction between its Arab and Jewish citizens. Israeli Arab citizens enjoy the same rights as their Jewish neighbors. They are free to practice their religion without discrimination, in accordance with Israel's commitment to democracy and freedom. There are Israeli Arab political parties represented in the Knesset (parliament). As in every country, including the U.S., more needs to be done to promote greater educational and employment opportunities for minorities, particularly Israeli Arabs.

• The so-called "one-state solution" he postulates is no solution at all. It is an outright denial of the legitimacy of Israel's existence as a Jewish state with founding principles that guarantee the equal treatment and protection of all its citizens – regardless of religion, ethnicity or color. Any just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be based on two states, living side by side in peace and security. Unfortunately, Mr. Repohl's attempt to negate Israel's right to exist undermines the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own. If the Arab leadership had accepted the judgment of the international community in 1947, Palestinians would also be celebrating the 60th anniversary of their state.

Murray Levin, Chair
Pacific Southwest Region
Anti-Defamation League
Los Angeles