Talk Works Both Ways!

Hat tip to Israel Matzav

There is suppose to be a dialog for negotiations of any sort. Each side is suppose to listen, put forth their ideas demands, then see if the other side will accept them. This is true in most negotiations, whether they are a la or dispute, a civil court case, or between nations.

There is one exception: The Palestinians. They are immune from such ideas.

Thus has been observed by Rep. Eliot Engel (D, NY)

Your March 31 editorial "Israel's New Government" talked a lot about what the Israelis must do to continue to have support from the United States. What I found lacking was a discussion of what the Palestinians must do to have acceptance by Israel and the United States for a two-state solution. If peace is to come in that troubled region, both the Palestinians and the Israelis have to make concessions and bear responsibilities. Pressure should not be put just on Israel alone, as the editorial attempted to do.

For a two-state solution to become a reality, Palestinians in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip must recognize the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state. They must also renounce terrorism and understand that they cannot use terrorism as a negotiating tool to achieve their state. The Palestinians must also agree to abide by all previous agreements signed by their leadership. These are simple things and prerequisites for Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank to accept for there to be a peaceful, two-state solution. Since the war in Gaza has ended, Palestinians continue to bombard Israel with missiles threatening Israeli civilians. This must stop if the conflict is going to be resolved.

Peace will come to that region of the world when both sides recognize each other's right to exist in peace and security. It will not come from pressuring Israel to make unilateral concessions in return for worthless promises or worthless pieces of paper.

ELIOT L. ENGEL

U.S. Representative (D-N.Y.)

Washington

Well said Congressman Engel. For the last 15 years Israel has made numerous concessions. What concessions have the Palestinians made? Have they renounced terror? Have they accepted Israel's right to exist? Have they done any thing to build a nation?

The answer to these questions is NO.

Why should Israel make any concessions?

Talk is cheap, and a dialog takes 2 sides to work. All the Palestinians have done is to make demands without giving any thing in return. That concept will no longer work, and it is about time they learn it!