I commend Anav Silverman for her perceptive op-ed column (“No yellow brick road for Palestinian UN bid,” July 8) as right on the mark.
Silverman rightly points out the lack of accountability of funds among the Palestinian leadership and that the majority of Palestinians living in East Jerusalem would rather remain citizens of Israel than become Palestinian citizens, if given the choice. Also, the creation of a Palestinian state via the UN will in no way end the Mideast conflict, but will only add to the instability in the region. It will not serve the interest of the Palestinian people.
Until Palestinians elect honest leaders that will create a sound electoral system, transparent accounting, and a fair judicial system there should be no creation of a Palestinian-Arab nation.
President Abbas has said “reconciliation” with anti-Semitic Hamas leaves no room for peace with Israel. Hamas, an extremist organization that uses classic anti-Semitism to justify the elimination of Israel, must change its charter, denounce anti-Semitism and stop calling for Israel’s destruction.
UN Security Council Resolution 242 adopted on November 22, 1967 is the cornerstone for what it calls “a just and lasting peace” that recognizes Israel’s need for “secure and recognized boundaries.” The resolution became the foundation for future peace negotiations.
A negotiated two-state solution to attain a lasting peace can only be achieved if the Palestinian leadership has the courage to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and renounce violence and a campaign of hate.
Israel must not be pressured to make one-sided concessions that would leave it with insecure and indefensible borders. A majority of Americans support that position.