Column missed real obstacle to peace

While those of us who love Israel are gravely concerned about the price tag attacks, Trudy Rubin's contention (Nov. 16 column) that “pro-settlements attacks by Israeli militants endanger any hope of peace” is far removed from reality.

The real obstacle to peace continues to be the Arabs' unwillingness to accept the Jewish state of Israel. Proof for this statement comes from Rubin herself, who wrote on Nov. 17, “There was a promising alternative to this grim impasse: a set of creative peace proposals put forward in 2008 by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, after two years of discussions with Abbas. The two men tentatively agreed on a demilitarized Palestinian state, with extensive security guarantees for Israel; they mapped out a formula for Jerusalem as the capital of two states, with a condominium of Israel, Palestine, along with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, over the holy places …. And here is where the tragedy occurred. Abbas did not reject Olmert's offer, but he didn't accept it.”

Well, if you do not accept something, it becomes a rejection. Just like Arafat at Camp David with Clinton, the Palestinian leadership would not sign the deal, which means they are still holding out for one Arab state from the Jordan to the Mediterranean. Since we are talking about threats to the peace, the rocket attacks on Israel continue from Gaza, one of which occurred on the day before Rubin's piece appeared in The Gazette.

Rockets fired at kindergartens are a deadlier threat than spray-painted graffiti.

Mitchell A. Levin

Cedar Rapids