Letter Writer Needs to Get Some Facts

I just read a letter to the editor of the Baltimore Sun written by a Joanne Heisel from Columbia. Amongst other things, she said:

I don’t believe that Israeli officials ever intended – or now intend – to
reach an agreement on the establishment of a Palestinian state.

If they did, they would not continue to build Jewish-only settlements or
construct that horrendous wall inside the occupied territories – both of which
are illegal under international law.

I think she doesn’t understand the situation, so I will clarify a few things that she said.

First off, her statement on settlements. I think that if anyone had ever really been to the West Bank, which Joanne has obviously not, knows the security situation for the residents there. Generally, the Palestinians don’t want the Jews there. In fact, they don’t want them anywhere in Israel. Driving from Jerusalem to my friend’s house in Efrat I had to ride a bullet proof bus for fear of being shot at. As you drive down the road, you are constantly passing places where people have been murdered on their commute home. Building mixed “settlement” towns would be inviting violence.

Second, her statement on the fence, which she refers to as the “horrendous wall”. Again, she has probably not been there. I have seen concrete sections and fence sections. Yes, it is a large inconvenience, but Israel is moving a section to help Palestinians farmers. They are doing what they have to do to keep people safe. I remember seeing the burned out remains of a bus that was part of a horrendous terrorist bombing. When people start blowing up Columbia, maybe Joanne will understand.

Finally, the bit on settlements and the security fence being “illegal under international law”. International law is considered to be resolutions passed by the United Nations, which has shown a massive systematic bias against Israel since its independence in 1948. There is 1 Jewish country in the UN. There are over 30 Muslim countries in the UN. If such a large portion of the world wanted you to disappear, would you fully honor their vote? I know that it is looked down upon when Israel acts unilaterally, but sometimes there is no other choice when you are trying to keep your tiny part of the world safe.