This refers to “We need peace in Mideast, not just process,” (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 31, p. 6)

The authors are hugely influential people, and what they write is very sensible and fair-minded. Their desire to see a peaceful solution to a problem that has been intractable so far is commendable.

But they have failed to put into writing that for nearly 40 years the Palestinian leadership has amassed hundreds of millions of dollars from lucrative arms deals, etc.

All this was done at the expense of the Palestinian people whom they ostensibly represented. How much has changed is difficult to say. But because of the profits that could be made, they were not interested in making peace.

Now the situation has been complicated by Hamas, an organization that probably will scupper any deal or accommodation made.

The prospect of an Israeli deal with the Palestinians, then a Palestinian-Hamas reconciliation requiring renewing on that deal would leave it all in tatters again.

What the Palestinians need is a non-violent, non-criminal organization that will truly speak for them.

 This won’t happen, so the next best thing would be for the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to change its attitude.

Abbas and some of his cohorts seemed okay enough, but they wasted 10 months naysaying after the start of the Israeli building moratorium. That was not smart, if the PLO leadership claims to want peace.

I do agree that the right-wing Israeli government seems intransigent, but history has already shown that the right-wing Israeli government of Menachem Begin gave the Sinai Peninsula back to Egypt, together with the ready-built oil-wells at A-Tur, and the modern coastal town of Yamit and other developments.

Sadat and Egypt were seen to be serious and honest about peace, and could deliver.

The same cannot be said for the PLO.

Maurice Gold
Sanur, Bali
 

Popular

Hundreds of kitchens halt services due to 'pause' in free meals funds

Number of forcibly displaced people dips to 118 million: UN

Failed system, fake research