Peace overtures shunned

For peace, Israel, in 1967, offered to surrender lands captured during the Six-Day War. In response, the Arab League said, “no peace with Israel; no negotiations with Israel; no recognition of Israel.”

For peace, Israel, in 2000, offered the Palestinians all of Gaza, 93 percent of the West Bank and control over eastern Jerusalem’s Arab neighborhoods. In response, the Palestinians killed more than 1,000 Israelis, almost all civilians.

For peace, Israel, in 2008, offered the Palestinians all of Gaza, all of the West Bank (through land trades), Jerusalem’s Arab neighborhoods and shared sovereignty over the city’s holy sites. The Palestinians walked away from the negotiations.

For peace, Israel removed its citizens from Sinai and Gaza, dismantling every house, every garage, every synagogue.

While Arab countries systematically expelled their Jewish citizens, Israelis built a democracy where each citizen, including Bedouins, Druze, Palestinians and Jews, can vote and own and lease land. Israel’s Arab citizens are doctors, lawyers, university students; serve in parliament, the diplomatic corps, the police and military.

The fact that Israel’s critics omit or misrepresent so many of these facts should make every thinking person question the truthfulness of and motives behind their statements.

Mike Barenti

Spokane