Madam, - James Bowen's article of December 8th on the Annapolis peace summit is detached from reality, unconstructive and based on many factual falsehoods.
Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the International Quartet and most Arab countries believe in the justness of two states for two people: Israel as the homeland for the Jewish people and the future independent state of Palestine as the homeland for the Palestinian people, wherever they may be. The two-state solution is the only practical way to end the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
Any efforts by Palestinians and Israelis to resolve the conflict through dialogue are positive in improving the situation for both sides. Yet Mr Bowen attacks the renewed efforts for peace by Palestinian President Abbas to reach a joint settlement with his Israeli counterparts and instead dredges the past to support his dubious narrative.
Since 1948 it was Arab governments' intransigence, continual boycott and refusal to speak with Israel on the refugee and other issues which subsequently forced the Palestinians to live in miserable conditions, rather than be resettled like refugees of other partitioned, war-torn countries elsewhere. This complied with the political objectives of Arab countries at that time.
At Annapolis, Israelis and Palestinians committed themselves to discuss all the outstanding issues ranging from refugees to future borders, with the goal being the creation of a viable Palestinian state. Most Arab leaders attended the conference in the belief that both sides want to achieve a peaceful and just solution.
In contrast, Mr Bowen criticises, proposes nothing, and ignores the impact of a Palestinian terrorism on Israeli civilians. This terrorism continues even now with Qassam rockets being fired daily at Israeli towns by Palestinian terrorists based inside the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip. - Yours, etc,
KENNETH BAKER, Press Officer, Embassy of Israel, Dublin.