Balanced analysis needed

Recent opinion letters (“A one-sided documentary,” June 12); (“Self-inflicted status,” May 23) presented incomplete information regarding the Palestine-Israel situation, and resorted to name-calling.

Both implied that Palestinians were involved in the negotiations that created the partition plan, but failed to accept the plan and resorted to war. The Palestinians were not involved in negotiations conducted by Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union. Furthermore, UN Resolution 181 was passed against the wishes of the indigenous population, 69% of whom were Arab Palestinians. The partition plan gave 55% of the land to 31% of Palestine’s population, the Jewish population, and gave the Palestinians only 45% of their historic homeland [see C. A. Rubenberg, “The Palestinians,” 2003, p.6]. Would any rational person accept such a plan? No! Since then, West Bank and Gaza Palestinians have lived under an Israeli-imposed system described by many as apartheid (see Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela; The Guardian, Oct. 11, 2018).

We Americans get a narrow view of this complex situation. Worse yet, if we question or criticize Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians, we risk being called anti-Semitic, a ploy meant to stifle discussion. This is wrong and unacceptable. The Palestine-Israel situation needs thoughtful and, yes, balanced analysis so as to arrive at humane solutions. To stifle such discussions by presenting partial, misleading facts and name-calling does all of us a great disservice.

John Ludders

Spokane