Horror and disgust
We, Jews and Palestinians in Germany, have been active for the past
eight years in the interest of a peaceful solution to the
Israel-Palestine conflict, on the basis of mutual recognition and
the establishment of a Palestinian state adjacent to Israel.
The mass murder in Hebron by a member of the racist settlers'
movement Kach cannot but arouse horror and disgust. We urgently
demand the disarming of all settlers and the progressive
dismantling of the settlements in the occupied territories,
security guarantees for the Palestinians in the territories, and
confidence-building measures on the part of the Israeli government
and the uninterrupted continuation of peace negotiations.
The Jewish-Palestinian Dialogue Group in Munich.
Grief, anger and resentment
On hearing of the tragic events in Hebron on February 25, we would
like to offer our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the victims and
their families. Such a senseless and barbarous act cannot and
should not be excused. As a Jewish organization, we in the Danish
section of New Outlook have worked with due humility to help create
a dialogue between Jews and Palestinians in Israel and abroad. We
hope that fanaticism and contempt of human life held by a few will
not permit the fanatics to succeed in their wish to destroy what
has been achieved. In these circumstances, high priority should be
given to the protection and security of the Palestinians.
Per Katz
New Outlook in Denmark
Appreciation
I would like to express my appreciation of the fact that in spite
of the harsh events which we have experienced and are still
experiencing, Ziad Abu Zayyad, Victor Cygielman and all the Israeli
and Palestinian members of the Editorial Board of the Journal are
continuing with this important joint project.
Yossi Amitay, Kibbutz Gvulot
Good, but …
I have read your magazine from cover to cover. It's good, very good
in fact. However, two things have to be kept in mind. One, a little
more care about the quality of writing: people don't like hastily
written things even if the ideas are sound. Two, you need more
guest writers, specialists who will apply their experience - since
with situations in flux you require such empirical judgment.
All the best.
Sa'id K. Aburish,
Bethany
The Communist contribution
I much appreciate the first issue of your interesting journal and I
have already paid my annual subscription. Allow me, however, to
comment on the article of my friend and colleague Victor Cygielman,
"The Road to Mutual Recognition" in your winter issue.
Victor writes that "Writers like Amos Oz, A.B. Yehoshua and David
Grossman, political figures such as Arieh (Lova) Eliav, Shulamit
Aloni and Yael Dayan, journalists like Nathan Yellin-Mor, Uri
Avneri, Boas Evron, Amos Keynan, and indefatigable peace
campaigners like Abie Nathan, increasingly denounced the
fiendishness and injustice of the rule of one people over
another",
Quite true and I do not wish to diminish the role of anyone of
those named. But I, as author of the book Palestinians - Past and
Present and Victor Cygielman, who himself belongs to the same
category of fighters for peace, is well aware that long before
those mentioned (with the possible exception of Nathan Yellin-Mor)
there were writers, political figures and journalists calling for
"two states for two peoples" and holding talks on peace with the
Palestinian leadership and the PLO. Cygielman surely knows that the
Israeli Communist leaders did this over twenty years ago. Could it
be that he did not mention any of them because they are
Communists?
The Communist leaders, in common with the Palestinian Communists,
did their best to convince the PLO leadership that there are also
champions of peace among the left Zionist camp in Israel.
Increasingly, peace talks got under way with these and other
parties until even such "hawks" as Rabin and his government finally
became convinced that there was no other way to assure peace and
security but to come to terms with the PLO leadership.
With greetings and best wishes for the success of the
Palestine-Israel Journal.
Hans Lebrecht,
Tel-Aviv
A Step in the Right Direction
By chance, I came across the first edition of the Palestine-Israel
Journal. I think it is very interesting, and as a Palestinian I
believe the protracted conflict has led to so much suffering on
both sides that it is now important to reach out along with the
Israelis, and to try to work together towards a better
understanding of each other. The Journal has a symbolic value, in
addition to its important informational, analytical and educational
aspects.
Is there a way such a journal can be presented in Arabic and
Hebrew, so that it becomes accessible to more Palestinians and
Israelis? I realize that this is another big project itself, but I
hope somebody will do it.
The fact that each edition will focus on a different aspect will
hopefully ensure that the issues will be treated in depth as they
deserve. It also underlines the enormity of the Arab-Israeli
conflict, and the long road still ahead of us when seeking
co-existence and a better future for both peoples.
I think that the Palestine-Israel Journal is a step in the right
direction, and I hope that many others will follow suit. I wish you
good luck.
Tony Khoury
Beit-Hanina