Letter to an Uninformed Finger-pointer

Dear Finger-pointer,

Just because one supports the people of Palestine in getting their own independent & sovereign state in all of the territories (West Bank & Gaza) occupied by the State of Israel in 1967, does not make them a racist or an Anti-Semite. Just because one believes that the pre-1967 “Green Line” should be used as the defining border between the State of Palestine & the State of Israel (in which said border will be open to both states wherein they will be able to trade & move freely), does not make them a racist or an Anti-Semite. Just because one feels that the coveted city of Jerusalem should be the capital of both states, whereby the city will function as a unified physical & municipal entity, does not make them a racist or an Anti-Semite. Just because one supports Palestinian refugees in at least having the choice between returning to Palestine & Israel or being appropriately compensated, does not make them a racist or an Anti-Semite. In performing this last action, both states will agree on a quota each year that may be filled by those that return to the state of Israel, so that this nation will not be injured in any way by the process.

Finger-pointer, you must understand that in allowing the Palestinian people their own independent & sovereign state under these pretences, mutual security between the two will also be demanded, to ensure the safety of both peoples. This must be done in an absolute manner, recognized by the world over. Also, you must know that in performing these acts, the people of Palestine & Israel must work together to preserve a peace between themselves & the Arab countries around them.

By pointing the finger at anyone that mentions the need for an independent & sovereign Palestinian state and calling them racist or Anti-Semitic, you are actually being detrimental to any progress concerning these two peoples, thereby being Anti-Semitic yourself. By standing in the way of any possibility of positive change or peace in this region, concerning these two peoples, you are making it increasingly hard for the people of Israel to have any peace themselves, and if you are under the impression that all Israeli citizens are with you in demanding that the Palestinians never get their own state, then you are very wrong. I encourage you to look up Israeli activist groups like Gush Shalom who are campaigning for a Palestinian state, for example, and if you are looking for Jewish organizations in the United States who support peace, you can look at the list of Peace Organizations on the Foundation for Middle East Peace website---there you will find quite a few.

Thank you for coming to your senses,

Delapruch

*All of the specific aims found in this letter can be found on the Gush Shalom website. Their bullets on their own list have been basically paraphrased, so this letter is not thought of as an “original” work by the writer---much of the phrasing concerning this issue is very standard in manner and not specific to Gush Shalom. Credit is to be given to the website for posting such concrete goals and for their relentless activism! I encourage anyone to check them out, if you are interested in this issue. In solidarity, thank you for reading!