Letters

• Published in: The Jerusalem post
• Main Authors: Zurakov, Leonard, Ginsberg, Barbara, Goldsmith, Sonia, Newman, Aryeh, Cohen, Efraim A, Shlomo (Alan) Koor, Rosenbaum, Raphael, Green, Angela
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Jerusalem The Jerusalem Post Ltd 31.01.2011

Fox, and [Glenn Beck] in particular, have been ranting and raving for years now about "left-wing" terminology and attacking anyone they suspect may be the least bit left of center. The latest attack on George Soros is only one of many in recent years. This attack, however, goes far beyond anything they have attempted in the past, using lies and damned lies to "prove" their point. Sir, - While accepting the validity of the "PaliLeaks" allegations, Larry Derfner scoffs at the fundamental criticism that Palestinian leaders have not prepared their people for peace and reconciliation ("The brave, visionary leader - and Bibi," Rattling the Cage, January 27). Yet the Palestinian leadership did not have to reveal any of its offered concessions in order to move its people in the right direction. All it had to do was stop telling them at every turn that their maximalist demands were non-negotiable and achievable. Derfner fails to ask even the most obvious questions: If the Palestinian leaders were so eager to reach an agreement, why did they walk away from offers that were very close to their alleged positions? Why did PA President Mahmoud Abbas tell the Washington Post in 2009 that he turned down then-prime minister Ehud Olmert's acceptance of the principle of a Palestinian "right of return" and offer of virtually the entire West Bank because "the gaps were too wide" to continue discussions? What does the Palestinian leadership's instinctive denial of making any concessions tell us about its willingness to enter into meaningful negotiations right now?