Re: Orangeville Citizen,

Surely a peace plan can be reached among the brightest” June 24

In 1947, the United Nations offered the Israelis and Arabs to divide the land of Mandate Palestine into two states. The Jews accepted the plan and the Arabs did not.

The United Nations ensured that minority groups currently living in the land would be protected with the creation of this new state.

So on May 14 1948 a Jewish state was created and Palestinian was not created. Within 24 hours, the state was attacked from all of her Arab neighbors and the first Arab- Israeli war began. From the onset, Israel knew that she was not living in a friendly environment.

Letter writer Ken Hayward argues that the Jews, who have the brightest minds, should be able to solve this Arab-Israeli conflict.

Throughout his letter, he blames the Jews for failing to solve the Palestinian issue. Why can’t the Palestinians and the UN take some responsibility for their story? Again, the Jews are expected to solve the problems of other nations and if the problems can’t be solved, then of course its the Jews fault as well.

The Palestinians have had numerous opportunities to make peace with Israel. Instead of taking those opportunities, they have chosen to use war as their method of diplomacy.

Of course, I am not arguing that Israel always reacted in the right way but letter writes like Hayward often blame Israel for the failure of a proper peace agreement.

Instead of blaming one side or another, let’s think: what would we have done?

Vicky Tobianah Richmond Hill, Ontario