Settlements or peace: Israel can't have both

He’s right that the Arab countries did nothing to help the Palestinians develop their own country between 1949 and 1967 before Israel occupied the territory. And I have never been a fan of most of the Arab governments. But the fact of the matter is that the Israelis created the mess in the first place in 1948 when Israel became a country, and Israel has controlled the Occupied Territory now for over 40 years.

But in a way, it’s a waste of time to go back in history and point fingers. You can’t change history. And my question is – and hopefully Ambassador Shoham will be kind enough to answer it – if Israel wants peace then why don’t they negotiate with the Palestinians over the land instead of stealing it by expanding the settlements? Even many supporters of Israel agree that as long as Israel expands the settlements there is no chance of a peaceful solution to this problem. And that’s the bottom line.

Eric Bahrt

Central Pattaya