THE EDITOR, Sir:
I FIND it hard to understand why endorsing a Palestinian State as suggested by Shimon Perez, thus giving the Palestinians statehood, would be a terrible mistake. Prime Minister Sharon is a mad man.
The Palestinians are the indigenous people of that area. They have always been there; the Israelis were invited guests.
On the world map of 1943, the state of Israel did not exist. The Eastern shores of the Mediterranean sea comprised of Turkey in the north-east, Syria and Lebanon in the middle, Palestine and Egypt (Sinai) to the South. Lands between Lebanon and Egypt. "Palestine" was colonised by England. Palestinian lands were annexed by England in 1948, and the state of Israel was established. The Palestinians were never consulted, only pushed aside, and have since been living as refugees on their own land.
Israel is strong and powerful, propped up by US taxpayers dollars, they treat Palestinians worse than what black people were subjected to under Apartheid in South Africa. Denying them statehood is a diabolical insult: Israel has a right to exist so do the Palestinians. United States has now regained its heart, and realise that an independent Palestinian State is part of "America's Vision" for the Middle East, to Israel's dismay.
Peace will only come in the Middle East when the Palestinian have their own state, and determine their own future. The refugee camp status must end.
I am, etc.,
TREVOR RADWAY
Brown's Town P.O
