Where Do Palestinians Stand?
In J. J. Goldberg’s September 23 article, “A Palestinian State Even the Securocrats Accept,” we are told that almost all of Israel’s high ranking and knowledgeable military and security people suggest that Israel should enter direct negotiations accepting final borders based on the 1967 line along with other issues in dispute: water rights, demilitarization, refugees and Jerusalem. This, under the assumption that the “Palestinians would settle for what Israel can safely give.” Although the article criticizes the Israeli government for ignoring this advice, we are not informed of whether the Palestinians would now accept what Israel can safely give. During the previous negotiation between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader rejected Olmert’s refugee offer and maintained his current position that would end Israel as a Jewish state. Would these Israel critics find this outcome acceptable? If not, what would be their thoughts as to addressing the hostilities of these Palestinians who have been promised to be able to return to pre-67 Israel?
Marvin Elmowitz
West Caldwell, N.J.
Why I became the Forward’s editor-in-chief
You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.
And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.
, editor-in-chiefSupport our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
