I was affronted by Harry Lipkin’s Aug. 10 letter regarding “Israel’s problem.” Mr. Lipkin wrote that “Israel should . . . ignore terrorism and move the peace process forward. Enough of these complaining cowards!”
I wonder how Israel is supposed to ignore terrorism when it is dealing with leaders of terrorists. How do you make a deal with someone who wants to liquidate your country? Is Israel supposed to jeopardize the security of its people just on a handshake? Is Israel supposed to go ahead and give over territories while Yasser Arafat does not fulfill his commitments and continues to spew hate and incite his people to perform acts of atrocity?
It is very easy for Mr. Lipkin to sit in judgment when he is in the comfort and security of his Lombard home. I, too, have lived in Israel. I was born there and have most of my family still living there. I have lived through several wars and have only seen the strength and bravery of the Israeli people.
Israel has fought hard, suffered hard and lost hard for its country. So it is not going to give up or give into anything more for the peace process until the Palestinians come forward and live up to their promises.
