Israel won't be bullied

ANALYSIS/OPINION:

Israel will not be annexing the “occupied West Bank” (“Israel’s daunting decision on drawing permanent borders,” Web, May 19). The Israeli government will be formally delineating its borders in the disputed areas of Judea and Samaria.

Under international law (League of Nations, 1922), Israel includes all of Judea, Samaria and Gaza. The U.N.’s 1947 resolution to partition Palestine is not law. The U.N. General Assembly makes recommendations, not laws. Only the Security Council creates laws. Even so, Israel was prepared to share its land with the Arabs, but the Arab League refused. They waged a genocidal war against Israel. They lost the war. They lost all moral claims in the process. Still, Israel sued for peace.

The Arabs, Europeans and international fora have yet to realize there has been a paradigm shift. The days when they could push Jews around with impunity is over. Israel is ranked among the 10 most important countries in the world. It is a technological giant. Its military is formidable. It can take care of itself.

Israel will implement the American peace plan, with or without Arab participation. The Arabs can help modify the outlines of their state and get $50 billion for development, or they can refuse and stay on welfare.

LEN BENNETT

Author, “Unfinished Work: Letters in Defense of Israel, the Jewish People and the Truth”

Deerfield Beach, Fla.