To the editor: Saree Makdisi should realize that “the moribund two-state solution” for the Israelis and Palestinians has been dealt several “final blows.” (“Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection underlines Israel’s apartheid reality,” Opinion, April 10)
Going back to 1967, every one of Israel’s offers to make peace and relinquish territory have been rejected by the Palestinian leadership. Even after unilaterally withdrawing from the Gaza Strip in 2005, Hamas rockets have rained down on Israel.
The “two-state solution” is not dead because of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It is dead because there is no Palestinian leadership with which to negotiate. The various leaders of the Palestinian people refuse to make peace with each other. In fact, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas refuses to pay for electricity in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, making his fellow Palestinians’ lives even more miserable.
And since when did an “apartheid” state allow all its citizens to vote, as Israel does for the 20% of its people who are Arab? How does a Jewish apartheid state have affirmative action programs for Arabs and give equal access to healthcare, education, legal assistance and social services? What apartheid state would have Arab jurists appointed to its Supreme Court or have elected Arab legislators in its parliament?
Pauline Regev, Santa Monica