Israel root of problem by Bob Kinsey Rocky Mountain News Letter to the Editor February 19, 2002

In her Speakout column of Feb. 1, "Respecting Israel's rights will end
troubles," Bobbie Towbin rants that acceptance of Israel's right to exist is
what the Middle East conflict has always been about.

The only "right" that Israel has to exist is grounded in the legitimacy of
the United Nations which certified that right in 1948. Palestine recognized
that right in 1988. However, there are lots of other U.N. resolutions about
the situation that Israel has continued to ignore (i.e., 242 and 338).

Israel's failure to honor these resolutions has been the cause of incredible
suffering and the loss of hope in the occupied territories. Israel has
dehumanized the people of Gaza and the West Bank, using methods similar to
ones used by the 19th century Americans toward native inhabitants. If Israel
claims legitimacy according to the United Nations, it should also obey these
other resolutions.

Bob Kinsey
Peace and Justice Task Force,
Rocky Mountain Conference,
United Church of Christ
Arvada