No military solution

Regarding Elan Journo’s article “It’s past time to bury the Israeli-Palestinian peace process (May 27), while he is correct in arguing that Palestinian attitudes and actions make obtaining a resolution difficult, Israel needs a comprehensive, sustainable two-state resolution of the conflict to avert continued and possibly increased violence and diplomatic criticism; respond effectively to its economic, environmental, and other domestic problems; and remain both a Jewish and a democratic state.

This is also the opinion of many Israeli strategic experts, including all the living retired directors of Shin Bet, Israel’s General Security Service, as indicated in the Israeli Academy Award-nominated movie, The Gatekeepers.

Most Israeli security and military experts believe there is no military solution to the Israel/Palestinian conflict, so diplomacy must be stressed if Israel is to have a chance at a decent future. Israel should put a comprehensive peace agreement on the table that guarantees Israel’s security as much as possible. If the Palestinians then do not negotiate in good faith, this will show the world who the real obstacle to peace is, and this would be beneficial for Israel and, among other benefits, help young Jews who are being challenged on college campuses in the US.

RICHARD H. SCHWARTZ Professor Emeritus, College of Staten Island