Unconditional love

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is refusing to talk to the Americans (Kushner: Peace plan will go public if Abbas does not “come back to the table,” June 25). As Jared Kushner points out, the Palestinians continue to repeat the same talking points, with no willingness to negotiate and I wonder if this counterproductive intransigence isn’t largely the fault of their “friends.”

Looking at 1) the lopsided automatic majorities in the UN in support of anything the Palestinians do or say, 2) the worldwide BDS movement and 3) murderous crowds chanting “death to Jews” in major cities, the Palestinians can be forgiven for believing that this universal approval will soon enable them to move en masse into the homes in Israel to made available by the disappearance of all of the Jews.

But all this has been going on for decades, and Israel and the Jews are still here. Maybe so much unconditional love hasn’t done the Palestinians any favors. NAOMI SANDLER

Jerusalem US presidential adviser Jared Kushner noted that Palestinian President Abbas has talking points that have not changed in the last 25 years. Israeli PM Netanyahu’s talking points have become harsher and more demanding – including his insistence that Abbas recognize Israel as “the Jewish State” – a demand of nobody else. Abbas responded before: Israel can call itself what it wants. Netanyahu increased the number of settlement blocs to retain from three to four ... now five.

Kushner noted that Arab leaders he met “want to see a Palestinian state with a capital in East Jerusalem.” Excellent! What does the deal propose? A capital in Abu Dis or Ramallah, as suggested previously by Americans? Which contiguous, viable part of East Jerusalem would Netanyahu cede for the Palestinian capital?

Netanyahu backed down on the egalitarian worship space at the Western Wall and vacated many other commitments under threat of losing his government. I doubt Netanyahu has the ability to, or is willing to convince MKs to divide Jerusalem.

Kushner promises, “When the plan is published, it will turn out the Palestinian people love it.” Just like the Israeli people will love it?

I yearn for peace, as do Israelis and Palestinians, and I have zero faith an honorable and equitable deal is forthcoming from the current American administration. JUDY BAMBERGER

Australia