Honoring Honduras

Regarding “Honduras to move embassy to Jerusalem” ( September 22), I would like to add my praise and blessings to Honduran President Juan Hernandez and his countrymen for having the vision and courage to join the US and Guatemala with embassies in our capital and eternal city – choosing the right side of morality and history in defiance of the strident threats of powerful Israel haters. Other countries will soon join you.

Our thousands of years of cherishing Jerusalem as the capital of our homeland underscore the shallowness of the recently minted delusional claims of the PA that Jerusalem is suddenly their “eternal capital.”

Countries like Honduras, the UAE and Bahrain may finally be teaching the PA that peace must address the dreams and aspirations of both sides. As long as the PA clings stubbornly to its uncompromising and unwarranted demands, they will continue missing opportunities to end the hostility and improve the lives of their people.

The Honduran leader is a visionary. The corrupt PA leader in the 16th year of his four- year term is a fraud and an obstacle to peace.

JOAN KIRSCHNER Jerusalem

Regarding “A new Middle East?” ( September 17), there is a paradigm shift in the Middle East.

The Arab- Israeli conflict is over. The signing of diplomatic agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signals that the Arab world will no longer be held hostage to the “Palestinian cause.” Other Islamic countries are expected to come out publicly. Many of them have had dealings with Israel, the world leader in water and agricultural management and a technological giant.

The Palestinian Authority is invited to the discussion, but has angrily refused to acknowledge their weakening position. They have lost their veto.

The American “Peace to Prosperity” plan recommends Israel extend full sovereignty over 30% of Judea and Samaria, giving them border security. It offers the PA a little more land than Egypt and Jordan occupied between 1949 and 1967 plus a $ 50 billion development fund.

The exact borders will be determined by Israel and the PA. The starting point for discussion is no longer the irrelevant 1949 armistice lines. It is the American map.

Arab states have lost patience with the PA’s intransigence and Iranian- backed terrorism. It is time for all the players to compromise constructively and move forward together for a brighter future.

LEN BENNETT, AUTHOR OF UNFINISHED WORK

Ottawa, On.