Letter: Israel Gives and Palestine Takes

Dear editor:

Reading this column (“For Israeli Military Aid: It’s the Standards, Stupid!!” BJN, April 16, 2026) has given me insight into Bruce Ticker’s thoughts on the conflict between Israel and the people who began to call themselves “Palestinians” in 1964. I have long wondered why Ticker has often referred to the 1970 Camp David peace summit as if it was Israel’s only attempt to trade land for peace. After reading this column, I realize that Ticker, as a loyal supporter of the Democrats, cannot comprehend Yasser Arafat’s refusal to accept the path to Palestinian statehood outlined by President Bill Clinton.

But Arafat’s followers had a very different view of the situation. They felt that the offer was not nearly as generous as claimed and could not understand why the deal’s supporters were angry that Arafat had turned it down without even making a counter offer. Speaking as a Zionist, I must admit that I see the utter rejection of the plan as proof that, in the words of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Palestinian leaders think that “Give and Take” means that “Israel gives and the Palestinians take.” In other words, Arafat’s position was that only Israel was required to make concessions; the Palestinians weren’t required to accept any agreement that did not meet 100% of their expectations.

Complex situations cannot be solved by simplistic actions. It was wrong for western governments to slow shipments of arms to Israel as Israel was fighting to prevent Hamas from fulfilling its vow to inflict 1,000 October 7’s on Israel. But some good may result from the slowdowns – Israel is working to increase its production of weapons and ammunition so that it will not be dependent on foreign suppliers.

Toby F. Block
Atlanta, GA