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Recognizing the Truths About the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Dear Editor:
To rationally debate the Arab-Israeli conflict, one must recognize some salient truths.
Radical Islam accepts Taqiyya, lying to the enemy to gain an advantage. It’s in the Koran. It’s in the Islamist psyche.
On Oct. 7, 2023 Arab terrorists from Gaza attacked Israel.
On Oct. 8, 2023, Hezbollah attacked Israel from Lebanon.
On Oct. 1, 2024 Iran launched 200 ballistic missiles at Israel.
Since Oct., 2023, Houthi rebels in Yemen have been attacking Israel and international shipping.
Gaza, Lebanon, Iran and Yemen coordinated violence against Israel. Israel did not initiate any of these attacks. Israel defended itself and retaliated.
Israel’s borders were defined at San Remo in 1920 by the victors of WWI and ratified by the League of Nations and the United Nations.
Mark Twain’s depiction of Israel in the 1800s was “that the area was desolate and devoid of inhabitants.” Zionists began moving to their ancestral homeland in the 1850s. At that time, most of the population was Arab, though Jerusalem had a Jewish majority. Jews purchased desert and swamp-land from wealthy Arab landlords and began to develop it.
During the British Mandate for Palestine, only Jews were called Palestinians. Arab attachment was to their clans. Haj Amin al-Husseini, Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, their leader, was Hitler’s ally. He plotted the death of all Middle East Jews. His spirit lingers on.
By 1948, when the State of Israel was declared, the Arab population had doubled. Soon after, 50% of Israelis were refugees from Arab lands.
In 1964, to diminish US influence, the Soviet KGB created the Palestine Liberation Organization. They recruited Arab fighters and called them ‘Palestinians’. They called Arabs with links to the mandate Palestinians too. Their modus operandi was terrorism to drive out the Jews.
So, Israel is now fighting in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran and Yemen, as well as terrorists in the Palestinian Authority.
Israel is the 10th most powerful nation in the world. It will succeed. Its antagonists will continue to suffer and their people will have no peace. They are no longer welcome in Israel. They will have to seek employment and a better future with their brothers in the Organization of Islamic cooperation.
Sincerely
Len Bennett, Author
of ‘Unfinished Work’
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
“A Complete Unknown” Is a Cinematic Masterpiece
Dear Editor:
I had the immense pleasure of experiencing A Complete Unknown, the new film starring Timothée Chalamet as the legendary Bob Dylan, and I must say, this film is far more than just another music biopic. It is a cultural phenomenon—a visionary exploration of art, identity, and the timeless enigma of Dylan himself. Director James Mangold has masterfully crafted a film that transcends the predictable beats of the biographical genre, delivering something bold, evocative, and utterly unforgettable.
What sets “A Complete Unknown” apart is its refusal to conform to the conventions of the typical musician’s life story. Rather than adhering to the linear, cradle-to-grave narrative so common in biopics, Mangold dares to reflect the fragmented and multifaceted essence of Bob Dylan’s persona. The film captures Dylan not as a static figure but as a living, evolving mystery—a poet, a rebel, a seeker—constantly reshaping himself and, in doing so, reshaping the world around him.
Timothée Chalamet’s performance is nothing short of transformative. As Dylan, he doesn’t merely imitate the singer’s distinctive voice or mannerisms; he channels the spirit of a man who has always defied categorization. Chalamet’s Dylan is mercurial and magnetic, shifting between moments of vulnerability and defiance with an intensity that keeps the audience riveted. His performance is not about impersonation but immersion—a rare feat that makes you feel as though you’re witnessing the soul of Dylan rather than a carefully rehearsed portrayal.
The film’s title, “A Complete Unknown” is itself a nod to Dylan’s own lyrics and an acknowledgment of the impossibility of fully understanding the man behind the myth. Mangold leans into this ambiguity, structuring the film like a patchwork quilt of moments rather than a straightforward timeline. One scene might plunge you into the political fervor of the Greenwich Village folk scene, while the next might transport you to the electrified chaos of Dylan’s 1966 world tour. This non-linear approach mirrors the way Dylan himself has lived—always in flux, never looking back.
Sincerely
James Piafani
Melville, NY
Trump’s Vision for Gaza’s Future Deserves Serious Consideration
Dear Editor:
President Donald Trump’s proposal to involve Arab nations such as Jordan and Egypt in addressing the humanitarian and geopolitical crisis in Gaza represents a pragmatic and necessary step toward achieving a sustainable post-war solution. This vision, which includes the temporary relocation of Gaza’s population to neighboring Arab nations while the region is rebuilt, not only addresses immediate humanitarian concerns but also offers the people of Gaza a chance to live free from the oppressive grip of Hamas.
The situation in Gaza is dire. Over two million Palestinians have lived under the control of Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, for over 16 years. This rule has led to widespread poverty, chronic instability, and the weaponization of the population’s suffering to serve Hamas’s political and military aims. Gaza’s residents deserve better, and President Trump’s proposal recognizes that the path to a brighter future requires cooperation with regional Arab allies.
Jordan and Egypt are uniquely positioned to assist. Both countries have historically played central roles in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and have the capacity to absorb Gaza’s displaced population temporarily. Egypt’s proximity to Gaza and Jordan’s long-standing experience with Palestinian refugees make them vital players in addressing this crisis. Their involvement could provide displaced Gazans with safe, stable environments where they can rebuild their lives away from the violence and exploitation perpetuated by Hamas.
Critics of this plan argue that relocating Gaza’s population risks erasing their ties to their homeland. However, this perspective overlooks the temporary and humanitarian nature of President Trump’s proposal. This is not about permanent displacement but about providing a viable pathway to peace and stability while Gaza is rebuilt from the ashes of conflict. Allowing residents to return to a Hamas-free, reconstructed Gaza would give them the opportunity to rebuild their society without the fear and oppression that have defined their lives for far too long.
Furthermore, the plan acknowledges the essential role of Arab nations in fostering peace and stability in the region. For decades, international efforts have often excluded Arab states from meaningful participation, despite their cultural, historical, and geopolitical ties to the Palestinian people. By involving Jordan and Egypt in this solution, President Trump is affirming that the responsibility for peace and rebuilding must be shared by those who have the most to gain from a stable and prosperous Middle East.
This approach also aligns with President Trump’s broader vision for peace in the region, as seen in the Abraham Accords, which emphasized collaboration between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The accords demonstrated that Arab states are willing to engage constructively with Israel and the Palestinian people to achieve mutual goals. A coordinated effort to provide humanitarian aid, temporary relocation, and reconstruction could build on this spirit of cooperation, fostering trust and laying the groundwork for long-term peace.
Sincerely,
Gabriel Yakubson
Jerusalem, Israel
The NYT’s Inaccurate Reporting
Dear Editor:
In his late January column for The New York Times, Peter Beinart claims that “Palestinians in the West Bank (sic) …live as permanent noncitizens, without basic rights, under Israeli rule.” Actually, it is the Palestinian Authority, not Israel, which rules over 98% of the Palestinian Arabs. The IDF’s military governor and administration were removed following the signing of the Oslo II Accord way back in 1995. How could Beinart not know this? No Israeli troops are stationed in any Palestinian Authority administered cities. No Israeli citizens reside there.
The Palestinian Authority runs the courts, the police, the schools, the labor unions, the economy, the media, and the elections—on the rare occasions when Mahmoud Abbas allows voting. Abbas, the Palestinian Authority chairman, is now in the 20th year of what was supposed to be a four year term. It is Mahmoud Abbas and his security forces, not the Israelis, who are ruling the Palestinian Authority’s residents. How is it that Beinart, or The New York Times editorial board, is unaware of this basic truth? If the Times were committed to accurate reporting, it would at least report on the Palestinian Authority’s role in governing the “West Bank” —and perhaps even use the correct names for the region: Judea and Samaria.
Sincerely,
Moshe Phillips
National Chairman
Americans For A Safe Israel (AFSI)
New York, NY
afsi.org
