Resolving conflict (From York Press)

Resolving conflict

11:09am Monday 11th March 2013 in Letters

The Press has published a number of letters on Israel and Palestine in recent weeks, some of them mine, and I am very grateful for this. What is more, the two sides may be coming closer together as a result of this dialogue.

Although David Lyon’s letter (March 6) says that Palestinians worship suicide bombers and hate Israelis more than they love their own children — which is awful nonsense, of course — I do otherwise find a great deal to agree with.

Where he accepts that the permanent state of conflict has harmed Israeli society, I also agree with his criticisms of the Palestinian leadership. And his vision for the future I could hardly put better: “It could take generations but eventually we could arrive at what we are all striving for, Israelis and Palestinians living as neighbours with open borders in much the same way as the French and Germans are able to, despite their history.”

Although I don’t think it is my place to dictate to Israel or Palestine what sort of arrangements they should make to end the long injustice there, I have to confess that if David Lyon’s dream came true, I’d be content.

Ben Young, Trent House, Margaret Street, York.