Letter: Population change won't bring peace
A Palestinian man pauses near the Qalandia checkpoint between the West Bank city of Ramallah and Jerusalem on Mar. 30, 2013. Credit: AP
Thank you for "Peace & population" [Feb. 23], a news story about the growing Palestinian population in Israel and the potential effect on peace negotiations.
While demographics may play a role, they will not be the determining factor. Many previous attempts at peace have failed, and the main reason is the mistrust between the parties.
Palestinians see the Jews as an imperialist outside force, and Israelis see themselves as redeemers of their ancestral land.
The Palestinian Authority, purported to represent all the Palestinian people, has demanded that Israel return to pre-1967 borders. This would place the center of Israel's population within a day's walk for invaders or terrorists.
Regardless of any demographic predictions, it is doubtful that Israel will place itself in existential danger with indefensible borders.
Robert R. Weiss, Melville
Editor's note: The writer teaches a course on Israel's wars of survival in Stony Brook University's lifelong learning program.
