East Jerusalem and Palestinians

Re your Dec. 11 story about Israel’s plans to build 132 new homes in the heart of Arab Jerusalem: Israel’s gradual, intentional Israelization of Jerusalem, by establishing what it considers irreversible “facts on the ground,” before the planned final negotiations on the future of Jerusalem, is not only a serious violation of the peace accords, but an affront to Christians and Muslims alike. The Israeli government’s unilateral actions are designed to predetermine the outcome of the peace talks.

Jerusalem is sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike and its future should be decided by representatives of all three faiths. The Palestinians, both Christians and Muslims, are being methodically oppressed, and particularly so in Jerusalem, by denying them reentry, confiscation of identity cards, economic strangulation and denial of basic human rights. Israel’s unchecked defiance of the world community, even including its only benefactor, the U.S., will undoubtedly be the death knell of the already fragile peace process and the resurgence of violence.

SAMIR F. MANSOUR

Upland

* Eleanor Sterling (letter, Dec. 10) asks how would the Palestinians support their efforts to an independent statehood.

Perhaps if they received $3 billion a year for 18 years along with billions of dollars of military hardware like Israel has received, they too could have a chance at statehood.

If Israel would abide by the accords in the peace treaty, I think the Palestinians might stop their political activities.

ROBERT O. SMELAND

San Luis Obispo