Richard Goodwin's September 23 (Pg. 19) letter represents the worst kind of distortion of the facts about Israel and the Palestinians. By using code words and selected history, Mr. Goodwin portrays Israel as the oppressor.

For example, Mr. Goodwin complains that Israel's occupation of the territories is "imperialistic." The fact is that Israel only occupied the West Bank in response to Jordan's attack in the Six Day War and tried to give it back in 1967, 1973, and 2000 in exchange for a comprehensive peace but was rejected each time.

Mr. Goodwin also claims that the security fence is a "land grab." Under the 2000 Clinton plan, the net land transfer was less that 2%. It doesn't matter where the borders are if the Palestinians won't recognize Israel's very existence.

Mr. Goodwin does not have the right to create a fantasy world where Israel is the cause of the Middle East conflict. The fact is that peace will only come when Israel's neighbors recognize its rightful place as a Jewish state alongside all other nations.
Sincerely,
Marvin Schlanger
Cherry Hill