To the editor:

Like many Americans, I have been waiting for truth to prevail in the Middle East, but it seems that lies and misinformation still prevail. It is time to examine the facts of the events that have killed thousands of innocent civilians.

Fact: Israel was given a tract of land in what was Palestine for their homeland and in 1948, was recognized as an independent nation. So be it!!

Fact: Problems arose when the Israelis annexed and occupied Palestinian land.

So the problem boils down to one issue: If Israel moves out of the occupied territories they took by force, the Palestinians will stop the violence.

This is the peace plan offered by Prince Abdullah and the Arab world. Doesn’t it make sense to stop the bloodshed by giving back what rightfully belongs to the Palestinians and, in return, gain security and recognition by the rest of their neighbors?

And, by the way, Arabs and Muslims are not taught to hate Jews or anyone. But after 55 years of bloodshed, how can you expect there to be mutual love?

Islam teaches all of mankind to hate lies and falsehoods; to hate war and aggression; to hate deceit, repression, tyranny, or wrongful actions. Islam teaches us that Christians and Jews have received divine revelation and they are closest to Muslims in faith because they worship the same God. Muslims do not hate Judaism or Christianity, but there are some Jews, Christians and Muslims who fall away from their own beliefs and these are those the whole world rejects.

David Omar,

Lawrence