To the editor:

There is a lot going on in the world concerning the Middle East conflict of Arabs and Israelis. Naturally some people bring up religion as a major factor because most of the Arabs are Christians and Muslims and the Israelis are mostly Jewish. So we all think that it is a religious war. Well, it is not. It is the political ideology of Zionism that divides the Arabs and Israelis. It has nothing to do with their religion, although both lay claim to the land because it was promised (according to the Old Testament) to the Children of Israel.

Israel was a man, not a country, and he bore 12 sons, one of whom was named “Judah” and Judah’s religion came to be known as Judaism. He was one of the Children of Israel. Most of those children became, over time, Christians and Muslims converting to what they saw as the religion of their own choice. In essence, the Israelis are fighting their own ancestors, but refuse to admit that their brethren have converted to other faiths.

It appears that the solution lies in the partitioning of the land based upon an equitable settlement for both sides, however, not based on a religious text, or dogma, but upon fairness and justice. If one researches this topic, one will find injustice over the division made by the British Mandate and the unconventional and continuous support by the U.S. Had these two entities not interfered with the politics and geography of the region and not arming one and leaving the other to rock throwing, this conflict would have taken a different direction and may have been settled long ago — perhaps with justice and equity on both sides.

If we back up to this premise and go forward from there, both Israel and the Palestinians can save face, find justice and, above all, find a peaceful solution that will bring lasting peace and posterity to both peoples.