An open debate needed for peace in the Middle East

The following letters appear in today’s Sydney Morning Herald:

Congratulations to those Jewish people and their supporters who have had the courage to form a new organisation in an attempt to open the debate on the policies of the Israeli Government.

There is no doubt that we must have sensible and critical examination of Israeli policies and actions if there is ever to be a solution to the Palestinian problem. For too long the established Jewish organisations have stifled debate and attacked anyone who dared to question the Israelis on their actions.

While I am neither Jewish nor Palestinian, I welcome their efforts and hope that a more open debate on this subject will take place. Otherwise there will never be peace in the Middle East.

W. Brunsden Bateau Bay

Jews have every right to question the actions of the Israeli Government, as indeed anyone does of any democratic government.

Good on Independent Australian Jewish Voices for encouraging more open debate on the Palestinians”¦as long as it remembers that it is Israel that has continuously proposed peace deals, and Hamas which refuses to come to the party.

A. Khat Ryde

The letter by Independent Australian Jewish Voices is a timely reminder of that more than five decades of brutal repression of the Palestinians has utterly failed to establish any sort of peace in the Middle East.

Andrew Worssam Bondi

To the brave Australian Jews who have spoken the truth regarding Israeli Government actions towards the Palestinians in the occupied territories, my profound admiration.

You must not expect your message to be received with praise and rejoicing: you will be vilified and verbally abused. But you are in good company: this is how the prophets of Israel, your forebears, were treated in the days of old for speaking the truth.

Elias Nasser Kangaroo Point

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