The article "Social networks as a grass-roots approach to Mideast peace" ( July 18 ) misses the point when it lists the Israeli-Palestinian conflict's core issues as "...mutual recognition and respect, ideology and dignity." In fact, there are four key issues involved: borders, settlements, refugees and Jerusalem. Unfortunately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to even discuss, much less negotiate, any of these issues. Instead, what Israel wants is to continue stealing more Palestinian land and water in occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem while maintaining its strangulation blockade on the civilian population ofGaza.
There will never be peace in the Middle East until Israel ends its brutal occupation and oppression of the Palestinians and there is a separate Palestinian state, based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.
The U.S. must end all financial, military and political aid to Israel, while supporting a U.N. General Assembly resolution in September that establishes a much deserved Palestinian state. This would help to bring peace to the region while protecting America from terrorist threats around the world.
Ray Gordon, Bel Air