To the editor:

Mr. Elozua's letter, published in the May 25 issue of the Sullivan County Democrat, conveniently shows little regard for reality. He has tried to create the illusion that the extremely unfortunate Palestinian situation was caused solely by the State of Israel.

He repeated “facts” that have been circulated repeatedly on social media without bothering to offer any support or documentation.

Here are a few basic facts:

The State of Israel was created by partition on May 14, 1948, by approval of the United Nations. Within less than 24 hours, partition was rejected and Israel was attacked by the regular armies of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq for the purpose of the destruction of the State of Israel. So who created the refugees?

Prior to, and during, this attack, many Arab residents were told to evacuate their homes, with the assurance from Arab leadership that they would be able to return after Israel was destroyed. Other Arab residents were urged to leave by Israeli forces for their own safety. Yes, some were forced to leave. The Arabs suffered a military defeat, anarchy ensued, and so began the on-going refugee situation.

War is hell.

Talk about apartheid? How many Jews now live in Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Iran, where there were many historic Jewish communities? And reparations? Let me count. Oh, maybe zero.

Sure we can argue and toss around details for hours, but for what? Meanwhile, instead of improving the lives of the inhabitants, the ruling Hamas faction uses its resources to stockpile rockets and build tunnels with the expressed goal of destroying the State of Israel and driving all Jews to the sea.

Let Golda Meir close for me: “We can forgive [the Arabs] for killing our children. We cannot forgive them for forcing us to kill their children. We will only have peace with [the Arabs] when they love their children more than they hate us…”