Palestinians must accept two-state plan
Recently there have been several letters dealing with the Jewish claim to the land of Israel and the relationship of this claim to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I believe that some background information would be helpful in addressing these issues.
There is an extensive body of archeological and historical evidence confirming that Jews have had a continuous presence in the region for almost 4,000 years. Thus, Jews have a legitimate claim to the land. At the same time, there is also a valid Arab claim to the land.
In an attempt to resolve this dilemma, the United Nations adopted the Partition Plan of 1947, calling for the establishment of a Jewish state and an Arab state. The plan was accepted by the Jewish side but was rejected by the Arab side. War ensued, and the two sides have been in conflict ever since.
In 1949, Israel was accepted as a member of the United Nations. However, the view of groups such as Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and more recently the BDS [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions] movement, is that Israel is an illegitimate state, since Arabs never accepted the Partition Plan or the Jewish claim to the land.
These groups do not seek a two-state solution, but rather they envision an end point in which the Jewish State of Israel is replaced by a Palestinian State. In the eyes of these groups, any concession made by Israel is only a step toward the eventual elimination of Israel.
Israeli policies towards the Palestinians are largely driven by conditions on the ground. Boycotts, knife attacks, suicide bombings and rocket launches will not improve the lives of the Palestinian people. Improvement will only result when the Palestinian leadership is desirous of peace and a two-state accord.
Don Steiner
Niskayuna
Future generations should protect parks
To numerous, totally dedicated conservationists, trees clear the air, conserve topsoil, protect our water supplies and help slow climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide.
Additionally, they cool our neighborhoods and shelter our homes so we use less energy. Trees add value to our homes and to our lives. Forests provide habitat for millions of species that are integral parts of the ecosystems of our planet.
Equally important is the way youngsters who are initially introduced to the wonders of our national parks and wood lands in general react.
“That was fun. We didn’t know we would like nature so much,” is a common observation echoed by students returning from their bus trips to one or more of our national parks.
“All the animals and birds I saw were really cool. When I finish high school and college, I want to work for the Park Service in the best ways that I can,” is another response frequently mentioned among the future heirs to our natural resources legacy.
Now that the first 100-year anniversaryof the National Park Service has been reached and more and more citizens, both youths and adults, have been directly introduced to our nation’s most valued treasures, the future of the enormous responsibility given to every American citizen will definitely become significantly more secure.
Anthony Biscotti
Amsterdam
Moser not hiding his fitness for Assembly
I have a question for many of the local candidates who are currently putting out campaign signs. “Who is behind the sign?” Why is it that so many candidates have their names on the signs, but do not identify what political party they are associated with? Why would you ask me to vote for you, and not tell me who you really are?
Gerard Moser, the non-establishment candidate for state Assembly in the 113th District, seems to be the only candidate that is open enough to publish what party he is associated with on his signs. I find the openness to be very refreshing and ethical. He also has a website and Facebook page that tell about him and he has a email address on it.
I want to be educated on the person I am voting for. Without this openness, how would I learn about the people? This is the type of transparency needed in our government.
If you want my vote, I expect that the candidates be respectful of me and tell me who they are. I demand more than a name on a piece of paper on the side of the road to make an educated decision on whom to vote for. I’m voting for Moser.
Cliff Barrett
Wilton
Tedisco brings much experience to Senate
While there certainly needs to be changes in Albany, I am not sure that this is the time to throw the baby out with the bath water, especially when we are facing so much uncertainty and unrest.
As we move towards the Senate race for the 49th District, we need to support a strong leader, someone who has common sense, integrity, fights in the face of corruption, and has a proven track record of yielding positive results regarding some of the toughest issues facing our state. That person is Jim Tedisco.
Jim has had a history of being an outstanding public servant, which is why he has been coined the “Assemblyman to the People.”
Some of the reforms that Jim took the lead on included real property tax relief for upstate homeowners, the Common Core Parent Refusal Act, Buster’s Bill, Proposition 2, saving taxpayers $13 million by going digital, and most recently the Safe Water and Infrastructure Action Program.
Jim has also been an advocate for missing and abducted children and children who are bullied. He hasn’t been afraid to get in the faces of some of the most powerful politicians in New York.
He has made it his call of duty to tirelessly stand up and fight for his constituents, and he will continue to do so if elected to the 49th Senate seat.
Dorothy Harris
Niskayuna
Proud to back Kleug for Senate in primary
This primary cycle, I finally have the privilege and honor of supporting a candidate that I believe in.
Christian Klueg is running for the 49th State Senate District in the Republican Primary on Sept. 13. I worked closely with him, having worked in advertising for his real estate company briefly before deciding to give that up to volunteer fulltime for his Senate campaign.
I also attend church with him. I continue to be impressed by his commitment and dedication to serving God and serving his community as his life’s goal, in making a difference and living his life intentionally, and in personal growth and self development.
I would describe him as a visionary with a unique ability to find the big picture, proactively identify solutions to problems, and bring people together to get the best results. I have seen him do this in business and in the community, and believe these traits uniquely qualify him to serve us in the Senate.
His commitment to excellence and living challenges and reminds those of us around him to live life intentionally and strive to be our best. I am a better person because of his example. I have finally found a candidate I can believe in.
I will proudly vote for Christian Klueg in the Republican primary for Senate and hope you will, too.
Stacey Darling
Northville
Election Letters
The deadline for letters related to the Sept. 13 primary is 5 p.m. Friday.
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Categories: Letters to the Editor
