December 16, 2005
By Molly Freeman

Editor — Iranian President Mahmod Ahmadinejad has once again given aid and comfort to any Muslims or Jews who believe that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be settled until the other side has been annihilated. As reported in the Dec. 14 Chronicle, the Iranian president declared the Holocaust to be a "myth," and once again rejected the right of Israel to exist in the historic homeland of the Jews.

Despite President Ahmadinejad's claims, he represents neither the best interests nor the popular sentiment of the Palestinians, the majority of whom recognize that the viability of the future Palestinian state depends on its ability to coexist with Israel.

We at Brit Tzedek renew our call for vigorous U.S. engagement in bringing the Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table, as only a peace negotiated between the two sides can change the climate that made the Iranian president's statement possible.

Molly Freeman
Bay Area chapter leader
Brit Tzedek v'Shalom
Berkeley