Once again, the Middle East is on the verge of war. Although the last two weeks have seen the bloodiest fighting in years, a peace agreement is still possible between Arabs and Israelis.

In order to achieve peace and partnership, both sides must tolerate and forgive each other. Both must accept some responsibility for their wrongdoing.

I take issue with past letters regarding the Middle East and advise the authors that propaganda won’t promote the peace process. Mr. Hagberg states that “Israel is surrounded by Muslim nations (who) have a genuine hate for Israelis and the Jewish nation.” Mr. Rittgers states that “Israel is surrounded by those who hate it.” Both statements promote hate and are inspired by the propaganda of extremist leaders.

Conversely, many Jewish and Israeli extremist leaders call for the killing of Arabs. So do all Jews hate Arabs? Unfortunately speeches inspired by hate only lead to fear and resentment on both sides, generating violence.

Mr. Rittgers claims that the land belongs only to Jews because “Jerusalem is a city built by Jews for Jews.” Such reasoning could also justify the expulsion of all non-Native Americans from the U.S.

I urge readers to look at events in the Middle East objectively and honestly, rather than favoring one side and twisting historical facts. Mr. Hagberg states “In 1948, (Jews) were given the land, they were attacked in the Six Day War, they defended their home and they won.” He makes no reference to the Palestinians who were living on this land as if they didn’t exist. His statement is based on incomplete and biased information.

The past two weeks, Palestinians and Israelis have blamed each other for the new wave of violence. The Palestinians want a commission of inquiry led by a United Nations representative. Israel refuses any commission not led by the United States. The visit by Ariel Sharon to the Temple Mount was called an “irresponsible provocation” by French President Jacques Chirac.

In 1983, an Israeli commission found Sharon indirectly responsible for the 1982 massacre of more than 2,000 Palestinian civilians in the refugee camps of Sabra and Chatila, Lebanon. The visit by Sharon is not the sole reason for the violence. Israel hasn’t complied with the Oslo accords, which they signed in 1993, and they haven’t withdrawn as promised by the agreed deadlines.

According to an Israeli non-governmental organization (B’T selem), Israel has allowed 78,500 new Jewish immigrants to settle in the area. More than 10,000 Palestinians have been forced out of East Jerusalem and surrounding territories because their homes were demolished by “administrative decision,” a maneuver by Israeli administrators to remove Palestinians from the area.

Additionally, some Palestinians have been unable to work for 325 days because of travel restrictions imposed by Israelis for security reasons.

Israeli leaders have called on Arafat for more security guarantees and for more concessions to the treaty. Palestinians believed Israel wants to design a new fait accompli for re-negotiation by not respecting the signed agreements.

The peace process must be saved and urgently needs an impartial mediator. The United States has assumed the role of mediator, but continues to side with Israel for various reasons. Palestinian leaders said they feel they are facing an Israeli-American alliance during the negotiations.

The peace process can’t continue with this spirit. Each side must respect the previously signed agreements and make concessions. Peace is still possible.

Jean-Pierre TaoutelTemporary instructorFrench