The Tom Toles cartoon about Middle East peace negotiations (August 2) draws the wrong conclusions about the status of peace talks. In Toles’ view, Israel is the rejectionist. In reality, the Palestinians have refused to negotiate unless Israel agrees to significant preconditions. The idea that the Palestinians have put “everything on the table” completely distorts reality. In fact, Israel has said repeatedly that it is ready to sit down at the negotiating table for direct talks, any place, anytime. The Palestinians have dithered and delayed. Toles got it backward.

Daniel S. Mariaschin

B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President