ONE OF the important obstacles to peace among Israel, the Palestinians, and other Arab nations is the perpetuation of narratives that place all blame for the conflict on one party and seek to de-legitimize the claims of the other. Scott Schaeffer-Duffy’s Oct. 9 letter “Advocacy for Israel and social justice are in conflict’’ provides a vivid demonstration of this tragic phenomenon.
It is fair for honest interlocutors to question Israeli policies. Unlike any of its neighbors, Israel is a democracy where debate is ordinary and any citizen can appeal, even to the Supreme Court, to seek redress. Those, however, who grossly exaggerate allegations of Israeli wrongdoing to advance political interests and allow themselves moral certainty sacrifice truth and nuance and assure a deeply polarized environment. There have been many barriers to peace between Israel and its neighbors. Both Palestinian terrorism and rejection of Israel’s right to exist have been among these barriers. Those who ignore this reality and how it has contributed to the painful circumstances of today complicate the work of those who genuinely seek peace.
Jim Kaufman
Mel Shuman
Boston
The writers are on the board of directors of the American Jewish Committee — Boston. 
Waiting for Twitter to feed in the latest...