Last month, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution opposing Jewish settlements in the occupied territory. Its members conveniently forgot that in 2001, Palestine Liberation Organisation chairman Yasser Arafat was offered the return of 98 per cent of all the territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war, an offer he rejected.

An earlier resolution denied Israel any historical link to the Holy Land and Jerusalem, thus rewriting the history books.

This highlights the fact that peaceful coexistence with the Palestinian leadership is not a realistic goal. Their ultimate real objective is the replacement of Israel by a Palestinian state covering the entire area west of the Jordan River to the Mediterranean.

There were no Israeli settlements in the West Bank between 1948 and 1967, yet daily conflicts and terrorist attacks took place. The settlement issue is only an excuse to deny this unfortunate region the possibility of peaceful coexistence.

Israel’s leaders will never undermine the security and safety of the Israeli public for the sake of political correctness or because of unrealistic expectations from the UN or some politically motivated world leaders.

When Egypt’s president Anwar Sadat showed a real desire for peace, Israel withdrew from all occupied Egyptian territory in the Sinai peninsula and signed a peace treaty with Egypt that still holds.

Israel has not been able to reach any possible understanding towards genuine peaceful coexistence with the Palestinian Authority. Therefore, it reluctantly created a safety buffer zone to control terrorism directed against its people. It was the only practicable option, as it faced antagonistic neighbours, some of whom do not recognise Israel as a sovereign state .

Decent Palestinian people, who do not benefit in any way from terrorism, deserve a more responsible leadership.

Sadly, they are marginalised when crucial decisions are being made concerning their future and the future and well-being of the region.

Shalom Levy, Tsim Sha Tsui