Monday, January 02, 2006
109. Letter to the Editor V
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The letter "Occupation of Palestine started 30 years before suicide bombings" (Dec. 4) argues that the suicide bombings are a result of Israel's occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Khaled Zayed wrote that the Palestinian violence is the result of the checkpoints Israel has set up. This confuses cause and effect. The Palestinian violence against Israel began with the establishment of Israel. The suicide bombings are the latest form of continuing violence against Israel that has taken many forms since 1948. The Israeli checkpoints are a response to that violence.
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Zayed claims that if only Israel would leave the areas it occupied in the wake of the 1967 war, a defensive war on Israel's part, all would be well and then "both sides can live in peace." Omitted is the fact that the Palestine Liberation Organization was formed in 1964 with the stated goal being the destruction of Israel. At that time, the West Bank was part of Jordan and the Gaza Strip was part of Egypt.
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Israel is obligated to protect itself and its citizens. When terror stops, there will be no checkpoints, because they will not be needed. This will happen only when the Palestinians finally accept the permanence of Israel. Only then will both peoples, Israelis and Palestinians, be able to "live in peace."
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(Printed in today's Anchorage Daily News. My father helped me write it.)
The letter "Occupation of Palestine started 30 years before suicide bombings" (Dec. 4) argues that the suicide bombings are a result of Israel's occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Khaled Zayed wrote that the Palestinian violence is the result of the checkpoints Israel has set up. This confuses cause and effect. The Palestinian violence against Israel began with the establishment of Israel. The suicide bombings are the latest form of continuing violence against Israel that has taken many forms since 1948. The Israeli checkpoints are a response to that violence.
.
Zayed claims that if only Israel would leave the areas it occupied in the wake of the 1967 war, a defensive war on Israel's part, all would be well and then "both sides can live in peace." Omitted is the fact that the Palestine Liberation Organization was formed in 1964 with the stated goal being the destruction of Israel. At that time, the West Bank was part of Jordan and the Gaza Strip was part of Egypt.
.
Israel is obligated to protect itself and its citizens. When terror stops, there will be no checkpoints, because they will not be needed. This will happen only when the Palestinians finally accept the permanence of Israel. Only then will both peoples, Israelis and Palestinians, be able to "live in peace."
.
(Printed in today's Anchorage Daily News. My father helped me write it.)
# posted by Amy W. : 10:38 PM
Comments:
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The Palestinians that I know want simply to return to the land from which they were dispossessed in 1948 and to be left in peace...
Have you actually been to Israel?
Have you actually been to Israel?
# posted by 
: 10:32 AM, January 04, 2006
: 10:32 AM, January 04, 2006
To anonymous #1: Since Amy (i.e. Northernmost), hasn't responded yet, I'll tell you that she did spend a year in Israel as a college student. I've been to Israel eight or nine times. The letter written by anonymous #2 is accurate and to the point.
# posted by : 4:21 PM, January 04, 2006
: 4:21 PM, January 04, 2006
OK, here's how I see it...
You're an Arab farmer, living on a small piece of land with olive trees and a modest house... going about your daily life, harming no-one and then all of a sudden, it is declared that you are to be included in a new state with a Jewish govt, and by whose authority? Wouldn't that be kind of hard to accept? Wouldn't you be afraid? Suppose the Native Americans took back Manhattan? Or the Australian Aboriginals re-possessed Canberra? Or the Welsh took back London? and so on and so on...
Historically speaking (and correct me please if I am wrong), Moses led the people of Israel to a land already occupied by Canaanites... and, excuse me for saying that the Jewish God 'apparently' promised the land to the wandering tribes... that doesn't much to me as a Buddhist.
All I can say is 'By Whose Authority' if you are not Jewish?
Please understand that I was an ardent supporter of the State of Israel through the 70's, my despair and disillusionment came with the invasion of Lebanon and subsequent right-wing Israeli policies that turned a proud and heroic state that defended the Jewish people into a bullying tyrant, that raised soldiers to shoot children and peace activists and bulldoze innocent people's homes
I would like to see peace... Jews, Arabs, Christians (and Buddhists) living together, respecting each other, but I fail to see how the continuing policy of building walls, harrassing civilians, occupying land, can lead to peace... all it achieves is to raise a generation of martyrs
No, I do not support suicide bombers, nor terrorists, or violence in any shape or form.
Is it not time for people of vision and love to say 'Enough already!' and to reach out in peace? Someone has to be big enough to take the first step
Again, I speak with respect for all people's beliefs and sensibilities and Gods...
Anonymous 1
You're an Arab farmer, living on a small piece of land with olive trees and a modest house... going about your daily life, harming no-one and then all of a sudden, it is declared that you are to be included in a new state with a Jewish govt, and by whose authority? Wouldn't that be kind of hard to accept? Wouldn't you be afraid? Suppose the Native Americans took back Manhattan? Or the Australian Aboriginals re-possessed Canberra? Or the Welsh took back London? and so on and so on...
Historically speaking (and correct me please if I am wrong), Moses led the people of Israel to a land already occupied by Canaanites... and, excuse me for saying that the Jewish God 'apparently' promised the land to the wandering tribes... that doesn't much to me as a Buddhist.
All I can say is 'By Whose Authority' if you are not Jewish?
Please understand that I was an ardent supporter of the State of Israel through the 70's, my despair and disillusionment came with the invasion of Lebanon and subsequent right-wing Israeli policies that turned a proud and heroic state that defended the Jewish people into a bullying tyrant, that raised soldiers to shoot children and peace activists and bulldoze innocent people's homes
I would like to see peace... Jews, Arabs, Christians (and Buddhists) living together, respecting each other, but I fail to see how the continuing policy of building walls, harrassing civilians, occupying land, can lead to peace... all it achieves is to raise a generation of martyrs
No, I do not support suicide bombers, nor terrorists, or violence in any shape or form.
Is it not time for people of vision and love to say 'Enough already!' and to reach out in peace? Someone has to be big enough to take the first step
Again, I speak with respect for all people's beliefs and sensibilities and Gods...
Anonymous 1
# posted by : 11:56 PM, January 04, 2006
: 11:56 PM, January 04, 2006
We would all like to see peace. Too bad we aren't all perfect and truly loving others more than ourselves. If so, I would't have to lock my doors when I leave the house. If so, parents would't get divorced. If so, people wouldn't be starving while others own computers.
When you fix these problems, then you may be able to tackle the problem of wars between nations.
When you fix these problems, then you may be able to tackle the problem of wars between nations.
# posted by : 8:44 AM, January 05, 2006
: 8:44 AM, January 05, 2006
"Crime, divorce, starvation" war, they are all manifestations of the worst of human nature but it doesn't have to be so
We all have the ability to be good, honest, caring people
We can all feel compassion for the rest of the planet
If people were to make a few changes, reach out, listen to the problems of others, take on a few of their burdens, care a little more... then we could start to redeem our race...
It isn't about perfection... that, by it's very nature is unattainable
It's about mindfulness, awareness, caring and compassion
Being nice to the person who serves you in a shop, smiling at a stranger, sponsoring a child, caring for your family and neighbours
Listening to your enemies...
Building bridges and not walls
We are all linked by the spark of life, we all have the power to change the world
namaste
Anonymous #1
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We all have the ability to be good, honest, caring people
We can all feel compassion for the rest of the planet
If people were to make a few changes, reach out, listen to the problems of others, take on a few of their burdens, care a little more... then we could start to redeem our race...
It isn't about perfection... that, by it's very nature is unattainable
It's about mindfulness, awareness, caring and compassion
Being nice to the person who serves you in a shop, smiling at a stranger, sponsoring a child, caring for your family and neighbours
Listening to your enemies...
Building bridges and not walls
We are all linked by the spark of life, we all have the power to change the world
namaste
Anonymous #1
# posted by : 9:52 PM, January 05, 2006
: 9:52 PM, January 05, 2006<< Home
