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4 leTTers JTNews . www.JTNews.NeT . friday, february <strong>25</strong>, <strong>2011</strong><br />
W LeTTeRS PAGe 3<br />
peace with the Palestinians, it would “involve risks.” But obviously, no risks to the brave Mr. Silverstein<br />
or his family, all snug and safe in Seattle, half a world away from the daily rocket and bomb<br />
attacks Israelis face in their battle for survival. Attacks by Palestinians against Jews, which began<br />
long before the rebirth of Israel.<br />
Mr. Silverstein may have some military background, even faced combat, but if so, he remains<br />
strangely quiet on this subject. But to this very matured World War II Air Force combat vet with two<br />
overse<strong>as</strong> <strong>as</strong>signments, when you are attacked, when other forces say they will destroy you, take them<br />
seriously. You hit back hard, often and quickly, or you perish. As Israelis stress: “Never again!”<br />
Ironically, Mr. Silverstein’s slanted, error-filled diatribe against Israel, strangely headlined <strong>as</strong> fact<br />
with “<strong>The</strong> Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt not occupy,” seems to have phr<strong>as</strong>ing lifted verbatim<br />
from the Ham<strong>as</strong> attack machine. As a self-anointed journalist, Mr. Silverstein should have at le<strong>as</strong>t<br />
used quotes. And of course, the headline should have included quotes to tell readers the headline<br />
w<strong>as</strong> not an editorial judgment — which, without the quotes, is what it appears to be.<br />
Most damning in Mr. Silverstein’s often-incoherent charges against the sliver of land called<br />
Israel, of occupation, lack of democracy, and his complete silence on Arab atrocities: Not a word<br />
about Arabs expelling Jews, even <strong>as</strong> Israel in 1948 pleaded with its Arab residents to remain in<br />
Israel. Not a word about Israel defending itself by having to push back the Arab attackers from<br />
Israel’s front door. Not a word by Mr. Silverstein of Israel being the only democracy in the Mide<strong>as</strong>t,<br />
with open elections, where Arabs also hold office.<br />
Philip r. scheier<br />
shoreline<br />
in need oF education<br />
I am very concerned about the comments Mr. Silverstein makes regarding Israel (“<strong>The</strong> Eleventh<br />
Commandment: Thou shalt not occupy,” Feb. 11). I am concerned about Jews who so strongly support<br />
the Palestinians against Israel. Mr. Silverstein claims to be a Zionist, yet his statements tell a<br />
different story. He clearly ignores (and I don’t know whether it is ignorance or “IGNORE-ance”) the<br />
facts and history of Israel and the <strong>Jewish</strong> people.<br />
Space does not allow detailing all the historical facts about Israel, so I urge Mr. Silverstein and<br />
others to learn and synthesize these facts before speaking about Israel.<br />
Israel h<strong>as</strong> been a <strong>Jewish</strong> land for 3,500 years, albeit with limited control and numbers for almost<br />
2,000 of those years. With creation of the State of Israel, it w<strong>as</strong> supposed to be the <strong>Jewish</strong> homeland,<br />
with Jordan, the H<strong>as</strong>hemite kingdom, being a place for Arabs in Palestine; this h<strong>as</strong> never<br />
worked <strong>as</strong> Jordan (along with Lebanon, Syria and Egypt) does not allow Palestinians entry.<br />
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In 2005, possession of Gaza w<strong>as</strong> turned over to the Palestinians, in exchange for peace. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
h<strong>as</strong> been no peace since then. <strong>The</strong> Palestinians have violated the rules of war in using schools, clinics,<br />
mosques and homes <strong>as</strong> military b<strong>as</strong>es and weapons launchers. This shows that there is little<br />
hope in “land for peace” with current trends in thought in the Arab/Muslim world.<br />
Giving up control of the West Bank means a very narrow corridor, which could e<strong>as</strong>ily be blocked,<br />
cutting off the northern and southern halves of Israel. Thus it is vital to keep the current borders.<br />
Mr. Silverstein calls for full equal rights for all Arabs and Palestinians living in Israel. This cannot<br />
be allowed to happen if Israel is to survive. Israel is first and foremost a <strong>Jewish</strong> state. To keep it<br />
such requires restrictions on non-<strong>Jewish</strong> people.<br />
I would also point out the irony of anyone living in the Pacific Northwest complaining about Israeli<br />
occupation, given that we live on Native lands. I suggest that Mr. Silverstein do some serious introspection<br />
regarding his positions, and ensure that he is not taking contradictory stands on things.<br />
rabbi Jaron Matlow<br />
olympia<br />
unre<strong>as</strong>onable standards<br />
Mr. Silverstein, who do you propose will make this peace with Israel that you talk about (“<strong>The</strong><br />
Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt not occupy,” Feb. 11)? <strong>The</strong> two-state solution w<strong>as</strong> first proposed<br />
back in 1937, again in 1948, at Camp David, at Oslo, and continues to be on the table in<br />
every meeting Israel h<strong>as</strong> with the West and with the Palestinians. Only one problem: the Palestinians<br />
don’t want it. <strong>The</strong>y have said that their goal is to push Israel into the sea. Don’t you believe<br />
them? I do. I believe when they say they want to destroy Israel and to kill all of the Jews worldwide.<br />
It’s in the Ham<strong>as</strong> Charter. Don’t you respect what they say? Why would Israel move back to<br />
the pre-1967 borders, with a nine-mile strip of land separating their e<strong>as</strong>tern border and the sea.<br />
With just a little shove they could be pushed into the sea. Look at Arab maps of the region, and the<br />
speeches of their leaders. Israel doesn’t exist.<br />
Two-state solution? Would they be integrated states? No, the Palestinians want all Jews out of<br />
their lands. Talk about Apartheid! No, they don’t want to live with Jews. Unless, of course they can<br />
live in Israel, take over our holiest site, the Temple Mount, take our capital city, and cry that they<br />
don’t have equal rights.<br />
Oh no, only Israel h<strong>as</strong> to be an integrated state. None of the other Arab nations, especially<br />
not the future Palestine, need to be integrated. Jews out, just like the 800,000 Jews kicked out of<br />
Arab lands in 1949. Only Israel h<strong>as</strong> to have the bill of rights? What’s wrong with any Arab nation<br />
having a bill of rights, having freedoms for their own people before you demand that Israel give<br />
Curious?<br />
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