I just cannot accept Bernard Katz's arguments. I look at the picture as a whole and not at specific incidents - The Palestinians are responsible for their own suffering. Yes, we can point out very unpleasant incidents perpetrated by Israelis, some of which I and most Israelis, including the Government, are ashamed of and condemn. I would like to see more people brought to trial for what they do.But on the whole, the Israeli behavior has been super humane considering we are in a semi-war situation. People are trying to kill us and the Palestinian Authority is doing absolutely nothing to stop it. When dealing with an adversary, one must understand his mentality. A punishment to you might not be a punishment to him and visa versa. Remember the Uncle Remus story of Brer Rabbit and the briar patch? http://homepage.ntlworld.com/matt_kane/uncle%20remus%20tales.htm
Just imagine being posted at checkpoint, hundreds of people are crossing with bags, dressed in various types of garments. You are a soldier trying to detect someone either transporting a bomb or planning to blow him/herself up while standing next to you. This bomb might be strapped to a 16 year old child, stuffed under the dress of a pregnant woman, or hidden in an ambulance. How would you react to these people? Our soldiers are "angels" compared to soldiers of many other armies in the world. I have friends who feel uncomfortable going to the Raanana shopping mall because it is full of Arabs, shopping and sitting a cafes drinking coffee. When driving on Highway 6 and pass Arab towns, I am very glad to see the wall to prevent potential snipers from shooting at me. We do not live in fear but we are cautious. I know many Jews who are afraid to come to Israel because of the situation. Why, because of the Israelis or because of the Palestinians? People sitting in their comfortable homes around the world should be careful about preaching morality and Jewish values to us. Response to Bernard's suggested reading: Please don't ask me to read Human Rights reports. When I wrote and asked various Human Rights Organizations about Israeli prisoners, they either didn't answer or wrote that they do not have time or budget for such things. These organizations should be dealing with Syria, Iran, China. Where were they during the reign of Sadam? Where were the worldwide demonstrations against his human rights violations? Where were all the volunteers/activists that run to assist people like the suffering Palestinians (what about the suffering Iraqis). These Organization pick the easy targets, democracies, like the U.S. and Israel. Unfortunately Bernard uses: anti-Israel propaganda: like Dir Yasin - so, read the section on Dir Yasin. Did you know that there were Iraqi soldiers there? http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/myths/mf14.html and revisionist historian publications: Benny Morris - read "Peace - No Chance" http://www.gamla.org.il/english/article/2002/feb/morris.htm This revisionist historian begins his article "The rumour that I have undergone a brain transplant is (as far as I can remember) unfounded - or at least premature. But my thinking about the current Middle East crisis and its protagonists has in fact radically changed during the past two years." Everyone reads what he wants to prove his points. Bernard, if you feel it necessary, for what ever reason, to read Israel bashing books and reports that's you prerogative. I suggest reading books like Dershowitz's "Case for Israel" and "Case for Peace" http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/facdir.php?id=12&show=bibliography I think we have had enough of this discussion on Hasafran. Bernard, if you want to continue, please write directly to me. David David Elazar Rishon LeZion, Israel [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.geocities.com/d_elazar (home page) eVoicemail (413) 581-4711 (USA) eFax (801) 672-2976 (USA) Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
