February 1989, Page 32

Other People's Mail

"Gentlemen don't read other people's mail," an idealistic American official exclaimed between World Wars I and II as he abolished US cryptographic counterintelligence programs. Times change, however, and some letters by or to other people are as informative for our readers as anything we might write ourselves.

Flight From Jaffa

To the Editor, New York Times, Sept. 2, 1988

I am at a loss to understand the senseless diatribe as to why the Palestinian refugees left their homes and country in 1948 (letter by Chaim Marmer, published Sept. 2, commenting on a previous letter by Adeeb M. Abed published on Aug. 2, 1988). Both miss the point, for under international law, particularly the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 and the Geneva Convention of 1949, it hardly matters why unarmed civilians run away for their lives in areas of hostility. They do not forfeit their right of return.

Having said that, let me add that I belong to the generation that was adversely affected by the developments of 1948. Following service as a government advocate in Jerusalem, I lived and practiced law in Jaffa. I had direct contacts with a number of government and private circles, British, Arab, and Jewish. By April 1948, most of the Palestinian Arabs and a very large number of Palestinian Jews continued to believe that the British were only bluffing, and had no intention of terminating the mandate over Palestine.

At 4 a.m. on April 25, 1948, almost three weeks before the termination of the British mandate over Palestine, Jaffa was subjected to an intensifying barrage of concentrated mortar bombing from Tel Aviv, Bat-yam, and Agro-Bank. I twice risked my life and that of my family by attempting to escape in my car with my pregnant wife and 2-year-old daughter. Halfway out of the city I had to turn back and return to the center of town. In the afternoon a group of us called the district commissioner to ask if the British administration had decided to abandon the city. The district commissioner denied that and at his request the army dispatched three tanks at about 5 p.m., which rolled through the main streets of Jaffa. However, panic was so intense and irreversible that almost 90 percent of Jaffa's population of 80,000 escaped in the next 24 hours. People scurried for their lives cramming in cars, pickup trucks, buses, and a large number fleeing on foot. Many of them sailed out in small boats, some of which capsized in stormy weather, resulting in many deaths. Four days earlier my eldest brother, a dentist who lived with his wife in Haifa, saw his three-story building blown up by the Jewish underground, but managed to escape by boat to Lebanon.

It is absolute nonsense to allege that the Palestinians were advised or encouraged to leave. People who plan to do so would at least take their precious belongings with them. The vast majority of the refugees, including us, left with only a few clothes. There were categorically no broadcasts from outside Palestine to encourage that stampede.

Shukri Salameh, New York, NY.

Prohibit Plastic Bullets

To Yitzhak Rabin, Defense Minister, Tel Aviv, Israel, Oct. 11, 1988

Honorable Mr. Rabin, greetings:

We have accumulated a great deal of knowledge about the structure and the composition of the "plastic" bullets—which are used by the Israeli army to disperse demonstrations in the conquered territories—and this knowledge explains the grave and sometimes mortal consequences of this bullet.

The plastic external layer of the bullet wraps around a metal container holding foreign bodies, which are, seemingly, broken glass. The bullet, on entrance into the human body, is broken by impact and disperses inside the body, including inside the blood vessels. Foreign bodies then move in it—which are very difficult to discover, very difficult to remove, and which become mortal as the time passes.

If this knowledge is true, in full or in part, it means that the so-called "plastic" bullet contains only a little plastic; the character of damage caused by it—that is by causing penetration of foreign bodies into the human body and their dispersion within it—makes its use to be an offense against international conventions which prohibit the use of such bullets. The use of such bullets also explains the complaints made about the use of "dumdum" bullets by the inhabitants of the territories who were hit and hospitalized by them.

Because of all those considerations we join the demands voiced by several groups to prohibit the use of "plastic" bullets.

We are awaiting your response to this demand.

In the name of The Israeli League For Human and Civil Rights

Prof. Israel Shahak and Dr. Joseph Elgazi.

Aid to Israel

To the Editor, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Nov. 23, 1988

A Nov. 15 letter from the president of the Jewish Community Relations Council Anti-Defamation League of Minnesota and the Dakotas responding to your Oct. 8 article on aid to Israel was an astonishing, offensive display of chauvinistic arrogance.

US aid to Israel does not promote American national security. While the United States has important Middle East interests (mainly in Arab countries) no nation or group of nations in that area poses any threat to destroy the United States.

What US aid to Israel does do is make enemies for America, endanger the lives of US citizens, drain the American Treasury and taxpayer of funds that could be put to better use elsewhere, and force America to take part in horrible crimes.

Israel is not an American ally. Between the United States and Israel there is no formal mutual defense agreement.

How much longer will we Americans allow a foreign nation to play us for fools? Did not George Washington warn an earlier America about being suckered into foreign entanglements?

Ken Morgan, Minneapolis, MN.

Israel's Colonizing Power

To the Editor, Christian Science Monitor, Nov. 28, 1988

The article, "Palestinians in US grapple with issue of Israeli state," Oct. 28,reports that many Palestinian Americans envision a democratic secular state in all Palestine. As an Israeli Jew who has emigrated abroad, I share that hope. The Zionist dream of Theodore Herzl and David Ben-Gurion has turned ugly. Israel has become a colonizing power, exploiting cheap Arab labor from occupied territories. Internally, the gaps between the rich and the poor and religious and secular Jews are widening, and relations between the Jewish majority and the Arab minority have deteriorated rapidly. Long gone are the days when Israel was supposed to be a "light unto the nations."

After 40 years wandering in the desert, the ancient Israelites saw the Promised Land. After 40 years of turmoil, there is not even a glimpse of hope on the horizon for today's Israelis.

Ben Mamzer, Toronto, Canada.

Condemning Israeli Deportations

To Congressman James Traficant, Nov. 30, 1988

I have been asked to answer your Oct. 20 letter to the secretary of state regarding Israeli security practices in the occupied territories and US policy vis-a-vis the Palestinians. We appreciated your thoughtful contribution on these subjects.

We will continue to make our objections known to the government of Israel concerning the use of excessive force or other practices, such as deportations, which depart from international norms. However, we agree that we must get at the root cause of the abuses, which is the continuing unresolved political conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. The uprising underlines the fact that there is a pressing need for a political solution and that the status quo is in no one's interest.

We believe that the status of the occupied territories can be determined only through negotiations. No party, whether Arab or Israeli, can determine their status unilaterally. The declaration of an independent state by the PNC is such a move and we do not support it. By the same token we could not support any unilateral actions by Israel, such as annexation: which would affect the status of these territories.

You advocate that we change our policy, and not rule out the creation of an independent Palestinian state or the endorsement of self-determination for the Palestinian people. We cannot support an independent Palestinian state, which is what the Palestinians mean when they use the phrase "self determination." However, any party can bring its position to the negotiating table. As Secretary Shultz made clear in his Wye Plantation address, we believe that Palestinians should realize their legitimate political rights and have control over the political and economic decisions which affect their lives. They should participate in negotiations that will determine their future.

J. Edward Fox, Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, US Department of State.

US Loans To Israel

To the Editor, the Oregonian, Oct. 17, 1988

A full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal of Sept. 28 describes $4,851,035,715 of "Government Trust Certificates" for sale. It seems to me that this is the same as bonds for Israel (to whom the trust money will be loaned). The unique feature of these loans is that they will be "backed by a full faith and credit guaranty issued by the United States of America."

In effect, we taxpayers are backing bonds for the state of Israel. To my knowledge, this is the first time in our history that the full faith and credit of the US has been used to back the obligations of a foreign nation.

At last count, we have already loaned or Oven (mostly given) over $40 billion to Israel, and the total continues to rise at over $8 million a day, day after day, with no strings attached. Why should we have to back their debt obligations in addition? Probably because their credit rating is so low that they can borrow in no other way.

In the words of Gore Vidal: "No other minority in the history of the United States has ever extorted so much Treasury money for its Holy Land as the Israel lobby."

Gerald Toy, Portland, OR.

Change US Arms Policy

To the Editor, the Charleston Gazette, Nov. 14, 1988

Recent newspaper headlines read "Kuwait signs arms pact with Soviet Union," "British and Saudi arms deal expected," and "US, Israel to develop anti-missile system" (to be developed in Israel).

I recall others of the same type. In March 1985 a story reported that the Israeli lobby in Washington pressured Congress to turn down a $1.6 billion arms sale to Jordan. King Hussein complained, "The US is not free to move except within the limits of AIPAC, the Jewish lobby."

Defense Secretary Carlucci complained about this trend in Huntington Oct. 21: "I see tens of billions of dollars worth of jobs going abroad instead of sustaining our key defense industries and bolstering the US economy."

George Washington warned of this in his final address: "So likewise a passionate attachment of one nation to another produces a variety of evils... infusing in one the enmities of the other ... concession or privileges denied to others ... exciting jealousy and ill will and a desire to retaliate, etc."

Should this export of high-tech jobs continue? Approximately 20 percent of the world population is Muslim or Arab and I feel our present Mideast policies should be modified.

G.L. Davis, South Charleston, WV.

To the Editor, TV Guide, Oct. 28, 1988

The article by the mayor of Jerusalem repeats fundamental misinformation. Were the journalists and cameramen not present, suppression of the intifadah would be worse. Should the Palestinians abandon their stones for guns, then the Palestinians understand they will provoke their own extermination. This is the ultimate confrontation sought by Yitzhak Shamir, prime minister of Israel, whose baleful guidance precipitated the intifadah.

There should be nightly TV coverage so we can see what we are paying for. Without constant TV watchdogging, America will never see the full shape of Zionism. Only when aberrations break through the surface, such as the methodical destruction of the USS Liberty or the Jonathan Pollard spy affair, do we wonder at the sincerity of Israel, our friend. The Mayor of Jerusalem objects to TV coverage of the intifadah when we here in the US should have had TV coverage of our tax dollars at work for the last 40 years.

Elias Souri, Glendale Heights, IL.

Increase TV Coverage of Intifadah Barbaric Israeli Policy

To Dr. R. Farah, New Boston, MI, Sept. 26, 1988

Thank you for contacting my office to express your opinion regarding the current situation in Israel.

As you probably know, Secretary of State George Shultz has made four visits to the Middle East in the hope of reviving the Middle East peace process. The US plan calls for Israel to negotiate with a joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation, an interim self-government arrangement for the 1.5 million Palestinian inhabitants, as well as terms for ultimately transferring some of the occupied territories to Jordanian control. Although the US proposal had the backing of Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir remains adamantly opposed to negotiating for an arrangement.

Although in the past I have been a strong supporter of Israel, I am thoroughly dismayed at the actions the Israelis have taken. I agree that we must consider measures to show Israel our strong disapproval of their violent acts. If Israel continues these actions, I would find it very difficult to grant them the further privilege of a significant portion of US foreign aid.

The operative Israeli policy is barbaric and one which will not solve the Middle East problem. This situation will not improve until the Israeli government acknowledges that the violence must stop and that negotiations including a land-for-peace formula offer the best hope for long-term peace.

William D. Ford, Member of Congress, Mi.

George Will: More Israeli than Israelis

To the Editor, Washington Post, Nov. 26, 1988

In his Nov. 20 "Outlook" op-ed, George Will refers to the Palestine Liberation Organization statement from Algiers as a charade. Maybe so. But it takes more than Mr. Will's indulgence in casuistry to make it so. The Palestine National Council declaration is not perfect, but it is an important first step toward peace. For the first time the Palestinians have clearly accepted United Nations resolutions 242 and 338 as part of the basis for an international peace conference. President Reagan is correct to see this move as a positive one. The United States government must do all it can to stop the continuing tragedy for both Palestinians and Israelis.

Mr. Will, who seems to be frightened by the prospect of peace breaking out, ends his column by using the German word endloesung, meaning "final solution." This ridiculous conclusion is further evidence of his total lack of balance whenever he discusses the Israelis. He has consistently supported the policies of the right-wing Likud, even when almost half of the Israelis opposed them and are willing to exchange territory for peace. He is more Israeli than the Israelis.

Claire A. Carey, Falls Church, VA.

Unrealistic US Policy

To Vice President George Bush, May 2, 1988

The policy you support for negotiating peace between the Israelis and Palestinians won't work. It's unrealistic.

Many American Jews feel the same way. As do many, many Israelis.

Show your leadership. Do what others have failed to do. Develop a negotiating plan that will be acceptable to both parties.

And if it takes pressure to motivate Shamir and his colleagues to negotiate with the Palestinians' designated representatives—the PLO—then do it.

Throughout history, enemies have negotiated peace. Why not now? Why is it so impossible for Shamir to negotiate with the PLO? Or doesn't he want peace? Is his one and only goal to create more Jewish settlements in the occupied territories? In that case, peace will never come, nor will Israel enjoy secure borders.

A plan that is successful in motivating the state of Israel to negotiate with the PLO is needed now if you are to win the White House.

Thomas Miles, Osterville, MA.

Israeli-Guided West Bank Tours?

To the Editor, the Tulsa World, March 25, 1988

Tulsa Baptist minister Warren Hultgren went recently to Israel and didn't see a single rock-throwing Palestinian or Israeli soldier searching hospitals for rock throwers. Indeed, from what he witnessed as a "marvelous spiritual experience," there's no problem at all in Israel. That's our Christian attitude for you! Always give them the benefit of the doubt.

I wonder if he walked freely through the Arab sectors of the West Bank, visited the sick and the Christian and Muslim Palestinians in prison? Were the Palestinian camps in Gaza, Nablus, and Ramallah, only a few miles away, as peaceful and beautiful?

Dr. Don Betz, professor of political science at Northeastern State University, just returned from a one-week fact-finding trip to the West Bank and reported a totally opposite picture to the one observed by the Baptist preacher.

Could it be that Warren Hultgren saw the occupied territories as they were prescribed to him by his Israeli guides?

Donna Morgan Townsend, Tulsa, OK.

AIPAC Serves US Badly

To the Editor, the Los Angeles Times, Aug. 20, 1988

Jeffrey Record's column "AIPAC's Extremism Serves Israel Badly" certainly hit the nail on the head. Knowledgeable sources in Washington have often reported on the arrogance and power of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, but Record laid it out in remarkable detail. I hope that those senators and representatives, including many in the California delegation who march to AIPAC's drum, read this excellent article and reflect on their past votes against arms sales to our Arab friends in the Mideast.

Those who are decrying unemployment and our trade imbalance should especially think about the $25 billion Saudi deal with the British. Their previous votes against military aid to the Saudis hurt both US and Israeli interests. Think of that one, gentlemen, the next time AIPAC knocks on your office door.

Ransom S. Haig, San Diego, CA.

Israel and the UN

To the Editor, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Dec. 27, 1988

In response to the Dec. 16 "Commentary" article by Rabbis Marvin Hier and Abraham Cooper entitled, "Why must Israel take a risk all other nations would shun?"

What Israel and its many US supporters want the world to forget is that the modern state of Israel was established by the United Nations in 1948 at the expense of the native population in the area, the Palestinians, who lost their land, their homes, and their businesses to European Jews who immigrated into the new state of Israel.

The United Nations has recognized the injustice done to the Palestinian people, and is trying to rectify the problem it created by establishing a state for the Palestinians. Israel, because of its support from the United States, has been able to obstruct this effort up until now.

With the United States now willing to begin direct negotiations with the PLO, the process of establishing a Palestinian state can begin, and with it the peace process in the Middle East.

The United Nations created Israel and the United Nations has the right and the obligation to ensure that the Palestinian people are treated as justly as possible, including creation of a separate state for them also.

Donald A. Berglund, Bloomington, MN.

Double Standard on Terrorism

To the Editor, the Arizona Republic, Dec. 15, 1988

Why the double standard?

Why is Yasser Arafat being labeled a terrorist and denied access to the United States while Menachem Begin is welcomed as a man of peace?

Mr. Begin, a Zionist leader, was a commander in the Irgun from 1943 to 1948. During that time the Irgun, a terrorist group whose policies called for the use of force to establish a Jewish state on both sides of the Jordan, committed acts of terrorism and assassination against the British, and was also violently anti-Arab.

The Irgun participated in organizing illegal immigration into Palestine after the publication of the British White Paper on Palestine (1939) severely limited immigration of Jews.

In 1946, the Irgun blew up the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, killing 91 soldiers and civilians, mostly British officers and Arabs.

In 1947, the Irgun raided the village of Deir Yassin and killed 254 men, women, and children.

So why is it that Yasser Arafat is hailed by the world as a man seeking peace and willing to compromise, and we deny him his right to speak. Is he that much worse than Mr. Begin, or are the leaders of this country afraid to displease American Jews. Sounds like hypocrisy to me.

David L. Hadley, Mesa, AZ.

Push Israel To Negotiate

To the Editor, the Rochester Times-Union, Dec. 3, 1988

The Metro-act of Rochester Council hails the recent declaration made by Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat as a significant step toward negotiations for peace in the Middle East.

Meeting in Algiers, the Palestine National Council voted overwhelmingly to accept the preconditions made by the United States and Israel for negotiations to begin. By formal proclamation, the PNC has endorsed not only UN resolutions 242 and 338—giving de facto recognition to the state of Israel—but resolutions 27-159 and 40-61 against terrorism as well.

The next move is clearly up to the United States and Israel. We urge our government on good faith to receive the PNC declaration and to do all it must to bring the Israeli government to meet the PLO at the negotiating table.

Hyla Sandgrund, Rochester, NY.