August 1988, Page 41

Letters to (and from) the Editor

Official US Aid to Israel Will Remain the Same

Dear Editor:

Enclosed is an article about the administration's plan to increase aid to Israel by $2 billion. Curiously, nobody seems to know about it. It has not been covered by the national broadcast media; I haven't had time to follow the major print media.

Walter Epp, Oakland, CA.

Dear Mr. Epp:

Apparently the article you enclosed and several others from newspapers around the country (as well as an article in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs) were based upon a misreading of language in the foreign aid bill. Whatever Israel's intention, it appears that US military grants ($1.8 billion) and economic aid ($1.2 billion) to Israel will be $3 billion in fiscal year 1989, as in the two previous years.

There have, however, been many additional taxpayer-financed subsidies for Israel in the budgets of various US government departments and agencies in past years. You can be sure there will be at least as many in the coming fiscal year, placed there by Israel's army of indefatigable gnomes in every key area of government. But a straight subsidy to cover the additional $2 billion a year the repressive measures in the West Bank, Gaza, and East  Jerusalem are costing Israel since the intifadah began hasn't yet popped up. We hope there are enough whistle-blowers in the government to see that it doesn't, and that in future years Israel's total subsidy starts dropping, at least in proportion to other long-delayed cuts in government spending.

Jerusalem Fund Appeals for Palestinian Families

Dear Editor:

"Beita (a Palestinian village on the West Bank) must be erased!" declared Rabbi Chaim Druckman, a member of Israel's Knesset.

Ariel Sharon, a member of Israel's Cabinet, demanded that "every house in Beita be razed ... and that a new Jewish settlement be built near the site."

In less than 48 hours, the Israeli army blew up a total of 14 houses in the village. Army bulldozers also tore up seven acres of olive trees along the main road outside the village.

These actions followed reports alleging that an Israeli girl was stoned to death by Arab villagers. Subsequently, however, Israeli army investigators said that the girl had been fatally shot with an automatic rifle that belonged to one of the Israeli guards escorting the girl and the group she was with. (During that same incident, a 20-year-old Palestinian farmer was shot to death by the same Israeli guard.)

Despite this revelation, Palestinian civilians were subjected to harsh collective punishment based on faulty information and with total disregard to a due legal process or to international law.

In the meantime, and on an almost daily basis, scores of Palestinian civilians, many of whom are youngsters or elderly, are being killed or wounded by armed Israeli soldiers.

I am writing today to appeal to you to help rectify an injustice.

As concerned individuals, we have an obligation to help those among us who are in need. We cannot allow the sick, the elderly, or the children to go hungry, to be without proper medical attention, or to live without shelter. This is why it is imperative that we pull our resources together to extend help to the needy and to rebuild those homes that were demolished.

The Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development, a Washington-based, tax-exempt, independent charity is determined to do everything within its powers to help. The board of directors of the Jerusalem Fund has acted promptly to authorize emergency grants to help families in need and those whose houses have been demolished.

We are counting on your generosity and support to help as many families as possible and to rebuild each and every demolished house. Many people in the occupied territories have offered their labor to help rebuild the houses. But, they need the funds to purchase the cement, the stones, the steel, and all the other necessary components needed to rebuild.

Your generosity will make their determination and dreams become a reality. So please, give as much as you can today. Your contribution of $35, $110, $350, or $1,000 is vital. The larger your contribution, the more people we can help.

I appeal to you to join me in this worthy endeavor. Together, let us reverse a process and start building for a brighter tomorrow.

Mukhlis Saah, Treasurer

The Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development
2435 Virginia Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20037

Donating Subscriptions to Friends and Leaders

Dear Editor:

In reply to a phone conversation that I had with you about sending donated subscriptions of the Washington Report to a number of friends/leaders enclosed is the list.

My wife and I visited a number of these people in May—chiefly those in California, New Mexico, and Utah. Each has some significant role.

Please have your office send a note to each of the 20 recipients notifying him or her that I am behind the project.

I continue to be disturbed that Zionism has captured large segments of the power structures in the USA, but there is a bit of light and for that I give thanks. And I am grateful for your large efforts. May you be available for a long time to come.

Rev. Donald L. Powers, Cuyahoga Falls, OH.

Dear Rev. Powers:

Since receiving your generous check, the tax-exempt AET library endowment has also received a $100 contribution from Lewis Affelder of Shaker Heights, OH, to honor your 50th wedding anniversary. Thanks to both of you, and happy anniversary, Donald and Mary Powers.

Jesuits Giving Coverage to Israeli Brutality

Dear Editor:

The enclosed article about coverage of the Palestinian revolt in La Civitz Cattolica, an influential Jesuit magazine, which likens some Israeli actions to Nazi persecutions, may be of interest. I must say it is not the type of coverage I would expect to find in a local church publication. As we both know, the churches—including my Roman Catholic Church—have been very subdued in their remarks about the West Bank and Gaza. Perhaps the Jesuits can stir them all up a bit. Keep up your good work and keep the facts coming!

Col Quintus, C. Atkinson, USA (Ret.), Herndon, VA.

The Washington Report's New Cover

Dear Editor:

The new magazine format is just stunning. It is so attractive to read and so much more "filled out" somehow. I'm certain that you will be able to offset a great deal of the costs with display advertising, and I'll be doing my best to facilitate it.

The contents of the Washington Report have always been of the highest journalistic caliber, but now the format more closely fits the makeup of the publication. I wish you every blessing in this new step, and hope that the rewards of education toward peace with justice will be yours.

Vicki Tamoush, Chicago, IL.