Washington Report, November 1988, Page 22

Letters To (and from) the Editors

Christian Positions on the Middle East

Dear Editor:

I am preparing to present a discussion of current events at my local Methodist church. The discussion I'll lead will address Middle East issues, specifically Israel and the Palestinians. I feel quite comfortable discussing the political and military issues, but would appreciate any help you could provide concerning the Biblical justification for modern Israel and Christian positions toward same.

I have long felt that Christians have put more effort into avoiding the issues of this conflict than trying to understand them. I hope to generate a thorough discussion and force greater scrutiny than most have been willing to give this subject. At the same time, I want to be prepared to discuss all perspectives of the issue, particularly the religious perspective.

I would appreciate any suggested sources of information (individuals or organizations) and any references to formal statements or positions taken by the mainstream religious denominations in this country. Anything would be appreciated.

Ed Harne, Sandy, UT.

Dear Mr. Harne:

We certainly recommend Grace Halsell's Prophecy and Politics: The Secret Alliance Between Israel and the US Christian Right as a source of information on Christian fundamentalists and their relationships to the state of Israel. You can purchase the book through the AET Book Club catalog. The Rev. L. Humphrey Walz also suggests the 1986 book Statements and Position Papers of Major American Organizations on Middle East Peace, which includes the official positions on Middle East questions taken by all major US religious denominations. For a copy of this $5 work, contact the Washington Middle East Associates, 918 16th St., NW, Suite 501, Washington, DC 20006.

Passing Around the Washington Report

Dear Editor:

I must congratulate you on producing an excellently balanced magazine on Middle East affairs. It truly reflects what American policy ought to be if we want to be true to American spirit and interests.

I would like to have your permission to circulate articles from your magazine from time to time to the membership of our local society here. Obviously, we would circulate only an article written by you or your staff and reporters. We would not circulate any of the articles that you have borrowed from other sources. Thank you.

Dr. Khalid J. Qazi, Depew, NY.

Dear Dr. Qazi:

You may circulate any article from the Washington Report written by the staff, our regular columnists, or those that are unsigned. We cannot grant reprint rights for any material in "Other Voices." If there is any other material about which you are not sure, just write or call.

The Roots of Israeli Extremist Moshe Arens

Dear Editor:

Reference is made to the personality report on Dr. Yigal Arens by Pat McDonnell Twair (September 1988). It states that, "Moshe Arens, a Philadelphia-born aeronautical engineer, returned as Israel's ambassador to his native land." It states further that, "Throughout his tenure in Washington, he reacted so hastily to every criticism of Israel that journalists finally explained it as unbridled anti-Americanism in the American-born Israeli envoy."

I would like to point out that Moshe Arens is not American-born. He was born in Lithuania and his family emigrated to the United States when he was approximately 13 years old. Lack of research or intentional distortion of facts in this article unfortunately may cast a shadow of credibility upon other articles that appear in your publication.

John Kaunas, Chicago, IL.

Dear Mr. Kaunas:

We stand corrected, and maybe a little relieved to know that this extremist's formative years were not spent in the US after all.

Foreign Policy Institute's Distortion of History

Dear Editor:

One of the obstacles to constructive debate on the Middle East issue is the fact that certain historical facts have been distorted over the years. For instance, we are told over and over again that the Palestinians left their homes in 1948 voluntarily, intending to return with victorious Arab armies; or that the PLO will accept nothing less than the destruction of Israel. Another myth that is taking shape is that Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982 as a response to cross-border attacks by the PLO.

A book published in 1987 by the Johns Hopkins Foreign Policy Institute made this erroneous statement one of its major premises. Since FPI publications are read and studied by students of foreign policy here and abroad, I thought it was important to register a complaint and wrote the enclosed letter to Philip Geyelin, the editor, with a copy to the author. They did not reply. Perhaps the Washington Report would be interested in printing my letter, either in "Other People's Mail" or in a new "Department of Unanswered Letters."

Rachelle Marshall, Stanford, CA.

Dear Ms. Marshall:

All of the myths you cite are false, as you say. We do hope to print your informative and carefully documented letter in a subsequent issue, after the elections. Until then the charts listing pro-Israel PAC gifts to candidates are consuming much of the space we normally use for such informative material.

An Ambulance for the West Bank

Dear Editor:

During the last nine months, health care facilities in the West Bank and Gaza have been burdened beyond their capacity as thousands of Palestinians have been wounded, beaten, and suffered from tear gas exposure.

The ROOTS Relief Fund has received requests from a number of medical clinics who desperately need basic medical equipment, particularly ambulances.

In May 1988, the ROOTS Relief Fund and Mercy Corps International began a joint effort to raise the $58,000 necessary to purchase and ship a fully equipped ambulance to the occupied territories. The response to this project was very encouraging. More than 300 individuals and organizations committed themselves as co-sponsors of the ambulance project. Now, just $16,000 stands between us and the achievement of our goal.

The ambulance is ready, fully equipped, and awaiting shipment to the occupied territories. We are so close to success. We hope some of your readers will join in our effort to complete this project, which will help save the lives of people who are not able to receive medical treatment in time, by making contributions to the ROOTS Relief Fund, P.O. Box 7117, Reston, VA 22091. A document bearing the names of all donors will be delivered with the ambulance when it reaches its destination.

Muna Khatib, Treasurer, ROOTS Relief Fund.