Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, December 1987, page 13-14

Letters to (and from) the Editors

October 1, 1987

To the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs

Pope John Paul II is to be highly commended for his candid dialogue with the representatives of the American-Jewish community recently in Miami, His compassion for the stateless and homeless Palestinian people, the innocent victims of continuing Israeli aggression and oppression in the Middle East, was made clear to this group of Americans who have been supporting Israel uncritically over the years. It was also made clear that the Vatican policy of not recognizing the state of Israel will continue until Israel affirms the right of self-determination for the Palestinian Christian and Moslem peoples.

If Israelis are entitled to a state of their own, according to the pope, so are the Palestinians. The primary anguish of the crisis in the Middle East is that Israel occupies the land of other people in contravention of international law and human rights—the land of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights. Pope John Paul, in his God-given role as peacemaker, appreciates that until the rights of the Palestinian Christians and Moslems are recognized and realized, the possibility of a just and enduring peace between Israeli Jews and Palestinian Christians and Moslems is remote. It is encouraging that the Roman Catholic Church remains firm in the support of human rights and international law and in the pursuit of justice and peace.

American citizens have become increasingly aware of the power of the pro-Israeli lobby in our domestic politics and its impact on the integrity and soundness of our foreign policy. Instead of pursuing a policy in the Middle East that is in the best interests of the US, that is evenhanded between the nations and the peoples of the area, our government has pursued an "Israel right or wrong" policy, and we have failed in our objective of a just and lasting peace.

During the key New Hampshire primary, a committee of concerned and informed Americans will attempt to dialogue with the various presidential candidates in the hope that the next president of the United States will follow the inspiring example of Pope John Paul II and work toward a just and enduring peace in today's Holy Land.

Sincerely, Frank Maria, Warner, NH

(Antiochian Orthodox delegate to the US National Council of Churches and to the World Council of Churches)

November 1, 1987

Dear Editor:

I hope the Washington Report will look into the shocking report in the New York Times of Oct. 31 that for 16 years Israeli security agents have routinely used torture to extract confessions from Palestinian prisoners. This was hardly news. In June 1977 the Sunday Times of London published a two-page report on Israeli torture that documented the use of electric shock, canvas hoods over the head, burning, beating on the soles of the feet, and even more unspeakable methods. One crippled survivor told the Times, "the mind cannot imagine such pain." In 1979 the US Consulate in Jerusalem reported "systematic torture" of Palestinian prisoners. Last August the Associated Press found that in the occupied Gaza, prisoners as young as 12 were subjected to severe abuse. Under Israeli military regulations, Palestinians can be held incommunicado for 18 days unless they sign a confession—which most of them do.

After years of denial, Israel's investigatory commission's admission regarding the use of torture is commendable. But the commission's conclusions are chilling. The report recommends that no charges be filed against security agents involved in torture, and that use of "physical pressure" should continue against suspected terrorists. Torture has long since been abandoned by police in civilized countries because it is totally unreliable. How many of us could withstand prolonged and excruciating agony without confessing to something—anything? How many thousands of Palestinians are wasting away in Israeli prisons because they falsely confessed, or were falsely named by others, under torture?

But determining the truth is of little concern to torturers. Aside from sheer sadism the only reason to reduce another human being to screaming helplessness is to use that victim as an example to others. Torture is an instrument of control—through terror. Israeli officials claim that abuse of prisoners is justified because national security is at stake. But Israel's security is threatened only because it continues to deprive a million and a half Palestinians of their land and their freedom. And in the long run, what will be worth protecting in an Israel whose officials violate all standards of civilized humanity?

Rachelle Marshall, Stanford, CA

December 8, 1986

Dear Mr. Curtiss:

I just wanted to drop you a note to compliment you on your interview on the Bob Grant Show recently.

You are an outstanding spokesman for American interests. I had listened some time ago to Bob Grant's interview with Alan Hart. He received the same insulting response from the New York listeners. However, I wrote a letter thanking Mr. Grant for having the courage to present differing opinions on the Mideast situation and, surprisingly, he read it on the air.

The climate is slowly changing in this country—I hope. More and more Americans are becoming aware of Jim Enne's book (Assault on the Liberty) and Rep. Findley's book (They Dare to Speak Out).

I hope to hear and see more of you in the media and will write to various shows suggesting you as a guest. I thank you for speaking out for our country's interests.

Sincerely, Margaret Padula, Tenafly, NJ

P.S. The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs is an excellent and much needed publication.

November 3, 1987

Dear Editor:

I've just received the November issue containing your superior historical review! For years I've been pointing out, in classes and elsewhere, the items you note together with their impact on our own electoral system of that 1947-1948 special year. Truman won the November 1948 election in the fall of 1947, with the handling of UN activities and votes...In retrospect, it was amazing that his defeat of Dewey was such a surprise.

L.E. Shuck, Newbury Park, CA

September 23, 1987

To the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs:

I received, with great pleasure, my first issue of the Washington Report. Thank you so much! I'm impressed with the concise, informative articles on a wide range of Middle East issues. It's truly a treat to have a perspective from "the other" American community concerned about the Middle East. Thank you for the subscription and for your monumental endeavor to focus a truthful eye on what's happening here.

Rev. Canon Riah Abu El-Assal, Christ Evangelical Episcopal Church, Nazareth