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| Al-Awda New York, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition | |
Responses to "Leftist elites betrayed Israel" in the Riverdale Press The Riverdale Press is a large newpaper in the Bronx area and is in the Heart of Zionist Land ! George Rubin’s letter "Leftist elites betrayed Israel," was both racist, perpetuating false stereotypes about Arabs, and inaccurate. Here is a response letter by Hannan Adely.
To the Editor: George Rubin’s letter "Leftist elites betrayed Israel," was both racist, perpetuating false stereotypes about Arabs, and inaccurate. Rubin wrote, "to every Muslim the very existence of a non-Islamic state in the Middle East is an intolerable insult to Islam that must be eradicated." This is simply not true. Many Arabs have long accepted Israel’s right to exist, while opposing Israel’s continued illegal expansions into Palestinian territory and its continued military occupation of Palestinian lands. The author is also at fault by labeling the current conflict as a Muslim issue. In fact, there is a strong Christian community in the Middle East. Most Arabs, though, don’t consider the current conflict a religious issue, but rather a human rights issue, and Rubin will find that many non-Arabs and non-Muslims, including large numbers of Jews, are also outspoken critics of the Israeli government. Israel has violated numerous United Nations resolutions and international treaties, while big brother, the United States, prevents the international community from intervening on behalf of the Palestinians. Since the signing of the Oslo Accords, Israel has continued to demolish Palestinian homes and expand illegal settlements. And still, 5.2 million Palestinians live in refugee camps with no hope of returning home or even receiving compensation. Remaining Palestinian land, meager as it is, is not free. It is occupied by an oppressive military which imposes curfews and checkpoints and bars Palestinians from getting building permits or from traveling major roads. This military state also frequently arrests and imprisons Palestinians without charge. Israel has killed over 230 Palestinian men, women and children, and injured over 8000 in the past month and a half -- killed for demonstrating against an unjust occupation. Since when is it acceptable for children throwing rocks against their oppressors to be punished by firing squads and rockets? As for Rubin’s allegations that the left has abandoned Israel -- well, the truth is the left needs to take a stronger stance in condemning Israel. And Rubin needs only to look at the death toll to know which side is being massacred. Before peace can become a reality, Israel needs to stop its military aggression and oppressive rule and grant Palestinians basic human rights. In the meantime, the United States media has to stop perpetuating racist stereotypes about Arabs that leave people like George Rubin so misinformed. Sincerely, | ||
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