Seattle Times Letter to the Editor

History of a mirage

A recent letter writer claims Americans are ignorant of Middle Eastern history prior to 1967 (Northwest Voices, April 14). He's right in that at least. But he, along with others who seem to believe that Yasser Arafat and his followers are victims of Israeli aggression, should remember there is no nation called Palestine, and never has been.

The region loosely defined as "Palestine" is nothing more than an ill-defined geographical area, with no particular boundaries, that has been ruled by one conqueror or another since the dawn of civilization. For 400 years before World War I, it was part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire; after World War I, it was controlled by Britain. The state of Israel was created from a portion of that region in 1948, and was instantly attacked by Arabs who wanted to destroy the Jewish people.

The so-called "Palestinians" of today are little more than a ragtag collection of Arab malcontents and Islamic fanatics from neighboring countries who hate Jews and seek to destroy the nation of Israel. The militant Palestinians who kill innocent Israeli women and children are criminals and terrorists, nothing more.

There can be no negotiating with people who will not listen, who will not bargain in good faith, and whose sole motivation is religious fanaticism based on hatred centuries old. Until and unless the terrorists stop their attacks, Israel has the right to take whatever action is necessary to protect its people.

Winston Rockwell, Kirkland   

Soul-searching over Israel strife

Rabbi Jonathan Singer of Temple Beth Am, a Reform synagogue in Seattle, said local Jews are united in their support of Israel.

But "expressions of disagreement is part of healthy debate in any community," he said. "Presenting a different perspective of what Israel needs to do doesn't make you anti-Zionist, anti-Semitic. What makes you an anti-Semite is your intention to hurt Jews."

Still, Singer, who supports Rabbis for Human Rights, an Israeli organization that promotes human rights for Jews, Palestinians and all people in Israel, is concerned about one-sided criticism.

"Those who would be first to criticize Israel in other communities do so without a sense of balance," he said. "Those who want to be critical of Israel need to be evenhanded in being critical of the PLO."