Arab nations at fault

Letters

Editor: The world is apparently beginning to see Yasser Arafat for what he is: a man determined to totally destroy the state of Israel. It is therefore disappointing that the Jewish Bulletin should choose this time to renew its policy of publishing a disproportionate number of letters from those hostile to the Jewish state.

Last week was an exception and I commend the letters of Ron Appleton, Bill Gruenthal and William Nicholls. However, I had a fear (I hope unwarranted) that this week's Bulletin would restore the balance to more hostility. With this in mind, I would like to comment on the letter from Carla Schick of Oakland, Calif. ("Palestinians have rights," Bulletin, Jan. 11)

As a Jew, I share your concern for the Palestinian people, Carla. Their lot is a terrible one. But your proposed remedies are illogical and unacceptable. Read the letter from Bill Gruenthal, printed above yours, and you will see that the "right of return" for Palestinians would not increase the democratization of Israel, as you so optimistically assume, but would, rather, completely destroy the state.

Reparations also sound lovely and, yes, the Palestinians deserve reparations - but from whom? Not, surely, from Israel. The Palestinians fled Israel in the face of a war launched against the new Jewish state by well-armed Arab countries. It is those countries that created the refugee situation and it is those countries who owe the Palestinians. Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, to name only the closest neighbors, kept the Palestinians for more than 50 years in wretched refugee camps instead of integrating them into Arab society where they surely belonged. This was done deliberately and callously in order to have a stick with which to beat Israel - and, unfortunately, warm-hearted people like yourself fell for this ploy.

Check how many billions of dollars have been sent by European countries and many others for the relief of Palestinian suffering - Israel too sent money, until the beginning of this latest intifada. This is money that is now sitting in Swiss banks for the benefit of Arab leaders, or is being used to buy arms to attack Israel. And look at a map. See for yourself the size of the Arab world.

To make it easy for you, I will give you the numbers: the Arab League occupies approximately six million square miles (this excludes Iran which, of course, is not Arab). Israel has less than 9,000 square miles. Who has more room for a few hundred thousand Palestinians? The wealth is a little harder to measure because the Arab League does not publish audited statements, but I think you will believe that the notorious Arab wealth adds up to more than enough for reparations. Go after the real enemies of the unhappy Palestinians, Carla - their own people.

Naomi Frankenburg
Vancouver

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