Missing the point

Letters

Editor: I feel obliged to clarify and respond to the letter by Rafi Silver (Bulletin, Feb. 8). My comments in the Jan. 25 issue of the Bulletin were deemed irrelevant to the real issue. I would also suggest that the joke about the man protesting that his friend was pulling him away from the speeding truck because he wanted to obey the law applies more to the view of the writer than myself.

Failure to consider the larger picture and to focus only on what is seen as Israel's failure to recognize the rights of Palestinians is not defensible in light of the current world situation. No one disputes that there are internal issues that need to be resolved. Prof. Shlomo Hasson from Hebrew University spoke recently about the need to make adjustments and develop a more workable approach to resolving the economic issues within Israel. But that is neither the point of my letter nor the point of the current so-called conflict. Israel's very right to exist is at stake. Only when there is real security and acknowledgment of Israel's legitimacy can these problems be resolved.

Of course war does horrible things to people. Peace and justice are the highest priorities. The actions going on in the Arab world are reminiscent of the struggle against industrialization that took place in the last century. Hate and terror thrive in the face of economic depression and lack of opportunity. Nevertheless, the campaign of hate and terror directed against Israel is a most pressing concern.

Nor is Israel the only enemy being targeted. More than 2,000 innocent Americans and many others were wounded in the attack on the World Trade Centre. There is a campaign of hate going on. Children are being taught that Jews are their enemies. These books resonate with Nazi propaganda. This is the real issue that is facing us.

If Mr. Silver thinks that by only addressing the need to solve internal conflicts that the larger issues would go away, he needs to think again. Israel, like Canada and the rest of the free world, has problems. And, as in other democracies, there are many points of view. Many people in Israel, including government officials, want to resolve these internal problems. But, at the moment, the more compelling and frightening issues concern world terrorist organizations and the campaign of hate against Israel.

Moral courage is what is needed and co-operation in the defence of Israel's right to exist.

Sally Rogow
Vancouver

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