LETTER: No support for Palestine

Editor,

I wish to illustrate why I do not support Palestine. Notice that I did not say, “why I support Israel.” I do not support Israel. It cannot be denied that Israel has been oppressive in its control over the Palestinians. I do not support Israeli occupation and colonization of Palestinian territories such as the Gaza strip. I will even state that I support the creation of a sovereign state of Palestine. However, you will not hear me sounding the trumpet and waving the banner of Palestine.

While many of the actions of Israel are indeed deplorable, Palestine fails to hold the higher ground. I fail to see how Israeli oppression of certain freedoms and human rights vindicates the taking of innumerable lives by Palestinians.

Under such a precedent, perhaps Israel is blameless for their actions as well? While mister Khalil’s statement that “No sane person justifies the killing of children” is certainly true, I wish to hold him to his own state of integrity. Since when have the Palestinian suicide bombings of pizzerias, cafés and buses been so discriminate in the taking of life? I cannot and will not support Palestine under such circumstances and ask how you, Mr. Khalil or anybody else can.

Both positions are clearly in the right and clearly in the wrong. Until one is able to maintain a clear moral high ground I cannot support either position with a clear conscience. I wish to echo mister Khalil’s sentiments of hope that one day both Israelis and Palestinians will see their common threads of Abraham and extend to each other the liberties, peace and respect they both deserve.

Jared Wolfe