Cooler heads needed in Middle East
10/28/2003
IT WAS A RELIEF to learn from Jeff Jacoby that only 50 Americans in the middle of the violent conflict in the Middle East have been killed in the last 10 years ("Palestinian terrorism, American blood," op ed, Oct. 19). By contrast, in peaceful Boston, last year 60 people were killed. It is useful to note that the few Americans killed in the Middle East were not targeted because they were American. Furthermore, Israelis as well as Palestinians have caused American deaths, such as when an Israeli driving a tank saw young American peace activist Rachel Corrie blocking his way and ran over her.
Finally, it is remarkable that Americans are not targeted by Palestinians despite the fact that these despairing people are fighting the American-backed 36-year-long Israeli occupation -- joined by 400,000 Israeli settlers strong and growing -- vying for their dwindling scrap of land.
Jacoby even wants Israel to increase the number of Israeli settlers, and on this and most other issues he would be considered on the far right, even in Israel.
Americans would do well to avoid extremism on either side as they hope for genuine peace.
May calmer and cooler heads prevail.
JAMES ADLER
Cambridge
© Copyright 2003 Globe Newspaper Company.
