Israel and Palestine

Israel and Palestine

My letter recently in The Jakarta Post (Oct. 8, 1996) was
about Israel's opening of the tunnel near Masjid Al Aqsa that has
provoked some readers. It is quite normal. But let's look back to
the time of the birth of Israel, May 14, 1948. Nobody could deny
that its birth was marked by violence and with the help of the
West. Thus, the Palestinians were victims of injustice and
hypocrisy. They were forced to leave their beloved country and
have been without a country for almost 40 years. Is it not
against the people's conscience to treat people that way?

The other Arab countries, out of solidarity, want to help
their brothers who suffered deeply from injustice. I believe this
is logical as a reaction against the Israeli action. Don't
mistake me for approving of any violence committed by any
individual or party. But justice must be sought and maintained.

Israelis should have been able to learn from their own
history, how their ancestors lived peacefully, prosperously and
happily under Moslem rulers for hundreds of years. Now, if the
Israelis want to live peacefully amidst neighboring Arab
countries, they should pursue peaceful coexistence. If Israel
fails to do this, it might lead itself to its destruction. The
Israelis have no one to blame except themselves.

H.W. PIENANDORO

Bogor, West Java