WHAT ABOUT THE PALESTINIANS?
(In response to Amy Matro’s April 28 article, "Quayle: Uprisings must be ‘beneficial to democracy.’")
I am disappointed with Congressman Ben Quayle speaking at an event that whitewashes the Israeli occupation. During the event, Quayle stated that Israel is a democracy and a strategic ally to the U.S. In reality, however, Israel is neither.
A democratic nation is one that protects minority rights. Yet, under the Israeli apartheid, Arab Israelis are often not granted the same rights as Jewish Israelis. By law, Palestinians from the West Bank or Gaza strip cannot gain Israeli citizenship by marrying an Israeli, while any other nationality can. Furthermore, children born to these marriages in Israel are prevented from becoming Israeli citizens.
Israel is no longer a strategic ally to the United States. Our one-sided and unconditional support for Israel (and its human rights abuses) has prevented us from creating strategic alliances with other nations in the Middle East.
In fact, Gen. David Petraeus has stated that the United States’ perceived favoritism to Israel has generated marked anti-American sentiment worldwide, possibly endangering our missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Congressman Quayle is concerned that Iran poses a threat to Israel’s existence, but he should be equally concerned with the Palestinians’ struggle to exist.
By speaking at an event that whitewashes the Israeli occupation and apartheid, Congressman Quayle continues decades of failed U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and hinders the development of true peace in the region, as well as equal rights for all.
Danielle Bäck
Undergraduate
