PROTESTING DEMOCRACY?
(In response to Brittany Morris’ March 29 column, “The Middle East Revolution of tomorrow.”)
The portrayal of the Arab-Israeli conflict is very biased, especially on the ASU campus. The truth, though much less popular than protesting the “Israeli occupation,” is important to reveal.
The truth is that Israel is alone in its quest for peace. This quest has been going on since its inception. The U.N.’s original plan was for Israel to be two states, one Jewish and one Palestinian; Israel alone accepted this offer.
Throughout its history, Israel has constantly tried to offer land for peace. With Egypt, this plan succeeded, resulting in a continuing peace for over 30 years.
With the Palestinians, the outcome is the same each time — a resounding no.
It is hard to compromise with a people whose government publicly announces its mission to destroy Israel, and acts on these goals through constant terror attacks on civilians.
Why then is there such an uproar when Israel tries to protect itself from this fate?
This blatant call for the destruction of a people receives no outcry from the public, and neither does the constant rain of Kassam rockets and other terrorist attacks.
Instead, public outcry is directed to the checkpoints that Israel has set up to stop the flow of bombs and weapons used for terrorist purposes.
It is Hamas who is oppressing the Gazans, not Israel. It is Hamas who does what they wish with the constant aid that Israel and the rest of the world gives while letting their people go hungry.
Israel is a democracy. They afford rights to women, homosexuals and minorities. Israel wants peace and is the only country in the Middle East where any of this is true.
Why then are college students constantly protesting against Israel?
Jordan Friedman
Undergraduate
