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Letters to Media Home |
I join President Bush's protest of Israel's F16 attack in Gaza that killed
15 people, including 9 children, and that also killed an important Palestinian
peace initiative. Israel's stated objective was the assassination of Salah Shehade, leader of the military wing of Hamas. The attack was actually a direct response to Hamas leader Sheikh Ahamad Yassin's unprecedented public call to end suicide bombings in Israel in return for Israeli withdrawal from West Bank towns. Palestinian leaders finalized their unilateral cease-fire announcement just 90 minutes before the Israeli attack, and Israeli defense officials had been updated by European diplomats on the evolving text. Israel bombed because Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is committed to a military solution. Israel has far greater military power than the Palestinians, and Sharon wants no Hamas cease-fire so Israel hascontinuing excuse for military occupation and using its military power. Predictably, Hamas aborted its peace initiative and threatened retaliatory suicide bombings. Sharon's obscene goal was achieved. I am part of a growing Jewish peace movement that feels increasing revulsion at Sharon's war crimes and expansionist goals. We believeIsrael should immediately bring its soldiers and settlers home within its pre-1967 borders. Palestinians should have the right to declare an end tohorrendous suicide bombings, to declare independence, and to establishtheir own state. America can best help Israel end its militarism by stopping our billions in military aid to Israel until the illegal,immoral, and unjust military occupation ends.
James Marc Leas |
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