Stop the violence

A Letter to Burlington Free Press    June 6, 2001

        My husband and I are appalled by the escalating violence in the Middle East. We heartily support the Mitchell International Commission report, and are encouraged by the administration's endorsement of it, and by Secretary of State Colin Powell's statement supporting it.

        We feel strongly that the Palestinians need and deserve some firm assurance of the cessation of Jewish settlement expansion into their territory if they are to stop their attacks on Israel. Their anger at Israel, and particularly at the tactics of Sharon's leadership, are totally understandable. As American citizens, we are ashamed of the massive military support and financial aid we continue to give Israel, when we strongly feel Israel has not been treating the Palestinians fairly.

        We need to bring moral leadership to bear on this conflict and if necessary, even think about withdrawing some of our large financial and mllitary support from Israel if the Sharon government continues its present refusal to consider the dire economic needs and legitimate political concerns of the Palestinians. This should go along with urging the Palestinians to stop their violence.

        We must not stand feebly by while Sharon's government plunges the Middle East into another Holocaust. Please join us in writing our congressional delegation, the president, and Secretary of State Colin Powell to this effect.

HOPE F. SCHULTZ

Shelburne