Letter: Occupation by Israel must end

Friday, Oct. 12, 2001 | 4:26 a.m.

Regarding the Oct. 7 editorial, "This isn't how U.S. should treat an ally":

Like most Americans, I fully support Israel's right to exist in peace. But when Israel embarked upon building illegal settlements in Gaza and the West Bank, it started down a slippery slope that occupying powers fall into to maintain security and control. Israel has lowered its moral standard down to the level of its adversaries. A true friend (ally) would tell his friend (ally) when he is wrong, but the United States has lacked the courage to do so.

In the past 34 years, 400,000 Jewish settlers have moved into the midst of Arab-Palestinian communities that are centuries old. Palestinians are forced to pay taxes to Israel, but do not receive services. Israeli settlers get military protection and services and get to vote. I cannot support terrorism of any kind, but understand Palestinians' frustration with their future.

Jewish settlers can build homes and drill for water, Palestinians cannot build homes or drill for water. Israelis and Palestinians are in a single geographic state controlled by one government, but they live under two separate and unequal systems of rights and laws. The offer made last year by Israel, and brokered by the U.S., kept intact the illegal settlements and their connecting roads. That offer would have split Palestine into four cantons with no real end to Israeli domination over their lives and future.

America needs to be a true friend of Israel by demanding that its occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights end! Jews have suffered for 2,000 years at the hands of Christians. It is time for Israel to show the same compassion to the Palestinians.

MICHAEL L. CAREY