As an Israeli, I would like to reply to statements in David Shiffman's Oct. 23 letter, "Syria should be part of Axis of Evil." Let's take this point by point.
First, Shiffman states that Israel has a right to attack Syria.
However, the last time there were active hostilities between Israel and Syria was during the 1982 to 1985 war with Lebanon, which Israel initiated. Syria has an out-of-date army, which has nothing to match the IDF.
Second, he states that Israelis only kill those connected with terrorist incidents. Well, try telling that to the victims of the Sabra and Shatila massacre during the above-mentioned war. The massacre was directly approved by Sharon.
Third, he asserts that fewer innocents die in attacks on the West Bank and Gaza. Wrong again. The number of civilians killed during this intifada on the Palestinian side outnumbers by 3 to 1 those on the Israeli side. In the first Intifada, that ratio was 10 to 1.
Next, he writes that minorities have equal rights. Really? So what about the law restricting 75 percent of land in Israel to Jewish-only ownership? Not too democratic, eh?
Fifth, he states that Muslims hold high political office. There has never been a non-Jewish member of the Israeli government.
So for those pro-Israelis who 'know what's going on,' take from a citizen of that country: you don't have a clue.
Rann Bar-On
Graduate Student
Mathematics Department
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.