Entanglement with Israel eroding our moral credibility
Considering Congress rarely, if ever, defies Israel's interests, it's remarkable Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Reps. Brian Baird, D-Wash, and Keith Ellison, D-Minn., toured Gaza to view firsthand the enormity of Israel's military devastation to a civilian population already enduring two years of blockade on all commercial goods ["U.S. lawmakers tour Gaza Strip," Nation & World, Feb. 20].For decades, our nation has blindly supported Israel's militarism, expansionism, illegal occupation and constant confiscation of Palestinian land. America is Israel's funder, enabler and protector in its violation of U.N. resolutions and international laws.
President George Washington warned us of a "passionate attachment" to a foreign nation that seeks to impose its interests above ours. Thomas Jefferson similarly warned of "foreign entanglements" with such nations, while James Madison blamed such entanglements on domestic "factions," today's "special interests."
Our national interest in the Middle East and world surpasses any value in our relationship with Israel, which has cost us dearly in money, lives and moral credibility.
British Historian Arnold Toynbee said: "Right and wrong are the same in Palestine as anywhere else. What is peculiar about the Palestine conflict is that the world has listened to the party that has committed the offense and has turned a deaf ear to the victims."
-- Mohamed Khodr, Winchester, Va.
The most aggressive Middle East nation
The Times reported great concern about the amount of Iran's uranium, which, with a bit of added purification, would be suitable for atomic bombs ["Report on Iran has a shock," Nation & World, Feb. 20].Has anyone investigated the nuclear capability of the most aggressive Middle East nation, Israel?
Israel has proven its criminal nature not only by its invasion of Palestine, despite Britain's mandate to maintain peace there, but also by pre-emptive strikes against its neighbors, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.
Further, it has been reported that Israel has asked our nation for "Bunker Buster" bombs to be used in a fourth pre-emptive attack, this time against Iran.
The Feb. 20 Times also reported a congressional contingent examining the impact of Israel's attacks in Gaza, during which Israel killed over 1,300, many of whom were civilians, while losing only 13 soldiers.
Before we condemn Iran for nearing nuclear-bomb capability, I think we should investigate the atomic-bomb capability of Israel, the area's most implacable nation, and apply sanctions against it as appropriate.
-- Spencer Higley, Edmonds
Source : The Seattle Times
