Israel and the Palestinians

Naturally Israelis are very upset by the claim that CNN faked the story of Palestinians jumping with jot at the news of the World Trade Center disaster. Jerry Sanders writes; "The so-called fabricated report you refer to (regarding the Palestinians joy in the destruction of Western Civilization)was confirmed by each of the three major Networks, Fox, CNN, The BBC, The Dow Jones News Agency, The New York Times and the AP. Yet you dismiss all of these Western Agencies as untrustworthy as compared to the "news agency" of a country that has been hell-bent on our destruction for the past quarter of a century, that has issued a death sentence on an author of a book, and that has not of late won any Pulitzer Prizes. "

There follows a long defense of Israel. I did not say that the news item attributed to the Palestinian News Agency was true, but rather that like every story it must be exampled carefully. Nor do I have any sympathy for the Taliban or terrorism, although Miles Seeley correctly says that it may be born of the despair of poverty. Having lived through the creation of the state of Israel, I remain convinced that, all things considered, it has done more harm than good to the Jews of the world. It remains true that the US has had a dual standard in dealing with the countries of the Middle East and indeed in world affairs. The Economist (9/22-28/01) says this in an article defending the US entitled "The roots of hatred". President Clinton has reportedly (sic) said that he authorized the assassination of Bin Laden, whose popularity in the Muslim world will thereby be enhanced. It seems clear also that the behavior of Sharon is an immediate cause of the present trouble. Israel is now there, and it could be a great force for good in the whole area. Is this aim attainable?

Ronald Hilton - 9/23/01