Jew of Yemeni-origin disagrees with Sharon [Archives:2004/731/Letters to the Editor]
El Sabari
[email protected]
In the 1920s both pairs of my grandparents left Yemen, where they were born and grew up, and found there way to the land of their forefathers. They were Jews. Yehudim. Arab Jews, you could call them, 2000 years in Yemen, and their Arab-Jewish heritage is so strong, that almost 100 years later, me, their grandson, 42 years old myself, is still interested in Yemen, Yemenis and Arabs in general, including Arab culture and Arab people: I actually love Arab people. I feel close to them. I really wish that we could relate to each other as 1st cousins, sons of Yitshak, grandsons of Avraham (Ibrahim).
But the truth of the matter is that there's war now. And the war is totally not only the Jews fault. If you think it's only the Jews to blame, you are either totally ignorant, or totally prejudiced.
I'm Jewish, and Israeli, and a proud one. It doesn't mean I agree with all that my government says or does. Usually on the contrary.
Still, reading your commentary about Dr. Rantissy's killing and the Bush-Sharon meeting, I wish to express some things, as follows:
1. Dr. Rantissi and the Hamas explicitly express their goal: the ruin of the State of Israel.
2. On the everyday level, Dr. Rantissi was a major cause in the terror attacks, including against civilians.
Under these circumstances, i would like to ask the following rhetorical questions:
1. What good reason could Israel have for not fighting the Hamas, and Dr. Rantissy?
2. What valid argument is there against building a defensive wall?
3. How should Israel relate to Palestinian demands regarding the right of return – knowing that the return of all refugees to Israel will practically destroy Israel as the Jewish people's state.
These questions and comments come from an honest heart. I do not mean to insult or create more hatred, but really to clarify my opinions and hear the other side.
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[archive-e:731-v:13-y:2004-d:2004-04-22-p:letters]
