Criminal war against Palestinians

THE EDITOR: The death of Yasser Arafat is a tragedy which must be laid directly at the door of George W Bush, even though the instrument of his death was Ariel Sharon. The refusal of George Bush to recognise and negotiate with Arafat was implicit condonation of the criminal war waged against Palestinians by Israel. There can be no defending of suicide attacks by Palestinians against Israeli civilians, but there can equally be no defending “surgical strikes” by Israeli warplanes and army units against helpless and hopeless Palestinians in their refugee camps.

These attacks by Israel began to turn the stomachs of even hardened Israeli soldiers who took the position that they were trained to fight against enemy soldiers, not women and children. The Israelis have taken away everything from suffering Palestinians, their homes, their peace of mind, their self-respect, and now their leader. Palestinian government minister, Saeb Erekat, says that Israel will find a way to link any Palestinian leader to terrorism to justify refusing to negotiate with him. The reality is not so much to justify refusing to negotiate with him, but actually to defend their land grab of Palestinian territories and their murderous attacks on Palestinian civilians.It is absolutely unbelievable that the United States can continue to turn a blind eye to Israeli actions against Palestinians, but then again their own attacks on Iraqis in Fallujah are clear evidence that might is right.

How George W Bush sleeps at night, knowing that he is sending US soldiers to their deaths in a land far away from home is a mystery that is equal to that of any peace of mind that Ariel Sharon may have. Brazil’s Lula da Silva says that “Peace will never arise from poverty and hunger,” but neither will it arise from oppression and genocide.

KARAN MAHABIRSINGH
Carapichaima