Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Unacceptable

Sir, — The article `The war that we didn't want' by Dov Segev-Steinberg (April 11) attempts to convince the reader of the reasonableness in approach of the Israeli Government in its dealings with the Palestinians. But it glaringly and deliberately fails to take notice of certain relevant factors that would make the conduct of Israel quite unacceptable. Israel should realise that it cannot act unilaterally in whatever manner it deems fit without trying to build an international consensus in its favour. Even the U.S. before embarking upon the `war against terrorism' was careful to allow international opinion to build up in its favour. This is not to equate the actions that the U.S. took against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban with the present Israeli actions. While action against religious extremism and the principle of `jehad' as propounded by Osama was sure to be considered desirable and hence welcome to the international community, similar military action against those who have been systematically denied political rights and the right to live with dignity in their homeland is sure to be looked upon with consternation and dismay.

Israel's conduct of acting against the interests of an already persecuted race under the guise of dealing with a few terrorists among them is a demonstration of its arrogant attitude, totally insensitive to world opinion.

The Consul-General has not endeared himself to the readers by conferring the title of `captain of the pirates' upon Mr. Arafat and should admit that whatever be the present form of struggle by the Palestinians, the whole situation has come to such a pass only because of the consistently intransigent attitude of the Israeli regimes during the past five decades or so.

N.S. Sankararaman,
Chennai

Chennai

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