Hussein Distorts Arab-Israeli Conflict Facts

To the editors:

Waheed Hussain's op-ed piece (Op-Ed, Dec. 8) on the Arab-Israeli conflict distorts the facts of the situation. It is certainly true that the Palestinians have claims that make their history and identity different from Arab countries.

Nevertheless, over the last 50 years, one of the major factors that has united the Arab world is their bloody reluctance or refusal to recognize the legitimacy of the Jewish state. This has tragically continued in the current mini-war, in spite of the incredible efforts by Israel and some of its neighbors toward peace over the past number of years. Given the fact that the Arab League joined together in an emergency meeting to blame Israel for the fighting, offer funds to support the Palestinians and call for the end of all steps toward normalization of relations with Israel, it is quite incredulous to suggest that this is not an "Arab-Israeli" conflict.

Hussein's most egregious error, however, is his inflammatory assertion that American support for Israel stems from a racist understanding of Middle East ethnicity that "dehumanizes" the Palestinian people. This false accusation is an insult to all of us who have suffered from racism and other forms of ethnic and religious hatred in our nation. Americans support Israel for a number of different reasons. I suspect, however, that primary among them is the fact that despite incredible overtures for peace by Israel, the Palestinians have responded with orchestrated and fatal terror attacks on Israeli citizens and diplomatic statements that have literally told Prime Minister Barak to "Go To Hell." This political understanding of the situation stems not from race but rather from a universalistic, humanitarian understanding of the importance of diplomacy and peace-making, which has been tragically prevented, as Elie Wiesel has stated, by the "intransigence of the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority."

Hussein dangerous remarks, however, do a disservice to ethical dialogue and only stymie the creation of a just and lasting peace for the region, for which I hope and pray we will see soon in our days.

Myles S. Brody '01

Dec. 11, 2000

The author is the vice-president of Harvard Students for Israel.