Letter to The New York Times

A letter sent to The New York Times on Saturday, December 27.

Dear Editor:

In the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, it states that "if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law." Unfortunately, the Palestinians are a completely unprotected people who will be damned no matter what methods they resort to, whether it be stones, Qassems or peaceful demonstrations.

As Israel's own human rights organization, Btselem, points out in its research, since 2004 until the end of 2007, 12 Israelis and 1 foreign national were killed by Qassem rockets. Today alone, 250 Palestinians have been killed, and approximately 800 wounded, with more to come. Thousands of rockets fired in the course of a few years, resulting in very few deaths whereas one missile fired causes mass deaths and devastation. It was reported that 100 tons of bombs rained down on Palestinians today.

Be assured that Israel's bulldozers have also caused more destruction to Palestinians than any of these Qassem rockets while the world has sat silent, including crushing to death one young American citizen.

It's a jaw for a tooth, and a head for an eye where an analogy can never really be made between the oppressed and that of the oppressor.

[Full Name]
Bayside, NY