America can strongly influence the Middle East
Rachel Smith
senior
It is rare to see an American give honest appraisal of Israel's strategy in the ongoing Israeli and Palestinian conflict. In his Feb. 5 letter entitled, "U.S. Middle-East policy dangerously unbalanced," Tony Lusvardi gave us that, showing that Israel has done much in recent months to stoke the violence, that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has consistently pursued a strategy designed escalate the conflict into full-scale war and that a more balanced U.S. policy would serve both American and Middle Eastern interests. On Feb. 11, we saw a response from Seth Hiland, applauding America's one-sided approach. His letter essentially boiled down to one point: Palestinians have also done bad things.
Hiland's approach to policy making in the Middle East mirrors that of the American media and, sadly, many of our Washington representatives. This consists in choosing the morally superior position and unconditionally supporting that side. If this is indeed our strategy, then it is by no means clear that Israel is the more deserving party. Hiland's grossly distorted view of the conflict ignores many historical facts, including those cited in the very article to which he was responding.
His claim that Israel has been "more than patient" with the Palestinians was effectively refuted in the unanswered arguments of Lusvardi's original letter, but just in case that list was not sufficient, I will add to it. Israel has continued to place settlers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, in violation of international law and despite the fact that this unquestionably incites the rage of the Palestinians.
They have shown blatant disregard for human rights. Amnesty International has cited Israel for hundreds of violations in the past year alone, including unlawful arrest, extrajudicial execution and mistreatment of prisoners.
They have broken promises. Sharon repeatedly claims to target Palestinian leaders alone, yet his attacks have killed hundreds of non-combatants and children, and his siege of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has destroyed the Palestinian economy and quadrupled unemployment.
Hiland's call to hold Palestinians accountable for their actions is fair, but should we not be even more concerned about the accountability of those who use American tax dollars to fund their atrocities? Perhaps, instead of searching for that elusive moral high ground, we should support the course of action that is most likely to bring peace to the region. Here, again, Lusvardi's call for change is justified.
He argues that Sharon's policies will plunge the region into war and chaos. Hiland does nothing to rebut this analysis and in fact, he implicitly agrees with it, but evidently thinks that this is an acceptable price to pay if it ensures the punishment of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Those with less vindictive motivations would do well to recognize that peace must start somewhere, and Arafat, currently trapped under house arrest, will find it difficult to persuade his people to ensure security for a nation that continues to bombard their villages and besiege their towns.
Significant changes are called for on both sides, but, as Israel's primary financial supporter, this is clearly the place where the United States has the most potential to make a difference. If we demand changes — an end to assassinations, for example, or a freeze on settlement building — then Israel will have no choice but to comply or face losing the resources that have made their military dominance possible in the first place.
Given Sharon's present course, such changes could only be an improvement. They would also, by the way, be in our own country's best interests. Given our current international ambitions, America has nothing to gain and everything to lose by appearing to support Israel to the detriment of all Arab interests.
Peace in the Middle East is, unfortunately, a far-off goal. Nonetheless, our country is now too deeply involved to ignore the wider ramifications of the statements that we make and the checks that we write. Are the Israelis and Palestinians moving closer to a solution or is the situation deteriorating even further beyond recall? Whether we like it or not, it may be America that decides.
Rachel Smith
senior
Lyons Hall
Feb. 12, 2002
All Viewpoint Stories for Wednesday, February 13, 2002
