Israel and the Intifada

I was astonished to read Reich’s column in which he inferred the Tibetans’ intifada has not succeeded because of a lack of adequate media coverage or an enlightened occupation.

May I remind Reich that the so-called “legions of reporters” have never been allowed to cover an actual confrontation between rock-throwing Palestinians and armed Israeli troops and settlers--only a cleansed aftermath. Indeed, it is doubtful that the Chinese ever stooped to disguise themselves as reporters as Israeli settlers have done to swoop down upon dissidents and perpetrate bloodshed.

Reich attributes the success of the Palestinian intifada to Israel which operates under “self-imposed restraints.” According to the latest Palestinian figures, the death toll is 688, there are 34,000 wounded and 5,800 Palestinians disabled from brutal, systematic beatings, 3,700 Palestinian miscarriages from beatings and tear gas, hundreds of Palestinian houses destroyed, and thousands of Palestinian trees uprooted--not to mention 12,000 imprisoned Palestinians.

Pray tell, what does Mr. Reich consider a harsh occupation? Genocide?

It is not the conscience of the Israeli government, but the fact that the will of the oppressed is prepared to withstand wholesale murder, torture, starvation and beatings because life--under occupation--is worthless. This is taking place not only in Palestine, but in South Africa, El Salvador, and South Korea.

Mr. Reich, Tibet’s intifada hasn’t succeeded because the people have not yet reached the limit that there is nothing to lose but misery.

SUAD CANO

Executive Vice President

National Assn. of Arab Americans

Los Angeles