Finding Common Ground to End Middle East Tensions

I feel that it is incomprehensible that The Times would publish such a virulently anti-Arab, vilifying and racist article as Ozick’s column. It is difficult to respond to her overt anti-Arab racism without giving into anger over her hypocrisy.

Ozick’s writes of Arab “mean-spiritedness” and of an “uncharitable psychological element--Arab shame.” Instinctively, I want to ask, “Where, Ms. Ozick, is the charitable psychological element behind Israeli military rule over the Palestinians? Is there no Jewish shame for Israeli killings of Palestinian children? How would Ms. Ozick like to be a Palestinian living under Israeli military rule?” But I pause and realize that these questions illicit a response which would continue the cycle of distrust, violence and mean-spiritedness, of which she spoke out for which she had no solution.

Yes, there is mean-spiritedness and, yes, there is pain for both Israelis and Palestinians; but the moment is now to forget the past and move into the future. Because for every Israeli killed by a Palestinian, there are Palestinians who were killed by Israelis. To dwell upon these atrocities is to focus upon the past and to ignore the possibilities of the present and to perhaps destroy permanently the chances for peace for the future.

Thus, the only response that I have is ask the following questions: Would The Times have printed an article about Jewish/Israeli mean-spiritedness that had been written by an Arab? What then would have been the Jewish/Israeli reaction? There is blood and sorrow on both sides. Both people have lost blood and have mourned. But Ozick’s article is the cry of retaliation.

The Palestinian people are willing to forgive the Jews for the atrocities which the Jews in their struggles have committed against them. All the Palestinians expect in return is to be treated like human beings and not like “alien invaders” or “grasshoppers.” They expect the same rights--no more, no less--as Ozick demands for her cousin.

Freedom is not the exclusive property of any nationality.

ARCH MILLER, Media Chairperson

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination

Committee, Los Angeles