Prager on Israeli-Arab Conflict

I was quite disheartened after reading Prager’s article. It seemed that his words echoed so much hostility and antagonism.

First, he complains about the condemnation levied against Israel for its use of live ammunition to ruthlessly quell demonstrators, killing at least 19 Palestinians in Jerusalem. Ironically, Prager has demanded from Arabs and Muslims that they reprimand their fringe elements in the wake of any violence. But I guess it is quite difficult for Prager to criticize extremists when they represent the central authority of Israel. Moreover, he has vehemently argued that religion loses moral credibility when it refuses to criticize its own adherents. In effect, Prager is a victim now of his own propaganda, unable to side with justice. He must face the tragic reality of the Middle East: Israeli extremists and Middle Eastern dictators are all tyrannical, the former selective and the latter indiscriminate in their methods of oppression.

Prager claims that the condemnation of Israel by the U.N. has embittered the peace movement. Which movement can that be? Israel today is controlled by the hawkish Likud, the party of expansionism with the likes of Yitzhak Shamir and Ariel Sharon who defiantly bolster settlements in the occupied territories.

Prager insinuates that the American government is hypocritical when it chooses to criticize Israel. If Israeli interests continue to conflict with American long-term international interests, then Israel should find another source for its $3-billion annual welfare check.

Moreover, his assumption that all Arabs and Muslims support the current leaders in the Middle East is a generalization based on ignorance; it is akin to assuming that all Jews unconditionally support the current Israeli government.

His effort to dehumanize the Palestinians is similar to the tactics of the leaders of apartheid; this ploy allows them to justify their brutal occupation and racist policies. SALAM AL-MARAYAH, Director, Muslim Public Affairs Council, Los Angeles