Said on ‘Arab Powerlessness’

According to Edward Said (Commentary, April 29), complications in the Middle East peace process as well as Israel’s recent incursion in Lebanon can be attributed to Arab “powerlessness.” Wrong. For accuracy’s sake, one must substitute “intransigence” for “powerlessness.” Despite the July 1993 cease-fire agreement between the Israeli Defense Force and the Syrian-Iranian backed Hezbollah, 62 Israelis were killed and injured by Hezbollah aggression in the last 2 1/2 years.

With regard to the implementation of the Middle East peace process, yes, the territories have been closed off. But again, only as a response to continued Arab terrorism. This year between Feb. 25 and March 4, 59 innocents were killed during Hamas suicide bombings in the heart of Israel. All of the bombers came from the territories.

A tragic cycle of violence has long dominated the Arab-Israeli conflict, with the Arab states’ refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist at its heart. Just when change is taking place and peace is beginning to take root, Said bemoans the voices of moderation and urges confrontation. How sad.

CHERYL CUTLER AZAIR

Associate Director

Anti-Defamation League, L.A.

* Said’s article exposes exactly what is wrong in the Middle East today. The problems is not “Arab powerlessness”; quite the opposite is true. It is well within the power of the Arabs to bring the Middle East conflict to a halt once and for all. The truth is that Syria and Iran are using groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah to further their own political agendas; the return of the Golan Heights and an increase in the sphere of power, respectively. Israel created the “security zone” in Lebanon to keep Hezbollah from firing into Israel, not to conquer sovereign Lebanese land.

As Said points out, the Arabs are 200 million people. They live in 18 different Arab countries. Their revenue from oil is beyond comprehension. Israel is the only Jewish state, at 1/40 the size of the Arab world, with only 5 million people. Who looks powerless now?

MICHAEL WEISER

Northridge