Discrimination Between Israelis, Palestinians

“Rabbis Take Aim at Women in Ranks” (Aug. 24) addresses the importance of military service as a key to climbing the ranks in Israeli society. Furthermore, many of the benefits offered by the state are attached to military service, which nearly every Jewish citizen is obligated to do. However, the article does not address how non-Jewish Arab citizens of the state are refused duty in the military and, therefore, are refused the attached benefits. This goes along with the minimal funding that Arab neighborhoods within Israel proper receive and the constant, institutionalized racism faced by this minority indigenous population. All of this leaves little doubt of the apartheid nature of the Israeli state.

Fadi Kiblawi

Arlington, Va.

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Hussein Ibish (Commentary, Aug. 24) contends that the state of Israel discriminates against the Palestinians. No official Palestinian map shows there is a state of Israel, so how can a nonexisting state discriminate against anyone?

On the other hand, if there is a state of Israel and the Palestinians do not acknowledge it, then who is discriminating against whom?

Abraham Gnessin

Whittier

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Re “Israeli Raid, Copter Attack Kill at Least 6 Palestinians,” Aug. 23: Since Sept. 28, Israel has killed over 600 Palestinians, of whom 86% were civilians and over 30% were under 19 years old. An additional 15,000 were injured, of whom 1,500 suffered permanent disability. What part of “thou shall not kill” does Israel not understand?

Vilma Avila

Anaheim

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Buried deep in “Another Kind of Intifada” (Aug. 22) is the truth--[Abdul Jawad Saleh’s view] that Palestinian leaders manipulate popular suffering for political goals. They more than manipulate suffering; they force it upon Palestinian civilians.

How else could they derail peace talks with Israel, talks that interfere with their ultimate goal of the destruction of the state of Israel? As for comparing Israeli attacks on militant strongholds to suicide bombings of civilians, you’re kidding, right?

Judy Yehuda

Irvine