Egyptian TV Series Generates Controversy

I read with amusement “Egyptian TV Fuels Hate,” your Nov. 11 editorial regarding the Egyptian soap opera accused of anti-Semitism. When one considers that the Hollywood machine has been spreading lies and distorted images of Arabs (the other Semites) for over a century now, it is rather ironic that you choose to be outraged by a small Egyptian production loosely based on a work of fiction. Movies such as “True Lies,” “Delta Force” and even “Lawrence of Arabia,” just to name a few, come to mind. I do not recall your angry editorials then. People who live in glass houses ought not to be throwing rocks.

Ramzi Zakharia

Jersey City, N.J.

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The Times is to be commended for bringing to public attention the popular Egyptian TV series based on “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.” This documentary, based on a lie, was made for the explicit purpose of inciting anti-Israel, anti-Jewish emotions within the Egyptian community during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The U.S. strongly urged the Egyptian government to withdraw the series but was rebuffed.

How sad that an opportunity to educate its citizens for peace is, instead, used by the Egyptian government to continue its negative attitude toward Israel -- despite the fact that a peace treaty exists between the two nations. How tragic that the next generation of children is being inoculated with the poison of hatred that seems to run rampant in the world, threatening not only today’s children but tomorrow’s as well.

Chana Givon

Los Angeles

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Your editorial explicates one of the roots of the Arab-Israeli discord. Ostensibly, both sides are caught in a vicious cycle of fueling hatred upon each other, convincing each side that peace will never be possible between them. What can be done to break this vicious cycle? Your intimidating and arrogant editorial on the Egyptians was not useful.

Nake M. Kamrany

Los Angeles

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Your willingness to expose the barrage of propaganda lies about Jews in the Arab press may serve as a moderating influence and aid the cause of peace in the Middie East. Many experts feel that the anti-Semitic lies and distortions over the last few years in the Arab press and Palestinian school textbooks have led to the climate of hate that fuels the present conflict.

Middie Giesberg

Richard Giesberg

Los Angeles