Letters: Palestinians in Area C

Re “Palestinians fend for themselves,” May 19

Thank you for publishing the enlightening article about the plight of people living in the so-called Area C in the Palestinian territories, where Israel retains security and administrative control.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor is quoted as saying that “Israel regularly approves dozens of international projects for the benefit of the Palestinian people.” And yet, as the article notes, between 2000 and 2007, 94% of Palestinian building permits were rejected. During the same period, more than 18,000 homes were built by settlers on Palestinian land.

Americans think of themselves as a moral, just people, yet in 2012, Israel received more than $3 billion in U.S. aid, which assisted a country that illegally suppresses an entire people while American needs went unmet.

I don’t know how any self-respecting Israeli or American can tolerate such oppression of our fellow human beings.

Elke Heitmeyer

Sherman Oaks

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