I’m writing in response to Rabbi Abraham Goodstein’s piece in the Feb. 27 edition of the ADN, agreeing with him that the October assault by Hamas on Israel was horrendous, and I agree with his statement that Jewish people abhor violence. I add, however, that the extreme religious right in Israel does not seem to abhor violence — not when they are responsible for the deaths of 30,000 Palestinians, including 13,000 children and 8,860 women.
The extreme religious right of Israel is not alone here. Throughout history, around the world, the extreme right of various religions have been responsible for acts of horrendous violence: the Christian crusaders of the Middle Ages, and the Taliban of the current age to name but a few. They have all created destruction, misery, and death in the name of God.
Again throughout history, subjugated people have risen against powerful tyrants who seek to impose their religion by illegal acts and violence. Here we must look at the history of Israel and Palestine. For centuries, Jews and Palestinians lived together reasonably peacefully. Then in 1948, the world powers decided to formally partition the land and create the state of Israel.
The Arab world reacted forcefully. The first of several Arab-Israeli wars commenced with fear, insecurity and hate between Israelis and Palestinians as a consequence. This enabled the Israeli religious right to enact a series of laws, rules and military actions that made Palestinians second-class citizens, justified taking control of Gaza, and limited Palestinian rights on the right bank.
Rules, permit requirements, and limits on travel humiliate Palestinians and leave them no space for hope of a better life. Pleas for the creation of an independent Palestinian state are ignored.
Who wants to live under such tyrannical rule?
Under a right-wing leader needing the extreme religious right to remain in power, Israel has behaved abominably. This should not be an excuse for antisemitism. Indeed, many Israelis and most non-Israeli Jews are horrified by the acts committed by the current government of Israel. Rather it should be a reason to fear and work to contain religious extremism, whether Jewish, Muslim, or Christian. Religion at its best is the relationship between one person and their God. The religious right, a minority, seeks to impose its view of the relationship on the majority. America, please take note. Current events in this country suggest we too are at risk from a religious right attempting to use our political process to impose their views and values. If we do not protect ourselves, we too could become Palestinians.
— Michel Villon
Anchorage
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