Source: The Star Ledger
By: Hassan Mahmoud

I salute you for your Nov. 14 editorial "A fair deal for Mideast peace." Israeli oppression of Palestinians is the source of Mideast instability. During the recent United Nations initiative in Istanbul to resolve the conflict between the West and the Muslim world, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said, "No conflict carries such a powerful symbolic and emotional charge among people far removed from the battlefield. As long as the Palestinian live under occupation, exposed to daily frustration and humiliation, so long will passion be inflamed." As you mentioned, the Bush administration's uncritical support for Israel has strengthened the region's radicals. Israel's amen corner in this country should put America's interest ahead of Israel's. Israel's supporters pushed President Bush to invade Iraq, where we have lost 2,850 Americans and $350 billion, and no Israeli citizen was hurt in this misadventure. Now they are prodding Bush to attack Iran. God help us.

-- Hassan Mahmoud, Westfield