Canada Palestine Association

POBox 1085

Halifax,NS, B3J 2X1

Tel: 902.429 9100

 

Oct. 15, 2001

 

The Editor

The Globe & Mail

 

Dear Editor:

 

Mr. Bert Raphael exemplifies the height of audacity, in his letter {"Dubious UN decision" Oct. 13}, castigating Syria for having "occupying forces in Lebanon and is in a state of war with Israel." Syrian forces are in Lebanon at the invitation of the Lebanese government. He forgets that Israeli forces invaded Lebanon bringing about the death of nearly 20,000 Lebanese and Palestinian civilians, besides the terrorism and brutal massacres in Sabra and Shatilla orchestrated by Ariel Sharon. Israeli forces remained in occupation of Lebanese territory for 22 years, in defiance of Security Council resolutions, until driven out by Hezbollah and other Lebanese resistance fighters.

 

Evidently, Mr. Raphael has forgotten why is Syria "in a state of war with Israel." Israel remains in occupation of Syrian territory for 34 years, in defiance of repeated Security Council resolutions. Also, there is the illegal occupation, for over 34 years, of the West Bank, including East jerusalem, and Gaza. International law entitles all peoples, even Arabs, under foreign occupation to resist such occupation.

 

As to terrorism, it would take volumes to catalogue Israel's history of terrorism and war crimes against the British, Palestinians ,other Arabs, and even Jews [bombing synagogues in Baghdad] and its own closest ally, the Americans. As to Israel's terrorism against America, does he remember the bombing of US diplomatic centres in Cairo and Alexandria,in 1954, [The Lavon Affair], and the sinking of "The Liberty" in 1967, killing 35 and injuring 175 American Servicemen?

 

Yours sincerely

Ismail Zayid,MD

President, Canada Palestine Association