Oct. 8, 2001

 

The Editor,

The Halifax Herald

 

Dear Editor:

 

It behoves Messrs. Oz, Yehoshua, Grossman and Wiesel { " Israeli authors seek information about three abducted soldiers" Oct. 8} to appeal first to Israeli government to release the scores of Lebanese hostages, including Sheikh Obeid and Moustafa Dirani who were kidnapped from their homes and held by Israel for many years and denied any visitations by the International Red Cross. It is understood that the Hezbollah guerrillas, who seized the three Israeli soldiers in occupied Lebanese territory, are bargaining for the release of their own fellow countrymen, illegally held by Israeli authorities. That is not to mention the thousands of Palestinians held, and tortured, in Israeli prisons, for years without charge or trial.

 

If the Israeli authors are genuinely interested in compliance with international law and "bringing this horror to an end", they should look at their own government's doings first.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Ismail Zayid, MD